By Edwin Mauluka

Business in Malawi’s National Assembly was disrupted on Monday afternoon after Cabinet ministers and their deputies failed to show up for the start of proceedings, leaving government benches conspicuously empty.

The delay followed a Cabinet meeting at Kamuzu Palace.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Chief Whip Moses Kumkuyu rose on a point of order, asking Speaker Sameer Suleman whether it was proper for the entire Cabinet — including the Leader of the House — to be absent during business.

“Is it in order that your high office walks into this chamber to an empty front bench where even the Leader of the House, who guides us, is not present?” Kumkuyu asked, urging the Speaker to adjourn until ministers were available.

Mzimba South West legislator Khumbo Kachale supported the call, asking the Speaker to use his discretion to suspend the sitting and establish when ministers would return.

In his ruling, Suleman acknowledged the concern, describing the empty government benches as “not a pleasing scene.”

“Our office did not receive any communication regarding the delay. We are trying to make contact. This does not paint a good picture, and as Speaker I am not happy,” he said.

“I am not amused and hope the government side will get itself together. If there are future delays, we must be informed in advance. I expect this not to happen again.”

He adjourned the House for an hour.

When the sitting resumed, Leader of the House Jappie Mhango apologised, saying ministers had been called to attend to an urgent matter. He did not disclose details.

Soon after, Mzimba South legislator Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere, sponsor of the controversial Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 2 of 2025, queried why the bill was missing from the Order Paper despite being approved by the House last week.

“I just want to find out from your office why this critical business, which members are interested in, is no longer on the Order Paper,” Jere said. “Which Standing Order did the Clerk use to remove this bill?”

He also sought guidance on whether the bill could still be debated within the 90-day window after President Peter Mutharika declined to assent to it, or whether it would need to be withdrawn.

Speaker Suleman clarified that the bill remains within the 90-day period and that it is up to the sponsor to reintroduce it. He added that he would consult on whether it should continue appearing on the Order Paper, noting that the House had not concluded the division stage to determine its status.

However, Dedza Kasina legislator Joshua Malango argued that the supplementary Order Paper had already listed the bill and that it should remain there until fully concluded.

Lawmakers are seeking to take control of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) following a High Court ruling that limits their role to oversight, not management, of the fund. The CDF allocation has risen from MK220 million to MK5 billion per constituency starting in the new financial year.

The House later proceeded with debate on President Mutharika’s State of the Nation Address, delivered at the opening of the 2026/27 budget meeting.

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Also Read: Malawi 2026/27 Budget Meeting Guide: Key dates, process and priorities