USDP slammed over '2 kisses with Obama' campaign

MYANMAR’S RULING Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has officially launched its election campaign in Ayeyawady Region – with a charade of rhetoric against the US and its close tie to the opposition party.

Launching the campaign on Tuesday in Hinthada Township, Htay Oo, joint chairman of USDP made a direct reference to Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD). 

“Powerful countries, which assumed Myanmar would never change its political system, start recognising political changes in Myanmar and associating themselves with us. [US President] Barack Obama came here twice. What happened during his visits? Someone was kissed two times,” Htay Oo told the audience.

On September 20, a Facebook page showed Thein Aung, the chief minister for Ayeyawady, holding a photo of the cheek-kissing scene, when Obama met Suu Kyi in Yangon. The post went viral quickly. As Htay Oo launched the election campaign in the region, Thein Aung printed the photo on vinyl posters. Both are seeking Lower House seats in Ayeyawady Region: Htay Oo seeks to represent Hinthada Township while Thein Aung runs in Ingapu Township.

Obama met Suu Kyi at her Yangon residence during his two visits to Myanmar in 2012 and 2014. 

Htay Oo’s mockery has drawn huge public attention. On Eleven Media Group’s Facebook page, the news posted on Tuesday attracted more than a million viewers and more than 11,000 comments in a single day. 

Facebook user Nyein Wai expressed his surprise at Htay Oo’s lack of understanding pf the western style of greeting. Many others urged him to be more like a gentleman.

Politicians have also criticised Htay Oo for his behaviour.

Aung Maung, the chair of Arakan National Party, said that the western greeting culture is different from Myanmar’s and that gender discrimination does not exist among world leaders.

“The French greeting style seems worse in Myanmar people’s eyes as it requires embracing the whole body. It is a sign of love or friendship. But Htay Oo should have some reasoning ability. The party Htay Oo slammed is a giant, not like our small ethnic party. When we face a main rival, we should adopt a gentle approach,” he said.

Sai Leik, the joint-secretary of the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), said the mockery is merely a personal attack. 

“It is not based on a party’s policy and this is not in conformity with the law. It is an unfair act. The joint-chair of the ruling party should say only policies of his party and shouldn’t speak irresponsibly. Only then will he win the support of the voters,” Sai Leik said.