Suu Kyi urges government to amend constitution, respect public's wishes
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Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the message she received from the general public was that amending the constitution was one way the state could show them respect, as well as make a move toward respecting basic democratic rules.
Suu Kyi’s latest public meeting was held on Friday in Kalaymyo.
“The public talks about the constitutional amendment across the country. We made them as respectful of the people according to basic democratic rules.
“We can’t establish a democratic community if we don’t respect the public. Because democracy means the people rule and govern a country.
“If we accept the government by the people, we need to respect them. Why should you allow a disrespectful person to govern yourself? That’s nonsense. If you respect the people, you should inform them about everything,” Suu Kyi said.
Democratic principles
Her speech in Kalaymyo had attracted more than 50,000 people from Chin State and neighbouring areas.
“The constitutional amendment is an issue that National League for Democracy has been talking about for long time.
“We are not talking about this only now. It’s also not the first time when we referred to it while competing in the 2012 by-election.
“We have been opposing this constitution since it was approved in 2008.
“We are in the opposition as it’s against democratic standards and it also does not reflect people’s real desire.
“All political policies were explained clearly to the people. If we really believe in the democracy, we should explain everything clearly to the people when achieving their support.
“We don’t want them to be nodding without knowing anything. We want their support but want them to use their brains to think about something to believe in first,” she continued.
Suu Kyi arrived in Chin State last Monday and visited several townships such as Hpalan, Tetain and the state capital Hakha, before returning home.
Support from people
Kyi Toe, an information committee member from NLD, said: “This trip can be said to have been ‘successful’. Things to talk about are the cold weather and [bad] roads there.
“These are also the common problems the people living in state face every day. But these can’t be seen as ‘obstacles’ for the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads her life the same way as everybody else. We’re grateful to the authorities for providing security.
“She had to stay at a small guesthouse in Hakha after a stay planned in advance was failed. We will continue our efforts to amend the constitution in accordance with law.
“Around 90 per cent of the people attending talks across the country support the amending of the charter. It’s the only way possible. We will submit 168 points of amendment and public opinions about the issue to parliament and will let the public know about NLD’s views on it.”
