Mingalaba, everybody!
I am now able to deliver my speech in our own language from TV and radio thanks to the stance of our party. We are grateful for it.
Zomi people would be and will be proud of listening to the speeches in Zomi language delivered by the Zomi National Congress in 1990 for the first time, by the Zomi Congress for Democracy (ZCD) in 2015 for the second time, and by the ZNC again in 2020 for the third time from TV and radio.
The political policy and the flag of the party remain unchanged for 30 years until now. The following is the four-point policy ZNC has been adhering to for 30 years.
1) The use of the name “Zomi” as proof of our ancestral and local identity;
2) The emergence of a genuine democratic government;
3) The independent market economic system;
4) The promotion of Panglong Spirit.
I would now explain the points here.
1) We will stick to the first principle of our four-point policy;
2) As regards the emergence of a truly democratic government of the second point, democracy ensures the right to equality before the law among the people who accept the principle of equality between all humans. It guarantees the right to life, the freedom of innovation, the freedom of expression, and the freedom of association. Democracy is the government of people, by the people, for the people. But a genuine democracy has not clearly emerged yet in the country under the 2008 Constitution.
3) In connection with the third point, I would say that the country is rich in natural resources. Authentic quality goods will be available for the people at reasonable prices if the qualified citizens are entrusted with the independent powers for exploration, production, competition and marketing instead of permitting the monopolization of the whole business by a single government or a private organization.
4) As regards the fourth point, I would recount the precolonial period, during which ethnic races were independent people living under their own chieftains, local lords or community heads in accordance with their own culture and traditions. It is an undeniable fact that the today’s Union was the result of the historic Panglong Agreement signed by Zomi leaders, Pu Thawng Za Khup, Pu Kio Mang and Pu Hlur Hmong, and Shan and Kachin leaders in 1947 following the encouragement of the General Aung San and leaders of ethnic peoples to collectively restore independence from the British and set up the Union of Burma as a single home for all.
Zomi is the people playing a pivotal role in the Union of Myanmar. They are the people who signed the Panglong Agreement the source of the Union. Moreover, they are also the people who sacrificed life and blood in defending the Union at the Battle of Insein when Myanmar was dubbed ‘Yangon government’.
From ZNC to ZCD during 30 years
ZNC was included in the parties that won a set or seat in the 1990 election. But the then government, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, did not convene the parliament, and instead, it held the National Convention. Zomi Congress for Democracy continued political activities in cooperation with its partner parties for the realization of the results of the 1990 election during the hard times.
The party has the following five-year post-2020 programme:
1) The practical realization of the ethnic literature and culture projects;
2) The full protection of land ownership of the natives;
3) The flourishing of the federal democracy;
4) The lessening of poverty nationwide;
5) The restoration of internal peace and the stability of the political system through the continuation of the Union Peace Conference – the 21st Century Panglong;
6) The earliest implementation of the agreed points of the Union Accord reached the Union Peace Conference – the 21st Century Panglong and the issues passed by the Union Parliament;
7) The continuation of the four-point policy the Zomi Congress for Democracy has been adhering to for 30 years.
Zomi Forward!
Thank you.
#The Globl New Light of Myanmar