Speaker Suleman rebuffs DPP criticism, asserting direct line to President Mutharika

Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has pushed back against criticism from Democratic Progressive Party Secretary General Peter Mukhito, stating that he communicates directly with President Arthur Peter Mutharika and does not defer to party-level decisions without first consulting the Head of State.

Suleman’s response came after Mukhito issued a statement on behalf of the DPP raising concerns over the tone and scope of Parliament’s recent oversight activities, including a series of joint committee inquiries into issues ranging from electricity blackouts to alleged financial impropriety.

In his rebuttal, the Speaker appeared unmoved by the party’s criticism, indicating that Parliament would continue to investigate matters of public interest for as long as he remains in his current role representing Malawians in the National Assembly.

Suleman further suggested that Mukhito should refrain from presenting himself as speaking on the President’s behalf, or from seeking political advantage from issues that fall within Parliament’s constitutional remit to scrutinise the Executive.

The Speaker maintained that his conduct reflects the responsibilities entrusted to him by the electorate, rather than any obligation to the party that facilitated his nomination to the role.

He further indicated that Parliament’s oversight functions would continue unimpeded, regardless of political pressure exerted from within the governing party.

The exchange marks a significant escalation in what had, until this week, remained a largely private tension between the Speaker’s office and DPP leadership over the appropriate boundaries of parliamentary scrutiny.

It now appears increasingly likely to play out in public, with both sides staking out competing claims over where legislative oversight ends and political loyalty begins.