Press conference held in Loikaw over Bogyoke Aung San statue

A press conference was held at the Kayah State government office meeting hall over the setting up of a statue of Bogyoke Aung San in Kandar Hay Wun Park, Loikaw, Kayah State. The press conference was attended by Kayah State Chief Minister U L Phaung Sho, State Hluttaw Speaker U Hla Htwe, deputy speaker, state government ministers, departmental officials, region-based civil society organisations and 25 reporters from 10 news media houses.

At first, Kayah State Chief Minister U L Phaung Sho said three meetings were held at the Kayah State government office meeting hall on 3 February 2018, at the state hall on 30 April 2018 and at the Kayah State government office meeting hall on 20 June 2018 for setting up a bronze statue of Bogyoke Aung San in Kayah State, Loikaw, according to the wishes of a majority of the people. Comments and opinions were taken at these meetings and the work continued, said the state chief minister. He added that the statue of Bogyoke Aung San was set up as there was no statue of Bogyoke Aung San in Kayah State and for future generations to emulate Bogyoke, the benefactor of 135 ethnic nationals in Myanmar, architect of the country’s independence, his union spirit and his selfless act for independence.

He added that, according to the Constitution, there only exists Kayah State. Kayah State came into existence in 1952 and Kayah State Day had been commemorated yearly for 66 years. Names should be used as described in the Constitution. Any word usage that disintegrates the Union and creates disunity among ethnic nationals should be avoided. Speaking and writing words that strengthen the establishment of a federal union are welcome. All need to be aware of maintaining the sovereignty. A demonstration, against the setting up of the Bogyoke Aung San statue, held on 3 July 2018 by the Karenni Students Union (UKSY) and Kayah State Students Union (KSSU) was handled compassionately according to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, said the chief minister.

As UKSY and KSSU protested against the setting up of the Bogyoke Aung San equestrian statue by the Kayah State government, they were called for a meeting on 20 July 2018. However, UKSY and KSSU made one-sided accusations and left the meeting. The meeting continued with the remaining people where the public and civil society organisations willingly supported the setting up of the statue. The Bogyoke statue organising committee formed by the State government was disbanded and a people-based committee, based on the wisher of the people, and a committee formed with persons elected by the people will be formed and the state government will provide the necessary assistance.

A video clip of the meeting was shown, where there was enthusiastic support on setting up the Bogyoke statue. Kayah State government secretary U Khin Maung Win then explained that the announcement issued by UKSY and KSSU was different from what the state government had discussed. Head of State Police Force Police Colonel Win Kyi explained the action taken over the demonstration event. Later, questions raised by the media were answered by the state chief minister, state Hluttaw speaker, state minister for development and social affairs, state minister for planning and finance and officials. The press conference concluded at 11.45am.

The press conference was attended by the state media, as well as Skynet, Eleven Media Group, DVB, Kandayawadi Times, Democracy Today, Shwe Trigan, 7 Day, Karenni Times, etc.

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar