Political rights precede economic growth: Suu Kyi

"Our country was once the most developed in Southeast Asia. Everyone thought it would become an outstanding country. But this didn't happen because of political failure,” she said at the ceremony to mark 100 years since the birth of her father Bogyoke Aung San at Pyawbwe, Mandalay Region.

“The economy tumbled down after our country took the wrong political path. The economic and social sectors became deeply affected. That's why politics is very important. I urge you not to listen to people who say politics is not vital and livelihood is more important," said Suu Kyi.

"The most developed and rich countries respect and value their citizens. Every person who wants to work in the government needs to understand this. Government work should not be attractive but carried out as an obligation. A government should only take responsibility when the public gives it that responsibility. A government, which assumes responsibility without being given it by the public, will not represent the public. If it doesn't represent the public, it will not respect and value them. If it does not respect and value the public, it cannot make the country develop," she continued.

"If you really want democracy and individual freedom, it's important for you to use your head to think. Heads are given to men for them to think. It's not to hold your heads down. I have given this warning over and over again," she said. 

She also said the country would not have peace and development if there was no unity among the public.

"I don't know whether some people are worried that our citizens will become interested in politics. They have said this over and over again that our citizens are not interested in politics because they are only interested in their livelihoods as they are living in deep poverty. I want to ask them why our citizens became so poor."

Thousands of residents from Pyawbwe, Yamethin, Meikhtila and Aung Pan attended the event.

Dehlaing news journal also ran a report on February 2, quoting Suu Kyi as saying that it is not enough to vote for one’s desired candidate – voters must strive to build a community that will represent all peoples of Myanmar.

She said freedom only exists when a person has a right to choose. For example, freedom to choose under penalty of punishment is not real freedom. 

In the upcoming elections, people will choose who will represent them for the next five years. They will select candidates who will work for them, understand them and have sincere goodwill for the country. But it is not enough to just cast one’s vote on Election Day. The people of Myanmar need to build a community that will truly represent the people, Suu Kyi continued.

Under a dictatorship or one-party system, elections do not involve choice. Votes only approve of incumbents.

In Myanmar, which is meant to have a multi-party system, it is important that people exert their right to choose. Many people in Myanmar have lived under military dictatorship for so long that they may be fearful of choosing or unable to decipher the differences between parties, she wrote.

There are still many people in Myanmar who fear politics and do not have the courage to say what they think. The taste of freedom will be known when each mind is freed from fear. Only when freedom reigns can one choose rightly and build a peaceful and developed country, she said.