Public given say on Charter change

Opposition and ethnic parties will seek public opinion on whether the 2008 Constitution should be merely amended, or scrapped and redrafted.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) issued a joint statement vowing to consult the public, after failing to reach a decision on the issue at their meeting in Yangon on Saturday.

The statement highlighted both the weak and the strong points of the current Constitution, drafted by the military government.

The ability to make amendments is written into the Constitution and therefore was within the framework of the law, said the statement.

It added that, as the military is mainly responsible for safeguarding the Constitution, redrafting the 2008 charter would threaten the military’s involvement in political affairs.

Despite the NLD underlining the above-mentioned points to the ethnic parties, a decision on the Constitution could not be reached. Public opinion on the matter would thus be sought and reported to parliament, said the joint statement.

“We were asked whether the Constitution would be amended or redrafted,” said Aung San Suu Kyi, Lower House MP and NLD chairperson. 

“We will have to inform the public of the likely results of amending the Constitution versus redrafting it. … We must listen to the public. As parliament must heed the voice of the public, we also hope that parliamentary committee for reviewing the constitution will write a report. This is why we have decided [to seek the public’s opinion].” 

She said the NLD would survey all levels of society from villages up.

“My party and myself will not have any bias. It would be unfair to tell the public what they must do or what they must not do. Our only duty is to point out the advantages and disadvantages. We will hold discussions with the public to seek a solution. Through the discussions, it will be clear what we should support,” said Suu Kyi.

The 2008 Constitution carries provisions that are undemocratic, inconsistent, and prevents the establishment of a true multi-party democracy, while denying prevents rights to national races and giving no guarantees to ensure a free and fair election in 2015.

“The 2008 Constitution is our third national charter. We need to explain how the 1947 and 1974 Constitutions were enacted. How was the current Constitution drafted and passed? We have to tell the people why the Constitution is undemocratic. We will also explain undemocratic provisions and how they will block the emergence of a democratic state. We have to point out the need to amend the Constitution if we want to ensure a democratic union,” said the opposition leader.

Suu Kyi said she hoped the military would wholeheartedly back Charter change, adding that all the nationalities would welcome the military’s participation in the drive for national reconciliation.

The multiparty parliamentary committee on reviewing the Constitution will report its findings before December 31 this year.