An elected parliamentary representative from the Mon Unity Party (MUP) will be a member of the State Administration Council, according to party sources. 

The party’s central committee called an emergency meeting on February 6. 

Naing La Yi Tama, joint secretary (1) of the MUP, said the committee decided to accept the offer of the military to join the council.  

“On February 6, the central committee held an urgent meeting. We received the military offer to us accept a post in the State Administration Council. We discussed that matter mainly. Then, chose Dr Banya Aung representing our party to participate in the council. We have sent the list to the authorities concerned,” said Naing La Yi Tama. 

Citing the reason for his participation, he said Myanmar had gone through the 1988 uprising and the 2007 saffron revolution in which some members of ethnic groups lost their lives. However, the ethnic minorities did not get political solutions they needed. Based on such historical experiences, confrontation should be avoided and instead, negotiation and coordination must be sought. So the party decided to take part in the council, he added.  

“To achieve our goal of federal democracy, we must seek answers on the negotiation table. With his collaboration, we will be able to have the right to negotiate for our federation democracy. As per the 2008 constitution, we hope that we will be able to demand our ethnic rights, Naing La Yi Tama said. 

He said his party would continue the path to inclusive cooperation by avoiding any bloodshed. 

The State Administration Council was formed on February 2 with Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as chiar.