Myanmar junta leader approves pay hike for lawmakers as USDP prepares to form new government

Mizzima

Following the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP) claimed landslide victory in the recent three-phased general election, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has signed a directive increasing daily allowances for the incoming parliamentarians and regional administrators.

Under the new order issued on 28 January, daily accommodation allowances for national and regional Hluttaw representatives will rise from 5,000 to 8,000 kyats, while miscellaneous expenses will increase to 7,000 kyats and daily honoraria will double to 20,000 kyats benefits that remain separate from their monthly salaries of 1,000,000 kyats for national MPs and 500,000 kyats for regional representatives.

This financial adjustment comes as the USDP secures an overwhelming supermajority, with early data showing the party won at least 471 of the 607 seats declared by the end of the second phase, alongside the military’s guaranteed 25% legislative bloc.

A former lawmaker from the National League for Democracy (NLD) government said that during their term, representatives received a combined total of 20,000 kyats per day to cover expenses and travel or accommodation costs on days they attended parliamentary sessions.

“These amounts are paid only on days when parliament is in session. Sessions are not continuous, sometimes they run for about two and a half months, while at other times there may be no sessions for several months. Travel costs also depend on how far a representative has to travel,” said a former Yangon Region lawmaker.

Data from Data for Myanmar show that of the 607 representatives declared winners as of “Phase 2” of the junta’s elections, 471 are members of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The junt conducted the elections in three phases: Phase 1 on 28 December across 102 townships, Phase 2 on 11 January in 100 townships, and Phase 3 on 25 January covering 63 townships.

While the junta leader has pledged to convene the new Parliament in March and transfer “state responsibilities” to the winning government by April, the National Unity Government (NUG) and international observers continue to denounce the polls as a sham designed to formalize military dominance under a civilian facade.