16 July
The second Pyithu Hluttaw held its third-day meeting of 17th regular session yesterday.
Development project in Myawady
MP U Sein Bo from Myawady constituency asked about the Chinese investment permitted by the Myanmar Investment Commission in Shwe Kokko area in his constituency.
Deputy Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Bharat Singh explained the MIC has approved the development project of Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group Co.,Ltd on 25.5 acres of land plot, out of 62 acres permitted for the company, in Pulwepu Village in Shwe Kokko area with the permit No. 099/2018 on 30 July 2018 for construction of standard housing projects after the company has secured permissions from the Kayin State government on 18 February 2018 and approvals of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
The Deputy Minister added that the company, however, is responsible for following the responsibilities of investors under the Article 65 of Myanmar Investment Law and relevant rules and regulations for the project.
ICJ costs
MP Dr Maung Thin from Meiktila constituency asked about the detailed explanations for the proposed budget of K680 million in supplementary grant of 2019-2020 financial year from the Political Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the hiring legal experts, private judge and legal advisor in the case complained by the Gambia at the ICJ, and about K351.600 million for travel costs and charges for conveying heavy items.
Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin replied that the costs should be spent from the state budget as the case is concerned with the national interest and the image of the country; moreover, the budget is included in the revenue expenditure of the ministry and was scrutinized by the Joint Public Accounts Committee of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw after it has been examined and checked by the Vice President, the Union Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry, the three committees under this ministry and the Director-General of Budget Department. The Union Minister continued to say the budget proposal has been explained during the 5th day meeting of 16th regular session of second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on 27 May 2020. The ministry will open to audits for this revenue expenditure from the department and the Office of Auditor-General of the Union.
Regarding K351.600 million for travel costs and charges for conveying heavy items, the Union Minister said that the OAGU would report to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw if the expenditure was not in line with financial procedures and rules. Moreover, it is an ethic to keep the costs for international lawyer confidential, and the detailed explanations will not be reported to the Pyithu Hluttaw as the total costs for the ICJ case can be checked by the relevant audit teams in line with financial rules.
Land confiscation
MP U Sai Maung Pwint from Tangyan constituency asked about the confiscated land plots of local farmers. Deputy Minister for Defence Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe replied the land plots were vacant at the time of confiscation, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued permits for the utilization.
The Deputy Minister also said the locals just complained without any legal document to get the plots and that the ministry will not release the confiscated lands.
MP U Kyaw Aung Lwin from Sedoktara constituency asked about the land confiscations from local Chin people in Kan Village of his constituency, and Deputy Minister Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe replied it. MP Dr Aung Naing from Thabeikkyin constituency asked about permit application for small-scaled extraction of minerals by the local people; MP U Nay Soe Aung from Wuntho constituency about asked about the release of confiscated land from the management of Wuntho Township administration and MP U Nay Htet Win from Sinbaungwe constituency about release of information about the works of Forest Department to public. Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Dr Ye Myint Swe.
Underground Water Management Bill
U Aye Naing, Secretary of Pyithu Hluttaw’s Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Committee submitted the Underground Water Management Bill and Bill Committee member U Sai Tun Aye explained the bill.
Corporate Social Responsibility
MP Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo from Kyauktan constituency tabled a motion urging the government to issue directives for transparency in adopting explicit policy of implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Thirteen MPs discussed the motion. Deputy Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Bharat Singh supported for the approval of the motion, and the Pyithu Hluttaw approved it. The 4th day meeting of Pyithu Hluttaw will convene on 21 July.
Aye Aye Thant (MNA) (Translated by Aung Khin)
