Dr. Aye Maung pledges to address soaring commodity prices in Arakan State

By Admin 31 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom

31 October 2025, Mrauk-U

Arakan Front Party (AFP) Chairman Dr. Aye Maung has pledged to tackle the rising prices of basic commodities and food shortages in Arakan State if elected.

He made the remarks while outlining the AFP's policies and positions on a junta-controlled radio and television programme on October 30.

"We will try to address the difficulties of the Arakanese people, who face high costs for basic food and consumer goods due to high transportation costs," said Dr. Aye Maung.

He added that efforts would be made to develop industrial zones, promote border trade, repatriate displaced people, and restore socio-economic life in Arakan State.

Dr. Aye Maung also urged voters to elect AFP representatives to parliament.

A young Arakanese man in Yangon said: "He accepts doing good. This is about doing the best he can. He will know best whether he is doing good to get votes in the election or just because he wants to be a profiteer."

Dr. Aye Maung will contest the upcoming election for the Upper House Constituency No. 3 in Sittwe Township under the first-past-the-post system.

According to the AFP, 64 party candidates will run in the junta-sponsored elections for various parliaments.

In Arakan State, which has 17 townships, the regime controls only Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung. The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the first phase of the election will be held in these three towns.

Dr. Aye Maung was sentenced to 20 years in prison for high treason and disloyalty under the NLD government in 2019, and was previously barred by the UEC from contesting future elections.

After the military coup in February 2021, the regime released him from prison. On September 11, 2025, his convictions were overturned, allowing him to run in this election.

"The military is indebted to him. So, he will use the Arakanese people to serve the military's interests. If his actions are successful, he will receive huge benefits from the military. So, he will give incentives to the Arakanese people in any way he can," said a local political analyst in Arakan State.

The military regime has scheduled the first phase of the election to be held in 102 townships on December 28, 2025, and the second phase in 100 townships on January 11, 2026.

Revolutionary forces have denounced the junta-organised election as a sham that undermines the political aspirations of the Myanmar people.