With a new state municipal law on the books in Mon State, the process of writing the by-laws that will give it teeth is underway, according to the new minister of municipal development and construction, U Min Kyaw Lwin.
“For now, we’re studying the previous by-laws with the aim of drawing up new ones in the next two months. If that proves impossible, we’ll finish within three months,” the minister said.
The new by-laws will include regulations on the operation of shops and restaurants on public roads, and will include guidelines for prosecuting violators which, he said, will be of public benefit.
“The new law will provide a transparent process for choosing members of the municipal committee at all levels. The process will be controlled by local, rather than national authorities,” he added.
The municipal law was approved by the Mon State Hluttaw (parliament) on June 21, so state-level committee members should be chosen soon, according to U Aung Than Lwin, a member of the local Ye Township Municipal Committee.
“The previous municipal law included provisions for prosecuting shops that operate on land they don’t own,” he said.
The by-laws are being drawn by the municipal minister, the Chief Minister Dr. Aye Zan, the State Auditor Daw Aye Aye Moe, Chief Justice U Khin Maung Gyi, and other jurists.
The Mon State Municipal Law was enacted first in 2012 and re-approved in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
