Speaking out on Myanmar

Speaking out on Myanmar

The unacceptable and growing violence along with the political fallout in western Myanmar has finally attracted important, outside attention. The United States has lifted more of the sanctions it imposed during the dictatorship years, but issued a strong warning about the Rakhine problem. Inside Asean, Malaysia has also gone fully public on Myanmar's problem. Prime Minister Najib Razak has led public protests against the Myanmar government's policies.

It is unfortunate that "Myanmar government" means Aung San Suu Kyi. While reaction to her regime's problems continues to shy away from directly naming her, the elected leader of Myanmar is very much in the spotlight. It is not a pleasant place. Last week, the Nobel Peace laureate cancelled an official visit to Jakarta after large crowds protested against her personally. She has also taken blame from protesters in peaceful demonstrations in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

The double-edged problem is Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya people. On the one hand, the army and police are "conducting operations" in Rakhine state. These have killed several hundred people. That is by the official count of the army's "True News Information Team". Ms Suu Kyi was in Singapore last week, and even held a news conference. However, she refused to address any current problems, sinking to generalisations about the difficulties of establishing national reconciliation.

On Sunday, Mr Najib not only took part in a large public protest against the war on the Rohingya, but led it. He is the first Asean leader to speak forthrightly about Myanmar's current offences. It should be recalled that former Thai foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan urged Asean to address serious human rights violations despite the so-called "rule" never to criticise fellow Asean members. That was 20 years ago.

Mr Surin's then-boss and prime minister Chuan Leekpai never followed up on his minister's advice. But last week in Bangkok, asked by the media, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke out against even commenting on the killing and other atrocities in the neighbouring country. It is Myanmar's internal affair, he said curtly.

This is convenient but not truly helpful. Ms Suu Kyi's utter refusal to address communal, religious or ethnic violence may indicate a problem of power. The Tatmadaw, or Myanmar army, seems not to have ceded democratic control of the country to the elected leadership after all.

It now must be assumed that Ms Suu Kyi is simply unable to assert any authority over the army and security officials.

The US now has called for Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia to resist the urge to stage public protests. Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state remembered not fondly for his comments on Thailand, has cautioned against any action that could stir up religious passions. As for Myanmar, Mr Russel warned that the Rohingya could become radicalised.

There is a strong Islamist and pro-violence force in Bangladesh that could exploit the minority Rohingya.

Mr Russel's view is well taken, but only as far as it goes. Asean governments have strong influence on each other.

Mr Najib is far out of line by participating in actual street protests against the elected government of a country in the region.

Worse, there is every indication he is doing it for naked political ambition, to shore up support with certain Muslim groups in an election due to be called shortly.

At the same time, Prime Minister Prayut and other calm Asean heads of government should not be passive. The fallout from the killing and violence in Rakhine state will affect Asean members, most of all its immediate neighbours.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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