Election Chance for Change

Min Hla Aung

Min Hla Aung lives in Taranar Village in Kyaik Ma Yaw Township in Mon State. He was a central committee member of the Mon National Democracy Party which participated in the 1990 election.

Question: Please tell us how your party was founded.

Answer: We believe that there should be a political party to represent all Mon and other ethnic nationalities living in Mon State. We first took advice from patriotic and venerable monks. Then we gathered and consulted patriotic individuals, veterans, intellectuals and youth. Finally, we decided to form a political party. With majority agreement, we preliminarily elected 15 representatives with the sole responsibility to apply for official party registration. That was how the AMRDP was founded.

Q: What are the party's aims and objectives?

A: Today's political atmosphere suggests that the coming 2010 election is a path to democracy that all ethnic nationalities in Burma, including the Mons, have to go through. In this political process, we, as Mon, are willing to take part alongside other nationalities. We also hope to raise political consciousness and knowledge among many of the young Mon generation who live in the darkness. Furthermore, we aim to achieve political rights for Mon people through democratic ways and to work in cooperation with other ethnic nationalities in the establishment of a genuine democratic federal union. Mainly, we want democracy, human rights and equality to prevail.

Q: Who are your key party members?
 
A: The AMRDP was formed with mainly educated persons such as retired senior officials, and young and older intellectuals. The party has also recruited patriotic persons from different villages and townships. As for the party's leadership, Nai Ngwe Thien (Nai Ja Nu Mon) is chairman; I am the vice-chairman and Dr. Min Nwe Soe is the secretary. Nai Ngwe Thein is a retired managing director of the Basic Education Department (Upper Burma), and Dr. Min Nwe Soe is a retired director of the Department of Health in Mon State.

Q: Where will you campaign? only in Mon State?

A: Our party doesn't solely represent Mon living in Mon State, but it will represent and organize Mon and other nationalities living in different divisions and states. Our main focus areas will be Rangoon Division, Pegu Division, 10 townships in Mon State, Ye Pyhu, Kaukhaung, Margwe, Boatpyin and Palaw townships in Tenessarim Division, and Kawkareik, Hpa-An, Kya-in Seikgyi, Myawaddy in Karen State.

Q: How is your party campaign going so far?

A: We believe it has been successful. When we meet with people, we see that they want tosee a change on way or another. They are very ardent in pursuit of change.

Q: According to the Political Parties Registration Law, if a party plans to conduct campaign activities and contest the election nationwide it must have at lease 1,000 members within 90 days after it has been approved by the Union Election Commission (EC). How is your party membership? Have you been able to meet the EC's requirement?

A: Currently, we have between 3,000 and 4,000 members, which is already far beyond the EC requirement.
 
Q: The New Mon State Party (NMSP), which plays a key role in Mon politics, has repeatedly rejected the regime's order to transform it into a border guard force under the control of the military junta. Apparently, there is tension between the NMSP and the regime. Tell us your thoughts on the NMSP.