Nai Hongsar, Chair of the New Mon State Party, made a speech at the Wira Hongsar ceremony to recognize the former NMSP chair, Nai Htaw Mon.
Speaking in the Mon-language, he said, “Currently political power is still in the barrel of the gun. If one nationality [group] does not have an army, they have no power. No one will pay attention to that group. They will be oppressed by others. So, it is necessary that a Mon national army must be strong. If one is unable to join in the army, he/she can help in other ways,”
Nai Hongsar continued that ethnic groups do not need to leave the union but it’s important to establish a true federal system.
“The true federal union will be when we are able to administer our region. When we will be able to speak and use our languages and preserve our traditions. We must encourage every ethnic group to help establish a true federal union where all ethnic groups have such rights. It’s also necessary for the Bamar ethnic group to support such a cause,” said Nai Hongsar.
A few months ago, the NMSP issued a similar statement during the 74th anniversary of Mon National Day. At that time, the NMSP argued the current political crisis should not be seen solely for the National League for Democracy (NLD) to return to power, or just to see the 2008 Constitution revived — rather the goal must be for extremists and dictators to fall. The NMSP, said that only after a true federal union is established will the conditions exist to allow for an end to the current political crisis.
