A majority (12) of the 17 newly elected National League for Democracy (NLD) representatives to the Mon State Hluttaw did not attend the January 22 inauguration ceremony.
Those not in attendance included, Dr. Aye Zan (Prime Minister), Dr. Khin Saung (Chair of the NLD, Mon State), Dr. Htein Lin, Daw Nwe Nwe Aung, and U Tun Min Aung. Six representatives of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) and six representatives of the military attended.
The third regular session of the State Hluttaw is scheduled to begin on February 9. The second session formally handed over power to the new members of the Hluttaw, according to Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Vice Speaker of Mon State Hluttaw.
“The [inauguration] ceremony was attended by representatives of the Hluttaw who have experience in transitioning from one parliamentary term to another, and where there to help [orient] new representatives who will have to refer to the laws and regulations of the current government during the second term. There is a plan to share all the procedures and activities with both old and new MPs.” Said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Vice Speaker of Mon State Hluttaw.
The ceremony was presided over by Tin Ei, who served as Speaker for the National League for Democracy (NLD) during her second term in the Mon State Hluttaw.
The upcoming parliamentary session will be composed of 31 members in total. 17 NLD members, 6 members of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) and 8 non-elected military representatives.