The chief ministers are responsible for the president. The charge against three senior journalists of Weekly Eleven Journal by Yangon regional government will be handled as the president instructed, said Zaw Htay, the spokesperson of the President Office.

The remarks of the spokesperson of the President Office came from the press conference held at the press conference hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on October 29.

The Irrawaddy Media told Zaw Htay, the spokesperson of the President Office that the plaintiff of Yangon regional government was absent at the trial as he was sick although the president instructed Yangon regional government to lodge a complaint to Myanmar Press Council. For that reason the case couldn’t be dropped and the MPC couldn’t intervene in it as well. The president’s instruction is still ineffective. The Irrawaddy Media asked Zaw Htay how the central government would carry on for ensuring that the president’s instructions would be effective. 

“The Eleven Media is required to conduct negotiations. According to the State Counsellor, negotiation does not mean to surrender. If there is trust, it is required to negotiate bravely. That is number one point. Number two point is that the president gave an instruction. The chief minister must be responsible to the president. The instructions of the president will be carried out. We heard of a negotiation between Yangon regional government and the Eleven Media. The MPC was newly reformed.  Duties and work procedures must be precise and true. We would like to encourage non-governmental or non-ministerial institutions. For instance, human rights commission, anti-corruption commission and press council, these are private institutions. The president, himself, is encouraging these institutions. In this state, the MPC will act according its rules and regulations,” said Zaw Htay.

Regarding the case, the Union Government Office had already sent the instruction to Yangon regional government. 

“The Union Government Office had already sent the instruction to Yangon regional government. According to the Constitution, the chief ministers must be responsible to the president. The president is clarifying the policies occasionally in regions and states,” said Zaw Htay.

Under the guidance of President Win Myint, Yangon regional government came to Myanmar Press Council (MPC) on October 18 and filed a complaint about the article stated in Weekly Eleven Journal issued on October 8, said Myint Kyaw of Myanmar Press Council.

The Union Government Office issued a directive regarding the progress of work of the article stated in Weekly Eleven Journal on October 17 and it was meant for Yangon regional government office.

The directive stated that a complaint must be filed to Myanmar Press Council first. The MPC must intervene in the problem in order to reconcile the two sides. If the one who is not satisfied with the intervention, he can file a lawsuit in accordance with the law at a court.

At the October 26 trial in Tamwe Township Court, the judge set bail at K10 million per the accused. Plaintiff Aung Kyaw Khaing, Director of Yangon Region Government, was absent at the trial because he was suffering high blood pressure on October 26. The trial was scheduled on November 9.  

Translated and Edited by Win Htut