* Malawi has waited far too long for Parliament to exercise meaningful oversight and now that someone is doing it, let us not discourage him
* Malawi does not need politicians who simply defend their own side — we need leaders who are prepared to challenge their own side when the national interest demands it
By Duncan Mlanjira
Canada-based accountable governance advocate, James Kadyampakeni has written to Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman, applauding him for his “bold and courageous move in establishing parliamentary joint committees to investigate matters of serious public concern”.
Reacting to the censure Suleman received from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which he represents in Parliament — that reprimanded the Speaker that, as a member of the DPP Central Executive Committee, he must remain conscious of the political organisation whose confidence and parliamentary support contributed to his elevation to that office — Kadyampakeni maintains that “Malawi does not need politicians who simply defend their own side — we need leaders who are prepared to challenge their own side when the national interest demands it”.
In the letter direct to the Speaker, Kadyampakeni says: “In politics, it is always easier to remain silent, particularly when asking difficult questions may make people within your own political family uncomfortable.
“That is why I believe your decision deserves recognition.
“You are a senior member of the DPP, and, therefore, I appreciate that the position you have taken may not be an easy one. But I sincerely believe that this is precisely when leadership matters most.
“Being a member of the ruling party should never prevent you from asking questions on behalf of the people who elected Parliament.
“As Speaker, your responsibility is much bigger than party politics. You occupy an office that belongs to the Republic of Malawi. Your responsibility is to Parliament, to the Constitution and, ultimately, to the Malawian people.
“The issues you have chosen to bring under scrutiny — electricity, passports, pensions, mining, NOCMA, agriculture, tobacco, prisons, the administration of justice and major public projects — are not political games. They affect the daily lives and future of millions of Malawians.
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“I, therefore, encourage you not to be intimidated by the discomfort your actions may create.
“A strong government should not be afraid of questions. A confident President should not be afraid of scrutiny. And a mature political party should understand that exposing weaknesses within government is not necessarily an act of disloyalty.
“Sometimes, it is the greatest service one can render to the government and the country.
“If the investigations find that government institutions are doing everything correctly, then let the evidence establish that; if they find weaknesses, let those weaknesses be corrected; if they uncover waste, let it be stopped; and if they uncover wrongdoing, let the appropriate institutions deal with it.”
“That is not undermining government. That is helping government become better.
“I particularly want to encourage you to follow the evidence wherever it leads — without fear, without favour and without allowing political considerations to determine the outcome.
“We have seen too many situations in Malawi where difficult questions were avoided because they were politically inconvenient.
“We have seen institutions become weaker because people were afraid to challenge those in power. We cannot continue down that road.
“Your current position gives you an opportunity to demonstrate that Parliament can be a genuine institution of accountability rather than simply a place where government decisions are endorsed.
Malawi Parliament
“I also understand the argument about party discipline. Political parties need discipline and unity — but there must be a clear distinction between party loyalty and national responsibility.
“When the two appear to collide, I believe the Constitution and the national interest must prevail.
“Honourable Speaker, I commend you for taking this bold step — please stay the course.
“Do your work professionally; give everyone an opportunity to be heard; protect due process. Do not prejudge anyone. And let the evidence speak for itself.
“If you do that, history may judge these investigations not as an attempt to embarrass a government, but as an important moment when Parliament finally demonstrated the independence and courage expected of it.
“You may face criticism from people who believe you have gone too far. Others may question your motives — that comes with occupying an important public office.
“But sometimes leadership means being willing to stand in an uncomfortable place because you believe it is the right place to stand.
“Malawi needs that kind of courage.
“I wish you wisdom, strength and courage as you continue this important work. Those of us in Canada and in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association are following with keen interest.
“Please do not let political pressure discourage you from fulfilling the constitutional responsibilities entrusted to you.
“Keep asking the difficult questions; keep following the evidence; keep Parliament accountable to the people.
“With sincere respect and encouragement,” said Kadyampakeni, who regularly comments on Malawi’s economy, governance, and politics.
Dr. James Kadyampakeni
When contacted on the DPP’s reaction that the Party expects the Speaker, expects the Speaker, like every senior DPP official, to respect the President, respect the constitutional authority of the Executive, respect the collective decisions of the Party, and observe the boundaries of the office he occupies, Kadyampakeni contends that Suleman “deserves commendation, not condemnation, for doing what Parliament is supposed to do”.
“Let us be honest — it is encouraging to see the Speaker taking bold steps to investigate matters of serious public concern, even when those investigations may make people within his own ruling party uncomfortable.
“In fact, the fact that Suleman is a senior member of the DPP makes his actions even more significant. This is what patriotic leadership looks like.
“Membership of a ruling party should never mean becoming blind to wrongdoing, inefficiency, waste or institutional failure.
“Parliament is not an extension of the Cabinet, nor should the Speaker be expected to protect the Executive from uncomfortable questions.
“Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise government, demand accountability and protect the public interest.
“The issues Suleman has raised are not trivial — they touch ordinary Malawians directly: electricity, passports, pensions, mining, agriculture, tobacco, NOCMA, the justice system, prisons and major public projects.
“These are precisely the areas where Parliament should be asking tough questions. And this is where I respectfully disagree with the DPP’s argument that Suleman must first consider the political organisation that helped elect him Speaker.
“The Speaker’s first loyalty must be to the Constitution and the people of Malawi, not to a political party.
The Speaker briefing the media on Wednesday
“If the investigations uncover that government institutions are performing properly, excellent — the government should be able to demonstrate that.
“If they uncover weaknesses, waste or wrongdoing, then those problems should be corrected — that is not undermining government; that is strengthening government.
“A confident government should welcome scrutiny; a confident President should not fear questions; and a confident ruling party should not interpret parliamentary oversight as disloyalty.
“What Malawi needs is more institutional independence, not less. For too long, parliamentary oversight has sometimes appeared timid, selective or politically convenient.
“That culture has helped create an environment where public institutions can operate without sufficient scrutiny and where serious questions are often buried until the damage is already done.
“So I commend Speaker Suleman for making these bold and necessary moves — and I would go further; this patriotic action is long overdue.
Suleman accompanied by several member of the august House at the press conference he convened
“Let the committees investigate; let them follow the evidence; let ministers and officials answer difficult questions; let contracts, procurement decisions and public expenditure be examined.
“And if there is nothing to hide, the investigations should ultimately strengthen public confidence in the government.
“Party discipline has its place in politics but when party discipline begins to compete with constitutional accountability, the Constitution must win.
“Malawi does not need politicians who simply defend their own side. We need leaders who are prepared to challenge their own side when the national interest demands it.
“Speaker Suleman should, therefore, be encouraged to finish the job, not intimidated into abandoning it. Malawi has waited far too long for Parliament to exercise meaningful oversight.
“Now that someone is doing it, let us not discourage him.”
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