The speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw told a session of parliament on July 28 that the President must redouble his efforts in tackling the nations’ growing problem with drugs.
U Khin Aung Myint praised the President’s general leadership but suggested he was failing in this one particular area.
"Under the President’s leadership, the cabinet has done remarkable works, they are perfect and without flaw, they are great and they are righteous,” said the speaker.
“However an evaluation of his anti-narcotic programs must be carried out; drugs can be bought as easily as if they were roasted pea-snacks and they are cheap as well,” he added.
Amyotha representatives continued to discuss methods to counteract the production, trade and usage of illicit drugs, which they described as a growing like a “cancer” across Myanmar’s population.
MPs said that narcotic drugs could be sought out and purchased easily in Myanmar’s universities.
U Saw Aung Kyaw Naing (Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, Kayin State) compared the increase in drugs in Myanmar, which he said has grown despite the efforts of anti-narcotic squads, to Cyclone Nargis in its destructive potential.
Some MPs alleged that members of the police were involved in the trade themselves, selling drugs door-to-door in their uniforms.
Reacting to MPs during the debate, General Kyaw Zan Myint, deputy minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs said that Myanmar has had a project delivering anti-narcotic measures for the past 15 years, it currently operates across 51 townships and the project would be extended for another five years.
"We will take strong action on those people trading drugs and those that mastermind the money laundering process," said General Kyaw Zan Myint.
