Leader of opposition says govt must be open on Malawi President’s US prolonged stay
Leader of Opposition in parliament Lazarus Chakwera has said the government should be open and transparent on President Peter Mutharika’s prolonged stay in the US.
“This is where the Access to Information law is needed. Malawians would have known where exactly the President is and what he is doing,” said Chakwera, who is also president of the main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
The government has been secretive on the whereabouts of Mutharika after he attended the UN general assembly which run from September 19 to 23.
There strong indications that he has proceeded on leave.
However presidential spokesperson Mgeme Kalirani says Mutharika is still in the US on official duties whist Foreign Affairs minister Francis Katsaira and Information minister Maliseni Ndau are coy to comment.
Chakwera said the Access to Information law would have compelled both Katsaira and Ndau to disclose where Mutharika is and what he is doing as well as when he is expected back in Malawi.
On the IMF observations, Chakwera said it was laughable that the government had to wait for the IMF team to come all the way from the United State to tell the government officals they were overspending.
“The government was supposed to be making its own assessments to check on expenditure. They should not wait for the IMF to come and tell them,” he said
. He said the opposition had for sometime noted that the government was overspending.
The IMF said if the government continues to overspend, the economy will completely collapse
Chakwera this is none of your business. During campaign you went to USA to raise funds who questioned you. You mean you have to know If he is visiting his children. You will also wish to know when he is going to the bathroom. Shut up your stinky mouth you dictator failing to lead your own party even when you are not in Government
Shut up shut up solve your party problems. Why worry yet we have Vice president here
Gule you must be stupid. Dr Laz is a bonafide citizen of this country and is supposed to know where his president is?
is spending our taxes. malawi ali pa mavuto
Come on, Guys. The gentleman has children and grandchildren in the US. What do you think he is doing?
mkhalambayi ilikuchipattala kasurgery pangóno ka postrate ….paja anakwatira nkhalamba yachisungwana. They can’t disclose the presidents health issue
O……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….O . . . And I quote . . . “This is where the Access to Information (ATI) Law is needed. Malawians would have known where exactly the president is and what he is doing.” – Chakwera . . . Is it hard to see that people are misleading themselves on what the ATI can possibly do? If you ask for information . . . . . . Who would provide you with the infor (about where the president is), if not government operatives? . . . Cant these people choose to lie or speak broadly? So how does exactitude… Read more »
Not only do we need a stronger government, we need a stronger opposition, too. How is it that the president and his bloated entourage can disappear into the US and yet no one can or will say categorically what he’s doing with Malawi taxpayers’ money during his prolonged stay? Malawi is being laughed at, the world over: it begs for money but it allows its leaders to spend it like is rich!
koma leader of opposition uyunso ndiye madzi mu mbiri ya dziko la Malawi. Talks cheaply like CEDEP’s Gift Trapence
Mr. Chakwera, does the Law have a camera where you can easily spot whatever the President is doing in the US?
A silly question from a dull person, you’re happy Muthalika is misusing our taxes? Alomwe kusapot chili chose basi…………
I am coy to comment………………eishhh