Mutharika in self praise, mock Malawi opposition  after presidential powers remain intact

Malawian President Peter Mutharika was in self praise Friday after his charges narrowly defeated the opposition in a vote that could have trimmed presidential powers.

Speaking during the official launch of Best Buy Malawi Strategy in Lilongwe, Mutharika mocked the opposition for the defeat in parliament on Thursday.

“Yesterday they failed to take some of my powers, we floored them, they are dreaming,” said Mutharika referring to the motion in which Lilongwe South West MP Peter Chakwantha wanted powers to appoint the director of Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) be taken away from the president and be vested in parliament.

The motion was defeated by three votes as 76 MPs from government side and some independent legislators voted against it whilst 73 back benchers from the opposition and some independents voted for it.

Mutharika reiterated that he would not step down as demanded by the opposition, saying he is enjoying massive support from people across the country.

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) publicist Jessie Kabwila and Peoples Party (PP) vice president Kamlepo Kalua asked Mutharika to resign saying he has failed to address food shortages and economic turmoil.

Turning to the Best Buy Malawian strategy, Mutharika said he has ordered that all civil servants as well as public servants should wear Malawian clothes on Fridays as way of promoting Malawian products.

The President said for over 52 years, the country has failed to tackle chronic challenges that weakened the productive sector. This, he said has turned the country into a consuming nation with low base of production and export.

“We have undermined our nation confidence, crushed our self esteem and broken our national pride and dignity for too long. We must start to believe in our products and services,” explained Mutharika.

He added, “Who will believe in our products if we the owners cannot believe in them and how can we become an exporting nation if we don’t believe in our products. This is time for us to embrace our locally made goods and services.”

Mutharika then described the Buy Malawi Strategy such a platform through which the country would improve its investment opportunities, change business strategies, create jobs and facilitate increase exportation of goods.

“Through this strategy, we want to stimulate local production, promote the spirit of industrialization, create competitiveness and create more jobs that will in-return create wealth for the country.

“And, through the strategy, we expect to improve our foreign exchange base as importation of goods is expected to drop down,” the President said.

To show seriousness and commitment, the President said the government of Malawi will accelerate public sector reforms as well as business reforms and create a more conducive business environment.

Furthermore, the President said government is intensifying irrigation programmes aimed at increasing productivity since agriculture is the only source of raw materials.

“We are driving in foreign direct investors who will be part of local industry. Besides, we are creating a buy- Malawi convincing and conducive environment by making our laws, policies and energy supply ideal for the purpose,” Mutharika emphasized.

He also said March 18 this year is Malawi Day when people should put on clothes produced in Malawi to show to the world that Malawian is the best.

Mutharika  asked places of hospitalities to serve Malawian dishes at least once a week.

The President asked local banks to lend money to companies that produce local products as way of promoting them.

He however warned local companies against over pricing saying this kills local firms because people would not just products just because they are Malawian but of reasonable prices.

Mutharika said local firms should be innovative and produce high quality products that should have strong appeal both locally and outside.

He said Malawi has suffered economically because it has been a predominantly importing country.

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