By AZAN, IMNA : General Aung Naing, leader of the Mon splinter the Mon Peace and Defense Front (MPDF), died on Tuesday, August 10th, in Moulmein city at the age of 71.
According to those close to him, General Aung Naing had suffered from ill health in recent years, allegedly requesting treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure from the NMSP in 2007. These ailments are believed to have contributed to his sudden demise.
General Aung Naing was born in Pegu division, and joined the NMSP in 1967. He split from the party in 2008, and formed the MPDF soon afterward. The party is based in Pa’an Township, Karen State.
The general’s resignation from the NMSP was also followed by his acceptance into a religious lifestyle, and according to an IMNA article written in June 2009, the general entered a monastery in Mon State’s Thanbyzart Township, from which location he continued to lead the MPDF. The leader was reported in IMNA’s June story to be actively recruiting members from within Mon States monastic communities, with the aim of preparing the party for active participation in the 2010 election. Such goals have not yet materialized.
The MPDF is believed to be closely aligned with the Burmese military government. In IMNA’s most recent coverage of the party on May 19th of this year, the party was reported to be leading military recruitments in the townships of Thanbyzarat, Ye, Mudon, and within Lamine sub-Township, in hopes of boosting its alleged 20 members to the 500 individuals needed to qualify the party as as a Burmese government-sanctioned Border Guard Force (BGF).
The future of the MPDF, and the party’s plans to become a BGF, are currently unknown.
