Monks from the extremist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha are demanding a meeting with the ruling National League for Democracy after a senior official reportedly implied the group was unnecessary during a meeting in Singapore.
Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Regional Minister, was speaking to Myanmar nationals in the city-state when he is reported to have made the comments, citing the existence of the National Monk Council, leading monks authorized by the government to issue rules and discipline.
“Ma Ba Tha [also known as the Committee to Protect Race and Religion] isn’t needed as the state already allowed the National Monk Council,” said Phyo Min Thein.
Naturally, the nationalists – a virulently anti-Muslim group accused of stirring up religious hatred and violence – weren’t too pleased.
“Ma Ba Tha will meet with high officials from the NLD to talk about what Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Regional, has said in his trip to Singapore that Ma Ba Tha wasn’t needed,” spokesperson Tay Za Ni Ya told theVoice. “We have a policy to meet face-to-face with NLD leaders if we have arguments.”
Ma Ba Tha has proved itself to be a powerful political force, mustering mass rallies and pressuring the former military-backed government to pass legislation widely seen as targeting the Muslim minority.
When Coconuts Yangon tried to reach the NLD for comment, central executive committee member Nyan Win said he didn’t know of any planned meeting.
“We haven’t heard anything about this meeting in our party,” he said.
