The New Mon State Party (NMSP) issued a statement at their 10th Central Committee Conference, citing the peace process is stalling because the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Tatmadaw have no desire for a federal union, which ethnic people are demanding.
The New Mon State Party (NMSP) noted that although they signed a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), the Tatmadaw broke the accord by attempting to access the NMSP permanent military base in Palaing Japan village in late November 2019. The military incursion left two people dead and forced over 900 villagers to flee for safety. Although the Tatmadaw eventually withdrew their troops they re-established a military base at Hinthar Dine checkpoint, provocatively close to the NMSP base. Villagers remain fearful that fighting may break out again.
The NLD alongside ethnic parties did not accept the 2008 military-drafted constitution and boycotted the 2010 general election. The NLD did however participate in the 2012 by-election and the 2015 general election, with the promise that reforming the constitution was the first step towards democratizing the country.
But in November 2019, State Counsellor and NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi said in an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review her party was “not building hopes for the next election on [its] ability to bring about constitution amendments within the next year.”
Although the NLD in 2014 had called for 168 amendments to the Constitution and established a constitutional review committee tasked with collecting inputs from parliamentary members, progress on constitutional reform has been stymied. Political observers have been noted the NLD waited until its last year in power to initiate the constitutional reform process. Some observers argue this decision illustrates the NLD decision to prioritize democratization over federalism.
The constitutional review committee submitted its report in July 2019 calling for nearly 4000 recommendations. But both the Tatmadaw and it’s allied party the Union Solidarity and Development Party (UDSP) have consistently and heatedly objected to the committee and its work. Confrontations in parliament have been intense with lawmakers shouting at each other and military MP’s heatedly protesting the Speaker’s decisions.
By December 2019, 5 members of the 45-member constitutional review committee had resigned their posts and filed a complaint with the Speaker of the Union Parliament.
New Mon State Party Central Committee Conference issues of focus
The NMSP’s Central Committee Conference discussions also focused on the belief that implementation of the nationwide ceasefire agreement and the path to achieve sustainable development for the country requires the parties to the NCA to establish peace promptly.
The NMSP also noted they are taking action to combat drug abuse as a national responsibilities and are providing drug education programs. The NMSP considers drug traffickers to be national enemy and will take swift actions to punish drug dealers.
The NMSP Central Committee conference also noted that large numbers of Mon people are working in neighbouring countries, creating openings for migrant labourers to work in the agricultural sector throughout Mon State. The influx of migrant workers with different ethnicities is creating social, cultural, and political impacts. The NLD government’s decision to grant voting rights for migrant workers with 90-days residency is seen by the NMSP, as a disadvantage to their political representation, that must be addressed.
The Central Committee Conference also reaffirmed the unity and joint cooperation between the Mon ethnic armed organization, the Mon political party and Mon Civil Society organizations to build unity amongst the Mon people.
The 10th New Mon State Party Central Committee Conference concluded by recognizing the former NMSP chairman as the Honorary Chairman, thirty-three central committee members and five reserve central committee members who were elected by confidential ballot including Chairman Nai Hongsa, Vice-chairman Nai Aung Min, General Secretary Nai Joi Yaet and Joint-Secretary Nai Win Hla.
