Charter rewrite cannot be delayed: Suu Kyi

Those charged with rewriting Myanmar’s constitution needed to be respected by the people but, in turn, the drafting process would have to be transparent, said opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

She made the statement while meeting with Myanmar families in Japan on Saturday.

Parliament agreed last month to set up a commission to review the pro-military 2008 constitution, a process that could eventually allow Suu Kyi to contest the presidency. 

Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy party has long said that the constitution is undemocratic because of provisions that allow the military to control a substantial percentage of parliamentary seats and disqualify Suu Kyi from holding the presidency.

“My opinion is that it would be better if we can have it [constitutional revision] done before” the 2015 poll, said Suu Kyi, adding that it would be “impossible” to hold fair elections under the current constitution.

She added that although those responsible would decide on what should be included in the constitution, the wishes of the people should be key factors in their decisions.

The current constitution should be completed before 2015 as it would be unfair to delay its launch until after the 2015 election, she said.

Responding to questions raised from abroad, Suu Kyi replied that she thought the 2015 election would be fair and free, but that the constitution in its present state was not fair.

She also targeted the reason for changing the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar, saying that the will of the people had not been consulted in making the decision. The word Myanmar did not, as many claimed, serve to represent all nationalities in the country, Suu Kyi said.

“I don’t understand the reason for changing the name. Some said it was an astrological point. I don’t totally agree on that. The reputation of a country is more important than its name. The name of the country should not have been changed.”

Responding to questions about the probe she led last month into the Letpadaungtaung copper mine project, and the November crackdown on protests against its alleged damage to the environment, Suu Kyi said that she was aware that many people were reluctant to accept the findings of the Investigation Commission that the mine should continue operating. But she said she believed in democracy, and that meant listening to opposing opinions. 

Suu Kyi arrived in Kyoto for a speech at Kyoto University on Monday, the latest stop in her seven-day trip to Japan. This is her second foreign visit of 2013. She is scheduled to return to Myanmar on Friday.