President calls for better reform process

Published on Wednesday, 26 December 2012 15:08

President U Thein Sein makes a speech in Nay Pyi Taw on Dec 26 (Photo-President Office website)

Myanmar President Thein Sein has called for better management of various government departments to make the ongoing reform processes a success.

“In the past we practiced only dictatorial behaviour that caused us unexpected and difficult problems. Now, we will have to follow the democratic system,” he said during a meeting with government officials in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Stressing the need to build to reciprocal relationships between the government and the people, he said people need to be engaged in the reform process for the sake of flourishing democracy.

The president emphasised the importance of national reconciliation and unity among the ethnic groups for stability and development of the country.

Urging all, including the political parties and ethnic armed groups, to take part in the journey, he said his government has adopted a “people-centred policy” to raise the standard of socio-economic lives of the public.

Pointing out that his government relaxed restrictions on investment and made endeavours for special economic zones and urbanisation projects over the last 21 months, Thein Sein said pragmatic planning and implementation, not an ordinary way of management, can ensure development.

“To achieve success through effective implementation, the government bodies must be fully competent,” he said.

To find a new political system, the country needs to discard “old-fashioned thoughts and ideas”, said the president.

The government and the public servants have been asked to focus on people-centred development approach to ensure good governance, he said.

The president acknowledged that there are problems at different levels in pursuing the goal.

He cited lack of transparency in various projects; disregard towards people’s problems and desires; not following the related rules and regulations properly; improper management leading to bribery and corruption; slow response by government machinery causing difficulties to people; and unskilled administration as some key problems.

The president highlighted the need and asked all to prevent bribery and corruption effectively.

“It is time for every civil servant to mend their character in order to promote the image of the state and the people,” Thein Sein said.

Those who are in leadership role, from the village-level administration to the government ministries, must earn people’s trust, he said, asking all to raise their individual qualification and skill.

He emphasised the need to review laws and rules to strengthen the municipal committees and township development affairs committees.

Assuring adoption of necessary laws and rules to make the state-owned enterprises profitable, the president said Cabinet committees would be formed to promote cooperation between the ministries.

More effective procedures would be established to share duties and responsibilities between the central government ministries and the state-level and regional governments.

Moreover, sharing of administrative authority would be ensured at various levels in self-administered regions, he added.