Malaysia Will Send Observers For Myanmar By-Elections

From Leslean Arshad NAYPYITAW (Myanmar), March 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has given its commitment to sending its observers for Myanmar's upcoming by-elections on April 1. "Malaysia will definitely be sending its team because we have been requested," Malaysian Ambassador to Myanmar Dr Ahmad Faisal Mohamed told Malaysian journalists covering Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's official visit to Myanmar on Tuesday. He said Myanmar had invited Asean members, including Malaysia, as well as other countries to observe the by-elections, adding that the list of observers was currently being worked out. The April by-elections have attracted a lot of attention and Myanmar has urged the relevant countries to lift their sanctions and allow the country to pursue its development and improve the living standards of its people. Forty-eight parliamentary seats have been left vacant as former members were appointed to fill cabinet posts and other executive positions in the Union Government. Former political detainee Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), has decided to contest in the by-election in one constituency near Yangon. The NLD is also fielding candidates in all other vacant constituencies. Myanmar is fast moving towards greater democratisation under President U Thein Sein after six decades of military dictatorship. -- BERNAMA