State Counsellor stresses diversity, rule of law

February 2, 2018

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses 2nd Anniversary, 2nd Hluttaw

A ceremony in commemoration of the Second Anniversary of the Second Hluttaw was held yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw, where the State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi pointed out the importance of trust in the Hluttaw, which she described as an “essentail institution” for democracy.

At the event held in dining hall of the Nay Pyi Taw Hluttaw compound, the State Counsellor said she had confidence that the Hluttaw representatives would enact laws for the betterment of the people.

“Since we entered the Hluttaw after the 2012 by-election, we learnt and studied the value, difficulties, challenges, depth and subtleness of enacting laws. We gain invaluable lessons from this opportunity. That is why I expect all Hluttaw representatives to know the value of the Hluttaw and each representative. People are relying on the Hluttaw as an institution that will enact laws for the good of the people.

“I have put much emphasis on rule of law. A country’s development, strength and power depend much upon peace and stability. Peace and stability is sustainable only when there is rule of law. Rule of law is a good sign for us. It should be laws that are fair. In fact laws are made by people. Laws made by people could not be always be correct, precise and good forever.

The anniversary ceremony was attended by First Lady Daw Su Su Lwin, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Win Myint, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than, Union Chief Justice U Htun Htun Oo, Constitutional Tribunal of Union Chairperson U Myo Nyunt, speakers of the first Hluttaws Thura U Shwe Mann and U Khin Aung Myint, Union Election Commission Chairman U Hla Thein, Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U T Khun Myat, Amyotha Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Aye Tha Aung, Union Ministers, Union Attorney General, Union Auditor General, Union Civil Service Board Chairman, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar Chairman, Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw representatives, heads of departments and invited guests.

“I greet the Hluttaw representatives and guests who are attending this second anniversary event.

For various reasons, I was unable to attend this event last year and this is the first time I’m attending this. I’m happy to be here. Because, when we took the democracy path, Hluttaw is an essential institution. But law is something that is needed for the stability of a country and to keep the machinery of the government running and thus laws are being enacted. It will be valuable for the people and the country only if these laws are fair. I expect the Hluttaw to be an institution that will lead towards rule of law. Hluttaw consists of Hluttaw representatives from all over the country who came about with union spirit. Representatives meet here and learn about each other and understand each other more. Afterwards, I believe that they will strive for perpetuation and unity of the country and the union.

Hluttaw doesn’t include only various ethnic nationals but also various organizations. This is the sign of a democratic Hluttaw. We will have the opportunity to learn how to work together with different organizations in the Hluttaw for the good of the country. Doing things together with like-minded people is actually not a spirit of democracy. Democracy accepts differences. It is a system that came about from the spirit of achieving unity through diversity. Our Hluttaw representatives may have already heard this. A democracy is not without faults. But it is better than other systems. There are no other systems than a democracy that respect and inspire the people. A government in a democracy came from the will and wishes of the people. A government of the people respects the wish of the people. That is why we can say a democracy is not faultless but is better than any other systems. We have this belief.

But for a democracy to thrive and survive, we need to strive towards keeping on the path. Hluttaw representatives stand on the frontline in this endeavor. Our representatives need to understand that they not only represent the people but also the democratic system. We need to establish a country with a system that will provide a firm and peaceful union for our future generations. I repeatedly warn our representatives whenever I have the opportunity. Those who play politics do so for the next election. Those who work for the country do so for the next generation. Each and every representatives need to have this firmly in their mind. Are we thinking about the next election? We need to as in a political party system the next election has to be thought about. But the main thing is not the next election only. It is the next generation.

Therefore, an election is something that will support our endeavor for our next generation. It is not the ultimate aim. The ultimate aim is the next generation. It is for the next generation to live in a stable, peaceful and developed nation. Our country is a union formed with ethnic nationals. It is very important to set it up as a democratic union and a Democratic Federal Republic that is acceptable to the majority. All will be honored to be part takingn in this Hluttaw. All are expected to take this seriously. We have a lot to learn in the Hluttaw. We have been in the Hluttaw for more than three years and what we learnt during that time helped a lot now that we are in the executive branch. For a democratic system to progress and become established, legislative, judicial and administrative sectors need to serve the people in tandem. Some think that this check and balance is a competition or alienation against each other. In fact it is not a competition or being adversaries. It is just to ensure that no one is doing anything that is wrong. It is a check and balance that will prevent from doing things that are detrimental to self, others and the country. It is done like a friend that in the end becomes a comrade. Comrades are a bit different from friends. Friendship is based on personal affiliation. Comradeship is based on belief. It is important for people from the judicial, legislative and administrative sectors to conduct things as comrades for the good of the country. Today’s event includes guests from these three sectors. It is important for all in these sectors to be personally friendly with one another. When there are some problems and misunderstanding between one another, we can smooth things up. I want to caution all Hluttaw representatives to treat one another as friends and comrades. Only then can we effectively work for the country.

Our government is yet to be two years old. Before the government was two years old, the Hluttaw has become two years old. The Hluttaw was called up and then the government came about. This shows the importance of the Hluttaw. In fact it wouldn’t be wrong for us to say that democracy starts from the Hluttaw. The government was formed by the Hluttaw. Government need to rely on the Hluttaw. In some countries, when the government and Hluttaw are not in agreement, it became difficult to do things. Sometimes, when the Hluttaw is strong, government had difficulties doing things. We want our Hluttaw to be strong and to have the capability. The main capability is to have good will toward the country. Each Hluttaw representative needs to have goodwill towards the country. If each is loyal towards the country, we have overcome the first challenge. If we have goodwill and loyalty, we need to learn. The next step is to learn what Hluttaw representatives need to know and become skilled. Without goodwill and loyalty, skills can be dangerous. It is the duty of the Hluttaw representative to use their skills properly for the good. I’m saying this as one of the voters too. I’m saying this as one of the people. I am saying this also as a former representative. Looking from all direction, the value of our representatives is very important. By saying elected representative, I’m not keeping out the Tatmadaw representatives. All need to work together. No group is against another group for the sake of the country. There can’t be any occasion where we could not cooperate. We must cooperate with anyone for the sake of the country. As we are from the same country, we all should be able to work together.

I don’t like the word opposition. It sounded like either to oppose or become suppressed. That is not what an opposition should be. An opposition sometimes helps for the sake of the country. Sometimes, they cooperated. Sometimes, they point out. Sometimes they criticise when criticism is due. An opposition shouldn’t be considered as an enemy. It is not the spirit of democracy to consider the opposition as an enemy. Democratic spirit accepts differences, and from this acceptance that we use the word opposition party. The party and group that are not the same as us need not be our enemy. Despite different views and differences, we can be united. Establishing unity in diversity is the true spirit of democracy. It is the basis of democracy. It is difficult to meet with each Hluttaw representatives because there is a lot while time is short. But I equally value each representative. Each has a vote that is of equal value. All Hluttaw representatives have an opportunity to vote and a duty to vote correctly. All need to consider one another equally as brothers, sisters and comrades.

I’ve spoken about the importance of rule of law for our country. Unity, national reconciliation and peace are also the important things that I want to say before concluding my speech. You all know that our country is facing many challenges. We are not a physically strong country so we need to be strong morally and united for our country to survive. By being strong morally and being united, we can overcome any difficulty. We will build our physical strength gradually. As we become strong, we will not be bullied. For our country to stand tall with dignity in the world, each Hluttaw representative needs to stand tall with dignity and loyalty. If each Hluttaw representative is not wrong, our Hluttaw will not be on the wrong path. If our Hluttaw is not on the wrong path, our country will not be on the wrong path. In marching towards a Federal Democracy Republic that we all yearn for, Hluttaw representative should be at the forefront when need to. If need to they should be at the back to cover the rear. If need to, they should be at the side to cover the flanks. With this request, I conclude my speech.

In a speech delivered at the Second Anniversary of the Second Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Win Myint said there has been progress in the Hluttaw representatives doing the check and balance functions. We came to understand that check and balance is not interfering in the work of others and it is important for the three pillars to work together while providing the check and balance function.

All need to understand that the three pillars are not three competitors but colleagues who are working for the establishment of a Democratic Federal Republic. We all need to follow the democratic principles. We need to be open minded, practical, helpful and cooperative and capable of finding solutions through amicable negotiation. They need to be able to discuss with those who don’t believe in democracy. Each one of us needs to understand the idea of the others.

In conclusion, the Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker said, “As long as the Hluttaw formed by people’s representative is strong, democracy will thrive.”

This was followed by Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than addressing the event. In his speech, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker said Amyotha Hluttaw representatives have listened to the wishes and wills of the people and tabled 13 motions, asked 715 asterisk marked questions and 649 questions to which relevant ministries and union level organizations have replied to the Hluttaw. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw had enacted 20 laws, amended 24 laws and repealed 6 laws during the two year period.

Starting with “time to change,” we’ve crossed the rough path towards democracy and have overcome difficulties and challenges by being united with the people. All are urged to strive toward a Democratic Federal Union said the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker.

Afterwards, the State Counsellor met with attendees of the event and had dinner together. After the dinner, the State Counsellor viewed the movie “My Country My Home” shown in the Hluttaw Thabin Hall.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar