MUP agrees to join State Administrative Council created by military junta

February 8, 2021

HURFOM: The Mon Unity Party (MUP) has accepted a proposal from the military junta to join a State Administrative Council created by the military.

The MUP Central Executive Committee (CEC) met on February 6, 2021 at Pine Khit Hall, Myine Thar Yar Ward, Mawlamyine, Mon State, where they debated the invitation, and chose a party member to join the council.

Nai Layi Tama, the party’s spokesperson and Joint Secretary, said, “The military made the proposal to the MUP on February 4. The party has chosen Dr Banyar Aung Moe [to serve on the Council]. All members of CEC agreed with the decision. We believe our political choice will benefit the public and our ethnic people. People sacrificed their lives in 1988 and 2007 but achieved nothing. To avoid the same mistake and to promote our ethnic rights, we don’t oppose (the military junta) but decided to cooperate with them.”

On February 7, about 20 Mon activists visited the party headquarter in Mawlamyine and requested the party respect the MUP constitution, and to recognize the votes of the people in the November general election. The group also urged the party not to create conflicts amongst the Mon people, which may destroy the future of Mon politics.

A party official informed the group their demands would be presented at the next CEC meeting.

“If one [individual] wants to accept the military’s offer, they can do it personally. I can’t accept that he or she is representing the MUP. Because the MUP is the party which represents the whole of the Mon people,” said one activist.

Some CEC members argued that by being involved in the State Administrative Council, there is a chance to amend the 2008 constitution.

“The 2008 constitution doesn’t benefit the people. If we participate in the State Administrative Council, I think we’ll have a chance to amend the constitution. So the party has decided to do so, and it will benefit the people,” said a CEC member of the MUP.

Criticism of the MUP decision has been swift.

“If the MUP decides to work with the military without the consent of the people, there will be more problems. In the 2020 election, we had only one Mon political party and since then our community was getting strong. The CEC decision can divide us. I want the party to listen to the people first. The decision of the CEC isn’t okay. I want them to reconsider,” said another activist who has a deep history in Mon affairs.

The time frame to respond to the junta’s offer was time limited.

“We had a shortage of time so the CEC made the decision. But we’ll explain [our rationale] to the people later, especially our party members. After listening to their voice, the CEC will decide to go further or not,” said the CEC member.

The Arakan National Party (ANP) who won the most seats in the Arakan State Parliament also agreed to join the State Administrative Council. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is responsible for the coup, will lead the Council.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News