An ethnic member of parliament, elected in the 1990 election, today openly accused the Burmese junta of constantly striving to prolong its rule and neglecting the formation of a true federal system.

Shing Pe Ling (Ghing Phai Ling), MP and Chairman of the Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD) in Mindat Township of Chin State, in a statement today criticized the junta’s February 9 announcement that it plans to conduct a referendum over its draft constitution.

“The military junta not only denied the ethnic nationalities’ aspiration for a federalist system that will guarantee greater autonomy and equality, but the announcement also violates the Panglong agreement and the Panglong spirit,” Shing Pe Ling said in his statement.

The statement, on Tuesday, comes as Burma observes the 61st anniversary of Union Day. Burma’s Union Day came into existence when ethnic leaders joined hands with General Aung San to sign the historic Panglong agreement on February 12, 1947.

Under the Panglong Charter, ethnic leaders and General Aung San agreed to safeguard self-determination and autonomy, along with the essence of democracy, to ensure the peaceful co-existence of Burma’s many ethnic groups.