Government is your servant, not your saviour: Suu Kyi

Suu Kyi said the people should not see the government as their saviour but rather as their servant.

She spoke at a meeting with residents of Banmaw Township, Kachin State, on October 5. She answered questions about the national peace process and public safety.

Suu Kyi said the national peace process can only be achieved by political and social means, adding that the government must enforce rule of law to ensure public safety. 

During her campaign speech in the township, a local resident asked whether the NLD could create jobs for poor people if it takes power after the election.

She replied that no one would be made rich overnight, even if the party forms a government.

“I’m not a saviour. And you should not see the government as your saviour. You should see it as your servant. It is within your authority to ask the government to get you out of poverty. There are many reasons why our country is poor. It’s rich in natural resources. But why are the people poor? The system is wrong. The government only works for itself and not for the people. That’s it,” she said.

She also said government projects will become transparent to the public when the NLD forms a government, adding that she does not understand why there has been no change in the people’s livelihoods despite the huge sums being spent on development projects. 

Tens of thousands of people attended Suu Kyi’s public speech in Banmaw, more than all of her other campaign events in Kachin State. 

She continued on her trip to Moemauk Township on October 6 and returned to Yangon that evening.