Buthidaung, Arakan State: A Arakanese Rohingya delegation comprising of 11 members from Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Kyauktaw Townships of Arakan State, is due to visit Rangoon soon for training meant for the forthcoming 2010 general elections, a businessman from Buthidaung Town said, on condition of anonymity.  

The concerned authorities have selected the Arakanese Rohingya members, who will participate in the training in Rangoon or Nypyidaw. The authorities have already listed 5-members from Buthidaung Township, 3-members from Maungdaw and 3-members from Kyauktaw Township.

There will be other members from Sittwe, Rathedaung, Mrauk U and other towns in future and the members will increase or decrease town-wise,  said a trader from the locality.

The members from Buthidaung Township are -- Master Abul Kalam, son of late Asat Ali, Senior Assistant Teacher of Buthidaung High School, Master Quila Meah, son of late Hakim Ali, Senior Assistant Teacher of Buthidaung High School, Dr. Boshir of Buthidaung Town, Abu Sofian, who hails from Seindi Pyin village of Buthidaung South, and Moulvi Ali Matalab Korani, son of Maulana Abdul Salam, who hails from Kyee Noke Thee village of Buthidaung North, according to a village elder from Buthidaung Township.

The selected persons from Maungdaw and Kyauktaw Townships have not been identified yet.

These selected Arakanese Rohingya people are from the “Myanmar Muslim Organization” which has been forcibly established by the military government.  People believe that they will be trained for the approaching 2010 elections and will try to establish “Myanmar Muslim” in place of “Arakanese Rohingya Muslim” in Arakan State, said a politician from Maungdaw Town.

Earlier, U Hla Myint of Buthidaung Town, Dr. Boshir were called by the TOC (Tactical Operation Commander) of Buthidaung Town to his office in the presence of a Malaysian citizen, who is the representative of the “Social Welfare Organization” of Malaysia, said a local elder from Buthidaung Town.

The military personnel have been preparing and campaigning for the coming 2010 elections by involving USDA and Son Arshin members.