Federal system will not work here: House speaker
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It is not impossible for Myanmar to copy other countries' federal systems because in the end, only a system that serves the interest of the all Myanmar nationals can be established, Union Parliament speaker Thura Shwe Mann said.
He was speaking at a meeting on the national races’ rights protection bill in Nay Pyi Taw last Tuesday.
The meeting, presided over by Shwe Mann, was also attended by Upper House speaker Khin Aung Myint, union government ministers and parliamentarians.
The main focus of the meeting was federal systems and if they can work in Myanmar.
“What type of a federal system will our country establish? It must be beneficial to our citizens. A federal system of the American style is not possible, nor is the German style. Switzerland’s federal system is not possible either.
“We must establish a federal system that is most suitable for the Myanmar people and benefits the country,” Shwe Mann said.
During his visit to the United States in June, Shwe Mann said the federal system did not mean secession but living in coexistence and sharing power.
During the visit, he also revealed that he was planning to run for the post of president.
Some ethnic leaders have lauded Shwe Mann, a former military general, for his acceptance of and positive views on the federal system. However, the military junta has expressed concerns about the system believing it would result in secession from the union.
Shwe Mann, who is also Lower House Speaker, took over the duties of Union Parliament speaker from Khin Aung Myint, Upper House speaker, last month.
Myanmar’s Union Parliament has two chambers – Upper and Lower – and the speakers of both houses have to serve as Union Parliament speaker during the five-year term.
