Ko Ko Gyi and Min Ko Naing
Ko Ko Gyi: Unless inevitable, we tried to avoid some
issues patiently. Now it is time that we announce our view on Rohingya
clearly. Rohingya is not one of the ethnic groups of Myanmar at all. We
see that the riot happening currently in Buthedaung and Maungdaw of
Arakan State is because of the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh called
“Rohingya” and mischievous provocation of some international
communities. Therefore, such interfering efforts by some powerful
nations on this issue (Rohingya issue), without fully understanding the
ethnic groups and other situations of Burma, will be viewed as offending
the sovereignty of our nation. Genetically, culturally and
linguistically Rohingya is not absolutely related to any ethnicity in
Myanmar. In terms of citizenship, I would state separately. As we share
the borders with other countries, we have some Chinese and Indian
descents. They have been living in our country for generations and
citizenship has been granted to them. We do not discriminate based on
any race for granting the citizenship even if he is a Bengali. They
should be protected in the same way as citizens of Myanmar.But, if we
were forcefully pressured to accept Rohigya as one of the ethnic groups
(of Burma), we won’t tolerate that. Even in America, to get the
citizenship, people are tested on how well they know English language,
how much they know about the culture of the country, and how long they
have been living in the country, through the interviews. In our country,
to get the citizenship, it is needed to know at least an ethnic
language well and the person must have lived here for generations and
know the cultures of the people to some extent. If we are forced to
relax our citizenship rules and process and to deal with them
unmindfully, we won’t tolerate it at all. For having good international
relationship, we have repeatedly deferred to a lot of requests
throughout the successive governments. We considered the case from the
humanitarian point of view and accepted (Bengali) as refugees. Since no
country wants to take them in, we feel sympathy for those people on the
ground of humanity and refugee. Taking advantage of our kindness and
deference, if the powerful countries forced us to take responsibility
for this issue, we will never accept it. Concerning with the
sovereignty, if we are forced to yield by any country, we, the army and
democratic force will deal the issue together as a national issue.
Ko Mya Aye
Ko Mya Aye:I got out of prison. Even before I got
out of prison, Rohingya issue has become a hot issue. It has become not
only a hot issue in international political community, but also a
crow-pleasing issue that can generate fund. Most of the Rohingya belong
to Islam faith. Well, almost all of them. In order to become one of the
ethnic groups, I think they tried to bond with Myanmar Muslims and have
been pushing this issue to become a religious issue. That’s what Ko Ko
Gyi implied by “provocation from abroad”. This has been happening for
decades.
Ko Ko Gyi:Therefore, Rohingya issue is not a Muslim
(religious) issue. We need to be clear on that. I see that the fact that
Rohingya people working with Myanmar Muslims is very suspicious.
Ko Mya Aye:We have repeatedly expressed 8888
Generation Students view since the incident occurred. Yesterday, we have
contacted the authorities and shared what we have heard with them. To
be honest, we have told them to have all the tight security measures in
place. Now we heard of this news (terrorist act against the ethnic
Rakhine people). It is not totally, totally, acceptable. I strongly,
strongly denounce the fact that houses belonging to the ethnic Rakhine
people were burnt down. First of all, I request that the government take
responsibility of the security of the ethnic Rakhine people whose
houses have been burnt down. Please find out who commit such anarchic
acts that create more hatred among people and that would push the
country into turmoil and punish those culprits. Especially, Maungdaw
shares the border with the neighboring country (Bangladesh). Because of
that the ethnic Rakhine are the minority there. In a civilized society,
the majority does not bully the minority. It only occurs in an
uncivilized society. Therefore, it has nothing to do with race or
religion. On behalf of 8888 Generation Students, I demand to charge and
punish those ruthless perpetrators effectively and strongly no matter
which race they belong to and no matter which God they worship.
Min Ko Naing:It is the most important to prevent the
incitement that would cause riots and bloodshed among citizens.
Therefore, I don’t want anyone to name the current events as riots
between Muslims and Buddhists. Especially, it is very important for the
media to control the current situation. On internet and Facebook, we
find comments based on emotion and cheering by the people who have no
profile picture. We all must control things wisely. Because at one
place, Buddhists would probably be a majority but at another place,
there are many Buddhists who lives among Muslims. Therefore, the more
powerful people should not harm the less powerful people anyhow. Not
even saying things like threatening. It is time to protect each other.
It is time to protect the minority by the majority. If they not only
protect each other and if they not only threaten each other, if they
even take lives and destroy the public property, do not save any face.
We must protect all altogether. The authorities would also have to take
necessary measures. We have already started our efforts to protect at
nearby places. I would like to urge the people to protect each other
purposely in a collective and united way.
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