MPs slam government for delaying on land grabs

MPs slam government for delaying on land grabs

By Win Ko Ko Latt and Soe Than Lynn   |   Monday, 15 July 2013

The head of a parliamentary commission investigating land disputes last week called on the government to speed up implementation of the commission's recommendations on land confiscations.

U Tin Htut, the representative for Zalun, submitted the proposal to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on July 8.

"This proposal does not mean that the ministries and departmental organisations are not paying attention to land seizure issues," U Tin Htut said.

The aim, he said, is to make sure the government is aware that farmers have high expectations that the government will act to compensate them for their losses.

During the discussion on July 12 and 13, many MPs expressed support for the proposal.

"If the authorities are slow to resolve the cases examined by the commission then they might invite

unnecessary problems," warned U Win Myint, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Pathein.

He said that although the recommendations have been submitted to the relevant government bodies farmers are still suffering and unrest is increasing.

"This is the direct result of the disobedience of these bodies, which are delaying their tasks," he said.

"The local authorities have to undertake [the commission's recommendations] if they are approved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw."

He also urged the government to ensure the process of returning the land was not used for political gain.

"When farmland is given back the local authorities should directly transfer it to the original owners and not transfer it through particular organisations for political reasons. We can understand that the authorities are taking some time to make sure the disputes are resolved correctly but we need to be careful to make sure the delays are not political," he said.

U Win Myint was one of 14 MPs who discussed the commission's activities on July 11, while another eight debated it on July 12. The remaining 23 MPs will give their thoughts on July 15 and 16.

The investigation commission submitted two reports to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw earlier this year, with one focusing on military seizures and another on confiscations for industrial zones and urban development.

The reports detail the commission's efforts to negotiate compensation for the original owners of confiscated land, a process that U Tin Htut said was ongoing.

"The commission will complete further negotiations for compensations … between farmers and authorised companies," he said.

The reports also acknowledged that "some persons or organisations" are "exploiting these land seizures for personal or political gains by releasing the pent-up frustration of the farmers".

"The commission knows that there are people exploiting farmers by asking for money to help them with these land issues," he said.

Translated by Zar Zar Soe

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/15/mps-slam-government-for-delaying-on-land-grabs/