Thuta Linn — Although ethnic basic parties did not do well in Kachin State during the recent election, ethnic party candidates from the state say they hope the NLD victory will bring about positive change.
The chairman of the Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP) Dr Tu Ja, says he has concerns that the lack of elected representatives from ethnic parties in the upcoming parliament will mean that ethnic issues won't have priority. As the NLD will have MPs from the Kachin ethnic group he expects that the party will contribute to ethnic affairs in a postive way.
“I expect the NLD will join hands with ethnic people,” he said.
A senior representative from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)'s Technical Team’s spokesperson U Dau Khar said that he looks forward to positive discussions with the new government led by the NLD head Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We have to wait and see for how Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will prioritize and carry out peace and national reconciliation. We are also waiting to see how she will invite the ethnic armed groups like us” U Dau Khar said.
Daw Doi Bu from the Unity and Democracy Party of the Kachin State (UDPKS), who is a member of parliament's Peace Committee in the previous government’s term did not win election to the parliament. She said that the small number of ethnic party candidates elected to parliament is negative development for Kachin State.
