Govt cautiously praise opposition MPs

Leader of the House Francis Kasaila has given a cautious praise to the opposition for the smooth deliberations in parliament, saying this was in contrast to reports that the opposition were ganging up to make the business chaotic.

Kasaila said as parliament is on a weekend recess.

“We have done very well. The perception was that this parliament would e very chaotic but we have moved on very well despite some clashes here and there,” he said.

He said from Monday, the parliamentarians will now be debating and passing bills which he said will help Malawi get out of the poverty trap.

“We all agree that the economy is not doing very good and we must all put our brains together,” said the minister.

He has however not committed himself to say if one of the bills is the much talked about Access to information bill which President Peter Mutharika assured would be tabled in this seating of parliament.

Mutharika faced severe criticism from the opposition benches for his 25 minute state of the nation address which they said lacked substance and facts and others mocked it as a tweet.

Outside parliament, Mutharika said he is soon to invade Karonga Nyungwe, the Malawi Congress Party stronghold in the north as its MP is MCP vice president and Speaker of the national assembly Richard Msowoya.

Mutharika warned the MCP and People’s Party leadership to stop castigating and provoking him, saying he is human and he can retaliate.

Some political leaders at the Saturday Mangochi rally openly castigated and insulted MCP president Lazarus Chakwera and PP president Joyce Banda.