Arakan Front Party (AFP) Chairman Dr Aye Maung presented policies, stances, procedures and other matters of the AFP through broadcast media (radio, MRTV) on the evening of 30 October.
The full speech by the AFP chair is as follows: —
Mingalaba!
Dear fellow citizens of the Union,
First of all, I would like to extend my best wishes for your physical and mental well-being. I am Dr Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP).
Every Union-level political party seeks governmental authority to implement its political, economic, and social objectives. Similarly, region and state based parties aim to lead their respective governments and hold key positions such as speaker or deputy speaker in the regional or state Hluttaw.
The Arakan Front Party (AFP) believes that nation-building essential for helping the Myanmar people overcome current political, military, and economic crises, along with natural and man-made disasters is of paramount importance. The Party therefore regards participation in key pillars of Nation building and State building political stability, National security, the rule of law, peace, national reconciliation, and national unity as both practical and essential.
The AFP also prioritises the stability and peace of Rakhine State, the repatriation of displaced persons, and the reconstruction of rural and urban communities to restore the people’s livelihoods, contributing fully to these reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts through both short- and long-term policies and programmes.
Dear fellow citizens,
Recognising the geopolitical and strategic importance of Rakhine and the potential for foreign influence, the AFP was founded to establish a strong, principled, and united political system. It aspires to represent the educated Rakhine people as a patriotic, visionary, and moderate nationalist force capable of addressing regional challenges.
Dear esteemed citizens,
I would now like to present the seven founding objectives that AFP laid down at the time of its establishment.
- To strive for Rakhine State to stand with dignity within the Union as a state fully entitled to the rights of democracy and federalism;
- To cooperate and work together with other ethnic nationalities in building a Union based on democratic and federal principles;
- To promote and safeguard the interests of the Rakhine people, Rakhine ethnic groups, and other ethnic nationalities residing within Rakhine State, and to protect these interests for their long-term sustainability;
- To work towards the genuine flourishing of the democratic system;
- To strive for the unity of the Rakhine nationals and for the emergence of a clean and strong political system;
- To priorities and endeavour to safeguard the western border security of the Rakhine region, which not only concerns the existence of the Rakhine nationals and Rakhine State but also poses a potential threat to the sovereignty of the entire Union;
- To exert utmost efforts for the stability, peace, and development of Rakhine State.
Dear esteemed citizens,
Among the plans of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the following are of particular importance:
- To work together with other ethnic nationalities to ensure that the Rakhine people fully enjoy their rights within the Union, which is to be built upon democratic and federal principles;
- To strive for the emergence of a Union founded on democracy and federalism;
- To promote democracy, improve human rights, and uphold the rule of law;
- To work towards achieving internal peace;
- To make efforts to amend or rectify matters inconsistent with the democratic and federal principles upon which the Union is to be based;
- To protect and promote the interests of ethnic farmers in Rakhine State;
- To safeguard and advance the interests of ethnic workers in Rakhine State;
- To ensure that the Rakhine people receive the maximum possible benefits from foreign investments operating within Rakhine State;
- To discover, preserve, and promote Rakhine literature, culture, customs, and other heritage, and to work for the inclusion of major Rakhine historical and cultural sites on the World Heritage List;
- To improve opportunities and conditions in education, healthcare, social welfare, and the economy;
- To prioritize and strengthen the security of Rakhine State’s western border areas;
- To ensure that all ethnic nationalities of Myanmar, including the Rakhine people, can work safely and securely abroad and return to their homeland with dignity;
- To create employment opportunities within Rakhine State so that displaced Rakhine people can resettle in their native areas;
- To cooperate with the international community in efforts to mitigate global warming and to contribute to related initiatives within Rakhine State;
- To actively participate, to the fullest extent possible, in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in response to natural and human-induced disasters affecting Rakhine State;
- To strive for the emergence of industrial zones and promote local and border trade for the development of Rakhine State;
- To continuously build and strengthen the Party’s policy framework and human resource capacity in preparation for taking on responsibilities should the opportunity arise to lead the Rakhine State Government;
- To strive for the physical, intellectual, and moral development of Rakhine youth and sub-ethnic Rakhine youth;
- To explore and implement effective strategies for the eradication of narcotic drugs
Dear esteemed citizens,
The short-term and long-term priority plans of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), particularly emphasising the current military and political crises, are as follows:
- To work in collaboration with all relevant parties until peace is fully restored across the Union;
- To strive for the establishment of a Union based on democracy and a federal system;
- To dedicate efforts towards peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the Rakhine region;
- To actively ensure the mental and emotional well-being and security of the people;
- To facilitate the return of Rakhine conflict-displaced persons to their homes and strive for the restoration of their socio-economic livelihoods;
- To address the difficulties faced by the Rakhine population due to high transportation costs and the resulting high prices of basic food and consumer goods;
- To promote peaceful, harmonious, and law-abiding coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Rakhine State;
- To participate actively in nation-building and reconstruction efforts;
- To engage in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Rakhine region.
Dear esteemed citizens,
For our party to effectively implement its policies and programmes, its nominated candidates must be elected to the respective legislatures.
Both the party and its candidates must earn public confidence through knowledge, integrity, courage, and moral character. They must be honest, dedicated, and diligent in serving the nation, its regions, and all ethnic communities.
Dear fellow citizens of the Union, Dear Rakhine nationals and members of the Rakhine community,
We respectfully urge voters to assess the party and its candidates carefully and to cast their votes for those who embody integrity, intelligence, and devotion to Rakhine State, the Union, and lasting peace and development.
Dear citizens of the Union,
May you soon experience peace, stability, security, and development. May Rakhine State achieve peace and stability as quickly as possible. May all those displaced by conflict be able to return to their homes swiftly.
Arakan Front Party (Central Executive Committee)
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