Critiquing govt is not empty barking

One of the reasons for introducing multiparty democracy in Malawi was, and still is, for Malawians to have alternative views and voices in running their country.

After the first multiparty elections in 1994, Malawi Parliament had a formidable opposition from Alliance of Democracy (Aford) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP). These two parties were calling the shots. The UDF-led government was kept on its feet and had to do a lot of homework for any Bill to pass. One cannot forget to appreciate how opposition parties, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other critics stopped president Bakili Muluzi in his tracks as he tried to change the Constitution to introduce open or third presidential terms of office.

Those people who criticised Muluzi and his government were indeed not barking aimlessly. If the Open Term Bill had gone through, it is doubtful if President Peter Mutharika would have a chance of being in power today.

Critics must be appreciated because they are whistle-blowers in addition to providing checks and balances. Ignoring them or taking them as mere noise makers is at the peril of all Malawians.

Meanwhile, those in government usually complain that critics do not come up with alternatives. For goodness’ sake, most of the alternatives are very obvious unless the government wants to be spoon-fed. People gave them the mandate to rule and the government should just step up on to the plate and deliver without lame excuses.

There are countless issues that critics and other Malawians comment on for government to act.

During the current sitting of Parliament, Hon Jacob Hara of Mzimba Solora Constituency systematically dissected government’s plan to order some old fashioned equipment for air traffic control. In short, he said that, it was a waste of money ordering such 1930 technologies which would require to be replaced soon.

Furthermore, is it irrelevant to complain about slow implementation of government reforms?

In Malawi, there was once so much euphoria about the expected benefits from Kayelekera uranium mine. There were countless imaginary stories about how developed Karonga District and the rest of Malawi would be. Sadly, a decade later there is nothing to show for it. People of Karonga are up in arms wanting the miners to leave. Other areas in Malawi are not willing to accept miners. Can such complaints be called, ‘barking at nothing’.

Currently, critics are battling to know more about the K92 billion Cashgate. Malawians deserve to know because it is their tax money and they can bark as much as they want. People can still remember when the Judiciary staff went on a long strike demanding pay rise. Government said it had no money at the time. But, surprisingly, there was a suggestion to raise the President’s salary. Minister of finance justified it. Critics talked against it.  Was this aimless barking? If so, why was the suggestion shelved at the time?

Malawians must be mindful that history has a habit of repeating itself. Therefore, in the absence of critics, this country will sooner than later start battling against a dictatorship.

Whether one likes it or not, critiquing government is not empty barking, but a way of shaping Malawi for the good of everyone—not just the chosen few as is the case now. n