Fourth regular session of Pyithu Hluttaw continued for 20th day at Pyithu Hluttaw hall of Hluttaw complex, here, at 1 pm today, attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and 396 MPs.

At the question-and-answer session, with respect to the question of U Tin Maung Win of Mingaladon Constituency on “there is a plan to upgrade No.3 Road into four-lane or six-lane one as quickly as possible” and U Soe Myint of Pyawbwe Constituency on “there is a plan to publicize facts included in the contracts signed between the companies by means of B.O.T system.”,

Deputy Minister for Construction U Soe Tint replied: Regarding the first question, Max Myanmar Construction Co., Ltd will carry out extension of No.3 Highway bank into 48-ft-wide four-lane road in the open season. Plans are under way to upgrade it into tarred road in 2013-2014 financial year. Regarding the second question, Ministry of Construction grants preliminary works if they meet 24 facts of B.O.T pre-work. Office of Attorney-General of the Union scrutinizes drafted contract. And then, B.O.T contract is igned when the green light is received from Myanmar Investment Commission.

The main points included in the B.O.T contract are: B.O.T term is forty years. During the three years construction period, road works are to be done based on the average cars lists. After the companies who get B.O.T permits have completed road works in line with the standards set by the Ministry of Construction, they are allowed to start collecting the fees with the scrutiny of respective region/state governments and superintending engineers. Likewise, RC concrete bridges that can withstand 60 tons of loads are to be built. Fees for the use of 180ft-above bridges built by the government are collected through auction system and for the bridges built by B.O.T companies, with the rates calculated by the Ministry of Construction. They have to pay designated taxes to the State. After the end of the designated term, roads, bridge gates and buildings are to be handed over to the Ministry of Construction. With respect to the question of U Kyi Myint of Latha Constituency on “To designate Myanmar New Year holidays as four or five days when the year has two Akyat days,” Union Minister at President Office U Soe Maung said:

Myanmar New Year holidays were designated with the announcement No. (1/2007) of the State Peace and Development Council on 16 February, 2007. Water festival is an auspicious occasion for Myanmar people. Annually, ten days are designated as the holidays, starting one day ahead of Akyo Day. We will continue to keep the fine tradition of Myanmar.

At the proposal discussion session, the proposal submitted by Dr Than Win of North Okkalapa Constituency at the 9th day session on “Urging the government to form Myanma Traditional Preservation Commission after National Culture Promotion Plan has been laid down,” was discussed by U Win Ko of Hsihseng Constituency, Dr Daw Than Ngwe of Kalaw Constituency, U Win Htein of Meiktila Constituency, U Myint Shwe of Waw Constituency, U Aung Hsan of Pabedan Constituency, U Aung Kyaing of NyaungU Constituency and Dr Daw Aye Myint of Shwedaung Constituency. They discussed:

In our new democratic country, there will be social and economic relations between Myanmar and the world countries. Myanmar needs to take preventive measures of its culture and people are to keep patriotic spirits in their minds. We must be aware of indecency in music, movies and troupe. We should take precaution so as to avoid religious, cultural and racial conflicts due to Myanmar’s culture ground.

Now, it needs to teach subject like the ethic exercised in education system till 1953 to have cultural sense in youths. Nowadays, youths are wearing modern clothes with a sense of keeping abreast of the world instead of their traditional clothes. It can be seen that only the elder people wears Myanmar traditional clothes. So, Culture Promotion Plan should be implemented after Myanma Traditional Clothes Preservation Commission has been formed.

Myanmar culture is originated under the influence of religious teachings. If the culture disappears, races will not exist. And if people cannot keep its national cultural heritage, national characters might disappear. Due to the rapid IT development and culture imperialism, it is special importance of people to keep their own custom and traditions. It is important for parents on their parts to hand down their good senses of legacy to their offspring as well as to youths students to equip them with national awarenes, and nationalistic spirits.

Culture preservation can be classified physically and mentally. Physical culture includes buildings, pagodas, religious edifices, pictures and literacy. Mental culture covers behaviours, expressions and performance arts. The more ancient buildings and pagodas become older, the more precious they are. And these are the cultural heritages of the country. It should be preserved as its own conditions. The government should continue preserving culture heritages buildings. In mental culture, old thoughts should not be constantly held. Parents, teachers and responsible persons are to guide youths to keep fine traditions of culture. Respective ministry is urged to implement the government will have to extend a helping hand to the development of the national races’ dialects, literacy, fine arts and cultures as stated in the Constitution. With respect to the abovementioned proposal, Deputy Minister for Culture Daw Sanda Khin explained that Myanmar National Culture Central Committee has been reformed with the aims of keeping Myanma traditional characters, dynamism of patriotic spirits and preservation, promotion and propagation of Myanma traditional cultural heritages. The Central Committee is serving its duties as always. Ministry of Culture is reminding people of keeping the fine traditions of Myanmar traditional customs. Announcements are being broadcast annually through newspapers and TVs in order that people celebrate Myanmar water festival in line with Myanma traditions and customs.

Due to the rapid development of IT, cultural from other countries is rapidly penetrating into the country.

Plans are under way to grant new experts needed for Myanmar National Culture Central Committee and to add new objectives, rights and duties.

So, the proposal should be withdrawn because no need to form a commission. Hluttaw took vote and decided not to approve it with the majority vote. At the bill submitting session, U Thein Nyunt of Thingangyun Constituency submitted the bill amending Emergency Act (1950) (Act No.17/50) and Bill Committee member U Thaung Win read out Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee’s report. The date on which the bill will be discussed will be announced later. Those wishing to discuss the amended proposal are to register their name lists by 9 August.

At today’s session, three questions raised and answered, one proposal discussed and one bill submitted. The meeting came to an end at 4 pm, and the 21st day session will be held at 10 am tomorrow.—