Memorial for U Ko Ni, revered High Court Lawyer, and U Nay Win, heroic taxi driver

February 26, 2017

At a memorial yesterday for U Ko Ni, the slain high court lawyer, and U Nay Win, the taxi driver who gave his life trying to apprehend the assassin, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the respected attorney’s intellect and high ideals would be missed, and the taxi driver’s bravery would not be forgotten.

The memorial service at the Royal Rose Hall in Bahan Township, Yangon yesterday afternoon began with short biographies of U Ko Ni and U Nay Win read out loud by the master of ceremonies.

The State Counsellor then gave words of condolence and said the two men represented the highest ideals of Myanmar society. “U Ko Ni belonged to the supportive group for legal affairs in the National League for Democracy Party to help for rule of law with firm beliefs and energy. We greatly respect and value U Ko Ni not only as a comrade but also as a legal advisor. Only if our country abounds with such persons like him will the practices of what we want to do within the framework of law be strengthened in our country,” she said.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi described U Nay Win as a hero who upheld the ideals of a decent society.“I firmly believe U Nay Win acted bravely with the belief that heroism and selfless acts should not be neglected in a society where rule of law must be exercised.”

U Ko Ni was shot to death outside Yangon International Airport on 29 January upon his return from a meeting in Indonesia. U Nay Win was also fatally shot as he attempted to apprehend the fleeing gunman. Three men are in custody for the killings.

The State Counsellor pointed out that both U Ko Ni and U NayWin were proud members of the National League for Democracy.

“It is a great honour and satisfaction for our NLD Party to possess such persons as U Ko Ni and U Nay Win. We will never ever forget them. I hereby express my wish that we must encourage ourselves to be brave by keeping in our minds that we have martyr-like heroes and good citizens among our prestigious NLD Party members, at times when we are afraid to do what we should do and when we are afraid to do the things we should not do,” she said.

The State Counsellor added that the accomplishments and actions of U Ko Ni and U Nay Win should inspire the country to keep striving toward its goals. “For every citizen living in the country to be healthy and happy is our principle and simultaneously the aims and beliefs of all beings. A period of ten month or one year is in fact short for a government and a country. In a short period of time, we had had a considerable amount of satisfaction.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi then gave words of encouragement and condolence to the bereaved families. The memorial service was held a day after the authorities of the Ministry of Home Affairs held a press conference on the assassination. At the press conference, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe said personal antagonism and extreme nationalism was behind the assassination of legal adviser to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) U Ko Ni.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar