The 18th day session of Pyithu Hluttaw was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Complex here at 11.50 am today, attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and 325 MPs.
At the session, one proposal was discussed, one bill approved and Hluttaw affairs clarified.
In response to the proposal to end the procedures by Directorate of Road Administration and auto-imported organizations on charging temporary car registration fees like charging fines for illegal unlicensed cars and to review the matter in accord with the law, Chairman of Economic and Trade Development Committee U Maung Maung Thein said they had already made a proposal saying that permit should be granted to import all vehicles whether they are left-hand or right-hand driving, to cooperate with Myanmar national entrepreneurs in the effort for industrial development, to give priority to Suzuki Co waiting for new investment and to stop the procedures on charging temporary registration fees like charging fines for unlicensed cars. Regarding the proposal, discussions were made with related ministries on 1 March 2012. The Ministry of Rail Transportation would review and discuss the matter of importing all kinds of vehicles and inform back. As for the matter of prioritization of Suzuki Co on investment, contacts would be made with Myanmar Investment Commission of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. For charging temporary registration fees, the Ministry of Rail Transportation would discuss it and inform back. And it must be stopped immediately as it is not in conformity with the law. It will also cause confusion in estimated budget. As some neighbouring and other nations also practise that system, the F&R Ministry should conduct a quick study and enact law.
Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Thant Shin said that in charging car registration fees, Directorate of Road Transport has collected only appropriate percentages in accord with the existing 1964 vehicle law and 1989 vehicle rules in the real interests of the nation and the people. Other nations are also collecting taxes on car imports. All the taxes the department has collected are being paid systematically to the State funds. With a view to serving the long-term interest of the State and the people, the department in coordination with the Finance and Revenue Ministry has managed to reduce car prices threefold or fourfold. Taxes are collected only for vehicles and paid to the State funds. If temporary registration fee amounts to charging fines for a three-month period, charging of "temporary registration fee" will be ceased. Instead, in accord with the 1964 vehicle law section 4 or 1989 vehicle rule 4, registration fees will be charged according to engine power cc by calculating FOB over CIF calculated by the Customs Department in accord with international norms.
Although Myanmar is not a signatory to Vienna Convention (1986) regarding left-hand or right-hand steering, as a UN member, the nation adopted the right-hand driving system in reference to the convention rules and regulations beginning 7 November 1970. It was also prescribed in the 1989 vehicle rule. Despite the practice of right-hand driving, UN data say that the list of countries which have a lot of right-hand steering cars includes Afghanistan, Myanmar and East Russia. So, to ensure swift commodity flow, permit will be granted to import trucks regardless of right-hand or left-hand steering. But in purchasing new buses, importation of left-hand steering ones will only be allowed. Buses with right-hand steering can cause danger to passengers and according to international norms and standards, importation of only left-hand steering buses will be allowed.
In his discussion, Deputy Minister for Commerce Dr Pwint Hsan said that aside from the Vehicle Import Supervisory Committee, under the arrangement of the ministry, important licences are being issued for trucks and buses. it is now in a position to permit left-hand steering cars as directed by related ministries. If the ministry receives any letter of permit for any kind, it is ready to do so.
Internal Revenue Department Director-General U Myat Maw discussed that the department will continue to levy tax of five percent for public-used trucks and buses and 25 percent for salons. Joint Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Thura U Thaung Lwin said for continued manufacturing of Suzuki cars, it will put forward to the MIC meeting and be decided in line with the procedures.
In his discussion, U Maung Maung Thein who submitted the proposal, said he accepted the accepted the clarifications and requested for the proposal to be recorded in Pyithu Hluttaw. The matter needs no separate vote and the Hluttaw decided to record the proposal and wait for related ministries to deal with the matter.
Regarding the bill amending the 1955 Government Housing (Expelling) approved and sent by Amyotha Hluttaw, Bill Committee Chairman U T Khun Myat submitted the committee report. The Joint Bill Committee and Hluttaw representatives submitted no amendment proposal on the 10 amendments by Amyotha Hluttaw. As the committee submitted a separate amendment proposal regarding Para 2 (A), approval was sought for the amendment and the whole bill. Regarding this, committee member U Khin Maung Shwe submitted an amendment proposal and Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lwin seconded it. The Hluttaw approved the para in accord with the amendments of the bill committee and decided to approve it as there was no one in Hluttaw who did not agree.
With regard to Hluttaw affairs, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann said the third regular session was held to mainly submit and discuss approve national planning and budget bills at Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. From 26 January to date, 18 meetings have been held. 513 questions were put and 24 proposals submitted. Out of assessed 513 questions, there are 116 starred questions answered verbally, 136 starred questions answered by letter, 235 questions with no stars answered by letter and eight revoked questions. Out of 24 proposals, there are 15 approved ones, six recorded ones, one sent to Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and two revoked ones.
He added that three bills were enacted as laws. Of 15 bills submitted to Pyithu Hluttaw, there are two to be enacted as laws, four under arrangement, two revoked, one recorded and six to be implemented. Out of five bills submitted to Amyotha Hluttaw, there are one bill already enacted as law after it had been discussed in Pyithu Hluttaw, two left to be enacted and two under implementation. In total, out of 23, there are four enacted, four left to be enacted, six under implementation, two revoked, one recorded and six to be implemented. Four under implementation and six to be implementation will be done in the coming session.
The Speaker said he recognized the efforts and contributions of all representatives including the Bill Committee. As Speaker, he dealt with the questions and proposals of the representatives as well as their separate submissions regarding the people of constituencies concerned in coordination with the Union government and Union level organizations. In addition, changing and appointments of members for some Hluttaw committees and special issues assessment and reviewing commission were carried out.
More duties and functions, rights and privileges of those committees and commissions were also added. As a result, they will be stronger in performing their legislative tasks with check and balance.
The representatives are urged to submit more proposals and bills that are beneficial to the State and the people by relaying people’s voices, desires and expectations so that the laws protecting the public interests can be enacted. It is necessary to analyze the rules, bylaws, orders, instructions, notifications and procedures that have come into force together with the laws ratified by the Hluttaw where they are in conformity with the laws promulgated by the Hluttaw. The matter of respecting the laws by organizations in the nation and citizens that needs to have check and balance has also been submitted. As a result, success has been achieved more than expected due to the united efforts of the representatives without party attachment, ism, localism, racism and religionism. The Speaker said he was grateful to all MPs for their relentless efforts for the emergence of national planning and budget bill.
Another important thing is legislation that is the main duty of the Hluttaw. Hluttaw committees and commissions are to cooperate with the Union government and Union level organizations in make amendments, cancellations and new laws by reviewing the existing laws in various sectors. In doing so, they need to consider whether a certain law is to serve the interests of the nation and people and conforms to international laws, conventions and treaties.
In conclusion, Hluttaw representatives, representing the people, are to work together in unity in the interest of public voters and of the nation respecting the existing laws as well as the constitution. They are urged to try to become loyal and dutiful representatives.
Today’s session concluded at 1.35pm. The third regular session of the first Pyithu Hluttaw was resumed and it is due to be resumed on 23 April.