“In as much as one understands the intervention made by the Hon. Member of Lilongwe City Center, the instantaneous emotive responses from some members of the MCP can also be appreciated, particularly when one feels that a leader’s economic policies to meet the needs of those he led are belittled and that leader is dead and cannot respond for himself”, said Lazarus Chakwera.
Chakwera continued to say,
It is almost like someone insulting your father in your face and you are expected not to react.
Let it be on record that as MCP our reason for being is to promote development, help consolidate democracy and protect the dignity of every person.
It is for this reason that I stand here to condemn utterances that are deemed to demean or denigrate anyone in this chamber regardless of the perceived provocation.
Our Founding President used to admonish all Malawians to live together in peace and harmony. He would especially single out those whose origin and culture may be different from typical Malawian to be treated with respect.
While many point to human rights abuses during the one party rule as a reason to haul insults on present day MCP, I appeal to all of us to be careful with the language we employ as fights can get started over very trivial matters as human history demonstrates.
As a believer in Jesus Christ and a theologian cum politician, I can state that there is but one human race, regardless of the color of one’s skin and/or cultural and religious beliefs.
I believe, in forgiveness because I have been forgiven all my sins through the death of Jesus Christ.
I ask all Malawians everywhere and that includes the Hon. Member here to forgive the Malawi Congress Party of all past atrocities. I take responsibility as President of all the sins of my fathers.
This country needs to move forward.
Right now it is not moving in the right direction. As a ship headed for the rocks we need to change direction and not waste time outwitting each other as to how best the furniture should be arranged.
I personally believe that it is better to be hurt by the truth rather than to find comfort in lies.
