Political forces, Thakhin Kodaw Hmine Peace Network, farmer unions and other networks issued a statement on March 9 denouncing the remark of the Bago Region chief minister. 

The chief minister said it was the people (of Myanmar) who provoked the military into staging a coup. 

Before that remark, he had also made critical remarks aimed at medical doctors, stove makers, shopkeepers, and female teachers who don’t have staff housing. 

“We are not satisfied at all. We feel very sorry. This is a sheer insult to the people. His party may feel satisfied if it can remove him from the post of chief minister. People participated in the independence struggle as well as in overthrowing the single-party dictatorship. The attempt to amend the 2008 constitution will fail without public participation. We cannot accept his remark at all,” said Kyaw Swe of the Farmers Union (Pyay District). 

The statement called on the ruling National League of Democracy to make him apologize to the people and take effective action against him. 

“We will have a regional meeting. I consider submitting an official letter to the central executive committee. I have to report to the executive committee. We will make a tripartite discussion. I want the CEC to summon him,” said Bago Region NLD Chairman Thein Dan.