U Zaw Kir Ahmad (a) U Aung Zaw Win of Maungtaw Constituency said that as most of the mosques in wards and villages for local Islams in Maungtaw District of Rakhine State are old and damaged, they face difficulties because local authorities do not allow repairing and construction of new ones. He asked how the State will help them overcome the difficulties.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint Maung replied that when the renovation of old and damaged mosques, churches and Hindu temples in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are submitted to the ministry with the recommendations of local authorities to the attachment of maintenance form and documentary photos of damaged buildings, respective region and state religious affairs officer and party will made a field trip to the sites and submit the report to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. After discussing it at the management committee of the ministry, the remarks on the report will be replied on religious affairs point of view.
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Second regular session of First Pyithu Hluttaw continues for 12th day
10 questions raised and answered, amendment bill approved, two proposals discussed, three new proposals submitted
10 questions raised and answered, amendment bill approved, two proposals discussed, three new proposals submitted
NAY PYI TAW, 6 Sept-The second regular session of First Pyithu Hluttaw continued for 12th day at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building here today.
Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw Thura U Shwe Mann and 383 Pyithu Hluttaw representatives attended the session.
At the session, raising and answering 10 questions, approving amendment bill of Pyithu Hluttaw election law and discussing two proposals and submitting three new proposals were made.
In response to the question raised by Daw Nan Wah Nu of Kunhing Constituency about how the government will carry out national reconciliation and internal peace plans, whether the government will announce procedure for national reconciliation and peace policies laid down by the previous government, and whether peace commission comprising trusty national races for peace talks with national race armed groups will be formed. She asked that remnant armed groups knew that when the multiparty government takes office, it will open the peace door to them; why the discussion has not started yet, how the discussion will be made in that opportune time, and whether or not negotiation and policy will be made. In response to the question, Union Minister for Information U Kyaw Hsan replied that as the meanings and purposes of the two questions are similar in general, answers to the two questions will be given in combination as a leader of the Spokespersons and Information Team on behalf of the Union Government; that the State is enjoying greater degree of peace than before 1988; that but, there are remnants of armed national races pursuing arm struggle line in border areas; and still, there are armed national groups that disagree with transformation in accord with the Constitution.
He continued that the government does not want armed strife and bloodshed; that what the entire people desire is peace; that overwhelming aspiration of the whole people for peace is understood; that it is realized that Pyithu Hluttaw representatives at the today’s session aspire peace; that some have doubts on Seven-Step Road Map and have no belief in Constitution; that showing genuine goodwill, the President will try to clear their suspicion and misunderstanding and persuade them to serve national interests; that commond ground should be sought while keeping aside differences;and that the government openly made an offer saying that it opens the peace door to armed national races who do not accept the Constitution yet in view of public interest.
The offer is made not only for political parties and politicians who are holding different views but also for armed groups that oppose the government in any forms. The government has committed itself to applying economic reform for“emergence of Hluttaws, governments, judicial bodies and peaceful, modern and disciplined new democratic nation in accord with the Constitution”; it is taking measures to change to macro economic policies; to lay down eight steps for micro economy; to amend, subtract and enact law for legislative procedure; make education and health reforms in addition to increases in pension rate; improvement for international relations; more cooperation in political affairs showing benevolence and giving more freedom; and other remaining sectors.
In order to make peace with KIO/ KIA in Kachin State, the government held peace negotiations making concessions to the most possible extent with ‘genuine goodwill, farsightedness
and understanding’. All measures teh goverence is taking were explained tthe press conference held on 12-8- 2011.
and understanding’. All measures teh goverence is taking were explained tthe press conference held on 12-8- 2011.
Apart from KIO/KIA, other remaining armed national races and all armed groups that do not make peace in accord with the Constitution have been offered peace proposal with Notification No. 1/2011 dated 18- 82011.
(1) upholding the Our Three Main National Causes, the government believes that the State and the people need to work together to build a peaceful, developed nation, end armed conflicts and bring about development in every part of the country.
(2) as first step, armed national groups wishing to tackle armed conflicts and make peace may contact related state and region governments in order to carry out necessary measures. Peace groups are being formed in region and state governments.
(3) it is clearly announced that after preliminary measures, groups to be on the government side will be formed to make talks with related peace-making groups.
The groups from government side will be formed with suitable nationals.
So, the government made negotiation with armed national groups in accord with peace Notification No. 1/2011.
After temporary ceasefire, measures will be taken for eternal peace.
Peace cannot be made one-sidedly, and can be made through negotiation with honesty and trade-off by both sides. In the recent peace talks with KIO/KIA, although the State acceded to the wishes to the most possible extent, peace cannot be made till now because of one-sided proposals of the armed group. Similarly, looking back at some peace talks held in the past, armed groups taking advantage of ceasefire by government committed extension of territory and force, extortion, speeding up anti-peace campaigns. That was why peace talks failed to realize the goal. Some armed groups pretended to make peace talks so as to relive their military and political dilemmas for the time being. Due to lack of genuine will, they could not reach agreement. So, it is found that peace-making process relies on right aspiration for peace and right stance to some extent.
So, Hluttaw representatives including Daw Nan Wah Nu need not only to urge the government and also to urge and advise armed groups to have right stance so that they will have genuine peace and make peace talks in all honesty. Moreover, it is needed to find out obstacles from behind the scenes that are hampering peace peace, and to organize and urge them to be free from such obstacles.
The people need not only to make proposal to the government but also to bring armed groups to the peace talks table showing aspiration for peace. Within the framework of the 2008 Constitution that can guarantee Our Three Main National Causes, the government will take steps for eternal peace by acceding to the wishes of armed groups to the most possible extent.
If not only the State but also Hluttaw representatives and people will participate in restoring peace, the peace all the people aspire can be made successfully.
Four Hluttaw representatives raised five questions, and Union Minister for Education Dr Mya Aye replied to them.
U Aung Kyaw Soe of Natmauk Constituency said that if the Ministry of Education sets up one more department to build and maintain buildings of the ministry and practises construction and maintenance of the schools across the nation, it may contribute more to the education sector. He asked whether there is a plan to practise the new system. The Union Minister replied that spending the capital expenditure, construction of new buildings was carried out through contract system to meet the PAE standard. All the schools damaged in the natural disasters were repaired through contract system according to the PAE standard with the use of ordinary expenditure. The ministry paid the cost to respective region/state governments for repairing the schools for their betterment, and new buildings were constructed under the supervision of the respective governments.
Respective school construction committees undertook minor maintenance of the school buildings, finishing the buildings with the contributions of local people and construction of new school buildings with the use of suitable funds. As such, current practices of the Ministry of Education have been in conformity with the question, so there is no plan to change the system.
U Sai Thein Naing of Papun Constituency asked whether there is a plan to allot more funds for construction
of schools due to inadequate funds, for extension of school buildings due to imbalance on ratio of students to teachers and for construction of new buildings to be better images in Kayin State. The Union Minister replied that capital and ordinary expenditures will be allotted to the No 1 Basic Education Deparatment on priority for finishing five basic education schools, for extending four basic education school buildings due to imbalance on ratio of students to teachers and for construction of two basic education school buildings to be better images in Kayin State.
U Than Sein of Kyimyindine Constituency raised a question that how arrangements are made for PhD thesis papers conferred in Myanmar to be served the interest of the State and the nation, whether there is a plan to use the research works for serving the interest of the State and the people and whether there is a plan to cooperate with private entrepreneurs to apply the research works to serve the public interest.
The Union Minister replied that doctoral course students are to conduct research works in their respective fields and to submit the PhD dissertation with the use of research outcomes. Depending on the findings in the research fields, the PhD Dissertations are categorized as subject-wise beneficial research works, region-wise beneficial research works and State beneficial research works. A total of 671 research papers were presented in Universities’ Research Journal published by the Ministry of Education, 1173 regionwise beneficial research papers in research journals of universities and degree colleges and 1453 subjectwise beneficial research works in the research journals published by Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science to disseminate research knowledge to the people on a wider scale.
The research outcomes were depicted with the use of research posters at the educational exhibitions.
Encouragements were given to direct use of research works in the economic, production, management, agriculture and livestock breeding and service sectors and conducting more research works. research outcomes and research findings were presented in the research journals, and emphasis is being placed on applying the research outcomes and research findings in the practical fields. In so doing, enthusiasts in the research outcomes and research findings were handed over to the researchers.
Daw Tin Nwe Oo of Dagon Myothit (North) Constituency asked how many expenditure proportion of education sector for 2011-2012 academic year and expenditure proportion of the whole government are spent, and whether there is a plan to spend the funds on development of education sector in long run like other countries. The Union Minister replied that there are two sectors as basic education sector and higher education sector. The Ministry of Education is taking responsibility of 64 universities, degree college and colleges in the higher education sector and other 12 ministries, 97 universities, degree college and colleges.
Educational expenditure of universities, degree college and colleges of 12 ministries spent K 352584 million, accounting for 4.42 per cent of the education sector. The President had adopted 10-point education policies and the Ministry of Education is implementing them.
Compulsory primary education is being realized beginning 2011-2012 academic year, and exercise books were freely provided to over 5 million students of basic education schools.
In addition to the ordinary expenditure, the government allotted over K 2087 million to the education sector.
According the scholarship programme, arrangements are being made for awarding K 1089.6 million of university scholarship, basic education scholarship and stipends to the outstanding students starting from 2012-2013 academic year. The private school registration law (bill) was drawn in coordination with the Attorney-General’s Office to issue private school law and rules, and according to the permission of the President, the bill was submitted to the Hluttaw for scrutinizing it. The remaining seven educational policies are being realized with momentum.
According to the work plans of rural social economic development supporting committee, arrangements are being made for undertaking 13- point educational tasks in rural regions in line with the eight tasks of rural development and poverty alleviation.
In accord with the education policies of the new government, plans are underway to allot larger amount of educational expenditure depending on economic development of the State for promoting learning opportunities and raising educational qualification in both basic and higher education sectors.
U Than Oo of Myawady Constituency raised a question asking whether there is a plan to allow establishment of garment factories and furniture factories in Hpa-an and Myawady townships and similar factories. Union Minister for Industry-1 U Soe Thein replied that in accord with the guidance of the President to establish an industrial zone near Hpa-an, establishment of an industrial zone is being carried out on 969 acres of land, seven miles from Hpa-an-Hlaingbwe Road.
Especially, emphasis will be placed on construction of labour intensive industry in the zone. The industrial zone will create the job opportunities for 5000 to 10,000 people within six to nine months. Hpa-an Industrial Zone will not be allowed to manufacture automobile. At present, there is no plan to set up the industrial zone in Myawady Township due to lack of regional peace and stability and when the township can restore peace and stability, emphasis will be placed on establishment of industrial zone.
Arrangements have been made to establish industrial zones near Phayathonzu region of Mon State, Namphatka region in Shan State and Ponnagyun region of Rakhine State soon.
U Kyan Tun of Kani Constituency said that he has learned Shwesayay Hydropower Project will be implemented for enabling the people to travel in Chindwin River and to maintain the water course.
He asked when the project will be implemented and how many villages will be included in the project areas as the local people dare not construct new buildings there. Union Minister for Electric Power No. 1 U Zaw Min replied that the Ministry of Electric Power No. 1 and NHPC Ltd of India government signed an MoU on 16-9-2008 to conduct feasibility study on implementation of Shwesayay Hydropower Project to generate 660 megawatts, which will be the third of its kind at Chindwin River. The project will be implemented through JV/BOT system. NHPC Ltd submitted the interim report on project feasibility on 27-5-2011. The feasibility study continues to submit detailed report in March 2012. The report will access the real situation for effecting river and environments in implementing the project. Colenco Power Engineering Ltd of Switzerland has compiled the report on environmental degradation in 2007.
Biodiversity Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) of Myanmar compiled a report on study of biodiversity from 28-8-2006 to 5-10- 2006. At present, as project feasibility is under way, there is no detail report on environmental impact on downstream embankment. Therefore, the area of villages to be included in the wetland cannot be designated yet.
According to the detailed report on the project of NHPC Ltd, if there is possibility for implementation of the project, the ministry will cooperate with internal and international organizations to study the assessment on environmental impact and social living impacts. After that, calculating the both side economy will be conducted. If it is acceptable, Memorandum of Agreement and joint venture contracts will be signed.
When implementation of the project will be allowed, NHPC Ltd will fix the project period depending on the fund to be provided by the Indian Government as it is based on FDI system. However, such project will be implemented after completion of Htamanthi Hydropower Project to be built upstream of Chindwin River.
U Zaw Kir Ahmad (a) U Aung Zaw Win of Maungtaw Constituency said that as most of the mosques in wards and villages for local Islams in Maungtaw District of Rakhine State are old and damaged, they face difficulties because local authorities do not allow repairing and construction of new ones. He asked how the State will help them overcome the difficulties.
Union Minister for Religious Affairs Thura U Myint Maung replied that when the renovation of old and damaged mosques, churches and Hindu temples in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are submitted to the ministry with the recommendations of local authorities to the attachment of maintenance form and documentary photos of damaged buildings, respective region and state religious affairs officer and party will made a field trip to the sites and submit the report to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. After discussing it at the management committee of the ministry, the remarks on the report will be replied on religious affairs point of view.
According to the remarks, the region/state Development Affairs Committees concerned give permission to repair and construct the buildings.
Likewise, when those wishing to repair religious edifices such as old and damaged pagodas, stupas, images, monasteries and Dhammayons are to submit the application together with recommendations of respective local authorities and Sangha Nayaka Organizations. The team comprising region/state religious affairs officers concerned inspected it and submits the report to the management committee meeting of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The ministry then replies the remarks that there is no objection on religious affairs point of view.
According to the remarks, the region/ state DACs allows to repair the building.
After storm Nargis in 2008, repairing of 66 mosques, 56 churches and 18 Hindu temples were allowed.
From January 2011 to date, the ministry allowed 14 moqsues, 13 churches and six Hindu temples.
There is no submission on repairing the mosque in Maungtaw Township of Rakhine State to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. When applications are submitted in line with the prescribed rules and regulations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is ready to give any assistance to them.
The Hluttaw discussed the amendment to the Bill Amending Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law submitted on 31 August to approve individual paragraphs and then sought approval.
As there was no amendment regarding the paragraph 1 of the bill, the proposal to seek the approval was submitted to the Hluttaw. As the proposal won a unanimous support and the Hluttaw decided that paragraph 1 shall be part of the bill.
The Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee reviewed that paragraph 2, subparagraph (1) of Section 49 (a) should be prescribed in line with the original provision and it shall not be amended.
Member of the Union Election Commission U Nyunt Tin submitted the agreement of the commission.
As there was no objection against the proposal that paragraph 2, subparagraph (1) of Section 49 (a) should be prescribed in line with the original provision, the Hluttaw approved it.
There was no discussion on amendment to paragraph 2, subparagraph (b). Therefore, the Hluttaw approved the proposal that the paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (b) shall be part of the bill.
U Soe Win of Sangyoung Constituency submitted the amendment proposal that Section 88 (a) of paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (c) shall be part of the bill. One Hluttaw representative seconded it.
Union Election Commission member U Nyunt Tin submitted to withdraw the proposal on cancelling Section 88 (a) of paragraph 2, subparagraph (c). U Soe Win wanted to seek the decision of the Hluttaw.
In seeking decision at the Hluttaw, numbers of those who object the proposal of U Soe Win were larger, and the Hluttaw decided that the proposal was not approved.
Therefore, the proposal was submitted again to seek approval.
There was no objection against the proposal that Section 88 (a) of paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (c) shall be part of the bill. The Hluttaw approved it.
The Bill Committee submitted that it should supplement “except abovementioned sub-paragraph (a) and (b)” at the start of paragraph 2, subparagraph (c) of Section 88. Member of the Union Election Commission U Nyunt Tin agreed it.
Therefore, as the Hluttaw agreed the supplement of the word “except above-mentioned sub-paragraph (a) and (b)” at the start of paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (c) of Section 88, the amendment to the Bill Committee was approved. As there was no objection against the proposal that the introduction and title shall be part of the bill, the Hluttaw decided that the proposal was approved.
Member of the Union Election Commission U Nyunt Tin submitted a proposal to approve the Bill Amending the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law according to the Pyithu Hluttaw Rule 158, Sub-Rule (a). A Hluttaw representative seconded it.
There was no objection against the approval that the Bill Amending the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law would be approved in line with the amendment of the Bill Committee, and the Hluttaw approved it.
As ‘Bill Amending the Amyotha Hluttaw Election Law’ and ‘Bill Amending the Region or State Hluttaw Election Law’ were accepted at the Pyithu Hluttaw on 3 September, a plan was adopted to discuss the bills this week. After completion of the scrutiny, the Bill Committee is to submit the bills together with the report of the committee to the Hluttaw, and the Hluttaw representatives wishing to discuss them are to register with the application to be discussed together with the paragraph, sub-paragraph, reason and facts of the bills, not later than 7 September (Wednesday).
Four Hluttaw representatives discussed the proposal to alleviate poverty of Naga national races residing in Naga Self-Administered Zone (Leshi, Lahe and Nanyun) townships submitted on 1 September by U Hsa Mu of Lahe Constituency.
Dr Sai Kyaw Ohn of Namhkam Constituency supported that the proposal can affect not only Naga national race but also the State.
Defence Services Personnel Pyithu Hluttaw Representative Col Htay Naing participated in the discussions. He said that while the State and regional government are to build economic, social, education and health infrastructures, the local people in individuals or in groups are to make concerted efforts by taking privileges created by the government and then they are to uplift their live standard by pursuing suitable technologies to be applied in their actual situations.
U Shithe of Leshi Constituency said that he seconded the proposal so that the State can speed up works to upgrade roads in Leshi, Lahal and Nanyun townships linking with the mainland to be all-weather ones, assign full-time doctors for health care, provide funds for transformation of slash-and-burn farms to terraced farms and breeding livestock on a manageable scale to increase per capita income leading to better living standards, U Hla Tun of Khanti Constituency said that the proposal should come into operation for poverty reduction.
Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Thein Htay said that the proposal should be welcomed as it represents social development the proposal submitter’s region and its locals; that the work plans included in the proposal are the works done by the Ministry of Border Affairs since 1990s in line with Border Areas and National Races Development Law issued in 1933 and amendment to the 1993 Border Areas and National Races Development Law in 2006; that Border Areas and National Races Development Implementation Central Committee has officially recognized Naga region as special development region and allocating border region development funds yearly; that Leshi- Htamanthi, Lahe-Sinthaylan, Nanyun-Shinbweyan, Leshi-Pansub- Swamara, Lahe-Laungngaut- Htanpakwe and Nanyun-Panhsaung roads are 260 miles and three furlongs in total length and are of Union-level road; that to cover the whole Naga region, it will have to construct a total of about 600 miles and the primary need for development of Naga region is transportation; that without smooth transportation, there is less likely to see economic and social development in the region; that in developing the whole region, the major barrier is nothing but limited funds and to overcome this barrier, more funds should be raised through acceleration of national production and only then, can border regions be developed year by year; and that the proposal does not need to be separately submitted for Naga region being designated as special development region, rural development and poverty alleviation scheme being implemented as national duty and the President himself taking responsibility of the chairman of the central committee for those two tasks.
The Hluttaw decided that the proposal does not need to be submitted separately and recorded the proposal.
Eight Hluttaw representatives discussed the proposal of U Shwe Maung (a) U Abdul Rawzek of Buthidaung Constituency that conventional parrot-learning system currently practiced in universities, colleges and institutions should be replaced with modern education system which involves learning, discussion, research and invention and friendly relations between teachers and learners to broaden the horizons of the people and enable the nation to keep abreast of global partners.
Defence Services Personnel Hluttaw Representative Major Myat Moe said that the proposal is constructive and meaningful and represents the ongoing tasks; and that continued measures should be taken systematically through detailed analysis as the proposal is concerned with the wide field.
Dr Sai Kyaw Ohn of Namkhan Constituency seconded the proposal saying that he believed that the education standards of the nation will be better in the future as Education Promotion Committee chaired by Pyithu Hluttaw Representative Dr Chan Nyein with Dr Mya Oo as secretary.
U Than Nwe of Butalin Constituency said that capabilities being provided to students at universities in Myanmar are identical to nurturing of scholars with high reasoning and imaginative powers of today’s international universities in different regions and that the education system being practiced in universities, colleges and institutes are not traditional by-heart learning system but up-to-date one.
Dr Mya Oo of Nganzun Constituency discussed that current education system of universities in Myanmar is not a traditional education system which relies on parrot learning but the modern education system being implemented in accordance with internationally-recognized curriculum and international teaching methods; that the nation has to be practicing modern or advanced education system in the future.
U Ye Tun of Thandwe Constituency seconded the proposal suggesting that if private universities, colleges and
institutes are permitted in addition to government universities, colleges and institutes, the implementation process will be easier, creating enormous educational and economic opportunities not only for national entrepreneurs but for bright youths.
U Tun Aung Kyaw of Ponayagyun Constituency said that economic reform will contribute to education sector of Myanmar scholars as well as providing human resources for building modern, developed nation short time.
Dr Daw Aye Myint of Shwetaung Constituency seconded the proposal saying it is needed to provide adequate quantity of teaching aids necessary for particular subjects.
U Khin Maung Yi (a) Khaing Maung Yi of Ahlon Constituency said that he also seconded the proposal because it would reduce the pursuance of foreign education at large cost and help the nation practice education system on a par with global nations.
In response, Union Minister for Education Dr Mya Aye said that teacher-centered teaching approach is being replaced with conceptual teaching which helps students reasoning power mature based on the teaching of the teachers, at basic education schools and universities.
Concerning educational works of the State, Article 28 (d) of the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of
Myanmar states that “modern education system which will contribute to correct sector-wise concept, high standard of morality and building the State must be implemented” and Article 33 describes that “the State will takes measures to ensure youths have strong patriotism, correct concept and five strengths” and those prescriptions are on the same path of the trends of today’s education marching towards “education which boosts reasoning skill”; that National Education Promotion Seminar (Higher Education Sector) has adopted future plans to assess teaching and learning curriculum and contexts by conceptual teaching/ learning by Board of Studies, open central level refresher courses, sharing knowledge learned from such courses at respective, universities and colleges, assign students to make assignments, include puzzles related to texts in exams, tutorials and practical works and assign students to make presentation and reading at seminar in every module; that central level workshop was held at Yangon Institute of Foreign Languages so as to put future plans into operation in universities simultaneously and further workshops were made in respective universities and faculties and coordination being made for programmes for respective subjects.
Student-centered approach is aimed to create active learning environment with the participation of the students by discussing over explanations of teacher who corrects and solves the discussion and problems of the students and guides them to be able to think and act reasonably and to improve reasoning, lateral thinking and innovation of the students and thus is being polished to become most suitable teaching methods for conceptual teaching/ learning.
The Hluttaw decided that the proposal does not need to be submitted separately and recorded it as necessary measures.
U Thein Nyunt proposed that a labour rights bill should be drafted with international norms and necessary programmes should be laid down and that a law ensuring the press freedom should be passed.
Daw Dwebu of Ingyanyan Constituency proposed that male and female students from remote areas should be given favour regarding their grades in the matriculation examination for entrance to education colleges, midwifery and nurse training schools and should be allowed to attend such colleges and schools in their own regions.
Those proposals will be put on table at tomorrow’s session and Hluttaw representatives wishing to discuss the proposal registered in the evening.
The 12th-day second regular session of Pyithu Hluttaw came to an end at 4.30 pm and this evening and the 13th-day session continues at 10 am tomorrow.
Source: The New Light of Myanmar
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