The constitution is the mother law but it must be revoked if there is failure to respect it, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

The military chief made the remark during a meeting with senior officer instructors and senior officer trainees from National Defence College through video conferencing on January 27, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services reported. 

 “The constitution is the mother law for all laws. So, I’d like to note we all need to abide by the constitution. If one does not follow the law, such law must be revoked. I mean if it is the constitution, it is necessary to revoke the Constitution. If one does not follow the law, the constitution must be revoked,” he said. 

The 1947 Constitution was cancelled in the time of the Revolutionary Council and so was the 1974 Constitution in the time of the State Law and Order Restoration Council. But, the 2008 Constitution should not be neglected as it is still effective and crucial for the country, the Senior General commented. 

“If a law is enacted, it is necessary to clarify why it needs to enact such a law. Each section of the law has relevant purposes. Explanations show the aims of sections from the law. These explanations are not involved in the law but in discussions in the background. These explanations are approved. Such law is enacted due to these reasons. In fact, the law summarizes all things. But, its definitions express wide explanations. So, some controversial measures happen for the law, it is necessary to review the background measures. Anything cannot be defined as they like. It is necessary to review why one writes so. Moreover, some laws are expressed in Myanmar and some are translated in English. Whatever it may be, Myanmar approves the law written in Myanmar language only,” he said. 

The military chief added that the realization of a law in one’s own idea may cause bad impacts rather than effectiveness. As the Tatmadaw (military) is an armed organization, they need to abide by the constitution, while they also need to follow all the existing laws, not beyond the 2008 Constitution.