Due to intensive pressures from the local authorities of Burma’s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), another aged National League for Democracy (NLD) leader, the honorary chairman of Mandalay Division, San Hla Baw quit the party on 27 April.

According to Mandalay Division NLD organising member Win Mya Mya, San Hla Baw and his wife were fetched from their home in Patheingyi Township in Mandalay by authority members and taken to their office to sign their resignation.

“There was a meeting between Northeast Township and NLD Division organising committee members today. At ten past ten this morning, Patheingyi Township NLD secretary U Zaw Hein reported to us at the divisional office. As he said that a grey car came to fetch grandpa U San Hla Baw, – divisional chairman Bo Zan, Myingyan Township elected representative Paw Khin and me went to Col San Hla Baw’s home. At around 11am, the grey Toyota Corola I mentioned before returned and it must be (belong to?) a high-ranking military official. Two men and Col San Hla Baw and his wife alighted from the car. There, we entered the house and met with Col San Hla Baw. His wife told us that they went to the (pro-junta) Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) office and the (Election) Commission office which were full of people up to the position of minister. We had to quit (the party). We had to sign a letter saying that we quit, (she said). When I asked Col San Hla Baw, he said that it was true. He had to sign a letter saying he quit/resigned. When asked why he did so, he said he has to move to Moulmein. But that excuse is not very strong.”

When asked how she feels about the forced resignations of NLD members and leaders through pressures, Win Mya Mya replied:

“He faithfully fulfilled his duties given by the NLD HQs. I believe that Mandalay Division NLD is being routed out properly for following the NLD policies to the letter. The reason is, vice-chairman U Saw Htay had to quit the other day. Now, it is Col. San Hla Baw. The other day, Myingyan elected representative U Maung Maung Win was offered a loan of 100,000,000 Kyats (Approx. US$ 70,000) without interest and time limit to start a business. We know that U Maung Maung Win refused to quit the party. We don’t know about those who quit. We only know that they quit. It is sure that they are trying to weaken the NLD and greatly pressurising the NLD elected representatives to quit. If you look at what is happening closely and pragmatically, it is certain. Therefore, I am feeling saddened by it.”

Col San Hla baw was the chairman of Mandalay Division NLD up to 2000 when he retired for health reasons but the NLD HQs conferred upon him the position of honorary chairman of Mandalay Division NLD.