March 26, 2020
The 13th -day meeting of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw’s 15th regular session was held yesterday. Asterisk-marked questions were raised, a motion debated and the performances during the 15th regular session reviewed by Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than.
First, U Mya Min Swe of Magway Region constituency 9 asked whether there were plans to construct an embankment wall to prevent erosion and stabilize water flow in Shwe Chaung stream that flows through Pakokku.
Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Thar Oo replied that the erosion caused by Shwe Chaung stream is 2,500 feet in Pakokku’s ward 3. He said the estimated cost for building an embankment wall is K750 million. However, there are no plans to include a budget proposal for it in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 financial years.
U Kyaw Thote of Mandalay Region constituency 7 asked how private schools are regulated. Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi replied that the Basic Education Department checks on private school in accordance with the private school registation law and state/regional education officers form examination groups to review the schools.
Next, Dr Win Myint of Bago Region constituency 11 asked whether the Ministry of Transport and Communications will hand over land area of the RTC basic education primary school in Sein Kantkant Village, Minhla Township, Bago Region, to the Ministry of Education, and whether a 60×40 feet RC single-floored building will be constructed there.
Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi replied there are directives to follow from the President’s Office concerning transferring of land ownership. He said budget proposal for the new building can only be submitted when the land has been transferred to his ministry.
Next, U Shan Oar of Chin State constituency 2 asked what the Union Government is doing to promote the status of Myanmar’s sports. Deputy Minister for Health and Sports Dr Mya Lay Sein replied that they are arranging to decentralize sports training from the sports science institution to schools that have full equipment for certain sports. She said the ministry is organizing 31 sports contests across the states/regions for 28 sports categories popular in the region and in Asia. After question time, Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee member Daw Hla Htay (a) Daw Ohn Kyi read the committee’s report on the health council bill. The Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker then sought the approval of the Hluttaw for each section of the report.
Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein tabled for the bill to be approved with its current amendments and U Ko Ko Naing of Sagaing Region constituency 8 seconded the motion. The Speaker called for the deliberation of the Hluttaw, received no objections and announced the bill is approved with its amendments.
Next, bill committee member Dr Myo Aung read the committee’s report on the Myanmar Red Cross Logo Usage Bill and the Speaker sought the decision of the Hluttaw for each section of the bill. Deputy Minister Dr Mya Lay Sein tabled for the bill to be approved with its current amendments and U Ko Ko Naing of Sagaing Region constituency 8 seconded the motion. The Speaker called for the deliberation of the Hluttaw, received no objections and announced the bill is approved with its amendments.
Next, the Amyotha Hluttaw debated a motion tabled by U Maung Maung Ohn of Ayeyawady Region constituency 5 urging the Union Government to issue a mandate allowing businesses to mix designated ratios of ethanol into diesel in order to reduce imports of the fuel and lower the trade deficit.
U Win Zaw of Kachin State constituency 7 seconded the motion saying that it would benefit the national economy and urged the government to evaluate if implementing the motion would be effectively practical with existing laws and bylaws. Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy Dr Tun Naing then explained that the ministry has already issued a mandate allowing private organizations to mix in 5 per cent and 10 per cent ratios of ethanol into diesel since 2009. He said as the mandate does not need to be issued again, the assembly should put the motion on record.
The motion’s tabler, U Maung Maung Ohn, said he will accept the decision of the Hluttaw and the Speaker called for a secret ballot where 36 voted in favour, 94 voted against and 26 abstained. He announced the motion as not approved.
Next, the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker recounted the performance and results of the 15th regular session. During the 13 meetings from 27 January 2020 to 25 March 2020, 105 asterisk-marked questions were raised, 244 non-marked were raised. He then proceeded to recount the motions, bills and reports discussed and passed during the session.
The Speaker concluded his speech by urging the MPs to continue working for the benefit of their constituents and constituency when they return home.—Aung Ye Thwin (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
