China Power Investment (CPI) has been lobbying to resume the Myitsone dam project which was suspended by President Thein Sein on September 30, 2011 after a public outcry over the environmental and social impact of the project.
The Chinese company has since changed its approach and is busy attempting to approve the project through backdoor lobbying, engaging with political parties and influential individuals rather than dealing directly with the government. As a consequence, the Chinese company has faced even more widespread criticism from the Myanmar public. Eleven Media Group (EMG) interviewed Lower House MP Khine Maung Ye, from National Democratic Force party and representing Ahlone constituency, to hear his views on the Myitsone dam project.
EMG: China provided US$ 36 million to host the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar and CPI has since held a press conference in Yangon aimed at stimulating interest to resume the Myitsone dam project. The company said that it would negotiate with the next government in 2015 to give Myitsone the green light. What is your opinion on the Myitsone project?
Khine Maung Ye (KMY): The Myitsone project must be totally stopped. It should not go ahead. When thinking back to the initial stages of the project, it seems to take position at the heart of the country [the source of the Ayeyarwady River]. This is an important place. This project should have been properly discussed and decided. The project was initially approved without considering the long-term interests of the country. Those involved in the implementation of the project did it without knowledge.
EMG: Despite the project being suspended for the current presidential tenure, CPI has approached politicians, MP's and political parties aiming in negotiations to resume the project. What is your opinion on that?
KMY: The businessman who want to do this project have negotiated and it is very one-sided and unbalanced. Those who will safeguard the country, those who believe to lead the country and those who say they are responsible, should not discuss resuming the project. There is no prospect of compromise as to the project.
EMG: It is questionable whether it is intended commercially. But it seems the main danger to national security is where natural disaster impacts are concerned. The dam project is planned on a major earthquake prone area and if the dam collapses hundreds of thousands can be dead within seconds. Is this a real worry?
KMY: Look, in truth most neighbouring countries like Myanmar but we depend on these countries to import their products and to export our natural resources. Our natural resources go out of the country while poor quality products come into the country. As a consequence, Myanmar has lost most of its natural resources and has no protective capacity. As soon as the dam project starts, no one is allowed to enter it. No one can study more about it. Even me, I am not allowed to go there. The local people have to face losses. It seems that this project site belongs to the company. This means to cut the top off Myanmar’s territory. It is the same as giving part of our country to someone else. It is necessary to protect that. When Myitsone project starts, it must be thought of what the company will own. For instance, this place is an area where the water of the Ayeyarwady starts flowing. All the villages included in the project area have been forced to relocate. All the areas where water enters will belong to the company. Nearby villages will struggle to survive. The government has been weak in protecting natural resources. The company will carry out administration and security measures. In doing so, the government may lose authority in controlling the project area. Gradually, everything can be lost there. It seems that the territory of the project area is handed over to other country.
EMG: Myanmar has over 53 Chinese projects. Among them, three projects namely: Myitsone dam, Letpadaungtaung copper mine and Kyaukphyu oil and gas pipeline are important. The Letpadaungtaung project has been allowed to run. The Myitsone project was suspended while the Kyaukphyu project has started sending oil and gas to China. The next step is to build a railroad along the pipeline going from north to south of the country. But the people are protesting against the construction. For what reasons do you think the people are against it?
KMY: The current projects do not yield many benefits for the public. We can also say they yield very few benefits. There are no guarantees for fair and equal benefits for the people. Some people (those responsible for projects, experts) have met with parliamentarians three or four times. Some MP's are from ethnic political parties. They talked about Kyaukphyu railway project, which is said to make Yuan 600,000 yearly. When they were asked whether they would do things for the regional development, they replied that this was not their duty but the duty of the government. The MP's said they did not want to ask the government to do so, insisting that they (the project officials) should take responsibility because they are implementing the project. But they refused. Asked why they were here doing the projects, they replied that the project were being implemented after making a contract with the government. Then the conversation turned to a heated argument. One MP shouted that they were representatives of parliament who would overthrow the government, which is doing as it wishes. Another MP said who he was. One MP angrily asked them to stay away from the country if they favour the government alone, not the people. An MP from Kachin State said they didn't have the right to implement projects in Myanmar if the people do not approve of them. The six-member mission then left.
EMG: Now the Myitsone dam project has come to the fore again. There are various comments and reviews about this. In particular, there is the matter of the project contract. What can parliament do?
KMY: Parliament has yet to deal with this. Most MP's are willing to learn more about this as they are elected by the people. They have a duty to stand by the people if an issue is important. It is not possible for MP's to stand by the people if they do not know about the terms and conditions of a project, whether it has been dealt with by the previous military junta, or the ruling government. Parliamentarians will not be dutiful if they ignore public voices regarding those projects. To know whether we should continue a project that the people oppose, what did the previous governments do? The present government has to bear responsibility of what the previous governments have done. It is true. But what are the conditions of such a project contract? Previously we had only a government. Now, checks and balances must be carried out by parliament. It is important to know about the important issues. Parliament should send a message to the government to explain (these projects) so that MP's can know and judge them. So it is time for parliamentary leaders to send a message, then the government can explain. If the ongoing issues are based on transparency, let the parliament know the project contract whether it was made under the rule of the previous government or whether it is to be remade or renewed so that the public can know about this. This should be explained to parliament. The MP's should also table a motion about this.
EMG: Do you have a wish to table a motion about that?
KMY: This should be done. If necessary, I will submit a proposal to parliament.
EMG: President Thein Sein said the project would be stopped during his presidency. What can parliament do to stop it completely?
KMY: My view is that the desire of the majority of representatives from parliament elected by the people should be sought so as to stop the project completely during the time of the next government. Actually, parliamentary decision is like a law. Government must follow what parliament has approved. Similarly, the next government must follow suit in respect of the existing laws. If parliament approves a thing, the next government must continue to do this. I think the desire of the parliamentary leaders is also important. Parliament once happened to hold a discussion of the Myitsone issue. Some MP's supported it. Some also discussed the issue depending on what desire the parliamentary leaders had. Sometimes, the MPs followed the advice of parliamentary speakers when they said this should be done, that should be stopped or that should go like this. We have found such cases in parliament. So I think the leadership of the parliament speakers is important.
EMG: If parliament decided to stop the project completely, the next government would follow it. Then issues of lawsuit and compensation could emerge. How should those issues be handled?
KMY: Halting the project once and for all is the public desire as well as the thing that should be done for our nation. Legal affairs are concerned with those responsible for the project. Our country for its part must be well prepared to respond. We must try our best to address the issue. We must address it. Let there be a halt to the project. But we must accept the consequences. If the other side responds legally, we must settle the case in a legal manner as well. We don't need to worry about this. We are standing on our own feet in our own land. If there is corruption and bribery (in the Myitsone project agreement), those responsible must be held to account. They must have the courage to take responsibility.
Source : Eleven Media
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