Kachin teacher, land activist to stand in Phakant for NDF

Friday, 24 September 2010 02:38 Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Bawk Jar, who organised farmers to sue controversial junta crony company Yuzana over its land grabs, will stand for Phakant constituency in Kachin State for People’s Assembly in the forthcoming election as a candidate of the National Democratic Force party.

Yuzana is one of Burma’s largest businesses and is chaired by Htay Myint, a real estate tycoon on US and EU sanctions list who is also standing in Burma’s elections on November 7. It has been involved in a land struggle in northern Burma’s remote Hukaung Valley with farmers who are defying one of the country’s most powerful tycoons as Yuzana establishes massive mono-crop plantations in the world’s largest tiger reserve.

Mizzima’s Zaw Shan spoke to Bawk Jar about her political ambitions, policies and obstacles to electoral success in the township within Myitkyina District, which hosts the capital of Kachin State.

Are you concerned that the authorities have a grudge against you?

No, I don’t worry about that because I’ve prepared for the worst. If they trouble me, an honest person, it will be very unfair.

If you win the seat, what will you do for Kachin State?

I will give my voice to the farmers who are abused by the authorities like this. I’ll demand equal rights for the grass roots. That’s why I have decided to contest in the forthcoming election. The living standards in villages in Kachin State are very low; there are no schools or clinics.

What important things need to be done in Kachin State?

Farmers have lost their land, so they have become jobless and some don’t have anything to eat. The compensation payments they received a month ago – 80,000 kyat (about US$80) each – have already run out. They have been jobless for about three years, so they are in debt and are struggling to pay off those debts … I was unsure whether Yuzana hired the authorities or the authorities hired Yuzana to seize the farmers’ land. Everything was controlled by the authorities, so the farmers have encountered many difficulties. In fact, the authorities should take the farmers’ side, but in reality the farmers were interrogated by the junta’s intelligence agency and threatened by other authorities.

You have fought for the farmers’ rights on their behalf. Did you carry out that work as a representative of the National Democratic Force (NDF)?

No, it was done on a personal basis. My farmland was also seized and I have been fighting since 2001 to reclaim it. I complained about it to Naypyidaw and [UN workers’ rights body] the International Labour Organisation but the case continues. At first, I wasn’t interested in being a candidate but later I thought I should grasp this chance to promote the lives of the farmers. And I like the policies of the NDF, so I approached the party to be a candidate.

How much do you think you can do for the farmers?

We have for about two or three years continued to demand [adequate] compensation for the loss and we have lost about 100,000 kyat (about US$100) on repairs. We must not lose our farmlands and will fight to the end to get them back.
Are there other farmers who have been denied compensation? How many?

Yes, so many farmers haven’t received compensation – about 30 or 40.

Did you consult the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) about this case?

Yes, I informed them when the farmlands were seized via mail. But, they said they didn’t have the right to solve that problem.

Currently, many people have estimated that the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party (NUP) would win the most seats in all parliaments. On top of that, the constitution reserves 25 per cent of seats in all parliaments for the military. So, even if you win a seat, do you think you can do anything substantial for your Kachin people?

I do it [take part in the elections] for the people, not for self-interest. I’m ready to sacrifice my life for the people, so I believe that I can work for people effectively.

Do you believe that the court will judge the farmers’ cases fairly?

I don’t think so … we are poor and honest people. If God is on our side, our fight will end in success. I believe it. The authorities took Yuzana’s side, so all we can do is follow God.

Biodata

Name: Bawk Jar, aka Lum Nyoi

Parents: Khaung Lone and Labang Roi

Ethinicity: Kachin

Religion: Christian

Date of birth: December 4, 1967

Bawk Jar was born in Indawgyi, Mohnyin Township. She worked as a primary teacher in Shwenyaungpin, Myitkyina in 1985-86 and was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in history at Rangoon University in 1992. Rangoon City Development Committee employed her from 1993 to 2000, during which she represented the city council as a sportswoman in shooting, volleyball and rowing events.

After 2000, she worked as a gold prospector and ran her own farmland in Warazup village, where she also founded a preschool and worked as a teacher.

She organised farmers to sue Yuzana over the seized lands and the case was pending in Kachin State Court. Moreover, about 10 grass-roots Yuzana employees asked her for help to sue the company over irregular salary payments, she said.