An interview with U Tat Tun Aung, an former upper house MP from Pauktaw Township
October 25, 2022
The military council has banned transportation and travelling in Arakan State. In addition, it has blocked roads and waterways between Sittwe and other townships. Pauktaw Township has to rely mainly on the waterways to connect the capital of Arakan State.
Since 18 October, the military council has banned waterways between Pauktaw and Sittwe for unlimited days. The MPM interviewed U Tat Tun Aung, a former upper house MP from Pauktaw Township Constituency-2 in Arakan State about the military council’s ban.
Q: May I know your view on the military council’s ban on Sittwe-Pauktaw waterway?
A: Pauktaw Township has a lot of creeks, rivers and islands. The township has to rely mainly on waterways. Road transportation and commodity flows are the major requirements for a human society. A ban on waterways is a severe violation of human rights. Even in the pre-history era, the situation is not as bad as now. In a new era of development, the government is said to unjustly oppress the public. The current government’s ban on transportation and travelling is said to be a very wicked thought.
Q: What kinds of losses and difficulties do the locals face following such a ban on waterways?
A: The commodities flow from Sittwe to other places. The prices of personal goods will skyrocket due to a ban on the waterways plying to Sittwe. The people will have to pay MMK-1,000 for a good worth MMK-100. The people in Pauktaw may face difficulties in health and livelihood if there is no trade flow. It may have big impacts on the daily life of the people and destroy the stable social life.
Q: Why does the military council ban the waterways in Arakan State?
A: Fighting should be between armed organizations in Arakan State. They (military council) are in a position to attack the Arakan Army (AA). The military council is intentionally trying to enable the public to face hunger and put them in trouble instead of fighting. These are not the government’s acts. The government which is held accountable for the public is called “government”. It can be said that the government which must not be held accountable and responsible for the public is not the government. The government must be held responsible for the public. The government must be held accountable for the flourishing of all sectors such as the public’s advantages and disadvantages, health, social and economy. I would like to question whether the Arakan State Chief Minister takes responsibility. If there is no responsibility, it should not regard itself as the Arakan State government.
Q: What will happen in the Arakan State as the military has blocked the waterways which are the major transportation channels in Arakan State?
A: Waterway is the major transportation channel in Arakan State. Locals have to mainly rely on waterways to go from one village to another. A ban on waterways makes the public more difficult. It shall have a big impact on the public’s health affairs, foodstuff and travelling. The public may run into big trouble as the military council has placed a ban until the public can do nothing.
Sent by Khaing Lu Hla (Yoma Myay)