Kaliati tells critics to ‘shut up’: Malawi govt reforms on course

Minister of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati has told critics of the President Peter Mutharika initiated public sector reforms program to be “shut up”, saying they cannot criticize a program they do not know much.

“It is His Excellency the President and the DPP (the Democratic Progressive Party) who brought this program. You do not know anything about this program therefore you cannot criticize it, just keep quiet,” said Kaliati.

The outspoken minister was speaking in a radio program on Timveni Radio.

“Let me ask you,” said Kaliati in her usual interviewee trademark with a reporter, “if your wife tells you she is one month old pregnant and next day you discover she has given birth, is that normal?” she asked rhetorically.

She asked people to be patient with the reform program, saying they are bound to give positive results though the results cannot be instant.

Kaliati, who is also government official spokesperson, said some reforms will take a shorter period to give positive results and have a positive impact on people whilst others will take much longer time therefore there was need for patience.

The Minister of Information also said some of the campaign promises of the DPP will be effected soon whilst others will take time saying there are several factors that affect implementation of programs such as campaign promises.

She said the Access to Information Bill will be tabled in parliament in the forthcoming meeting of parliament which starts on May 20 and will run for four weeks.