About 100 young people were planning to sleep over in “Koe Thein” football field located in a division where Daw Aung San Suu Kyi provided a speech yesterday, Feb 7, 2012. “Yes, we are going to sleep here so that we can secure a place to listen to her speech tomorrow.” one of the young man said energetically. Even though the speech was scheduled to start at about 9 am, people had been already waiting since 5 inthe morning.
“We regard Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a parent of our country, that is why we are waiting here to greet her. It’s an honour that she came to meet with us and I am so glad.”, one of the villagers from Inn Ma San Pya village, located along “Yangon – Pathein” high-way, expressing her feeling to the enquiring reporter. “We have been waiting for this opportunity for more than 20 years. We support her. Long live Daw Suu”, she added.
The row of cars conveying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi entered Pathein at about 10am but the vehicles were delayed by the road blocks imposed by the opposition party. “We are holding a charity feast in celebration as our party have completed building the 59th bridge for the local people.” One of the spokesmen from the opposition party said.
Surprisingly, universities from Pathein carried out a pre-exam on the day of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to Pathein. Many people believed that it was done on purpose by the ruling government. There were about 200 university students on the sides of the road waving and praising Daw Aung San Suu Kyi this morning. “We don’t care about the exam. We never had an exam at this time of the year. It is totally nonsense. We have this rare opportunity and we are here to support A May Suu”, we were told by the university students.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was wearing the Pathein traditional umbrella given as a present by one of the locals which she later mentioned in her speech that “like you, local people, have an umbrella for me to protect from this heat, you all need to support each other”. She made it to the “Koe Thein” Football field at about11 am.
She further stated, “I was here 20 years ago. Since then many things have changed. People were travelling alone on bicycles at that time, but now, all are with motorcycles; Students, please take care in riding your bikes.” Additionally she mentioned “I am here to ask your support for the election. We need you, the people, in the upcoming election. We need your support, especially the youth” she added. “And I would like to ask the students, to study hard for your exams too.” A loud cheer followed. The speech lasted for about 20 minutes and massive support was shown.