MPs should not be paid – Kaliati

Advertisement
Malawi Patricia Kaliati

Minister of Information and Civic Education who is also a Member of Parliament Patricia Kaliati on Tuesday made a proposal that might impress any austerity-minded Malawian.

Patricia Kaliati
Kaliati: Called for no pay to MPs.

Speaking after opposition MPs led by People’s Party’s Elias Wakuda Kamanga had disrupted the proceedings of Parliament because government was not clear on their loans, Kaliati challenged that Members of Parliament were not worthy of being paid that day. She said on Tuesday.

“We are paid to come here and deliberate on issues, not just to protest. I would like to propose that we do not get paid this day’s allowance,” said the vocal legislator.

Laudon Malingamoyo Phiri
Malingamoyo Phiri; Questions Kaliati’s motive.

The Mulanje West lawmaker argued that the House should have given attention to the debate about the National budget other than arguing about things like loans which only benefit them other than Malawians out there.

She was however cautioned by deputy speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje who said the members had transacted some business for the day.

Commenting on the matter, political analyst Laudon Malingamoyo Phiri said Kaliati’s remarks were just a political ploy meant at scoring some political goals.

“In this regard the minister made a pertinent point. However, there is no doubt in my mind the minister capitalized on the situation to score a political point. The fact is, voters have more say than the voted; voters are watching, come the next election they(MPs) will pay the prize if they continue to put selfishness above service to their constituents; or profitability above professionalism,’’ said Malingamoyo Phiri in an interview with Malawi24 on Wednesday.

The MPs continue deliberating on the national budget presented in parliament earlier last month.