Govt 'to make people focus of development'

Myanmar’s international standing has improved over the past 30 months, and for the immediate future the government’s goal is to push through people-centred development policies throughout the country, President Thein Sein said.

In his meeting with union ministers, chief ministers and deputy ministers at the hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday, the president said the national-reconciliation process was also moving ahead. 

The government had been able to carry out reforms in the laws, rules and regulations for the economic and social sectors in the first 30 months since taking office, he said.

In the second 30 months, priority would be given to fulfilling the basic needs of the people. The governments of regions and the state ministries are required to discuss necessities for placing a higher priority on a people-centred development approach, Thein Sein said.

Although the government had laid down policies for ensuring good governance and clean government, it had to require the retirement to some senior government officials – including union ministers, deputy ministers and directors-general – and transfer them. It also had to take action over the last 30 months against some officials for reasons of incompetence, lack of transparency, weakness in responsibility and lack of accountability to deal with the requirements of the public, the president said. He also cited a lack of compliance with laws, and corruption.

The union ministers, as cabinet members, are the ones responsible for translating objectives and duties of the whole government into reality through cooperation and negotiation. Some departmental heads failed to negotiate with other ministries who had authority in various areas. Direct command from the central government was still being practised without delegating power to regions and states, the president said.

Some departmental power was to be delivered to the governments of regions and states. Reforms could not be implemented with the use of conventional methods. A reform-steering committee at the union level was to be set up and he would lead it, Thein Sein said.

Moreover, the union ministers, the deputy ministers and officials were to conduct field trips and required to discuss issues with experts, associations and civic organisations to enable the people to enjoy the fruits of reform during the remaining 30 months of the government’s term, the president said.

The region and state governments needed to form township-management committees by negotiating with town elders and members of parliament to implement the people-centred administrative system.