Minister’s insult to Daw Suu provokes anger

Reporting by Aye Nai

Apr 25, 2008 (DVB)—Locals in Yaynanchaung, Magwe division, were furious after the minister of electric power (1), colonel Zaw Min, made a derogatory remark about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during a “Vote Yes” campaign in the area.

One Yaynanchaung resident said Zaw Min had indirectly insulted the National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during his campaign speech.

"He said that if one lets one’s daughter marry a dog, then she will only be a dog's wife, or if she marries a beggar, she will be a beggar's wife,” the resident said.

“He went on to say that if a woman marries a Kalar [vulgar term for Indian and also for westerners] then she'll be a Kalar's wife. He said people would be wise not to make the wrong decision [by choosing the Kalar's wife]."
(JEG's: better a kalar's than a dog's wife)

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could be excluded from running for office by the junta’s constitution due to her marriage to a foreign national.

The Yaynanchaung resident said news about Zaw Min’s remark about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had spread quickly across the region and people were angered by what he had said.

"Everyone understands what Zaw Min meant but they wouldn't speak out against him,” he said.

“Now a lot of people are going to vote ‘No’ at the referendum because they hate his foul mouth."