Suu Kyi says amending the constitution is possible

Suu Kyi says amending the constitution is possible

Published on Friday, 02 August 2013 18:13

 

Aung San Suu Kyi answering questions of media on July 31 (Photo:EMG)

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said it is possible to amend the constitution if members of the Committee for Reviewing Constitutional Amendments are committed enough.

She made the comment during the press conference held at the Rule of Law and Stability Committee's office in Nay Pyi Taw on July 31.

"Actually, if respective persons want to amend the constitution, they don't need 30 months or 30 days. They only need to make a decision. We'll try to submit [the proposal] to amend the Constitution through the Committee for Reviewing Constitutional Amendment," said Suu Kyi, chairperson of National League for Democracy.

The military-drafted constitution requires a seventy-five percent of all representatives of the Union Assembly to approve an amendment after which it must be ratified by a nation-wide referendum. The military control 25 percent of parliament giving them a de facto veto role on passing any amendments.

The 2008 constitution also prevents Suu Kyi from becoming President in the next elections. The Committee for Reviewing Constitutional Amendments was formed in parliament to look into amending the constitution.

"Seven NLD members are included in the Committee. Seven out of 109 members in the Committee is not that much but it's better than the number of MPs in the Parliament," she said.

According to Suu Kyi, the NLD plans to educate the public about the 2008 Constitution and let them know why the NLD think amendments are necessary. She also admitted that the constitution has been drafted to make it difficult to amend.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/03/suu-kyi-says-amending-the-constitution-is-possible/