Opposition fights on against PR system
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed that all MPs from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party will submit a petition to related authorities against the Lower House's decision to go ahead with a discussion of the proportional representation syst
Suu Kyi, also a Lower House MP, was speaking to the media after a regular parliamentary session held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
“We support what the speaker had said, but not the proposal of MP Aung Zin,” said Suu Kyi. “NLD MPs will sign and submit a petition,” she said.
The announcement followed the Lower House’s decision yesterday to review the PR system as proposed by MP Aung Zin. Eighteen MPs supported the proposal submitted by Aung Zin, while other 18 objected. Three abstained from voting.
Suu Kyi said that while Aung Zin proposed the application of the PR system with the Lower House MP elections, speaker Thura Shwe Mann suggested the establishment of a committee to find an appropriate electoral system for Myanmar.
Several MPs have boycotted the Parliament session in protest.
“If a law is enacted to legalise the PR system, a decision will be sought from the Constitutional Tribunal on whether it will be in line with the Constitution or not,” said Lower House MP Pe Than of Myaypon Constituency who voted against the PR proposal.
“According to the Constitution, we have only 75 per cent of seats to win. If the system is adopted, any party cannot win more than 50 per cent. The winning party will then have no majority. This will result in a weak government,” said Pe Than.
