2nd Pyithu Hluttaw 5th regular session’s first day meeting held

May 18, 2017

The 1st day meeting of the 2nd Pyithu Hluttaw’s 5th Regular Session was held yesterday, with the swearing-in of the newly elected Hluttaw representatives, and on-the-record overseas trips of Hluttaw representatives among the issues discussed.

In his opening address, U Win Myint, the Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw said, “The Pyithu Hluttaw wholeheartedly welcomes and congratulates the presence of newly elected Hluttaw representatives in the previous by-election and newly substituted representatives from the Tatmadaw in the Hluttaw. Ten bills left at the end of the 4th regular session and new ones are to be discussed in the 5th regular session. There have been 3 motions left to be discussed during the 4th regular session and 22 other motions already ready to be discussed, altogether 25 motions. As regards questions, there have already been 164 asterisk-marked questions which are ready to be questioned, included 141 asterisk-marked questions left during the 4th regular session to be questioned in the present 5th regular session. Now, we have seen vivid changes of political policy, attitudes and working process of countries across the world, with the changes of their political aims and objectives. Global countries were found to prioritise their national interests, hence the need for us to create our country into the one which can follow with the current of development in global changes. Laws need to be changed in accord with the changing time and conditions. In changing political policies, economic systems and social lives as well, laws are required to be amended so as to be able to be adapted to current situations.”

Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw added, “So as to be in harmony with the changes, we ourselves must be able to accept the changes of our stereotyped mindsets. Now our country is making the nascent democratic transformation, accumulating immature experiences, hence the need for us to proceed to the stage of democratic standards. We must overcome hardships and difficulties for building up a federal democratic union. As regards the Hluttaw representatives, they need to cooperate in making people develop democratic practices. Hluttaw representatives are required to be ideals who are well convinced of democratic responsibilities and obligations. For strengthening democracy culture, changes need to be accepted as the working process to be performed further. So, we must continue to upgrade the socio-economic lives and to carry out the acquisition of democratic rights for our people as for the genuine representatives of the people.”

Afterward, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw informed the performances of Hluttaw representatives during the 10 overseas trips between 4th regular session and 5th regular session, putting them on record.

At today’s session, U Hla Kyaw, deputy minister for agriculture, livestock breeding and irrigation replied to the questions raised by U Khin Cho of Hlinebwe constituency as to whether there have been any plan to make researches and survey on decreasing production of fresh-water fish and prawn, situations on catch, gradual changes and increased breeding in the long term.

The deputy minister said, “Existing situation of fish resources in Myanmar Seas is generally measured by index on fishery, catch per unit effort—CPUE & MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield).

In 2013 and 2015, cooperation program for long-term sustainability of ecosystem in the Bay of Bengal had been carried out. For long-term production of freshwater fish and prawns, control of working forces of fishing, restriction of fishing equipments, techniques and fishing vessels, designation of season banned for fishing and areas banned for fishing are being performed. And, actions are being taken against those who committed illegal fishing.”

Then, U Hla Kyaw, deputy minister, replied to questions raised by U Khin Maung Thein of Sagaing Constituency as to whether there have been any plans for teaching staff from the University of Cooperatives to be allowed to sit for the promotion exams in accord with the law, likewise teachers from other universities. As regard this, promotions are being given to those with prescribed qualifications, depending upon vacant posts. As types of the set-up between the present Cooperative College and other colleges differ from each other, provided that set-up of the college has been approved, promotions will be able to be carried out likewise other colleges.

In answer to the question raised by U Kyaw Min of Letpadan Constituency, as to whether there have been any plans for heavy construction of road-cum-embankment to 23-mile-long embankment, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River flowing through Letpadan township and embankment on the eastern part of Myitmakha, heavy construction of road-cum-embankment had been being made, by dividing into five parts depending upon the budget acquirement.

Afterward, U Hla Kyaw, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation replied to the questions raised by U Kan Myint of Thayet Constituency and U Win Thein Zaw of Salingyi Constituency, followed by putting forward the Law on Embankment (Bill) to Hluttaw.

Finally, Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee clarified the report on findings of the bill.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar