Speaker dismisses NLD, 88 campaign

Speaker dismisses NLD, 88 campaign

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin   |   Friday, 04 July 2014

 

The public campaign on constitutional reform led by the National League for Democracy and 88 Generation will have no effect on the parliament's constitutional amendment process, says Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann.

The campaign, which was launched with a rally on May 17 and includes a petition that has attracted millions of signatures, focuses on the need to change section 436 and remove the military veto.

"The NLD is running [the 436 campaign] based on its own desire but its actions will not be influence the activities of the Constitutional Amendment Implementation Committee," Thura U Shwe Mann said in response to a question from The Myanmar Times at a press conference on July 3.

Thura U Shwe Mann, who leads the rival Union Solidarity and Development Party (UDSP), said the instructions he gave the 31-member committee when it was formed on February 3 were enough to guide its work.

He told members to make close examination of chapter 12 of the constitution, which outlines the process for amending the document and includes section 436, its top priority. The committee was also told to draft an amendment bill that ensures the Tatmadaw's role conforms to democratic norms and gives more autonomy to states and regions.

He instructed members to review the process of selecting the president and two vice presidents, and to consider whether the president, vice president and Union Government ministers should have to be MPs and resign from their party upon being appointed.

His comments come after the NLD and 88 Generation announced they had gathered 3.3 million signatures for the petition to May 31. The petition will run until Martyrs' Day on July 19, after which the groups will send all of the signatures to the president, commander-in-chief and parliament to show the public's desire for constitutional change.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi responded to Thura U Shwe Mann's comments by saying that the campaign was not only aimed at the Constitutional Amendment Implementation Committee.

"It is also intended to have an effect on parliament. [Thura U Shwe Mann] always says, 'The parliament's voice is the people's voice,'" the NLD leader said, in reference to the speaker regularly citing the parliament's motto.

Thura U Shwe Mann held the press conference together with U Aung Thaung and U Htay Oo, who are both considered hardliners in the USDP and are thought to oppose changing the 2008 constitution.

Questioned on their stance, Thura U Shwe Mann admitted that there were divisions in his party over the constitution.

"But regardless of who is hard or soft, finally all members must follow he party's decision," he added.

The speaker also rejected the suggestion that the USDP is trying to change from first-past-the-post to proportional voting because it worries it will lose heavily in the 2015 election. "Who says we will lose in the 2015 election? I'm sure the USDP will win."

He insisted that the major factor when considering change to the voting system would be the impact on the country and people rather than the affect on the USDP's election chances.

Earlier last week, Union Election Commission chief U Tin Aye said it would be possible to switch to proportional representation for the 2015 election, but not this year's by-elections.

Thura U Shwe Mann said the decision to change the voting system was not only dependent on the commission boss.

"Last week, I promised to ethnic parties that proportional representation must be be fair for them before I would support any changes," he said.

"But I can't decide alone [to change the system]. The result will come out after discussing in parliament."

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/07/06/speaker-dismisses-nld-88-campaign/