Malawi’s newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman, has pledged to restore the integrity of the National Assembly and ensure that it serves the needs of ordinary Malawians.
Speaking in his first interview with Parliament Television after his election on Wednesday, Suleman described his appointment as both an honour and a challenge he is ready to face head-on.
Suleman, who previously served as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, said his leadership will prioritize strengthening the oversight role of Parliament to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
“I plan to work for Malawians, especially on the oversight role, that’s where my focus will be mainly, to make sure that the legislature and executive are working hand in hand to assist the president with his goal,” he said.
“More especially, the president has repeatedly said he wants to fulfill his manifesto and for that to happen, he needs to have all the support that they can get from parliament.”
Suleman added that parliamentary committees will be empowered and fully resourced to perform their duties effectively, following up on their actions and ensuring that when they pass the budget, it is implemented as intended.
He also made a firm stance against corruption, vowing to promote integrity within both Parliament and the executive.
“We will not entertain corruption, whether at the executive level or in Parliament. We want to bring a new face to Parliament and restore the respect that this house deserves,” Suleman asserted.
Suleman expressed gratitude to President Peter Mutharika and the Malawian people at large for their trust and support, promising to serve all citizens fairly. “So be assured, Malawians, we will not disappoint you. We will work for the benefit of all Malawians, more especially those who are less privileged, and to make sure that Malawians at least can get the essentials that they need for their day-to-day lives without much hassle.”
