Annan commission still infuriates Myanmar politicians

MP Kyaw Zaw Oo from Sittwe Constituency-2 yesterday submitted the proposal to the local parliament, saying the commission was formed without consent of the Rakhine people and that the state parliament should not recognise its existence or its findings.

“Rakhine people are now expressing their views about the commission, which is unacceptable for them,” said the MP.

“The Ministry of the State Counsellor’s Office has no authority to form such a commission, so it is considered automatically cancelled since its establishment. There are questions about the commission. Where does it receive funding to operate? If it receives funding from the government, is it procedural? It’s also doubtful that foreigners can apply ‘fairness’. Kofi Annan himself uses an ethnic name that does not exist in Myanmar,” said Kyaw Zaw Oo.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is among three foreign experts appointed to the commission recently set up by the federal government, to monitor the latest developments in the state. 

“Rakhine people should have known about the commission in advance, but they didn’t. We want the commission shut down. It may produce bad effects for the state. This issue affects not only Rakhine State but also the whole nation. It can harm the country’s sovereignty,” said Kyaw Zaw Oo.