No Honeymoon for Soe Win
covering burma and southeast asia
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Magazine
GUEST COLUMN

No Honeymoon for Soe Win

By Amyotheryei Win Naing NOVEMBER, 2004 - VOLUME 12 NO.10
RECOMMEND (145)
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PLUSONE
 
MORE
E-MAIL
PRINT
(Page 2 of 3)

 

Gen Thura Shwe Mann told the same meeting that an estimated 3 billion kyat (more than US $3 million) had been taken in bribes in the previous three months at the Muse border post between Burma and China. That represented around $12 million annually, he pointed out.

 

Muse is just one of a number of border posts with China, Thailand and India, so it’s conceivable that the total annual bribes tally is around $60 million. No wonder Burma is listed as the world’s fourth most corrupt country.

 

In the light of estimates like these, we have to reach the inevitable conclusion that Burma’s economy is heading for collapse soon because of bribery and corruption.

 

Last month, Rangoon jailed 186 people—military intelligence personnel, police and customs employees—on bribery charges.  More have been and are awaiting trial.

 

Among them are top military intelligence officers like Brig-Gen Than Tun, Col Hla Min, Col San Pwint, who in the past have represented the government in many cross-border talks with Asean nations. The charges against them now are glaring proof that corruption has penetrated deep into Burma’s governing elite.

 

We must all work together to stamp out corruption. That is why we, the national politicians, are offering to join with the SPDC government and work against the common enemy.  In this particular respect, we also urge other political parties to join us in our offer to the government.

 

But will the SPDC accept our offer? I say the chances are fifty fifty.  I am betting on the whim of the generals and their religious beliefs.  As Buddhists, they might come to realize that life is short and that all people should have a chance to enjoy it while they can. 

 

In order to fight corruption in Burma, we propose the following: 

  1. The government invites intellectuals, politicians, businessmen and private citizens to form a special committee to investigate cases of corruption.
  2. Special courts are established to hear those cases.


    « previous  1  |  2  |  3  next page »