Yangon Weather Forecast, Burma

Former captain goes it alone

Please tell us about your background.

My parents are U Boe Thar and Daw Shwe Nu. I am a Rakhine Buddhist and was born on January 23, 1953 in Munaung township. I passed the matriculation exams in 1970 and then entered the army. I graduated with a BA (Higher Grade Pleader, HGP) from the Defense Services Academy. In 1990, I retired from the army and entered the education sector.

Why have you chosen to be an independent candidate rather than align with one of the political parties?

I don’t want to do party politics; I want to pursue national politics. And I am not that satisfied with the parties. Only a few parties last very long because they have many weaknesses and disagreements. We have experienced this before in Myanmar. I want to do what I think is best for my country and people, that’s why I am trying to be an independent candidate.

Have any parties offered to take you on as a candidate?

Yes, about five parties asked if I was interested in becoming a candidate for them. I just said I would think about it, but I have no plan to go down that path. I see every person and every party who is working for the benefit of the country as my ally.

Do you have any previous political experience?

I don’t have any particular political experience. Having been a soldier, my experience is related mostly to the army. I was a private when I entered the army in 1971. I was one of only three students selected from the army to study at the Defense Services Academy from across the whole nation. When I graduated as a member of batch 17, I was appointed to the No 2 Chin Rifle Regiment in Pathein. Later, I was sent to the Central Postal Squad in Pyin Oo Lwin, No 55 Light Infantry Region in Sagaing, No 35 Infantry Regiment in Tharyarwady, Bago Region and No 120 Light Infantry Region in Wuntho, Sagaing Region. And then I retired in 1990.

How do you learn about politics?

I listen to as much radio news as I can, broadcast by both local and international radio stations. I read newspapers, and I read all kinds of books, not only about politics.

What did you do after leaving the army?

After retiring, I ran Aung Ban Education Centre and Hostel in Pyigyitagon township in Mandalay and I have been helping poor students who can’t afford their educational expenses. I myself was a child from a poor family and had to enter the army because I needed the money. I understand what it’s like for poor students with talent and that’s why I’m helping the students in Munaung as much as I can.

Where will you stand as a candidate and why do you think people will support you?

I will run for the Pyithu Hluttaw in Munaung as it’s where I was born, and I have parents, relatives and friends here. I always go around visiting them and letting them know what I am doing. I guess you could say this is my style of election campaigning. Also, everybody knows about my efforts in the social welfare and education fields.

If you were elected, what would be your main task?

I would be at the service of whoever appoints me – the government or the people. And even if I’m not elected I will keep working for the sustainable development of my native area. If elected as a representative of the people, my primary task would be to help develop the Rakhine State economy; I see that as the most important task at present. Other sectors such as education or health will only improve if the economy is good. – Translated by Zaw Winn

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