Myanmar plans a new ministry
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YANGON - President Htin Kyaw has submitted a proposal to Parliament to form a new ministry, rumoured that it will be a department for the new state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We will not reveal the name of the new ministry before the discussion in Parliament,” said Zaw Htay, deputy director general of the President’s Office.
The former government had 36 ministries and the current administration has only 21 ministries, including the new Ministry of Ethnic Affairs.
The ministries of foreign affairs, home affairs, defence, border affairs and agriculture all have deputy ministers.
Suu Kyi is minister for foreign affairs, the president’s office and state counsellor.
"We need a ministry capable of speeding up the government’s measures for achieving success," the president said in his message to Parliament.
Section 202 of the Constitution says that the president, with parliamentary support, can restructure, axe and create ministries.
Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than told MPs they have until May 9 to join the debate. The government has cut the number of ministries from 36 to 21, which includes the new Ministry for Ethnic Affairs. Deputy ministers are appointed to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Defence, Border Affairs and Agriculture.
