Thein Sein proposes to scrap ministries
President wants to shut down Myanmar Industrial Development Ministry and merge Electric Power ministries No 1 and 2 into new ministry
Myanmar President Thein Sein seeks legislative approval to make several changes in the number of ministries and ministers, citing it for better supervision and efficiency.
In his letters dated August 29 and 31 to Union Assembly Speaker Khin Aung Myint, Thein Sein proposed to shut down Ministry of Myanmar Industrial Development, as well as to merge Ministry of Electric Power No. 1 and 2 into a new Ministry of Electric Power.
The industrial development ministry oversees industrial megaprojects. It is headed by Thein Htay who is also Minister of Border Affairs and once served under the military junta as deputy minister of defense.
Thein Sein said such giant factories are essential to enhance the industrial sector. He added, however, the country needs more time to work on such megaprojects.
Moreover, Myanmar has also a Ministry of Industry which oversees smaller industrial projects.
In his letters, Thein Sein also suggested that the two electrical power ministries should be merged so it can concentrate on better supervision and closer cooperation in ensuring an adequate production and supply of electricity.
There are currently 30 ministers for 34 ministries. According to Thein Sein, there should be 36 ministers for 36 ministries, instead.
The president is allowed to seek approval from the Upper Assembly in restructuring the Cabinet, as stipulated by the Section 32 and Bylaw 24 of the Upper Assembly.
Interested parliamentarians have been requested to inform the director-general of the assembly office of their willingness to participate in the discussion of the president’s proposal not later than Sept. 3, Speaker Khin Aung Myint said. The Upper Assembly will decide on the issue the next day.
Constitutional body rejects probe
Officials of the country’s Constitutional Tribunal yesterday filed an objection against the legislative body investigating charges against them.
Signed by 301 MPs, the Parliament on August 28 voted to impeach the tribunal’s chairman and eight members for their ruling that committees and commissions of the Parliament are not union-level bodies.
Lawmakers said this is in violation of the Constitution, as tribunal members do not have authority over this matter. A 22-point decree states committees and commissions formed by the president and the Parliament are regarded as union level, which the tribunal disagreed with.
The Lower House was formed on August 29 to investigate impeachment charges against the tribunal. The tribunal’s chairman, U Thein Soe, first rejected the move on September 1. He and the other members refuse to step down.
U Nanda Kyaw Swar heads the Lower House Inquiry and the other members are: U Ti Khun Myat, Thura U Aung Ko, Dr. Soe Yin, U Thaung, U Win Htein, U Win Myint, Daw Dwe Bu, U Maung Oo, Daw Nan Wa Nu, U Ba Shein, Daw Myint Myint Than, Daw Nan Say Awa, Daw Tin New Oo and U Soe Oo.
