Mai Son Kha! Mingalaba!
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union, I would first like to extend my best wishes for complete and all-round prosperity and auspiciousness.
I am Thiri Pyanchi Sai Aik Pao, Chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP).
Our Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) was granted permission to form the party on 23 June 2023, with party registration number 28/2023. I would first like to explain the purpose of establishing this new party.
In 2010, the former White Tiger Party, established to promote Shan national affairs, was officially named the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party. In the 2010 general election, the party won 58 seats in Hluttaw, with five members appointed as State Ministers and one as a Deputy Minister. However, it was unable to bring about the level of national development and transformation that had been hoped for. To achieve genuine progress and change for the country, it is essential to establish a strong political party. Only then can effective efforts be made to ensure the nation’s development. Therefore, the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) was founded to represent not only the 135 national races but also all citizens of the country.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
In addition to internal armed conflicts, the country is also suffering severely from natural disasters and economic hardships. At the same time, it is facing the impacts and pressures of economic sanctions imposed by foreign countries. To overcome these various challenges, our party will give priority to ensuring regional stability and the rule of law, while also striving for the lifting of international sanctions. Only then will foreign investments begin to flow back into the country, allowing social and economic sectors to recover and move forward once again.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
Today’s many young people have hopes of going abroad to work for the sake of their education and their families. When foreign investments begin to flow back into the country and the nation’s socioeconomic situation improves, more job opportunities will emerge. At that point, the livelihoods, employment prospects, and confidence of young people can be secured, preventing the loss and outflow of human resources. Currently, many youths are leaving the country illegally in search of jobs abroad, facing high expenses and numerous dangers along the way. To prevent such suffering, the establishment of overseas employment agencies that can officially send workers abroad will be encouraged. Through this process, the State will also gain legitimate tax revenues, workplaces will be free from exploitation, and young people will be able to earn a living with security and peace of mind.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
Only by systematically reducing the difficulties in basic living conditions and the rising commodity prices will the people be able to live comfortably. Our party aims to support workers in industrial zones and private companies with low wages, government employees, and youths and families who have migrated for various reasons, by promoting low-cost dormitory and rental housing systems. In addition, to help revive economic enterprises, our party plans to provide special low-interest loans and supply raw materials at reasonable prices to ensure sustainable business recovery and improvement of people’s livelihoods.
Only when the authorities manage sales of basic foodstuffs such as rice, cooking oil, salt, chillies and onions at the cheapest prices with the best assessment will the people be comfortable with food supply.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
To ensure national economic growth and improve the livelihoods of the people, it is essential to create more job opportunities, and border trade plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Our party aims to establish a new border trade route with Thailand in the peaceful and stable southern Shan State. If such a trade route can be developed, it will not only benefit Shan State but also help stabilize commodity prices across the entire country. Moreover, it will create numerous employment opportunities and make a significant contribution to strengthening the national economy.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
If the authorities fulfil the requirements of heavy machinery in the region in the agriculture sector, local farmers will have increased income and spare time. Hence, it is necessary to transform manual farming, which deploys manpower, into mechanised farming, which applies modern techniques without requiring huge considerate manpower. It is one of the work plans adopted by our party.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren of the Union,
In summary, the SNDP respects and values the people’s rights to participate, represent, and choose freely, and it is a party committed to working diligently from the people to the people. It aims to reduce the centralized control while establishing an effective administrative mechanism between the central and local levels.
As such,
At this juncture in time, when a new chapter in history is about to be written, let us join hands with the SNDP to collectively build a stable, peaceful, and developed union based on democracy and a federal system.
Let us rebuild the Union for a better future…
Create Our Great Future Again
I conclude by urging everyone to Create Our Great Future Again.
Thank you.
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar