• Burmese
Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

USDP Vows to Protect Territory, Independence in By-Election Speech

San Yamin Aung by San Yamin Aung
September 10, 2018
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
USDP Chairman U Than Htay campaigns in Pathein Township, Irrawaddy Region, for the 2017 by-elections. / U Than Htay / Facebook

USDP Chairman U Than Htay campaigns in Pathein Township, Irrawaddy Region, for the 2017 by-elections. / U Than Htay / Facebook

5.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON — The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) appealed to voters’ fears of losing territory and independence on Saturday in anticipation of the Nov. 3 by-elections.

“It is time to repulse the foreign intervention against the nation’s sovereignty with true patriotic spirit,” USDP Secretary U Pike Htwe said in a speech broadcast on state-run television and radio. “We would like to request that you vote for us to ensure the perpetuation of the country.”

The secretary said the “national interest” was at the top of the party’s agenda and vowed that it would prevent any “territorial loss” or “bullying from foreign countries.”

RelatedPosts

Trump Unveils Website For $5 Million US Residency Visa

Trump Unveils Website For $5 Million US Residency Visa

June 12, 2025
260
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

June 11, 2025
847
Fraternal Facade: The Illusion of China-Myanmar Brotherhood at 75

Fraternal Facade: The Illusion of China-Myanmar Brotherhood at 75

June 10, 2025
811

The USDP, which is campaigning on the slogan “Time to Think,” has been highly critical of the government’s decisions to seat foreign experts on the ad hoc bodies it has formed to address the crisis in Rakhine State, claiming they could jeopardize national security.

The party staged a rally in Naypyitaw in September 2017 at which it warned that the conflict in Rakhine could lead to “territorial loss” and accused the government of failing to adequately defend the military’s operations there, which the UN and US have described as ethnic cleansing.

The USDP, the political home of many retired military generals, came to power in the widely criticized 2010 general elections but was soundly defeated by the National League for Democracy (NLD) in 2015. Some of its members have since been tarnished by embezzlement scandals related to the party’s time in power.

On Saturday, U Pike Htwe said his party promised to make sure “not to lose an inch of land.”

The USDP secretary said his party would also ensure that citizens enjoy the basic rights enshrined in the Constitution and bring the peace process it began while in power to end the country’s long-running civil war to a successful conclusion.

Human rights activist Ko Moe Thway said the USDP’s talk of “territorial loss” and the “perpetuation of sovereignty” were old hat for the party, part of its strategy to mobilize voters with scare tactics.

“It is propaganda based on nationalism, which has been revived recently,” he said.

Political analyst U Yan Myo Thein said that only by amending the undemocratic Constitution and building a democratic federal union would Myanmar achieve peace and prosperity, but that the USDP was unlikely to play a lead role in tackling either judging by its public statements to date.

Thirteen national and regional parliamentary seats are up for grabs in the upcoming by-election. A total 69 candidates from 24 political parties have registered to contest the polls in Chin, Shan, Kachin and Rakhine states and Yangon, Sagaing, Bago, Magwe and Mandalay regions. Seven of the 69 candidates are running as independents.

The USDP, now the country’s main opposition party, is contesting 10 of the seats. The NLD is contesting all 13.

“It is important to assess the qualifications of the candidates and the parties’ policies as well as their activities at present and in the past for making a better future for the nation,” U Pike Htwe said on Saturday.

“Everyone witnessed that when we were in office we put all our energy into developing the country’s politics, economy, society, peace, rule of law and perpetuation of sovereignty and that the people enjoyed democracy,” he said.

But U Yan Myo Thein said the USDP was unlikely to win over many new voters, even among those disappointed with the current government.

“There are those who are frustrated with the NLD government’s performance over past two years. But even those who are disappointed, their votes will not go to the USDP,” he said.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Politics
San Yamin Aung

San Yamin Aung

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Myanmar Civil Society, Burmanization, and the Bars and Coffee Shops of Thailand
Guest Column

Myanmar Civil Society, Burmanization, and the Bars and Coffee Shops of Thailand

by R. J. Aung and Tony Waters
November 18, 2023
10.9k

After the 2021 coup the donors, NGOs and CSOs of ‘Peaceland’ decamped from Yangon to Thailand, but their Western, ‘we-know-best’...

Read moreDetails
By Almost Every Measure, Myanmar Junta Ranks Among World’s Worst Regimes
Analysis

By Almost Every Measure, Myanmar Junta Ranks Among World’s Worst Regimes

by Khin Nadi
February 2, 2024
10.8k

The Irrawaddy unpacks the regime’s three-year track record of violence and rights abuses, as assessed by leading global organizations and...

Read moreDetails
The Uncertain Future of Myanmar’s Rakhine State
Guest Column

The Uncertain Future of Myanmar’s Rakhine State

by David Scott Mathieson
March 19, 2025
9.6k

The Arakan Army must now consolidate its unprecedented territorial gains in Rakhine State and contend with humanitarian, intercommunal and international...

Read moreDetails
Dead or Alive: Min Aung Hlaing’s Final Gamble
Commentary

Dead or Alive: Min Aung Hlaing’s Final Gamble

by San Yeik Nyein
May 23, 2025
9.1k

As his regime loses ground, the Myanmar junta boss turns to strongmen overseas. But inside military circles, one question remains:...

Read moreDetails
Charting Myanmar Strongman Ne Win’s Tragic Legacy
Books

Charting Myanmar Strongman Ne Win’s Tragic Legacy

by Mon Mon Myat
July 18, 2024
8.9k

In a new book, Saw Eh Htoo and Tony Waters examine the late dictator’s policy of Burmanization and how it...

Read moreDetails
An Inside Look at the NLD Government’s Economic Reform Efforts
Books

An Inside Look at the NLD Government’s Economic Reform Efforts

by Mon Mon Myat
October 21, 2024
8.3k

In a new book, Sean Turnell, Australian former adviser to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, recalls the achievements of her...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
A little girl walks with her mother between barriers outside a subway station in Shanghai, China, Oct. 30, 2015.  / Reuters

China Does Away with Family Planning Offices

New United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. / Reuters

UN's Bachelet Presses for New Body on Crimes Against Myanmar Rohingya

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

4 days ago
1.4k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

2 days ago
847

Most Read

  • Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Reinforces Kyaukphyu as AA Nears China-Backed SEZ Hub

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Jade Hub Burns as Junta Counteroffensive Penetrates Hpakant

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.