Malawi Congress Party (MCP) lawmaker for Ntchisi South Ulemu Chilapondwa has apologised over his sentiments he made in Parliament Tuesday where he argued that cooking oil is for the elite.

Chilapondwa, who stood on a point of order just after commencement of Wednesday’s parliamentary proceedings, said he was misquoted in his statement.

“Mr First Deputy Speaker in that statement I was misquoted by saying that I was saying cooking oil is not important, cooking oil Mr First Deputy Speaker is very important,” said Chilapondwa.

“But at the same time Mr First Deputy Speaker, I was indicating to the Leader of Opposition to say he  an bring in a lot more other very important issues that this country needs, in this country we have a problem of AIP [Affordable Inputs Programme], roads and so forth.”

“But each time the Leader of Opposition’s stands out he always talks of cooking oils, cooking oil is one of the essential things but not a priority to this country.”

Nonetheless, Chilapondwa proceeded relaying an apology following a public backlash.

“Through you reporters I am sending an apology to say please forgive me that shall never happen again.

“Especially the statement of saying for the elite, that’s what angered most of people, and the people who actually were on my neck were the youth,” said Chilapondwa.

The lawmaker made the statement in reaction to Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa’s response to State of Nation Address (SONA) who said cooking oil prices have skyrocketed in the country.