Myanmar's new parliament voted to reduce the number of government ministries on Monday. It's elected president Htin Kyaw also assured lawmakers that no civil servants will lose their jobs and that the nation will save $4 million by getting rid of 15 ministries.
According to ABC NEWS, the voting resulted with a 611-3 vote by a joint session of parliament, which was the first legislative act by Aung San Suu Kyi's party. It came into effect after a decades-long struggle for democracy by a historic landslide victory in the November 8 general election.
Htin Kyaw revealed, during his first speech to a parliament since having his nomination confirmed just last week, that currently "a lot of different ministries scattered around" are doing the same actions. Fox News claimed that the newly elected president also intends to combine the ministries so that their number will be slashed off from 36 to 21.
"I have no intention of reducing the number of civil servants," President Htin Kyaw stated. He also added, "By reducing the ministries, we will reduce unnecessary expenses and eliminate ministers' salaries."
He also stated that the government would even save up to 5 billion kyats or $4 million during its five-year term. It would then use the 5 billion kyats for "education and other better issues" that should be attended to.
Bangkok Post reported that Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party will form the first government to be elected in a democratic way. Suu Kri is banned by the constitution from holding the president's post, which will be occupied by her adviser, Htin Kyaw.
On Monday, a senior official claimed that Suu Kyi is unlikely to take a formal position in the upcoming government of her National League for Democracy. Allegedly, Kyi will control the administration through her position as the party leader.
Meanwhile, NLD leaders have labelled the constitution as "ridiculous" while Suu Kyi has already pledged to govern the country through a proxy president. Moreover, Htin Kyaw will formally take office on April 1.
