The Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger Party) will prioritize achieving peace amid ongoing armed conflicts involving various ethnic armed organizations and groups under the name of revolutionary movements across the country, said party chairman Sai Aik Paung.
He made the remarks during a radio and television program broadcast on the evening of November 9, where he discussed the party’s policies, principles, and activities.
“Given the country’s current situation — with ongoing armed resistance by multiple ethnic armed groups and organizations claiming to be revolutionary movements — our party will first focus on achieving peace,” Sai Aik Paung said.
Founded in 2010 to represent Shan national interests, the former Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), known as the White Tiger Party, won 58 parliamentary seats in the 2010 general election. The party also held five state ministerial posts and one deputy minister position at the Union level. However, Sai Aik Paung said the party was unable to bring about substantial national transformation at that time. He stressed the need to build a stronger, more resilient political organization capable of truly advancing national development — a motivation that led to the establishment of the Shan and Ethnic Democratic Party (White Tiger Party), which now represents not only the 135 ethnic groups but all citizens of Myanmar.
He noted that in addition to internal armed conflicts, Myanmar is facing natural disasters and economic hardships, compounded by foreign sanctions. To overcome these challenges, the White Tiger Party plans to prioritize stability, the rule of law, and efforts to lift international sanctions. He said lifting the sanctions would attract foreign investment, revitalize the social and economic sectors, and help the country move forward.
“Young people today aspire to work abroad for better education and family livelihoods. When foreign investments return and the country’s economy recovers, more job opportunities will emerge. This will secure young people’s future and reduce brain drain. Currently, many youths are leaving illegally for overseas work, facing high costs and multiple risks. To prevent this, the party plans to establish formal overseas employment agencies that can legally send workers abroad. This would generate tax revenue for the nation, protect workers’ rights, and allow youths to work abroad safely and confidently,” he said.
The Chairman also emphasized the importance of easing the public’s economic burdens by reducing the high cost of living. He said the party intends to introduce affordable housing schemes for factory workers, company employees, civil servants, and migrant families, as well as provide low-interest business loans and affordable raw materials to support economic recovery.
“Only by ensuring the availability of basic commodities like rice, cooking oil, salt, chili, and onions at reasonable prices can we truly improve people’s living standards,” he added.
He further stated that cross-border trade plays a vital role in boosting the country’s economy and job creation. Therefore, the White Tiger Party aims to establish a new trade route with Thailand through southern Shan State, where stability can be maintained. Sai Aik Paung said this new trade corridor would not only benefit Shan State but also help stabilize commodity prices nationwide, create numerous job opportunities, and significantly contribute to Myanmar’s overall economic development.
