Updated: 17:21, Wednesday November 27, 2013
After fleeing Myanmar's repressive regime 25 years ago, Dr Myint Cho is meeting his 'inspiration', world-renowned democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi on her first visit to Australia.
Dr Myint Cho fled the troubled Southeast Asian nation in 1988, after being placed on the authoritarian government's wanted list for his pro-democracy views.
On Wednesday, he was welcoming the 68-year-old Nobel Peace prize laureate and Myanmar parliamentarian, who touched down at Sydney Airport to begin a five-day Australian tour.
She's here to drum up Australian support for further democratic reforms and opening up in Myanmar.
Dr Myint Cho told AAP it was an exciting time for the Myanmar community in Australia.
'We're so excited to meet Aung San Suu Kyi because she's such a huge inspiration,' he said.
'She's trying to work with all political stakeholders inside and outside the parliament (of Myanmar) for the national reconciliation process.'
The Myanmar regime only in recent years has allowed elections and lifted restrictions.
That has prompted the removal of some international sanctions and paved the way for Ms Suu Kyi to enter national parliament after years of house arrest.
One of Ms Suu Kyi's first engagements, around noon on Wednesday, was meeting NSW Governor Marie Bashir at Government House.
She was then expected to head to the Sydney Opera House to address hundreds of Myanmar people living in Australia before giving a keynote speech on Wednesday evening.
Since becoming a parliamentarian in 2012, Ms Suu Kyi has faced criticism over her dealings with the military-led government.
But Dr Myint Cho said that criticism was unfair, because Ms Suu Kyi was forced to work with all politicians to help Myanmar's people.
He also said the Myanmar government still had many issues to address, though he was very grateful for the elections.
'However, he (President Thein Sein) still fails to deliver the benefit of the reforms to the broader population ... especially in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and the peace process.'
Dr Myint Cho says the Australian government should 'throw their full economic and diplomatic clout' behind Ms Suu Kyi's cause.
Ms Suu Kyi will also visit Melbourne and Canberra on her five-day tour.
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Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/27/myanmar-community-welcomes-suu-kyi/
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