By Independent Mon News Agency – Burma needs to implement a truly democratic system in order to receive the position of ASEAN chairman in 2014, explain Mon leaders.
Nai Janau Mon (also known as Ngwe Thein), the All Mon Regions Democracy (AMDP) chairman, explained, “As a country, Burma should get this position. But, they [the new government] have not done anything yet towards democracy even though they have already formed the new government.”
“Democracy is good for the people. They need to reform the situation in the country in order to get this position,” he said.
With the end of ASEAN’s 18th summit in Jakarta on Sunday, ASEAN is still considering Burma’s proposal to lead as chairman in 2014.
The Bangkok Post, a Thai news agency, reported yesterday that a statement by the current chairman from Indonesia showed support for “the steady progress and political development in Burma following a general election and the formation of a new government.”
Nai Ngwe Thein, the chairman of the Mon National Democratic Front, which participated in elections in 1990, after which the party was disbanded, said, “ASEAN is working according to its protocol which is to improve human rights first in order to be a chairman of ASEAN in 2014.”
“I support their [ASEAN’s] decision as we have not yet seen what the country has done for democracy even though they have already set up the new government,” commented Nai Ngwe Thein.
