This article was originally published on Malawi24 ">Malawi24, Malawi's #1 independent news platform. Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has defended his decision to push ahead with parliamentary scrutiny of pressing national issues, saying he sees nothing wrong with the position he has taken. His defence comes after DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito warned that parliamentary oversight must not become an alternative centre of executive authority, setting the stage […] Read the full article an
Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has defended his decision to push ahead with parliamentary scrutiny of pressing national issues, saying he sees nothing wrong with the position he has taken.
His defence comes after DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito warned that parliamentary oversight must not become an alternative centre of executive authority, setting the stage for a fresh debate over the boundaries between Parliament and the government.
Mukhito said the DPP respects Parliament’s constitutional oversight role but maintained that senior party officials holding public office must also respect the constitutional mandate of President Peter Mutharika and the authority of the Executive.
The warning followed Suleman’s recent press briefing, where he raised concerns over a range of issues affecting Malawians, including the Salima water project, the contributory pension scheme, electricity supply, ESCOM and EGENCO, NOCMA, passport services, delays in the administration of justice, prison conditions, mining, agriculture and the tobacco sector.
But speaking to the local media, Suleman said he does not see anything wrong with what he has done.
Suleman said he has great respect for Mutharika and maintains communication with the President, adding that he consults him on many decisions.
He said no one should take advantage of his relationship with the President to make themselves look good, stressing that his actions should be understood within the responsibilities of his office.
Suleman also said Parliament will proceed with its decision to establish committees to investigate issues that have come before the House as matters of concern.
Among the issues earmarked for scrutiny are passport challenges and the alleged theft of money at the National Oil Company of Malawi.
Mukhito, however, said concerns involving contracts, public finances and procurement should be handled by institutions legally mandated to investigate and take corrective action.
He said passport challenges should be addressed by responsible government institutions and, where necessary, examined by relevant parliamentary committees.
