Well-known Shan composer, Dr. Sai Kham Lake, (61) has refused to be a candidate for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), according to sources close to him.

Sai Kham Lake, living in Mandalay, recently refused requests from the USDP to become a member and to contest as a candidate for the party, citing his poor health as the reason.  Dr. Sai Kham is said to have been suffering from backache. “In addition to which, his wife prefers him to focus on religious affairs more than participating in political affairs as he is getting older,” said a source.

Alongside Dr. Sai Kham Lake, two other high profile Shan community members - Sai Noom, Vice Chairman of Mandalay Civil Society Group, owner of AD 1 Hotel and Galone Naga Robe Company; and Sai Kyaw Aye Win, the owner of Shwepya Min hostel and a former official of Namkham Council - were also approached.  Their respective elevated statuses make them attractive potential members for the USDP.

Among those who had approached Dr. Sai Kham Lake was Health Minister Dr. Kyaw Myint.

In March, junta ministers, No. 1 Industry Minister U Aung Thaung  and  Health Minister Dr. Kyaw Myint met Shan communities in Mandalay, Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) and Mogok (Mong Koot) and approached them to nominate their own people to contest in Mandalay Regional Legislature elections as representatives of the Shan nationality in Mandalay division.

A month later, the story doing the rounds in Mandalay was that Dr. Sai Kham Lake had agreed to be a candidate for the USDP.  He refuted the rumour, maintaining that he has already refused to participate because of his health problem.

During their March visit, Kyaw Thaung told the community that the population of the Shan nationality was more than the number stipulated in the constitution.

According to his statistics the population of the Shans in Mandalay division is said to be between 80,000 and 100,000.

The junta’s 2008 constitution states that any ethnic nationality is allowed to contest in State or Region Legislature elections if the population of the state or region concerned is over 59,000 (0.1 per cent of the total population). The elected representative will also be eligible to become minister of the state/regional government.

According to the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), political wing of the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’s statement released on 26 May, it will not “support and recognize” the forthcoming 2010 elections being planned by Naypyitaw.

Dr. Sai Kham Lake

In addition, Shan State citizens, who are contesting for elections for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the offshoot of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, and the (former Burma Socialist Program Party turned) National Unity Party (NUP) will not also be recognized and supported by the RCSS,” the statement said. “The RCSS is also against new parties being set up to contest the elections.”

The date of the elections is yet to be announced.

SHAN, however, was unable to reach Dr. Sai Kham Lake for further comment.

Dr. Sai Kham Lake, a native of Hsenwi, became famous nationwide in the 1970’s with the song Mandalay yawk, Shan Galay ta-yawk (A Shan in Mandalay). He has written hundreds of songs both in Shan and Burmese since.