Rakhine State Parliament unanimously approved a proposal urging the Rakhine State government to defer the loan payment period as farmers are unable to repay their agricultural loans due to the fights. 

At the regular session of the Rakhine State Parliament on December 24, MP U Aung Kyaw Htwe from Pauktaw Township seconded that proposal submitted by MP Hla Thein Aung from Minbya Township Constituency-1. 

On December 27, the parliament unanimously approved that proposal after three MPs debated it. 

MP Hla Thein Aung said: “Now farmers are in dire straits. They were unable to do their plow in time, use fertilizers and harvest thriving paddy. They fled their houses. My proposal aims to urge the Rakhine State government to postpone the loan repayment period for a certain period of time. This is a monsoon paddy loan granted by the government.”

Farming is the lifeblood of Rakhine people and very important for the survival of them since yore. They value farming as it is traditional work. Due to the fights, farmers face difficulties in some regions in Rakhine State, especially Minbya, MraukU, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, and Yathaedaung Townships. They have to take loans as they have no income. This is the acid test of the government’s generosity and sympathy, MP Hla Thein Aung added. 

MP U Tun Tha Sein from MraukU Township said: “The reason why I seconded this proposal is the fights have been taking place in Buthidaung in northern Rakhine State and other townships, till date since 2018. Farmers are unable to do their farming well. They are unable to repay their loans. I seconded it in order that the government can suspend it.”