The Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) held the latest in a series of debates earlier this week in the northern Shan State town of Lashio.   The well attended event focused on the topic of “hope in the post-election”.

The debate, which took place on Tuesday May 3rd, was conducted in Shan and included four main speakers.  The speakers were Sai Sein Lu from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)’s Hsenwi Township committee, Sai Tu from the National League for Democracy (NLD)’s Lashio Township committee, Sai Naw Hseng, a spokesman from the Tai Youth Network and Nang Kem Wan, a representative of a coalition of Shan community based organization (CBO) representing Shan State and border based groups.  More than 80 people attended the event.

Sai Hark Khur, SHAN’s editor in chief, noted that a wide range of topics were covered during the lively discussion.  The main issues discussed concerned the amendments to the 2008 constitution, genuine peace in the country and equal rights for all.   Another topic also discussed was whether Burma’s ethnic issues were the most pressing for the country or whether the ongoing political issues should be solved first.

“Aung San Suu Kyi will have to amend the 2008 constitution,” said Sai Sein Lu of the SNLD during the debate. “This is because her father led the Panglong Agreement. If she does not follow what her father has done, then national reconciliation will not happen.”

Sai Hark Khur who moderated the event noted that many in Shan state have questions about the NLD’s stance on revising the constitution.

“Regarding proposed amendments to the constitution, many scholars have criticized Aung San Suu Kyi, who is not only the leader of the NLD but who is also seen to be pulling the strings from behind the president,” he said.

SHAN has conducted four debates so far. In 2015, SHAN held a debate in Taunggyi on the issue of “the election and its security”, and another debate was held in eastern Shan State’s Kengtung on the subject of the national 2015 election. In April this year, SHAN conducted a debate in Panglong Township on the issue of “the solution to the drug problem in Shan State”.  Last week’s debate was sponsored by Burma News International (BNI) and USAID.

By Staff/ Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)