By Pemphero Malimba:
Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman has said Parliament will start deducting allowances from members of Parliament (MPs) who abscond from deliberations without valid reasons.
The measure, he said, would take effect from the first sittingof Parliament next year.
Suleman said the decision was anchored in Standing Order 41(3), which empowers the august House to take action against legislators who miss proceedings without officially seeking leave.
He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Friday, when he closed the Mid- Year Budget Review meeting.
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The Speaker revealed that his office had recorded numerous cases of absenteeism, with some MPs failing to notify his office, or seek permission, before missing parliamentary business.
Suleman said such conduct not only violated parliamentary rules but also eroded public trust.
“From now onwards, my office will, therefore, require to receive an attendance register on daily basis, either for plenary meetings or committee meetings, and, if, following analyses which my office will be making, found that some members are absconding from these meetings without valid reasons, appropriate action will be taken including deduction of allowances,” he said.
He urged MPs to be attending parliamentary deliberations and committee meetings on time.
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“Punctuality will be enforced together with [punishment for] absenteeism in this term,” he said.
Suleman also lamented the tendency of not following procedures when tabling bills in Parliament.
“Honourable members, the accommodation provided under Standing Order 126 (1)(b), for a seven-day notice and circulation of Government Bills was meant to allow for “emergency” Bills which cannot wait for the 28-day rule because of their urgent nature or for an “emergency” [issues] to be addressed. I notice that, for this meeting, the 28-day rule has completely been cast aside for the seven-day rule,” he said.
Speaking after winding up deliberations, Leader of The House Jappie Mhango expressed hope that attendance of MPs in the house would improve in the next meeting of Parliament.
“The Speaker’s concerns are valid and we are a bit worried. We hope that, in the next meeting of Parliament, attendance will improve,” Mhango said.
