The spending of Ks 6,426 million from the President Office’s special fund for the purchase of necessary technologies and machines for Social Media Monitoring Team, is in accord with the policy of spending emergency fund, said Kyaw Myo, Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications.

At the session of the Lower House parliament on November 20, the deputy minister replied to a question raised by Lower House MP Dr. Maung Thin from Meiktila Constituency about the budget spending for Social Media Monitoring Team.

“The Ks 6,426 million spent for Social Media Monitoring Team is not included in the budget for 2017-2018 fiscal year. According to Section 27, Subsection (b) and (c) of the Union Budget Law, the President Office sought the approval of budget spending from the Union government for the team which helps support security, peace and tranquility and rule of law. The formation of Social Media Monitoring Team and its subsequent efforts are in conformity with the existing laws and the Constitution and the purchase of necessary machines, the rule for the emergency budget spending,” he added.

On August 22, 2017, Ministry of Transport and Communications submitted a plan to form Social Media Monitoring Team in order to monitor facebook and other social media in accord with the law. On August 23, 2017, the ministry got the greenlight at the cabinet meeting. The ministry formed it on February 7, 2018, he added.

Section 219 of the Constitution says the Union Government preserves stability of the Union, community peace and tranquility and prevalence of law and order.

The Deputy Minister continued, “Section 75 of the Telecommunications Law says the Union Government may, as may be necessary, direct to the relevant organization for enabling to obtain any information and telecommunications which causes harm to national security and prevalence of law without affecting the fundamental rights of the citizens. The formation of Social Media Monitoring Team is in accord with the existing laws. It is carrying out educative program, warning and cooperation with social media companies after monitoring and exposing the acts that may undermine youths’ moralities or peace and stability or security and rule of law on the open sources like facebook, messenger and twitter. The ministry will coordinate with relevant ministries and organizations to take action against those who break the laws.”