By xxxxxxxxxxxx
Today, ‘change’ is one word that comes out of everybody’s mouth. Whether we are talking about the climate, economy or politics of the world, change is the keyword. As a Buddhist we should accept that a continuous change or impermanence is a fact of life.
The new Obama’s administration in Washington represents change in every sense; almost in all aspects of life in the US politics. As their 44th President, in his inauguration speech Obama said that “America has been a leader among nations not because of the vision or skill of those in high office, but because of the people of America has remained faithful to the ideals of their forbearers, and true to their founding documents” namely the Constitution.
As for us the Burmese people, living inside the country or living abroad as exiles or migrants all over the world, has not been fortunate either to remain faithful to the ideals of the founders of our independence or rely on the Constitution which they have adopted on our country’s independence for protection of our basic rights. Shameful to admit that the Constitution of our country was not just once but twice been abrogated by the very institution that was sworn to protect. The military or Tatmadaw as they are known today abrogated the Constitution that was adopted at out independence in 1962 when they usurp power in a coup d’état for the first time; the second constitution drafted by the military and adopted by both deception and coercion was again scrapped when they staged a ‘mock coup’ and usurp power again in 1988. Both were not worth as much as the paper they were written on.
What we need as both the people and the nation is change that will take us on to the path of a political system that will fit in with the twenty-first century and the system that will fulfil the aspirations of the people. As President Obama has said in his speech, ‘to those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history’. We need a ‘historical change’. That is the change we need and that is the change we should be seeking.
However, if we look at the events that occurred in Dublin and its aftermath we will have to ask that “our aspirant leaders different from those of the military regime?” I will say they are not. Just imagine how mean spirited a leader could be when he denied a dissenter of her monthly benefit. Is that how we are heading for the democratic path? Have they forgotten that ‘effective participation and open communication between all parties in a society are essential for functioning democracies to operate effectively?’ Or for donors in America and elsewhere to keep on providing funds they call themselves as ‘democrats’? I am sure it is for the sake of funds they cloaked themselves as ‘democrats’ but they are void of ‘democratic values’ both in spirit and in their practices.
No wonder that the spokesman for foreign affairs of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) on record as saying that the NCGUB is not totally ruling out the constitution drafted by the military regime but to work with the regime to come to an arrangement where both sides can accommodate. What can be worst than throwing out your principles for the sake of gaining some positions in the governing body? Doesn’t this remind you of a passage in George Orwell’s novel ‘Animal Farm’? “Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
When Alan Clements in his interview with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked her, “What does political integrity mean to you?” she answered that, “Political integrity means just plain honesty in politics. One of the most important things is never to deceive the people. Any politician who deceives the people either for the sake of his party or because he imagines it’s for the sake of the people, is lacking in political integrity.” As Max Weber said in his essay, “Politics as a Vocation”, “He who is active in politics strives for power either as a means in serving other aims, ideals or egoistic, or as power for power’s sake, that is, in order to enjoy the prestige-feeling that power gives.”
We should not be seeking change in the leadership of the so-called self-important and self-appointed government of Burma in exile; neither should we be seeking a new leadership who has neither the quality nor the legitimacy to be recognised as such. As our one and only leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, “When I speak about the spiritual revolution, I’m talking a lot about our struggle for democracy. I have always said that a true revolution has to be that of the spirit. You have to be convinced that you need to change certain things – not just material things. You want a political system which is guided by certain spiritual values – values that are different to those that you’ve lived by before.”
Some observers have said that, “Initially, non-violent mobilisation against the Burmese military regime was massive and cross-cutting. But overreliance on single personalities, the inability to reconcile across competing factions, and the lack of consistent information about human rights abuses left the non-violent opposition campaign in disarray.” According to Max Weber, “The active leadership and their freely recruited following are necessary elements in the life of any party. The following, and through it the passive electorate, are necessary for the election of the leader.”
Since the student-led mass upheaval in 1988, our struggle for democratic change in Burma has passed its teens and matured into its twentieth year but we are nowhere near that change we sought. Our leaders like Bogyoke Aung San, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s late father, and herself have time and again reminded us that without unity we have no hope for peace or prosperity. But Daw Suu also reminded us that without mutual trust and understanding we cannot build unity.
The argument provided by the current leadership of the government-in-exile – National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB)- to the other group of elected MPs-the National Council for the Union of Burma (NCUB)- together with leaders of some armed groups, women groups and youth forming a new government was that, not only it could undermined the result of 1990 elections but also raises the question of the position of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament.
On the other hand, those who said to have represented the government-in-exile (NCGUB) were not unequivocal in its opposition to the constitution that was drafted by the military regime and on the basis of that constitution that the elections will be held in 2010. Not only that this constitution was drafted in breach of the law proscribed by the military regime for this particular purpose but it is also a document that is without a shred of legality; neither in spirit nor the letter.
How sad, when the people who have been elected by the people in the elections of 1990 and who ad nauseam claimed that they represent the people but when it comes to them to defy the military regime, they chose to cast ballots for a decision to do so. In my opinion, at the time of the 1990 elections the people were so disgusted with the military and those who represented them they are ready to cast a ballot even if a stray dog were to be on the National League for Democracy ticket. For our so-called Prime Minister in exile, his family ties to his late father and his cousin would have him elected. Neither is he living up to the expectations of his electorate but he is more like a pup easing himself on the grave of his father when it comes to integrity in politics. They said they represent the people, therefore they must be the ones who form the government but what have they done so far to relieve the people of their hardships, not much. What about the undertaking that they made with the ethnic groups about forming and alternative government? Do any one of us think that with such personalities even if we did have change (which is still a pipe dream at the moment) in our country, are we going to be better of? I will have to ask a tooth fairy for the answer.
Remarks: Author doesn't want to use his real name. He was a former diplomat from BSPP period. He does not have any afflation with any political groups and associations. His contribution is totally his idea and nothing to do with Burma Democracy and Development.
