President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s recent remarks that he will not allow some of his powers trimmed have attracted mixed reactions from the general public with others accusing him of becoming undemocratic.
Mutharika on Saturday warned the opposition not to dare bring a bill in parliament that would trim his powers as Republican President saying he would veto it.
the statement followed opposition MPs decision to have the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) act independently from President and the director general be answerable to Parliament.
Speaking in an interview with the press, Veteran politician Dawn Msowoya described the statement as shocking and a contradiction to his Vice President’s transformation agenda.
Concurring with Msowoya’s remarks, former legal advisor to Bingu wa Mutharika, Z Allan Ntata said the statement is a complete mockery of Malawian Trust.
“How does one reconcile the following passages from the DPP manifesto with the oppressive and totalitarian displays and outbursts that have now become the trademark of the Mutharika administration?,” said Ntata.
FaceofMalawi revisit on DPP manifesto has established that Mutharika’s statement on the matter is not tallying.
According to DPP manifesto of 2014, Mutharika promised to reduce concentration of power in the presidency once he ascends to the high office.
“Appointment and removal of the Governor of the RBM, Director of the ACB, the Audit General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Clerk of Parliament, Malawi Human Rights Commission Executive Secretary, the Malawi Law Commissioner, the Director General of the MBC, MACRA Director General, and the leaders of other accountability institutions shall be appointed on MERIT through a Special Public Appointments Committee.
“We will pass and implement the Access to Information Bill,” reads in part DPP manifesto.
The manifesto further says: “We will pass and implement a number of laws including: a Law on Handouts, and a Law that will prevent sitting Members of Parliament from benefiting from increasing their own salaries and benefits.”
Meanwhile social commentators have accused president Mutharika of duping Malawians on the matter.
