AA aims to build national nation with international connectivity

A spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA), Khine Thukha, said the political status desired by the AA would be linked to the future of the nation, including the Rakhine people, by connecting with the international community.

Khaing Thukha answered a reporter's question at a press conference held by the Arakan Army (AA) on March 5 in Rakhine language.

"When there is no place in the Union for the political status we want, we are in a position to create our own and continue to build our government and our future nation-state in partnership with the international community."

The Arakan Army (AA) is not involved in the anti-coup movement as a group, but is fighting alongside allied forces and sympathizing with other oppressed people. He says he respects those who are trying to break free from oppression.

He told political analyst Ye Tun that the AA's goal was to create political pressure on the ethnic nationalities to face secession if they did not achieve the federal system they wanted.

"Political pressure, it means more pressure. No one thinks it is an ethnic armed group that started much later because of its ability to give. Now that it has foreign support, it has achieved great success. I understand that it is political pressure. "

Even the UWSA, which has the right to govern its own region, has not chosen this path of secession. He said the KIA had taken up arms against the separatists but was demanding a federal system in a situation where it was no longer possible.

Khaing Thukha said that the AA was not involved in the Spring Revolution because it was currently working under the leadership of the ULA / AA government to establish the Arakan State in the Rakhine way.

"Under the leadership of the ULA / AA, we are marching together to build the Arakanese state we want to be with our own hands in the Rakhine way. It is in a very different way. The Rakhine people are doing their job and building their own houses.

A Rakhine resident said that it would be better for the Arakan Army (AA) to negotiate with the ethnic groups after the current rebellion against the military council.

"Any armed group may have its own way to overthrow the military dictator, directly or indirectly, and there should be other ways to get rid of the dictator.

Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Burmese army has intensified in Rakhine State since 2019 and ceased before the 2021 election.

After the military coup on February 1, 2021, dictatorial revolutions were taking place across the country, but in Rakhine State the fighting was calm.

He said the AA was not on a formal ceasefire with the Coup d'état, but that it was a matter of mutual understanding.

"Political dialogue with the current coup is not possible."

Khine Thukha said that political talks would only be possible with the official government, and that political talks could not take place with the current military junta.

"Political dialogue is about discussing a political deal. We can only negotiate with a legitimate government if we can negotiate a political deal. A legitimate government can only be considered a legitimate government if it is governed by a constitution elected by the people. It is not possible to have a political dialogue with the current coup government."

RFA is still contacting military council spokesman General Zaw Min Tun to comment on the allegations. At the end of February, I told RFA that General Zaw Min Tun had a good relationship with the Arakan Army (AA).

The military council disbanded the AA on March 11, 2021, and released those arrested on charges of having links with the AA during the height of the fighting.

After 2021, when the military was calm, the administration in Rakhine State; Judiciary Construction is a priority for AA. The ULA / AA has committed more than a thousand crimes. He said nearly 900 cases had been settled and that about 60 percent of the administration in Rakhine State was under control.

Zahid: Muhyiddin promised Malay-Muslim unity, apparently

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin promised unity in the name of Malay-Islam to gain support to become prime minister two years ago.

"He (Muhyiddin) told me that he wanted to support him to become the prime minister to replace Dr Mahathir Mohamad who resigned, so he became the prime minister.

"But he did not say how his proxies worked hard to persuade non-PH elected representatives, including from Umno, to support him as prime minister.

"Promising an honest and sincere unity in the name of Malays and Islam, but apparently there is a shrimp behind the rock with power as prime minister," Ahmad Zahid said in a statement on Facebook, today.

He said this commenting on Muhyiddin's speech in the recent Johor State Election (PRN) campaign.

In the speech, Muhyiddin claimed that Ahmad Zahid and PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang supported him to become prime minister, two years ago.

'Keep calling my name'

Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid said he did not want to comment on the matter because there was a more important agenda, but Muhyiddin did not stop 'calling' his name.

"On the other hand, I do not want to comment on the former political figure of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, Tan Sri Dato 'Haji Mahiaddin bin Md Yasin because we have a more important agenda.

"Our important agenda with the people of Johor is to ensure stability, prosperity and progress is restored in Johor on March 12.

"But the Chairman of the National Alliance (PN) and the President of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) has not stopped 'calling' my name," he explained.

Through the Sheraton move in Feb 2020, Muhyiddin brought Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan (PH), causing the government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the time to collapse. The political move was also supported by Umno and PAS.

Prior to that, Bersatu also managed to persuade 15 Umno MPs to join the party.

Muhyiddin was then sworn in as prime minister on March 1, 2020.

But 17 months later, Umno MPs withdrew support for him causing him to lose his majority. Muhyiddin was later replaced by Umno vice -president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said Muhyiddin wanted to strengthen his party's position and position by trying to weaken Umno and 'steal' and 'buy' Umno members.

"Maybe that's why he is so angry with me, the Umno leadership and grassroots members for being able to smell his tricks and act," he said.

Sisook Daoheuang sentenced to death

On March 3, 2022, the People's Court of Vientiane Capital sentenced Sisook Daoheuang to death. The 45-year-old is involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and major arms trafficking in Laos.

Mr. Sisook Daoheuang, a businessman in Khuntathong village, Sikhottabong district, Vientiane capital, was arrested by the authorities. Police arrested him at 1 a.m. on April 1, 2017 in Luang Prabang Province.

Buried Lao Pattana newspaper reported on March 3, 2022, based on sources from the Buried Peace newspaper. It is stated that: Mr. Sisook Daoheuang had a pistol with 10 rounds of ammunition and the officer who went to search Mr. Sisook's house Souk Dao Heuang found about 12 kg of ice and dried tea with almost 30 kg of pods.

Sisook Daoheuang was sentenced to death by the court, and the Vientiane Capital People's Court also sentenced him to death. Imprisonment of four other accomplices of Sisook, including:  

Phongsinwanivong Jeloei II, 44, sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison for drug possession , Money laundering, illegal purchase of civil property and use of forged documents.

Sentenced to life in prison Addiction and money laundering.

Thongxay Chalei IV, 27, sentenced to 7 years in prison for drug possession and possession Possession of illegal weapons in accordance with the law.

Sentenced to 4 years, 11 months and 11 days in prison. Weapons without permission under the law.

Following the announcement of the court ruling, RFA contacted the courtroom People in Vientiane to ask for more details, but the authorities refused to provide information. Make a phone call and get in touch with the right person at the same time while trying to communicate Seek lawyer Sisook Deuheuang but could not be reached.

In some cases in Laos, those sentenced to death could be sentenced to life in prison Life will be reduced and the sentence will be reduced frequently because Laos has not yet had an official execution after The court upheld the death sentence.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Free Asia on March 4:

" Most of us are executed here . It is not that there are no executions , but it is clear that we do not really see this . For execution _ Life will sometimes be imprisoned , the life sentence will be reduced , the sentence will be reduced . The flowers do not look different Country . ”

In principle, Sisook Daoheuang's lawyer has the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and Appeals to President's Office for Amnesty Life. A lawyer who asked not to be named said:

" The death penalty is a jurisdiction . There is a lawyer appointed by the lawyer who will represent you . The case gave up The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence , pointing out that the lawyer will apologize to the President . The country does not give up Execution . "

He added that he had previously represented lawyers for a number of death row inmates in The drug trade, which has been fighting cases in the lower courts, the appellate courts and the Supreme People's Court. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence and then appealed to the court. The president apologized to the prisoners and waited until the 2nd of December. The sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, and some of those sentenced to life imprisonment had a chance. Sentences will be reduced more frequently if good behavior is achieved during incarceration.

People are paying attention to Sisook Daoheuang's case, but eventually his lawyer will have a lawsuit. Appeal to the Office of the President. Another spokesman said:

" I 'm very interested in appealing . The lawyer has to appeal . He is going to fight the case . He did not disclose . How much some Yet . ”

The people themselves want the death penalty to be an example for drug traffickers in Laos That has not yet been arrested.

One villager told RFA: 

" Given the lives of drug addicts , this drug is very dangerous . They are not afraid of it .Beer It can still be used empty . Now the transporters are not afraid like money . ”

In 2017, the media in neighboring countries reported that Sisook Daoheuang was one of the cross-border drug traffickers. The big Lao people that the bosses in his neighboring country want and are in the same network as Mr. Xayasana Keophimphanak Lao transnational drug trafficker arrested in neighboring country before Sisook Daoheuang arrested in Luang Some at a later time. 

Harm Deduction International has released its 2018 report, citing data from Amnesty International. Amnesty International says: In 2015, there were at least 20 executioners in Laos, and in 2016, at least three prisoners were executed. Court sentences 29-year-old drug dealer to death in 2017 The death sentences have been handed down, but there have been no official reports that the number of prisoners has been reduced. Is the sentence commuted or is he still serving the death sentence?