An interview with Khun Jame (aka) Nay Min Lwin, advisor to the Phon Baw Khut Township Administrative Council, Karenni (Kayah) State, regarding the current situation of administrative operations in the township.
The Division of Public Administration of the Department of Home Affairs and under the Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State has organized the areas controlled by revolutionary forces in Karenni State into 17 townships for administrative purposes. Local governance mechanisms are currently operating and functioning in these areas.
Previously, Karenni (Kayah) State had only seven townships. However, the IEC has expanded and reorganized the administration into 17 townships, which now include: Loikaw, HuBaw, Kayhlar, Demoso (east), Phwn Baw Khwat, Somo/Phaysolay, Hoya, So Ta Shar, Loinanhpa, Dee Bawng Khu, Nan Me Khon, Mese, Paw Waw, Baw Hudae, Lo Mu Kho, Ywar Thit, and Pekon.
Among the 17 townships, Phon Baw Khut Township was reorganized by the IEC by combining village and ward tracts located on the western side of Hpruso Township and along the Hpruso –Bawlakhe border. In Phon Baw Khut Township, there are three tracts — Deikgyi, Nanphe, and Tokhut — with a population of over 8,000 people, including both local residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Kantarawaddy Times (KT) interviewed Township Administrative Council Advisor Khun Jame (aka) Nay Min Lwin regarding the implementation of demands and requests by locals including the current administrative operations and regional development activities , after the formation of the Phon Baw Khut Township Council.
Q: How is the township council formed?
A: It was formed in May 2024. It has been over a year since the IEC’s governing council officially recognized us. We have been forming since then.
Q: What is the hierarchical structure of the council, and how many members are included in the council?
A: The council has seven members. The council also includes an advisor. According to the structure, it includes a chairperson, vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and the rest will be members.
Q: What are the recent activities of the Township Council? How are the activities being carried out?
A: It’s not yet complete, but considering that things have just started moving forward, what the township council members are mainly doing is working towards systematically re-establishing a functioning administrative mechanism. Previously, there were certain forms of governance, but some were not well-structured or systematic. So, the council was formed with the intention of creating a proper and organized administrative system. The main task is regional governance — that’s the top priority. They are working on systematically reorganizing and implementing local administration at the village and village-tract levels.
As far as we can reach, we have to fulfill the needs of the region. In terms of sectors, education and health sectors have to operate on a self-reliant basis. Later, we have to connect with state-level bodies. In cases of recent emergencies, the township council members usually take the lead and coordinate with village and ward administrators to handle the situation.”
Q: How many village tracts are there in Phombaaw Khut Township and what is the average population?
A: The Township is formed with three village-tracts: Delaygyee, Tot Khut, and Nanphae. There are a total of 23 villages with an average population of over 6,000 people. Among them, around 2,000 are internally displaced persons. Delaygyee has 9 villages, Tot Khut has 11 villages, and Nanphae has 3 villages. Nanphae itself has 4 villages. One village is included in Kaylar Township.
Q: How is the regional administration of the three groups in the township carried out?
A: Because this area is very remote. This alone poses a significant challenge. Communication between village-tracts becomes a difficult situation. Moreover, whether it’s road connectivity or online communication, access is very limited, which makes it a major challenge.
Q: What actions have been taken to improve transportation in the region, and what actions will be taken?
A: When we talk about communication and connectivity, road transportation is the second big challenge. Recently, during the dry season, repairs were made to some roads. Mainly, the roads connecting the districts were repaired. However, now that the rainy season has arrived, since most roads are still just earth roads, some of the repairs have deteriorated or gotten worse. The risk of bridges collapsing has also increased due to the rain. Therefore, the administration is currently repairing the bridges that are in urgent condition.
Q: Does the township council have any reports to the IEC’s steering committee regarding local needs? What is the status of the reports regarding the region’s difficulties and needs?
A: The main request made to the relevant state-level leading council, are about transportation. There have been reports requesting the construction of roads and bridges. Another major issue is the retaining walls — this is also a significant challenge. Some parts of the roads above and below have collapsed. Recently, it has become necessary to repair and maintain these, so reports have been submitted to the leading council concerning these matters. There have also been some other submissions related to certain roads.
Q: Since there is also an interim state legislature during this period, are budgets being drafted and submitted annually through that body? What format or style is used for these submissions?
A: Although the budget has been submitted, no funds have been received yet. For urgent situations, such as bridge collapses, we have handled repairs as much as possible using our own resources. For some financial assistance that is urgently needed, it’s necessary to quickly coordinate with the relevant authorities to resolve those issues. There are requests submitted according to the annual plan, but for emergencies, we also take immediate action as needed.
Q: During over one year after the formation of township, what parts and sectors have been completed for Phwan Baw Khwat Township?
A: The funding received comes from the Interim Administrative Council, which allocates 4 percent of the budget to one township. This funding is mainly used for essential regional development projects. The focus has been on transportation, with repair and maintenance works carried out accordingly.
The township council members and some relevant organizations have coordinated, as much as they can, with other groups. In this township, there have been emergency incidents like land collapses in some villages. In response, they coordinated and took action. However, there hasn’t been any significant or special support. They managed with just one or two things they received and carried on with the work.
Q: How much is the 4 percent of the township budget provided by the IEC in cash?
A: It depends on the state’s income. Based on how much the state’s income is, as far as I can see, it’s above 10 million. The average amount is between 10 million and 20 million.
Q: How will the 4% of the received budget be allocated across different sectors?
A: Some of the budget is used for office operations, and certain entitlements for the governing council are also covered from it. However, it’s not something disbursed on a monthly basis—it may be given every two or three months as needed. Most of the spending goes to emergency needs and regional development projects. In addition, budget requests related to healthcare and education are also addressed through allocations from this portion of the budget.
Q: What kinds of requests or demands do you receive from local communities?
A: Transportation is the first concern. Second are basic necessities. People also do slash and burn farming. Sometimes, due to improper systems, development isn’t consistent year by year, and they report these issues too. Some villages—two or three of them—also report water scarcity. However, since the current revenue is still quite limited, only the most prioritized projects can be selected and carried out. In many rural areas, most of the community requests are submitted in writing, usually through group or village administrators, and are then forwarded to the township level.
Q: We have to do some works on a self-reliant basis. There are still many needs. How important do you think the existence of the Administrative Council is to meet the needs of this area?
A: Simply put, the council members will fully take responsibility and accountability according to their respective sectors, carrying out their tasks effectively. They will regularly coordinate with the relevant village administrators, and ensure consistent communication both upward and downward in the hierarchy. When these processes are properly followed, it will create a more efficient and well-functioning administrative system. Whether at the village or village tract level, the necessary rules and regulations of the village tracts and township play an important role in this system.
If the administrative system does not function properly and systematically, it can end up like a group of stray children. For the system to operate systematically, regularly and cohesively, it largely depends on our administration and the township council’s actions and responsibilities. The role of council members is a very important one in ensuring that the administrative machinery functions smoothly and systematically.
Q: Phon Baw Khut is a township that has historically lagged behind in development in the successive eras. Although it is currently in a transitional phase, it is still in a situation when you are fighting while building. And you are building while fighting. In such a context, why do you think rural development is important? What actions need to be taken?
A: Given the current regional situation, whether the process is top-down or bottom-up, moving toward federalism and federal democracy means that equal rights will be routinely practiced and responsibilities fairly shared. If the communities in our state work together with mutual understanding and unity, the difficulties and challenges we have faced in the past can, in many ways, be transformed.
More developments are expected, but what I want to emphasize most is unity. If we struggle and move forward together in unity, even if we don’t achieve 100% of our goals, we can still reach 50 percent or 70 percent. It all depends on how united and collaborative our efforts are. If we can truly take collective action, we will be in a position to bring about significant change.
Q: How many types of structures are there in the Township Council, grouped by sector?
A: The township council can currently only be formed with six departments. For an efficient administrative system to function properly, it needs to have all its departments fully established. However, currently, only the departments that can be realistically managed and those urgently needed have been formed. At present, the administrative system is operating with just six departments.
Number one is public administration, health, education, humanitarian and resettlement, women and child affairs, and public security (KSP). Instead of being structured like a military camp, the security department is organized in a way that ensures safety. Some departments have heads who are directly appointed by the state authorities.
Q: In the meantime, we also see that administrative bodies at different levels are handling local affairs. In the future, how would you like to see Phut Baw Khone Township develop?”
A: Looking at it from the perspective of the entire state, since we are talking about federal democracy and have set such goals, it can be described as a bottom-up system. Because this kind of system is currently being implemented, it’s necessary for each sector to collaborate systematically. As for the village-level administrative system, it needs to be governed in a way that allows for further development and transformation. We need to reform the system where there is a lot of fear, where people are appointed based on their duties, and people only have names and do nothing, at the community level.
Another level is the tract (village tract or ward) level. Since the chairs of village-tract are elected and appointed by the villages, they need to present the issues and proposals raised at the village level to the higher levels. Because this is a bottom-up system, it has to be implemented by sector. That means — for villages, it’s the village level; for tracts, it’s the tract level; and for townships, the township level. If each of these levels operates in a systematic way, then we will be in a position to achieve the federal democratic system that we want.
Q: Could you please provide additional information about the township council’s functions, regional needs, and difficulties?
A: The main thing is that all the departments are in remote areas, so sometimes these support activities that are needed, such as emergency relief work, have to be prioritized and implemented as needed. If our higher-level authorities can fully understand the on-the-ground situation and take practical action, then — whether at the township level or within local administrative units — the needs and requirements can be addressed more effectively through a more impactful and efficient service delivery system. If the relevant departments thoroughly assess this issue and work together in collaboration, then we believe that we can truly achieve the goals and objectives we are aiming for. That’s the one point I wanted to add.”
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times
