Union Solidarity and Development Party Amyotha Hluttaw representative U Tun Zaw – better known as Ko Pauk – tells Htoo Thant that his standing as a businessperson and philanthropist in rural Bago Region will be enough to see him hold his seat

In which constituency are you running?

I am contesting from my current constituency – constituency 12 of Bago Region. It includes three townships: Nattalin, Zigon and Gyobingauk.

What have you done for voters during the past four-year term?

Technically I represent three townships, but the main one is my hometown, Nattalin. During the past four years, via parliament, I proposed to the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development and the Ministry of Construction that Nattalin should have tarred roads. And then I proposed three dams to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for the benefit of the farmers. All were implemented. I also proposed meeting basic needs such as roads and schools for Zigon and Gyobingauk, in consultation with their respective Pyithu Hluttaw representatives. In this year’s budget, we were allowed to build 13 schools in Nattalin.

What support do you get from your party?

The party supports everything we need, with both manpower and funding. In the last election campaign, the party budgeted K1 million for each township.

Are you facing more opposition this time?

For me, there is only one [opposing] candidate, from the National League for Democracy. But a high number of candidates will compete for the Pyithu Hluttaw and regional hluttaw seats.

Why should voters choose you?

My name is well known across the region, because I have my own businesses – a mill, a commodity wholesale centre, car trading, and gold selling and buying. I’ve also founded several social groups in Nattalin. We give help at once whenever we are asked. So, I have been very popular in the three townships.

Do you worry the party’s leadership changes could impact your votes?

Not at all. This is an issue for the party’s leaders. For us as candidates, personality is the most important thing. Voters will decide based on the personality of the candidate only. So they will give me votes because they know me well.

What worries you leading up to the election?

I don’t want to see chaos on election day. Whoever they would like to vote for, I want the public to vote in a disciplined way.

What message do you have for voters?

People need to choose the right person. They need to consider how much a candidate can work for the community, and how reliable he or she is.

What kind of person you would like to see as the future president?

The person elected as president should be knowledgeable about economic, political and of course military matters, because the country sits next to powerful countries and is also rich in natural resources, which draws attention. So military capability is very fundamental too. I want to choose a person who is acquainted with economic, political and military affairs.

Translation by Zar Zar Soe