A Rakhine State politician is seeking to reassert local control over natural resources and in a hluttaw proposal this week suggested politicians be granted the right to oversee profits obtained from extraction and development projects.
MP U Aung Kyaw Htwee from Pauktaw Constituency – 2 submitted the motion on November 28.
“I want Rakhine State to be freed from poverty and to have the right to distribute profits obtained from the local natural resources for its development,” he said.
Several large-scale projects have recently fueled resentment over the split of dividends, with residents alleging rampant abuses and exploitation of their land, accompanied by little benefit to the community. Concern over the exploitation of natural resources in ethnic minority areas, including Rakhine, has been a particularly explosive matter throughout the country, in some cases triggering fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Tatmadaw.
In his proposal, U Aung Kyaw Htwee urged the government to institute a more equitable division of the spoils, as well as to ensure all projects adhere to international standards and have minimal negative impact on local residents.
Despite an abundance of natural resources, Rakhine is one of the poorest states in Myanmar, the MP said. Healthcare, education and infrastructure have all languished.
“We should be allowed to discuss these kinds of issues after the civilian government came into office. That’s why I support U Aung Kyaw Htwee’s proposal and urge respective MPs to thoroughly discuss it, give their opinions…and approve [the proposal],” said U Hla Thein Aung, Rakhine State Hluttaw MP from Minbya Constituency– 2.
The Rakhine State Hluttaw agreed to discuss the proposal after it was supported by MP U Hla Thein Aung.
