Q: What’s the reason for your running from the Pao National Party as a Bamar?

A: I don’t have any strong attachment to any races or parties. I have been carrying out civil society development programs with the UN, INGOs and NGOs so I don’t have any bias views towards everyone.

As a CSO leader, I have been working on environmental issues and land right issues for all local ethnic people. The UPNO (United PaO National Organization) have asked me to run for the Lower House. Even though it’s for the PaO National Party, I have seen that it represents all ethnic people in the name of ‘union’.

Also, I believe this party can truly become a people’s party that can represent the local residents, especially the PaO people as they are the majority population.
What I can promise is that I’m running in the election in order to do more for the public. Even if I don’t become an MP, I will continue to work for the public from the role of a CSO.

Q: As you are a leading CSO for natural resources, what do you plan to do for the production of these resources if you become an MP?

A: I’m leading a CSO for natural resources and the environment. I have found that the income from resources lack transparency and the country does not earn as much tax as it should due to its law and principles in carrying out the EITI - Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Also in the service delivery sector from the government to the public, there is a gap between the budget that is being used and the service received by the public as the public doesn’t receive as much as it should have.

Many policy changes need to be made. Another thing is the revenue sharing sector. As a CSO leader, I can only us my voice and release statements. I can only change the policy after I become an MP.

Q: What are the needs of the constituents?

A: There are many needs, especially for regional development.
Even though they say they have carried out developments within the past five years, it was like putting too many irons in the fire and doing cherry picking. They still need to refrain from four kinds of biased conduct.

There are still many land issues to solve for the public. There are cases of lands not being returned to the public although the military has already abandoned them after confiscating them and also land being confiscated for the claims of the mining industry. These issues need to be protected and solved.

The public still lack knowledge of their own rights so they still need a lot of awareness. They lack knowledge on rights and laws and regulations.

Q: Have you received any pressures while campaigning?

A: I still haven’t received any pressures in Hopong Township. There may be cases of ordering people from behind.

We have told the public not to be afraid and to vote freely. When we invited Naungtaung Sayadaw to recite and chant sacred text for the opening of our office, he replied that he won’t come as he has been pressured. So, even though pressures hasn’t been made against our party, this can mean that pressures has been made in religious affairs.

Q: If the PaO Party were to form an alliance, which party will you form it with? Why?

A: We will form an alliance with non-authoritative parties that are moving on true democracy path and aiming to achieve the essence of federalism and can take down dictatorship.
The country in this current situation and the people are suffering due to dictatorship and lack of accountability and weaknesses.

Q: I have learned that seven polling stations in Hopong Township are under the ‘brown zone’. What has the PaO Party planned for these kinds of areas?

A: We will not campaign in such kind of areas. We will carry out flayer campaign on market days by distributing pamphlets at nearby markets.
Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.