DPP pressed on extra pay
Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe South West, Peter Chakhwantha, Thursday demanded that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) should tell legislators where it got the money it has been paying its MPs, as extra allowances, on top of Parliament’s normal sitting and subsistence allowances.
Chakhwantha, who stood on a Point of Order, asked the government through Leader of the House, Kondwani Nankhumwa, to shed light on the issue of the allowances, arguing that the practice borders on unequal distribution of privileges in the House.
“We believe that on the table of equality, we must be seen that we are all being treated equally. In that regard, if the source happens to be party funds, it is interesting to note that the same party was, a few months ago, struggling financially. We still need a pronouncement,” he said
Chakhwantha’s query follows The Daily Times report that DPP MPs are pocketing extra allowances ranging from K20, 000 to K40, 000 on top of Parliament’s subsistence and sitting allowances.
But his request was not granted after Speaker of Parliament, Richard Msowoya, said the House does not discuss media articles as per standing orders.
“In terms of extra payment, fortunately, the chair had a chance of perusing through the newspapers. DPP is not government but a party. It [the article] talks about party paying its members extra. Whether [it is] true or false, it’s not an issue,” he said
DPP is said to be on a spending spree in order to woo MPs to its side so that it gets the two-thirds majority needed to shoot down the Electoral Reforms Amendment Bills if brought to Parliament.
On Tuesday, political commentator Ernest Thindwa said there is need to identify the source of the money.
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