INFORMATION and Broadcasting Services Minister Kennedy Sakeni has charged that United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema is being petty by advising that opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) should refuse when asked to serve in Government.

Mr Sakeni said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Hichilema's advice was selfish and retrogressive.

"Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people, are free to serve at any level of Government as provided for by the law regardless of political affiliation," he said.

Mr Sakeni observed that Mr Hichilema had never been an MP, hence his casual approach to parliamentarians' important role in national development.

Earlier, during a media briefing, Mr Hichilema said opposition political parties would unite to solidify national democracy.

He said President Michael Sata was not respecting the rule of law as expected by all Zambians and urged MPs not to accept to serve in the Patriotic Front Government.

"We are not going to allow our country to degenerate because President Sata is allowing Zambia to degenerate," Mr Hichilema said.