03.06.2007

Ethnics, NLD and Democracy:

By looking at Matupi Town

_ By Salai Thang

Connection of ethnic and NLD is not much talked about these days, probably due to lack democracy in Union of Burma; actually there is no democracy at all in Burma.  Even though there was a democracy era in 1948 – 1958, it was so insignificant.  Here, I will like to share for the thought of ethnic perspective on NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by looking at “a story in Matupi Town.”

Matupi district is situated in southern Chin state.  It is also a second capital of Chin state.  On 10th April, 2003 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited Matupi as part of campaign for her party.  Her visit was arranged by students and NLD local members.  In fact she was supposed to come on 9th of April but because of the disturbance by the military government, she could not come on that day and so only on the next day she arrived to Matupi.  There were 6 people along with her and they came by two cars.

Just before the arrival of Aung San Suu Kyi, the military sent Thura Aye Myint, the Sport Minister of SPDC to Matupi. He gathered the representatives from various groups, organizations and Churches in Matupi and gave them Ks.50,000 each and second-hand clothes in order to distract them from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit.

At the same instant, the government also mobilized a group that would destroy whatever plans made for her arrival.  There the people included were high ranking government officers from local government itself.  The Government also gave the warning notice that no one should welcome Daw Aung San Su Kyi; especially it was directly to and imposed upon all government employees.

However the Matupi ethnic people everywhere voluntarily warmly welcomed her despite the fact that authorities had threatened them with severe consequences if they participated in welcoming Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  It is amazing the whole town was extremely excited and large crowds of people rallied around her.  It looks like Jesus Christ and his followers in ancient time.

On the very same day the deputy Minister of Religion Thura Aung Ko arrived too. There were only 28 people to welcome him as all the people went to welcome Daw Aung San Su Kyi even though the authority told the public to welcome Thura Aung Ko.  When he saw only very few people he was greatly annoyed and he made a plan to arrest the participants in Daw Aung San Su Kyi welcoming.

On other side, the local Ethnic people were welcomed Daw Aung San Su Kyi with tradition dance, and then listened to her speech.  While she was giving the speech, the authorities cut off all electrical power and telephone lines.

At last on June 2, due to their roles in preparing for Daw Aung Suu Kyi's visit in Matupi, local authorities threatened local NLD party with closing down of the NLD office in Matupi.  After that threat, the NLD office had to close.  And some of local people were arrested by the authorities, and some fled to exile.   Among the detainees were Salai Pa Thang a student studying law degree in Mandalay University and Salai Aung Thang NLD secretary of Matupi Township, arrested on 4th June 2003 at 12:00 pm.  On the next morning, they were sent to Mandalay Prison.  On June 17th 2003, they were given the 10 years sentence each.

Looking at this Matupi story; local ethnic people showed the need of democracy in the country, and they showed that they really wanted freedom.  They trusted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is daughter of national Hero Aung San as their leader.  Aung San professed freedom and democracy, and committed for ethnics equality.  Similarly, his daughter Daw Aung San Su Kyi a freedom fighter and democracy activist has intentions of commitment for ethnics equality.  That kind of person ethnic people a whole in the nation trust.

The ethnic call democracy in alliance with NLD, even though they understand NLD may not be perfect.  If you look at 1990 election result in Chin state, NLD got more seats than CNLD (Chin NLD) and other parties.  NLD got around 50% seats in Chin State.  It means the people stand for 50-50 to NLD and others.  There, ethnic people really doesn’t mind whether NLD or any other democratic parties.  But it is just feeling so strong for democracy and freedom of the country under Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership.

However, one thing doubtful for ethnic people is, within NLD is highly influence by Burman alone but less of ethnic voice.   So, how it should be guaranteed for ethnic rights if NLD form central government.   

Therefore it is understandable; if NLD is still interest to survive and thrive, it is really needed to reform within itself so that it can surely give ethnic rights on the same level with that of Burmans.

In conclusion, it will not matter ethnic or Burman party, nor Burman leader or ethnic leader, if they have genuine spirit of freedom and democracy and have commitment for ethnic equality.

Comments:

Aung Tin said _

Fair judgment. Thoughtful analysis. Reasonable demand.

The sad part is most of the best of NLD are imprisoned and NLD doesn't have yet a chance to prove what it deserves.

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