The position of vice-chairman (1) of the Mon National Party (MNP) is still vacant after Nai Thet Lwin left for the role of Union-level Ethnic Affairs Minister.
On April 30, at the MNP’s central executive meeting, it was decided that MNP members serving at the [union] government’s respective ministries will still be appointed their original posts, according to Nai Layih Tamarh, General Secretary of MNP.
“According to our party’s policy, it is acceptable for a party representative to serve at the [union] government level because the role is cooperating with partner organizations. At the moment, we are leaving Nai Htet Lwin’s post, as vice-chairman (1), unchanged. It is still permissible according to our party’s rules,” said Nai Layih Tamarh in an interview with MNA.
Nai Layih Tamarh added that we will consider replacing Nai Htet Lwin if we face difficulties in implementing party projects during Nai Htet Lwin’s term serving as a union minister.
However, according to article 232/K of Charter (5), in regards to appointing union ministers and vice ministers as administration, it is stated that after he/she is appointed as a union minister still serving as a member of a political party, he/she cannot continue to carry out his/her duties for his/her party minister.
Nevertheless, some MNP members desire to fill the vacant post of the vice-chairman (1), as the post holder is now serving as a union-level minister in this government term.
“The party chairman is getting very old. He is unable to do very much. It does not work efficiently as there is only one vice-chairman. The vacant post should be filled. However, it depends on the central committee’s decision to fill the post,”said Mi Sandar Non, member of central executive committee of MNP.
According to the party’s rules, a central committee meeting or conference must be held to appoint the new leaders. Ultimately, appointment of new leaders can only be approved by the decision of the central committee.
The MNP was known as the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) in 1998, and changed its name to the Mon Democracy Party (MDP) in 2012. It was eventually renamed the MNP in 2013.
Similarly, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) is yet to fill the position of Nai Seik, the party’s chairman, after his recent death.
