31.12.2006
.
.
Politics Of The Best Politician of Burma in 2006
_ by Hnin Maung
As we mark the end of the year 2006, the Burma Digest runs a theme of listing the best “politician, political activist” of the year 2006 within Burma context. The tradition of reflecting upon “the best” of the year seems to be an audit of ones own sentiment. At this time of the year I am rather tired of watching and reading or even consuming media which measures almost everything with the best and worse of everything in every context.
I am compelled by instinct to make comments on the “best of” Burma. I would abstain from voting “the best” politician within Burma context. It is not because I do not believe in good and evil but I simply do not agree that there is a democratic “politician” in Burma. In my own description of a politician – it a person who is formally recognized and an active member of a government, or a person who influences the way a society is governed.
Unfortunately or seemingly so General Than Shwe is the only politician of Burma who has a say in how the people are govern with fear and corruption. Daw Aung San Su Kyi is not a politician but a fine political activist who is trying to change the way in which people are governed or a political system. The National League of Democracy (NLD) is hardly a political party which cannot run it’s own office without the fear of being arrested or banned by junta.
According to Nelson Mandela, the ex premier of South Africa a politician is someone who has an ability to enforce policy which could affect people’s lives. Mandela distinguishes between a political activist and politician with a note that all politicians are susceptible to be criticized by a few who have an adverse effect over their lives. In British parliamentary democracy, the members of parliament can oppose government’s policy or change the law in the parliament. Only a democracy in Burma will bring about politicians who can influence policy or policies on how citizens like Pae Pyoke Dae* in the country is governed.
No doubt, the exile National Government of Union of Burma can influence United Nation and other government’s foreign policy on the Burmese military junta but it has no affect over ordinary citizens like Pae Pyoke Dae. They can undoubtedly convince a Pae Pyoke Dae that life under democracy is better and motivate to fight for political change in Burma. The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa during it’s freedom fighting days had it’s own government in liberated area with infrastructure to give rise to politicians whilst fighting against the apartheid government.
I opt out to vote for the best political activist of Burma for 2006. I vote for the leaders and activists of student’s signature campaign in Burma as the best political activists of 2006. I salute their courage and subtlety in disseminating silent voice of Burma. In abroad, I vote for the Archbishop Demond Mpilo Tutu of South Africa and Václav Havel of Chez Republic for their continual support in ending the tyranny in Burma. They are not Burmese but they citizens of the world in liberating people from tyranny.
* Boiled Peas – sold for breakfast by women in the streets of Burma.
Your Comments here_ please do not use symbols "(:/\<>!|{]@~#$)"
Request: If you can kindly volunteer to translate BURMA DIGEST English articles into Burmese, please let us know burmadigest@tayzathuria.org.uk .
.
Last week's English article