Govt blocks debate on Access to Information Bill in Parliament: MISA-Malawi not amused

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members of Parliament on Tuesday unanimously blocked debate on the much awaited Access to Information (ATI) Bill in the National Assembly, attracting yet again strong criticisms from Media Council of Malawi.

The development also did not please opposition MPs led by chairperson of media, Sam Kawale and legal affairs, Maxwell Thyolela – all from opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who pushed hard to have the bill passed.

The whole issue was started by Leader of government in the house Dr. George Chaponda who is also Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development.

Chaponda proposed that debated on the bill should be suspended and allow the responsible Minister to consult other relevant stakeholders but this request was rejected by opposition MPs.

The bill then moved to a committee stage against the wish of the government MPs in the house who were seen doing everything possible to shoot down the bill.

Second Deputy Speaker Clement Chiwaya was forced to call for a vote on whether the committee stage debate be curtailed or not.

The ‘No’ from the opposition carried the day with 56 votes while the ‘yes’ from government lost with 52 votes.

Although this was the case, Chaponda insisted by asking the Second Deputy Speaker to defer the bill and Chiwaya later agreed to the call.

Meanwhile Misa-Malawi Chairperson Thom Khanje has expressed shock over the tendency of government on the matter and he has urged opposition MPs to press on.