I will tell the real truth

We travelled to Bangkok on July 1 to engage in discussions with the Nation Multimedia Group that we had earlier signed memorandum of understanding (MoU). When we studied the two media, the Eleven Media Group was junior for nearly 30 years. There are many things that we need to improve. The incumbent Chairman Mr. Suthichai Yoon of the NMG joined the media 42 years ago as a young reporter and now he is at the top of the Board of Directors. Not only skillful in his career, but he is influential in the politics and economic sphere of Thailand. He is well versed about Myanmar and its people, understand with empathy. Between him and me, we have many common perspectives. At a time in the future when we publish English edition newspaper, we agreed that the editorial and the policy trend are to be undertaken by the EMG.

The international media and the local media have diverse perspective on the recent Rohingya issue that occurred in Rakhine State, for that we both agreed in its content. The democratic nations as well as the countries in democratic transition faced the challenges posed by Muslim extremists. However, the extremists shun away from Communists and dictatorial regimes. However, countries like the Philippines, southern Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar in transition are encountering more challenges than other ASEAN member countries. The terrible mistake committed by Mr. Taksin Shinawatra in southern Thailand in 2004-2005 must never be occurred again.

The situations and events in Rakhine State (north), Myanmar southern part, Thailand southern part, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are the current challenges and threats to ASEAN community. We can choose friend, but we cannot choose neighbor. Among the five neighboring countries, we must have at least one country that we must have trust and faith even to deal with back to back. The country must be a democratic nation and must have freedom of press. There is only one country across the world that has border line with over 35 percent of the world population. The good situation and the bad condition are always in parallel. That is the reason the country is termed as most strategic nation. No country could beat her on the pace of development. However, the country is prone to subjugation at any moment. The country could be lost. That is why our national races are highly nationalistic. This nationalistic fervor is a must. However, this strong feeling of love for the country triggers nationalistic curse. The side effect of such strong sentiments to the country creates the rule of warlord and the autocratic system. The geographical position and the history of the country are very much closer and intimate with wars and civil conflicts. The country is in abject poverty. Despite the fact that the nation is one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources and hard working population with amicable mind-set in the Asian continent, it went down to the poorest rank. At a time when we are really going for a genuine change, we must harmonize the nationalism and the independent through strategic thinking. Which way we are heading? Which road we are choosing?

News media and government; meaning of political sphere

July 1 was the 41st Anniversary of the NMG. I was invited to attend a luncheon party on July 2. At that gathering, many Thai political leaders and business leaders attended. Moreover, former ministers of the previous government as well as the ministers of present government, the bankers, company owners and prominent persons totaling 50 to 60 attended the luncheon. Mr. Suthichai Yoon introduced me among the crowd in Thai language. The only word that I understood was “fighter”. They welcomed me with warm clapping. Unlike the faces that we usually encountered back in our country, they showed smiles over the media personnel. This reflected the fine relationship of Mr. Suthichai and the ruling party bosses, the opposition party leaders, and the business elites.

Today, one may have power and becomes cabinet member. One is not taking bribe at all. Enjoy what one deserves. The person has nothing to be angry if the media writes anything about him. He has nothing to loose, even if the person has no position in the cabinet the next day. Respect would remain with the person what he had done in the past. He will be active in the political arena. Relationship with the media would be normal. The editors will write about him and maintain relationship.

Likewise, the businessmen will remain the same without taking any privileges, working together with the others. They will not evade taxes, working in transparency. The media is nothing to detest or to loathe. At that celebration, Myanmar is shining like a star. (Thanks to President and world icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whom bring Myanmar to the world).

Some came to me and greeted heartily and told me that they would visit Myanmar. The message that I am conveying was about the consideration and courtesy extended to the media and the manners of the cabinet ministers in a democratic country. In fact, I was comparing and contrasting between the ministers in democratic nation and the proud and arrogant union ministers in the autocratic government. Today, one is in power, the next day one falls from the power. That is democracy. If one is clean, nothing is to be ashamed of. In our country, we are called in by the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division and reprimanded as if we are subordinates. Even, we were threatened to put behind bars with long prison terms. Moreover, we were often filed with cases at the law courts. Furthermore, we were warned and haunted with the media print law, which were really disgusting. Some persons are arrogantly telling that they would remain in power for another 20 years or more.

In fact, there were many coup d’états in the chronicle of Thailand, but its democracy foundation is solid and the economy is stable because of the King and the freedom of press and the media development.

Similarly, the long existence of democracy in India is because of parliamentary political system and the freedom of press. Moreover, in Indonesia, its democracy is matured due to strong media and the courageous approach.

What do they want in our country? They are filing court cases against the media. The unacceptable Journalist Council is deliberately formed. The Information and Public Relations Department --- that is nothing to do with the media --- has been pulled in to draft print media law, creating in-fighting among the media persons. Instead of giving permission for genuine newspaper publication, the authorities only support to crony media. The dealing is not the proper relationship between the democratic government and the news media.

We would like to submit and request to honorable President to look into the matter over the law suits against the media and to stop drafting the unacceptable print media law. It is vital that we must join hands in hands in unity and cohesion in the long march towards our goal for the country.

Matured Parliament and rights of farmers

It is good that the Sky Net Television News Channel has taken up a separate television channel on covering Parliament news. In the past, I am not accustomed to view local television, but now I am very much interested to view the parliament news coverage. In the parliament proceedings, there were some undemocratic practices in the implementation of bylaws. However, the democratically elected MPs were enthusiastically deliberating to bring fair and justice in the proceedings.  By having the representation and constituency as well as the voters, the MPs are strongly motivated to work for the people. The future of the nation is very much vital as it will depend on the genuine parliament elected through methodical democratic system and an ideal people’s parliament chosen without autocratic order.

Here, it was very much thankful to the MPs that stood by the peasant farmers whose farm lands were confiscated and those representatives who fight on behalf of the farmers. Most of the people have had lived in the old system, but now the MPs are advocating with empathy towards the poor farmers. Now, I could able to visualize that the farm owners have become odd job workers; that they migrated to towns to find whatever jobs available; that the school going children were dropped out of the schools; that the boys became child labors; that the girls became house maids, commercial sex workers, trafficked in persons or sexually abused. Our media personnel including myself do apologize for the lapse in the coverage of such ordeals of the peasant farmers. In the history of our country, the farmers knew in advance when the Chittees --- money lending southern Indians---confiscated the lands. The situation now is even worse. They are committing heavy sin that people strongly disapprove. The authorities concerned must look into the cases of land grabbing for the army use, for association / organization use, for company use, and consider the cases with empathy and justice.

The questions raised at the parliament are now more vivid and candid, but the answers provided by the executive sector and the judicial sector were very much inappropriate and disgusting. The relevant persons must carefully note that the answers responded at the parliament were clearly heard by the people through the people’s representatives. It is the responsibility of the responding person to admit the truth, to scrutinize, and to inform righteously at the parliament.

Corruption cases which have not been touched on

A Union Minister recently said that legal action will be taken against corruption cases if they are definitely reported. Actually, hefty bribes are given and taken secretly between two persons.  Businesspersons including me are aware of how the bribes are going and being taken. In a newspaper article, writer Pho Shwe Kyaw (BSI) defined the ‘corruption’ as (1) Wrongful gain (2) Wrongful loss (3) Dishonesty (4) Property in possession (5) Injury.

Here, I want to raise some questions. A local giant business company was recently permitted for productions of liquor, beer, cigarette and soft drink. What criteria are used for these permissions? Can everybody apply for such permits? How many business firms have been allowed for the businesses of beer, liquor and cigarette in the country? How many brands of these commodities are there in neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and Bangladesh?  Who are benefited from such commodities, and how extent the state and people have suffered losses from these commodities?

During the earlier period of this government, unprofitable government ministries were leased to private sectors. Such practice is called as ‘Public-private partnership’ (PPP) in business sphere. The rental term is also very long. Some persons are even joking that governmental officials are now busy with leasing processes to private sector . Most of the profitable businesses were rent to cronies and to those who are closely related with the families of high-ranking officials. In fact, the amount of possible investment in these companies must be reported to the investment commission. They have data and figures for the existing businesses and future plans. How much have they paid for tax to the government? It is sure that tax payments of these companies for ten years may be below 5 percent of their total investment. Why are such companies permitted for more investments?

The reason for emphasizing on corruption is to avoid a backtracking of the country. Even though we could forget the situations before the new government takes office on April 1, 2011, we should not neglect the management of present government. Cronies and those who enjoy corruption will hinder the changing processes. They would clone new military dictators by using their financial power. They would also strain 2015 General Election. They would oppress news media and political forces. As a result, unrest would break out in the country. The country will backtrack. The government will face bitter responses of public as in Libya and Syria. These consequences will not fade away peacefully. We should take notice of the existing Rohingya issue and Kachin conflict which is related with the involvement of China in Myitsone problem and construction of gas pipeline. The policy change of the U.S on Asia-Pacific region must also be considered.

Concisely, our country will split into pieces like Yugoslavia. Isn’t it our 20-year-old strategic thinking important?

The leadership of two leaders seeking no personal interest

In drawing an analogy between Myanmar's democratic transition and that of other ASEAN countries, we cannot accept so-called multi-party dictatorship democracy of Cambodia's Hun Sen. We do not like the Philippines' democratic system either, in which the successor only came to power after bringing down his predecessor with a weapon of unfair legal charges. We do not want Thailand's democratic system where the military has staged coups and intervened frequently. The most suitable for us is a stable democratic process as in Indonesia which has now become a member of G-20 as well as an economic powerhouse.

Myanmar people intrinsically put trust and reliance on their leaders. History has shown that the country was strong under good leaderships whilst it was weak under poor leaderships.

The Nation, Thailand's English edition newspaper covered President U Thein Sein's visit to Thailand. In the report, a Thai official said: "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is important, of course, as the symbol of democracy in the country, while President Thein Sein is the person responsible for reform."

This is right. The future of the country depends on these two leaders.

Some people criticize President U Thein Sein for having been chosen by former military leaders saying that his ongoing changes are only superficial. But I do not accept that. I have gathered a series of information about him over the past 24 years since he was in military service although I have not met him personally. Rather than being a man of sincerity and generosity, the President is more likely to be a leader who never takes chances more than necessary and usurps his power. Myanmar can no way become an authoritarian state if there is no leader who does not take chances more than necessary and abuse power.

I am shocked to learn that some shortsighted people describe Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as an 'ordinary' MP or party leader. Actually, she is a leader of the Myanmar people and a democratic icon as well as a democracy role model for the world's oppressed people. I have met her several times. (When we met first, I was 25 years old and she was 43. At that time, she had been a few days in political sphere.) I trusted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. More than an hour after we had talked, I knew that she did not go into politics out of the blue. I believed she started her career as she cherishes her country and people heart and soul. My belief has not waned over the past 24 years. Although we may have different personal views and opinions, I will trust her if I have to choose the only living person for the sake of our country and people.

Anyhow, I would like to offer some suggestions to the two leaders, who are playing leading role for the nation's reform process.

In his remaining 3-year term, the President is advised to:

(1) take steps to reduce corruption and bribery by 50 percent, wipe out the cronyism-style economic system, increase the nation's GDP threefold as earlier promised.

(2) lay down democratic infrastructures, including press freedom and firm democratic institutions.

(3) lay sound foundations for ensuring peace and a genuine union where all the nationalities could enjoy equal rights.

(4) transform the Tatmadaw (Defence Services) into professional armed forces by taking it out of the mire of political and administrative fields it has sunk into for more than 50 years.

(5) hold a free and fair election after amending constitution and hand over power to a democratically-elected government when the presidential tenure is over.

If he can do these jobs, the President will go down into the annals of Myanmar's history as a famous leader.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is also suggested to:

(1) help the President with his economic reform and improve the image of Myanmar by assisting in further easing economic sanctions.

(2) try to build a genuine union the national races have aspired as promised by her father.

(3) help build reconciliation between the Tatmadaw that her father founded and the people.

(4) upgrade her National League for Democracy Party to a more efficient political force, based on policy rather than on personal image.

These are my suggestions to the two leaders. We, the people, must be good followers who can turn out good leaders. We also need to earnestly support our leaders' reforms. We must do more, be disciplined and live within the framework of law. We must not be the ones who hope great privileges unnecessarily. We must serve more interests of the nation than our own. We must be united without bias, setting aside the bitter experiences and feelings of the past. It is of utmost importance that we must have decided to move forward with our changes and reforms. We must have courage and endurance.