Burma

Thousands Cheer Suu Kyi on Bassein Campaign Trip

By THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi receives flowers from supporters in Kyaung Gone on her way to Bassein, Irrawaddy Delta, on Tuesday. (Photo: AP)

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Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi told more than 50,000 supporters in Bassein (Pathein) to vote for her National League for Democracy (NLD) party in the April 1 by-elections whilst on her second political campaign outing on Tuesday.

Speaking at Koe Thein Football Stadium, Suu Kyi vowed to work for the people of Burma as her supporters have been waiting for democracy for more than 20 years, said Thaung Myint, the chairman of the NLD in Bassein, in the Irrawaddy Delta.

The Nobel Laureate added that her party's decision to enter the by-election was “to make changes in the constitution, to have the rule of law and to work for internal peace.”

Suu Kyi started her trip to the Irrawaddy Delta on Tuesday with thousands of supporters, including university students and elderly people, taking to the street where her motorcade passed in the early morning.

Local residents in towns and villages nearby Bassein came and waited outside Koe Thein Football Stadium in order to listen to the 66-year-old's campaign speech.

One journalist who followed Suu Kyi's trip to Bassein said, “A lot of people waited to cheer her. The crowd is getting bigger and bigger.” After delivering her speech at the stadium, Suu Kyi had lunch at the Pathein Hotel and continued her trip to Myaun-Mya, he added.

Among those present were around 200 university students who shunned scheduled exams in four subjects to hear her speak. on her way to Bassein, Suu Kyi also made a short speech to her supporters in Pan Ta Naw Township and spoke to villagers who came out to greet her on the street.

It was the first time local people have seen the opposition icon for 23 years—her last political campaign trip to the area was in 1989. This was also Suu Kyi's first campaign outing of February after the cancellation of her planned visit to Mandalay last Saturday.

Suu Kyi has attracted large crowds wherever she has campaigned, with thousands of supporters also turning out when she visited Dawei (Tavoy) at the end of last month. Throngs of supporters also came out when she traveled to Pakokku, in Magwe Division, central Burma, shortly afterwards.

COMMENTS (6)

khin Wrote:

10/02/2012

Finally,I see a dim light shining in Burma.Hope this light comes brighter for everyone to see.And I sincerely hope the future of Burma will be as bright as the sun.

Rachell Ketti Wrote:

10/02/2012

The path of Burma's struggles are known of by far more people than the junta ever realise. The passive patience of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in trying to achieve Democracy for her people deserves reward finally. We urge all Burmese everywhere to support her to make it happen this time.

WM Wrote:

09/02/2012

Irrawaddy,

Don’t love too much colonial name. Why “Bassein”? Hope your guys don’t forget how the town/city is pronounced in Burmese and how Burmese people spell it “Pathien”. I could not understand why you stick to colonial name.

Oo Maung Gyi Wrote:

08/02/2012

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's security is No.1, then No.2 is security too then No.3 also ASSK's security is the most important agenda all the times especially Mass Rally and travelling time.

Than Shwe Wrote:

08/02/2012

Thank you, Daw Suu for bringing hope and positive change to the long suffering people of Burma.
To those idiots from Russia, why don't I see your comments on this article? Oh, I get it. A picture speak a thousand words and you guys can't find anything to speak ill of Daw Suu this time. My sincere advice is you should learn to open your eyes and see the truth. And the truth is the people of Burma love her.

Oo Maung Gyi Wrote:

08/02/2012

"Ruby never sink in the mud" this is Burmese saying. She is the one and the only one the real daughter of national hero General Aung San. No Burma is sinking in the mud due to mismanagement of 49 years, US$ nearly 12 billion debt has to shoulder every citizen. Those who earn illigally should prepaare to surrender their wealth fro the sake of the country. Especially the cronies of Junta are liable to compensate the country debt to Woeld Bank and Asian Development Bank ( ADB ). It was a great sorrow to say that starting to general New Win era and Than Shwe's era made the country into debt, so now President Thein Sein has to pay the cost.
Since ASSK is cooperating with Thein Sein one day Burma can pay back all these debt. Now our countrymen have to think deeply whose fault lies on it.