Meeting with Joint-Committees: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker met with joint-committees

Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw, U Aung Lin Dwe, met Wednesday afternoon with members of the Joint Bill Committee and the Joint Public Accounts Committee at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Meeting Hall on the second floor of the Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw.

During the meeting, the Speaker stated that the two joint committees are among the principal committees supporting the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in carrying out its core responsibility of legislation. He noted that, internationally, the Joint Bill Committee and the Joint Public Accounts Committee are often referred to as “sub-parliaments” because of their important roles within the legislature.

He emphasized that, when reviewing and reporting on bills and committee reports, the committees must carefully recognize that inviting and questioning responsible officials from ministries and organizations is part of Parliament’s oversight function. Such discussions are intended solely to gather information and ensure that parliamentary work is carried out more effectively and successfully. Therefore, committee members should take care not to question officials in a manner resembling an interrogation or criminal investigation.

He further stressed that committee members entrusted with these important responsibilities should thoroughly study and gain a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary laws, rules, procedures, and all other relevant legislation.

Subsequently, the Chairman of both joint committees and Deputy Speaker, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, stated that the committees play a vital supporting role in enabling the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw to approve bills and to review and approve matters relating to the national development plan, the budget, and taxation. He noted that the duties and functions of the joint committees are comprehensively set out in the laws and rules governing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Accordingly, he advised committee members to study and fully master these legal provisions.

Afterward, the Permanent Secretary of the PyidaungsuHluttaw presented an explanation regarding the responsibilities and duties to be carried out by the Joint Bill Committee and the Joint Public Accounts Committee during the Third Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. Following the presentation, the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw made additional remarks and observations on the matters discussed.