The former chief minister U Min Min Oo, who since his resignation has served as the representative for Bilin Township, said that he was unable to attend the entirety of the 5th regular session of the Mon State Hluttaw.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) representative’s request for permission to miss the session was announced to parliament by U Chit Tin, chairman of the Mon State Representative Review Committee; “State representative U Min Min Oo requested permission to miss five days of the session while he is traveling.”
Former Chief Minister U Min Min Oo (Photo: MNA)
On its own, the request is not unusual and there are procedures whereby members of the Hluttaw [Parliament] can take time off.
“U Min Min Oo has requested permission to miss the Hluttaw session. If he had not requested permission and was absent for more than 15 days, he could face sanction for violating Hluttaw rules,” said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Deputy Speaker of the Mon State Hluttaw.
While the request for five days does not violate parliamentary procedures, U Min Min Oo’s absence from the entire session has raised further questions about his conduct in government.
The former Chief Minister was elected to the Hluttaw in 2015 but vacated his seat soon thereafter to join the cabinet. While in office U Min Min Oo drew criticism for allegedly abusing the absence-request system. Two representatives accused him of lying about attending a World Teacher’s Day event in lieu of a meeting of the Hluttaw.
Facing mounting allegations of misconduct and abuse of office, U Min Min Oo attempted to resign from both the cabinet and the Hluttaw in February. According to Dr. Aung Naing Oo, his resignation from the latter was not accepted, and he continues to serve, though only begrudgingly, it now seems.
