By A Retired Law Officer

THE people of a State are the source of its sovereign power. The Members of Parliament, who are chosen by the people, use this authority. In a democracy, the people them­selves hold the power and can use it directly or through representa­tives they have freely chosen. A parliament, which is made up of elected and occasionally appoint­ed representatives, is the highest legislative body and is in charge of representing the people. Although it is known as Parliament in the majority of States, it goes by other names in some, including Diet in Japan, Congress in the Unit­ed States, the National People’s Congress in China, and Duma in the Russian Federation. Bicam­eral Parliaments, which have two chambers, exist in certain States. Certain States have Unicameral Parliaments, meaning they only have one chamber. Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw make up Myanmar’s Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, a bicameral parliament. Further­more, the 2008 Constitution also establishes Region and State Hluttaws. The qualifications and quantity of Members of Parlia­ment are provided in the respec­tive constitutions.

The three main powers of State sovereignty are legislative, executive, and judiciary. Parlia­ment, primarily referred to as the legislature, is responsible for granting legislative power. It is referred to differently by the Constitution in some countries. The legislatures are made up of either People’s Representatives or Members of Parliament (in Myanmar, Hluttaw Represent­atives). Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is the term used to describe it in Myanmar. Parliament is made up of the people’s elected mem­bers who serve in the legislature. The primary duty of Parliament is legislation. The process of legislation is conducted in ac­cordance with the Constitution and the relevant laws and regu­lations. Once a bill is approved by the legislature (in Myanmar, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw), the Pres­ident formally signs the bill and subsequently enacts it as a law.

Although their duties are generally the same, members of Parliament have slightly differ­ent responsibilities depending on their respective constituen­cies.

Legislation

A member of Parliament’s primary responsibility is to enact laws. A member of parliament is required to propose new laws that are necessary for the nation. It is necessary for the parliament to discuss, debate, and vote on the proposed laws. Additionally, they review and supervise the current laws and make any nec­essary amendments, repeals, or replacements.

Representation

Members of Parliament en­sure that the needs and concerns of their local constituency are brought up in Parliament by rep­resenting their voters and serving as their voice.

Check and Balance

In order to maintain checks and balances between the legis­lative, administrative, and judicial branches of government, the ma­jority of nations in the world imple­ment the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Members of Parliament are responsible for monitoring the government and public services as well as review­ing government policies.

Committee Work

Parliaments create com­mittees and commissions in ac­cordance with their respective constitutions. For example, the Human Rights Committee, the Bill Committee, the Public Ac­counts Committee, the Health and Sports Committee, and so forth. It is the duty of members of parliament to take part in their committees and commissions.

Party Responsibilities

The majority of Parliamen­tarians are representatives of political parties, but some are independent candidates. Parlia­mentarians from various politi­cal parties collaborate with their party to develop consensus and shape policy.

Myanmar Hluttaw Represent­atives

According to the 2008 Con­stitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is made up of Amyotha and Pyithu Hluttaw. Making laws is Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s prima­ry duty. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has the authority to enact laws for the entire nation or for a specif­ic region in accordance with the Constitution. It is within the rights of these Hluttaws’ Members of Parliament to present draft legis­lation to their respective Hluttaws. Therefore, passing legislation is one of the Hluttaw Representa­tives’ primary duties.

According to the 2008 Consti­tution, state sovereignty is sepa­rated into judicial, administrative, and legislative branches, which serve as mutual checks and bal­ances. Thus, through submitting committee reports, introducing motions, and posing questions, Hluttaw Representatives serve to check and balance the executive and judicial branches.

It is imperative that Hluttaw representatives stay in contact with the electorate and actively participate in the constituency’s development.

Both Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw have standing committees, including the Under­taking Vetting Committee, Gov­ernment’s Guarantees, Pledges, Bill Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and Hluttaw Rights Committee.

Additionally, Hluttaws will es­tablish issue committees to look at issues for a limited period of time that pertain to foreign affairs, eco­nomics, finances, social crimes, governance, legislation, and eth­nic nationality. These committees are mandatory for the designated Hluttaw Representatives.

According to the 2008 Consti­tution, State and Region Hluttaws are established. The respective laws govern how State and Region Representatives carry out their responsibilities.

Role of the Members of Par­liament

The separation of powers is established and practised in democratic nations by their own constitutions. Parliament and oth­er legislatures are empowered to exercise legislative power. As per the Constitution, the people freely elect the members of parliament. The Head of State (President) is chosen by the parliamentarians. The President of some nations is chosen by popular vote. Members of the Parliament elect the Cabi­net and Authorities as well.

The primary responsibilities of members of Parliament are leg­islation, oversight and representa­tion. That is why the members of Parliament are essential in every country. To that end, the role of members of Parliament and their responsibilities are briefly pre­sented in this article.