Malawians have rallied behind Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman after his own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) questioned the way he has been exercising Parliament’s oversight role.
DPP Secretary General Peter Mukhito on Thursday warned that parliamentary oversight must not become an alternative centre of executive authority, triggering a fresh debate over the boundaries between Parliament and the Executive.
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 several issues affecting Malawians, including the Salima water project, 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 local media, Suleman defended his decision to push ahead with parliamentary scrutiny of pressing national issues, saying he sees nothing wrong with the position he has taken.
Suleman also cautioned against people using his relationship with the President to advance themselves, saying his actions should be understood within the constitutional responsibilities of his office.
He further said Parliament will proceed with its decision to establish committees to investigate issues that have come before the House as matters of concern.
Meanwhile, the Speaker’s stance has received support from members of the public, with several Malawians taking to the Malawi24 Facebook page to defend his approach to parliamentary oversight.
“Malawi needs leaders like him; leaders who really care about the sufferings of the citizens; leaders who stand for truth; leaders who call a spade a spade. Not the handclapping sycophants!” Kafere Siziri commented.
Fas Vin Chikuse also praised Suleman, saying Malawi needs leaders who understand what is happening in the country.
“Very brilliant and good. Malawians are lacking people like him. He knows what is happening, so let him address such national matters,” Chikuse wrote.
Support for Suleman has also extended beyond the Malawi24 Facebook page, with prominent social media commentators weighing in on the controversy.
Renowned commentator Onjezani Kenani wrote: “I stand with the Speaker.”
Another commentator, Gerald Kampanikiza, described Suleman as a Speaker who is strengthening checks and balances in Parliament.
“Meet Hon Sameer Suleman, the first Speaker of Parliament to be neutral, the first Speaker to put checks and balances in operation in the history of Malawi Parliament,” Kampanikiza wrote.
