U Khin Aung Myint, speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw has responded to presidential spokesperson U Ye Htut’s put up or shut up comments made on September 18 with his announcement in the upper house of parliamenton September 26 that he had sent a request to all hluttaw representatives to collect information on the sub-standard construction of hospitals, clinics, schools and other state built projects.
Minister of Information U Ye Htut levelled the challenge at U Khin Aung Myint after he told the Amoytha Hluttaw on September 16 that he believed the ministries of Myanmar’s government bore resemblance to a plum peddler who has accidently overturned his fruit cart at a busy festival. He then compared the ministry budgets to the plums in the tray that have been picked up and eaten by passers-by, leaving only half the fruits left for the peddler to sell.
The Speaker said he intended to compile a report by the end of October.
“We have proof and evidence; we can provide that right now. We have plenty proof of reckless and careless construction,” said U Hla Swe MP (Amyotha Hluttaw, Union Solidarity and Development Party, Magway Region).
U Phone Myint Aung MP (Amyotha Hluttaw, National League for Democracy, Yangon) told Mizzima that although the budgets of the health and education sectors had increased three or four fold since the administration of President U Thein Sein in 2011, he believed the schools and hospitals built were of poor quality construction because of corruption rife at all levels.
