21 March 2016•Update: 28 March 2016
By Kyaw Ye Lynn
YANGON, Myanmar
Myanmar’s parliament on Monday voted to axe a third of ministries in the new cabinet led by newly-elected President Htin Kyaw, a loyal and longtime aide to the leader of the election winning National League for Democracy.
In his first public speech since being elected, Htin Kyaw -- an Aung San Suu Kyi confidante -- stated that the country would save 5,000 million Kyats (about $4 million) during the government's five-year term by reducing the numbers of ministries from 36 to 21.
He assured all civil servants, however, that their jobs would be safe.
The parliament approved the proposal by 611-3 votes, with most military MPs, who hold a quarter of seats in the parliament, also backing the change.
Htin Kyaw said he would present the names of the ministries to parliament Tuesday.
The new government is schedule to take power April 1.
