By BA KAUNG / THE IRRAWADDY
For decades in Burma, the headmen of villages and wards used to work as government informers and were usually on the payroll of those close to the military junta.
Directly appointed by local authorities, these village heads have long played a key role in the state apparatus and in oppressing any form of political dissent.
But when MPs in the nominally democratic Parliament in Naypyidaw debated this week the new procedures in electing headmen, the country's reformist ex-general President Thein Sein suggested using an open vote system in a face-to-face meeting among locals because, he said, the process is cost effective, does not create unnecessary procedures, and can be done without much administrative upheaval.
The presidential advice, which was stated in a letter to the Parliament, is essentially no different than the old procedures of appointing local headmen based on their presumed loyalty to the country's military rulers.
However, in a majority vote of 236 out of 514 on Wednesday, both Houses of Parliament said “no” to Thein Sein by approving a secret vote. In doing so, the MPs said they are effectively trying to prevent the misuse of influence and fear of reprisal in the process—two issues which have been symbolic of the decades of military rule.
“If we want want to practice a democratic system, we must employ a secret voting method in appointing public officials—from a local headman to the nation's president. These are all written laws too,” said opposition MP Thein Nyunt.
The latest developments in Burma's Parliament are puzzling to many observers since a majority of legislators are former army generals while a quarter of MPs are directly appointed by the military commander-in-chief.
On Wednesday, the speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, ex-general Thura Shwe Mann, openly complained about the slow progress of reforms under the new government and vowed to continue to implement his parliamentary proposal to increase the salaries of state employees—though that particular proposal was not approved by the government.
The moves aroused skepticism in various quarters and led to some questioning if the former generals were creating an artificial facade of checks-and-balances; all the more so because these developments came shortly after a European Union delegation called for a stronger role for Parliament during its visit to Burma.
Pe Myint, an editor at the respected People's Age journal in Rangoon, said he believed that most parliamentary officials, though former generals, are exerting influence in their new-found roles as the country's legislators.
But Win Tin, a senior leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, said he viewed it as genuine discord among ex-generals, including Thein Sein and Shwe Mann, and warned it was a “bad sign” for the country.
“This is a dangerous situation for the country,” he said. “Until recently, I only thought we would see the emergence of two groups ruling the country—the army and ex-army officials. Now we see they are split among themselves.”
Burmese President Thein Sein, center, addresses the Parliament as Vice-Presidents Tin Aung Myint Oo, left, and Sai Mauk Kham, right, listen, in Naypyidaw on Aug 22, 2011. (Photo: Getty Images)
Directly appointed by local authorities, these village heads have long played a key role in the state apparatus and in oppressing any form of political dissent.
But when MPs in the nominally democratic Parliament in Naypyidaw debated this week the new procedures in electing headmen, the country's reformist ex-general President Thein Sein suggested using an open vote system in a face-to-face meeting among locals because, he said, the process is cost effective, does not create unnecessary procedures, and can be done without much administrative upheaval.
The presidential advice, which was stated in a letter to the Parliament, is essentially no different than the old procedures of appointing local headmen based on their presumed loyalty to the country's military rulers.
However, in a majority vote of 236 out of 514 on Wednesday, both Houses of Parliament said “no” to Thein Sein by approving a secret vote. In doing so, the MPs said they are effectively trying to prevent the misuse of influence and fear of reprisal in the process—two issues which have been symbolic of the decades of military rule.
“If we want want to practice a democratic system, we must employ a secret voting method in appointing public officials—from a local headman to the nation's president. These are all written laws too,” said opposition MP Thein Nyunt.
The latest developments in Burma's Parliament are puzzling to many observers since a majority of legislators are former army generals while a quarter of MPs are directly appointed by the military commander-in-chief.
On Wednesday, the speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, ex-general Thura Shwe Mann, openly complained about the slow progress of reforms under the new government and vowed to continue to implement his parliamentary proposal to increase the salaries of state employees—though that particular proposal was not approved by the government.
The moves aroused skepticism in various quarters and led to some questioning if the former generals were creating an artificial facade of checks-and-balances; all the more so because these developments came shortly after a European Union delegation called for a stronger role for Parliament during its visit to Burma.
Pe Myint, an editor at the respected People's Age journal in Rangoon, said he believed that most parliamentary officials, though former generals, are exerting influence in their new-found roles as the country's legislators.
But Win Tin, a senior leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, said he viewed it as genuine discord among ex-generals, including Thein Sein and Shwe Mann, and warned it was a “bad sign” for the country.
“This is a dangerous situation for the country,” he said. “Until recently, I only thought we would see the emergence of two groups ruling the country—the army and ex-army officials. Now we see they are split among themselves.”
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