A proposal will be presented in Burma’s parliamentary lower house that could see the government urged to block the Dagon City 1 development abutting Rangoon’s historic Shwedagon pagoda, according to MP Khin San Hlaing.
The lower house MP told DVB that she had previously planned to present an emergency motion in the bicameral parliament, but changed her plan after a meeting with Shwe Mann on 9 June.
If passed, the motion would call on the government to halt the development which is slated to include branded retail zones, international standard offices, a five-star hotel and luxury apartments. The US$300 million mega-project is being financed by Marga Landmark, a joint-venture of companies from Hong Kong, South Korea and the UK, and is situated on 22 acres of prime real estate – nestled between Shwedagon and Kandawgyi Lake.
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“I met with the Union Parliament speaker and asked for permission to raise an emergency proposal in the bicameral parliament, but he suggested that I submit it in the lower house as a regular proposal,” said Khin San Hlaing, adding that Shwe Mann told her that relevant government officials would provide a response in about two weeks.
Meanwhile, also on 9 June, a similar proposal in the regional parliament of Rangoon Division was defeated. MP Nyo Nyo Thin’s suggestion was voted down after the Regional Minister of Planning and Economics objected to it.
