Yangon to be expanded, move to save Shwedagon rejected
Yangon Region Parliament has approved the plan to expand Yangon City, while rejecting the proposal to save the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda.
The majority of MPs voted for the proposal to expand the city, submitted by MP Myint Lwin, a member of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
The plan calls for the inclusion of about 30,000 acres of land in Kyimyindine, Twante and Seikkyi Khanaungto townships which are on the other side of the Hlaing River. It was suspended last year for lack of transparency.
Myint Lwin said that the urbanisation of the salty farmland would generate about 400,000 jobs. He also claimed huge public supports.
“The new town is part of the 2040 strategic urban development plan for greater Yangon,” said MP Win Htein.
Among the opponents was Nyo Nyo Thin who questioned the revival of the suspended plan.
“The project was suspended because its supporters could not answer my questions. It would benefit those who are close to the government, not the local people. Now the farmland has been bought up,” said Nyo Nyo Thin.
Concerns have been widely raised about the lack of clarity around several aspects of the project. It was learnt that Myanma Saytannar Myothit Plc would be granted contracts to carry out the project without a tender. Construction industry sources said the company is run by two Chinese businesspeople, Xiao Pun and Xiao San. Both have close relations with former top military officials in Myanmar, including the current Yangon Region chief minister U Myint Swe.
While supporting the expansion of the city, Yangon Region Parliament refused to discuss Nyo Nyo Thin’s proposal for a law to protect Shwedagon Pagoda from damage caused by construction activities.
“This proposal reflects the public voice. It’s not only important to religion but to our national heritage,” the MP said.
At the Forum to Save Shwedagon, people in various professions, learnt that the pagoda is made of two layers of bricks; one of them is softer because it is made of mud. Geologist Kyaw Swar Myint Thein and water resource expert Khin Ni Ni Thein said once construction digs into the water layer, the land surface will sink.”