“The substitution of the military-appointed parliamentarians made due to their service terms completed. According to my point of view, it’s good for the public as the Tatmadaw has been taking responsibility for changes,”  Chairman of Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP) Dr. Manam Tu Ja said.

Dr. Manam Tu Ja is a member of the UPDJC which is crucial to the ongoing 21st Century Political Peace Process.

Col. Nay Lin Tun (BC 23742) has been appointed in place of Col.Thura Myo Tin and 8 military-appointed parliamentarians for People’s Parliament, 8 military-appointed parliamentarians for Nationalities’ Parliament and 30 military-appointed parliamentarians for regional and state parliaments have been also replaced accordingly.

“They were substituted as their terms finished. If it’s true, the substitution procedure is a regular practice. If it’s not so, the substitutions were made as a preparation ahead of the 2020 general election. They’re doing so, because when a problem occurred in the grassroots people fingered at the minister for the security and border affairs. Therefore, this act seems to be a lullaby toward public,” said U Naw Khon who is a political analyst in Myitkyina.   

Former Minister for Kachin State Security and Border Affairs Col. Thura Myo Tin was appointed after 2015 election finished. On 21 May this year, he noticed the Waing-maw township Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) that persons who went into the KIA controlled areas to deliver food supplies for IDPs might be held under ‘Unlawful Association Act’.