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G8 Summit: Paragraph on Burma/Myanmar in the Camp David Declaration US State Department - 19 May 2012 "34. We pay tribute to the remarkable efforts of President Thein Sein, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and many other citizens of Burma/Myanmar to deliver democratic reform in their country over the past year. We recognize the need to secure lasting and irreversible reform, and pledge our support to existing initiatives, particularly those which focus on peace in ethnic area[s], national reconciliation, and entrenching democracy. We also stress the need to cooperate to further enhance aid coordination among international development partners of Burma/Myanmar and conduct investment in a manner beneficial to the people of Burma/Myanmar." Waxed ballot complaint a sham  New Light of Myanmar - 9 May 2012 The Union Election Commission has issued a report on a complaint lodged by the National League for Democracy that voters in the the 1 April by-elections had been issued waxed ballot papers, making it impossible to put a tick on the paper. An investigation by the UEC in 10 townships concerned concluded that there had been no case of waxing ballot papers and that the complaint was groundless. "In accord with the law, the UEC has warned the secretary of the party concerned against stating such groundless information, leading to misunderstanding among the people, for taking action if necessary."
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Suu Kyi to swear oath in Parliament
Derek Tonkin writes: This was a battle Suu Kyi could not hope to win because of time constraints - NLD seats could have been declared vacant under Article 130 of the Constitution if representatives were absent for more than 15 days. Clearly considerable pressure has been exerted on her from many quarters to compromise. The nature of the deal should shortly be apparent, and could include an understanding to review several inconsistencies and anomalies in the Constitution which need rectification.
Substitution of nominated Military Representatives in the Assemblies New Light of Myanmar - 23 April 2012 The State daily publishes on Pages 1 and 2 the texts of two Announcements by the Union Election Commission recording the substitution of 59 nominated Military Representatives, 39 in the Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw) and 20 in the Upper House (Amyotha Hluttaw). In all cases the substitution affects representatives with the rank of Major by representatives of higher rank, from Lieutenant-Colonel to Brigadier-General. Derek Tonkin writes: The changes would seem to reflect the increasing importance which the military attach to the parliamentary process. Myanmar Parliament stand-off a "technical matter": Suu Kyi  Reuters - 26 April 2012 In her most detailed explanation of the NLD's thinking on the issue so far, Suu Kyi told reporters in Yangon on 26 April that the party was seeking to iron out "inconsistency" between the oath and the country's election laws. "This is why I say it is a technical matter ... You can't say one thing in one place and another thing in another place. There has to be consistency. You mustn't forget that this is one of the major issues that prevented us from entering the 2010 elections." Derek Tonkin comments: There is indeed a clear inconsistency between Schedule Four of the Constitution (the oath), Article 405(b) of the Constitution (requirements laid on political parties) and Article 6(c) of the Political Parties Registration Act (which repeated the language of the oath until it was changed and made consistent with Article 405(b) ). Article 405(b) of the Constitution requires political parties to "abide by (lai na) and respect (lei za) this Constitution and the existing laws". Unfortunately until recently the NLD seem to have forgotten about the oath, though whether by mistake or by design is not yet clear. The oath in Schedule Four has different language from the requirements in Article 405 for political parties wishing to register. A transliteration of part of the oath reads: "keep/safeguard (htein thein) protect/defend (ka gwe) look after/uphold (saun shau) the Constitution and abide by (lai na) the laws" while Article 405 (b) has only "respect (lei za) and abide by (lai na) the Constitution and the laws". However, as the Constitution also contains a Chapter XII on the amendment of the Constitution, this clearly envisages the lawful right to propose changes to the Constitution, however the oath might be interpreted. It should be noted that the official English version of the oath does not use the word "safeguard" which has appeared in many foreign media reports as the basis of the dispute: "safeguard versus respect". It had seemed to many that the NLD had decided that the current Constitution was the only game in town, and that if they were to seek revision of the Constitution, this should be done within the system, by joining the parliamentary fray. Their hubris though is defiance of authority, and just as they rejected the constitutional process set out by the military regime prior to the 1990 Elections, so they would now seem to be rejecting entry to Parliament except on their own terms. The 2,686,633 or 66% of the voters who supported NLD candidates in the recent by-elections and who had such high hopes of NLD action in Parliament to achieve their aspirations might now be wondering whether they did the right thing. Burmese expatriate commentators who have in the past been very supportive of the NLD have been united in their criticism of the NLD position. They agree that the oath needs amendment. But they feel that the timing of the NLD's negative action can only damage the growing entente between the NLD and the reformist government and possibly strengthen the position of hard-liners. The NLD, litigious by nature, do not like backing down. The pressure on them though is to compromise. The NLD seem confident that the matter will be resolved shortly. President Thein Sein however is reported to have said in Tokyo that no change will be made to the oath to accommodate the NLD.
Picking the wrong battle - The NLD and the parliamentary oath  Foreign Policy - 20 April 2012 Min Zin, who studied at Berkeley University, sees the problem of the oath as "an unfortunate strategic blunder for the leader of the NLD. She has put herself in an unnecessary dilemma. First of all, the point at hand is largely symbolic. Semantic issues in politics are usually about saving face. Vowing to "uphold and abide" the constitution does not mean that the opposition can't try to amend it later..... Second, the timing is bad. When she reached her pre-election deal with the regime to change the Party Registration Law so that the NLD could run, Aung San Suu Kyi should have known that the language of the oath appears not only in the Party Registration Law but also in the constitution. If she wanted to make an issue of it, she could have done so then......Third, Suu Kyi has picked the wrong person as her interlocutor. She is relying too heavily on the president and the executive branch. Amending the constitution is a job that should be carried out by parliamentarians. "By participating in the election Aung San Suu Kyi chose to play by the regime's rules; now she needs to pick her battles rather than wasting valuable energy in a fight over symbolism. There's an old Burmese proverb: "If you choose to live like a bug inside a chili pepper, you can't really complain if you start feeling hot."
Myanmar's President considers Cabinet shift  Financial Times - 19 April 2012 Myanmar’s president is contemplating cabinet changes that could reduce the power of some anti-reform ministers in the wake of his party’s crushing election defeat earlier this month. Suspension rather than removal of restrictions amounts to highly qualified support that could still deter western business from substantial investment. Fresh doubts among hardliners about the value of the reform process underline reports of an intensifying power struggle within government and parliament. With Ms Suu Kyi and her team of MPs to enter parliament when it reconvenes next week, one adviser said the relationship between Mr Thein Sein, Shwe Mann, the influential house speaker and USDP head, and Ms Suu Kyi was providing a “new equilibrium” that was the emerging driver of reform. Read more..... West must lift sanctions 'without delay' - International Crisis Group Agence France-Presse - 10 April 2012  Myanmar is unlikely to backtrack on reforms and the West should lift sanctions "without delay" to help the process, the International Crisis Group said in a report just released. "Myanmar has turned away from five decades of authoritarianism and has embarked on a bold process of political, social and economic reform," the ICG said in "Reform in Myanmar: One Year On," released in Jakarta and Brussels. "Those in the West who have long called for such changes must now do all they can to support them. The most important step is to lift the sanctions on Myanmar without delay." Noting the April 23 European Union meeting on whether to renew sanctions, the ICG said "the value of the coercive measures must be reconsidered."
President Thein Sein comments on the by-elections The New Light of Myanmar - 26 March 2012 In a speech at Pathein on 24 March 2012 devoted to rural development and poverty alleviation, President Thein Sein concluded with remarks about the forthcoming by-elections. He noted that: "As there are unnecessary errors in the ballot lists, the deadline for confirmation was postponed to 24 March 2012, bestowing favour to political parties and voters. "Winners and losers will emerge in the by-elections as per usual. We all need to work together to ensure that the outcome is accepted by all the people. Respecting the decision of the people, we need bear to loss. All political parties need to understand that the decision made by the people is key decision. "As the commission is doing its best to make the by-elections free and fair, our government has invited international monitors to offer testimony. Attention of the whole world has focused on the by-elections to be held for the first time while the incumbent government is in office. All our citizens need to support the bid to hold the free and fair by-elections to be watched by the international community......" Burma's Parliament emerges from the shadows  Inside Story (Australia) - 26 March 2012 Our correspondent in Yangon writes: Just as views of the Burmese government have shifted dramatically over the past twelve months, perceptions of the parliament in Naypyidaw have undergone their own transformation. Shortly after convening for the first time on 31 January last year, it was dubbed the “fifteen-minute parliament” by opposition activists because of the brevity of the initial sessions, which saw Thein Sein elected president. One year on, when the third session began on 21 January, the Reuters news agency published a feature article with the headline, “In Myanmar, a Sham Parliament Stirs to Life,” describing how MPs were drafting anti-corruption legislation and preparing to discuss the national budget. Yet the parliament is rarely mentioned when the international community, Aung San Suu Kyi or activists laud Burma’s reforms. Lacking the drama of NLD campaign rallies or mass releases of high-profile political prisoners, it is the hidden success story of the “Burmese spring.” Myanmar President vows more democratic reform Associated Press - 1 March 2012 Full text of the President's Address Myanmar President Thein Sein has said that his government will build on the sweeping reforms it has begun over the last year, and will work hard to convince skeptics at home and abroad that it is truly committed to democratic change. "There are many more steps to be taken. We have to continue to work hard, as there are many people within and outside the country who are skeptical and suspicious of our government." Thein Sein said those steps include strengthening the rule of law, boosting private sector businesses and improving the impoverished country's basic infrastructure, which lags far behind much of the rest of Asia. "There is no hard-liners camp or soft-liners camp in our government. Except for some difference in administration, depending on individual personality, attitude and behaviour of the person, we are implementing our duties in strict adherence with the government policy."
Derek Tonkin writes: This was a major address to the Union Parliament (a combined meeting of both Lower and Upper Houses) explicitly given in commemoration of the first anniversary of the Government's inauguration. The President readily acknowledged that "we still have much more to do, we will have to take many more strides", tackled head-on the challenges in Kachin State where "the question here is why the ceasefire cannot be in force even though I myself have ordered the Armed Forces to terminate military offensives or attacks" other than in self-defence, revealed that a new exchange rate "had been set temporarily according to the outside market situation" while seeking a permanent solution, paid glowing tribute to civil society organizations, mentioned economic sanctions only in passing and made commitments across the board on media rights, good governance, the rule of law, social welfare and the economy. (Suu Kyi claimed during her recent televised discussion with the Carleton University in Ottawa that Myanmar's leaders "are always asking for sanctions to be removed." Not so on this occasion.) Reform in Myanmar is irreversible - Presidential Adviser  The Nation (Bangkok) - 29 February 2012 President Thein Sein's chief political adviser, Ko Ko Hlaing, says Myanmar's political reform is "irreversible" because of the president's strong will, the specific constitutional stipulation towards democracy, the Burmese people's taste of new-found freedom, and the need for the country to follow the international trend. In an exclusive interview with The Nation, the man known as Burma's "political insider" said he was certain that former military leader Senior General Than Shwe was not running the country from behind the scenes and would not make a comeback."As a Buddhist, you can understand the mentality of an elderly Buddhist. You should understand also the mind of a soldier - which is always the desire to accomplish his mission. After the mission is accomplished, he can take a rest." Read more..... Latest Parliamentary News
Myanmar tackles first budget in decades Agence France-Presse - 12 February 2012 Myanmar's fledgling parliament is slaving over its first budget, a daunting task for the inexperienced body in a country where the army has long been used to dipping into state coffers at will. For the novice lawmakers in the nation's twin-chamber parliament - dominated by soldiers and former military personnel - that means once impenetrable dossiers are now open to fierce debate. Although the army-backed ruling party holds an overwhelming majority, lawmakers have embraced their new-found power, debating laws, voting and shuttling bills between the two chambers. Some of the spending plans will surely please the West. According to the Ministry of Planning and Development, the plan is to double the education budget and spend four times as much on health as in the last fiscal year. But the government is also seeking to spend 15.33 percent of the budget on the armed forces. Parliament receives an unlikely visitor - Vidar Helgesen  The Myanmar Times - 6-12 February 2012 It says a lot about how expectations of Myanmar’s democratic experiment have changed that an international organisation dedicated to strengthening democracy and holding fair elections can today visit parliament and it barely raises an eyebrow. And as if that wasn’t enough, the organisation was invited to Nay Pyi Taw by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, the former number three in the State Peace and Development Council. “The fact that we were invited is a very positive indication,” said Mr Vidar Helgesen, the Norwegian secretary general of the Sweden-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)." In Myanmar a 'sham' parliament stirs to life  Reuters - 26 January 2012 Derided as a well-choreographed sham in one of the world's most authoritarian countries when it opened a year ago, Myanmar's parliament began a third session on Thursday with feisty stirrings of democracy, under pressure to accelerate economic and political reforms that could soon convince the West to lift decades-old sanctions. The main legislation up for debate requires the government to seek parliamentary approval for its budget. That alone is a significant change for Myanmar, where past military regimes drew up spending plans in secrecy, often carving out largesse for the army, which handed power to a nominally civilian government in March last year. President Thein Sein gives his first foreign interview Washington Post - 20 January 2012 During the interview in Naypyitaw which the President gave to veteran Washington Post correspondent Lally Weymouth, he discussed the issues facing the present government, noting that there is a lot of encouragement from the people; that he believes the government has already accomplished the steps sought by Western countries (on release of political prisoners, allowing Suu Kyi to participate in the political process, holding elections); that it will take time to secure 'eternal peace' in the country; that sanctions have harmed the interests of the people and did not affect the previous government; that Suu Kyi could become a minister if appointed and agreed by parliament; that he would like to see sanctions eased and eventually got rid of altogether; that they have no nuclear program or military cooperation with North Korea and are in the process of signing the additional IAEA protocol; that the two main requirements are peace and stability, and economic development; that investors will come only when sanctions have eased.
Message by President U Thein Sein on Independence Day  The New Light of Myanmar - 4 January 2012 Extract: "All the people will be well aware of the fact that today, some powerful nations are attempting to influence weaker ones resorting to various ways and means. So, the entire people of the Union need to join hands in safeguarding and maintaining independence and sovereignty. Only Myanmar people can bring peace, development and prosperity to the nation. It should be noticed that the nation would fall again under the alien subjugation if national unity broke up. Therefore, it is especially important for all the national people to try to ensure non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty."
In the Hluttaws, more green shoots  The Myanmar Times - 2-8 January 2012 Military representatives occupy 110 seats in the 440-seat Pyithu Hluttaw, 56 out of 224 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw and more than 200 seats in the 14 state and region hluttaws. They were appointed by the then-commander in chief, Senior General Than Shwe. In the lead up to the convening of the first session of parliament in Nay Pyi Taw on January 31, there was much speculation among elected representatives about what role the appointed military personnel would play: Would they try to hinder attempts at reform? Would they be able to work independently? Would they vote as a bloc? Ten months on, representatives say that the military personnel face few restrictions when participating in parliamentary discussions or voting on bills and proposals. “There are no instructions for discussions and voting. We decide ourselves,” confirmed Colonel Zaw Min Maung. “We have studied political subjects at the Defence Services Academy,” he said, referring to the exclusive officer training school in Pyin Oo Lwin. Foreign-based dissident organisations reorganising Mizzima - 28 November 2011 In response to the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) decision to re-register as a political party, many dissident organizations in foreign countries are reassessing their strategies and redefining their missions. Among the organizations are the NLD - Liberated Area; the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB); Members of Parliament Union - Burma (MPU) and the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB). The NCGUB includes five former MPs from the1990 general election and is led by Dr. Sein Win, the 'prime minister' of the so-called Burmese 'government in exile', who is Aung San Suu Kyi’s cousin. After a meeting last week, the NCGUB decided that the word “Government” in its name is no longer appropriate. Derek Tonkin writes: Many of these organisations have been moribund for many months and attract little support or interest. Most are likely to disappear quite soon. New groups like Burmese Democratic Concern and Burma Partnership have come to the fore. Though inclined to militancy, they are generally supporting the NLD move to re-register. However, the NLD are likely to want to keep their distance from volatile overseas supporters as too close an association could damage the entente which the NLD have reached with the authorities. The future of mainly Western activist groups like the Burma Campaign UK and the US Campaign for Burma is uncertain. Than Shwe retires......from the front pages The Irrawaddy - 24 November 2011 The Burmese-language State press has today referred for the first time to "Senior General Than Shwe (retired)" who was present at a private religious donation ceremony. Derek Tonkin writes: Even so, speculation will continue about his supposed influence. The article alleges that, according to correspondent Larry Jagan, "a regulation passed by Than Shwe’s junta just before the November 2010 election states that any senior military officer may return to his original military post within 5 years of retiring." This seems highly unlikely. It is however standard practice for senior officers to be transferred to the reserve, and to reassure them that if they are called back to active duty, it would not be at a lower rank. Rank should not be confused with position. There has been much wild speculation about Than Shwe since he stepped down and about a supposed "State Supreme Council" he was rumoured to chair, notably in the first weeks after his retirement. Myanmar ex-junta chief "really retired" - Agence France-Presse A translation of the law amending the Political Parties Registration Law Mizzima - 9 November 2011 Note by Network Myanmar: It should be noted that the official English version of Article 405(b) of the Constitution reads: "Abide by and respect this constitution and existing laws." It is accordingly likely that the official English version of the Amendment, if and when published, will read "(3) Abiding by and respecting the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar" rather than "(3) Respecting and obeying the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar."
Law amending three sections of the Political Parties Registration Law approved Mizzima - 4 November 2011 Myanmar TV announced today that President Thein Sein has signed into law a bill that amends three key areas of the Political Parties Registration Law. Both Houses of the Parliament had previously approved the amendments. There was a change in the wording that all political parties must "protect" the country's Constitution. It was amended to "respect" the Constitution. The new law cancelled two clauses: a clause that restricted serving prisoners from being a member of a political party and a clause that said a political party needs to contest in at least three parliamentary seats in an election. Note by Network Myanmar: The official English translation of the PPR Law spoke of "safeguarding" the Constitution which has been amended to "respecting" in conformity with the wording in Article 405(b) of the Constitution. The second amendment brings the law into line with the 1947 and 1974 Constitutions and the 1989 Election Law, which had no such clause. The third amendment (reportedly) refers to the need to contest at least three parliamentary seats in a general election or a by-election, that is, the requirement to contest at least three seats has not been abolished. It would however be prudent to check the Burmese text of the three amendments as soon as available. Derek Tonkin writes: In contrast to views expressed by most other observers, it does not seem to me that the three amendments are all that significant. The PPR Law has only been brought into line with the letter and spirit of the 2008 Constitution, which is not affected. The PPR Law reflected the hard-line approach of the previous military regime in the run-up to the November 2010 elections. The new government, conscious of the recent increase in their approval rating, may well feel that they can offer this modest relaxation of the law, particularly if it were to encourage the National League for Democacy to apply for re-registration. To the extent that they reflect the continuing reform agenda of the President, the amendments are to be welcomed. Myanmar eases limits on party membership - Associated Press 4 November 2011 USDP MPs push constitutional amendment to allow dual posts The Irrawaddy - 4 November 2011 Members of Parliament representing Burma’s ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) are attempting to gain support for an amendment to the 2008 Constitution that would allow MPs to simultaneously hold certain top offices in the Executive Branch of government, an amendment that would reduce the number of seats available in the upcoming by-election, according to MPs. A draft of the amendment, seen by The Irrawaddy, states that Burma’s president, two vice presidents, cabinet ministers and deputy ministers will not have to resign from their MP posts while holding Executive Branch posts. The 2008 Constitution says all such officers must resign as MPs upon accepting such government positions. Political Party Bill goes to Parliament The Irrawaddy - 7 October 2011 A somewhat miseading report on the presentation to the Upper House of a bill to amend the Political Parties Registration Law. Section 10 of the Act does not prohibit "anyone convicted by a court of law from joining a political party." Section 10(e) permits candidacy (to be a member) by an individual "being a person who is not a convict" and a convict is defined in Section 2(l) as "a person serving a prison term under a sentence passed by any Court. The said expression also includes a person who is serving a prison term pending appeal or revision against the sentence of imprisonment of the relevant Court." This error about "anyone convicted" was quite current at the time of the elections, and is one of several persistent misinterpretations, quite possibly deliberate, of the Act. Election Commission proposes changes to PPR Law - Myanmar Times 10-16 October Myanmar sets scene for Opposition come-back - Deutsche Presse- Agentur 9 October Text of Presidential Message to the Upper and Lower Houses The New Light of Myanmar - 1 October 2011 The message touches on a number of issues, including:
"Other hydropower projects that pose no threat will be implemented through thorough survey for availability of electricity needed for the nation. I would like to inform the Hluttaws that coordination will be made with neighbouring friendly nation, the People's Republic of China, to accept the agreements regarding the projhect without undermining cordial relations." Myanmar Army allies' clout on show at new parliament AFP 19 September 2011 Although some see Thein Sein as a frontman for the military, others perceive him as a moderate ready to bring reform to the impoverished country. "The president has good intentions to get constructive change," said National Democratic Force Khin Maung Swe, but added that Thein Sein faced many hurdles including a rumoured power struggle in his cabinet. And until there are concrete signs of change, such as the release of political prisoners, many are wary that the government's conciliatory gestures may be little more than just that. "There have been a number of encouraging moves of rapprochement," said a Western diplomat in Yangon. "But everybody is weighed down by history and can see that every time in the past when there have been signs of a rapprochement it hasn't happened. Everyone has a healthy dose of scepticism." Labour Organization Bill in preparation New National Democracy Party (NNDP) formed Myanmar's President calls for easing of tensions Verbatim points from the speech:
Journalists to be allowed to cover next session of Parliament President Thein Sein addresses economic and social issues
Assemblies to focus on legislation Myanmar Government forms Spokespersons and Information Team Second regular session of parliament summoned Election Commission Chairman urges opposition to Western sanctions Slow progress hurting credibility of new Government - Opposition MPs New political party approved in Myanmar Signs of Progess, but questions remain - a Special Report The government has made more progress on reforming the country’s failed economy than political concessions, such as releasing prisoners of conscience and seeking real solutions to long-standing ethnic issues. On the completed, current and future tasks of Parliament Myanmar's Post Election Landscape - Burmese Version Political Transition in Myanmar: Thinking outside the box Examples of intemperate commentaries by observers who, in pursuit of an essentially fundamentalist agenda, are convinced that "absolutely nothing has changed" in Myanmar
Press Release on discussion about Myanmar in the Australian Parliament
President U Thein Sein - Man in the Mirror in Myanmar Parliamentary Committees to begin work soon
Agency Report - 2 May 2011 Both the Amyotha Hluttaw and the Pyithu Hluttaw have formed four permanent committees with fifteen members on each committee. The committees are the Bills Committee, Public Accounts Committee, Hluttaw [Parliament] Rights Committee and Government’s Guarantees, Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee. Asked about the role of the parliamentary committees, Myat Nyana Soe, an NDF representative in the Amyotha Hluttaw, said that these committees are permanent and will be continuously active, even when Parliament is not in session. He said that the next parliamentary sessions could be held in or around September.“I guess the parliamentary sessions will resume in September after a six-month break, rather than a year,” said Mya Nyana Soe. “We already have some draft bills - for example, a cyber law.” Straits Times - 24 April 2011
The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported on Sunday that President Thein Sein said the government must convince minority groups living in border areas of its goodwill so they will cooperate in development efforts and loosen ties with neighbouring countries. The Commander-in-Chief General Min Aung Hlaing was also present at the meeting.
Six keynote addresses by President Thein Sein:
Myanmar President enlists confidante of Suu Kyi as Economic Adviser Washington Post/Associated Press - 27 April 2011 U Myint, an economist aged 73 who is close to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has said that he has been appointed to an advisory board by Myanmar’s new president. The body, with advisers in economic, political and legal affairs, was announced on 19 April in the limited circulation Government Gazette, said U Myint, who will head the economic section. Asked if he might help bridge the gap between Suu Kyi and the new government, U Myint said it was not his mandate to bring about a dialogue and he had no intention of doing so, but he would try “to improve understanding and trust between the two parties.” New Mandala (Australia) - 1 April 2011
A new perspective on the first weeks of the Lower and Upper Houses of the new Parliament, contrasting strikingly with the generally dismissive accounts published in the Western press and by human rights organisations. Notifications and Orders implementing the transfer of power
Euro-Burma Office Analysis of President Thein Sein's inaugural address Highlights - 31 March 2011
Highlights - 30 March 2011
Hopes and fears over new political system Pyidaungsu Hluttaw debates sanctions Myanmar Times - 14-20 March 2011
THE composition of eight permanent committees formed in the national legislatures last week has given opposition groups hope that they can play an effective role in the parliamentary system. About one-third of the representatives selected to sit on each of the committees - four in both the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities) - were not from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which has about three quarters of all seats in the national assemblies. The relatively large number of non-USDP representatives assigned to each of the committees - the Bill Committee, the Public Accounts Committee, the Hluttaw Rights Committee and Government’s Guarantees, Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee -surprised many observers. As permanent committees, they will work while the assembly sessions are in recess. They will be able to start work only after power has been transferred by the State Peace and Development Council to the new government. "Burma 2011 - still a military dictatorship" NLD says government appointments illegal Interview with No Than Kap, member of the Sagaing Region Hluttaw Chinland Guardian - 6 March 2011
No Than Kap is Chairman of the Chin Progressive Paty which contested the November 2010 elections. On sanctions he comments: "Even if sanctions were initially imposed to stop the abuse of human rights etc. by the West bloc, it is like shooting a small bird with a canon. Shoot a bird in the tree with a canon you will surely hit not only the bird but the tree where she sits. It’s a simple mathematics." NLD criticises special military fund
Associated Press - 4 March 2011 An NLD statement has said that "since the law allows the commander in chief to use the fund without having the need to answer to anyone or any organization, the law is not in line with norms of the law." The NLD also criticized the government's recently released budget for allocating too much money to the military and not enough to social services. The statement also said the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget should have been passed by the newly seated parliament, rather than enacted by the junta. An account of daily life for members of parliament in Nay Pyi Taw Upper and Lower House prepare for regular business Than Shwe to head extra-constitutional 'State Supreme Council' The Irrawaddy - 10 February 2011 According to 'The Irrawaddy', quoting a source close to the military: "The State Supreme Council will become the highest body of the state. While it will assume an advisory role to guide the future governments, the body will be very influential." The members of the State Supreme Council would be: Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, Pyithu Hluttaw [Lower House] Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, President-elect Thein Sein, Vice President-elect Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, former Lt. Gen Tin Aye and other two senior military generals. Comment by Network Myanmar: This report has not been confirmed by any other source and is quite possibly either a fabrication or a misrepresentation, for example, of an ad hoc co-ordinating committee supervising the transition. Noon Briefing - 4 February 2011
"The Secretary-General [Ban Ki-moon] has taken note of the announcement by the newly convened Parliament of the [Republic of the] Union of Myanmar of the election of the new President and Vice-Presidents of the Union Government. The Secretary-General hopes that this announcement marks the beginning of a change in the status quo. It represents an important opportunity for Myanmar. He hopes that it leads to the formation of a more inclusive civilian Government that is broadly representative of all parties relevant to national reconciliation and more responsive to the aspirations of the people of Myanmar. The United Nations stands ready to work with the new Government and all other stakeholders in Myanmar towards greater democratization, development and stability." PM U Thein Sein wins presidency in Myanmar People's Daily Online (Beijing) - 4 February 2011
Prime Minister U Thein Sein today won the presidency of Myanmar in the presidential election among three designated vice presidents during the current session of the union parliament. Dr. Sai Mauk Kham and Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo remain as the vice presidents. All of the three represent the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). They were elected by the presidential electoral college comprising all the union parliament representatives. The terms of office of the president and the vice presidents are five years, according to the Constitution. U Thein Sein, aged 65, won the majority votes with 408 against Thiha Thura U Tin Aung Myint Oo with 171 votes and Dr. Sai Mauk Kham with 75 votes respectively. BBC News profile of the new President - 4 February 2011 Myanmar's parliament chooses three candidates for the Presidency People's Daily Online (Beijing) - 2 February 2011
A report on the candidates and procedures for the election of the new State President through an electoral college. Proceedings on the opening day of Parliament
New Light of Myanmar - 1 February 2011 An account on several pages of the proceedings in the 17 assemblies which met for the first time on 31 January 2011 - the two National Assemblies, the seven State and seven Region Assemblies, and the Assembly of the Union (the joint session of the two National Assemblies). According to Article 441 of the 2008 Constitution, the first meeting of the Assembly of the Union marks the date on which the Constitution comes into force. Myanmar convenes new parliament Financial Times.com - 31 January 2011 The two national Houses of the Burmese Parliament met for the first time in the Nay Pyi Taw today. The FT reports a selection of reactions from various sources, Burmese and overseas. Note by Network Myanmar: The full Parliament is expected to meet shortly. This body, the Assembly of the Union, consists of the two national houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Nationalities, meeting in joint session.
House Speakers elected Deutsche Presse-Agentur - 31 January 2011 Shwe Mann, the third most powerful general in the country's junta, was voted speaker of the lower house while Khin Aung Myint, the current culture minister, was voted upper house speaker today. The two houses are dominated by the military through the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which won 77 per cent of the contested seats, and 166 military-appointed legislators, who account for 25 per cent of the votes. Civilians were elected as vice speakers. 'On Tuesday, we will nominate three presidential candidates,' one legislator said. Disappointment in Chin State as USDP win Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts Chinland Guardian -31 January 2011 As the first State legislature convened yesterday in the Chin State capital of Hakha, the USDP won both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts by a comfortable margin of 14-10, despite the fact that the USDP secured a minority share of the contested seats. Myanmar Television coverage of the opening of Parliament Reuters - 31 January 2011 FACTBOX - Myanmar's new political structure Reuters - 31 January 2011 An excellent summary of the new constitutional process. The 2008 Constitution comes into effect when the Assembly of the Union, comprising the two national Houses, meets for the first time shortly, possibly this afternoon. Electronic devices banned from Parliament Myanmar Times - 24-30 January 2011 An account of the rules and regulations for parliamentarians. A parliament, but not as you know it The Economist - 27 January 2011 Comment on the new parliamentary assemblies which have their first sessions on 31 January 2011. Appointment of Defence Services representatives to Assemblies New Light of Myanmar - 21 January 2011 Texts of Notifications Nos. 1/2011, 2/2011 and 3/2011 by the Union Election Commission dated 20 January 2011. Note by Network Myanmar:State-owned newspapers have today published the list of 110 military personnel to serve as military representatives in the Pyithu Hluttaw ( House of Representatives ) and 56 military personnel to serve as military representatives in the Amyotha Hluttaw ( House of Nationalities ) as nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services. The newspapers also published the list of military personnel to serve as military representatives in the 7 State Hluttaws and 7 Region Hluttaws totalling 222. Thus altogether 388 military personnel will be present in Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and 7 State Hluttaws and 7 Region Hluttaws. This is in accordance with the stipulation of the 2008 State Constitution, which provides that 25 per cent of the seats in each Hluttaw (Assembly) shall be given to military personnel nominated by the Commander-in-Chief.. Among the 110 military representatives in the Pyithu Hluttaw and the 56 military representatives in the Amyotha Hluttaw, the highest military personnel are of colonel rank. Out of 110 military representatives in the Pyithu Hluttaw, there are 3 colonels, 104 majors and 3 captains. And out of 56 military representatives in the Amyotha Hluttaw, 2 are colonels and 54 are majors. Similarly, among the 222 military personnel in the 7 State Hluttaws and 7 Region Hluttaws, only one is found to be a Brigadier-General and the rest are majors and captains. Myanmar announces first assembly sessions on 31 January People's Daily Online - 10 January 2011 State media in Myanmar have announcedthat the assemblies elected on 7 November 2010 will meet on 31 January 2011. 08.55 a.m. has been set as the auspicious time for the inaugural sessions of all 16 assemblies. Note by Network Myanmar: The Assembly of the Union, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, consisting of the two national Houses, must be convened within 15 days of the first session of the House of Representatives. This inaugural session of the Assembly of the Union will bring the 2008 Constitution into effect. The current State Peace and Development Council will however continue to govern until the President has been elected in accordance with the Constitution and Ministers have been nominated by the new President to form the Union Government. It is technically possible for the Assembly of the Union also to meet on 31 January 2011 (that is, a joint meeting of both Houses), but this has not yet been confirmed. An Overview of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary in Myanmar An analysis by ALTSEAN of the three sources of power in Myanmar. Propagandist, but not without merit.
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