Sept 17, 2009 (DVB), A coalition of political parties that won votes in the 1990 elections in Burma has struggled to provide a viable opposition threat due to government oppression, said a senior group member.

The Committee Representing the People's Parliament (CRPP), which includes the National League for Democracy (NLD), yesterday marked its 11-year anniversary.

According to CRPP secretary Aye Thar Aung, pressure and harassment from Burma's ruling junta has crippled the group's ability to convene a people's parliament, the reason behind its birth.

"We tried our best to convene the parliament but on the other hand, there were tremendous pressures [from the government], such as harassment, oppression and imprisonment of our members," said Aye Thar Aung.

"Due to these pressures, we now have to say we were unable to materialise our idea to convene the parliament and implement the results of the 1990 elections."

Aye Thar Aung said however that the group will continue with their commitment to bring success to their aim.

"There is only a small chance for us now but we [as representatives] of the political parties that won seats in the 1990 elections are to continue with our determination."

The CRPP was formed in 1998 with people's parliament representative members from various political organisations such as the NLD and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD).

Among the group's leading members, chairman Aung Shwe, Lun Tin and U Lwin are in poor health while Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, Khun Htun Oo and Kyaw Min are under government detention.

The NLD's landslide victory in the 1990 elections was dismissed by the military junta. The party's leader, Suu Kyi, was put under house arrest shortly after.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet