A total of 552 out of 560 Pyidaungsu Hluttaw representatives attended the fifth-day meeting of the second regular session of the Third Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
U Hla Thein from the Bago Region Constituency 10 presented the formation of the 16-member Joint Coordinating Committee on Parliamentary Development (JCC), chaired by Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn, to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe announced that the Hluttaw representatives wishing to discuss the formation of the committee can list at the director-general of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Office.
Hluttaw representatives discussed the notification submitted by the President concerning the transmission to the Republic of Belarus of the treaty between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Republic of Belarus on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion, together with Myanmar’s instrument of notification.
Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue U Han Win Aung stated that in signing the agreements on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and the prevention of tax evasion, Myanmar takes into consideration the state of bilateral diplomatic relations, economic ties, trade volume, and investment conditions. It also seeks to conclude such agreements with countries that would have the least impact on Myanmar’s tax revenue.
Such an act aimed to further boost trade, investment and economic opportunities between the two countries. If the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the agreement, notifications would be issued, these would be inserted into the State Gazette, and the agreement would be posted on the website of the Internal Revenue Department. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the issue.
Hluttaw Representatives discussed the motion to extend the one-month special goods tax and commercial tax exemption over diesel (HSD 500 ppm) and commercial tax over LNG.
The deputy minister stated that the approval will be sought from the Union government and the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to extend the tax exemption period for diesel HSD (500 ppm) and LNG after assessing the conflicts in the Middle East, world fuel price, local diesel price and basic commodity prices and responses of other regional countries.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the tax exemption for the two from 1 to 31 May 2026 under Section 37 of the Union Tax Law 2026.
Amyotha Hluttaw representative Dr Khaing Khaing Hsu from the Rakhine State Constituency 10, Defence Services Personnel Amyotha Hluttaw representative Brig-Gen Than Tun Aung, Dr Htein Win from the Kyaunggon Constituency, Dr Shwe Pyi Soe from the Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Constituency, U Sai Kyaw Hla from the Kunming Constituency, and U Aung Kyaw Hnin from the Kyunsu Constituency discussed the motion tabled by Dr Nanda Hla Myint from the Kalaw Constituency, urging the Union government to necessarily review the ASEAN Five-Point Statement that undermines Myanmar’s equality within ASEAN and is inconsistent with ASEAN’s fundamental principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of a member state in addition to the non-alignment with the ASEAN’s fundamental principles and Myanmar’s current actual political situation. They discussed that certain member states of ASEAN, based on their own unilateral positions, have significantly undermined the dignity of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. If ASEAN is genuinely well-intentioned towards the people of Myanmar and truly seeks positive change and progress for the citizens of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, it should prioritize practical and realistic approaches that have a tangible and meaningful impact on the Myanmar people.
About ASEAN’s Five- Point Statement, based on the foregoing, the State Administration Council maintained friendly relations with ASEAN and attached importance to cooperation throughout its tenure. As the elected Union Government and Tatmadaw are implementing measures to eliminate terrorism, maintain peace and stability, promote national development, and advance the peace process, the ASEAN Five-Point Statement should not be regarded as a separate process requiring independent implementation. Rather, Myanmar’s development and stability should continue to be pursued through the collective support and strength of the government, the Hluttaw, Tatmadaw, and the people. Furthermore, as the Five-Point Statement is inconsistent with ASEAN’s fundamental principles of respecting the sovereignty of member states and refraining from interference in their internal affairs, Myanmar wishes to see its sovereign equality and sovereignty fully respected.
Myanmar wishes to call on all parties to respect and adhere to the provisions and principles of the ASEAN Charter and to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of any member state. Myanmar will continue to pursue constructive cooperation with ASEAN and its individual member states, with the sole objective of promoting the interests of each country and the region as a whole. Accordingly, Myanmar urges all ASEAN member states to faithfully and impartially observe the principles and provisions of the ASEAN Charter, to uphold the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, to respect the sovereignty of each country, and to comply with Article 5 of the ASEAN Charter, which provides for equal representation among ASEAN member states. Myanmar also calls on ASEAN member states not to turn a blind eye to the positive progress made through the former’s constructive cooperation. In addition, it encourages members of parliament from countries belonging to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) to visit Myanmar in person to observe the actual situation on the ground and to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation. At present, as a new government formed in Myanmar through constitutional electoral processes has come into existence, it is necessary to place emphasis on international relations and reconsider the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Statement.
The ASEAN Five- Point Statement is considered to be in violation of both the principle of non-interference in internal affairs as set out in Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and the principles of sovereignty and non-interference enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Their discussions stated that measures such as the agreement to exclude Myanmar’s leaders from ASEAN Summit meetings, the imposition of restrictions, and the omission of equal representation constitute a breach of the ASEAN Charter and interference in internal affairs. ASEAN’s role is described as being limited to facilitation, without any right to directly interfere in Myanmar’s internal affairs. It is also stated that this situation is creating a challenge to ASEAN’s unity and cohesion.
The Speaker announced that the remaining Hluttaw representatives to discuss the motion will continue at the session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to be held on 7 July.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw was adjourned, and the sixth-day meeting will continue on 7 July. — MNA/ TTA
