Lawyers hit out against privatisation

Proposed projects to transform ancient edifices like the Yangon High Court and the Yangon Small Causes Court buildings into a museum and a hotel respectively have drawn complaints, prompting a network of lawyers to bring the issue to the president, the three speakers of parliament and authorities concerned, if the projects are not halted.

The network of lawyers warned of protests and lawsuits.

Than Tin, patron of the legal group, said at a press conference yeserday that the handover of the courts, which are on the heritage list, to private ownership was disgraceful. “Both courts are not in need of maintenance. They are still on a par with international high courts in use,” he said, adding he did not understand the government’s behaviour. “Are they short of budget?” he questioned.

In its statement, the legal group said it preferred that the two high courts operate from the same premises, adding trials involving foreign investors could be heard in these historic courts. It also pointed out the advantages of their convenient locations and spacious courtrooms. “These high courts are in a more strategic place than the small courts on the outskirts”, the statement said. The group sent copies of its statement to responsible government bodies, calling for prompt action against the privatisation of the two courts, which are of great historical value and grandeur.

Kyee Myint and Ko Ni, members of the legal group, said they had twice informed the president, the speakers and other responsible bodies of the issue – in June and in August – without success. They hinted that protests and lawsuits would follow if their attempts did not move the authorities.

According to them, a Chinese company will change the Small Causes Court into a hotel, whereas the Yangon High Court will be made into a museum with restaurants and small parks. “Lack of transparency makes it difficult for us to know who will do what,” they said.

Failure to stop the handover of the ancient buildings to private ownership will lead to private prosecution against the authorities concerned, in accordance with the cultural heritage conservation law enacted by the State Peace and Development Council, former military junta, in 1998.

Asked to comment on the issue of privatising the cultural heritage, Tin Oo, patron of the National League for Democracy Party (NLD), said: “The occupiers of our country left grand buildings to show the world that they were broadminded. We need to show in return our broadmindedness by maintaining the ancient edifices in their original designs. They can be a constant source of foreign income, too”.

Reports said Tun Foundation Bank was awarded a 60-year contract worth 240 million kyats a year to convert the high court into a museum with cultural handicrafts. Flying Tiger Engineering Co and Jewellery Lucky Production Co won a 60-year contract for US$300,000 a year to transform the small causes court into a 145-bedroom hotel.

Yangon, the former capital, has 189 listed buildings. Rumours are doing the rounds that the rest of these ancient buildings of artistic and historical value could also be privatised.