Within the period of 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2020, 19 new laws have been enacted and 10 existing laws have been amended.
Balancing in reciprocal motion, the three branches of sovereign power namely, legislative power, executive power and judicial power of Myanmar are striving in building the democratic federal union and peaceful and developed nation.
Legislative bodies namely two Hluttaws are mainly shouldering the duties such as that of the development of the nation; that of the protection of the interest of the people; that of the socio-economic development of the people; that of amending, annulling, revoking, and enacting laws if and when they are not in conformity with the interest of the citizens lacking in democratic standard and human rights norm.
The second Pyithu Hluttaw, formed with (321) Hluttaw Representatives – – – being elected from (11) political parties including (5) independent elected representatives – – – and (110) Hluttaw Representatives nominated by the Tatmadaw, totaling (431) Hluttaw Representatives, is shouldering responsibility of legislative duties on behalf of the people.
With much enthusiasm, the Hluttaw Representatives are endeavoring to the best of their abilities in the implementation such as that of peace and development, that of democratic rights, human rights, stability and rule of law, emergence of democratic federal union as aspired by the citizens. Moreover, they are fulfilling as much as possible on the desire, aspiration and development of the people from various constituencies.
The Second Pyithu Hluttaw convened on 1 February 2016, and on the same day elected U Win Myint, Hluttaw Representative of Tamwe Constituency, as Hluttaw Speaker. It elected U T. Khun Myat, Hluttaw Representatives of Kutkai Constituency, as the Deputy Speaker.
When Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Win Myint assumed duty as President of the nation, the vacant folio of Hluttaw Speaker is filled up with U T. Khun Myat, Hluttaw Representative of Kutkai Constituency, on 22 March 2018 at Second Pyithu Hluttaw seventh regular 31st Meeting.
Hluttaw Speaker U T. Khun Myat is the Chairman of of Myanmar Parliamentary Union (MPU) and the Patron of Second Hluttaws convening Central Committee. He is also the Chairman of Development Programmes Central Committee.
During the fourth-year period, Hluttaw Speaker U T. Khun Myat made friendly visits to two foreign countries. He successfully hosted on (39) occasions to the foreign leaders namely Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Mr. Suchart Tancharoen, First Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives of Thailand; Mr. Kim Jaewon, Chairman of Korea – Myanmar Inter-parliamentary Friendship Association; Mr. Yamaguchi Natsuo, the Upper House MP and the Chief Representative of Komeito party of Japan; a number of foreign ambassadors (with residences in Myanmar and outside Myanmar) and high dignitaries from international organizations.
While meeting the guests, U T. Khun Myat endeavoured in the tasks such as that of enhancing friendly relations between the two countries and further cooperation between the two parliaments; that of exchange of views on legislative matters; that of trade and investment between the two countries; that of the cooperation on technical matters; and that of the exchange of views on human resources development.
Certain positive changes have been witnessed on the road to democratic transition of the country endeavoured by the Second Pyithu Hluttaw during the four years time. The performances over the reform process during the fourth-year as explained by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U T. Khun Myat are submitted to the esteemed readers.
Q: Kindly explain us on the enacted laws and the successful performances at the Hluttaw during the fourth-year period.
A: First of all, allow me to extend my sincere best wishes for the well being of mind and soul of the entire national brethrens of the Union.
As Hluttaw Speaker in the fourth-year of my tenure, I have the honour in convening five regular sessions of the Second Pyithu Hluttaw. In the regular Hluttaw sessions, the new laws have been enacted and some existing laws have been amended, added, and annulled after due consideration and scrutiny in accordance with the Hluttaw working procedures whether the laws are in conformity with the democratic standard and norms in the interest of the state and the people.
Within the period of 1 February 2019 to 31 January 2020, (19) new laws have been enacted and (10) existing laws have been amended.
On 19 August 2019, the Union Parliament of Myanmar, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, has enacted “Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Law”. It replaces the old Land Acquisition Act (1894) as well as to provide a legal framework for resettlement and rehabilitation for the first time in Myanmar.
The Child Rights Law was enacted in July 2019 vide Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Law No. 22/2019.
Moreover, total of (35) laws – – – including six-laws in connection with the National Planning Law, the Budget Law, and Custom laws – – – have been approved.
Q: Please share with regards to the questions being raised at the Pyithu Hluttaw.
A: Our Pyithu Hluttaw Representatives, on behalf of their constituencies, raised questions and also submitted proposals with the intent for the developments programmes. The questions and the proposals are in line with the relevant Pyithu Hluttaw laws, and Pyithu Hluttaw By-laws. During the fourth-year, there were (1,145) questions with asterisks; (251) paperwork related questions; and (5,468) questions without asterisks; totalling (6,864) questions being raised. The questions were responded with proper answers.
Among the queries, four most interesting questions have been responded through the Myanma Gazette and the government newspapers. The most positive question was “Whether the Myanmar born expatriate physicians, who regained back former citizenship with Permanent Residency in Myanmar, would be accorded with normal treatment without any restriction and restraint similar to other countries?”
Q: Please explain us on the approved proposals being tendered at the Pyithu Hluttaw.
A: There are (41) accepted and approved proposals being raised at the Pyithu Hluttaw. One proposal was “In Myanmar, the Ministry of Electricity and Energy is being suggested and urged to move ahead with tangible and valid policy guidelines in establishing (100) per cent electricity supply in the country by 2020”. The other proposal was “The Union Government is being suggested and urged to adopt a policy guideline for implementation in offering priority and support in appointing the Primary Assistant Teachers according to the requirement at the village schools in ethnic nationalities areas”.
In summary, (77) proposals were submitted and that (41) proposals accorded with approval; that (31) proposals kept for record purpose; that (2) proposals denied approval; and that (3) proposals being set aside.
Q: Kindly share us the outcomes of the foreign visits.
A: During the fourth-year period of Second Pyithu Hluttaw, I have had friendly visit to two foreign countries. One visit was 34th ASEAN Summit held in Bangkok; and the other visit was ROK at the invitation of the Speaker of Parliament of Korea.
During the visits, the discussions were conducted such as that of enhancing friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries; that of the cooperation between the Parliaments of two countries; and that of the exchange of views on legislative matters in the Parliament.
Q: Please add if there is any topic.
A: Our Pyithu Hluttaw is doing our jobs to the best of our ability in quest of internal peace, the national reconciliation, and the national unity as desired by the people. Moreover, we are serving the peopled by enacting laws that are beneficial to the state and the people. We are also keeping the three branches of sovereign power namely, legislative power, executive power and judicial power of Myanmar balancing in reciprocal motion.
In conclusion, as the Speaker of the Hluttaw, I pledge and promise to the best of my ability to carry on with the tasks for the emergence of Democratic Federal Union; to go ahead for the success of peace process; and to endeavour for the creation of stronger legislative structure.
I am thankful to all.
Translated by UMT (Ahlon)
