This Week in Parliament (May 28-June 1)

By The Irrawaddy 2 June 2018

Monday (May 28)

Union ministers explained how their ministries spent loans obtained from foreign agencies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, China Export/Import Bank and official development assistance loans from Korea.

Tuesday (May 29)

In the Lower House, lawmaker U Nyan Hein of Mon State’s Thanbyuzayat asked whether the military would return Shwe Phyu Yadana Golf Course in the township to the public. Deputy Defense Minister Major-General Myint Nwe replied that the locally based 31st Light Infantry Battalion has no plan to return it for public use as the area is important for security reasons.

Wednesday (May 30)

The Upper House approved a proposal by U Hla Hsan of Magwe Constituency (1) urging the Union government to disseminate knowledge of good agricultural practices to farmers across the country to ensure food sufficiency.

Thursday (May 31)

The Union Parliament approved the appointment of U Soe Win as Union minister for planning and finance. Born in 1938, he becomes the oldest minister in the cabinet, led by the National League for Democracy.

Friday (June 1)

In the Lower House, U Pe Than of Myebon Township asked whether the Union government planned to designate as gazetted public holidays those days that are of significance to ethnicities such as local New Year’s and National days, to be commemorated in the states and self-administered divisions. Union Ethnic Affairs Minister Nai Thet Lwin replied that having too many public holidays would negatively impact development. He said the concerned regional and state governments and parliaments were free to act, but the Union government has no plan to designate those days as public holidays.