29 August
The Joint Scrutinizing Committee’s report on the Second Bill on Amending the Constitution was discussed on the 17th day meeting of Second Pyidaungsu Huttaw’s 13th regular session yesterday.
The report was filed by 145 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw MPs, including MP Dr Maung Thin from Meiktila constituency.
Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing, Tatmadaw Pyithu Hluttaw representative, said the process of the 45-member committee is still far away from the articles that need to be followed in the constitution amendment, and that it will take time to discuss the 3,765 recommendations before they are drafted into a bill.
He also suggested there are some differences in terms of essence and direction between the amendment of each paragraph as per provisions 433 and 435 under the State Constitution and the amendment of all provisions in the charter.
He then objected the committee’s report with the remark that the need of efforts on amendment may vary from one paragraph to another and insisted the committee should follow the amendment provisions prescribed in chapter 12 of the Constitution and the rules of Hluttaw.
U Kyin Khant Paung, MP of Chin State constituency 6, suggested that the charter amendment should follow amendment processes of each paragraph in the chapter 12 of Constitution.
The report was also debated by the Pyithu Hluttaw representatives Major Moe Myint Aung, Daw Mar Mar Khaing from Thaton constituency and Major Daw Thuzar Shwe.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U T Khun Myat concluded the debate, and announced to inform the date for remaining procedures.
The speaker then sought approval of the Hluttaw for the substitution of Pyithu Hluttaw MP Daw Nan Kham Aye from Namtu constituency with Pyithu Hluttaw MP U Sai Sine Mai from Mongkai constituency for the constitution amendment committee.
Union Taxation Bill 2019
Dr Myat Nyana Soe, the secretary of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee, reported on findings and remarks of his committee regarding the Union Taxation Bill 2019.
The Speaker then announced to file nomination of MPs who want to discuss the bill.
CRC-OPAC
U Kyaw Tin, Union Minister for International Cooperation, discussed about the possible ratification of Myanmar in the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC-OPAC).
The Minister remarked the ratification in the protocol could reinforce the ongoing efforts of Myanmar to protect and promote the child rights in line with international law and could reflect attempts of the country in the annual report of the UN Secretary General to the Security Council on the children and armed conflicts.
The Speaker then invited to file nomination of MPs who want to discuss the motion.
National Planning Bill and the Union Budget Bill
The MPs also discussed the principle and basic concepts on the National Planning Bill and the Union Budget Bill for 2019-2020 fiscal year.
MP Dr Thet Thet Khaing, Dagon constituency, discussed possible tax reduction, persuasion to tax payers, reduction of interest rates and the flow of currencies for stimulation of rapid economic development in the country.
She also suggested the government to make logical response to the existing economic situation of the country by increasing state investment and public-private cooperation.
MP U Thaung Aye from Pyawbwe constituency discussed the departments concerned need to identify the remarkable gap between the estimated GDP of 2016-2017 fiscal year and the realistic results before the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approves the bill in line with procedures.
MP Daw Cho Cho from Ottwin constituency pointed out the proposed expenditure of Ministry of Electricity and Energy contributed 25.23 per cent in the list of government bodies for 2019-2020 fiscal year, and recommended the project implementation effectively and efficiently.
She also concluded the significant increase of electricity charges is not a totally right solution to address problems in this sector, and suggested the department to do more in disclosing illegal use of electricity.
The principle and basic concepts of these bills were also discussed by Dr Hla Moe from Aungmyethazan constituency, U Tin Tun Naing from Seikkyi/Khanaunganto constituency, Daw Yin Min Hlaing from Gangaw constituency, U Ye Htut from Sagaing Region constituency 5, Dr Lin Lin Kyaw from Myittha constituency, U Myint Naing from Rakhine State constituency 5, Major Zay Phyo of Tatmadaw representative from Pyithu Hluttaw, U Pe Than from Myebon constituency, Dr Khun Win Thaung from Kachin State constituency 11, Lt-Col Moe Kyaw of Tatmadaw representatives from Pyithu Hluttaw, U Bo Gyi from Chauk constituency, U Thein Tun from Thabaung constituency, U Kyin Khant Paung from Chin State constituency 6, Major Kyaw Kyaw of Tatmadaw representative from Pyithu Hluttaw, U Myo Zaw Oo from Lewe constituency and U Kyaw Ni Naing from Shan State constituency 11. The 18th day meeting of Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session will be held on 30th August—Aung Ye Thwin and Aye Aye Thant
(Translated by Aung Khin)
