Myanmar takes small but hugely significant step
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Today's by-election in Myanmar will certainly not be proclaimed as the world's most democratic.
Even the country’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said she is not confident the poll will be free and fair. But there is no denying, the world is watching Myanmar with anticipation. What’s happening in Thailand’s western neighbouring country today is generally seen as a positive step forward after years of political oppression.
The current regime under the leadership of President Thein Sein came to power via a general election in 2010 conducted in a highly dubious way. The poll was greeted with an outcry over alleged flaws and irregularities. But as soon as the Cabinet was sworn in, the world watched with pleasant surprise as political and economic reforms, and a reconciliation plan, took shape.
After five months in office, Thein Sein met Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent most of the past two decades under house arrest. That was followed by a decision to let her party, the National League for Democracy, and The Lady herself, participate in today’s by-election to fill 48 vacant seats in the Parliament.
Obvious military presence in politics, in the infamous form of a “junta”, will continue for the foreseeable future. Civilian supremacy in the military dominated country will remain a lofty goal. With a 25 per cent quota for members of the military in the Parliament, Myanmar’s armed forces will keep a significant role in politics. Critics of Myanmar’s military, however, have taken heart at its apparent readiness to keep some distance from the administration. Whether that distance will grow or shrink after the election will be a major factor in judging the democratic progress.
Myanmar has had one of the world’s worst human rights records over the past few decades, resulting in international sanctions against the country. New limited reforms include a certain degree of press freedom. Many exiled journalists have gone back recently for the first time in more than two decades.
Decades of political wrong turns are hard to undo, and the world has seen false dawns in Myanmar before. Current international optimism, while cautious, has been the most remarkable in years. All will come to nothing if the holders of power allow things to slide. To symbolically encourage more positive change in our neighbouring land, The Nation from now on will call it by the official name – Myanmar.
This is a goodwill gesture, made in response to the signs that the people of Myanmar (formerly Burma) will be able to help shape its future. No matter what the country is called by the outside world, what really counts is responsible freedom for its citizens and open-mindedness by its long-time rulers. Today’s by-election may be on a small scale, but it is huge in significance. After all, a first, firm step is always important. We wish Myanmar the best – in its journey towards real democracy.
