nlmAug07

HOME
ARCHIVES	Sunday, 5 August 2007	THE MYANMAR TIMES

YANGON, 4 Aug — Minister for Electric Power No (2) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, accompanied by Secretary U Maung Maung Latt of Yangon City Power Supply Board, Chief Engineer U Aung Khaing, Director U Tin Myint and district electrical engineers inspected progress in construction of Dawbon Township Electrical Engineer's Office and the sub-power station on 1 August. At the briefing hall, Executive Engineer U Aung Than of Yangon Division (Civil) Department reported on construction work. The minister gave necessary instructions.

Next, the minister and party visited Dagon Myothit (East) Township Electrical Engineer's Office where Executive Engineer U Aung Than reported on progress in construction of the office and formation of office rooms and construction of staff quarters. The minister gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the needs.

Later, the minister and party went to Mingaladon Township Electrical Engineer's Office.Executive Engineer U Aung Than and engineer Daw Cho Cho Tun reported on matters relating to construction of the office, formation of office rooms and construction of staff quarters. After giving necessary instructions, the minister viewed staff quarters and attended to the needs.

Clarifications of NCCWC Chairman on detailed basic principles for“General Provisions” to be published

YANGON, 4 Aug— Clarifications of the National Convention Convening Work Committee on laying down detailed basic principles for the chapter“General Provisions” to be included in the State Constitution will be published in this paper.

Detailed basic principles that should be adopted for Chapter “Transitory Provisions” clarified

YANGON, 4 Aug — The following is the clarification of the National Convention Convening Work Committee on the detailed basic principles that should be adopted in the chapter “Transitory Provisions” to be included in drawing the State constitution at Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township on 2-8- 2007.

At the plenary session of the National Convention held on 13 November 2006, the Chairman of the National Convention Convening Work Committee explained the detailed basic principles that should be adopted in connection with the chapter — Transitory Provisions.

The Delegate Groups — the Delegate Group of National Races, the Delegate Group of Peasants, the Delegate Group of Workers, the Delegate Group of Intellectuals and Intelligentsia, the Delegate Group of State Service Personnel, the Delegate Group of Other Invited Persons, the Delegate Group of Political Parties— the National Unity Party, the Union Pa-O National Organization, the Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, the Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organization, the Lahu National Development Party, the Union Kayin League, the Kokang Democracy and Unity Party and the Wa National Development Party— and the Delegate Group of Representatives-Elect—the representatives-elect of the political parties and the three-member group including independent representatives- elect Dr Hmu Htan and the six-member group including independent representatives-elect U Tin Win held discussions and made suggestions on the Work Committee Chairman’s clarifications and laid down the following detailed basic principles:

1. “This Constitution shall come into force throughout the Union after its adoption in a nationwide referendum by more than half of all the people who have the right to vote.”

2. “The State Peace and Development Council shall, continuing to exercise State sovereignty, carry out during the interval between the coming into force of this Constitution and the day the first session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is convened, all the functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw under the Constitution.”

3. “The work done by the State Peace and Development Council to bring the Constitution into force shall be deemed to have been carried out in accord with this Constitution.”

4. “All policy guidelines, laws, rules, regulations, notifications, proclamations, measures, responsibilities and rights of the State Peace and Development Council shall devolve on the Union of Myanmar”

5. “Existing laws shall remain in force in so far as they are not contrary to this Constitution until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.”

6. “Existing rules, regulations, bye-laws, notifications, orders, directives and procedures shall remain in force in so far as they are not contrary to this Constitution until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Union Government.”

7. “All courts existing on the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution shall continue to exercise their jurisdiction until new courts are established by law in accord with this Constitution. All cases, civil, criminal and revenue, pending in the said courts, shall be disposed of in accord with the laws exercised on the date on which the cases came up for trial.”

8. “All functioning State service personnel of departmental organizations including Tatmadaw under the State Peace and Development Council on the day this Constitution comes into force shall continue in their functions unless otherwise prescribed by the Government of the Union of Myanmar.”

Independent representatives-elect Dr Hmu Htan of Thantlang Township Constituency in Chin State, U Aung Thein of Ywangan Township Constituency in Shan State (South) and U Tun Kyaw of Namhsan Township Constituency in Shan State (North) gave a suggestion, saying, “In order to complete the drawing of the State Constitution, the National Convention has adopted the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles that reflect the policies and stances, which are necessary foundations for building a new nation. We have to draft the State Constitution with these fundamental principles and detailed basic principles. The aspiration of the people will come true if the fourth step of the Road Map—Adoption of the Constitution through a national referendum— is realized within one year after the completion of the National Convention. Personally, I suggest that the officials take necessary measures to hold a referendum within one year after the completion of the National Convention.

“I would also like to make a suggestion about the fifth step of the Road Map —The holding of free and fair elections for Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new Constitution. Section 233 of the 1947 constitution says “The first general elections under this Constitution shall be held within eighteen months from the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution”.

“Regarding the 1974 Constitution, the 1974 Constitution was declared on 3 January 1974, the first elections were held under the 1974 Constitution from 27 January to 10 February 1974. In addition, the first session of the Pyithu Hluttaw was held in Yangon at 11 am on 2 March 1974.

“So, I would like to make a suggestion that officials concerned should make preparations for implementation of the fifth step in a suitable occasion through a referendum for speedy building of a modern and developed nation.”

Concerning the first suggestion, I would like to say that as the task is being implemented in accord with the seven-point Road Map, it is not possible to exactly fix the date and time.

Regarding the second suggestion, the task of“holding a free and fair election”, which is the fifth step of the already-laid down State’s Road Map, is to be carried out by the Election Commission in accordance with the State Constitutio, Election Law and regulations.

Therefore, I would say the suggestion will be recorded so that necessary measures in this regard can be taken in a suitable length of time.

Independent representatives-elect U Tin Win of Kyaiklat Township Constituency-2, U Thein Kyi of Taungdwingyi Township Constituency-1, U Hla Soe of Minbu Township Constituency-2, U Mya Hlaing of Twantay Township Constituency-2, U Kyi Win of Mingaladon Township Constituency-1 and U Tin Tun Maung of Mingaladon Township Constituency-2 gave suggestions on paras (2) and (5) from of all the points
explained by the Work Committee Chairman.

Paragraph No 2 says “The State Peace and Development Council shall, continuing to exercise State sovereignty, carry out during the interval between the coming into force of this Constitution and the day the first session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is convened, all the functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw under the Constitution.” This point states that the SPDC will have to exercise the sovereign power just till the first session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is held. In such time, I do not think it is convenient to hand over the sovereign power to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw will have to elect and access the President, who is the executive head. Then, the State President will have to form this governing body and appoint the Chief Justice. Only such a time will it be convenient for the bodies that have to take over the State’s sovereign powers ready to assume discharge of their duties. So, the para (2) should be:

“The State Peace and Development Council shall, continuing to exercise State sovereignty, carry out till the bodies, which are formed and assigned duties under this Constitution beginning from the date on which this State Constitution comes into force, assume discharge their duties.” And para (5) says “Existing laws shall remain in force in so far as they are not contrary to this Constitution until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.” From the time the State Constitution comes into force to the time of the emergence of the Constitutional Tribunal, there will not be yet an organization that has power to decide whether a law is contrary to the State constitution. So, in the para, the expressions “Existing laws shall remain in force in so far as they are not contrary to this Constitution until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw” should be “Existing laws shall remain in force until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw”. The Work Committee’s assumption is that if the point of the suggestion concerning the amendment of the para 2 is added to the said detailed basic principle, the transfer of the three organs of State power by the State Peace and Development Council to the governmental bodies will be more convenient without any loopholes. However, there will be the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw carrying out the task in connection with the legislation and the para 7 states that all courts existing on the date of the coming into operation of this Constitution shall continue to exercise their jurisdiction until new courts are established by law in accord with this Constitution.

Hence, the suggestion concerns only the administrative affairs. The institution that is mainly responsible for the administrative affairs is the government. To be more inclusive, the para 2 should be changed as the para 2 (a) and the following para 2 (b) should be added:“The Government that exists on the date this Constitution comes into force shall continue to discharge the respective duties until the emergence of the new Government formed and assigned duties in accord with this Constitution.”

As the abovementioned point is in accord with the adopted fundamental principles, it should be considered seriously. The National Convention Convening Work Committee discussed the matter with the members of the panel of chairmen concerned. The Delegate Groups sent their opinions regarding the suggestion to the Work Committee in writing after the panels of chairmen had held discussions with the respective delegates. All the Delegate Groups suggested stating the para 2 (b) as follows:“The Government that exists on date this Constitution comes into force shall continue to discharge the respective duties until the emergence of the new Government formed and assigned duties in accord with this Constitution.”

Concerning the suggestion to amend the Para 5, I would like to say that it is not an easy task to annul all the unnecessary laws at the same time or all at once. There may be laws that have not been repealed yet, but are contrary to the Constitution. Similar provisions are prescribed in drafting a new State constitution. It is
found that the 1974 Constitution features this point, similarly. So, I would say this expression is used, as prescribed in the State Constitutions.

The Delegate Group of Other Invited Persons said “The Work Committee Chairman gave the clarifications regarding the chapter “Transitory Provisions” at the plenary session of the National Convention held on 13 November 2006.

Regarding the coming into force of the State Constitution, he called for advice and suggestions of the delegates to decide whether or not the point: “This Constitution shall come into force throughout the Union after its adoption in a nationwide referendum by more than half of all the people who have the right to vote.” should be adopted as a detailed basic principle.

Now, the seven-step Road Map is in the process of being implemented, and under the fourth step, the State Constitution will be approved through a referendum in accordance to the detailed basic principles to be adopted unanimously by the National Convention. In the process, seeking the approval of the people, approving the State Constitution by the votes of more than half of all the people who have the right to vote, coming into force of the State Constitution throughout the Union after its adoption in a referendum, that points conform with the constitutions of many other countries as well as the 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution of our nation. So, these points should be adopted as detailed basic principles.

Here, I would make a suggestion that the word“votes” should be replaced with the expression “assenting votes” because it can also be assumed as votes against, or abstentions. Therefore, the principle should be:“This Constitution shall come into force throughout the Union after its adoption in a referendum by the assenting votes of more than half of all the people who have the right to vote.” In our view if the word “assenting” is added to the detailed basic principle, its interpretation will become more precise.

As the abovementioned point is in accord with the adopted fundamental principles, it should be con-sidered seriously. The National Convention Convening Work Committee discussed the matter with the members of the panel of chairmen concerned. The Delegate Groups sent their opinions regarding the suggestion to the Work Committee in writing after the panels of chairmen had held discussions with the respective delegates. All the Delegate Groups suggested stating the para 1 as follows:

“This Constitution shall come into force throughout the Union after its adoption in a referendum by the assenting votes of more than half of all the people who have the right to vote.”

In accord with the great majority of the delegates the following detailed basic principles regarding the chapter — Transitory Provisions — have been adopted:

1. “This Constitution shall come into force throughout the Union after its adoption in a referendum by the assenting votes of more than half of all the people who have the right to vote.”

2. (a) “The State Peace and Devel opmentCouncil shall, continuing to exercise State sovereignty, carry out during the interval be tween the coming into force of this Constitution and the day the first session of the Pyidaungsu Hlutaw is convened, all the functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw under the Constitution.”

(b) “The Government that exists on the date this Constitution comes into force shall continue to discharge the respective duties until the emer gence of the new Government formed and assigned duties in accord with this Constitution.”

3. “The work done by the State Peace and Development Council to bring the Constitution into force shall be deemed to have been carried out in accord with this Constitution.”

5. “Existing laws shall remain in force in so far as they are not contrary to this Constitution until and unless they are repealed or amended by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.”

YANGON, 4 Aug — A total of 10 members including U Kyi Maung, U Than Myint and U Pho Htay of Nyaungbinshay Village of Sagaing Township National League for Democracy of Sagaing Division resigned from the NLD on 25 July of their own volition, sending letters of resignation to the NLD Headquarters and local authorities.

In the resignation letters sent to Sagaing Township Multi-party Democracy General Election Subcommission, they said that they no longer accepted acts of the NLD and they had lost reliance on the party and its leaders. That is why they resigned from the party, they said.

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Aug — Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Shein and wife attended a Waso robes offering ceremony of Rakhine State PDC held in Lawka Nandar Cave in Sittway on 27 July.

It was also attended by Brig-Gen Than Tun Aung and wife of Sittway station, members of the Rakhine State PDC and their wives and wellwishers.

First, the commander and wife and party received Five Precepts from Chairman of Rakhine State Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Panditta Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Sanda and offered Waso robes and provisions to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

Next, Patron of Rakhine State Women’s Affairs Organization, wife of the commander, donated robes to nuns of nunneries in Sittway. Later, those present shared the merits gained.

At the office of Inland Water Transport (Rakhine branch), the commander met with officials and gave instructions on their reports and inspected repair of ships in dock.

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Aug — Under the aegis of Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and wife Daw Myint Myint, the 2nd Waso robes offering ceremony of the staff families of the ministry was held at the meeting hall of the ministry here this morning, attended by members of the Sangha led by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Einda of Paydawgon monastery in Nay Pyi Taw Lewe, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, the directors-general and managing directors of the ministry, officials and staff families.

First, those present received the Five Precepts from the Sayadaw. The minister and party offered Waso robes and provisions to the members of the Sangha and shared the merits gained.

After the ceremony, the minister and party offered day meals to the members of the Sangha.

YANGON, 4 Aug— An educative talk on environmental conservation organized by working group for environment of Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation was held at the University of Nursing (Yangon) yesterday afternoon, with an opening address by leader of the group Daw Nilar Thaw.

Next, memberDaw Theingi Ye Myint gave talks on food and water hygiene. Later, Daw Yin Yin Lay, deputy leader of the group, presented 10 books named “Keep the environment in order to save the globe” to Rector Prof Dr Daw Khin May Ohn of the university.

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Aug — A ceremony to mark the 64th birthday and the 84th reordination of Chairman of Bago Division (West) Sangha Nayaka Committee Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vepulla of Vepullayama Monastery of Pyay will be held at the monastery on 28 August (Fullmoon Day of Wagoung 1369 ME).

At the ceremony, ‘soon’ will be offered to 108 members of the Sangha. At 7.30 am, the reordination ceremony will be held at the ordination hall.

The disciples of the Sayadaws may attend the birthday and reordination ceremony.

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Aug — According to the 2007-08 academic year calendar, a period from 13 to 18 August has been designated as School Sanitation Week.

Teachers of all basic education schools across the nation are urged to carry out five school sanitation tasks and to provide requirements of each student in order to
meet the standards of weight and height in cooperation with the parents.

YANGON, 4 Aug— Organized by Trade, Finance and Tax Working Committee of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, talks on economic knowledge was held at the Office Tower of the federation in Lanmadaw Township this afternoon.

President of UMFCCI U Win Myint gave an opening speech. Director U Kay Kay of Internal Revenue Department gave talks on Myanma econmic tax collection system in conformity with market oriented economic system.

Statistician U Win Thinn also gave a talks on an awareness facts related on Revenue matters.

Chairman of the work committee U Tun Kyi presented gifts to U Kay Kay and U Tun Kyi. A total of 350 persons including responsible persons of UMFCCI and partnership organizations attended the talks.

YANGON, 4 Aug — Taninthayi Division Women’s Affairs Organization and Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee jointly organized the talks on health knowledge at BEHS No 6 in Kywegu Village of Myeik Township on 25 July.

Patron of the Division WAO Chairperson of Division MCWSC Daw Khin Than Htay accepted 200 membership applications for WAO from a teacher and presented exercise books and stationery worth K 1.5 million donated by the Commander of Coastal Region Command and wife to teachers.

In Kyaukphya Village, the patron of the Division WAO and party donated cash to the headmistress of Kyaukphya Affiliated BEMS for construction of two latrines.

They donated 100 insecticide tablets for mosquito nets and 50 commodes to local women, and members of Division WAO Daw Thuza Tin gave lectures on violence against women and trafficking in persons.

YANGON, 4 Aug — The coordination meeting of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Secure and Smooth Transport was held at the meeting hall of Yangon Command Headquarters yesterday, with an address by Chairman of the committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win.

In his address, the commander urged those present to take deterrent action against those who violated traffic rules and to supervise systematically on overloaded vehicles. After hearing reports on matters related to ferries, enforcement of traffic rules and safe transport of commuters presented by officials of the universities and colleges, departmental officials and chairmen of the bus lines, the commander made concluding remarks and attended to the needs.

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Aug — The Nay Pyi Taw Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee held the meeting 25/2007 at the hall of Nay Pyi Taw Command Headquarters, here, on 1 August.

Present on the occasion were Patron of the Supervisory Committee Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, Police Chief of Staff Police Col Khin Maung Si and officials. The chairman of the supervisory committee reported on tasks carried out for enforcement of traffic rules and occurrences of traffic accidents within one week.

Members of the subcommittees and those in charge of bus lines participated in the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

YANGON, 4 Aug — The Surewin-Lucky Draw 2007 and the Monsoon Special Sales jointly organized by Fijitsu General Co Ltd and Golden Orchid Co Ltd was held at Doreen Restaurant on Wardan Street in Lanmadaw Township this afternoon.

Director Dr Thant Lwin Maung of Golden Orchid Co Ltd presented prizes to sale agents. Responsible persons also gave prizes to winners in the lucky draw programme. Sales Manager U Aung Aung of General Aircon explained arrangements for distribution of quality General brand air-conditioners to the market.

The salesroom of General Aircon is kept open at 83/91, Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyaukatada Township, Tel; 371906 and 706223.

YANGON, 4 Aug— With the joint sponsorship of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy and the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation a coordination meeting on giving free medical treatment to those with eye complaints of villages in Kungyangon Township and its environs, Yangon Division was held at the meeting hall of Kungyangon Township Peace and Development Council in Kungyangon this morning with an address by Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi.

The meeting was also attended by Head of Administration Department of MWAF Dr Daw Khin San Nwe and eye specialists, officials of the Ministry of Energy, departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, MWAF, Maternal and Child Welfare Associa-tion, townselders and others. Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi explained the purpose of giving free medical treatment to eye patients.

Next, those from the work committee and the subcommittees reported on arrangements made to the minister who fulfilled the requirements.

The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the minister. After the meeting, the minister proceeded to the Township People’s Hospital and inspected medical ward, OPD and operation theatre.

YANGON, 4 Aug — Under the arrangements of Rakhine State Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of District USDA and social organizations met inmates of the jail in Buthidaung Township of Maungdaw District on 27 July and fulfilled their requirements.

Next, members of social organizations provided health care services to the inmates and donated traditional medicines, pharmaceuticals and personal goods worth K 606,000 to them.

On the occasion, members of USDA, Women’s Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Society, War Veterans Organization, police members, officials of Myanmar Correctional Department, specialists and members of Fire Brigade comforted the inmates.

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Aug — Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye attended the collective ploughing and monsoon paddy cultivation ceremony in Pinlon Ward of Kalay on 25 July. The commander also attended the ceremony to share merits gained for the building where Maha Thaka Patima Yayhsan Kyunmyat Buddha Image is being kept on Rajagiri Hill. Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee (Thudhamma) Sayadaw Bhaddanda Ñaninda of Kyaungkyi Monastery admin-istered the Nine Precepts and recited Parittas together with members of the Sangha.

The commander and wife together with wellwishers donated K 1.5 million to the funds for the construction and Zwe Myint Myat Co Ltd K 500,000.

At Kyikon Station, the commander viewed thriving pineapple plants physic nut plantations of the station. The commander participated in the physic nut growing ceremony in Nanbaho Village. The commander inspected the rubber farm of Kyikon Station and left necessary instructions.

YANGON, 4 Aug— The Myanmar Sailing Team left here by air on 2 August for taking part in the International 420 Junior Europeans Championship 2007 in the Netherlands from 8 to 16 August and the British International 420 Class National Championships 2007 to be held in England from 18 to 24 August.

The team was comprised of Leader U Min Zaw (Myanmar Sailing Federation), Coach Mr Collum MacDonald (England), athletes Maung Nay La Kyaw, Maung Min Min, Ma Su Sanda Wai and Ma Khin Nyo Lin.

YANGON, 4 Aug— The sixth collective blood donation ceremony of Jivitadana Sangha Hospital was held at a hall of the hospital in Bahan Township this morning, attended by members of the board of administration and blood donors.

First, Vice-Chairman (1) U Nyunt extended greetings and Medical Superintendent Dr U Po Lay spoke words of thanks.

Dr Daw Thida Aung and party of Na-tional Blood Bank accepted blood donation of 143 donors including 28 members of the Sangha, six nuns and 14 employees
of the hospital. Next, Royal Ruby Co provided vitamin pills to blood donors.