The newly elected Chair of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), U Than Htay, said protection of the race and religion is the top priority for the party and instructed the party workers to be proactive in doing so. U Than Htay said at a gathering of the party officials on 29 October in Pathein that the regional party leaders could act quickly when they see any incident, which could put the race and religion on any danger. He said they should take immediate actions without waiting for the instructions from the party’s central leadership. “We will protect you if you got into trouble for doing so. We will not allow our race, religion, and national security to be affected. If we see danger of such things, we will stand in front of you. If you face a natural disaster do whatever you think is right, do not wait for order from us. Whatever you will do will be right,” U Than Htay said. U Than Htay was elected as the chair of the USDP in August, after the party’s massive election defeat to the National League for Democracy in the last general elections. His words does not reflect the party’s key policy agenda, which is to promote democracy, human rights as well as transparency. He said the race and religion could be affected under the pretext of protection and promotion of human rights. http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/article/19694