Some Shan State residents struggle with obtaining a passport, but one MP wants to make the process easier and less corrupt.
Nan Khin Htar Yi from Hseni Constituency – 1 submitted a proposal to the state parliament this week outlining the various ways that the application process can be streamlined in Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung townships. First off, she said the fees should be regulated.
“The fee is not stable because some have to pay K27,000 but some have to pay K60,000 or K70,000. The expedite fee for issuing a passport within three days is K250,000,” she said. “The public has complained to me so I want to know how many of these fees are according to the government procedure and [to discuss] what should be done to make the process smoother and easier.”
Shan State’s Minister of Security and Border Affairs Colonel Naing Win Aung shot back at the claims that the fees are erratic. He said that passport applicants have to submit K25,000 as tax to the Myanmar Economic Bank. They also have to pay a K40,000 fine plus the K25,000 tax if they lose their old passports, or their passport becomes damaged. If a passport is lost overseas, the holder has to pay a fine equivalent to US$75, and the pay the K25,000 tax for the passport. Applicants who clear the background check can receive their new passports within ten days, he said.
While Col Naing Win Aung said there is no specific rush fee, he added the process can be expedited within five days due to certain situations, such as medical emergencies, education or business trips.
But Nan Khin Htar Yi said the system is riddled with graft.
“It’s not only happening in Lashio. It’s happening everywhere. There aren’t any passport offices where the public doesn’t have to pay bribes,” she said. “The Minister of Security and Border Affairs’ answer is quite different from the real situation. These [bribery] issues will only stop if they instruct departments under the ministry to follow officials instructions and take action [to root out corruption].”
The eighth session of the Second Shan State Hluttaw is hearing around 60 proposals between held from December 4 to 8.
