We in Burma would like to help the new PM Lt-Gen Soe Win if only he will allow us to.

Burma’s new prime minister, Lt-Gen Soe Win, who succeeded Gen Khin Nyunt in October, never had a chance to enjoy a honeymoon period in his new job.  One problem after another popped up right after he took up office.

Ethnic ceasefire groups who have returned to the legal fold got restive because of Khin Nyunt’s ouster and Soe Win had to fly urgently to the border areas to assure them that Rangoon’s relationship remained unchanged. 

Another problem landed on Soe Win’s desk when more than 30,000 owners of vehicles imported illegally Thailand, with the connivance of military intelligence officials, showed their unhappiness with the anti-corruption crackdown.

Some owners were arrested and then freed, but their cars, worth millions of kyats, were confiscated.  Many of the illegally imported vehicles were in the possession of VIP families and even Buddhist monasteries, people with close ties to the highest echelons of power.  So they made waves. 

The rumor mill was also active, and many people gathered in front of the Central Bank of Manmar’s HQ after reports surfaced that currency notes would be taken out of circulation. The finance minister issued a hasty denial the following day, but the damage had been done and consumer prices jumped.

Everything points to an explosion ahead, and the new prime minister has his work cut out trying to extinguish the burning fuse. We in Burma would like to help him if only he’d allow us to. We want to help because if the situation does get out of hand it is we, the people on the street, who will suffer most.

Gen Khin Nyunt’s dismissal has uncovered long-known corruption under the leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, or SPDC. His successor Soe Win pledged in a speech to Burma entrepreneurs and businessmen on October 24, 2004 to establish a clean and dynamic government machinery and vowed it would not oppress the people through violating codes of conduct, behaving in an unreliable way or taking bribes.

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.
3. Free reporting by the media sources on abuses of power by government employees.
4. Citizens should be encouraged to report all instances of graft taking, big and small.
5. The assistance of neighboring countries in this project should be sought.

I recently read a news report on how Thailand is fighting corruption. As a public involvement project the Thai government opened a “special hearing” office in Bangkok, where people can report alleged abuses by Thai government officials.  

Government representatives will listen to their complaints and, if necessary, take action on behalf of the complainants.

This is a good example that we should emulate in our country.  Of course, such a procedure can only occur in a democratic country. Perhaps the present military government in Rangoon could follow this Thai example if it wants to convince the world that Burma is soon to enjoy the democracy promised by the generals.

We for our part pledge solemnly to work with all parties concerned in a bipartisan spirit on this national issue.