Proposed change to MP salary wins support

“It is appropriate for Lower House to approve the bill [to amend the law relating to Emolument, Allowances and Insignia of the Speaker and Members of Parliament and Government Officials] in accordance with the constitution,” said Zone Hle Htan.

“It is fair to say that the benefits will be more effective for future parliaments. If our salary and allowances remain as they are, I am concerned that qualified candidates may not seek to join parliament. There is much difficulty in becoming a member of parliament. Unless skilled and qualified people run for election, the work of parliament will not be successful.”

He implied that it does not matter how much lawmakers in other countries earn, as that depends on economic success at each country. The issue here, he noted, is Myanmar parliamentarians have difficulties going down to far-away areas “because we have to spend money out of our own pockets”.

“This is why the law should be amended in accordance with the approved Lower House bill,” he noted.

According to the amended version, Section 3(A) will state that monthly emoluments for MPs and members of the Leading Body of the Self-Administered Division or Self-Administered Zone will increase to an amount between Ks 1 million and Ks 1.6 million in place of Ks 300,000, as stated in the old version.