By Suleman Chitera
It is high time Malawians ask: who truly serves the people, and who merely uses public office as a ticket to personal wealth? The recent saga in Parliament exposes a disturbing reality—some Members of Parliament seem unwilling to practice the very patriotism they preach, even when presented with a chance to act in the interest of ordinary citizens.
A courageous colleague dared to propose a voluntary pay reduction, in line with a parliamentary resolution designed to ease the unbearable tax burden on Malawi’s poorest. Yet, instead of praise, this patriotic call has been met with hesitation, silence, and apparent self-interest.
Consider the staggering compensation MPs enjoy every month:
- Basic Salary: MK2,035,712
- Chauffeur Allowance: MK528,005
- House Allowance: MK580,800
- Security Allowance: MK528,005
- Utility Allowance: MK414,480
- Fuel Allowance: MK1,600,000
Total: MK5,687,002
Meanwhile, the car loan scheme has ballooned from MK50 million to MK300 million, with half of the repayment—MK150 million—expected to be shouldered by the poor villager via punitive taxes. Ask yourself: why should a humble citizen be forced to pay for a loan that has nothing to do with their life or labor? And why are MPs exempt from duties on the very vehicles that ordinary citizens struggle to afford?
Contrast this with the daily struggles of Malawi’s nurses and teachers, the backbone of our nation. These are the people who educate our children and care for the sick, yet they labor on meager salaries with no duty exemptions, no loan subsidies, and no free fuel. They pay taxes, they endure economic hardships, yet the same generosity extended to politicians is denied to them.
Is this justice? Is this equality? Or is it blatant privilege, hidden behind the façade of public service?
The truth is clear: once MPs secure votes and promises are made, many forget the people who elevated them. They line their pockets while the very citizens who elected them go without basic services. And when these citizens struggle to repay a MK100,000 loan, they face penalties and financial strain—yet MPs glide through a system rigged in their favor.
Malawi cannot continue this way. Sacrifice must be shared, not imposed solely on the poor. If duty-free cars, loan subsidies, and generous allowances are acceptable for politicians, then the government must extend the same consideration to nurses, teachers, and civil servants—the very people who keep this nation running.
True patriotism is putting country above self. True leadership is not taking from the people while asking them to sacrifice, but walking alongside them in shared responsibility.
Malawians, it is time to demand accountability, fairness, and patriotism from our leaders. Our country deserves leaders who serve, not those who save only for themselves. Let us find, support, and celebrate the MPs who dare to put principle above personal gain—the ones willing to fight for justice and protect the hard-earned tax money of ordinary citizens.
Malawi deserves better. Our people deserve leaders who truly lead by example. Enough is enough.
