Optimistic steps forward mixed with caution about setbacks

Because of the rapid changes in Myanmar and the stability that we witnessed in conjunction with the support of the international community, I decided to write this series, “I will tell the real truth”, that was launched in the May 23 edition of the Weekly Eleven News Journal.

My aim is to point out the challenges facing Myanmar as the country goes through transition. And as I voice my concern, tough problems hit hard in Rakhine State in northwestern Myanmar this past June. 

The spark was lit with violent murder in Taunggup Township in Rakhine State, followed by communal violence in Maungdaw Township. The violence spread like wildfire to Sittwe Township in the northern part of Rakhine State.

The Taunggup probe commission has yet to issue its findings to the public. Compounding the complex and chaos conditions, the international and exiled media add fuel to the fire with their reports, often exaggering the problem and creating more confusion. 

At the heart of the problem in dealing with ethnic nationalities is the move towards creating a federal system. This is something that could either move the country dramatically forward or take us back to the days of warfare and chaos. How this federal system develops depends on the outcome of negotiations between the government and the ethnic nationalities. It also depends on whether the country’s military can live with the outcome of these negotiations.

The constitution, which solidly stands between the government and the armed forces, could be interpreted that the president in no way has absolute influence over the commander-in-chief of the Defence Services and the issue of military affairs. 

Regarding the civil war in Kachin State and the demands of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) for equality and autonomy – in other words, the federal union system – I support their claim. However, I cannot support the decision by the KIA to decline an offer to enter into a ceasefire agreement. My main concern is that if the country continues on this route – one that permits military supremacy – military dictation is inevitable and the people will suffer.

But the presidential office should not only take the blame for prolonging the conflict. The Kachin leadership must share the burden and responsibility, as many continue to be rigid and narrow-minded in the area of race relations as they make their demands. 

Moreover, it is entirely unacceptable to label our national hero General Aung San as a liar and deceiver. For this accusation and slander, an explanation is demanded.

In fact, the mountainous parts of Kachin State are inhabited by the Jainphaw ethnic races and Kachin nationals, while the plains are occupied by Shan nationals and Burmese nationals, and have been for thousands of years. No one race should claim exclusivity to any particular region if there is more than one race occupying it. I’m inclined to argue that much of the conflict is kept alive by the warlords. Whatever the situation may be, the ongoing war must end if we are desirous of building a democratic state and a genuine federal union.  

The ongoing battles and skirmishes in the Kachin State are hindrances to democratisation and building a federal union. Therefore, those who hope for democracy and a genuine federal system must shoulder the task of stopping the war.

History shows that even warmongers like Hitler, Mao and Stalitn, with their heavy arsenals and support of business wealthy tycoons, eventually fade away. This indicates that the combined forces of military power and economic power are not enough to rule permanently. 

It is not surprising that a nation with 400,000 trained soldiers as a standing army was held in the iron grip of dictatorship for over 50 years. Indeed, the armed forces stand out as the strongest and most established institution in the country. However, the army could not hold power solely for an extended period, and we saw a transformation in the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), which led the one-party system from 1974. 

Later, the one-party system became a multi-party system, as some people tried to hold onto power. However, there are now many in the circle of the armed forces who believe in genuine democracy for the development of the nation.

Although the president has committed the government to discarding the crony economic system, half of the nation’s wealth is still in the hands of a minority of individuals and families, numbering in the tens of thousands.

GDP is up, while investment is on the rise. However, the hopes of the middle class and the poor are left in a dim light.

The banking and finance industry, manufacturing and factories, land and all the mills are still owned by cronies. Even with the present government, 90 per cent of the investment officially registered at the Myanmar Investment Commission is related to crony capitalism.

Land-grabbing issues are the most shocking problem, causing dispossession and unemployment. The root cause of poverty is the seizure of farmland, officially in line with the law, but in fact, illegal and unjust.

The failure to levy taxes on such cronies is tantamount to putting an extra burden on other taxpayers and poor people.  

There is much talk about not backsliding, but the country is not moving forward. In this messy situation, it is not possible to advocate with one’s heart and soul.

Without the correct and righteous basic principles, and without a sincere and clear stance in organisation and unification, the country will gain nothing.

If I took sides with the individual approach and I was pulled inside the circle of influence on a personal basis, I would be nothing but an addition to the group of opportunists, and would only flatter in a servile way. The country will remain the same without positive development.

 

Dr Than Htut Aung  is the CEO of Eleven Media, Myanmar. This is an excerpt from his “I Will Tell The Real Truth” series.