Lower House to discuss new electoral system despite objections

Forty-two MPs, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, earlier objected to the proposal introduced by MP Aung Zin from the National Democratic Force Party on July 24. In protest against the decision, some 30 representatives of ethnic political parties refused to attend the parliamentary session on July 24, marking their first boycott. 

Aung Zin pointed out that a proportional system should be practised only in the Lower House and seven regional parliaments, while the current system – in which the candidate who receives the most votes takes the seat – would continue in the Upper House, self-administered regions and states. 

A committee should be formed to fast track the introduction of an appropriate electoral system, he said. Lower House MP Tin Nwe Oo seconded the motion.

MP Ba Shein from the Arakan National Party, however, objected to the proposal, saying ethnic parties feared the change would damage the ongoing reform process. “Ethnic parties are afraid of accepting a proportional system because if Parliament decides to change this could have a damage national consolidation,” said Ba Shein.

A majority of MPs supported the proposal. Those who objected consisted mainly of the opposition National League for Democracy party and ethnic parties. Those wishing to discuss this proposal can register no later than July 24, said Lower House Speaker Thura Shwe Mann.

“A proportional representation system can disrupt national consolidation. We are against discussing it at this point,” Aung San Suu Kyi told the reporters after the vote. Among some 30 ethnic representatives who did not attend the Parliament session on July 24, 18 were from the Shan Nationalities Democratic party, six from the Arakan National Party, three from the All Mon Region Democracy Party and one from Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party.

“This is the decision of our National Brotherhood Federation. We will not attend the parliament when the PR system is discussed. It is a way of showing our disapproval,” said MP Khin Saw Wai from Arakan National Party.

He also said that if this system is approved and enforced in states and regions, protests would be organised in all states. 

The PR system has four types: party list, mix member proportional, mix member proportional majority and single transferable vote. 

On Monday, opposition parties urged the government not to change the electoral system next year, saying the time was not right to do so.

NLD leaders and representatives of four main ethnic political parties held a discussion on Parliament’s move to implement the change for the 2015 general election. “We agreed with the ethnic parties to protest against changing electoral system,” NLD spokesman Nyan Win said.

The ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party argued that the change would provide more opportunities for smaller parties. The NLD is expected to win the next election in a landslide, analysts say. 

 

Ooredoo jumps the gun with SIM sale in Mandalay

Ooredoo Myanmar began selling SIM cards in Mandalay yesterday for Ks 1,500 each, though prices for some numbers were as high as Ks 7,000, according to staff at mobile shops. 

The SIM cards have hit the market more than two weeks ahead of date the company previously suggested for its debut: mid August. Customers lined up to buy the SIM cards in Mandalay yesterday.

Ooredoo has said it will begin selling SIM cards nationwide on August 15.

“They planned to sell SIM cards in August, but they began selling them today. There were so many people waiting to buy them that if the numbers were easy to memorise the price was raised,” the manager of a mobile phone shop in Chanaye Tharzan Township said.

He said that Ooredoo was also offering free Internet and free local calls until August 15, though the quantity of the SIM cards it made available was limited. 

Some shops sold the SIM cards to any buyer who paid Ks 1,500 and showed a copy of his or her national registration card, but others raised prices for numbers that had a succession of digits considered lucky or easy to remember, shop owners said. Other shops only sold the SIM cards to customers who also bought handsets, some customers said. 

“As soon as I heard Ooredoo was selling SIM cards I went to buy some, but the first shop had a long queue so I went to another,” said one customer who said he bought four SIM cards at Ks 7,000 apiece. 

 

Shwe project depletes fish stock in Rakhine

Fishermen in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine state have complained about the depletion of fish after the launch of Chinese investment on Shwe Gas Project.

The offshore project reportedly damaged the sea bed, impacting on the fish habitat. The depletion of fish was noticeable between Madae Island and Kyaukphyu.

“We have been earning our livelihood by fishing since the time of our forefathers. The region sees a significant drop in fish since the inception of the gas project. It damages the underwater environment. This encroaches on the fishing zone, lowering the fish stock,” said KhinMaung Lin from Ngalaypwayvillate.

Local fishermen said they had reported the matter to the Fishery Department. But it appeared beyond the departmental mandate to deal with the state-level project, they added. The lowering fish supplies impacted on the fishery export. A number of cold storage facilities had shut down due to the declineof the local fishery.