Taw Lawi : Muslims from the townships of Moulemin, Kyaikmaraw (Kyaikmayaw) and Ye in Mon state have expressed a wish to vote for the All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMDP) in tomorrow’s election.
Over 10 villages between Moulmein and Kyaikmaraw are composed of an estimated 100,000 Muslim people, said a Muslim shop owner from the new market in Moulmein.
“In the 1990 election, most Muslims voted for the National League of Democracy (NLD). Now must Muslims will vote for the AMDP,” surmises the shop owner.
According to a Muslim farmer living in Kalaing Kanaing village in Kyaikmaraw Township, Muslims living between Moulmein and Kyaikmaraw feel a strong connection with the Mon people because they have been living closely together in the same communities for a long time.
“AMDP entered the election on behalf of the all Mon people. The Mon party must win the election to be able to make decisions on Mon state issues for the Mon. That’s why we [Muslims] will vote for them as well,” said a Muslim resident who sells construction supplies near Moulmein market.
Other Muslims, who also speak Mon, living in Lamine Sub-Township have reported that Muslims in Ye Township and Lamine Sub-Township sincerely wish to vote for the AMDP.
“Their issues are also our issues because Muslims from Ye have dealt with the Mon for a long time. This is why we have organized ourselves [the Muslim community] to vote for the Mon party,” said a Muslim resident in Ye town.
A Mon monk in Ye Town, also explained that wearing Mon traditional dress before the election became common because Muslims from Ye were also wearing Mon longyi and sarongs [Mon traditional clothing]. “They [the Muslims] want to help the Mon effort because they live together with the Mon in the same community,” the monk explained.
AMDP’s campaign stance is to fight for democracy; to establish ethnic reconciliation through self-determination and equal rights; to instate a federal union; to eradicate corruption; to carry out social development; to live together in a peaceful global social system.
In Mon state there are seven parties competing against each other for the November 7th elections. These are the AMDP, Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party, Kayin People Party, National Unity Party, Union Solidarity and Development Party, Democratic Party (Myanmar), and National Democratic Force Party.
