BURMA DIGEST

Burma Digest learned that a conference (a public lecture) was held by AEIOU programme in Chiangmai University in Thailand on 4th March 2006. There, Prof. Khin Maung Kyi elaborated on "The Current Political Economy of Burma".

The conference started on 9:30 am, and after the welcoming speech by Daw May May Yee, Prof. Kanbawza Win introduced on Prof. Khin Maung Kyi.

Prof. Khin Maung Kyi, B.Com (Rangoon), M.B.A. (Harvard), Ph.D. (Cornell), Lecturer and then Professor in University of Rangoon, Institute of Economics, 1954-1978; Professor in Agribusiness, University Pertanian Malaysia, 1978-79; Associate Professor in Business Administration, National University of Singapore, 1979-1988; Senior Management Specialist, International Irrigation Management Institute, 1988-1990; Senior Fellow, Department of Business Policy, National University of Singapore, 1991- 1998.

His research work on Burma includes surveys of local industries, business studies, planning and pricing studies, studies on the reorganization of state owned industries and many other studies on the economic development of Burma. He also served as a consultant to various government agencies such as Price Committee, Price Control Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Railway Tariff Committee of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Planning and Finance.

He was also a member of the Advisory Committee on the National Ideology, better known as Thirty-three member committee, to the Chairman of Burma Socialist Program Party. He also held honorary positions in various academic bodies, including the member, secretary, and later president of the Burma Research Society. Born of traditional Myo-thu-gyi (township headman) family in a small town in central Burma, he participated actively in national independence struggle first as a student leader and then as a youth movement leader.

The Prof. said he would discuss on two questions "Why the military regime can rule the country for so long_ almost 50-60 years_ and why they are so intransigent?"

He said, "Recently the authorities raised petroleum prices dramatically high, 8 times higher then before. Then the next day, the fares of buses changed considerably. Most of the citizens living in urban area have no choice, since they couldn't afford to spend for the bus fares; they have to walk from home to work and work to back home. Some have to sleep on the road-sides. So they are too poor and some have to beg for their daily living. Some have stopped house by house asking foods to fill their stomach, but they said they are not professional beggars."

And he remembered, "Before the war (WW II), Burman were employers. Koolies and Gorinjees_ the down-trodden low class from India, especially Telagu speaking areas_ came to work in Burma. Now Burmese migrant workers are everywhere and the status of our country has been reversed and low like this situation………….."

And he added, "The situation is such a humiliation for the Burmese. Additionally, I have heard that in some situation, soldiers asked the locals for worshiping them.................It is like taking out self-respect of our own people................Why the Burmese could tolerate such kind of humiliation anymore? It is a question to be considered."

He explained, "During the Japanese occupation in WWII, I was one of the activists and I asked to the one of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB's) cell leaders, “These Japanese are so oppressive and I can't tolerate anymore. I would fight back against them and the people will feel the same.” He was like my mentor at that time and he said, “Khin Maung Kyi, you are wrong; if people are in deeply oppressed situation, they cannot fight back. It is like a rubber and it lost elasticity, resilient power. They can't fight back in this situation.” Now people of Burma meet similar situation; they lost everything, they are even taken out their self-respect_ internal will power.

We, the Burmese, can also disappear as a group of people, race, group, political identity, if the situation proceeds like this. What these people has destroyed are; our pride, our identity …………..

…………And, now, the education is in the worst situation--no longer a system anymore and the students can't even read and write Burmese properly. I see several students from Burma at Singapore's expansive United World College. They are kids of the generals and the ones from the affordable families. They could be assumed as elites of Burma. They came out from the present education system of Burma, however, they didn't attain high standard of English, while they can't even pass good enough Burmese language--their mother tongue and linguistics. It is a question, “what kind of Burmese elites they are producing?”

There are a lot of Burmese students studying at Polytechnic schools in Singapore. The Burmese students don't want to go back home. They want to stay outside of the country and if possible, they would resettle in some developed countries. It is last stage of our national death. For hundred years from now, there will be no Burmese. There will be no Shans. It is a serious problem--killing historical achievements, traditional knowledge and pride of a nation…………….

……………….Economically, the same thing is happening. Burma opened its market in 1989, however, until 2006; it is not yet a “Market System”. If there is to be a real market system, the following 4 conditions must be fulfilled;

1. It must introduce market mechanism at all level. Market system is basically free exchange of goods and services among the people. Now the situation is not like that. The Burmese are working in slave condition for whole year and then they can't import a car into the country by their earning. Foreign exchange transaction is not free, it’s under strict control. The sole proprietors of rights are the generals. They allow a senior monk to import 200 cars. What will the monk do with these 200 cars? The rulers create the rights--rights to sell/ buy and trade.

2. The second is rule of law should prevail. It means no corruption based on cronyism and political affiliations. Rule of the game must be clear.

That is why the generals are so intransigent, because they don't want to give up these privileges. In market system, the rule of the game must spell-out, there should be a check-up mechanism and it should be visible (transparent) and accountable.

Now the generals are practicing in Burma a new (wrong) method of economic management. And why should they change, as long as they are enjoying the privileges? They are not going to change. At the end, the whole country will be destroyed.

Friends in Singapore thought they could work even under these conditions. The Singaporean said they could work to get returns under corrupted Indonesian system. Why we cannot in generals-ruled Burma? And a Singaporean friend bought Than-zay (a market place in Rangoon), and he finally made a loss about 3 millions dollars. Corruption is so rampant_ business deals could not be finished by a general or a ministry_ it forced him wondering around office to office and, from a general to another general. No business can survive such kind of rule of the game. As far as I see, I am discouraged.

The generals are not transferring power not because of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD. They are not even ready to accept market system. That is the reason they are fighting so doggedly_ the present situation is so cozy to them.

All resources are gone now. National stamina is gone. I would say we are doomed, finished, since I don't see any way-out. When I was on the way here, my junior fellow Burmese professor working in Bangkok suggested, “Saya, please don't portray so discouraging picture to them. They would be disappointed." Anyway I am just telling the truth although it may appear as frustration of an old man.”

[These excerpts are taken out from the draft minutes of the conference; if there are any imperfections in the above article, please accept our apologies: EDITOR]

U Myo Nyunt, Australia, said _

With deep bows to Sayar Dr Khin Masung Kyi.
            Ko Tay Za and KO Aung Thu Nyein, thanks for the "gist" of our esteem Sayargyee's talk at Chiangmai. I trust that Burma Digest will communicate further, Sayar Dr Khin Maung Kyi and others messages, so that we, Burmese/ Myanmar "democrats" may have access to Saya's message.
             May Sayargyee be in health and tranquility and further pass on his wisdom to the new generation of Burmese scholars, activist and "nation" builders. We, ( the Burmese Diaspora and some of our colleagues/comrades still existing/surviving/ living in Myanmar) 50-60's generation, are highly indebted to Sayar and to others, who have selflessly served the people of Burma.. My deep bows.
             We dared once to serve "pu zaw" our country, Burma (Myanmar}, and will never forsake our country and people. History will absolve us. (Myanmar pyi thu , thar hlyin, ami' nhint abhar').

Dear Saya Khin Maung Kyi, please don't get upset, we do know that the upshot of the generals will come sooner than later. We trust in people's power. They are now having one foot in the Kyatpyay Nay-pyi-daw graveyard. Please wait and enjoy.

Dear Sayar, I totally agree with your point of view. It is not only the county that is being destroyed but also the future generation and has been so for the past 40 years.
            Question is what do "we" do ? Will people power work ? As you mentioned the people are so oppressed that they don't even realize that there is another alternative to the present type of government. I also heard from a friend that the military is creating a future generation of "ruling class" in the academies and training schools. Cadets are being taught to "rule" the country and not serve the people.
            It is up to us, the people who are abroad also not to get too comfortable and lose track of what is happening to our fellowmen in Burma and to encourage and support any efforts that can make the situation better.
If every Burmese working abroad contributes towards a "fund" , even with a miniscule amount like $1 per month, imagine how much we can collect and direct this towards a "free" Burma.
            There was an article recently in "The Irrawaddy" about the forgotten army about the students and people who fled from Burma after the 88 uprising. The group of people are disappearing fast as they have grown disillusioned and lack of support received. Most Burmese people abroad do not know or does not support any sort of organization which they do not "lead" . They are also always trying to rationalize a situation with their Buddhist philosophy and like to ignore a situation rather than face it.
            I believe it is up to us - ourselves - to change the situation. Anyway, I am very glad that you brought the issue up and should be commended for it. To all Burmese people abroad and inside the country - I would like to say this . It is up to us to change our destiny. Do not wait for the United Nations, US, ASEAN or any other outside organization . God help those, who help themselves. Amen.

Roland, you are right! Our Lord Buddha also, said "Everybody for Himself", like he did when he was ZA-NEK-KA, who swam the ocean when his ship wrecked. Eventually, he realized his goal and became the ruler of his father's kingdom.