States, regions must pick own leaders: ethnic MP
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Upper House MP Banyar Aung Moe supported the constitutional amendment that would allow state and regional parliaments appoint their own chief ministers.
He said the power, now controlled by the central government, would ensure the nation becomes a democratic federation.
The All Mon Regions Democracy Party MP said: “The regional and state chief ministers must be chosen by the regional parliaments and then the president can approve the position. Before the president nominated them and the parliaments had to approve them.”
The proposal was included in the bill to amend the 2008 Constitution recently submitted to Parliament.
“There will be many things to be amended in the Constitution later but for now, choosing regional and state chief ministers is in line with democratic, federal standards.” He added that the reform would boost regional development, cooperation and trust between the government and the public.
The Section 261(B) of the bill amending the Constitution says the chief minister of a state or region shall be democratically chosen by their elected representatives. Then the name of the candidate shall be reported to the president, who has the right to refuse the candidate. The parliament should then submit another name.
The Section 264(B) says the chief ministers shall be forced to resign if they fall short in their duties.
