State counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will lead the decision-making process on fate of the controversial China-backed Myitsone dam, a ruling party spokesperson told local media.
Construction of the mega dam was suspended in 2011 by the former military-backed government but the new administration is under pressure to make a firm decision.
“We are not totally ignoring what the previous government has done,” Win Htein told the Voice. “We’ll find a proper solution after analyzing from different points of view by following the lead of Aung San Suu Kyi.”
The situation is diplomatically fraught – the dam is deeply unpopular within Myanmar, as a huge majority of the electricity generated wil be sent to China, which has already poured millions of dollars into the project.
“The Chinese government can be behind the company even though it is owned by Chinese nationals,” Win Htein said.
While in opposition, Suu Kyi was a supporter of campaigns to protect the Irrawaddy River and called on both countries to avoid “endangering” Kachin lives and homes with the dam. But her party has been mostly silent on the issue since it won a sweeping majority in November polls.
An editorial in state newspaper The Mirror published on Sunday argued for the total cancellation of the project.
“Both countries should look for hydropower projects that can be mutually acceptable,” it read.
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