NAYPYITAW—The National League for Democracy (NLD) has bought a 16-acre plot of land in Naypyitaw for over 240 million kyats in order to open a branch in the city, according to Dr. May Win Myint, a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee.
“We will open a branch in Naypyitaw. So, we have bought a 16-acre land plot for 244.5 million kyats [US$161,194],” Dr. May Win Myint, who is also a lawmaker representing Mayangon Township in the Lower House of Parliament, told reporters on Tuesday.
She did not have any details about the design of the office building, but added that the party had closely followed the instructions issued by State Counselor and NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that it would not use land officially designated as vacant or fallow land, or public property, to house the NLD office.
The money used to buy the land was collected from party lawmakers, Dr. May Win Myint said. According to party sources, NLD lawmakers must contribute 250,000 kyats a month—25 percent of their salary—to the party’s coffers.
In addition to the lawmakers, NLD-appointed chief ministers and ministers of regional governments, as well as the Union president and the State Counselor herself are required to contribute to the party’s funds, she said.
The total monthly contribution amounts to around 220 million kyats. So far, 2.85 billon kyats of this money has been shared among 134 townships in the country for regional development projects, NLD spokesperson Dr. Myo Nyunt told The Irrawaddy.
In line with its rules and regulations, in January next year the NLD will provide transportation and meal allowances to party members to help cover their costs related to campaigning for the 2020 election. The party does not pay a salary to rank-and-file members.
