Speaking to the union parliament on 1 March, Thein Sein said, “According to a young ethnic armed leader, young ethnic armed people aged 18 and 19 often say they also want to hold laptops, computers. I was very sad to hear this. I have decided to eliminate all these misfortunes during any administration.”

Khun Tun Oo said, “The very words were conveyed to me by young Karen inmates who bade farewell to me. Please tell the leaders. We’ve been carrying arms since the days of our grandfathers and fathers. We don’t want to carry them anymore. We want to carry laptops and computers instead just like other young people. Please tell this to the leaders for the sake of real peace in our country.” I had relayed this to the media on my way back to Rangoon from Toungoo (prison).”

He also took the opportunity to request the release of the young ethnic detainees. “The president also said that the Burmans/Bamars are also one of the country’s ethnic groups. This is certainly a good omen. My request therefore is to release not only the young Karen, Kachin, Shan and others from the armed movements but also those who are being imprisoned for political activities. Better still, if we really want this country to be prosperous, the whole administration should change its mindset like the President.”

Khun Tun Oo, together with 7 other colleagues, were sentenced from 79.-106 years (he got 93 years) in 2005 or treason and defamination, among other changes. All were released together with more than 600 other political prisoners on 13 January.