“There is just too much trash. Some of it is so foul that party members and I are afraid to pick it up. We only have coal tongs and broomsticks,” said Nan Khin Htwe Myint, a State Parliament NLD candidate. For too long the garbage has been neglected by local authorities and now much of it is rancid, she said. Some is impossible to clear by hand, so cleaning equipment is needed.

Karen State NLD officials met recently to hash out details about the upcoming trash collection program that will also take in other states at the same time.   

Nan Khin Htwe Myint said members of the public have volunteered to help with the program that will happen every month in seven townships in Karen State.

“I support their plan to pick up the trash. This is a fundamental activity. As they (winning NLD candidates) are personally going to be involved in the cleanup it will create awareness (of the problem),” said Saw Kyaw Naing a resident of Karen State capital Hpa-an. To be effective, it’s important for the public to get involved, he said.

NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged winning candidates to start the nationwide trash collection program during a recent meeting at the Royal Rose Hall in Rangoon.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff