24 July
The 5th-day meeting of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw’s 17th regular session convened yesterday. MP U Whei Tin of Chin State constituency 11 asked whether there were plans to expand the motorcycle path between Mee Zar village and Ohn Tee village in Paletwa Township and to pave the remaining section of the new road there. Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut replied that while Than Naing company won the tender for the project in 2016-2017FY and has finished 10 miles of the 26-mile road, security concerns have brought the project to a halt. He said a budget for the project wasn’t considered in the 2020-2021FY proposal but might be considered for the 2021-2022FY if relevant authorities can attest to regional peace and stability in that area together with approval from the Chin State government.
MP U Kyaw Thaung of Sagaing Region constituency 1 asked if the Burmese chronological history series will continue publication. Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min replied that publication will continue depending on the available budget and remaining content. MP Daw Htu May of Rakhine State constituency 11 then asked whether there are plans to construct a jetty in Saku island, Yanbye Township, and upgrade the 8.2-mile road on the island in the coming financial year. Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Kyaw Myo replied there are currently no plans to build a jetty on the island but a budget proposal of K773.25 million for upgrading the road has been submitted for 2020-2021FY by the Rakhine State government.
MP U Min Naing of Sagaing Region constituency 12 asked whether a new building for Khamti Airport will be constructed in 2020-2021FY. Deputy Minister U Kyaw Myo replied that the current airport structure can adequately handle the amount of passengers that are using it and so there is no need to construct an additional building. MP U Myint Naing of Rakhine State constituency asked about constructions of two bridges in Kyauktaw township in 2020-2021 financial year. Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Major General Than Htut answered it.
MP U Maung Maung Ohn of Ayeyawady constituency asked about legal actions taken against illegal transportation of foreign registered vessels in Myanmar waters, and the question was answered by Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Kyaw Myo.
Approving a bill, discussing amendment bill
Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee member Brig-Gen Tint Lwin read the committee’s report on the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Bill. Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than sought the assembly’s opinion on each paragraph of the bill and then approved it.
Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win tabled the bill to be approved in its current condition and U Zaw Hein of Taninthayi Region constituency 7 seconded the motion.
The Speaker then sought the deliberation of the Hluttaw, received no opposition, and announced the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Bill is approved in its current condition. Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe read the committee’s report on the bill amending the 1959 Defence Services Act and the Speaker called for MPs interested in discussing the bill to register their names. The 6th-day meeting of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw’s 17th regular session will convene on 28 July.
Aung Ye Thwin (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
