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BURMA
People Have ‘Ultimate Power,’ Says Shwe Mann
Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann talks to Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw in an exclusive interview in Naypyidaw. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)
Shwe Mann, the former general who now serves as the speaker of Burma’s Lower House of Parliament, said that the country’s legislature is thriving and that it, as an elected body, wields more power than the military-backed council led by President Thein Sein.
In an exclusive interview with Irrawaddy editor Aung Zaw last week, Shwe Mann said that the driving force behind reforms in Burma is the public, which voted for the Parliament in elections in November 2010 and by-elections in April of this year.
The people have “ultimate power,” he said, making the Parliament more influential than the 11-member National Defense and Security Council (NDSC), widely seen as the ultimate arbiter in matters affecting national policy.
The NDSC includes the president, both vice presidents, the speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and key cabinet ministers.
Shwe Mann, who toured several European parliaments last month, said he was pleased with the condition of Burma’s own legislature, which he described as being as active and dynamic as those he saw in the more established democracies of the West.
Concerning the landslide win of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) in the April by-elections, Shwe Mann said he welcomed the party’s participation in the political process, adding that it would make the coming session of Parliament even more dynamic.
The NLD won 43 out of 44 seats it contested in April. Aung San Suu Kyi, the party’s leader and the country’s democratic icon, has called for amendments to the 2008 Constitution, which grants a decisive role to the military in Burma’s political affairs. Among other measures, it sets aside 25 percent of seats in Parliament for military appointees.
Shwe Mann said, however, that the presence of the military in Parliament was in accordance with the Constitution, which he said was approved by the people—despite widespread condemnation of the way the May 2008 referendum was carried out.
“The public approved the Constitution, so the presence of the military personnel in the Parliament depends on the people’s desire,” he said.
The former general, who is also a member of a newly formed government peace committee, said he hopes to achieve an end to conflict with ethnic armed groups through negotiations. “Although we had to hold guns and fight in the past, now we have put aside our weapons,” he said.
On the subject of media freedom, Shwe Mann said that Parliament was working on a new media law, and that he welcomed the media’s suggestions and criticism of parliamentary actions.
The Lower House speaker, who has encouraged MPs to “have courage and speak out bravely,” said he respects the fourth estate and felt it should play a vital role alongside the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.
Saying that the media plays a key role in spreading information, he added that “it is important for the media to instill respect for the rule of law” in the public.
It is weakness in the rule of law that is behind the current troubles in Arakan State, he said, referring to a wave of violence that has left at least 10 Muslims and seven Buddhists dead in a series of reprisal killings that followed the rape and murder of an Arakanese woman late last month.
In response to a question about his ambitions ahead of elections in 2015, Shwe Mann said: “My ultimate goal is to do whatever is best for the people and the country. Therefore, I am ready to accept any position that the public sees fit to give me.”
Action speaks louder than words.
Shwe Mann simply needs to tone down. He appointed his two (not so intelligent) sons as his official advisors; not very wise move by a man, who wants to be portrayed as the leader of the people’s parliament.
Sickening!
It is pretty clear if you read carefully what General Shwe Mann the speaker of Burma’s Lower House of Parliament,said,it is not difficult to see what this General is standing for and what he is up to,although he did still try very hard to put in all the nice words about REFORM.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi and the Burmese people,pl do be careful and not to be conned another time by a very cunning General,rememer what General ne Win said after he returned the power to Prime Minister Mr U Nu after his first takeover.the second time he took over,there was no more re-run.
If Shwe Mann feels that the Parliament is more influential than the 11-member National Defense and Security Council, “widely seen as the ultimate arbiter in matters affecting national policy”, then why has the Parliament not used it so-called “more influence” to stop the Tatmadaw from attacking the Kachins and undermining the possibilities of peace in Kachin State and casting doubt on the validity of existing ceasefire arrangements? Why was not this question asked in the interview?
Thura Shwe Mann was the military power and still is in the false belief that their 2010fake election and constitution was sanctioned by the people with a gun to their head,and worse more the military may have even counted the “Nargis area ” votes for themselves. Maybe that was the reason why they were keeping the NGOs away.A well executed military plot to still hold on to power and hedge their bets.The ethnics are not stupid they don’t want to have the wool pulled over their eyes as it seems obvious they will punish the ones who do not tow their selfish line.Besides,why has Shwe Mann not releasing the other political prisoners and the MIs who were sent to jail together with the other military opponents who are still languishing in jail as”military Political prisoners” who will be able to ‘spill the beans’ on the current “parlimentary military” elite who seem to think that they Looove..the country and go on junkets all over the place and even try to hoodwink the so called people who voted for them in the so called faked elections.They even dressed the part as great character actors.Beware do not upset them as there will be hell to pay with your lives.The proof of true elections is the one held last year.The un elected should move away and allow the NLD to have a say on who runs the country.
This man is appalling.Doesn’t he know the whole world knows him? Doesn’t he care that such nonsense as he has just spoken here is not believed by anyone? What worked in the past no longer holds.
Sorry, Shwe Mann wouldn’t stand a chance in a clean election. It is not up to him to decide who and what, in a democracy.
The 2010 elections were an abominable sham. No-one is conned.
Shwe Mann should be credited for what he said and acted bringing the country to a better stage and image so far. Undeniably he deserve a portion of the credit. See what kind of a person he is now:
“My ultimate goal is to do whatever is best for the people and the country. Therefore, I am ready to accept any position that the public sees fit to give me.”
What more can we ask from a man who formerly hold one of a powerful positions of the country and could do whatever he please?