Tu Ja. (Photo: themyanmarpost.com)
Burma’s Union Election Commission on Feb. 14 verified Manan Tu
Ja—formerly the vice-chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization
(KIO) and leader of the Kachin State Progress Party—to contest the
upcoming by-elections in April.
Tu Ja told The Irrawaddy that as an independent candidate he will contest the election in a constituency in Moe Kaung Township in Kachin State.
He said five candidates will compete with each other in Moe Kaung, which has tens of thousands of eligible voters and 65 polling stations.
During the 2010 November election, Tu Ja was banned from competing as a representative of his party or as an independent candidate. Founded in 2009, the KSPP comprises former KIO leaders.
“The previous government didn’t recognize me last year,” he said. “But I think the new administration recognizes and accepts me.”
The new government is working on nationwide all-round reform and its position has changed as to the situation in the country, he said.
He added that he will conduct surveys to find out the needs of the people in order to win the election and start working in the Parliament. He said that once he is elected, he will try his best to ensure regional development and internal peace.
“I will present recommendations for internal peace as much as I can. I will also take on other issues that I think will benefit our people,” said Tu Ja.
While welcoming the current peace talks between the KIO and the government, which he says are more encouraging than previous times, he said it would take time for trust-building and building peace.
“I think both sides have agreed to resolve political problems with political means. Their approaches seem much softer,” he remarked.
He said he will visit the temporary refugee camps located in Moe Kaung and nearby areas, and arrange for the provision of aid to displaced Kachin people. He said he will also visit places where people need social assistance.
Since June last year, the ongoing armed conflict between the KIO and government troops has displaced about 45,000 local people who currently enduring great hardships, according to the KIO.
“There will be newcomers in the Parliament and they will work for the betterment of their country,” said Tu Ja. “I want to say that this by-election is important for the people and they need to choose the right persons.”
REF: IRRAWADDY.org
Tu Ja told The Irrawaddy that as an independent candidate he will contest the election in a constituency in Moe Kaung Township in Kachin State.
He said five candidates will compete with each other in Moe Kaung, which has tens of thousands of eligible voters and 65 polling stations.
During the 2010 November election, Tu Ja was banned from competing as a representative of his party or as an independent candidate. Founded in 2009, the KSPP comprises former KIO leaders.
“The previous government didn’t recognize me last year,” he said. “But I think the new administration recognizes and accepts me.”
The new government is working on nationwide all-round reform and its position has changed as to the situation in the country, he said.
He added that he will conduct surveys to find out the needs of the people in order to win the election and start working in the Parliament. He said that once he is elected, he will try his best to ensure regional development and internal peace.
“I will present recommendations for internal peace as much as I can. I will also take on other issues that I think will benefit our people,” said Tu Ja.
While welcoming the current peace talks between the KIO and the government, which he says are more encouraging than previous times, he said it would take time for trust-building and building peace.
“I think both sides have agreed to resolve political problems with political means. Their approaches seem much softer,” he remarked.
He said he will visit the temporary refugee camps located in Moe Kaung and nearby areas, and arrange for the provision of aid to displaced Kachin people. He said he will also visit places where people need social assistance.
Since June last year, the ongoing armed conflict between the KIO and government troops has displaced about 45,000 local people who currently enduring great hardships, according to the KIO.
“There will be newcomers in the Parliament and they will work for the betterment of their country,” said Tu Ja. “I want to say that this by-election is important for the people and they need to choose the right persons.”
REF: IRRAWADDY.org
