From AfricaNews (via The Plump):
Nothing natural about it, public farting in Malawi will soon be punishable by Local Courts. As parliament gears to meet this January month-end, a roll of expectant bills are on the Speakers' waiting list - chief strange among them, the proposed Local Courts Bill of 2010. Most Malawians are surprised. Many think this is childish, and others have responded with the most cynical of jokes....
Though farting is natural, some discipline needs to come in, argue protagonists. Government is intent at punishing any air fouler, and also proposes to punish any idle and disorderly person and drunken persons who behave the wrong way.
Malawi has also experienced bizarre incidences where bereaved families have hung to dead bodies, refusing their departed loved ones burial following strange beliefs mostly religious.
The farting irony is not all the 'old' heads at the August House are targeting. Pretender fortune tellers will be given a speedy courier up the highway to prison.
Malawians are also blessing for more than just regulated 'bad air' laws. Rogue and vagabond, endangering or obstructing in public way or line of navigation and those in unlawful use of vehicles and animals will also be answerable under the same laws.
Random interviews carried out by Africanews show many Malawians are surprised at this 'strange' law.
"Well, they expect me to hand myself over to police or something. I just fouled the air laughing about this same proposal," said one.
"We are serious issues affecting Malawians today. I do not know how fouling the air should take priority over regulating Chinese investments which do not employ locals, serious graft amongst legislators, especially those in the ruling party, and many more. I cannot understand the inclusion of this part," expressed another.
"My goodness. What happens in a public place where a group is gathered. Do they lock up half a minibus and how about at meetings where it is difficult to pinpoint 'culprits'? Again, this will be seen to have brought insubordination of children who will openly deny having passed bad air and point at an elder.
Culturally, this is very embarrassing," she expressed concern.
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