Information Minister Shadric Namalomba has defended cabinet ministers over their late arrival to Parliament on Monday, insisting government business had “started very well” despite a delay that forced the Speaker to suspend proceedings for nearly an hour.
The sitting was temporarily halted after lawmakers raised concerns over the absence of ministers at the start of business.
Dedza Mlunduni MP Moses Kumkuyu questioned whether it was proper for the House to proceed without cabinet representation, a position supported by Mzimba South West legislator Khumbo Kachali.
Speaker Sameer Suleman said he had not received any formal communication explaining the ministers’ absence and suspended the sitting for 30 minutes, warning that the day’s business would be postponed if they failed to show up.
Proceedings eventually resumed about an hour later when several ministers entered the chamber, including Leader of Government Business Jappie Mhango, Peter Mukhito, and Ben Phiri, with others joining shortly after.
Mhango apologized to the House, attributing the delay to other pressing government commitments.
Speaking after the sitting, Namalomba said ministers had been attending to matters of national importance and dismissed suggestions of disorder, emphasizing that debate on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Arthur Peter Mutharika was progressing smoothly.
He added that the week’s parliamentary agenda remains intact, with questions to ministers, ministerial statements, private members’ motions, and the anticipated national budget presentation by the Minister of Finance expected to proceed as scheduled.
