By Suleman Chitera

Lilongwe – Speaker of the National Assembly, Sameer Suleman, has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament (MPs), saying he will not tolerate laziness or political interference in the execution of parliamentary duties, especially in the work of committees.

Suleman made the remarks in Lilongwe during the opening of a two-day orientation workshop on parliamentary committee operations, ahead of the mid-year budget review session expected to open on Wednesday.

He stressed that parliamentary committees are central to the functioning of Parliament as they are responsible for providing oversight on how public funds are spent across government institutions.

“Committees are the engine of Parliament. If we have chairpersons who do not want to work, we will replace them. Oversight must be taken seriously, and we will ensure it is done professionally,” Suleman said.

The Speaker emphasized that parliamentary committees must maintain independence, efficiency, and accountability as they handle inquiries, budget scrutiny, and monitoring of government performance.

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UNDP Calls for Effective Parliamentary Oversight

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Chika Charles Aniekwe, who also addressed the gathering, said weak oversight negatively affects citizens because government institutions may misuse national resources when not properly monitored.

“When committees fail to perform, it is the citizens who suffer. Strong oversight ensures that national resources are used for development and public service delivery,” Aniekwe said.

He reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s governance and accountability reforms.

Strengthening Accountability Ahead of Budget Session

The orientation workshop is aimed at improving the effectiveness of committee operations, ensuring that MPs are well-prepared to analyze and question government expenditure during the mid-year budget review.

The development has been welcomed by governance observers who say firm leadership in Parliament is crucial in promoting transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public trust.