San Maung Than, Sittwe, — In an interview with Narinjara News, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)’s Secretary for Arakan State’s U San Shwe said the party expects to do well in southern Arakan State and expects to win in over half of the state's 17 townships.
Q: When did the USDP began their campaign in Arakan State?
A: We began the campaign on September 8th, which was the first day we were allowed to start our campaign. We started the campaign in Sittwe on September 9th.
Q: What kind of challenges have you encountered while campaigning?
A: The USDP hasn’t faced any significant challenges. There was only a difficulty in Kyauktaw. The vinyl sign of Kyauktaw Township’s Lower House candidate was slashed with a sword.
Q: How many seats or percentage do you expect to win in the Arakan State based on your current situation?
A: We expect to win more than 50 percent. We have designated the southern areas as secure areas. In terms of the whole state, we have to win more than half of the 17 townships.
Q: The USDP has been leading the state government for more than five years so what has the party done for Arakan State’s development?
A: Our biggest accomplishment is the distribution of electricity from the national power grid. Our second accomplishment is the expansion of micro towers for telecommunication. Now, both the villages from rural areas can get signals so they have been able to use mobile phones.
Q: Among the reforms in Arakan State, what are the significant reforms that the party has carried out?
A: We have been able to establish the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone.
Q: What has the USDP done in the state parliament?
A: The state parliament was established with 10 groups. We were able to establish it with 10 committees. We were able to hold 12 regular sessions and four emergency sessions. We were able to draft 14 laws for the state. A total of 1,288 starred questions and 225 questions have been asked. Sixty-three proposals have been approved.
Q: How is the liveliness of the parliament?
A: There has been transparency.
Q: What other laws need to be amended in order for the state parliament to become systematic and have benefits?
A: We need to draft laws to get more budget and raise the budget for Arakan State.
Q: Are the sectors of power distribution and natural resources distribution sufficient? Or do you think reforms are needed and the state should receive more?
A: More [revenue] shares need to be given to the state. The constitution should be amended in order for us to obtain state rights and the right to the use of natural resources and the state collecting more taxes.
Q: Lastly, what do you want to tell the Arakan people?
A: I want to tell the Arakan people that Arakan State is the second least developed state [in the country] so we will ask the parliament to receive a bigger and carry out more tasks for the development of the Arakan people.
Translated by Thida Linn with editing BNI staff.
