NLD steps up rallies to support amendments

Tens of thousands of people yesterday took part in the Maubin rally organised by the National League for Democracy (NLD), showing their support for amending the 2008 Constitution.

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi led the rally. NLD members from 26 townships in Ayeyawady Region, including Pathein, Myaungmya, Hinthada, Maubin, Labutta and Danuphyu, turned out in full force. 

This followed another NLD-led rally on May 8, joined by some 300 activists in Ngapudaw Township, the native soil of President Thein Sein. The application for the rally on May 2 was rejected and the approval for the May 8 rally was granted later on the protesters’ appeal. 

The people have been rallying across the country calling for the amendment of Section 59(f) because it bars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming a president. Meanwhile, Section 436 also poses an obstacle to amending key and controversial provisions.

Currently, the NLD is involved in the charter amendment committee at Parliament. In addition, the party is campaigning for public support on charter change. The campaigning activities include public speeches given by NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, cooperation with the 88 Generation Group, a signature campaign and public rallies.

Suu Kyi insisted that national unity will not be achieved if an organisation has been given special privileges.

“Unity is based on equality. Our country is a Union. In a township like Maubin, there are other ethnic races that are not Bamar. Bamar is also one of the ethnic races. But, we are the majority in terms of population. In a Union comprised of ethnic races, unity is required. If there is unity, there will be peace and tranquility. In order to have peace and tranquility, equality is a basic requirement. We have to question whether the constitution that was drafted without such kind of equality can give peace to our country,” said Suu Kyi.

 

Ceasefire deal discussed

On May 9, Suu Kyi and the vice chairperson of the Karen National Unity, Naw Si Phora Sein, also met to discuss the ceasefire deal.

Lower House MP Win Myint said “The 2008 Constitution is not only unfair but it also empowers a centralised system of the government. It would seem that the constitution amendment depends only on the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. Tatmadaw (armed forces) is in command of legislative, judicial and executive powers. For that reason, the 2008 Constitution should be amended,” he added.

The rally attracted a huge crowd.

Marn Htaw, a Karen national from Myaungmya Township, also joined the weekend rally. 

“We came to support the constitution amendment. We hold that the Constitution must be amended for the sake of the people. The rural people are mostly farmers. Farmland disputes are taking place in all parts of Myanmar today. If the 2008 Constitution upholds democracy we will move forward, we will not see such problematic situations. Based on the current problems facing the people and the country, the constitution should be amended.”

Last weekend, the People’s Network for Constitutional Reform (PNRC) also organised talks in Thingangyun Township, Yangon with various political forces in pushing for charter amendments. Attending were people from seven states and regions. 

“Our aim is to amend the charter not drafting a new one and we have many experts to do this. We also want to highlight the people’s consent on charter change. We are planning to talk with the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) and the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and will seek to provide the means of constitution amendment designed by the NLD and 88 Generation,” said PNCR member Myo Yan Naung Thein.

Since early this year, the PNCR has been conducting a public opinion poll on the 2008 Constitution across the country for a second time in cooperation with those from 12 civic bodies. 

They have distributed 150,000 surveys nationwide.