By LAWI WENG – Mudon—Mon State has established its new government, and so far, the Burmese government soldiers have kept their distance from civilians in the cities. Traveling restrictions have slackened and trade along the border has flourished, with only three military checkpoint between Ye and Mudon Township, Mon State.
Mon State seems quiet and very peaceful. Whereas, with the former government, authorities used to ban and confiscate vehicles without registration, now these vehicles and motorbikes are allowed on the streets without hassle.
Border traders are able to transport Thai commodities across the border, with a bribe of 5,000 kyat per car to pass each check point.
Nai Lwin, who transports from Ye to Three Pagodas Pass Township, said, “We can export anything from Thailand. They do not check us and it is very free.”
The freedom of travelling made a lot of happiness for the people while they travel easy to the border to enter Thailand.
During the previous government, there was no room for political discussions. Now, some Mon people who are interested in politics, civilians and former members of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) have joined the official Mon political party, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP).
After joining the AMDP, people have had a chance to organize youths in the Mon community and work on Mon literature and culture, which was difficult to do in the past.
The new government has allowed the AMDP to hold political trainings. In recent months, Mon community leaders have had the chance to give culture trainings and put on culture shows.
However, Nai Ngwe Thein, the chairman of AMDP, said, “It is just for show. The new government wanted to show the international community that they are allowing political space inside the country.”
Many of the Mon political observers have doubted the speech from the new president Thein Sein, during which he said “The most important task for the new administration is to work together to create good governance and clean government,” reported in the The New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper on March 31st, the day the new government was formed.
“We heard that what the president said about change. But, we have not seen any change yet in our community,” said Nai Tin Aung, a former executive committee member of NMSP, residing in Thanbyuzayat Township.
“They can say whatever they want to say or whoever wants to say it. But, the main thing is to act according to what they are saying. They have not yet released detained monks and many political prisoners. It is not very practical to just talk about reforming this country without releasing political prisoners,” Nai Tin Aung added.
According to Nai Ngwe Thein, the central government has control of the power. The state government has less power.
“I may not see political change in my life. They know more than us about how to manipulate power,” he said.
Even though two Mon ministers have been active in the Mon community after the new government was established in Mon State in March and led by Gen Ohn Myint, other Mon leaders profess that there is no change.
Min Nwe Soe, the minister of society and culture in Mon State, has visited different villages in Mon State, telling people to tell him if the villagers do not like their village chairman in Mon State. He even asked about the villagers difficulties in relation to their paddy farms.
“I’ve seen him come to our village several times and meet the people. It seems he is a little active, but I have not seen anything change yet in our community,” said Nai Jon, a community leader in Mudon Township.
