Shan Herald Agency for News

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Khun Htun Oo: Draft Framework for Political Dialogue reminiscent of military-era convention Posted: 17 Dec 2015 03:25 AM PST Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) Chairperson Khun Htun Oo criticized Burma's draft Framework for Political Dialogue (FPD) yesterday for a lack of inclusivity, as the plan was submitted to President Thein Sein by a working group. Khun Htun Oo, SNLD leader, pictured in the lead-up to Burma's 2015 election (Photo courtesy of SNLD) "This way, it will be like the Two Trees Convention that was held by the military in the past," the 72-year-old former political prisoner said, referring to Burma's National Convention, a process initiated in 1993 to write a new national constitution and which ended with the much-criticized 2008 Constitution. The process became known in Burmese as the Nyaung Hna Bin Convention, or Two Banyan Trees, symbolizing the two participants initially invited to the process: the National League for Democracy—who were later expelled in 2005—and the Burmese military. Conspicuously absent, Khun Htun Oo, said, were ethnic representatives from non-state armed groups and political organizations. "It is more like a conference during the military government's time," he said of the current political dialogue draft. The framework, which is intended to contribute to the development of a federal union, was designed over the last eight months during a series of meetings in Naypyidaw, the country's capital, according to the Pyidaungsu Institute. The draft was written by the Union Political Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), which is made up of ethnic signatories to Burma's Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and government representatives. The FPD allows for the participation of 700 individuals, including 150 representatives each from government and Parliament, the military, political parties, the eight ethnic armed groups who signed the NCA. Also present will be 50 ethnic leaders and 50 advisors, by invitation. Burma has more than 20 ethnic armed groups; according to the draft FPD, non-signatories to the NCA are invited to attend the country's political dialogue only as observers, raising concerns from organizations like the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a coalition of ethnic armed groups, that had hoped to participate in the dialogue drafting process before it was submitted to the President. The draft FPD states that initial talks are scheduled to begin in mid-January, in accordance with the NCA, with further talks anticipated for late 2016. By Shan Herald Agency for News Staff (S.H.A.N)

Regarding ‘Pension’ Scheme for Lawmakers Divides Posted: 17 Dec 2015 02:24 AM PST Pension is an entitlement for every citizen of a country, if it is in a position to foot the bill. In developed democratic countries, pension is paid out according to the contribution of an individual during his/her productive years. In other words, depending on the amount that the individual has contributed to the tax system. Other than that, people who are socially in need or handicapped are also looked after from cradle to grave. This is called a social security net or system, consuming the largest portion of the government expenditure. For example, in Germany the MPs are also entitled to such pension, relatively higher than normal working citizens, as it is presumed, rightly or wrongly, a more responsible and hard taxing job compare to the others. But it is not called political pension and only treat it as old age pension like all others. And as such, the payment of pension will only happen when an individual reach a maturity age. In Germany, it is now 67 years of age is the norm to be pensioner. Thus, an MP if he/she is out of the parliament and still have not reach the pension age still must work and find employment in the job market. Now in Burma, a lump-sum financial reward for the outgoing MPs after five years of service in the parliament should be in order, if not termed as pension. But a monthly allowance even before the age of pension will become problematic, as it will drain the government's coffer unnecessarily if the said MP is young and won't take up job, but rely on the monthly allowance. Therefore, the Thein Sein government and also the incoming NLD Regime should think hard before doling out such financial rewards, particularly where immediate pension on monthly basis is concerned. Finally, the German pension system, at least for MPs, is the way to go, if the government like to do it in an appropriate and reasonable way

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