The Amyotha Hluttaw passed the bill amending the Telecommunications Law as revised by the Bill Committee on Wednesday but took no action on calls to abolish the controversial section 66(d), said Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than.

The committee’s revisions included making charges brought under section 80(a) cognizable cases; requiring Ministry of Transport and Communications approval to prosecute under the law; making offenses bailable under section 66(a) (b) and (d); and limiting complaints filed under section 66(d) to those directly affected or their representatives.

Five MPs proposed abolishing section 66(d), but the proposal was rejected in a vote, and the bill as revised by the committee was passed.

The continued existence of section 66(d) is not in line with the people’s desires, according to U Ye Htut, MP from Sagaing’s constituency No.5.

If section 66(d) was repealed, government leaders would have to worry about more uncontrolled criticism online, he said.

“[The amendment bill] has been approved, but it is not much different from the one submitted by the ministry. I think they didn’t want to discuss it from the very beginning because they didn’t release the bill beforehand.

This is not sincere. The system was also complex. They were systematically preparing to approve it since last night,” said U Ye Htut.

The ministry submitted the bill to the Amyotha Hluttaw on July 13, and 14 MPs debated it on July 25.