Reactions vary to Daw Suu’s challenge

Reactions vary to Daw Suu's challenge

By Ei Ei Toe Lwin   |   Friday, 23 May 2014

Military members of parliament have dismissed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's suggestion that they lack the bravery to withdraw from politics and her challenge for them to do so has been met with mixed reactions.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to members of the National League for Democracy on May 17 in Yanogn. Photo: Staff

"If we are not brave, we would not serve in the army," Lieutenant Colonel Ngwe Soe, a Pyithu Hluttaw representative, told The Myanmar Times last week.

But Lieutenant General Ngwe Soe declined to comment further on the substance of the opposition leader's complaint: that the army had no place in democratic politics.

When Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told the Tatmadaw representatives to take off their uniforms and come out fighting like civilians, she intended to strike a nerve. But taunts may not be enough.

Throughout the country, a campaign launched by the National League for Democracy, with backing from the 88 Generation Students, is trawling for signatures on a petition to amend the 2008 constitution. After a rally to kick off the effort was held at Yangon's Bo Sein Hman stadium on May 17, another took place the following day in Mandalay.

The goal is to amend section 436 of the constitution, which requires that amendments to it enjoy the support of 75 percent of Hluttaw members.

The army's occupation of 25pc of Hluttaw seats would seem to guarantee that no amendment will be permitted that does not have Tatmadaw support. Unless that provision is amended, there can be no amendment of the second-most controversial provision, section 59(f), which bars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from holding the office of president.

Lt Gen Ngwe Soe said, "The soldiers in hluttaw are doing their duty. We have become engaged in politics after leaving the military, as she said. We don't control the hluttaw, but discuss issues with other MPs. Those are our orders."

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told the Yangon rally that the 2008 constitution, particularly its section 436, split the Tatmadaw from the people by granting the armed forces special privileges. Allowing the amendment of the section would, she said, elevate the dignity of the military.

The NLD leader said the Tatmadaw's responsibility was to protect the country, not to rule it. Invoking the memory of her father, General Aung San, she said former soldiers could enter politics if they showed wisdom, courage, self-confidence and a spirit of goodwill.

"If an officer wants to engage in politics he should leave the military. A man of self-confidence no longer requires the support of any group or power," she said, calling on the Tatmadaw to return to barracks for the sake of its own dignity.

"Do not confuse the will of the people with your own wishes in the hluttaw," she said, adding that if the group in power for 50 years, the military, had been unable to carry out its mandate, it was time to bestow the mandate elsewhere.

Developing the argument further the next day in Mandalay, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi challenged Tatmadaw MPs to work with other hluttaw members to amend the constitution.

"I urge the Tatmadaw to prove that they don't like power," she said.

Reactions to her challenges have varied.

"Some people agree with her comments on the Tatmadaw in the rallies, while others believe her challenge could lead to difficulties in national reconciliation. I don't think her comments are too strong. I think she is speaking the truth. She seems not to want confrontation. I don't think we will see a repeat of the events of 1988," said U Banyar Aung Moe of the All Mon Region Democracy Party.

Amyotha Hluttaw representative U Phone Myint Aung said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's effort to amend section 436 was legitimate, but that it would not be easy the change the Tatmadaw's mind.

U Phone Myint Aung, of the National Democratic Force Party, doubted her tactics.

"She will receive applause, and possibly even some support within the Tatmadaw. But there is very little probability that her approach will work," he said.

"A tone of command is not appropriate at the moment. Although other MPs will agree to amend section 436, military MPs will have to follow orders. It is not sure yet what they will do if it comes to a vote."

He added, "A coup cannot be ruled out – look at Thailand. But Myanmar will not accept a coup. In 1988, the Tatmadaw took power outside the law. Now it will use the law because the law was enacted for that purpose. If turbulence erupts in Yangon or elsewhere, the military could stage a coup."

Military MP Colonel Myint Ko Ko appeared to welcome the challenge.

"We can get involved in politics whether we are in hluttaw or not," he said.

"It's up to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whether or not she wants a confrontation."

Translation by Thiri Min Htun

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/05/26/reactions-vary-to-daw-suus-challenge/