MP was squeezed out, say dissidents

Politics

MP was squeezed out, say dissidents

Sai Tun Aung, MP of Langkher (LangkhÖ), whose resignation as a member of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy had been hyped up by the State-run media last week, was threatened with dire consequences to force him to sign his departure, according to sources from northern Shan State. Hawkeye reports:

"His brother-in-law Sai Long's Sein Naykya store in Lashio operates as an alternative financial service for overseas Shans transferring money to their relatives backhome," said a ceasefire source. "Sai Tun Aung himself makes a living by dubbing Thai TV soaps into Shan, another occupation not officially registered. Both of them, as a result, are at the mercy of the military authorities."

Sai Tun Aung, 46, is a native of Lankher, a township 114 miles southeast of Taunggyi, and holds a veterinary degree. Despite his maternal uncle, Maj Aung Thein, being an intelligence officer, who had served as chief of MI #22 in Kengtung until a few years ago, he had been active in Shan literacy and cultural movements during his student days and later as a member of the SNLD, and served as Vice Chairman of the Lankher township SNLD.

He was among the 23 SNLD candidates elected as Members of Parliament in 1990.

"He is rather a quiet fellow," said one of his friends. "He doesn't drink except with his friends."

Sai Tun Aung moved to Lashio in 1994 after he found himself in difficulties earning a livelihood in his hometown, they said.

On 21 January 2001, remaining members of the SNLD's Langkher branch, were told by the authorities to close shop. Four months later, members of the branch in Mongkung, 108 miles northeast of Taunggyi, were "asked" by the authorities to make a choice between economic gains on resignation and persecution on refusal to resign. "In addition, the authorities warned us we might also face charges like collaboration with the armed resistance," one source told S.H.A.N. at the time.

The upshot of the military's pressure campaign in 2001 was the resignation by Sai Panlu, secretary of the SNLD's Hsihseng branch, on 3 September.

"It is the same with Sai Tun Aung," said a source in Lashio. "The military intelligence wrote the resignation for him. He only had to sign. Now his home in Lashio is under close guard, as though he has to fear from his friends."

Hkun Tun Oo, leader of SNLD, told Irrawaddy Sai Tun Aung would be welcomed back to the party if he wishes.

One observer noted however that the current predicament of the SNLD that, along with the National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi, had decided not to join the ongoing National Convention which began on 17 May, was not "unique".

"The NLD had also faced the same situation when it boycotted the NC in 1995," he said. "Only Sai Tun Aung is the first non-Burman party member to quit."

Related report: Ethnic leader forced out, Irrawaddy, 8 June 2004