Chakwera wants law that would drag President Mutharika to Malawi parliament for grilling

Leader of opposition in parliament Lazarus Chakwera has asked for a law that would compel the president to appear before the House to answer questions from back-benchers.

Chakwera:  We need to face these challenges square one

Chakwera, who is also president of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said this on Thursday in parliament when he made his speech when the House rose.

“It is also a matter of concern that this House continues to operate without proper Standing Orders that enables the Head of Government, who is also the Head of State to account to Malawians by answering questions from people’s representatives,” he said.

“We need to face these challenges square one,” he added.

Currently, the law allows members of parliament to ask the President questions but the Head of Government can delegate a cabinet minister answer the questions.

Chakwera and other opposition back benchers once asked President Peter Mutharika questions but were answered by ministers.

Speaker Richard Msowoya said the new set of Standing Orders, to be presented in the 193 strong House, would compel Mutharika to be in parliament in person to answer questions. Chakwera also expressed concern over lack of independence of Anti-Corruption Bureau, Auditor General and parliament.

He also said the review of the ongoing review of electoral reforms.

“As opposition, we shall continue to push for legislation to make sure that the fight against corruption and the mismanagement of Malawi’s finances is won,” he said.

Chakwera said the opposition was not happy with some votes passed in the mid term budget. He said the opposition prioritised issues on national interest and pro-poor.

“We have today passed the mid year budget with some concerns on some vote allocations but for the sake of Malawians who need the crucial services in hospitals and schools, we have done the needful,” he said.

Chakwera also paid tribute to the joint parliamentary committee of parliament for its inquiry in the infamous maizegate, saying this unraveled deep rooted corrupt practices.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
5 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
7 years ago

Malawi Crocodile Party always reactive. Nothing on the menu to tell Malawians apart from waiting in ambush looking for any dark spot of DPP. Mukadzaluza ndiye muzizati mwaberedwa. Ma CSO mmene akuflopelamo muyesa akuthandizani. Chipani cha pa Zodiak ndi ku court basi?

Yahya Jammeh
7 years ago

This is exactly what Ntaba said when he stated that we follow the Britisih system of government. The British Prime Minister does not delegate, but goes to Parliament to answer MPs’ questions there and then. I guess Ntaba didn’t know what he was talking about, he shot himself in the foot. I will rule Gambia for a billion years.

benjones
7 years ago

He!he!he!he I wait to see

diffi
7 years ago

I am in support of the notion but not with an intention to HUMILIATE the president.
why was it unnecessary then?
this question can be answered by the laws too.
to embarrass the president who we all know has no exceptional design to control anger, I we should all think and act by guarding our emotions.

present your ideas and remove the word stretcher so that our president can ably govern

Charlie
Charlie
7 years ago

It would be interesting to have Mutharika answer questions in parliament! It is not the same as talking to MBC TV reporters on the (Know your president ?) programme. I don’t think he is capable of answering questions on pertinent issues concerning Malawi.We shall be looking forward to the implementation of the new standing orders. Oooooh! Also there will be need to have a stretcher ready in parliament buildings in case someone collapses during question time.

Read previous post:
President Mutharika says he cannot order arrest of Chaponda: Blasts Chakwera, Kamlepo during MBC program

Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Thursday night spoke on the issue of former Agriculture minister George Chaponda and corruption for...

Close