As Malawi’s newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) begin their five-year journey in the august House, the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on them to remember the people who entrusted them with power.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, said while it is practically impossible for every citizen to be inside the National Assembly, MPs must remember that they are the voice of the voiceless and should put national interests above partisan or personal gains.
CDEDI outlined several priority areas for Parliament to consider, including the introduction of laws that respond to Malawi’s pressing governance and economic challenges. Among these is a proposal for parliamentary business to be conducted in a language that MPs and citizens are most comfortable with, suggesting a debate on the possibility of using local languages alongside English, as done in Tanzania with Swahili.
“We believe, as a Nation, Malawi would benefit more by allowing its parliamentary representatives to carry out the business of the House in a language most of them are comfortable with in deliberating matters concerning the people they represent. ” To undermine the importance of the English language,” Namiwa said.
The organization also raised concerns over the persistent land crisis, urging government ministries and agencies to carry out a national land audit and enact laws empowering the government to reclaim idle land for redistribution to landless Malawians.
The watchdog also called for reforms in forex regulation to discourage luxury imports and encourage production for export, a lifestyle audit law to intensify the fight against corruption, and legislation to ring-fence local jobs from foreign domination. It also urged lawmakers to enact laws protecting citizens’ right to privacy, particularly against surveillance and poor mobile network services.
“Our lawmakers should also consider putting in place a law that ensures reliable and affordable phones, Internet connection, and airtime. It is a shame that, currently, Malawians hardly talk continuously for 10 minutes without the call dropping off,” he added.
Outside the House, Namiwa urged President Arthur Peter Mutharika to act decisively on alleged corruption at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) and the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) through forensic audits, saying doing so would restore public trust in governance.
