'Rakhine people want peace and rule of law'

The 39th Anniversary of Rakhine State Day was held at the National Races Village and 2,000 people attended the ceremony to demand peace, tranquility and the rule of law.

“Rakhine people submitted three proposals that are: Rakhine State will enjoy development rapidly, peace and tranquility, rule of law and perpetuation of the sovereignty in the entire nation. Three proposals were supported by those who attended. This is a public desire,” said Zaw Aye Maung, Yangon Regional Minister for Rakhine Nationals Races Affairs.

He said they would submit a report of the public desire to the government. Rakhine State Day emerged after 1974 Constitution designated both Rakhine and Mon as “states” within the Union of Myanmar. It is celebrated every December 15.

Rakhine people participated in their traditional events and dances at the ceremony. Ayeyawady Region hosted the first-ever Rakhine State Day at Chaungtha Beach.

Sectarian conflict has severely crippled the western Rakhine State since 2012 and tens of thousands of victims have lost their property and hundreds killed.

President Thein Sein had visited Rakhine State when clashes occurred in Thandwe Township at the end of September and in early October of this year. 

 

Amending constitution key for reconciliation: Suu Kyi

The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) has continued its countryside campaign to rally public opinion behind amending the 2008 Constitution.  It recently held a series of public gatherings in Tharyawady, in Bago Region on December 15 where it discussed the pros and cons of amending the military-drafted charter. 

“If the charter is not amended, it will ensure a great barrier to national recon?ciliation between Tatmadaw [the national armed forces] and the people,” opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told the mass meeting.

Suu Kyi, the NLD’s chairperson, as well as NLD patron Tin Oo and members of the Constitution Amendment Committee were all present to give talks on constitutional issues and amendments.  “Our country has two main points relating to the national reconciliation, that is: reconciliation and unity among ethnics, and reconciliation and unity between Tatmadaw and the people. A great barrier is the 2008 Constitution in doing so,” Suu Kyi said.

The NLD released a nine-point declaration discussing the pros and cons of amending the constitution on September 28. It also outlined the possibility of drafting a new one with ethnic political parties. 

“Tatmadaw’s privileges are quite different from the people’s described in the 2008 Constitution. It always allows much favour to the role of Tatmadaw. Many of the laws are inappropriate for the country and the people,” said Htay Oo, a member of the NLD’s constitution amendment committee.

The campaign sought to discuss various issues surrounding the constitution across states and regions. The NLD has claimed that 90 per cent of those attending public meetings support amending the constitution.