Interview with U Phay Than a veteran Rakhinepolitician

December 14, 2022. (Narinjara)

 The coup regime has deliberately targeted theRakhine people during 4-months of war with the Arakan Army (AA), resulting in the death ofnearly 40 civilians, the injury of many more, and the 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 artillery fired into Jeit Chaungvillage in northern Maungdawtownship. 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 as well. Human rightviolations against Rakhinepublic by the Myanmar military were rampant. The junta that has committed a brutal suppressionand killing of the Rakhine people, is now organizing a Rakhine State- Day celebrations in Sittwe in anattempt influence publicopinion.

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

Narinjara : After the ceasefire, fake celebrationsfor the 48th Rakhine State Day organized by the Military Council, were held in all the townshipsof Rakhine state. What isyour opinion of these celebrations?

U Phay Than - In my opinion, the current Arakan State Day celebration isnothing more than wordswritten on a bit of paper. It should be considered as “ paper tiger” RakhineState Day. Itis a State 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. So this is a hollowcelebration 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 this State Day. Now theMilitary Council is organizingfunfairs to win over ethnic groups and other indigenous people. This can be considered as a form of deceptioncovered by sweet words. In fact, there is no substance in what they are offeringonly empty shells.

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

U Phay Than: A State-Day is about politics. Ifit is a State Day full of political meaning, we should recognize it. The StateDay 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 Military Council-sponsored StateDay celebrations whohave agreed to participate. 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 arehappy to accept theprize of servitude awarded to an enslaved people, this is shameful. If theyaccept thisembrace from the regime as an honour, the image and credibility of thesesingers will alsosink in the public’s esteem. It is a shameful thing for the country and the people. That’s why they should thinkcarefully about whether to perform or not at the such events, and whether the publicwill accept it or not. They should only attend these ceremonies after reflecting carefullyon 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 by the MilitaryCouncil?

U Phay Than – Rakhine people won’t be thrilled aboutthese events. Perhaps people will go there because they want to see the singers perform. Forsure they won’tget the supportthey deserve. And these festivities shouldn’t be seen as just simple fun. By participating in these events, peoplewill be accepting and legitimising an Arakan State without basic rights. That is why thepeople will not recognize these State-Day celebrations. In my opinion even goingthere just for fun should not be encouraged.