CNI News
March 12, 2026
The "New Myanmar Arena Forum," featuring Members of Parliament (MPs) who won the 2025 General Election, will be led by Myanmar Narrative and held in Naypyidaw.
The forum is scheduled to take place at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-1 (MICC-1) in Naypyidaw from March 13 to 14, 2026.
Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News that organizing the "New Myanmar Arena Forum" is a positive step, as it could provide new ideas and perspectives for those without prior parliamentary experience.
"Representatives from our party will be attending this forum. Their organization primarily invited party representatives. Actually, holding this forum is a good thing. Before the parliament sessions begin, there will be people with past parliamentary experience and those without. Since they are holding this two-day forum (March 13–14), I believe those without experience will benefit by discussing matters they will encounter inside the Hluttaw (Parliament). Myanmar is about to open a new chapter. Since the elected representatives from this post-election period are the first to enter this new frontier, it is important for things to be systematic. By holding this forum just before the parliament starts, I see that they will gain new thoughts and perspectives," he said.
USDP Members of Hluttaw
Exclusions and Criticisms Sai Htay Aung further noted that the forum specifically invited MPs from the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities), excluding regional and state parliamentary representatives, as well as political party leaders.
"Through these discussions, MPs who haven't entered parliament yet will gain more knowledge. I believe it will support their future actions. However, a weakness is that if party leaders were also invited—with some speaking inside parliament and party leaders/activists working outside—they could move in harmony. If they can act in sync, I believe we could reach a better 'New Myanmar Frontier,'" he added.
Over 500 MPs are expected to attend the forum in Naypyidaw, the majority of whom are from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). It remains unclear whether military (Tatmadaw) appointees in parliament will attend.
Military (Tatmadaw) Members of Hluttaw
Notably, several political party leaders were not invited because they did not win their respective seats in the election. These include: U Ko Ko Gyi, Dr. Aye Maung, U Ba Shein, Sai Htay Aung, U Kyaw Swar Soe. Sai Aik Paung, Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), raised questions to CNI News regarding the nature of the forum. He questioned whether it was necessary to exclude party chairs who weren't elected and whether the organizing group was positioning itself "above" the elected representatives.
"When organizing events for political discussion, the leading organization must have an objective. Why are they only inviting elected MPs? Some party leaders will be among them, but others are not elected. Is it not necessary to invite them? What is the purpose of inviting only the MPs? Why do they feel the need to 'advise' them? One could say the MPs have already met or are about to meet. Is it appropriate to hold this 'New Myanmar Arena Forum' when these discussions should happen within the Parliament itself? A question arises: Is this an organization positioned above the MPs? Is it necessary to invite them like school teachers giving lessons to students?" Dr. Aye Maung said.
The "New Myanmar Arena Forum," running from March 13 to 14, 2026, is described by proponents as a trust-building program for the upcoming term of the new government and the future of the country.
