Khin Nyunt apologises for remarks on NLD

The sound file is a record of his lecture during a management course 3/93 for military training officers in 1993. The words he used were harsh and rude, but they were not intended to harm those particular people. Instead, he just explained state policies on behalf of the government, and so he requested an apology from those hurt, Khin Nyunt said on November 28.

Khin Nyunt, who also served as the ninth prime minister, spoke at Karaweik Hotel in Yangon during the promotion of a book that is a compilation of his interviews with Snap Shot Journal’s editor-in-chief Myat Khine.

In the sound clip, Khin Nyunt told the officers that the military had to be strong in the face of the political and military assault from the Communist Party of Burma and the 1988 unrest in which people were killed and beheaded.

“Therefore, the military had to intervene and control the situation,” Khin Nyunt said in the file.

He said, in the file, that it was not “believable” that the National League for Democracy (NLD) won the majority vote and described the manner in which the civilians asked to rule as “dirty”.

“That demand could not be granted. Both the 1947 constitution and 1974 constitution could not be applied either. The 1947 constitution allowed regions to separate after 10 years. So, the country would fall apart and so it needed to draft a new constitution,” he went on.

He also said some leaders in the NLD were ex-military officers who committed “wrong things” in the past. He referred to Aung San Suu Kyi as “the woman” who visited Myanmar just once a year. 

“When her mother was ill, the former ministers had to call her back. The time Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Myanmar coincided with the unrest in the country and communists like Thakhin Tin Mya advised her to engage in it. 

“Then, the ministers of Burma Socialist Programme Party dissuaded her from getting involved in politics with goodwill. However, Aung San Suu Kyi defied the military and encouraged the rebels, and so she was arrested with 10(B). She could not be accepted as the leader of the country,” he added.

In the book he promoted, Khin Nyunt said, “If I said so, it is I was told to say so”. He did not mention who told him to do so and how. He said the contents of the book are based on true stories, and the book will have historical value. He added that he had to frankly answer the questions in the book as it is related with history and he apologised if it damaged other personal lives.

Khin Nyunt also said any government including his military junta cannot rule in the sole interests of one person. The things the junta did when they were in power were mixed with good and bad. Nevertheless, we all did it together. All the government officials contributed suggestions in doing those things, he said.

The things the new government is doing are also the effort of the government as a whole. There can be weaknesses. Constructive criticism should be welcome. He requested also to forgive when there are hampering attacks. He said this is a good time for Myanmar and if all the people strive together, he believes the country will succeed.

Khin Nyunt also denied that he plans to enter politics again as allegedly stated by some media.

Former general Khin Nyunt was a deputy military chief when the military took over state duties in 1988. Khin Nyunt, who used to hold press conferences frequently, took charge of the work plans of the State Law and Order Restoration Council as Secretary-1. Since then, famous universities such as Yangon University and Mandalay University have been closed and new ones established in areas far from urban areas.

While Khin Nyunt was serving as the military intelligence chief, the number of deaths of prisoners and the number of political prisoners increased. Aung San Suu Kyi was also put under house arrest for many years. In 2013, murder was attempted against Suu Kyi in Dabayin township of Sagaing region, but authorities have so far failed to expose the culprit.

Since 2000, military intelligence rose to power causing panic even in the military. But in 2004, military intelligence forces as well as Khin Nyunt and his family members were arrested. He was released in 2012 but 21 MI members reportedly remain in prison.

In response to Khin Nyunt’s remarks, Myint Aung, a member of the Former Political Prisoners Group, said, “An apology is not enough. Reviewing what he has done, all his moves were for his power, position and wealth. The people were brutally oppressed for their democracy struggles. Thousands of families were affected by his power hunger. Political prisoners cannot accept (his apology). I am not saying on the basis of hatred. But that must be recorded in history.”

The book introduction ceremony was also attended by many former MI members, some military generals and Aye Nay Win, a grandson of the late dictator Ne Win.