The Amyotha Hluttaw continued the sixth-day meeting at its meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister for Digital Development and Communications U Thet Win Aung responded to the question on preventing risks that children and young people under 18 face on online platforms raised by MP U Thein Hlaing from the Sagaing Region Constituency 7, saying that measures are also being undertaken to prevent in advance the risks that students and young people may encounter when using online platforms. These include distributing cybersecurity awareness pamphlets at national-level events, showing videos and animations, and organizing quizzes. In addition, short cybersecurity awareness cartoons, including those on the topic of “Teenagers and Cyberbullying”, are being broadcast from time to time on state-owned TV media.
Furthermore, under the Telecommunications Law, cases involving “extorting, defaming, harassing or threatening any person by using any telecommunications network” can be reported and filed with the relevant police stations. If found guilty, offenders may be sentenced under Section 66(d) of the Law to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine not exceeding K1 million, or both.
Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Kyaw Swa Oo responded to the questions on construction and repair of bridges raised by MP U Aung Chit Lwin from the Sagaing Region Constituency 2 and MP U Rakwi Pung from the Kachin State Constituency 1. He stated that the reconstruction of the wooden bridge connecting Hinnawng Village and Nammaukkhan Village in Homalin Township will be proposed in the five-year local development plan, starting from the 2028-2029 financial year, using Union or Region funds allocated by the Department of Rural Road Development. Moreover, maintenance of the suspension bridge linking Kammaukkhan and Samkyein villages will be undertaken under the regional development’s five-year plan starting in the 2028-29 financial year. The deputy minister also replied that construction of an RC bridge in Zeethang Village-tract of Khaunglanphu Township will depend on the local security.
Deputy Minister for Transport U Aung Myaing also responded to the questions raised by MP Daw Khin Swe from the Magway Region Constituency 12, MP U Khin Maung Aye from the Sagaing Region Constituency 6 and MP Saw Myat Htut Win (aka) Ko Sweet from the Kayin State Constituency 9. He explained that trains cannot be operated along the Minbu-Minhla-Thayet route yet, but the major repair will be carried out there with the annual financial allocation.
The deputy minister explained that the approximately 34-mile section from Yahtaung Railway Station to Wetlet Railway Station took about four months to repair, during which numerous disruptions and acts of destruction by armed insurgents were encountered.
During the railway repair works, four 10-foot-long bridges and one 20-foot-long bridge on the Wetlet-Shwebo section were destroyed by mines. In addition, more than one mile of railway tracks were dismantled and stolen, while the railway embankments were dug up and damaged using backhoes. Due to the security situation, the repair works could not be continued. Furthermore, on the completed Yahtaung-Wetlet section, the steel framework of Bridge No 57, a 120-foot-long box culvert between Thahlaing Yontha and Wetlet railway stations, was destroyed. Approximately 4,200 feet of repaired railway track between Khetkha and Paukkan railway stations was also destroyed. Moreover, in areas that have not yet been inspected, roads, bridges, railway station buildings, locomotives, and carriages have also been damaged or destroyed. As a result, even railway station staff members have been forced to evacuate and take shelter elsewhere.
Accordingly, the railway connecting Sagaing, Shwebo, Kanbalu and Katha districts will be repaired when the security situation in the area permits.
He also replied that on the Thaton-Hlaka-Myainggalay railway section, repair works are continuing on the remaining 17-mile section from Bago (Myainggalay) Railway Station to Laytaing Railway Station in order to connect with and operate the Yangon-Mawlamyine DEMU train service. The repair works on this section are expected to be completed in the 2027-2028 FY, after which arrangements can be made to operate a connected train service.
Deputy Minister for Industry and MSME Development Dr Aung Zeya clarified the objectives for formulating the MSME Development and Protection Bill.
Member of the Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee MP U Hein Min Oo from the Mandalay Region Constituency 3 read out the studies, assessment and remarks of the committee on the bill.
The Speaker of the Amyotha Hluttaw announced that Hluttaw representatives wishing to discuss the bill may register with the director-general of the Amyotha Hluttaw Office.
The Amyotha Hluttaw will continue its sixth-day meeting on 5 October. — MNA/TTA
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