The newly reformed Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) and the Arakan National Party (ANP) are both laying claim to the Byala – a creature that according to Rakhine folklore is an amalgamation of nine different animals, and features predominant elephant, crocodile and lion characteristics.

The ALD decided to use the Byala emblem on their new flag and seal, but the ANP raised objections.

“The Byala emblem is concerned with the entire Arakan people. No single person owns it. No organization owns it. The entire people own it,” said U Myo Kyaw, leader of the ALD. “The fighting peacock is a logo, seal, and symbol for Burmese political parties. But other parties use it as well. No single person owns it.”

The ALD submitted its party name, flag and seal to the Union Election Commission on May 22 in order to re-register as an operational political party after the members were ousted from the ANP. The UEC announced via state media yesterday that objections against the party’s name, flag, and seal can be lodged of the next seven days. The ANP hastily filed its dissent, alleging that their rivals have copycatted them.

“The Byala emblem from this flag and seal has the same color, style and even position as the one from our party’s logo. Under the instruction of our Central Executive Committee, we have objected to the UEC and requested they not be allowed to use [an identical logo] so as to avoid confusion among voters and to protect the reputation of our party,” said U Tun Aung Kyaw, general secretary of the ANP.

According to the UEC’s rule and regulation, the UEC will hear both sides of the dispute between the parties.

Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron