Comms, Als and you: The Myanmar Tragedy, The Selfish Hand

Comms, Als and you

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Myanmar Tragedy, The Selfish Hand

The question that was weighed in on everyone’s mind is, “why?”. There were no reasons, there were no explanations. Yet with all the debating, the arguing and the reasoning going on, thousands of people are suffering because of the pride, one would say, of the Myanmar Government.

Read the news report from CNA, HERE

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar, the southern Irrawaddy Delta region was devastated. Not only people and their homes were destroyed, but looking at the bigger picture as well, precious, vast areas of rice farmlands were destroyed as well. With the lack of food, water and supplies, the world has poured aid and sent experts to help in the relief efforts. But the Myanmar Government has refused to accept any help from foreign expert teams, from the U.N. or even from her own Asean neighbours. Now that I’ve painted a little picture for you, let’s move on.

Side note: If you still haven’t clicked and read the report yet, I strongly suggest you do. HERE

Evaluating the news report put forth by Channel Newsasia – Nothing special, it’s a comprehensive news report. The writer’s whole interest is about the matter being discussed, not the actual style of reporting of the report itself. I would say that the information provided is pretty comprehensive and the extra links were great. But the controversial thing is about the Myanmar Government’s decision to refuse any expert aid from other countries, along with her Asean neighbours. The Als finds himself with a problem trying to evaluate or critique this report. Rather, I feel that the issue is worth the time to sit down and discuss.

I’m not choosing to shun the Myanmar tragedy or remain pathetically ignorant about the issue at hand. These people have been hit with a disaster and it is only natural that we would want to help as much as we all can. From countries giving money and material aid, to the common man donating what small amounts of money to do their little part to aid the relief effort. Commendable, of course. And just for the record, this writer and many others send our condolences and our prayers to be with the victims of this horrible tragedy. The burning question is still why the Myanmar Government has chosen to turn a cold shoulder to the “foreign experts” being sent to the country to provide expert knowledge and expert skills. As a result, many people are suffering. As mentioned earlier, the country’s rice growing economy has taken quite a big hit. Translated into a bigger picture, rice growth will remain low for quite some time until the next season. With food already wiped out because of the cyclone and future food supplies already depleted, shouldn’t the country desperately need expert advice on how to cope with the current and future situation? Because of this, “pride” or rather, unwillingness to open up to “foreigners”, the people are suffering. As quoted in the news report, “estimated 2.5 million people in need of immediate food, water, shelter or medical care”. Do those numbers mean anything for the urgency and magnitude of the situation?

The suspicions or rather, lack of proper reports and information pertaining to the worst hit regions complicate matters further. So far, as the report has stated, Louis Michel, the EU's humanitarian aid commissioner, had been taken only to a well running refugee camp far away from the devastated delta region. If I may say, would that be considered, what we loosely use in Singapore, the term “Wayang”?

Let us also consider that some regions, the worst hit have actually become submerged underwater. The article did cite an example, an interview with a man named Ohn Kyi. The only complaint from this writer is that the reporter was not named, giving the impression that this report could have been fabricated. However, considering the closed nature of the country pertaining to the disaster, we could understand why certain details were missing. According to Ohn Kyi, he says or claims, that his wife died after two days of being stuck in the cold. This example would probably underscore the desperate need of logistics that these victims need.

Quoting the report, “Despite the humanitarian emergency, the government announced victory in a national referendum on a new constitution, held last Saturday”. Which brings along the question, could the refusal to allow international experts to oversee the search and rescue mission, a government ploy to tighten their hold on the country, with their refusal to open up to foreigners. The Myanmar Government claims that they are taking steps toward democracy, but with this decision not to allow international experts and closing their doors, could this be a case of “not walking the talk?” This writer certainly thinks so.

posted by The Als @ 6:04 PM

4 Comments:

At May 21, 2008 at 7:26 PM, Ariane said…

hi als,

While it is inhumane of the Junta regime for accepting donation for food, medicine and fund but not foreign aid workers, one must realize that this regime has so much evils to hide from the outside world. The Junta regime could not afford to let foreign workers running around in its ground while picking up vital intelligence which could be used against them in future. They are probably aware that CIA intelligence could infiltrate into its territory in the disguise of foreign workers. The Junta regime has iron-curtained its country from the outside world many years now and could not just simply let the curtain be melting down. Shunning themselves away from the outside world does not result the government an extra grain to spare its citizens but self-intersts of a few important generals rise above everything else.

The issue of Myanmar’s recalcitrance will dominate the next Asean Conference and will for many more conferences as long as this regime is in power. The generals are just too strong-willed and determined to ensure the survival of themselves. By doing so, sacrificing lives would be just another pawn in their long term survival goal unless, of course, United Nation sanction a move to liberate Myanmar. Anything short of that, Myanmar will continue to be iron-curtained.
At May 21, 2008 at 8:22 PM, Ian said…

Totally agree with what ariane said... The Junta Regime simply do not want any foreign aid workers snopping around in their country.
This just reminds me of the Russian submarine, the Kursk, that sank on the 2000. At first the Russian Government refuse international aid to help rescue the survivors who were trap in the submarine. I believe they are afraid that classified info may fall into their enemys hands if they allow international aid.
At May 21, 2008 at 10:59 PM, Zelda said…

Ok. I get the point of trying to "cover up your ass". However so, why aren't they taking the money and supplies? Not wanting foreign help in your country is fine. Maybe its just my naive thinking. Can't the government just send someone from the military to collect the supplies? How bad can that go?
At May 21, 2008 at 11:02 PM, Mark Soo said…

I was wondering why the people's interests were not considered as priority, petty issues were overshadowing everything. However, each nation has its own woes and concerns, we are outsiders and we can only make out the situation based on our own perspectives. I am definitely glad that all nations are trying their best to convince the Myanmar Government to facilitate the flow of aid to the people out there. Even movie stars and celebrities are doing their part to help out these poor people.

The world might be unfair and cruel, but as long as there are still kindhearted and helpful people around, the situation will be like the Chinese saying "Delivering charcoal in snow", meaning giving aid when the people need it most.