17 March

Some 70 per cent of the country’s population is working for a living in the agriculture sector. However, the lands that these people depend upon for their livelihoods were confiscated beyond the scope of law after the 1988 coup. In addition to this, these lands were not used for the benefit of the country, as more lands were confiscated than used. Also, lands were not used as intended when confiscated. In order to develop the agriculture sector, the socio-economic situation of the farmers, and to return the confiscated land to the farmers, the Union Government formed the Central Committee for Reviewing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands in 2016.

The issue of resolving farmland matters fairly was decided by the Hluttaw in 2012, as not much was accomplished in earlier years. However, the work on solving the issue has picked up speed month by month, and much has been accomplished.

As some 70 per cent of the country’s population is relying on agriculture, the issue should be speedily resolved.

The land confiscation issue popped up only after the Hluttaw made a decision in 2012 to return the illegally confiscated lands to its former owners. But there was a clause added to the decision, saying the lands to be returned must be those confiscated after 1988.

Resolving these matters remains very difficult. The current owners did not want to release the lands, so they fabricated long drawn-out proceedings in order not to return the land.

Also, there were inadequate tools given to the administration, in reinforcing the Land Records Department. Once the Land Records Department has been provided with adequate resources, cases would be speedily assessed and resolved.

There was also corruption and an inability to perform the work properly. And when there were contradictions and problems, the courts had to resolve many issues.

Another concern was the importance of establishing clear land rights for economic reasons. Based on this, efforts were made to resolve the farmland matters as quickly as possible, not only to ensure social stability, but also for economic development.

All need to assist in this. Those who had illegally confiscated land should now return the land, instead of holding on to it. Efforts must be made from the administrative side in order to resolve the land problems faced by the people.

People should also participate in resolving the issue, rather than trying to find ways of taking advantage of it. All need to understand that it would be best for the entire country only when these problems have been resolved.

GNLM