This Week in Parliament

By The Irrawaddy 9 February 2019

In the Lower House, military representative Major Zin Lin questioned the practicality of proposals approved by the national legislature, saying there was no way to measure their contributions to government projects because the government lacked a five-year plan for the term of the current administration.

Tuesday (Feb. 5)

The Union Parliament debated a proposal to form a joint committee to work on amending the military-drafted Constitution. None of the military-appointed lawmakers in Parliament — all of whom boycotted last week’s vote to schedule the debate — took part in the discussion.

Wednesday (Feb. 6)

Nearly 67 percent of Union Parliament lawmakers voted in favor of forming a committee to draft amendments to the Constitution.

Lawmaker U Myo Win of the ruling National League for Democracy called for transparency and accountability for public expenditures, saying the government should be careful with its spending if it is to fund itself with taxes from members of the public.

According to statistics from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, only 36,000 of more than 80,000 registered companies are paying tax, and there are only 600,000 private tax payers among a national population of 52 million.

Thursday (Feb. 7)

NLD lawmaker Daw Thet Thet Khaing called for the abolition of the so-called “other accounts” held by government ministries and agencies while raising questions about the government’s efforts to improve transparency in the reporting of revenue by government departments involved in extractive industries.

Friday (Feb.8)

The Upper House approved a proposal from lawmaker U Soe Moe urging the Supreme Court to require judges to take an oath during trials that they will administer justice fairly. He said it would improve the credibility of Myanmar’s judicial system.