Kabwila dubs Mutharika address a Tweet

Salima North West member of Parliament (MP) Jessie Kabwila (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) yesterday riled the government side in Parliament when she described the 24-minute address by President Peter Mutharika on Friday as a Twitter update.

A Tweet, as a Twitter update is commonly known, has a restriction of 140 characters and nothing more.

In her response to the President’s address, Kabwila, who is also publicity secretary for MCP, said the speech lacked depth and scope, especially in the sector of health.

“It was a shockingly short and empty speech that failed to satisfy Malawians. What they heard was what can be described as a Twitter message and at worst maybe a WhatsApp message not a State of the Nation Address,” she said.

However, leader of the House Francis Kasaila warned Kabwila that her remarks were against Standing Order 97 and 98 to refer disrespectfully to the President or call into question the conduct of the President and Vice-President. n