If ’75 generation leaders can get along better with each other (preferably also including Mauk Moruk), it would be a stabilising influence on the country.
What concerns me is that the ’75 generation does not appear to be putting any time into grooming their successors. If they’re not planning on letting go any time soon, perhaps they should consider establishing a ‘council of youngers’, to give leadership experience and a voice to the younger generation.
I absolutely agree with both above comments…and especially the astute observation on Mari and Xananas involvement.
I too find it disturbing. It seems in TL its all about a good front…for now.
Great article Maj and Angie, it is refreshing to have some analysis of these leadership issues that takes a realistic view of Xanana’s leadership. I fear his leadership will become entrenched because of the vacuum of political leadership around him and the fact that, on the surface at least, things are looking up for the middle classes in Timor. I also find the way Mari Alkitiri has now become involved in leadership with Xanana most disturbing. After becoming lost in the political wildnerness, it appears there will be no real opposition for a long time to come as Xanana’s reconciliatory approach brings them on board and in line – without, as you point out in your article, a right to critical comment.
It was a great disadvantage to Timor Loro Sae from the start of its independence that the 75 generation governed with its ego, indifference to the needs and wellbeing of the maubere and its arrogance rather than the intelligent 99 generation which had in them the heroic energy of the struggle for ‘my people’.
The stupid insistence of Portuguege as an official language was a fiasco and money waster as well as a cynical ‘language barrier’. to sideline the youth.
Way past time for Gusmao to let go of control and stand aside for new visionary blood and for the povo of Timor.
Thanks, Mael. In an ideal world all those things you mentioned should happen. Unfortunately many observers and well wishers, both inside and outside Burma, made the extremely weak assumption that the generals genuinely wanted to better the lives of ordinary Burmese citizens to whom the real agenda behind the changes is pretty obvious.
It’s always heartening to see someone like U Myint on board. Would that it were more than window dressing even when he is hardly a thinker outside the box, if the whole thing is quite novel to the ruling elite. Plenty more have offered their services in the belief that they could help rebuild the country although some are just freeloaders with an axe to grind.
Remember Zarni becoming thoroughly disillusioned after his brave and laudable overture to the junta in 2004 subsequent to his U turn on the pro-sanctions stance?
All the political parties with the exception of the USDP are walking on egg shells. Besides whilst you’d expect them to have a good sweep of all the pressing issues they can only come up with slogans in public. Detailed policy measures will be at their own peril when they have to elaborate why their plans for the future of the country are the only right ones or at least better than the ruling party’s.
More radical dissent necessitates this form. The generals after all aren’t the only fast learners given the motivation.
I am a little surprised that he is referred to as “Colonel Kong Le” here. In fact, he was a Captain in 1960 when he organized the coup. He was just 23 years old at the time. Later he quickly became a General. Thus, he was mainly known as General Kong Le, not Colonel Kong Le.
A lot of people believe that the French, particularly Jean Deuve, were behind the 1960 coup, but when I interviewed Kong Le in 2009 he denied that the French were involved. Still, at the time the French were quite unhappy with increasing American influence in Laos, so it seems likely that the French were somehow involved. Kong Le remained close to Jean Deuve long after he left Laos.
Dear U Moe Aung, your comments state a number of things I completely agree with, and that I myself have been saying for many years as well.
One is that ┬л the dice are loaded and old habits die hard ┬╗. This is definitely something to factor in. When we question political parties, like I do, we must remember that the playing field is far from level, and that these parties have existed in the conditions that we all know since 1988.
Another is that there is indeed civilian expertise in Myanmar that is available to all political parties if they want to develop the kind of practical platforms and policies needed to improve the lives of the Burmese people. Thanks goodness that’s true, and that’s something the Government, political parties, including the NLD, you’re right, civil society and the international community should rely on more than they do. You mention U Myint, he’s proof that the Government has at least tried to get some of that expertise on board, even though not in a way that’s completely satisfactory. That too I will agree with, and if you’re right that U Myint has resigned, which I didn’t know honestly, then we have even more proof of that indeed. I will not agree that trying, as U Myint did, was wishful thinking. It was a conscious decision to try and do something that on balance was worth trying. I strongly supported that choice at the time and still do now.
A third comment I agree with is that there is a public opinion in Myanmar and that many activists have been vocal in rejecting, to keep your example, the education bill, certainly the process by which it was drafted, and call for more autonomy for universities, among others.
But take the example of autonomy. It can mean everything from outright privatization to limited decentralization. Once you get into these very important details, you’ll find that the quality of the debate is… questionnable. From Dr Yin Yin Nwe, presidential advisor on education, to the demonstrators via the heads of various universities, people who follow education closely (I don’t, this is not my area of expertise) all say the same thing : it’s just impossible to get clear answers on what people really mean beyond what I called vague slogans. Again, for a country of 51 millions that need such a deep reconstruction of its education system, this is a bit of a concern.
So : 1. The Government must allow for a more level playing field
2. the processes by which legislations are drafted must be far more inclusive
3. the Government and all political parties must listen to existing civilian expertise a lot more than they do, and develop platforms and policies based on that
4. the media must do a better job at informing the Burmese on all important issues, in deeper detail
Pardon the clichés but the dice are loaded and old habits die hard. So it’s not for nothing that everything is as a rule tailored to suit the military rulers, PR too in the offing at the last minute.
Whilst we know frighteningly little of the views of the various political parties, not least the NLD, and for pretty obvious reasons suggested not just by the composition and framework of the legislature but the quality of official discussion and debate, we do know an awful lot about opinion and policy recommendations on the ground. One glaring example is the education bill to be passed with little or no public “consultation process”. Likewise there has been no shortage of analysis and debate over the economy, and word is the govt’s own eminent economic adviser U Myint has just resigned completely disillusioned. No surprises to any of us who do not indulge in wishful thinking.
I’ve been living, for over a couple of weeks now, in an-off-the-beaten-tourist track part of Peninsula Malaysia, and frankly I find most of the above comments laughable. For weeks I’ve been the only Westerner in sight – and have experienced NO hostility, nor seen any evidence whatsoever, of the apparently growing “racial divide” – though I’ve daily eaten in both Chinese, and Muslim Malay ramshackle, and above, street restarurants. One thing I have noticed – compared to twenty odd years ago, when I last lived here – if the VASTLY improved road system. So I asked some young Malays tonight about this – it would be very easy for Malaysia’s military to move tanks, and other heavy weaponry, right up to the border with Patani, when Bumiphol dies,. “We hope so”, was their reply.
This adage “Freedom is another word for noting left to loose” is particularly applicable.
If the Muslim Kala insisted on their often manufactured ID Rohingyas as base for “freedom”, egged on by the west and other Islamic countries and OAS, will surly free to loose it or rather loose it to be free.
As for the contribution of Muslim during the post war independent era, Abdul Razak the only Mulsim brought on board by Bogyoke Aung San was as much as a political move to force the British to see a unified face for independence from the longest subjugation by a western power. Bogyoke Aung san “Knowing more to gain” here is evident.
This fact will be forever overshadowed by subsequent conflict during short U NU era as well as BSPP era where the Muslim Kala agitations are well documented and full of worthy HR notes.
As for the Muslim contribution to the 8888 period the less said the better during present “umteened steps to democracy era”.
“Knowing more to loose” one might not wish for what one asking, even and especially academically.
With respect you seem to know very little, Hang Tuah. The last beheadings in Burma took place in August 1988. Also your wild accusations when you know as little about me is rather unedifying.
U Thant and U Nu were great friends, but why are you comparing apples and oranges, a civil servant and a PM? And what’s that gotta do with the price of fish?!
I generally agree with this really informative and thought provoking article.
I would very much like to empathize the need for political parties to start working on developing their political platforms long before the official campaign starts, though.
Debate must take place all year long, between now and then, not just during the last few weeks before the elections take place, so civil society, the private sector and the international community must work not only with the Government but also with all political parties on building strong and practical political platforms that offer a range of political options the people of Myanmar can chose from.
I’m not sure it is true that ┬л the views of different parties on many issues are already known ┬╗, or rather, this is only true to the extent that these issues have been publicly discussed in the last few years, and frankly this falls short of the kind of debate that would be needed for the reforms to be meaningful and actually improve people’s lives.
Change has indeed been limited, and it’s been experienced by only a limited number of people. While personal freedoms have greatly expanded since 2011 and in many cases earlier, harsh economic realities have barely been affected by recent reforms for millions of poor farmers (when the rush for land has not meant their lives have actually become more difficult) and hundreds of thousands of workers.
On the most pressing matters, how to reform the state, the economy, education, the health-care system or the justice system, we know frighteningly little of the views of the various political parties. Even the best experts of education in Myanmar, foreigners and locals alike, cannot tell what the Government really wants to do, and no-one seems to know what any political party would want to do either, beyond vague slogans.
The same can be said of the economy, and so on and so forth. If we asked all political parties to play a game where there would be a prize for the best proposal on how to reform the state, in, say, a hundred pages, I have a strong feeling the competition would be played at a very low level. When one thinks that this is maybe the most important issue on the agenda of any Government that runs Myanmar from 2016 to 2021, this is a bit of a concern.
Too many Indonesia expert … Thanks god they are still many Indonesian who understand though they have to be patient waiting for next five years to have the real President who really care of his country…. Sorry guys, Indonesia is not for sale… ever,,,!!
Apples. Sorry to hear you have midlife midriff issues like myself. My shape, so the missus says, is down to a life long and continuing pursuit of the perfect beer. I suppose you’re a scrumpy man, or too much Maccas?
Yes, I’m the world’s expert on the issue. Solutions? That’ll cost you $800 per day plus expenses. In the meantime, hint – keep Gov and taxpayers’ money the hell out of it, the better solutions always entail common sense.
Another hint. The fishing industry THERE works the same way it does HERE. Good fishermen make money, the not so good and spendthrift, don’t. Over THERE the good skippers are too smart to let themselves get caught in our waters. Only the dumb ones are caught, again and again. Looks good in the stats, means nothing.
Apples. Whenever a young guy in one of the communities I mentioned makes the life choice to get on a Tuna boat in Bali, or crew an inter island timber trader in Makassar, or buy a motorbike and ojek, instead of smuggling people, he’s making a choice from a range of alternatives. Whenever a fisherman chooses to work FADS close to Rote for macks and tuna, or bottom fish, instead of
finning shark in Australia, he’s making a choice. Some people just make bad life choices and, as a result, don’t prosper. Sadly, they drag their kids down with them. We have the same problem in Oz.
You don’t reward crims with Aid money – it doesn’t work. Stop treating these people as dumb fishermen who don’t know where the border is, or poor fishermen who were forced into crime. Neither is true, despite what their lawyers want the courts to believe.
And yes, engaging religious leaders in counter people smuggling campaigns is plain dumb. If they were against it, they’d already be telling their communities not to do it. The last time an Ausgov used Protestant Ministers in Rote to distribute seeweed Aid funds, they gave it to Protestant villagers who hardly ever fished here anyway, and stole the rest.
Apples. The last two Bodi boats caught illegally sharking recently east of the MOU, skippered by Teni and Nas, were owned by Tri, the DANLANAL on Rote. Perhaps they were too shy to tell their interpreters. Trad fishing at its finest.
btw the same cretins who’re responsible for the counter smuggling campaign might want to pay some Imams on Madura to tell their umat to stop bombing Scott Reef. 13 boats x 6 weeks x 1 bomb each per day x 7 years comes to, well you can do the sums.
The other fact that that author gloss over but play significant role, without any more needed academic exposure is:
1) The unmitigated migration of mostly Muslim (because of the proximity and ease) and Hindus into Myanmar.
Significantly this period, the colonial period, was ‘the 2nd longest’, if compared to previous Dynastic eras.
The Hindus religion believes are incorporated readily into the then existing Buddhism in Yakihine, thus avoiding any future conflicts. The architecture of the Pagoda every where attested to that facts clearly.
2) The Muslim intolerance of anything Buddhist is shamefully legendary. Recorded well resulting in riots, the very first one started during the colonial period, not before, therefore speak loudly to the present continuation.
Truly the Muslim in Yakhine are getting the worst among a deprive citizenry.
Reviving through an academic hope of exalting a minority while diminishing the majority respective religion seem unwise and might just make the politicians more intransigent thus prolonging the present HR related issues.
Too many atrocities against each side is well documented.
If one is concern about the abhorrent state of HR of the Kala in Yakihine, one must seek practical historic example of minority getting along with majority, as in Maulayain and promote those aspects.
A truly instructive scenario to present period, academic or otherwise, knowing this is the original capital of the colonial power, that started the process yet have no recorded discord by the existence of opulent Mosques and sacred Pagodas up to this day that make this city by the mouth of Salween River uniquely irresistible.
That’s is the worst “quote” ever. PM Najib has led Malaysia down the road of religious intolerance, extreme racial discrimination, religious persecution and destruction of the Law matrix since taking power.
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The Lost Leadership of Timor Leste
Thanks Angie and Maj.
If ’75 generation leaders can get along better with each other (preferably also including Mauk Moruk), it would be a stabilising influence on the country.
What concerns me is that the ’75 generation does not appear to be putting any time into grooming their successors. If they’re not planning on letting go any time soon, perhaps they should consider establishing a ‘council of youngers’, to give leadership experience and a voice to the younger generation.
The Lost Leadership of Timor Leste
I absolutely agree with both above comments…and especially the astute observation on Mari and Xananas involvement.
I too find it disturbing. It seems in TL its all about a good front…for now.
The Lost Leadership of Timor Leste
Great article Maj and Angie, it is refreshing to have some analysis of these leadership issues that takes a realistic view of Xanana’s leadership. I fear his leadership will become entrenched because of the vacuum of political leadership around him and the fact that, on the surface at least, things are looking up for the middle classes in Timor. I also find the way Mari Alkitiri has now become involved in leadership with Xanana most disturbing. After becoming lost in the political wildnerness, it appears there will be no real opposition for a long time to come as Xanana’s reconciliatory approach brings them on board and in line – without, as you point out in your article, a right to critical comment.
The Lost Leadership of Timor Leste
It was a great disadvantage to Timor Loro Sae from the start of its independence that the 75 generation governed with its ego, indifference to the needs and wellbeing of the maubere and its arrogance rather than the intelligent 99 generation which had in them the heroic energy of the struggle for ‘my people’.
The stupid insistence of Portuguege as an official language was a fiasco and money waster as well as a cynical ‘language barrier’. to sideline the youth.
Way past time for Gusmao to let go of control and stand aside for new visionary blood and for the povo of Timor.
Will Myanmar’s reforms continue after 2015?
Thanks, Mael. In an ideal world all those things you mentioned should happen. Unfortunately many observers and well wishers, both inside and outside Burma, made the extremely weak assumption that the generals genuinely wanted to better the lives of ordinary Burmese citizens to whom the real agenda behind the changes is pretty obvious.
It’s always heartening to see someone like U Myint on board. Would that it were more than window dressing even when he is hardly a thinker outside the box, if the whole thing is quite novel to the ruling elite. Plenty more have offered their services in the belief that they could help rebuild the country although some are just freeloaders with an axe to grind.
Remember Zarni becoming thoroughly disillusioned after his brave and laudable overture to the junta in 2004 subsequent to his U turn on the pro-sanctions stance?
All the political parties with the exception of the USDP are walking on egg shells. Besides whilst you’d expect them to have a good sweep of all the pressing issues they can only come up with slogans in public. Detailed policy measures will be at their own peril when they have to elaborate why their plans for the future of the country are the only right ones or at least better than the ruling party’s.
More radical dissent necessitates this form. The generals after all aren’t the only fast learners given the motivation.
The colonel from Savannakhet
I am a little surprised that he is referred to as “Colonel Kong Le” here. In fact, he was a Captain in 1960 when he organized the coup. He was just 23 years old at the time. Later he quickly became a General. Thus, he was mainly known as General Kong Le, not Colonel Kong Le.
A lot of people believe that the French, particularly Jean Deuve, were behind the 1960 coup, but when I interviewed Kong Le in 2009 he denied that the French were involved. Still, at the time the French were quite unhappy with increasing American influence in Laos, so it seems likely that the French were somehow involved. Kong Le remained close to Jean Deuve long after he left Laos.
Will Myanmar’s reforms continue after 2015?
Dear U Moe Aung, your comments state a number of things I completely agree with, and that I myself have been saying for many years as well.
One is that ┬л the dice are loaded and old habits die hard ┬╗. This is definitely something to factor in. When we question political parties, like I do, we must remember that the playing field is far from level, and that these parties have existed in the conditions that we all know since 1988.
Another is that there is indeed civilian expertise in Myanmar that is available to all political parties if they want to develop the kind of practical platforms and policies needed to improve the lives of the Burmese people. Thanks goodness that’s true, and that’s something the Government, political parties, including the NLD, you’re right, civil society and the international community should rely on more than they do. You mention U Myint, he’s proof that the Government has at least tried to get some of that expertise on board, even though not in a way that’s completely satisfactory. That too I will agree with, and if you’re right that U Myint has resigned, which I didn’t know honestly, then we have even more proof of that indeed. I will not agree that trying, as U Myint did, was wishful thinking. It was a conscious decision to try and do something that on balance was worth trying. I strongly supported that choice at the time and still do now.
A third comment I agree with is that there is a public opinion in Myanmar and that many activists have been vocal in rejecting, to keep your example, the education bill, certainly the process by which it was drafted, and call for more autonomy for universities, among others.
But take the example of autonomy. It can mean everything from outright privatization to limited decentralization. Once you get into these very important details, you’ll find that the quality of the debate is… questionnable. From Dr Yin Yin Nwe, presidential advisor on education, to the demonstrators via the heads of various universities, people who follow education closely (I don’t, this is not my area of expertise) all say the same thing : it’s just impossible to get clear answers on what people really mean beyond what I called vague slogans. Again, for a country of 51 millions that need such a deep reconstruction of its education system, this is a bit of a concern.
So : 1. The Government must allow for a more level playing field
2. the processes by which legislations are drafted must be far more inclusive
3. the Government and all political parties must listen to existing civilian expertise a lot more than they do, and develop platforms and policies based on that
4. the media must do a better job at informing the Burmese on all important issues, in deeper detail
Can we agree on all that ?
Islam: A religion of peace
Yes “Bwana”,
I apologise for the inaccuracy of my perception …. would you like a cup of tea? A cucumber sandwich, perhaps?
Will Myanmar’s reforms continue after 2015?
Pardon the clichés but the dice are loaded and old habits die hard. So it’s not for nothing that everything is as a rule tailored to suit the military rulers, PR too in the offing at the last minute.
Whilst we know frighteningly little of the views of the various political parties, not least the NLD, and for pretty obvious reasons suggested not just by the composition and framework of the legislature but the quality of official discussion and debate, we do know an awful lot about opinion and policy recommendations on the ground. One glaring example is the education bill to be passed with little or no public “consultation process”. Likewise there has been no shortage of analysis and debate over the economy, and word is the govt’s own eminent economic adviser U Myint has just resigned completely disillusioned. No surprises to any of us who do not indulge in wishful thinking.
Islam: A religion of peace
I’ve been living, for over a couple of weeks now, in an-off-the-beaten-tourist track part of Peninsula Malaysia, and frankly I find most of the above comments laughable. For weeks I’ve been the only Westerner in sight – and have experienced NO hostility, nor seen any evidence whatsoever, of the apparently growing “racial divide” – though I’ve daily eaten in both Chinese, and Muslim Malay ramshackle, and above, street restarurants. One thing I have noticed – compared to twenty odd years ago, when I last lived here – if the VASTLY improved road system. So I asked some young Malays tonight about this – it would be very easy for Malaysia’s military to move tanks, and other heavy weaponry, right up to the border with Patani, when Bumiphol dies,. “We hope so”, was their reply.
Myanmar’s Muslim mosaic and the politics of belonging
The fundamentals of getting along are:
1) Knowing more to gain
2) Knowing more to loose
In Maulmyain: Res ipsa loquitur.
AS for the more deprived Yakhine citizenry
This adage “Freedom is another word for noting left to loose” is particularly applicable.
If the Muslim Kala insisted on their often manufactured ID Rohingyas as base for “freedom”, egged on by the west and other Islamic countries and OAS, will surly free to loose it or rather loose it to be free.
As for the contribution of Muslim during the post war independent era, Abdul Razak the only Mulsim brought on board by Bogyoke Aung San was as much as a political move to force the British to see a unified face for independence from the longest subjugation by a western power. Bogyoke Aung san “Knowing more to gain” here is evident.
This fact will be forever overshadowed by subsequent conflict during short U NU era as well as BSPP era where the Muslim Kala agitations are well documented and full of worthy HR notes.
As for the Muslim contribution to the 8888 period the less said the better during present “umteened steps to democracy era”.
“Knowing more to loose” one might not wish for what one asking, even and especially academically.
Myanmar’s Muslim mosaic and the politics of belonging
With respect you seem to know very little, Hang Tuah. The last beheadings in Burma took place in August 1988. Also your wild accusations when you know as little about me is rather unedifying.
U Thant and U Nu were great friends, but why are you comparing apples and oranges, a civil servant and a PM? And what’s that gotta do with the price of fish?!
Will Myanmar’s reforms continue after 2015?
I generally agree with this really informative and thought provoking article.
I would very much like to empathize the need for political parties to start working on developing their political platforms long before the official campaign starts, though.
Debate must take place all year long, between now and then, not just during the last few weeks before the elections take place, so civil society, the private sector and the international community must work not only with the Government but also with all political parties on building strong and practical political platforms that offer a range of political options the people of Myanmar can chose from.
I’m not sure it is true that ┬л the views of different parties on many issues are already known ┬╗, or rather, this is only true to the extent that these issues have been publicly discussed in the last few years, and frankly this falls short of the kind of debate that would be needed for the reforms to be meaningful and actually improve people’s lives.
Change has indeed been limited, and it’s been experienced by only a limited number of people. While personal freedoms have greatly expanded since 2011 and in many cases earlier, harsh economic realities have barely been affected by recent reforms for millions of poor farmers (when the rush for land has not meant their lives have actually become more difficult) and hundreds of thousands of workers.
On the most pressing matters, how to reform the state, the economy, education, the health-care system or the justice system, we know frighteningly little of the views of the various political parties. Even the best experts of education in Myanmar, foreigners and locals alike, cannot tell what the Government really wants to do, and no-one seems to know what any political party would want to do either, beyond vague slogans.
The same can be said of the economy, and so on and so forth. If we asked all political parties to play a game where there would be a prize for the best proposal on how to reform the state, in, say, a hundred pages, I have a strong feeling the competition would be played at a very low level. When one thinks that this is maybe the most important issue on the agenda of any Government that runs Myanmar from 2016 to 2021, this is a bit of a concern.
Jokowi fails his first test
Too many Indonesia expert … Thanks god they are still many Indonesian who understand though they have to be patient waiting for next five years to have the real President who really care of his country…. Sorry guys, Indonesia is not for sale… ever,,,!!
Islam: A religion of peace
Prime Minister Tony Abbot is a moderate and a pious Catholic. I guess both he and Prime Minister Najib have much in common.
Interview with Burma’s Ma Thanegi
[…] Interview with Ma Thanegi – New Mandala […]
What’s God got to do with it?
Jeez, did I really write seeweed. Please edit to seaweed tnx.
What’s God got to do with it?
Apples. Sorry to hear you have midlife midriff issues like myself. My shape, so the missus says, is down to a life long and continuing pursuit of the perfect beer. I suppose you’re a scrumpy man, or too much Maccas?
Yes, I’m the world’s expert on the issue. Solutions? That’ll cost you $800 per day plus expenses. In the meantime, hint – keep Gov and taxpayers’ money the hell out of it, the better solutions always entail common sense.
Another hint. The fishing industry THERE works the same way it does HERE. Good fishermen make money, the not so good and spendthrift, don’t. Over THERE the good skippers are too smart to let themselves get caught in our waters. Only the dumb ones are caught, again and again. Looks good in the stats, means nothing.
Apples. Whenever a young guy in one of the communities I mentioned makes the life choice to get on a Tuna boat in Bali, or crew an inter island timber trader in Makassar, or buy a motorbike and ojek, instead of smuggling people, he’s making a choice from a range of alternatives. Whenever a fisherman chooses to work FADS close to Rote for macks and tuna, or bottom fish, instead of
finning shark in Australia, he’s making a choice. Some people just make bad life choices and, as a result, don’t prosper. Sadly, they drag their kids down with them. We have the same problem in Oz.
You don’t reward crims with Aid money – it doesn’t work. Stop treating these people as dumb fishermen who don’t know where the border is, or poor fishermen who were forced into crime. Neither is true, despite what their lawyers want the courts to believe.
And yes, engaging religious leaders in counter people smuggling campaigns is plain dumb. If they were against it, they’d already be telling their communities not to do it. The last time an Ausgov used Protestant Ministers in Rote to distribute seeweed Aid funds, they gave it to Protestant villagers who hardly ever fished here anyway, and stole the rest.
Apples. The last two Bodi boats caught illegally sharking recently east of the MOU, skippered by Teni and Nas, were owned by Tri, the DANLANAL on Rote. Perhaps they were too shy to tell their interpreters. Trad fishing at its finest.
btw the same cretins who’re responsible for the counter smuggling campaign might want to pay some Imams on Madura to tell their umat to stop bombing Scott Reef. 13 boats x 6 weeks x 1 bomb each per day x 7 years comes to, well you can do the sums.
Myanmar’s Muslim mosaic and the politics of belonging
The other fact that that author gloss over but play significant role, without any more needed academic exposure is:
1) The unmitigated migration of mostly Muslim (because of the proximity and ease) and Hindus into Myanmar.
Significantly this period, the colonial period, was ‘the 2nd longest’, if compared to previous Dynastic eras.
The Hindus religion believes are incorporated readily into the then existing Buddhism in Yakihine, thus avoiding any future conflicts. The architecture of the Pagoda every where attested to that facts clearly.
2) The Muslim intolerance of anything Buddhist is shamefully legendary. Recorded well resulting in riots, the very first one started during the colonial period, not before, therefore speak loudly to the present continuation.
Truly the Muslim in Yakhine are getting the worst among a deprive citizenry.
Reviving through an academic hope of exalting a minority while diminishing the majority respective religion seem unwise and might just make the politicians more intransigent thus prolonging the present HR related issues.
Too many atrocities against each side is well documented.
If one is concern about the abhorrent state of HR of the Kala in Yakihine, one must seek practical historic example of minority getting along with majority, as in Maulayain and promote those aspects.
A truly instructive scenario to present period, academic or otherwise, knowing this is the original capital of the colonial power, that started the process yet have no recorded discord by the existence of opulent Mosques and sacred Pagodas up to this day that make this city by the mouth of Salween River uniquely irresistible.
Islam: A religion of peace
Are you actually Greg or someone masquerading..?
That’s is the worst “quote” ever. PM Najib has led Malaysia down the road of religious intolerance, extreme racial discrimination, religious persecution and destruction of the Law matrix since taking power.
What part of the above is “moderate”?