Htun Khaing(Taung Yin Gyun)

Narinjara News, 21 May 2020

ProminentRakhine leader Dr Aye Maung has been removed from his role as Pyithu Hluttawrepresentative for Ann Township, and has been barred from contesting futureelections, according to the Union Election Commission statement issued on May18.

Dr Aye Maungwas elected as Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Ann Township, Rakhine inbyelections held on April 1, 2017.

Despitesubmitting appeals to different levels of courts Dr Aye Maung was convicted bySittwe district court and sent to prison on March 19 2019. The Union ElectionCommission statement said they had analysed Dr Aye Maung’s conviction of hightreason and defamation of the state. 

Dr Aye Maungis no longer a Pyithu Hluttaw representative and has been terminated from beingan elected Pyithu Hluttaw representative as per Sittwe district court ordermade on March 19 2019 for his infringement of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election LawSection 11 (d), the statement said.

In accordancewith the Pyithu Hlutttaw Law 88 Section (a) Dr Aye Maung is not permitted to  contestas a candidate in future elections for the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw,and the Region or State Hluttaw, the statement said.

RathetaungTownship Amyotha Hluttaw representative U Kin Maung Let commented on thestatement.  “I believe that this announcement is detrimental to thedignity and reputation of a member of parliament.  Doing this to theleader who has the support of an ethnic group is just a way of oppressing allethnic groups.  Even after being sent to prison, national and world leadersare still leaders.  This law needs to be changed” he said.

Amyotharepresentative U Way Sein Aung said “Parliamentarians held a meeting on this.He has been convicted and sent to prison, he has appealed, it’s done anddusted, so today they announced that he shouldn’t be a Hluttaw representative.He must be removed from parliament, that’s the law.  Someone who hasbeen sent to prison cannot be a member of parliament. This has been decided andis in line with the law”.

Dr Aye Maungtogether with author Wai Han Aung were arrested for giving an allegedlyinflammatory speech at a literary festival commemorating the fall of theRakhine kingdom in Rathetaung.  The two were sentenced to 20 years inprison at Sittwe district court on March 19 2019.