Two Surrendered Groups Become One

Kaowao: December 30, 2009

Two Mon surrendered armed groups led by Nai Aung Naing and Nai Shaung merged into one for the purpose of recruiting a local militia under their command and in control of the Burmese Army, according to a local source.

The source close to General Aung Naing told Kaowao that Nai Shaung met Nai Aung Naing in Moulmein in early December and planned to work together to form the Border Guard Force or a Regional Militia. Nai Aung Naing, 73, led the group dubbed the Mon National Peace Council Party (MNPCP) as Chairman and Nai Shaung took the position as Vice-Chairman.

A spokesperson from the MNPCP says they will not contest the upcoming 2010 election but will focus on recruiting personnel for the Border Guard Force. Recently, General Aung Naing was in Myawaddy to appoint a new officer, Nai Shar to operate some business at the Thai Burma border.

Both Nai Aung Naing and Nai Shaung served in the military wing of the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) as General and a Colonel respectively prior to their retirement.

Nai Aung Nai was the Commander In Chief of the MNLA and CEC of the NMSP. Following a permanent leave for medical treatment in Rangoon, he left the NMSP in 2008 secretly cooperating with the BA to form a new armed group. General Aung Naing had claimed at the time to maintain cease-fire agreement with the BA while stating that the NMSP under the leadership of General Nai Htow Mon was headed in wrong direction laid by the late President Nai Shwe Kyin. The Mon National Peace Council Party (MNPCP) was formed with some of his followers who retired or have been dismissed from the NMSP.

After his retirement from the NMSP, Nai Shaung also formed an armed group, Rehmonnya Army this year seeking help from the Mon community for recruitment and for army supplies. After a failure to persuade the general public, Nai Shaung surrendered to Southeast Command Commander Thet Naing Win of the BA.

A Mon political observer from the Thai Burma border who preferred anonymity said even though they were good soldiers the two leaders lacked the political know-how and discipline to be good politicians. After the cease-fired agreement with the BA, some senior fighters were disappointed because they were not allowed to take the lead role in business initiatives and other branches of the NMSP. Many retired and some Mon soldiers even formed armed groups to build their influence.

Many senior monks and local people are disappointed that leaders they once respected are now cooperating with the military regime. “Without local support, they will not be able to recruit the soldiers to form the BGF. The BA will use them to their advantage to divide and rule the Mon. They want the Mon to fight each other like the Karens (KNU and DKBA),” commented a senior monk in Ye Township.