Amid growing speculation about an intensifying power struggle between so-called reformists and hardliners in the Burmese government, Shwe Mann, the speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, has made it clear which side he is on.
In a speech to a joint session of both houses of Parliament in Naypyidaw on Tuesday, the former general proposed to reject, suspend and limit “projects that do not benefit the people and the country.” In their place, he said, the country should invest in projects that promote national development, including the development of human resources.
Although he didn't specify which projects he thought should be pulled, his message echoed the language used by President Thein Sein when he called for the suspension of the Chinese-backed Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin State and the cancellation of a 4,000 MW coal-fired power plant in Tavoy, citing environmental concerns and public criticism.
Another project that many would say doesn't benefit Burma's people is an alleged nuclear weapons and missile program that Burma has been accused of developing with North Korean cooperation.
However, Shwe Mann, who himself led a secret Burmese delegation to Pyongyang in 2008, has denied that Burma has any such program, although he admitted that he signed an agreement on bilateral military ties with the North Korean military chief during his visit.
Regarding the projects he thought worth pursuing, Shwe Mann said the focus should be on those that “help reduce high commodity prices and other transaction costs,” which he blamed for distortions in the price of domestic goods, which earn little for producers but are expensive for consumers.
He also took aim at the country's bureaucracy, proposing to raise the salaries of public servants and offer other incentives, such as educational opportunities, to “ensure clean government and good governance.” The proposal was approved by the Parliament on Tuesday.
By highlighting these issues, the former third-ranking general in the previous military regime was clearly aligning himself with President Thein Sein, who has introduced a series of political and economic reforms since assuming power as head of a new nominally civilian government last March.
Earlier this week, Railways Minister Aung Min, another reformer who has played a key role in negotiating peace deals with Burma's ethnic armed groups, told Thailand-based exiles that Thein Sein's efforts have met with stiff resistance from within the government.
However, not everyone is convinced that Shwe Mann's speech was intended to send a message to hardliners. Some saw it as motivated by a desire to bolster the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party's prospects in upcoming by-elections.
“This is a crucial period for the USDP and the government to show positive results to the public. Shwe Mann's speech was aimed at garnering votes,” said opposition MP Phone Myint Aung.
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