MMA members threaten legal action over lease plan

MMA members threaten legal action over lease plan

By Yamon Phu Thit   |   Monday, 15 July 2013

Myanmar Medical Association members are considering launching legal action against the association's central executive committee over its attempts to lease the group's Yangon headquarters to a foreign company.

The MMA headquarters in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township. Photo: Staff

Rank-and-file members have accused the association's leaders of violating its 2009 constitution, which states that major decisions about the association's finances have to be referred to members.

However, members say the constitution also forbids the association from partnering up with foreign or local companies.

Central executive committee members have rejected the accusations and argue that leasing out the headquarters, on Theinbyu Road in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township, would provide a valuable revenue stream.

Under the committee's plan, the four-storey building would be demolished and the land leased to a foreign company. Weekly Eleven reported that the committee was negotiating with Shangri-La group to develop the site. A spokesperson for the company did not respond to requests for comment.

The proposal was due to be put to a vote at an association meeting on July 13.

To support their efforts to stop the plan, members formed a temporary Land and Building Protection Committee on June 29, comprising 18 well-known doctors.

The new committee aims to protect the land and buildings without targeting senior MMA members personally, its president, Dr Aung Khin Sint, said.

He said the committee would decide whether to pursue legal action based on the result of the July 13 meeting. The Myanmar Lawyers' Network has promised to help if they proceed to the courts.

"We formed this committee in order to protect our land and buildings as much as we can. We will go forward and take action against them if necessary," he said.

The dispute has divided the association since senior members announced their plan to lease the building at a medical conference held in Mawlamyine in January.

Some members of have accused the central executive committee of failing to be transparent about the association's finances.

But general secretary Dr Myint Thaung rejected the allegations.

"It's not true that MMA officials are cheating members and trying to personally benefit from the land," he said.

He said the central executive committee wants to use the additional revenue that the deal would bring to conduct research, sponsor doctors for further study, improve association facilities for members and expand its public health activities.

A lawyer from the Myanmar Lawyers' Network said he believed it would be possible for the Land and Building Protection Committee to ask the court to stop the central executive committee from pushing through a deal for the office site.

"It appears they have not followed the constitution," network member U Myint Oo Maung said.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/16/mma-members-threaten-legal-action-over-lease-plan-2/