The Mon National Party (MNP) has embraced new President U Htin Kyaw elected by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) and the NLD-led government, according to MNP’s press release on March 31.
The released statement, dated March 31, 2016, has four key points including MNP’s contentment with the news and how it proudly welcomes the president. Htin Kyaw was first nominated president by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on March 15.
“We had planned to release this statement. However, we wanted to wait until new government was formed. Today [Wednesday], we have released the statement because the new government has just been sworn in,” said Nai Layih Tamarh, general secretary of the Mon National Party.
The statement articulated that together with the new president, the MNP proudly welcomes the new government which was appointed by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which in turn was elected by the people. The new government led by president U Htin Kyaw emerges from the results of 2015 elections as it is the government that represents the people. Thus, the MNP, with intent, welcomes the new government.
“We welcome the new government, which won the 2015 elections. However, we have to wait and see how the new government will handle and resolve issues in ethnic groups, democracy, the rule of law, and land confiscation,” said Nai Layih Tamarh.
The statement added that the party does not oppose the appointment of Nai Thet Lwin, MNP’s vice-chairman (1), as Ethnic Affairs Minister, which is a new office under this government.
In the 2015 elections, 53 representatives from MNP competed for their respective constituencies but only 3 representatives won. Nai Thiha was elected as Amyotha Hluttaw representative, while Dr. Min Soe Lin and Dr. Min Kyi Win were elected as State Hluttaw representatives.
The MNP was first founded under the name ‘Mon National Democratic Front’ (MNDF) in 1988, but was changed to ‘Mon Democracy Party’ in 2012. It was finally renamed as MNP in 2014.
