Opposition politicians this week reacted angrily to the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda’s call for the parliament to see possibility of banning members of the House from walking out in protest.
Those who talked to The Guardian on Sunday at different times laughed it off saying it was a discomfiting statement from a national figure like the premier.
Last week while winding up the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources 2014/2015 budget debate the PM suggested that the National Assembly should review Standing Orders that allow MPs to storm out of Parliament, saying their action was a disgrace to the public.
Speaking briefly after the House approved budget estimates of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals for 2014/2015 late Friday, the premier said the opposition was notorious of walking out of the assembly at the slightest excuse.
He said the walkout was a bad habit that has in recent years been adopted by the opposition camp instead of arguing their points on the floor of the House.
“Maybe the Standing Orders allow this but we need to review it and stop them from walking out every other day,” the premier intimated.
His statement came after the opposition camp, led by Chadena chairman Freeman Mbowe (Hai), staged another walk-out in protest against what they termed as efforts by the government and the Office of the Speaker to protect the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo.
Addressing press conference immediately after the storming out, Mbowe said they realized that there was a plot by the government and parliamentary secretariat to defend the ministry from the corruption accusations it faces.
He said their group intelligence learnt that during a ruling party CCM caucus, they agreed to rally behind the minister to fight those allegations.
Mbowe said they decided to walkout to let the rest of the world know what is happening in this ministry and the parliament.
But speaking to this reporter, Shadow minister for Finance, James Mbatia warned that CCM should not think that the country was still a one party state where they could just change the rules of the game.
“That is a suggestion from a leader of a party that lacks vision, for change and democracy. I think they need serious seminar to help them identify themselves.” he said. Mbatia, an expert in conflict resolution, added that worldwide, that is one parliament traditions.
The Iringa Urban Member of Parliament, Reverend Peter Msigwa (Chadema) said that would be the biggest mistake by the parliament. He said the practice is common in the Commonwealth Parliament, thus Tanzania would be a laughing stock if it adopted such draconian rule.
He said the government was failing in its role for it is supposed to call the aggrieved party after such a walk-out and discuss the way forward in solving the problems.
“This was a careless and irresponsible statement from a person like him and I never expected him to do so. Now are they plotting to block freedom of expression?” he questioned.
He noted that the whole world would be shocked if such an action is adopted by a country that brags of democracy and rule of law. But according to the reverend, the parliament would lose its meaning.
Mji Mkongwe MP Ibrahim Sanya (CUF) had a similar comment saying “ I think CCM leaders are obsessed with power and now thinking of taking this country back to the old days.”
He also noted that that would be one of the biggest mistakes in the history of Tanzanian parliament.
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