“The Junta- organized Rakhine State Day dismissed asa publicrelations ploy”

Interview with U Phay Than a veteranRakhine politician

December 14, 2022. (Narinjara)

The coup regime has deliberately targeted theRakhine people during 4-months of war with the Arakan Army (AA), resultingin the death of nearly 40 civilians, the injury of many more, andthe destruction of large numbers of homes.

Junta troops murdered 10 villagers in Sin Inn Gyivillage of Ponnagyun township, and 13 Mro ethnics were killed when artilleryfired into Jeit Chaung village in northern Maungdaw township.

There were also deaths due to shelling by theMilitary Council in other villages.

Transportation networks in Rakhine state wereblocked, and importation of food, medicine and fuel were cut off aswell. Human right violations against Rakhine public by theMyanmar military were rampant.

The junta that has committed a brutal suppressionand killing of the Rakhine people, is now organizing a Rakhine State- Daycelebrations in Sittwe in an attempt influence public opinion.

Narinjara contacted Myebon Township Pyithu Hluttaw(House of Representatives) Former member U Phay Than,a veteran Rakhine politician, for his views on the staging of this event

Narinjara : After the ceasefire, fake celebrationsfor the 48th Rakhine State Day organized by the Military Council, were heldin all the townships of Rakhine state. What is your opinion ofthesecelebrations?

U Phay Than - In my opinion, the current Arakan State Daycelebration is nothing more than words written on a bit of paper. It should beconsidered as “ paper tiger” Rakhine State Day. It is aState Day that has no benefit for the Rakhine people. Rights that a state should enjoy :autonomy, self-determination and resource sharing, does not exist in Rakhine State. Sothis is a hollow celebration where we have no rights.

So we must not recognize this mockery as a RakhineState Day. If we accept that, we will only have our rights limited by thisState Day. Now the Military Council is organizing funfairs to win over ethnic groupsand other indigenous people. This can be considered as a formof deception covered by sweet words. In fact, there is no substance in whatthey are offering only empty shells.

Narinjara - What do you think about the Rakhinepublic’s attitude towards State Day?

U Phay Than: A State-Day is about politics. Ifit is a State Day full of political meaning, we should recognizeit. The State Day they set has no intrinsic value Everyone already knows it.

Narinjara: There are also criticisms and rejectionsamong the public on the Rakhine singers who will perform at the MilitaryCouncil-sponsored State Day celebrations who have agreed toparticipate. What do you say about their role?

U Phay Than - Singers can be the power ofRakhine State but only when they sing nationalistic songs, do we clap and cheer.But if these singers are happy to accept the prize ofservitude awarded to an enslaved people, this is shameful. If they accept this embrace fromthe regime as an honour, the image and credibility of these singers will also sink inthe public’s esteem. It is a shameful thing for the country and the people. That’s whythey should think carefully about whether to perform or not at the such events, andwhether the public will accept it or not. They should only attend these ceremonies afterreflecting carefully on the stain that will linger on their reputation and their life.

Narinjara - The last question is: Do you think thepeople of Rakhine should participate in the Rakhine State Day being organized bythe Military Council?

U Phay Than – Rakhine people won’t be thrilled aboutthese events. Perhaps people will go there because they want to see thesingers perform. For sure they won’t get the support theydeserve. And these festivities shouldn’t be seen as just simple fun. By participating inthese events, people will be accepting and legitimising an Arakan State without basicrights. That is why the people will not recognize these State-Day celebrations. In myopinion even going there just for fun should not be encouraged.