On February 24, the State Counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi visited Kawkareik and Kyarinseikkyi townships for a public meeting, where she commented the people of Karen State have experienced peace due to the ceasefire agreement.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said “historically, Karen state has been a victim of civil war. Due to the ceasefire agreement, some areas have been peaceful now. The people of Karen State experience both situations of before and after achieving peace.”
She added that under development within the state is due to civil war and this needs to be addressed. People must get involved in promoting prosperity and security. Only those who have suffered the effects of peace and no peace will understand the necessity of this work.
“With that purpose, we are holding public meetings throughout the country. We want to form a government that can provide people with responsibility and protection. To form such a government, it is necessary to have regular contact between the government and the people. Therefore, we have such a meeting,” she added.
The public meeting was attended by other Union-level government ministers, the Karen State Chief Minister Daw Nang Khin Htwe Myint, and National League for Democracy (NLD) members.
The Mon Women’s Organization (MWO) chairperson Mi Kon Chan Non was more skeptical. She told BBC News the public meeting was organized for the upcoming election campaign.
“Surely, [they] are preparing for the election. However, we have not yet seen any of NLD’s voluntary and supportive policies for the ethnic nationalities. It is just to win the attention of ethnic people as the election is approaching,” said Mi Kon Chan Non.
She added the NLD government has not been able to fulfill previous election promises made to ethnic groups.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the government will be traveling to Hlaingbwe and Myawaddy on February 25 to continue their public meetings agenda.
The State Counselor has visited Panglong town in Shan State, Thantlang and Tonzang towns in Chin State, and Karen state for public consultation this month. Some ethnic parties have criticized the State Counselor for using the state budget resources for campaigning purposes for the 2020 election.
