Myanmar junta seeks legitimacy

IT DOES not matter what the form of government a country adopts. The crux of the issue is how successful that government is. By the most common yardstick, the most successful government is one where the majority of the people are are happy with their rulers and with the way they are governed and where the minority is not left out and also has a place in the sun. By this measure, Myanmar's government fails the test dismally.

Myanmar, or Burma as it was known before, was a democracy from independence in 1948 until 1962 when General Ne Win led a military coup de 'etat and ruled it as a one party government until 1988 during which period it became one of the most impoverished countries in the world. The one and only mark of honour took place in 1961 when U Thant was elected the first non-European Secretary-General of the United Nations and held the post for 10 years.

After years of brutal repression, 1988 saw and uprising known as the 8888 Uprising (August 8, 1988) by pro-democracy demonstrators during which thousands lost their lives and which led to General Saw Maung leading a coup and forming the State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc). After declaring martial law in 1989 the Slorc prepared for a general election which saw free elections in May 1990. To the dismay of the Slorc, the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi won by the landslide taking 392 out of the 489 contested. The Slorc, however, refused to step down. It nullified the results of the election. Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, and several other NLD leaders have been languishing either under house arrest or in prison depending on how prominent you are.

Any government has a responsibility for the welfare of its people. This is a test that the Myanmar government failed badly when the country was devasted by Cyclone Nargis on May 3, 2008 when winds of over 200km lashed the country and its padi fields. Instead of opening its doors to desperately needed outside help, delayed UN planes that were to deliver vital medicines and food supplies. Entire villages are believed to have been wiped out killing an estimated 200,000 people. The country is also estimated to have sufffered over US$10 billion in damage.

Since 1992 the General Than Shwe took over the helm of the leadership and changed the name Slorc to the State Peace and Order Council (SPDC). After making peace with the various tribal groups it managed to gain acceptance in June 1997 under Asean's constructive engagement exercise. Many Asean countries paid the price for incorporating Myanmar, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines when the region's currencies came under attack in July 1997 that led to the East Asian financial meltdown that also hit South Korea

It was widely believed that hedge fund manager and billionaire George Soros led the concerted attack and he himself later did admit to it. Myanmar has remained a thorn in Myanmar's side and has been publicly rebuked over its record of abuse of its own people.The SPDC is seeking legitimacy and in February 2008 said that a referendum for a constitution would be held and elections held in 2010. The constitution assures a place in the People's Assembly for the army. Moreover key figures including Suu Kyi have been excluded from participating. In Suu Kyi's case, it is her being found guilty "of allowing" an American, John Yettaw, to swim across the lake to her house and stay there for two in May last year. It is uncertain how many political parties will register for the elections by the May 7 deadline. Opposition groups meanwhile have called a boycott. After the exclusion of prime opposition candidates and with so many uncertanties over an elections, there have been widespread complaints that when they do take place, they won't be free and fair. It appears this is an election that the army wants to win at any cost but even if so, under such shady circumstances, it will not get the legitimacy it seeks.