Q: Which parliament and constituency are you running in?

A: I will run for the Lower House from Mese Township. I’m from the ‘Tiger Head’ Party, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). The chairman is U Khun Tun Oo.

Q: What’s your aim for running as a candidate from the Tiger Head Party [SNLD]?

A: There are many Shan people in Karenni State, but they are diverse. That’s why I want to become united. I’m running in the election as I want everything to be developed with women’s right, education, and the economic sectors.

Q: Who are you running against for the Lower House seat in Mese?

A: I’m running against Sayar Aung Kyaw Htin from the USDP. I will be running against senior politicians. There are only three candidates running for the Lower House in Mese.

Q: Do you have self-confidence in running against many competitors?
A: We started this because we have self-confidence. Whether we will be successful or not depends on our efforts. We lack experience because our party’s branch was only opened a few months ago. But, we need to work for our success. If it’s not this year, this is like paving the way for the next five years.

Q: Have you lived in Mese before?

A: I often travel to Mese. My brother lives in Mese. I have heard that Mese has a small population. Many of them [local residents] are civil servants.

Q: What difficulties are you facing in running in Mese?

A: There are many difficulties. The Shan people have been disunited from the start. It’s not because they lack patriotism. There isn’t anybody to lead them so I don’t know what to do. Some of them have the ‘staff’ spirit because they have to often deal with civil servants.

Q: What do you want to say about the regional and ethic armed groups?
A: If the army continues to move in this format, they will not get support from the public. But, I don’t mean everyone. Some of them want to change. No matter what it is, I don’t feel downhearted because we do our campaign, they will accept whatever items are given to them, but they will only vote for the party they like on the Election Day. I feel encouraged after hearing this.

Q: There is a border trade checkpoint in Mese. Do you have any plans for this checkpoint?
A: I really want the economy to become developed. Economy and education. Education will follow after economic development.

Q: What businesses can be run in the Karenni State?

A: There will be trading once a path has been opened. In Karenni State, Padaung chili peppers are quite popular in the market. In Thailand, they ask whether it is Pekin pepper before buying it. They only want to buy Pekin pepper. It’s called Pekin pepper but they are only grown in Karenni State. Sesame, beans, and maize are also grown here.

Q: If you win the election and become a Lower House representative, what proposals do you plan to submit first in the parliament for this constituency?

A: I haven’t made any definite decisions. I will ask depending on the situation. My priorities are roads and communication, education, health, and economics.

Q: What else do you want to say to the public?

A: I vow to do my best to help not only the Shan people, but also all ethnic people.

Brief biography

Name: Ma Nan Saw Win Phyu

Age: 32

Education: B.A (Myanmar)

Party/Politics: SNLD (Tiger Head Party)

Occupation: Works At Baby Store