Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Myanmar 100 days - “They shoot in the head, but they don’t know the revolution is in the heart.” - RIP Khet Thi

Myanmar, 100 days. It has been 100 days since the military decided that the elections were so fraudulent that they faced the risk of not being able to maintain their economic benefits from the country, and took matters in their own hands, or rather at the end of rifles and canons.

I have lived in Myanmar for a year, enjoyed the beauty of the Shwedagon, the delights of street-food (yes, including crickets to rival Thai street food), weekly bbq and beer a few metres away from my block of flats or alternatively a short walk from the office (sorry, it was mainly Myanmar beer), but what I appreciated the most of all was the colleagues and staff whom I would like to call friends.

My circle of friends has a group of older people who were still eager to learn, cognisant that the previous isolation brought about by the previous military government set the country back in terms of more ‘modern’ tools, technologies and practices. But also younger people, who despite the claims of some close-minded ‘expats’ are very well trained in the latest technologies, and eager to learn and put them into practice. Add to this the very nationalistic – I stress nationalistic, not religion-based but nation-based – view of the young people, very eager to play their role in growing their nation. People eager to share their experiences, and from whom it was easy to learn from and exchange views.

I will try to be brief, put some pointers that I hope will help everyone understand a bit of the situation so each can do his/her own research and hopefully take a stand.

1 Right from day 1, the military deployed troops fighting at the borders into towns

Myanmar has been fighting along the borders, whether with Bangladesh (the notorious Rohingya situation) or with China (the Shan and Kachin states) or with Thailand (Kayah and Kayin States). The army units deployed in these areas have seen combat, and have killed people (or more).

For example the 33rd light infantry, alleged to have been involved in operations in Rakhine (1); they are now in Mandalay (2)(3). The 77th known for their behaviour in 2007 (4) was deployed to Yangon (5). (6)

It is obvious that the military government was prepared to “let slip the dogs of war” on its own people right from day 1 if need be.

2 The army is a major player in the economy of Myanmar

In 2019, the UN published a report that made clear the extent of the army’s involvement and the roles generals (both in service and retired). The important thing here is that this may show motive as to why the military needs to retain its grip on power.

The report (7) details the role of the Myanmar Economic Holding Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), the crony companies who either share assets or give right to assets to the military, or contribute to their funds, the military’s involvement in jade and ruby extraction.

Very pertinent to those of us who are foreigners is how many of the foreign companies engaged in Myanmar, whether willingly/knowingly or not are in joint venture with the army.

A neat but old graphical representation of the links between the military and the MEHL and MEC can be found in the annex of the report by the UN (8)

Some major international companies are involved such as Kirin, POSCO, Andani (9). Normal people like you and me have taken action to force some of these companies to take a stand, for example POSCO (10).

3 Singapore has been a target

Singapore is one of the countries with heaviest investment in Myanmar. Some portion of these investments have most likely been made with the military, again from the UN report (8) page 29 “the Managing Director of Asia World Group, Steven Law (also known as Htun Myint Naing), has been accused by the U.S. Government of involvement in laundering money for the Tatmadaw. Asia World has three “overseas branch companies” in Singapore, run by Steven Law and his spouse Cecilia Ng, a Singaporean national. More than half of Singapore’s investment in Myanmar reportedly goes through partnerships with Asia World Group, totaling more than USD 1.3 billion.”  

Not only is the Kirin investment made via a company in Singapore. Some interesting companies are based in Singapore are under the spotlight, for example STE Global Trading Pte Ltd(10). But these are not something individuals without specialised skills can do anything about (I mean lawyers). But what we can do is hold the management of companies we own shares in to account and get clear answers.

And I don’t mean something as wishy-washy as “no significant funds from Myanmar companies, individuals in Singapore banks”(12) especially when you contrast this to the numbers protestors are brandishing ($5.7b (13)).

4 The International Community has its own interests

The problem with expecting the international community to do something is that each country/regime has its own interests.

For example, the volume of rare earth minerals moving from Myanmar into China has multiplied, “Before the coup, we only saw one or two trucks per day. Now there is no proper inspection we are seeing 10 to 15” (14)

ASEAN did take stand and all agreed to a 5 point consensus (15):

Five-Point Consensus on the situation in Myanmar, the Leaders reached consensus on the following:

  • First, there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint.
  • Second, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.
  • Third, a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
  • Fourth, ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre.
  • Fifth, the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

But without any timeline… I guess “immediate” is also relative…

5 The situation is not de-escalating

There is no ceasefire. People are being killed, more than 750 protesters killed since Feb 1 (16).



People are being arrested, and tortured (17), some to death and their bodies returned to their families with organs missing (18).

Summary

What can you do?

Do some research, the links I have posted are just a beginning.

Decide whether what is happening in Myanmar is something you think is wrong.

If yes, take action:

if you are a shareholder in a company investing in Myanmar, ask the management whether the company is in bed with the military and if yes what they intend to do about it.

Think about whether to stop consuming products from organisations that are helping the military, some links (19), (20), (21). It is not an easy thing to do, but, as mentioned above, if you are a shareholder in these companies, you have the right to get answers.


 


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