MP Kalindo says ‘don’t tolerate amwenye to punish poor Malawians’: Irked with ‘State capture’

Mulanje South lawmaker Bon Kalindo  for the governing  Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said Malawi Parliament should be vigilant against Asian business community from abusing local citizens.

Kalindo, who is also a comedian popularly known by his stage name Winiko, said this in the House regarding the court order that Transglobe Limited issued to Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation chairperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga.

“As Parliament, we should not tolerate this. We should not allow amwenye to punish poor Malawians. This is dangerous, Mr Speaker, Sir,” said Kalindo and attracted applause from the backbenchers.

Parliamentary proceedings were suspended last week, following a request by MPs to have the Business Committee discuss the way forward on the court order.

“If we are to allow this to continue, one day we will wake up as if we are watching a movie. As if we are watching Zee World or as if we are watching trailers that this country has been taken by those Indians. This is our country and that behaviour must be stopped immediately,” he said.

Speaker of Palriament Richard Msowoya ordered Kalindo to remove the word ‘Indians’ in his speech.

But Kalindo wondered: “Is this not true? “

He then bowed down to remove the word “Indians”.

Continued Kalindo: “We should not allow some business people to punish poor Malawians. This is uncalled for. This is our country and the ones who are supposed to enjoy in this country are Malawians.

“I am looking for a day when someone is going to wake up and have a motion that all Malawian business people should benefit from the FISP (Farm Input Subisdy Programme) and not anyone else. This must be stopped and not be tolerated. “

The comedian-cum-politician said: “I am angry!” And wondered why the  Speaker was  looking at him while smiling.

Msowoya said Kalindo was contravening a Standing Order.

“You do not reflect on the Chair,” he said.

The case between Transglobe Export Produce and Malunga was expected to be heard last Friday, but Msowoya told the House that it was adjourned because the applicant approached Parliament with a view of exploring ways of resolving the matter amicably.

He said  the House will be informed of any further developments concerning this case.