Hello 2013

FOR men may come and men may go, but the time waits no man as it is saying. The curtain of 2012 is almost dropping on the way while the year 2013 is in the pipeline. What we have done good deed for our community and of course our country in the year of 2012? For sure is we have been one year closer to death. What else? It is likely for me, to be optimistic, one year closer to return home country. I may have made some more fortune in past year. In return, I have tried to overcome another struggling year amidst turbulent working market and aparting family members. My daughter will be 3 years in the midst of year 2013 and she'll more aware of our love and taking care. She will able to start complain for what she dislikes against her in 2013. It will make an impact to my wife and me to make a way of home-going. 

Perhaps it is because I am older, I do not excite with the transformation of one to another year. Obviously young people are eager to welcome new year within 40 hours time. For me, I thought it was recently I heard people shout welcoming happy new year 2012. It seem not so long to come another year for me. Probably, I am too busy in the stressful unbalanced life that make my family well apart. In 2012, we have witnessed a lot reforms within our country. My country seem rebirth from the nightmare time. Everybody seem happier than previous years during 2012. We have seem several significant changes of which we couldn't able to imagine in past 2 years time. Anyway, we will remember year 2012 as a good year that bring us some fortunate. We looking forward 2013 will bring us some prosperous things just like 2012 has brought us. If we keep momentum, it's more likely for us to return home earliest possible. 

May Myanmar see year 2013 with full of amazing reforms that make her people escape from poverty and freedom from fears. 

Goodbye 2012

LIKE or dislike, the days belong to 2012 are coming to the end. Definitely, year 2012 had been a good years for us and will be remembered as a special year by Burmese. It brought us serial changes to ease people's plight. At the same time it had produced several heroes who are widely recognized by international communities. The most highlighting moment came when US president visit Yangon for a short. The whole world has been united for the first time to help Myanmar this time. They have effectively convinced by our newly elected civilian government which is led by reformist president. Anyway, there are so many reasons for our people to happy during 2012. 

Seeing ASSK contested in by-election and becoming MP for people in our parliament. Seeing sabotaged sanctions dismantled by western countries led by US. Seeing so many good news published by world's media. Seeing a lot countries giving us aid programs. Seeing a lot foreign investor coming in to explore opportunities. Seeing get rid of old outdated policies and replaced with more flexible ones, car importing policy for instance. ASSK and our president have received several rewards across the world. These all things have been the facts to which our young generation will remember.

Meanwhile, year 2012 also brought some adverse matters in such as Rohingya problem at western part and Kachin ethnic struggling at northern part. Unfortunately, the ruling government has failed to find a proper solution in handling both cases in line with international human right standard. These two cases severely drag back our country's democratic processing. With some casualties, it has been world's concern instead of domestic affairs. Despite president keep saying reconciliation effort, he seem no overwhelming power especially over army to halt all gun fighting with ethnic Kachin. It has become major critic to measure presidential power over conservative army officials. For our people, it doesn't matter who build up the nation, ruling ex-generals or opposition figure like ASSK. At the same time, anti-China sentiment has risen not like ever before in Myanmar. As a result of lacking transparency while outgoing junta's era, a lot controversial projects has been surfaced and people has shown a lot of their frustration by protesting one after another. We don't want to see people protesting something by everyday basis because it will affect the decision of incoming foreign investors. This problem would be step back only if the ruling party can quickly find a proper remedy to cure people's long suffered wounds.

Anyway, year 2012 has been a significant year for the people of Myanmar. Hopefully we could able to find a better Myanmar in the new year, 2013.

Liberal Buddhist Attitude

IT is proper to doubt, to be uncertain....Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing. Nor upon tradition, nor upon rumours.... When you know for yourself that certain things are unwholesome and wrong, abandon them..... When you know for yourself that certain things are wholesome and good, accept them.

The Burmese associate peace and security with coolness and shade:

The shade of a tree is cool indeed
The shade of parents is cooler
The shade of teachers is cooler still
The shade of the ruler is yet more cool
But coolest of all is the shade of the Buddha's teachings.

Reincarnation of Aung San

AT one BBC interview, she remarked that 'In my thoughts, I have never been away from my country and my people. From childhood I have been deeply interested in the history of independence movement and in the social and political development of Burma. My father died when I was only two years old, and it was only when I grew older and started collecting material on his life that I began to learn how much he achieved in his thirty-two years. I developed an admiration for him as a patriot and statesman. Because of this strong bond I feel a deep responsibility for the welfare of my country.

 

She took responsibility for grant. She scarified her life for freedom of Burma. She has shown the world how a peaceful mean to the world's most brutal rulers who had been deeply rooted in powers. She has been our hope to escape from iron-fist rulers. Fortunately, her mission has been relatively success and we strongly believe that she'll eventually become our president sooner than later. In the world, nothing is for ever long. It has to be changed when time come. We all hope that our constitution would be finally amended to pave the way for our lady to take presidential seat. For our people, seeing Aung San Su Kyi make us remember of return of our national hero, General Aung San, again to live. May our country able to move forward under guidance of able leader like Aung San Su Kyi in the years to come.

 

source: page 326 of freedom from fear

ASSK's on Burmese Army

IN making the attacks upon the men in power and Ne Win as the force behind them, it was not her intention to weaken the military or split the army.

I know a split army is against the interests of the nation...We just want what my father wanted: a professional army that understands that a really honourable army doesn't engage in politics.

My father didn't build up the Burmese army in order to oppress the people....He made many speeches where he specifically said, don't start oppressing the people just because you have weapons. You are to serve the country. You are for the country, the country is not for you.

What a great Dad and Daughter with innocent attitude? Our country had produced such talented person to help country right. At contrary, today army is doing opposite of what its founder has wanted to see for. In fact, the military is manipulated by a handful of generals rather than the whole system. Hopefully 2013 will see Burma with a new face through the democratic channels.

source: page 307&308 of freedom from fear

ASSK's vision of Burma

DURING her house arrest days, one American delegate led by Richardson got a chance to meet her in person as a first ever time she is allowed to see outsider by SLORC. During interview, at one point, Mr Richardson ask - "What would be your vision for Burma, if you were in power?" ASSK response as below:-

 

WELL, my vision of Burma is of a country where we can all sort out our problems by trying to understand each other and by talking to each other and by working together. Democracy is not going to solve all our problems. If people think that democracy comes today and everything's fine tomorrow, they're very much mistaken. I've always told them so: democracy is just a beginning. I subscribe to the view that democracy is not perfect but it does happen to be better than other systems.

 

One of the best things about democracy is that practising liberal democracies always think of talking first and fighting as the last resort. Whereas in a lot of cases talking is the last resort, when they've fought themselves to exhaustion and there's nothing else they can do, then they talk. By that time, quite often it's done so much harm. "Parliament" comes from the word [in French] 'talk', doesn't it? You talk, you talk about your problems, you talk about your differences. It's better to shout at each other than to kill each other. It's not that I like shouting, but it's certainly much better than shooting each other.

 

All this thing about democracy the Asian way, democracy the Burmese way - really you don't need to say this, beacuse whatever system you establish in any country it will become unique to that country. American democracy is different from British democracy. It is different from French democracy, and so on. There wil always be differences, but that doesn't mean that there are not certain fundamental principles which you have to accept. Without these fundamental principles it's not a democracy', which is more or less the same as the 'Burmese way to socialism' [might be like]. One doesn't want just a difference in name. One wants a difference in attitude. And that is my vision, of a country where people are not afraid to work out their differences.

 

You don't have to hold back from dialogue because you think you're going to lose face in some way, or beacause you think you're not going to be able to come to an agreement. When you go to sit down to discuss something you always go. ..with the idea that some kind of agreement is possible. It may take time, it may have to be a compromise, but agreement is always possible as long as the will is there. Sincerity and goodwill are the foundations of confidence, and confidence is the foundation of any system that can succeed...

source: page 256 of freedom from fear

Bogyoke's definition of army

THE armed forces are meant for this nation and this people, and it should be such a force having the honour and respect of the people. If instead the armed forces should come to be hated by the people, then the aims with which this army has been build up would have been in vain.

 

What a great soldier is he? As a founder of our modern day army, Aung San had clear vision of what he wanted to see Burmese army. Unfortunately, his ambition has been dissolved by selfish generals after he passed away. Wonder what will he say to his juniors if he still alive now.

source: page 195 of freedom from fear

Aung San on democracy

WE must make democracy the popular creed. We must try to build up a free Burma in accordance with such a creed. If we should fail to do this, our people are bound to suffer. If democracy should fail the world cannot stand back and just look on, and therefore Burma would be one day, like Japan and Germany, be despised. Democracy is the only ideology which is consistent with freedom. It is also an ideology that promote and strengthens peace. It is therefore the only ideology we should aim for.

 

What a leader is he with the long vision for his country? Losing him is a lot to Burma and invaluable to our people. With Aung San, our country might have been one of respected countries among the world's community, I believe. Assassination of Aung San is a turning point of Burma for a bad cause. Totally upside down from a promising nation toward today's parish state. That is our destiny and hopefully ASSK can pull back the system from its derailing by mismanagement. My Christmas wish for Burma, May our democractic transition able to success by the able and honest new leaders.

Bogyoke's frankly note

I am reading a famous book, freedom from fear, written by our people's leader, Aung San Su Kyi and like so much with some facts I have learned first time. I would like to maintain some valued words in my memory as long as possible. At the same time, I wish to share them with my compatriots who has not read the book. I got an opportunity to access this widely known book among Burmese as a member of NLB Singapore. I am not quite sure if it is easy to find on the shelfs of bookstore here for own collection. One of my friends said he had tried to buy one on market for long time but not successful. Anyway, I hope you will love to read some grace words of our national leader which is affectively hidden by our military regime for a few decades. Luckily ASSK has put tremendous effort to dig it out and successfully transform to a book.

 

the note was written during struggle for achieving independence

 

At this time I am a person who is very popular with the public. But I am neither a god, wizard or magician. Only a man. Not a heavenly being, I can only have the powers of a man. I am very young. The responsibility I now bear is that of standing at the very head to carry the burdens of the whole country. I do not consider that I have all the qualifications necessary to bear that burden. Also many people know that I am short tempered. That is my nature. When I am busy and harassed, I get short tempered. I shall try to correct that as much as possible. But you must also be patient. I too will be patient and if you will build up your strength to an even greater height than that which you have displayed today and support us in what we are doing for you, we shall be able to do more to achieve the independence and the public welfare that we want. That is why I would like to ask the people once more to stand firm and resolute.

 

What a good leader is our national hero? What a honest attitude he has? I am sure we all will miss him for the centuries to come. May he be able to relief from somewhere else on heaven by witnessing his youngest daughter is continuouing his unfinished struggle to bring a real freedom for all races of Burma. The different is that this time against own government rather than foreign. I hope you too love to read it just like me.

source: page-28&29 of freedom from fear

Controversial China 2

I read a sad news of Cambodian hydroelectric power dam project which is under construction by Chinese company few days ago. The on-going dam was broken and took the life of 4 construction workers. Another 4 workers are still missing to make toll up. One local who stay in a village nearby dam project said, the dam started to leak its water few days before the dam collapse finally. If the ordinary person able to notice, why not Chinese construction company's authority didn't aware that? The man continues his saying that the reservoir has now been no water at all. 

It is apparent nothing to do with our people as it happened in different country. In fact, there are a lot of similar dam projects in Myanmar, of which most of them are developed and constructed by Chinese companies. I am not sure if our authority aware the sadden recent news from Cambodia. Sometime corrupted officials unable to be outspoken despite they know things are not going as it is intended to. When it come critical stage, things set to become disaster from the failure of taking care. Then people suffer from the consequence. What a damn is it? Recently I read a local news saying there would be 3 more foreign telecommunication operators. I initially happy to learn the news. But my happiness didn't last long because those all 3 companies are Chinese companies, Huawei, ZTE and Shanghai Bell. All of them are under scandal of US report saying their equipment are serving as spy for their government. Amid such circumstance, our authority awarded these lousy companies for lucrative projects. I doubt there have been some form of corruption in the process.

Currently, our leaders have been headache with increasingly public protest for their unhappiness with government conduct. Most of street protests were linked to Chinese invested projects. Most recent Letpadaung Mine Project crackdown was severely criticized by nationwide including religious societies. This is in fact not first major protest done by our people. The first major protest was Myitsone Dam project which is another Chinese backed project. Wherever Chinese linked, it is most likely to be problem among locals. In past, Chinese people know where to approach to obtain government project and those process are not going through transparency. As a result, China is taking full advantage of mismanagement. Now the country has changed considerably and people have found themselves this is the best time to express their feeling in the wake of military junta step down. I am sure as long as we are doing business with Chinese firms, it will not end stopping public protests in future. Nowadays, our government has a lot firms to be selected for big projects and hopefully they'll be wise enough to choose it from for the interest of our people, rather than their private.

Daughter's concern, Dad's urgency

OUR daughter is as  young as 2 years and 4 months now. We would be in the wrong end if we ignore her thinking. As a working parent, we are living an ocean apart. We are trying to save while she is young. Our last target to return home is before she goes to school. Given current age, we roughly still got few years time to work for saving. However, recently happened two incidents made me and my wife need to review our plan urgently if we want to prevent our only child being stranger deeper. 

As a result of open up in Myanmar, my family in home town able to use internet comfortably at home. In one year ago time, it is impossible to use internet at home. Now fortunately the reforms bring our people's lives a bit easier. My sister needs to do two major task to successfully use internet to see us online. Her main reason to use internet is to create a platform on which we can befriend to our daughter through virtual world. First thing is she has to ask IT friendly neice or student to help her connect us. Second she ensure there is some snack to lure our daughter to talk in case she refuses to talk us. My sister always wants to see us happy talking with our daughter. She would boast how our daughter is talkative and smart. Our daughter would sing some child poems and music if she is in fine mode. Otherwise, my sister needs to persuade our daughter with her favourite snacks. Witnessing this make us feel some shock that alarm us how our daughter will behave if we extend our separation time in future. Mathematically, our daughter is likely to have cooler relationship over time. This is first incident we have recently notice sadly.

The second incident is quite straight forward one but more alarming to our already worrisome minds. As our daughter continues to learn new words and languages every day, she has reportedly been a cute girl among relatives. As usual, the more talkative children are more likely to be loved by surroundings. As she lives in medical student hostel which is family business to make some earning, her surrounding is ever crowding adults rather than same age peers. Perhaps that circumstance make her learn mother tongue quickly. One day, she suddenly told her nanny aunt that she has a question to ask parent. My wondering sister replied, what kind of question do you want to ask, my little dear? Our less than 2.5 years old girl answered, "I want to know if they do love me or not." My sister was really amazing with the saying of little girl. Later she shares the wonderful experience when we give her a call. We are of course distraught to learn that. What had happened to our little daughter? At her age, she already started such thoughtful things. Anyway, we have no time to address her concern. We don't want her hurt for being left alone for certain reason. We have to accept that the worst yet to come. We must carefully handle with our little beloved daughter if we want to avoid disaster. 

Oh my dear, we as your parent, perfectly love you so much. This won't be faded by time. Believe us that we leave you there alone is not because we hate you. We too suffering from being apart. We try to swallow those incoming suffer to create some wealth for you. At the end of the day, all we find today will belong to you since you are only one heiress we have ever been. Hopefully you'll fully understand parental love once you are grown up. 

Wish you happy Christmas.