Ethnic majorities’ perspectives crucial to establishing federal system-Suu Kyi

Ethnic majorities' perspectives crucial to establishing federal system-Suu Kyi

Published on Thursday, 12 September 2013 01:47

Aung San Suu Kyi seen after the meeting with ethnic leaders about constitutional amendments on September 7 (Photo - Zin Bo Lwin/EMG)

Myanmar must seek the opinions of major national races in discussing the issue of establishing states based on a federal system, The D Wave Journal quoted the leader of opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) as saying in its Monday issue.

NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was speaking in Yangon on Saturday at a meeting with ethnic political parties regarding constitutional amendments.

At present, the overseas-based United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) are preparing to draft a federally-based new constitution. The UNFC is comprised of 11 ethnic groups while the UNA is comprised of the winning ethnic parties from the 1990 election.

For its proposed new constitution, the UNFC wants to abolish the 14 existing states and regions and re-establish states. The UNF, however, envisions the establishment of eight states and a separate Burman state based on ethnic Shan principles.

"How will we amend the constitution? What type of federal system do we expect? We have 135 national races talking about this. The issue needs a thorough discussion. Some ethnic groups are demanding their own states. So it is necessary to seek the stances of major ethnic groups from the states and regions," said Suu Kyi. 

She also said the federal system depended on cordial relations between majority and minority groups.

"But we should not seek opinions of the majority alone. We should also seek them from minority groups. They have their rights as well as needs. There must be a lot of give and take. The federal system, therefore, is concerned with relations between majority and minority groups," said the opposition leader.

Suu Kyi said agreement must be sought to determine what type of federal system should be established.

"Basically, we must decide what type of federal system we want. We must also decide how we will amend the constitution so that we can change the electoral system," said Suu Kyi. "Different opinions will weaken our effort to establish a true democracy with a federal system," she added.

Suu Kyi then highlighted the need for all ethnic groups to seek common ground on the constitutional amendments and federal issues.

In the run-up to draft a federal system-based constitution, establishing a separate Burman state is becoming a contentious issue. Burman nationals, who make up of 75 percent of the total population, are said to oppose the concept.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/09/12/ethnic-majorities-perspectives-crucial-to-establishing-federal-system-suu-kyi/