Some representatives suggest lowering military chief’s authority in the charter

Some representatives suggest lowering military chief’s authority in the charter
Published 13 June 2019

Some members of the Joint Charter Amendment Committee have suggested that the authority of the Commander-In-Chief and the percentage of MPs enshrined in Section 436 of the 2008 Constitution, should be reduced.

On June 12, the Joint Charter Amendment Committee held its meeting which focused on the amendments to Chapter-13 and 14 of the 2008 Constitution. The suggestions for the amendment to the Chapter-14 have completed.

“Chapters-13 and 14 have completed today. To be frank, the President has little authority in some matters in the Chapter titled “Provision on State of Emergency.” Only the military chief has the authority. As a matter of fact, the military chief shall perform the duties assigned by the President and the Union Parliament. The majority of representatives have agreed to amend it. Some members suggested that the provision: “More than 75 per cent of all Union parliament representatives described in the Section 436” should be reduced,” said a member of the committee.

On January 29, MP Aung Kyi Nyunt from Magway Region Constituency-4 submitted a proposal to swiftly form a joint charter amendment committee. The parliament approved this proposal on February 6.

The 45-member committee is chaired by Deputy Speaker of the Union Parliament Tun Tun Hein while Deputy Speaker of the Upper House Parliament Aye Tha Aung serves as the vice-chair, Upper House MP Dr. Myat Nyana Soe  from Yangon Region Constituency-3 as secretary, Lower House MP Htay Win Aung (aka) Pyone Cho from Dawbon Township Constituency as joint secretary. The committee is comprised of 18 MPs from the ruling National League for Democracy, eight military representatives, two each from the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party, the Arakan National Party and Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, one each from the Ta-aung (Palaung) National Party, Zomi League for Democracy, Pa-O National League for Democracy, Lisu National Development Party (Dulay party), Kachin State Democracy Party, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, Mon National Party, Wa Democratic Party and the National United Democratic Party and one independent representatives.

The committee is to submit  its report by July 17.