BIOGRAPHY OF KIO CHAIRMAN, GENERAL LAMUNG TU JAI

Born on 5 March 1930
Father Mr. Lamung Tu
Mother Ms. Labya Htu
Native Kawng Lung village, Kutkai District, North Shan State
Education Accomplished High School
Religion Protestant (Baptist)
Married Ms. La Mai Hkawn Mai on 16 September 1966 (Diseased)
Children 3 sons and 4 daughters (All alive)

In 1952, joined with 4th Battalion Kachin Rifles, became Unit Education Instructor as well as fighter in the front line. In 1960, discharged from Burma Army with Sergeant rank. In 1961, formed KIO together with KIO Chairman, Lahtaw Zau Seng as one of KIO founders. Assigned as Instructor as well as Training Officer and Camp Commander in expanding Kachin Independence Army (KIA) rapidly.

Assigned as Unit Commander, Administrator and Brigade Commander, he became Chief of Staff and Vice Chairman in 1976. Due to overload duty, he shared Chief of Staff duty to Gen. Malizup Zau Mai in 1981. Finally, he became Chairman as well as President of KIO in 2001 and up to this date.

He has been a capable leader all the way on his carrier as a freedom fighter. Peculiarly, his followers feel that Chairman lead them fatherly. Recently, he talked to some of his subordinates in Laiza that, “we need greet patience with our own people as well as with all parties who are around us. Remember that, the situation of Myanmar today is, not a peaceful period and not a fighting period either. Therefore, this is the most difficult time to handle the matters in daily life. However, one day our collective efforts will bring peace to the entire people of Myanmar.

Chairman Tu Jai has devoted most of his life to restore peace and justice for the Kachin people. He was one of three signatories who signed ceasefire agreement between KIO and the SLORC in 1994 in Myitkyina.

While he was striving for peace, untimely passed away peacefully on 15 June 2006 at 10 a.m. on the way from hospital in Mangshi, China to his Headquarters Laiza. His death was a great loss for KIO as well as the entire Kachin people. They will continue to accomplish his unfinished duty which left behind.

The Chairman shall be remembered by the Kachin people in their Prayers that, "May the spirit of Chairman Lamung Tu Jai shall be always together with God in heaven.

KACHIN INDEPENDENCE ORGANIZATION