Burma’s despotic regime has crossed the line

Hi Friends,

Henceforth, I will refer to the nation of Myanmar in its original name of Burma as a sign of protest.

In my mind, I had drawn a line in the sand and this line is when the military regime uses brutal and lethal force to resolve this impasse.

The line has been crossed.

The news from Burma’s cities is that hundreds of monks have been arrested overnight, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to a notorious prison, and many have been maimed or killed.

It is clear that this military dictatorship does not seek reconciliation through negotiations or dialogue.

Even economic sanctions do not work with the military leaders because they will always have the first bite of the country’s treasury’s “cherry” as they pass the resultant economic hardship to the people. This makes the people more disenfranchised and bitter. The people then rise up again only to be beaten into submission for another 20 years. The unending circle of life?

Is this the Burmese people’s karma? Although we are not the ones to wield the rods that beat the monks and nuns, we are just as culpable if we do not do our utmost to help them or bring attention to their plight!

What can we do? Or as one anonymous blogger commented on my blog (rather insultingly) that “talk is cheap” and that as Burma is but 3 hours flight away I should perhaps go there to provide medical cover for the protesters ( ? to show that I am more than just talk).

I take his point that we are helpless and what we can do now seem so futile. Perhaps he is the typical risk-averse Singaporean who cannot be counted on to support any cause unless the outcome is 100% certain. The risk-averse “rational” Singaporean?

Our politicians ( Singapore’s and ASEAN’s ) have already stated their views.

Foreign Minister and current Chairman of ASEAN said that Asean had to take a "very realistic position to keep Myanmar within the Asean family because it is in everybody's interest" to do so, including neighbouring China and India.

When asked what Asean would do if the junta became increasingly repressive, he said: "If national reconciliation is not possible and there is repression and violence where many people die, then it is a new situation all over again. Asean can issue statements and Asean can shed tears.

"But at that point in time, it will be a fight within Myanmar itself." Translated to street English- " You are on your own, babe"

Unlike our politicians, we can speak the truth and call a despot a despot- not worrying whether we will have sand when Indonesia starts the embargo of sand exports again nor worry that supporting peaceful protest in Burma will mean that we can no longer tell others to “mind their own business “ when they express support for Singapore’s own nascent pro-democracy forces.

All of us ordinary citizens of Singapore can speak the truth and we should.

Hear this ,Burma’s despots- "Please go back to your barracks. Let your people live peaceful, normal lives. Let them choose their own leaders by universal suffrage!"

Peace,

Dr.Huang Shoou Chyuan

NB: Link to singaporepatriot.blogspot.com's posts on the Suppression in Burma and why ASEAN and Singapore should take immediate action now!