Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, Chairperson of the Federal Democratic Party, presented the policy, stance and work procedures of her party through radio and television on the evening of 7 November.

The full text of the presentation is as follows: –

Esteemed people,

I am Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, Chairperson of the Federal Democratic Party. My parents are U Kyaw Nyein (Ex-Deputy Prime Minister of the State) and Daw Nwet Nwet Yi. My father, U Kyaw Nyein, was a prominent figure who worked hand in hand on the front lines with General Aung San to achieve Myanmar’s independence. After Myanmar gained independence and the nation was established, it became a country respected by most nations in Southeast Asia.

My mother, Daw Nwet Nwet Yi, was a devoted donor who daily offered alms to 1,000 monks. During the ceremony of the Sixth Buddhist Synod, she served as the primary donor at the pagoda of Kaba Aye Cave in Yangon, presenting offerings to the monks. She also worked alongside my father and actively participated in Myanmar’s independence struggle.

Esteemed people,

“How to rebuild the nation” that was what my father always used to say. Since Myanmar regained independence, internal instability has continued to this day. The ethnic nationalities have also been consistently calling for the establishment of a Union based on democracy and a federal system.

In general, federalism means reducing central control. From my studies, I’ve learned that there are various forms of federal systems. I believe that the system we choose must be suited to our own country. Among the types of federalism, the ones most commonly seen are those based on ethnicity and those based on regions and states.

From my perspective, since Myanmar is a country composed of 135 ethnic nationalities, establishing a federation based solely on ethnicity could lead to significant complexities. Therefore, our party firmly believes in building a federal system based on regions and states. This is why we established the Federal Democratic Party in Bago Region.

Once the legislature is formed, the problems faced by the people can be discussed in the Hluttaw through their elected representatives. To effectively oversee the government, these Hluttaw representatives must also be competent. Our party has selected educated candidates for the Hluttaw and has also gathered a majority of advocates as Hluttaw candidates. I believe that the government emerging after the elections will be based on a multiparty democratic system and will include a majority of parties. With a majority-inclusive government, mutual checks and balances can be maintained, enabling the nation’s reconstruction and development efforts to be carried out more efficiently and swiftly.

Esteemed people,

Every citizen of the Union must have chances to: –

(a) fully enjoy political freedoms,

(b) enjoy economic freedoms, and

(c) enjoy social freedoms.

These rights are fully protected through the establishment of the “Federal Democratic Party”. It is presented that the Union of Myanmar belongs to all its citizens, that they share the responsibility for the Union’s development, and that the nation will be built as a strong Union based on democracy and a federal system.

The golden yellow background of the Federal Democratic Party’s flag represents the nation’s abundant natural resources, both above and below the ground, and the resulting wealth and prosperity. The green peacock symbolizes that all citizens of the Union live in peace, contentment, and happiness.

Policy and stance

Our party will work to ensure that all citizens of the Union fully enjoy democratic rights and to establish a Union founded on democracy and a federal system.

The democratic system, our party believes in, upholds universal virtues such as freedom, justice, and equality. It aims to ensure that the people fully enjoy fundamental freedoms and rights, including political freedom, economic freedom, judicial independence, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and the freedom to organize and assemble.

National reconciliation

National reconciliation is crucial for the country’s development. The Federal Democratic Party places great emphasis on this principle and will strive to ensure its success.

Ethnic minority affairs

Through the Panglong Conference, General Aung San led the effort to establish national unity among the ethnic nationalities.

The 1947 Constitution was drafted by the Parliament. The Constitution, which was adopted by the national leaders at that time, was designed in a way that satisfied the minority groups and ensured effective administration of the country. In essence, it established a union system fundamentally a unified state. However, with independence came the rise of dogmatism, racism and sectanarism, which caused discord among the people.

Economic sector

In the economic sector, there are various forms of enterprises such as the free market economy, private production businesses, joint ventures between local and foreign investors, joint ventures between the government and the private sector, tripartite ventures involving the government, private sector, and foreign investors, intergovernmental joint ventures, cooperative societies, and state-owned economic enterprises.

Education policy

“The Federal Democratic Party” will implement plans aimed at establishing a long-lasting and sustainable education system. The Federal Democratic Party will develop Myanmar’s healthcare system to meet international standards in line with modern times.

Social welfare policy

The Federal Democratic Party believes that all citizens of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are entitled to equal protection and care from the State and the Myanmar social community. In particular, children and the elderly deserve special protection and care from both the government and the people. The party will ensure that persons with disabilities, the poor, the sick, and patients receive at least free medical treatment, preventive care, and protection. For the homeless, the party will create affordable housing under the National Social Welfare Programme to provide temporary shelter and food.

Farmer affairs

All farmers will be granted rights such as land transfer, inheritance, and the freedom to sell their land.

For agricultural activities, necessary support will be provided to ensure access to high-quality seeds and high-yield crop varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment for soil preparation and maintenance. In agriculture and farming, support will be provided to enable the cultivation of crops, including rice and industrial raw materials, in a planned and fair manner without malpractice, so that farmers can freely grow crops that respond to domestic and international market prices and generate greater foreign income.

State defence and Tatmadaw sector

Tatmadaw, composed of offspring of the people, will continue to uphold its fine traditions as a people’s Tatmadaw and a patriotic Tatmadaw.

Foreign affairs

Every country must maintain friendly relations with the international community in accordance with its national interests. On this basis, foreign policy must be formulated, observed, and implemented.

The vision of the Federal Democratic Party

In building the new Union of Myanmar, our “Federal Democratic Party” aims to:

(a) Ensure that every citizen of the Union equally enjoys democratic and fundamental human rights in an orderly manner,

(b) Establish a peaceful and prosperous Union,

(c) Promote national unity and reconciliation, and

(d) Facilitate the emergence of a Union based on democracy and a federal system.

Esteemed people,

In conclusion, as the Federal Democratic Party is based in the Bago Region, we invite the people of the Bago Region to join hands and work together with our party. We, the Federal Democratic Party, pledge to addressing the needs of the people under the Constitution.

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