March 21, 2020
The 27th-day meeting of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 15th regular session convened yesterday, where 629 MPs attended and 25 were on leave.
The final day of constitutional amendment proposals voting
The Hluttaw continued voting on proposals to amend the Constitution and Hluttaw representatives cast secret ballots on the category (5) which contained 14 proposed amendments.
None of the proposals acquired the number of votes needed for them to be approved. In detail, the proposal to amend Section 405-(a) received 404 votes in favor, Section 437-(a) received 395 votes, Chapter 14 received 405 votes, Section 441 received 407 votes, Section 442 received 406 votes, Section 443 received 406 votes, Section 444-(a) received 406 votes, Section 444-(b) received 407 votes, Section 445 received 408 votes, Section 446 received 399 votes, Section 447 received 404 votes, Section 448 received 404 votes, Section 449-(a) received 407 votes, and Section 449-(b) received 407 votes.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker then announced that voting for proposals to amend the Constitution has concluded. Among the 55 proposals related to Section 436-(a) and (b), only 2 proposals garnered more than 75 per cent of votes in favor of the entire assembly.
They were Sections 32-(a) and (b).
Among the 80 proposals related to Section 436-(b), only 2 proposals gained the support of more than 75 per cent of MPs. They were Section 261-(a) and Section 344.
MPs debate IDA loan for MoHS
Next, Hluttaw representatives debated a motion forwarded from the President’s Office to acquire US$ 10 million from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Ministry of Health and Sports. Dr San Shwe Win of Yekyi constituency approved the motion, saying that the nation will receive both financial assistance and technical knowhow from a global financial institution like the World Bank.
U Sai Aung Kyaw of Kyaytee constituency also approved the motion, saying that the loan will enable the health ministry to continue its work uninterrupted and provide healthcare services for the people. U Kyaw Swe Win of Kawhmu constituency also approved the motion, saying that in the age where the economy is shifting to a human resource-based system, investing in the people’s healthcare would be invaluable. The motion was further debated by seven MPs.
The 28th-day meeting of the current Pyidaungsu Hluttaw session will convene on 24 March. —Aung Ye Thwin, Aye Aye Thant (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
