Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has warned that it will hold a series of demonstrations should members of Parliament (MPs) table bills that are not in the interest of Malawians.
HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapence made the remarks on Tuesday in ‘Kulinji’ Programme on Times Radio, adding that they are ready to use any means as a way of expressing discontent with reports that MPs are planning to bring in proposals that are not in the interest of Malawians, citing the introduction of a lifetime pension scheme for themselves after lawmakers are voted out of office.
Trapence said Malawi is facing economic challenges, a situation that, he said, is reflected in the shortage of drugs in hospitals, fuel shortage, inadequate classrooms, among others.
“Let me say that we will not allow this and we will use all means if they prove to be stubborn. We will use either demonstrations or court injunctions. If they proceed by not listening to the voice of Malawians, then they will feel the heat from HRDC,” Trapence said.
On the other hand, Bishop Geoffrey Matoga of the Public Affairs Committee said the tendency of MPs wanting to take all the good things for themselves is unfortunate.
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He said the duty of MPs is to serve Malawians by, among other things, discussing bills that benefit common people.
“With all these economic challenges, it is senseless to start debating on matters that only benefit the parliamentarians. Doing so is not serving the citizens of this country,” Matoga said.
Honorary Secretary for Malawi Law Society Gabriel Chembezi said whatever parliamentarians deliberate, the final authority is the President, who should safeguard the interest of the people.
“The President should provide checks on every move by MPs to see if they are doing things in the interest of Malawians or not.
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“However, if the President consents to any bill, Malawians are free to take the President to task. The other way is for citizens to obtain an injunction from the court or apply for judicial review. The laws give powers to the court to review the law and see if it is in line with the Constitution or not.
“Even if the MPs pass their pension issue in secret, any Malawian has the freedom to challenge it in court should he or she feel that the issue is not in the interest of Malawians,” Chembezi said.
He said if MPs have the interest of Malawians at heart, some of the burdens they face will not be there because pressure from their subjects will be less.
This comes following reports that Member of Parliament for Chitipa Werani Chilenga wants to propose that former MPs should be getting a monthly salary that represents half of their last salary for the rest of their lives.
