Questions raised over Mandalay rally for Thein Sein

 

The rally in Myanmar’s second-largest city – which is home to more than half a million people – was given prior approval by local authorities, a fact that irked some anti-government protesters whose colleagues have been jailed for protesting against the president. 

Participants held placards praising Thein Sent for 12 accomplishments. They also made one request – that he continue his presidency, at the people’s desire. 

According to the placards, Thein Sein’s 12 accomplishments are: 1) reducing the poverty rate, 2) keeping the prices of commodities down, 3) fighting against corruption, 4) peacefully marching the country towards democracy, 5) winning international recognition, 6) granting amnesty to political prisoners, 7) tackling land grabs from farmers, 8) safeguarding labour rights 9) steering the judicial pillar towards justice, 10) focusing on improving people’s daily lives, 11) striving to end communal violence, and 12) keeping the lives of all his staff in mind.

Sein Min, a leader of the event, said its aim was to support Thein Sein for a second presidential term. “We do not represent any parties or organisations. Some are demonstrating against the President. Likewise, we have the right to stage a rally in support of him as well,” said Sein Min, a member of the USDP’s youth advisory team. 

Saw Hla Aung, a member of the anti-government Movement for Democracy Current Force agreed that “everybody has the right to rally”, but disputed the accomplishments listed on the placards, saying they veered from reality. He also said the rally lacked passion.

Tayza Hlaing, a photojournalist from the Irrawaddy journal, said he heard participants asking each other who they were supporting, and that one advised another to look on the placard he was holding to find out. 

A woman from Pyigyidagon Township said she did not know where the rally was taking place before she arrived at the ward. “People in my ward were transported here in groups of six or seven on trucks,” she said. 

Rally leader Aung Ko Win said his purpose was to publicise Thein Sein’s accomplishments. “Any kind of reform needs to take a certain length of time. Its nature needs to be understood. The president’s next term will be decided by votes only. We will continue supporting him,” he added.

Aung Ko Win is close to Kan Thar Yar ward administrator Kyaw Aung, Sein Min’s older brother. Both reside in the ward. 

Residents of the ward said those who participated in the rally had been paid. Most were workers from Thinpangone ward of Pyigyidagon Township, they said, adding that others came from Myanandar, Aung Tha Yar Myoit and Kan Thar Yar wards.

On September 12, members from the Movement for Democracy Current Force and the Facilitators Network with ILO held a rally against the president after he said, during a visit to Europe, that he would seek a second term.