Arakan National Party (ANP) Chairman U Thar Tun Hla presented party’s policy, stance and work programmes through radio and TV on 24 September.
Esteemed voters and people
I wish for your good health in body and mind and to be safe from all dangers. I am U Thar Tun Hla, Chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP).
ANP represents the Rakhine ethnic group and believes its national duty to promote the political, economic, education and social objectives of Rakhine people and other ethnic groups in Rakhine State.
ANP was formed by combining the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP), which won 35 Hluttaw seats in the 2010 election, and the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), which won 11 seats in the 1990 election and re-registered as a political party in 2012, with the aim at achieving the interests of Rakhine people through their unity.
ANP’s four main objectives are:
(a) Development of Rakhine State and Rakhine people.
(b) Equality for all ethnic groups.
(c) Proliferating democracy.
(d) Emergence of genuine federal Union.
Esteemed voters and people
Our nation has been suffering various unfortunate circumstances for over 70 years due to armed conflicts and bad management since gaining independence. And it’s still to this day. They are suffering, such as the loss of innocent lives, mutilation, and leaving their homes and jobs to seek refuge in IDP camps. We believe this and the numerous armed conflicts are a result of lacking equality among ethnic people, the choice to make one’s own destiny, and self-determination. That is why we all need to cooperate to create a Constitution that guarantees a genuine federal Union with democratic values based on self-determination.
Esteemed voters and people
ANP is not based solely on Rakhine ethnic groups. We include other ethnic groups living in Rakhine State to become a member of our political party. Our party will actively stand for all the ethnic groups in Rakhine State and all of the Union.
We have clearly outlined the 18 action plans of our party in our charter and are practically implementing it. In summarizing, the plans concern creating opportunities for education, healthcare, social, economy, culture through labour unions and farmer unions with projects funded by foreign investments and participation of Rakhine entrepreneurs, full rights to economic benefits from international investments and natural resources in Rakhine State for the Rakhine people, helping displaced Rakhine people return home and find jobs, and ensuring the full rights and protection of women, children, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
Esteemed voters and people
ANP secured the most seats in Rakhine State during the 2015 election, but we did not get the opportunity to form our state government yet we pushed on with our national political trek through managing the state Hluttaw.
Our party representatives have worked hard in the Rakhine State Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for the benefit of Rakhine people and all ethnic people and citizens of the nation. However, we hope you understand when we were unable to fulfil the wishes and needs of the Rakhine people and all residents in Rakhine State.
We are using the best of our abilities in politics within and outside the Hluttaw.
The people are well aware that ANP has been there when difficulty rises for the Rakhine people either through our own effort or in collaboration with parties working for Rakhine interests. We are currently working hard to assist within the legal framework, to fulfil basic needs and humanitarian assistance to the troubled citizens of armed conflicts in Rakhine State, and we will continue to do so.
Esteemed voters and people
In the coming General Election on 8 November 2020, ANP will contest in 33 seats in the Rakhine State Hluttaw, 17 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, 12 seats in Amyotha Hluttaw, a seat for Rakhine Ethnic Affairs in Yangon Region and Ayeyawady Region each, two seats for Ngaputaw Township in the Regional Hluttaw, and a seat in Pyithu Hluttaw for a total of 67 seats.
The people are aware that ANP is working closely with organizations working for Rakhine interests to resolve difficulties for Rakhine people together with the people. We have also formed the Youth Wing in our party to pass over to the next generation. We have appointed capable young women and those of middle age in essential roles in party conferences. And we have selected talented youths and women as candidates for the upcoming election.
All Rakhine people stood with RNDP for the 2010 election and won 35 Hluttaw seats, standing as the third winning political party in Myanmar. Similarly, ANP won 45 seats in the 2015 election and became the third winning political party. That is why the government of Myanmar, ethnic leaders, international governments and organizations have made acknowledgements of our representation of Rakhine.
The effects of armed conflicts in Rakhine State have caused casualties to nearly 200,000 people and facing unthinkable hardships in IDP camps.
Nearly 20,000 acres of farmland are in disuse, and providing sufficient food has become a considerable difficulty in Rakhine State. ANP firmly believes it is our political duty to find political and le-gal solutions for the numerous issues faced by the people such as harsh weather, inadequate assistance, children unable to pursue education, and the elderly and children facing hardships.
We firmly believe the Rakhine people will vote for our party as the national duty on 8 November 2020 to resolve the challenges in Rakhine State and to preserve our integrity as Rakhine.
Esteemed voters and people
ANP will continue to implement genuine federal Union and emergence of a Union built on self-determination highlighted in our four objectives. We have submitted and read our genuine federal Union paper at the first session of the Union Peace Conference – 21st Century Panglong.
We respectfully request Rakhine people to vote for our party representatives who will be competing for Hluttaw seats to continue the unending national duty to the fullest abilities.
In conclusion, we wish all voters and people to be free from danger and for all misfortunes to come to an end.
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar