House of Representatives MP Dr. Maung Thinn of Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) from Meiktila constituency said on August 15 at Union Parliament that the constitution amendment joint committee did not respect or abide by the law.

He was speaking after the 45-member joint committee decided to merge the Bill for Second Amendment to Constitution presented by 145 MPs of Union Parliament (joint sitting of both houses), with their constitution amendment process of other articles. The joint committee disclosed their decision in presenting their opinion and recommendation report on amending constitution.

“They are still at the fact-finding stage. We have done the draft of the amendment bill. Now they merged these two different stages. Please consider, they are in the fact-finding stage and we are in presenting draft of amendment bill. Why did they merge these two different stages?” MP Dr. Maung Thinn added.

Bill study and scrutiny committee secretary Dr. Myat Nyarna Soe presented their report of observation and opinion on constitution amendment bill to Union Parliament.

Drafting and submission of this constitution amendment bill to parliament as per article 433 of the 2008 Constitution was led by USDP and was endorsed by 20% total MPs in parliament.

In this amendment bill, two points regarding the authority of President, one point regarding the Constitutional Court and four articles regarding Election Commission are reportedly included.

“It’s a clear violation of the provisions of constitution by parliament. In my point of view, why are law makers explicitly not abiding by their oath taken as soon as they served as MPs in this parliament?  Article 435 of the constitution clearly stipulates that parliament must admit and consider the amendment proposal which is submitted by at least 20% of total MPs in parliament. This is a very clear provision,” Dr. Maung Thinn further said.