U Htwe Hla revealed this, after meeting with 10 Arakanese leaders, at the Arakan State Border Affairs Ministry office, in the capital of strife-hit Arakan state, on Oct.13.

After protests erupted against the opening of OIC offices in Sittwe and Mandalay, U Htwe Hla, flew from Naypyidaw, to survey people’s opinions regarding the proposed OIC office. Buddhist Arakanese are concerned the OIC, which represents 57-Muslim countries, will meddle in local politics under the guise of providing humanitarian assistance.

“He invited us to openly discuss the issue of the OIC with him. Afterwards, he told us there isn’t a plan for the OIC to open an office in Sittwe,” said Dr Aye Maung.

However, many Burmese news agencies reported the central government signed an agreement with the OIC, on Sept. 11 - allowing for the opening of two OIC offices, in Sittwe and Rangoon, to provide assistance to Muslim victims who were affected by the recent sectarian violence in Arakan state.

According to Dr Aye Maung, U Htwe Hla denied the government has entered into any such agreement with the OIC.

However, it’s the first-time a high-ranking official has come to Arakan to discuss matters of this nature with the local people, following a series of protests made by the reformist quasi-civilian government that took power in 2010.

U Aung Mra Kyaw was accompanied by party president, Dr Aye Maung. The director general said the meeting was fruitful, and many ideas were exchanged between participants and government officials.

“The Director General U Htwe Hla said he will present these ideas and opinions from the meeting to Myanmar‘s President Thein Sein and Border Affairs Minister Lt Gen Thein Htay in Naypyidaw. We hope the central government will understand our people’s position against the OIC’s plans to open an office in Sittwe,” said U Aung Mra Kyaw.