Myanmar enters the Mainstream

Myanmar enters the Mainstream

On 08 Nov 2015, Myanmar went in for elections for a new Parliament. Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, as the head of the National League for Democracy Party (NLD), has attained a historic majority, making it possible for the Party to form the country’s first, truly civilian government in more than five decades. For her to be of any use in Parliament, her Party had not just to win, but it had to gain a majority to form a government. A clause in the Constitution, however, prevents Ms Suu Kyi to be elected as the President, notwithstanding her position in her party; the clause debars any individual, whose spouse or children are foreign citizens, from seeking to become the President of the country. Ms Suu Kyi’s deceased husband was a British academic, while her two sons were born in Britain and continue to hold British passports. The lady, while carrying the hopes of the population at large, has a tightrope to walk, not just with the Constitution, but with other issues too.

The swearing in of the first civilian president, could be the most important historical turning point for the country that has been under military rule in some form or the other, for many decades. The election of President Htin Kyaw, a close confidante of Ms Suu Kyi, was almost a foregone conclusion, as the party has a majority in Parliament. It is the aftermath of the election of the President that is now turning out to be more important.
While Ms Suu Kyi's election and her party coming to power in a majority can be termed as a happy ending to her long struggle to free Myanmar from the military rule, the arrangement of her wielding power from behind the scene, can raise serious issues in providing good governance. Myanmar continues to have a mix of civil and military parliament; the Army continues to wield considerable political clout with 25 per cent of the seats in parliament. Successful elections is not "Mission Accomplished"; it is "Work in Progress" to accomplish a total transition to democracy, a step forward, albeit a tiny step.
Ms Suu Kyi and her party must resist the temptation of forming power centres that might seduce the army to once again take over the reins, under the garb of a disappointing government that could not fulfil the wishes of the people. Analogies are aplenty in the neighbourhood for her learn lessons of 'what not to do'. The recent proposal submitted in parliament to make her the "President's Boss" is incorrect and indicative of her desire to wield power by any means, even if she has to circumvent the Constitution! Critics are already questioning the legality of such an appointment, more so since she has taken over four portfolios in the Cabinet, that of Foreign affairs, education, energy, and the president's office. India, over the last few years has done well so far in pursuing its national interests, even at the cost of earning the displeasure of human rights activists and Western nations, when it engaged the military rulers well before the democratic reforms were put in place; it has now to maintain the momentum without overbearing itself. It should now take advantage of its position to leverage the goodwill through historical, cultural and military links, combined with the wariness that Myanmar has displayed on over-dependence on China. Bilateral security cooperation towards insurgencies and better connectivity should be the route for India to follow to see results for its Act-East Policy. Extending support to the new government in Myanmar is in India's interest.