The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) is against the passing of the Taxation Amendment Bill by parliament, stating that the 16.5% tax on cooking oil and 20% tax on betting proceeds on grounds that they will impinge on poor Malawians.

“It is unfortunate that the bill has been passed by members of parliament who come from rural areas who are supposed to be defending the poor. These are taxes that will hit the most vulnerable groups in Malawi.” said CAMA Executive Director, John Kapito.

He added that the current cooking oil that is being produced by local manufacturers contains Vitamin A because Malawi had high levels of malnutrition so price increase in the oil will lower consumption and purchases of the much needed cooking oil. Meanwhile, Finance minister Felix Mlusu said that the bill will await presidential assent to be effective