Maung Thwey Chun - I want to plant a flag on a pole

President U Thein Sein delivered a speech at the third regular session of the first Pyithu Hluttaw on March 1, 2012, outlining the policies of the country, the government’s activities for the year, and future actions. Since it was the President’s speech, everyone listened with anticipation.

“Today, if we are asked whether we have been able to build a new nation with true democracy and secular values, we will have to work very hard,” he admitted. I noticed that the President’s speech was full of historical references, such as the beginning of a new chapter in history and the beginning of a new chapter in the future. I remember that he also spoke seriously about history in his meetings with Hillary Clinton and the Washington Post reporter. A member of the Fukuyama sect has commented that the Tatmadaw led the changes that have taken place today. That is true to a certain extent, but it is not complete. The President himself said this.

"Who has brought this situation to this point? It is not just our government. Political parties, civil society, representatives from all parliaments, the judiciary, the fourth estate, the media, ethnic leaders, the military, and other state holders have all worked together in a coordinated and united manner."

Even the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar spoke in a way that was thorough and comprehensive. He emphasized the importance of ethnic issues for an inclusive political process that allows everyone to participate in political development.

"It is most important that our ethnic groups, who have been demanding rights for generations, participate. As our country is a united nation, it is imperative that all ethnic groups have the opportunity to participate equally in this country's development. This is the dream that our blood brothers and ethnic groups have realized for generations, and the hopes that have been dashed and lost."

. . . . . . .

“The aspirations of ethnic minorities, who demand equal rights and equality for all, are the aspirations of our government. We all have a responsibility to fulfill the bitter wounds, the deep experiences, and the lost dreams that our ethnic minorities are suffering from.”

"Trust is very important in the national reunification of our country. Today, as our government, we have no illusions on the journey towards the goal of lasting peace. We will act with trust based on the Panglong spirit..."

The President's speech was emotional. It was open-minded. It can be said that he was forward-looking and insightful. He clearly said, "The faith based on the Panglong spirit." When talking about ethnic issues and the Union, the Panglong spirit, the Panglong Conference, and the Panglong Agreement are the main keys that must be emphasized and not forgotten.

The President said, “It is a coincidence that I mentioned the Panglong spirit. On the same day as the President’s speech on March 1, 2012, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also mentioned the Panglong spirit in her Shan State campaign.

"We gained independence because of the Panglong spirit, and to achieve democracy, we must be united and united with the Panglong spirit," he said emphatically.

The Panglong spirit is the spirit of unity among ethnic groups. General Aung San tried tirelessly to stop the British colonial government from dividing the ethnic groups into the plains and the hills, the Burmese, Shan, Kachin, Karen, and Mon. Didn't he sign the Panglong Agreement? According to the Panglong Agreement, we gained independence with the ethnic groups and the Union of Myanmar emerged. Therefore, in order for the Union of Myanmar not to disintegrate and for its independence to last, we must continue to build it with the Panglong spirit. The importance of the Panglong spirit was also emphasized by the President and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the same day, Thursday, March 1, 2012, which is a unique historical symbol.

The President specifically mentioned the situation in Kachin State, which is still not peaceful. He also specifically mentioned the phrase “ethnic people in danger of war.” He said that in order to hold political talks, both sides must first cease hostilities. Here is a brief summary of the President’s peace roadmap:

1. State-level talks and ceasefire

2. Participate in union-level meetings and political processes

3. Government, ethnic leaders, political parties, politics

All the forces and people's representatives should join and sign in the parliament. Today, we have achieved reasonable success at the state level, but there are still difficulties. We met in Kachin and Shwe Li, but we have not reached an agreement. Therefore, we will have to work very hard to advance to the Union level (2). If we succeed at the Union level, we will not be afraid to reach the goal of the Union level (3).

We must make special efforts to achieve the "Panglong spirit" that the President and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have earnestly advocated in order to successfully march forward according to the peace roadmap. The President has also earnestly stated the principle of 'equality' that ethnic groups have consistently demanded three or four times in his speech.

If there is no peace in the country... nothing can be achieved. I believe that the Panglong spirit is the main driving force in achieving the goal of peace.

(Mandalay Light Journal, 9-3-2012)

The General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, delivered a speech on television on March 14, 2012, presenting her policies and programs. That night, we waited with bated breath, wondering if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would come. After watching the ceremony of the White Elephant and the meeting of the parliamentarians, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi appeared. In fact, I had listened to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s policies and programs many times while touring cities such as Kaw Hlu, Pathein, Myaung Mya, Dawei, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Heho, and Aung San Suu Kyi. Since it was broadcast on television, I listened to it more seriously and “heard it again.”

He said that he will work on other important issues based on the three main objectives of the rule of law, civil war peace, and constitutional amendment. There, he added, "We must also emphasize the protection of the rights of women, who constitute 50 percent of the country, and the expansion of women's roles in social, economic, and political affairs." He added, "Thank you for your urgent call to promote women's rights. Because today, when there is no complete peace in the country, women and children are suffering more from the effects of war. And, "A large number of women are trafficked as sex slaves and sold to each other. In foreign countries, there are also female "sleeping partners" who are tortured more brutally than animals. In the big cities of the demilitarized zone, there are also many responsibilities to repair the damage caused by the destruction of their lives and bodies. If you think about it, promoting women's rights will be a lot of work."

According to Buddhist culture, Burmese women are not inferior. Queen Panthwa and Queen Shin Saw Pu have been prominent figures in history. However, today, there is a special need to protect and promote the rights of women who have been disadvantaged. I am happy that women candidates like Daw Su Su Nwe are among the candidates for the General Assembly. In the business sector, women have long been able to gain a place, and they are found in large companies as managers and general managers. In the political sector, their participation is still weak in terms of both quantity and quality. Politics is not like business, so even men are really interested in doing it.

General Aung San himself had strongly stated during the 1936 student strike that women needed to participate in politics. Ko Aung San (General Chap) had commented, ‘The students do not seem to be patriotic. They do not come to study, they come to get a degree. In other words, they want to study philosophy or become a poet.’

"If we are going to do something national, it can't be just men. Women should also be involved as much as they can. So that if women are involved in success, then women should also have leaders. Wouldn't it be better to have modern intellectuals?" he said.

Ko Aung San (General) is talking about "Bo Khin Maung Lay" who will become the Minister of Home Affairs in an independent Burma.

Ko Maung Lay argued, “I followed Ma Khin Mya, Ma Ama (later Daw Ama), and the students who were protesting in the city,” but Ko Aung San couldn’t help but say, “That’s too young.”

I was just saying that. Then, when Ma Khin Mya and Ma Ama actively participated in the 1936 student strike, Ko Aung San's views changed. "I was wrong to judge people. I was wrong to underestimate Burmese girls," he admitted.

'On the night of the strike (in Shwe Gondaing, Mawlamyine), they cut up fish and onions and fed them to the students. Their pieces were round and round. I was very sad to see that the students had to eat only a little bit at the end. They had to sleep, and they had to sleep, and they had to sleep.

I couldn't believe it when I heard about the protest in front of the school. I was shocked when I saw the pictures in the newspaper. They were protesting side by side with the boys in the hot sun. They were being mocked by the sycophants.

Professor Peacock offered me a chair, and Ma Khin Mya said, "Thank you, teacher. We must stand together with our elders." Hearing that they were going to force me to wear pants and skirts, I realized that what I thought was wrong.

“Ma Ma

“When they were questioned by the university investigation committee, the one who was the most affected was the one who was not able to get through the interrogation, Bai Shin (Ko Ya Shin) said. If only the students like Khin Mya, Ma Ma Ma, Ma Ohn, Ma Than Sein, Ma A Ma Ma Ri Ri and others in that investigation committee had not taken the interrogation, they would have been shamed at once if they had not had the courage. We too should have our faces painted black. It is wrong to underestimate Burmese girls.

Ko Aung San (the General) admitted that he had been wrong about Burmese women not being allowed to participate in politics. We had to respect the general's modesty and courage in admitting his mistake. That is why Ko Aung San wrote this in his memoirs of the Ma Khin Mya boycott:

“Having witnessed the work ethic, strength, and determination of the striking students during the strike, I believe that Burmese women will be able to participate as one force in the struggle for Myanmar’s independence.”

Ko Aung San

10.5.1936