This article was originally published on Malawi24 ">Malawi24, Malawi's #1 independent news platform. President Peter Mutharika is under pressure to declare his position on Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman’s push for stronger parliamentary oversight. The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) says Mutharika must distance himself from the Democratic Progressive Party’s criticism of Suleman’s initiative if he genuinely maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
President Peter Mutharika is under pressure to declare his position on Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman’s push for stronger parliamentary oversight.
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) says Mutharika must distance himself from the Democratic Progressive Party’s criticism of Suleman’s initiative if he genuinely maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said Suleman should be allowed to carry out Parliament’s oversight mandate without interference from the ruling party.
Namiwa was speaking on Friday at a press briefing in Blantyre where CDEDI challenged the DPP to leave the Speaker alone and called on Malawians to support the joint committees investigating matters of national concern.
CDEDI’s position follows a statement by DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito, which criticised Suleman’s establishment of joint parliamentary committees.
Namiwa challenges Mutharika
“Malawians may also wish to know whether the DPP SG was speaking for President Mutharika, whose stance against corruption they know very well,” said Namiwa.
Namiwa said the Speaker’s position in Parliament does not make him an arm of the ruling party, arguing that Suleman has a constitutional responsibility to serve Malawians.
He further challenged Mutharika to clarify whether Mukhito’s position represents the President’s own stance, particularly given Mutharika’s declaration in his State of the Nation Address that no corrupt person will be spared.
“CDEDI is appealing to President Mutharika to set the record straight by distancing himself from the party’s stand, as it runs counter to his unapologetic zero-tolerance for corruption, after he declared in his State of the Nation Address that ‘there will be no sacred cows!’” he added.
Namiwa urged Malawians to stand with Suleman and support the parliamentary inquiries, saying the Speaker’s efforts are aimed at strengthening oversight and exposing issues affecting the public.
“Every well-meaning Malawian ought to support the Speaker in this noble cause. We strongly believe that Suleman is acting within the dictates of President Peter Mutharika’s people-centred government.
“Therefore, he deserves the support of every well-meaning Malawian. And that support should start with the ruling DPP, the party he gallantly fought for to return to power,” added Namiwa.
He challenged citizens to take advantage of the joint committees by providing information and testimonies that could help expose alleged cartels and other practices contributing to the country’s economic hardships.
Namiwa warned those allegedly threatening Suleman and committee chairpersons that they would eventually face the law.
