Suu Kyi warns farmers not to rush into selling their land

Suu Kyi, a Lower House MP and chairperson of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), met with farmers from Kawhmu Township in Yangon on Saturday.

Farmland in Kawhmu has been in demand after news that a new town will be developed in Yangon.

“Farmers are requested not to rush into selling their farmland,” Suu Kyi said. “Those purchasers do not buy the farmland without [making] a profit. I would like the farmers to consider that. They cannot get the land back after selling it. Selling farmland is not a good thing for the future and that will be known later.”

“The price of farmland continues rising. The size of the world will not become broader than it is now; the size of the land will not be greater. If someone cannot continue doing farming on their land, please consult us,” Suu Kyi said.

“We want farmers to help us in come up with projects suitable for regional development, in addition to the individual farmer. Farmers should seek advice from us, if they are wanting to sell their land. Don’t be afraid of seeking advice. Someone has the right to sell his own property and no one can stop him. But if famers sell their farms, they will not own them any longer. The land doesn’t belong to the farmers and they will have lost their land. Farmers will never get them back. If farmers face debt problems, please consult us. Let us think about that.”

With news that a new town will be built in Yangon, the price of land has risen higher. Some farmers are selling their farms in Kawhmu.

A male resident from Kawhmu said: “The price of farmland is unprecedented now. Farmers sell their farms because the price has soared to an unprecedented level. The rich come to make an investment; the brokers enjoy more profit than the farmers. The land between Panhlaing Bridge and Twantay Bridge is in great demand. One acre cost Ks 200,000 or Ks 300,000 about six years ago. But now, one acre of farmland is more than 10 million.

“If one has five acres, one or two acres are sold. The buyer does not change his ownership name. The buyer will take it only when he wants it. The farmer can do farming on the land before the buyer takes it. The farmer does not need to rent for cultivation,” the man said.

The town plan had been kept secret. It was announced last month together with the name of the concessionaire. The secret plan raised eyebrows from Yangon to Nay Pyi Taw and triggered a backlash. People demanded transparency and asked why a little known company was awarded such a massive contract.

The Yangon Region government has moved swiftly to counter the backlash. It said in a five-point statement released on August 28 that a tender would be opened, allowing companies to bid for the massive project. Construction of the so-called New Town project will proceed only after a tender is held to select the contractor.