Speaking at a public meeting in Rangoon’s Tamwe Township on Monday, Lower House speaker Win Myint said the National League for Democracy (NLD) government is unable to carry out reforms to its full capacity due to financial difficulties caused by the mismanagement of previous administrations.

“It would be impossible to wash off the dirt that has been piling up for more than 50 years in just one morning,” said Win Myint.

“Frankly speaking, we are not yet able to physically implement our ambitions to full capacity.”

Some participants at the Tamwe meeting emphasised the lack of transparency in appointing local government officials, while others requested details of the government’s plan to deal with floods and traffic congestion in the township.

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In response, Win Myint said it may take some time to deal with the floods and traffic jams, but with regard to official appointments, he said that a law dictating procedures concerning ward and village officials is soon to be passed in parliament, and that the NLD government is looking to reappoint officials in accordance with the new law.

“We are looking to pass that law in the second session of parliament,” he told the audience. “Once that is done, the government should follow up by implementing it.”

Monday’s forum in Tamwe was the third meeting between parliamentarians and members of the public since the new government took office.