In a letter responding to the APP, the ALD said it welcomed the APP’s offer to merge the two parties but it is not ready to merge since it is still in the party-establishment period.

“We can only make the decision after the party conference. Currently, we are still establishing the party in the townships and villages so we still can’t make the decision. We still haven’t decided on the date for holding the conference,” said U Myo Kyaw, general secretary of the ALD.

The APP made the offer to merge with the ALD on December 18 since both parties share the same aim and policy in working for the interest of the Rakhine State and the Rakhine people.

“We welcome the ALD’s response. We understand that they are in a period of party-establishment. So, we believe we can implement the expectation of the Rakhine public by merging the two parties,” said U Khin Maung Tun, secretary general of the APP.

The ALD sent the reply letter with an express mail on January 18 based on the decision of its central executive committee meeting, which was held on December 23, 2017.

In the reply letter to the APP, the ALD also stated that it believes a certain time is needed for two parties to merge into one party and it will decide on the merger offer after holding the party conference.