Yangon, September 30 -- This morning’s session of parliament was informed of the decision of President Thein Sein to halt the construction of the 3.6 billion US dollars Myitsone hydropower project, which is being implemented by Myanmar government and China Power Investment Corporation at the confluence of Ayeyarwaddy River, Maykha and Malikha rivers in Kachin State.
The statement of President Thein Sein’s decision was read out on his behalf said the President has taken this decision because “the construction of this giant dam is against the will of the people.”
In her Ayeyarwaddy Appeal issued by Aung San Suu Kyi in second week of August this year, she had complained that the construction of this hydropower project had already displaced 12,000 Kachin people from 63 villages.
Accordingly after holding over one hour talks with Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi this afternoon, Aung San Suu Kyi welcomed the decision of President Thein Sein for suspending the construction of Myitsone dam.
“It is good that the President has listened to the voice of the people. I should also say that every government must be careful of the peoples’ apprehension and discontentment. That is why I happily welcome the decision of the President to halt the construction of Myitsone dam,” Aung San Suu Kyi told reporters at the end of her talks with Aung Kyi.
According to Minister Aung Kyi, today’s talks between him and Aung San Suu Kyi, which took place at Green Bank Guest House in Yangon this afternoon, tackled matters concerning “issuing of general amnesty by the President, preservation of Ayeyarwaddy River and joint efforts to be made for building eternal peace within the country.”
Aung Kyi - Aung San Suu Kyi talks held this afternoon is the third round of talks between the two since Thein Sein government came to power March 30 this year.
President Thein Sein’s decision to halt the construction Myitsone dam project, which would export nearly 90 per cent of electric power it generates to neighbouring China, marks a startling defeat for those including Electric Power Minister Zaw Min, who had advocated to continue the project despite growing opposition from environmentalists and members of democratic opposition.
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