Mon National Party Chairman Nai Ngwe Thein (Photo: MNA)

Since the MNP’s former chairman Nai Ngwe Thein has taken leave from the party, he attended the opening ceremony of the new office solely as a party member, according to what he told the reporters.

“It is not a choice between senior people or young people. If the older people cannot do it, do not appoint them. If young people can do it, let them lead the party. Just appoint a person who can lead. For me personally, I cannot lead anymore,” said Nai Ngwe Thein.

Nai Ngwe Thein, who is now 94, sent his resignation letter to the party on September, 27, citing his age as his reason for leaving.

After the letter was submitted, the top leaders of the MNP including vice-chairman (1) Nai Tin Aung, and Nai Pan Aung, the party affairs official, met with Nai Ngwe Thein as they wanted to find out the true reasons behind Nai Ngwe Thein’s resignation request.

Starting in 1948, Nai Ngwe Thein began his political life and worked as a high profile leader. Although he requested to leave his position at the MNP, top leaders requested he didn’t and he had to remain the leader.

“I want to say that he is presented here as the chairman because we didn’t let him resign and that party executive members, and all members, see him as the chairman. That was also the decision made by the party commission,” said Nai Pan Aung.

However, when former vice-chairman (1) of the MNP, Nai Htet Lwin, who is now Minister of Union Ethnic Affairs, requested for his resignation from the party, the party granted it upon request, according to Nai Layea Tama, General Secretary of MNP.

MNP was first founded as the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) in 1988, but it changed to the Mon Democracy Party (MDP) in 2012. Soon after, it changed to its current name, Mon National Party in 2014.

Nai Ngwe Thein first served for the MNDF as vice-chairman (1), while late Nai Tun Thein was the party’s chairman.