Eight former executive and committee members of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) plan to join the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) in order to solidify and strengthen the party for future political activities in Mon State, according to party leaders.

MNDF leaders held a meeting in Moulmein, Mon State (Photo:Kaowao )

Dr. Min Soe Lin, Secretary of MNDF, told Kaowao, “They are going to join our party, and we are going to hold a meeting on 20 November to discuss how to all work together.

“We believe that at this time we need to reform our party in order become stronger and be more unified,” he said.

The eight former NMSP executive and central committee members include Nai Tin Aung, Nai Cham Toi, Nai Nyan Tun, and others. The eight men originally intended to join the MNDF in 2010 and participate in the elections that year, but some of them did not agree with the 2008 constitution. 

MNDF leaders have consistently opposed the 2008 constitution and did not apply for party registration in 2010, which was a requirement to contest the elections in Mon State.

“We are going to discuss a little bit about the possibility of our party’s registration if we have time during our meeting on 20 November,” said Dr. Min Soe Lin.

The eight men resigned from the NMSP while the NMSP had a ceasefire with the Burmese government from 1995 to 2010.

The MNDF participated in the 1990 election, winning five seats. The Burmese junta disbanded the party at that time, sentencing four elected representatives to long prison terms.

After the four leaders were released from prison in 2004, the party leaders were unable to run party activities as the party was illegal. However, the party’s leadership helped the Mon community by teaching Mon children during the summer periods and organizing Mon people to hold celebrations on Mon National Day.

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