New constitution needed for genuine federal system: KNO

          Opposition ethnic Kachin political organizations in exile have condemned the junta’s electoral laws and the forthcoming general election, which holds out no hope for the people. It has urged the Burmese regime to draft a new constitution if it wants to have a real federal system.

          The Chairman of the exiled Kachin National Organization (KNO) Bawmwang La Raw told KNG in an interview that the junta’s electoral law and the election will hold out no hope for the people but only benefit the military regime.


        “There is no earthly reason to accept this election because we have not accepted the regime’s constitution,” said La Raw.
        “The junta drafted the constitution on its own and it does not reflect the real will of the people,” he said.
        It has to redraft the constitution if the military government really wishes to grant equal rights and self determination in a genuine federal system which all ethnic people are demanding, he said.
       KNO formed in the late 90’s with Kachin ethnic people overseas, has always opposed the junta and its oppressive action on ethnic people.
       The KNO leader said, those who are seeking to contest the election are looking at benefits rather than work for the people.
          Whoever seeks to contest the election will be supporting the military junta and will be with the regime not the people.
          At the moment, the northern Burma based, political party Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP), headed by former Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) vice president No. 2 Dr. Manam Tu Ja, is preparing to contest the election.
         The KSPP was formed in June 20, 2008 with Kachin Nationals’ Consultative Assembly (KNCA), a former ceasefire group, now transformed to Border Guard Force (BGF) and the people’s militia group the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K) (BGF) and Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group (people’s militia).
        The party promises to undertake development of the people in Kachin State in social, cultural, political, educational and economic sectors.
        “I don’t think any party which contests the elections are well intentioned towards the public but will think only for itself,” said La Raw.
        The United Nations and the international community should not accept the junta’s election because it is not for the Burmese people but will legitimize and continue its stranglehold on power.