Maungdaw: The Burmese military authority has tasked two Muslim businessmen from Rangoon to organize the Muslim community in Maungdaw Township on the western border to support the National United Party in the forthcoming 2010 election, said a local Muslim leader.The National United Party, NUP, was formed from the former Burma Socialist Programme Party, BSPP, led by late Burmese dictator General Ne Win.

“Aung Zaw Win was told to organize Muslims from northern Maungdaw Township while Aung Naing was told to organize the Muslim community in southern Maungdaw Township,” he said.

The two Muslim businessmen are now living in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, but originally hail from Maungdaw Township. They are now cooperating with the high authorities in their business endeavors.

“I heard two businessmen were tasked by the high authority during the recent visit of Western Command Commander General Thaung Aye to Maungdaw, accompanied by them,” the community leader said.

He also said, “I did not know the reason behind the government plan of promoting the NUP to the Muslim community in Maungdaw Township for the forthcoming 2010 election.”

According to a local source, some Muslim community leaders from Maungdaw were recently summoned by Nasaka border security forces to their headquarters to pressure them into supporting the NUP in the election.

A Muslim businessman from Maungdaw confirmed and told Narinjara over the phone that the authority has pressured the Muslim leaders to support the NUP.

“Muslim leaders promised to Nasaka leaders to support NUP in the 2010 election because they were afraid of oppression against the Muslim community by the authorities,” he said.

Burmese military authorities support the NUP and allow the party to mobilize for the 2010 election. On the other hand, the military authority has pressured the people of Arakan to support NUP, the former BSPP, in the 2010 election, but there is detail information as to why they are doing so.

The NUP has gotten the opportunity to open their regional offices around Arakan State and organize Arakanese people for the 2010 election, even though there is no election law or schedule in place for the event.