Federal system needed for peace to be established - Speaker
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Myanmar will find it difficult to accomplish the peace process without a federal system, says parliament Speaker Shwe Mann.
“We will have difficulty in achieving peace if we fail to adopt a federal system, which is a pressing issue for the country,” he said, during a meeting with locals in Taunggyi, Shan state.
“There will also be difficulties for national unity, national consolidation and the rule of law [under the present system]. So we will conduct a review [on a federal system], which will require public participation. Don’t leave it to parliament alone.”
While appearing to lend his support to a federal system, Shwe Mann, who has been tipped to become the next president, also spoke of the need for unifying under a single military in the national interest.
“A nation needs only a single military to defend itself. The United States has only one armed forces. We can in no way establish armed forces in every region and state,” said Shwe Mann.
During the meeting, the chief minister of Shan State explained developments in the state. Also present were high-ranking officials from the military, central and regional governments, the regional parliament speaker, parliamentarians and officials from the self-administered zone and local authorities.
