Failing to follow the policies and directives of the Union government by region and state governments goes against the Union government’s policies, President Win Myint said in a meeting with officials of the legislative, executive and judicial branches from Ayeyawady Region at the City Hall in Pathein Township on October 27.
“All in all, the Union government issues policies, directives and orders. Region and state chief ministers, ministers and officials appointed by the Union government even don’t follow guidance, directives and policies. They themselves need to think about what they will happen. To be frank, the first point is it goes against the Union government’s policy. As a second point, their works are not related to the interests of citizens. It would amount to doing what they want to. They are not allowed to do so,” he warned.
Frankly speaking, the Union government has issued many directives in order that the chief ministers and ministers cannot be criticized. For instance, the Union government issued the 1/2017 for the tender rule and the directives twice. Officials will have to follow these directives since after the issuance of them. Those who fail to abide by them will run counter to the government’s policy first. The second point is they will amount to breaching the Anti-Corruption Law, he added.
“I met the chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission. I urged him to send that directive to the region and state governments and issue it via the newspapers and MRTV. It aims to inform officials about the directive. What I want to say is the region and state governments must implement the policies set by the Union government. The reason is the fact that the region and state governments shall implement policies, directives and orders set by the Union government is enshrined in the constitution,” he continues.
He continued to say that the region and state governments shall supervise and guide lower departments. In some regions and states, even ministers have to follow directives of lower departments.
“Our government has given them time. At the beginning, our leader said the government would give officials one year to make reforms. It has been more than two years. Until now, there are mistakes in some departments even though it has been more than two years,” he added.
“The people-centered practice is the basic principle of democracy. Our government will not be patient with a lack of better services to the public and the treatment of people autocratically and haughtily. I would like to urge officials to treat the public according to their life experiences and the history they have passed. Those devoted to democracy must be generous and patient. And they must forgive the people and give freedom, safety and happiness to them,” he continued.
On the same day, the President also attended the stake-driving ceremony for No.2 Pathein Bridge.
