Hundreds of thousands rallied nationwide yesterday in support of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is contesting the case filed by Gambia at the International Court of Justice-ICJ.

Yangon

Supporters of State Counsellor rallied in front of the City Hall and the Maha Bandoola Park in Yangon yesterday.

People from four districts in Yangon gathered near headquarters of Myanmar Medical Association, Thakin Mya Park in front of Bothataung Pagoda and Myoma Kyaung Street in the morning and marched towards the Yangon City Hall, holding national flags and placards.

At the rally, people saluted the national flag, sang national anthem, read the messages sent by the great religious groups, and prayed for a success.

Well-wishers also donated foods and soft drinks to the people in the rally. The hearing at ICJ was also broadcast with the use of a LED Board in front of the Maha Bandoola Park.

Daw May Thwe Oo, a supporter from South Okkalapa Township, said, “To reject the false allegation against our country, State Counsellor, as a leader of our country as well as on behalf of the nation and people, is going to defend it. We rallied to show that we are together with her and in support of her.”

Mandalay

Over 300,000 people joined rally in support of State Counsellor at the Chanmyathazi Airport in Mandalay.

The mass rally comprised of eighteen ethnic groups, social organizations, teachers, students and ethnic civilians is supporting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is contesting the case filed by Gambia at ICJ in order to protect the interest of the nation.

In the afternoon, the supporters of State Counsellor including Mandalay-based ethnic groups, Shan ethnic social organizations, interfaith group (Mandalay), Myanmar Thabin Association (Mandalay), teachers and students marched to the airport, holding placards reading “We Stand With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,”

At the rally, the statement supporting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s works on protecting nation’s interest by the people in Mandalay was read by U Naing Maung Myint, the Chairman of Mandalay-based Ethnics Group, and its English version was also read by U Thuta, the Associate Professor at English Department of Mandalar Degree College.

“We need to show the world that all the people in the country are united and stand behind Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. So, people from different strata are taking part in the rally,” said Dr Zaw Myint Maung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay Region.

U Naing Maung Myint, chairman of the 18 ethnic groups in Mandalay, said: “Mandalay has a long history of showing national spirit, political spirit, and unity. The rally was organized with the collective strength of the public, in support of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is protecting the nation’s interest in a foreign country.”

Pyapon

People also rallied in Pyapon, Ayeyawady Region, in support of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday.

Regional Hluttaw representative U Zeya Min Thein said: “The case filed by the Gambia concerns our nation’s interest, so we are holding rallies.”

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi struggled for the country 20 years ago. Our love, unity, and support will be her strength,” he added. People marched to the Ayeyawady jetty in Pyapon shouting slogans such as ‘May State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and party be successful’, ‘We support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is protecting the nation’s interest’, ‘May our public leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi live long’, and holding placards reading ‘Let’s stand together with public leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is contesting the case filed by Gambia at ICJ in the nation’s interest’, ‘Let’s support our leader to protect our nation’s interest’, and ‘May the State Counsellor be successful’.

People saluted the national flag of Myanmar and paid their respects to Bogyoke Aung San and late martyrs, sang the Thwe Thitsar song, and read the messages sent by various organizations.

Regional Hluttaw representative U Aung Khin Ko said, “The person who is contesting the case filed by the Gambia at ICJ is the leader of the nation and elected by the people. She has vividly shown her accountability. As Mother Suu herself is leading the case, the best result is expected.”

U Naing Win Htoo from Pyapon Cycling Group said: “The Gambia didn’t file its case against a person or a party. They filed the case against the country. So, each citizen is responsible. As our town has also assumed this responsibility, we staged a rally in support of Mother Suu.” Similar rallies supporting State Counsellor were also held in towns across the nation yesterday. Haka, Mindat, Einme, Seikpyu, Mogaung, Tachilek, Myaungmya, Bogale, Dedaye and Kyaiklat towns were among the towns.

MNA

(Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

PHOTO: Zaw Min Latt, Min Htet Aung

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar