Interview with Thakhin Khin Nyunt

DVB (2003 June 28)

Thakhin Khin Nyunt is the NLD MP of No.1, Yenangyaung Township and he is a veteran politician who fought for the independence of Burma. He was one of the founders of Dobama Asiayone [Our Burman Association] and he was the secretary of the association in Yenangyaung during the struggle for independence. He was also a leader of the 1938 General Strike and fought the Fascist Japanese and the British.

DVB : First, what is your view on the assaults on the NLD at Dipeyin [Tabayin]?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : Daw Suu was with people at Dipeyin and they attacked her and her supporters. They are deliberately doing these destructive deeds. Members of the USDA were involved and the problems became more complicated. Young people had to sacrifice their lives to protect Daw Suu. They brutally attacked them. We are lucky. The youth protected her. Or else things won’t be easy. They were doing that with vicious intention and our people suffered.

DVB : Once, a SPDC minister asked who wants to attack Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. And, in 1996, they tried to harm Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s life. Dipeyin is the worse. If you re-examine their deeds, what do you have to say?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : They are doing the lowliest and the most odious deeds every day. They are not doing anything political by political means…During the colonial period, they did it politically and we opposed them by political means. These were our experiences. Now, it is not political way. They are doing demeaning things…

DVB : We heard that they have sealed off all the NLD offices are the 30th of May. You are at the office every day. What did they do to your office?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : They closed the office and pulled down the flag. They sealed off the office but they didn’t take the signboard down.

DVB : Now that they have arrested all the top NLD leaders including Daw Suu, how are the rest of you surviving?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : We are unable to see the NLD working members. We are unable to do anything.

DVB : How do the supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma feel after the crackdown?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : The people of Burma are feeling very upset. Would Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be healthy? Earlier on rumours were flying. Later, we were told that nothing happened to her.

DVB : What do you as a veteran politician and an elected MP have to say on the imprisonment of a leader recognised by the world and a Nobel Prize winner in Insein Prison?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : It is very bad. It is not good to put a national leader in Insein Prison. If you are not satisfied with a politician, you have to keep her at a more suitable place like a yeiktha [guesthouse]. I was also kept at a yeiktha. I was kept properly with good food. During the colonial period, they would come to transport you with a car. During the earlier period [after the independence?] I was also taken away. They kept me well too…I don’t know what is happening now…

DVB : If the authorities wish, it is very easy to make someone disappear in Insein Prison, we have heard. Would Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be safe there?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : What I think is – as Mr. Razali had seen Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, they would not dare to do it. They won’t do it. The reason is – the whole world is watching every day. They wouldn’t dare to do it. That’s what I think.

DVB : The international community is pressing hard for the releases of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD leaders. The US and the UK are the strongest. Do you believe that these pressures would help to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : I think that the international pressures will lead to their releases…because the international pressures are strong. They say that she would be released before this month and it is nearly the end of this month. I hope that she will be released before the end of this month.

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : The whole world is demanding democracy. The countries which haven’t yet got democracy are very much encouraged by the fact that those who demanded also got it. Democracy is fair. I think that we will get democracy soon. Maybe I am old. People are demanding democracy worldwide.

DVB : From your own experiences, which one is more difficult; fighting for independence under the British colonial power or fighting for democracy now?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : We had to work hard for the independence. People also died then. Lives were ruined. As for myself, I missed my education and wasted our time in the fight for independence in prison…the whole country had to do that. We believe that we were right to fight for our freedom. Now, the fight for democracy is the same as the fight for independence. Earlier on, we thought that the fight for democracy will be easy but we are facing the military dictatorship and it is not easy.

DVB : You are a seasoned veteran politician who passed through many eras. In this situation, what do you have to say to the people?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : When we fought for the independence, we were up against the most powerful empire. We had to fight them many ways. We fought them with arms. We fought them with democratic ways. I myself never thought that we would gain the independence during my lifetime. But we did what we did with the belief that the later generations will find it easier. We gained the independence due to the circumstances around the world. Now, even if they don’t want to give democracy to the people, there will be a time when they have to give it to them due to what is happening around the world. That is my belief. I want to urge you all to fight for democratic way.

DVB : As a veteran politician and a MP who was elected in 1990, what do you want to demand the authorities?

Thakhin Khin Nyunt : I want to say to the authorities that democracy is for Burmese people and no one else. Your children will also possess democracy. Therefore, I want to urge you to give democracy to the people who are demanding it as soon as possible.