Govt will ‘try’ respond to demo petition, says Kunkuyu

Government will try to respond to issues raised in a seven point petition presented by organizers of protests on Thursday, Minister of information and civic education Moses Kunkuyu has said.

Some of the issues in the petition are the declaration of assets by President Joyce Banda, the reversal of the floation of the Kwacha, the trimming of the cabinet, the reduction of internal and external travel and the selling of the presidential jet.

Leader of the protests John Kapito told the media that they had the belief that if the issues raised were tackled, it could help improve the country’s economy and lessen the burden people are facing.

However, Kunkuyu said most of the claims raised in the petition have already been addressed.

“There are many issues raised in that petition. On the reduction of the presidential motorcade, is has been reduced. Talk of the sell of the presidential jet, a decision has been made by the cabinet that it be sold,” said Kunkuyu.

“Talk of the external travels by the president and ministers, there has been no external travels on government funds since October last year. Only a listening government would do that.”

The organizers have since given the government 21 days to respond to the concerns failing which they warn of camping at the state house in Lilongwe and a vigil at the Sanjika Palace.

President Joyce Banda has on several occasion reiterated that she will not reverse any of her economic reforms despite the pain eminating from them. She has also appealed for patience from Malawians arguing the fruits of her reforms will be realised soon.

Both local and international economists have also advised President Banda’s administration to stay on course with the reforms if the country’s economy is to be fully recovered.