Parliamentry Speaker Thura Shwe Mann."we will stick to our path" in amending the Constitution

Despite any internal and external pressures, "we will stick to our path" in amending the Constitution, said Parliamentry Speaker Thura Shwe Mann. Speaking at a press conference after the parliamentary session on October 24, Thura Shwe Mann mentioned his stance when questioned by the Street View Journal about international and local pressure to amend the constitution. "To review the Constitution, Union Parliament has formed the Constitutional Review Joint Committee. Three objectives have been laid for it, as everyone knows. Within this framework, we are taking steps to review the Constitution to make amendments in the interest of the country and the people. Regardless of any internal or external pressures, we will stick to our path. We will try to succeed," said Thura Shwe Mann. The Parliamentary Speaker added that he does not consider the 2008 Constitution to be unchangeable. The Constitution has to be reviewed, and amendments will be made in the interest of the country and the people depending on the time and situation. In making constitutional amendments, the first objective is not to jeopardise peace and development. It is also important to bring national unity and reconciliation, and to be able to continue ongoing democratic reforms, Thura Shwe Mann noted.

No one accepts Constitution, says KNU official

emg An official from the Karen National Union (KNU), one of the largest ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, has said that no one accepts the current constitution that was enacted in 2008. KNU central executive committee member Phado Mahn Nyein Maung made the comment when asked by reporters on the sidelines of an October 20 press conference organized by the KNU in response to the recent bombings. “You all know about the 2008 Constitution. It was drafted under very strict guidelines. It has so many weaknesses that no one can accept it. The ethnic groups don’t accept it, either. The president himself has shown this stance, saying that the constitution would be amended as it had weaknesses. If the constitution is amended, I believe it will become suitable for the nation and the people,” said Mahn Nyein Maung. During the press conference, he also said the KNU would be the first to sign a nationwide ceasefire accord if it happens as planned by the government. Asked about the KNU’s stance on the ongoing efforts for constitutional amendments by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, Mahn Nyein Maung made no reply but asked for clarification of her attitude towards the ethnic minorities. KNU officials have met three times with President Thein Sein and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.