MONLAND VIEWPOINT
INDEPENDENT MON NEWS AGENCY (IMNA)
An Interview with Rev Palita, A Former Monk Political Prisoner
Introduction
Rev Palita is a former Buddhist monk political prisoner in
IMNA: Currently, New Mon State Party has voiced for
formation of Federal of Union of Burma. Non-Burman nationalities also have
drafted their own State Constitution in recently. How far a Mon monk community
has understood the concept of Federalism?
Rev: They have written the constitution but we haven’t
yet seen it now. When we went for a meeting we have heard once. You asked that
how far our Mon monks understood the concept of it, no one seem like to study
it. So, they knew what they are being doing among themselves. Generally, no one
has learned about it. Federalism is a good one. As we haven’t seen it for the
moment, it is hard to comment this issue.
IMNA: Does the monk community, especially political monk
community accept the Mon people will be jointed to formation of
Rev: The concept of Federalism, we have only read the
draft paper is written by New Mon State Party and we haven’t seen her (Burman)
draft. We still don’t know how they have worked and drawn it. The draft paper
of the New Mon State Party is so far look good. The Burman' paper, no we
haven’t seen yet. They used to trick us. So, we don’t know how far is good. If
it is not fair, how can we accept?
IMNA: The Burmese military regime never ever interest or
voice the words of “federalism or democracy” but the only opposition political
forces including its armed forces have campaigned for it. What is your opinion
on this aspect?
Rev: The Burmese regime will not follow a path of
opposition forces. We have planed a good structure and we always look to become
better situation. But the Burmese regime will not easily agree everything what
we have planed. Every Mon organization is banned. The regime banned not only
the Mon but almost all of political parties. It is not easy to form a political
party under this government (State Peace and Development Council). They always
work within their own policy. They don’t allow others to form organizations.
They still refuse for formation of political parties.
IMNA: The regime abolished Mon National Democratic Front
in 1992. The New Mon State Party reached cease-fire agreement in 1995. Mr Ngwe Thein (Vice-Chairman of
Mon National Democratic Front) and colleagues were jailed in 1998. If you look
at this trend, how can Mon political campaign raise in the community?
Rev: The regime abolishes not only the Mon National
Democratic Front but also other parties. Then, the New Mon State Party has
agreed for ceasefire that now it has turned to seven- eight years. Yes, we have
observed the process of ceasefire talk but now land of (local farmers) in part
or Ye Town areas have gone (confiscated by Burman’ army). The Burman’s army has confiscated almost land and farms in both
southern and northern Ye Town. Who can protest for the case? If they do, it is
so relief. Our leaders were jailed for seven years. No one knew of the trail.
Usually, prisoners are released pre-celebration of Independent Day (4 January).
It seem that it wouldn’t be released soon until to
seven years term.
IMNA: Many Mon people want independence and liberation.
But if you look back a history, faction is a common attitude within the party
(NMSP). Currently, Mon armed forces were splitting. Why disunity among the Mon
takes place? And what make a unity of a resistance force is failed?
Rev: If we look a spirit (nationalism) of our Mon people,
it has changed a lot and it does not seem like before. Our unity is failed
indeed. It is not an attempt or an act of Burman people who break us a part. We
have committed ourselves for this crisis. Even the Burman too always they are
failed for unity among them. At the moment, again a unity is failed. We must
search why unity is damaged.
IMNA: In Mr U Nu’s government
era (1960s) Mon monks have actively involved in politics. But in late 1960, it
has declined for participation. Why it has declined, please tell us with your
claim?
Rev: Under current political climate, no political
organization is allowed to form. We are banned to engage in politics. I have
voiced for formation of Hitagavesii Association but
many of us still fear. As we are banned to form political organization our
politics is death. We only could do (teach) for language training. I don’t know
whether we could form political organization in one day.
IMNA: Many of textbooks in monastic education are pretty
old and out of date. It is no mush to be used in this modern era. There are a
few good books in Mon language such as Rajadhirit
History (a Mon King History) and Dhamasat Text (a Mon
Legal Text). Do you thing that it is good idea to introduce local monks community to study these books as text or do you want
to leave it and use an old system?
Rev; We have no access to teach and learn our language in
public school then we only could teach in monasteries. It is only to maintain
it for cultural heritage. We have taught history but yes, you are right, no one
though about Dhamasat and even no one is able to
lecture it now. We teach not only an old system but also a new system. After
the government imposed us to use its own textbooks, we are forced to translate
them into Mon language then we teach local children accordingly. We only can
teach a little module for our own textbooks but the authority does not allow
it. We now have translated textbooks of the government into our language for 21
year.
IMNA: Do you think that we should teach English language
in monastery, if yes why we should do it?
Rev: A few Monasteries teach English language now. You
cannot simply develop yourself if you don’t read English in modern era. Some of
us don’t have an opportunity and time because we have to prepare for the State
examination. There is no English subject for the State Examination (Buddhist
Monk Examination).
INMA: United Nations leads a campaign to pressure
Rev: Pressure of foreign countries has taken place. Yes,
we have heard news but we don’t know insight story. They often talk and met
leaders of National League for Democracy. But they don’t release accurate news
to public. Despite foreign countries give strong pressure; no newspaper has
covered about the issue in the country. They don’t allow newspaper to cover the
story. Yes, pressure from foreign countries is fine but don’t only give lip
service. They need to take relevant action. They need very strong sanction and
cut off diplomatic relations. You know man, it is not so easy to remove them
(SPDC).
IMNA: Many of young men and women went to
Rev; Our civilians said that they can earn good income in
foreign countries and they said that they couldn’t survive at home. Despite
they claim that some of them are arrested, received transmitted disease, killed
and abused in foreign land. A few of them return home with HIV/AIDS and die
shortly after they arrived home. They don’t concern a dangerous of social life.
A few women were forced to be sex workers. It is so disappointed story. I think
local border authority should take a good measure to monitor the border route.
IMNA: For over seven-eight years, a ceasefire process
between Mon and Burman (NMSP-SPDC) is emerged. Who win or lost for the game and
politically, who takes or receives more advantages on the process?
Rev: Well, if we talk one side of story then we have to
think about the actors that may undermine their efforts. It is very hard to
answer this question to you guy! It is up to their perception for them but for
my personal belief, there is no advantage for us. We have been talking this
matter for long. Who can protest when they (Burman’s
Army) confiscated our land? On the other hand, the Mon NMSP is banned for
military training but they (SPDC) has increased a massive military personals
and occupied land larger than Pegu’ Farm. (It is a local term). Technically,
ceasefire process is obliged to reduce military force for both sides but now
they (SPDC) increase its armed force and extend regiments (in
IMNA: What is your prediction the
role of Mon and its political goal in another ten years?
Rev; if a political system hasn’t changed our role in
politics is bleak. If this government (SPDC) is removed and elected government
is stalled then a political change would be emerged. Our role (rights) in the
future is also uncertain.