Myanmar Election: What Others Say

Deutsche Welle

In the opinion piece, headlined “Congratulations Myanmar!” the German media giant said the election was the victory of all – the people, the National League for Democracy, the government and the army.

“This relinquishing of power, albeit in a limited manner, is without precedent. Now, one hopes that the military will continue to adhere to its self-set rules, and that perhaps slowly there will be more space for carrying out reforms…

“Even the election commission has won. Despite initial reports of irregularities and delays, many observers say the polls were well organised as well as free and fair… Among the challenges to overcome are not only the special rights the constitution grants to the military, but also the development of structures designed to create new jobs, fight corruption and improve the health care system as well as better integrate ethnic and religious minorities…”

 

Financial Times

In its view “Myanmar election: Is this the end of military rule?”, the paper said the power would stay, but the election was far from being a charade.

“It is a huge moment politically and emotionally, after decades of dictatorship that made people feel isolated from the world. Voters were inspired and many spoke about how it was a day they thought they would never see ... Once the party is over, many will also be aware of the greater obstacles that loom.”

 

Wall Street Journal

The article “If Suu Kyi wins Myanmar Election, can she lead?” captured US politicians’ views on the icon.

“There is growing concern abroad and in some quarters at home about whether she is the best person to lead Myanmar as it takes steps toward democracy and tries to rebuild its economy by opening up to foreign businesses …

“It is ‘no secret’ that many foreign companies aren’t convinced Suu Kyi can manage Myanmar’s economy, says one American business official, summing up the sentiments of US, regional and some local business officials interviewed by The Wall Street Journal”.

 

Business Standard

On this top business site in India, “Myanmar elections: a cautious democracy” highlights what lies ahead.

“The tide that brought Suu Kyi and her movement to power will also require from the government and from her, policies that improve the living standards of the people, unite the warring ethnic nations and create a foreign policy that strikes a balance between pragmatism and aspirational. The NLD or Suu Kyi have not made public any policy that would add-ress the issues that plague the country.”

 

VICE Media

Nicholas Farrelly, director of the Myanmar Research Centre, Australian National University, said the implications of the election are threefold.

“First, everybody’s been waiting a long time for a chance to have their say about how their country is run and the vote on Sunday is the best chance they’ve had to send a message to the authorities in the past quarter century. Second, it’s an opportunity for the NLD, which of course has never been able to hold any meaningful power, to show what it can do. And third it gives everybody a really strong impression of just how much has changed in Myanmar these past four or five years.”

 

Frontier Myanmar

The English-language weekly magazine simply said: “It would be wise for the NLD to show restraint. Modesty in this hour of probable victory is needed, as in the months to come the army and the USDP-elite will remain a force to reckon with. They will be sitting at the other side of the bargaining table.”