THE Pyithu Hluttaw approved the Anti-Online Scam Bill yesterday during the 15th-day of its second regular session. Attended by Speaker U Khin Yi, Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn, and representatives, the Hluttaw passed the bill after endorsing 74 amendments adopted by the Amyotha Hluttaw and an additional 41 revisions proposed by the Bill Committee. The motion was tabled by U Thein Tun Oo, Secretary of the Bill Committee and representative from the Amarapura Constituency.
During the session, lawmakers also questioned union ministers regarding regional road upgrades, retirement housing, civil service employment, and a major bridge project in Kachin State.
U Tun Tun Naing, representative from the Singaing Constituency, inquired whether the 12-foot-wide Singaing-Phalanbo-Sawye road would be widened to 18 feet. Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant replied that completing the remaining gravel section as an asphalt road would be treated as a priority for the 2027-2028 financial year. He added that widening the rest of the road would depend on future budget allocations from the Mandalay Region Government.
In Kachin State, U Myint Ko, representative from the Tanai Constituency, asked if the 15-mile mountain road connecting Shinbwayyan to the Sagaing Region border would be upgraded to a gravel route. Union Minister U Myo Thant stated that improvement works on certain sections are slated to begin during the 2026–2027 financial year, with the remaining stretches prioritized in the following years pending funds and coordination with the Kachin State Government.
Addressing welfare concerns, U Moe Myint, representative from the Thanlyin Constituency, questioned the government’s housing and employment strategy for retired military personnel, police officers, and civil servants.
Union Minister U Myo Thant highlighted that a 520-unit retirement housing complex was completed in Nay Pyi Taw in 2021, alongside more than 5,300 rental flats built across Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw between 2021 and 2025. He noted that additional flats are currently under construction and retired staff will maintain priority access. While formal re-employment in government service is not possible post-retirement, the ministry is actively collaborating to link retirees with private-sector jobs.
U Hsin Sone, representative from the Khaunglanhpu Constituency, sought a progress update on the Ridam Bridge crossing the Maykha River along the PutaO-Magwayza-Khaunglanhpu road.
The Union minister reported that the bridge reached 57 per cent completion by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year. He explained that progress has been severely hampered by heavy rainfall, landslides, rapid river fluctuations from melting mountain snow, and a restricted working window of just three months (January to March) per year. However, the ministry remains committed to stockpiling materials in PutaO to expedite construction.
The Pyithu Hluttaw adjourned the session and will reconvene for its 16th-day meeting on 30 June. — MNA/ST
