S.H.A.N journalist Nan Mwe Khao interviewed Sai Wan Leng from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) also known as the Tiger Head Party  about his campaign for a seat in parliament's upper house representing Lashio.  
Q: How much progress has the campaign trip made?

A: We went in four groups to Mong Yaw village tract, Nam Pawng, Inai, downtown Lashio and Naung Mon.  It will be over soon.

Q: How do you persuade the public during the campaign?

A: We didn’t tell them to vote for the SNLD. We told them that the Tiger Head follows the Panglong Spirit. It’s been over 60 years, but we still haven’t obtained equal status in the cooperation between the frontiers and central areas, as was agreed with Bogyoke Aung San. We haven’t experienced any of this. We want to try for this. The human rights of the Shan people are still being violated today. So, the Tiger Head Party will compete in the election and amend the 2008 Constitution if it wins the election. We will also find solutions so we can obtain equal rights.

Q: What did the public say?

A: They told us that no other party has talked to them about equal rights so they understand them
better now. Some people asked us why there are so many Shan parties. Both the public and the monks have called for the merging of Shan parties. We reply to them that we have been working on the merging of Shan parties. Now, there isn’t much time since the election is drawing near. That’s why we told them that we will make plans to meet this public demand after 2015.

Q: Were there any difficulties in the campaign trip?

A: No, there weren’t. We submitted a letter to the commission and started the campaign trip after receiving permission. But, it is convenient for us to meet with the villagers at night after work hours.

Q: How about armed groups?

A: There weren’t any [difficulties]. The military asked us how many people came from our party. They didn’t make any inspections while wearing uniforms.

Q: Do you have enough of a budget for expenses?

A: We have to find [the budget] on our own in certain towns. As for the Lashio candidates, we use the funds our party’s elders and township committees have collected as donation from the local residents. Candidates who have their own cars travel on their own for the campaign. When we campaigned in some wards, the village elders wanted to give financial support since they couldn’t participate in the party campaign. They told us they want to support us even though they only have 500 kyat or 1,000 kyat. Such donations make up the funds for our campaign. Also, our party gives a receipt for each donation.

Q: Does the acceptance of donations from the public pose threats to your campaign?

A: We neither urge nor pressure them to donate to us. We only give the receipts to those who felt generous enough to give us donation after listening to our campaign.

Q: How many candidates will compete for a seat in the upper house in Lashio?

A: There are five of us - U Sai San Min from the White Tiger Party (SNDP), Nang Kain Phon Tit from the USDP, U Than Htay from the National League for Democracy (NLD). I heard the independent candidate is a Kokang man. I will be competing from the Tiger Head Party. Our campaign in Lashio is nearly over. We will travel to Kunlong, Hsenwi, Mongrae, and Tantyan.

Interviewer: S.H.A.N would like to thank you for answering our interview questions.

Sai Wang Leng also known as Sai Lain, was born to parents Sai Yot Kham Say Htin and Nan Hnin Sein in Hsenwi 1981. He passed his matriculation exams in Hsenwi in 1998-99 and attended Lashio University majoring in history. He married Nan Kham San in 2004 and has two children.

He became acquainted with politics while working as a meeting minute taker for meetings on forming a Shan advisory council.

He has led young people on hiking trips and other activities for social development, environmental protection, and drug alleviation.

He runs a family owned newsagent and book store.  He has published poems and considers writing as a hobby.

Translated by Thida Linn with editing by BNI staff.