U Oo Hla Saw, general secretary of the Rakhine Nationalities development Party and the great teacher of mine when i was student in Arakan and i had to spend one year in the cell of prison with him together in Arakan when he and me were arrested on the ground of involving different national movements in 1990s by ruling Burma, submits paper at University in Oz on 15.3.2013 .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rakhine, formerly known as Arakan, is one of the seven ethnic
states in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is a narrow coastal
strip of land in western Myanmar bordering with Bangladash in the
Northwest and the Bay of Bengal in the West. It is separated by Rakhine
Roma Mountain range from Burma proper and by the river Naff from
Bangladesh. In ancient times, Rakhine Kingdoms were both economically
and historically related with Eastern India. Thus, Indian civilization
had great influence on the Rakhine people. For centuries, Arakan kingdom
can maintain political independence but in 1784, it was invaded by the
Burmese.
With the consequences of the first Anglo-Burmese
war which broke out in 1824, Rakhine came under the British rule. When
Myanmar gained independence in 1948, Rakhine became an integral part of
the union of Myanmar; but, a statehood to represent Rakhine ethnic
nationality was not recognized in the Independence charter.
Democratization and 2008 Constitution
Burmese
military elites always denied and neglected the political demands of
NLD and allied ethnic parties to implement the verdict of 1990 election.
After
the worst conditions of cyclone Nargis, 2008 constitution came to live
in Burmese political arena. Most of the political activists, especially
ethnic factions are greatly disappointed because the constitution is
actually a hybrid and pseudo-federal, sham federal constitution in order
to maintain the interest of the Burmese military regime. But, on the
other hand, it is an opportunity for the voiceless and political
platform-less ethnic people. As a matter of fact, ethnic democratic
parties are formed poorly equipped plus weak financial support under the
2008 constitution.
Even though election-boycott idea is
overwhelming the whole country given the fact that the election is not
free and fair plus it is full of fraud, Ethnic Parties took victory in
their representative states. Rakhine people bravely voted for RNDP with
ethnic nationalism hoping for the change, and they won 35 seats: 18 in
state level, 7 in upper house, 9 in lower House, and 1 in Rangoon Region
for the Minister for Rakhine Affairs.
Victory of 18 seats
out of 34 in State level does win majority in the state level: the
endorsed military quota of 12 seats + any number of seats won by the
junta-backed USDP party would depreciate RNDP victory to a minority
party in the State’s Parliament. Premier and Speaker were appointed from
USDP by the President. In the State Cabinet, only 3 ministers are
chosen from M.Ps of RNDP. Thus, RNDP has no capability to decide and
handle the political and developmental issues of Rakhine land. The
ruling party is USDP and political power is in their hand. The newly
elected cabinet of Rakhine state is a weak one: it is lack of capacity,
lack of transparency plus it is very centralized and dictated from Nay
Pyi Taw.
The rights of the State parliament to enact the
law are very limited prescribed in Schedule 2 in the constitution. The
important sectors, Health and Education are not mentioned in it. State
education officer appointed by Nay Pyay Taw is more powerful and no
ministers for that sector. State government has no power even to build a
new school, and a new hospital.
RNDP and Rakhine people are
always demanding to set up a gas turbine running by the natural gas for
whole State electricity access. In Schedule 2 of the Constitution,
medium and small scale electric power plants are allowed.
In
one case of Holy Relics findings in MraukOo, it is very apparent for
centralism. The relics found from ancient broken pagodas were maintained
by the local archaeological department to send to Ministry of Culture
in Nay Pyay Taw. Local people opposed and don't let it be taken.
Disputes and demonstrations happened when they took it forcefully to Nay
Pyay Taw. Finally, the central government has to agree to maintain the
relics in a local monastery. It is positive, but, the rights of
management on preservation of cultural heritages are actually in the
hand of the minister level authority.
In the case of Tourism, with
the openness of politics, tourism has begun to boom in Myanmar. Rakhine
is a land of beauty and ancient heritage and MraukOo is a showcase of
Rakhine cultural and historical significance. Tourism is now banned for
Rakhine without logical reasons by authority. The people of Rakhine
incur double losses from such uneducated policy: first, we lost
potential tourism revenues and second, we lost the opportunity to
exhibit our splendid identity to the foreign visitors and scholars.
We
do not like the constitution and we have experienced horrific images
during the 2010 election. However, we agree to some extent that the
political foundation for a new system of government in Burma has been
initiated.
Most analysts from abroad (may say West)
conclude that Myanmar is on the right track. In his inauguration speech
of March 30, 2012, newly elected President U Thein Sein urged all
parties to work together for national interest and announced his
commitment for Good Governance and Clean Government concerning reforms.
The government declared the first step of reform is on political change
and national reconciliation: they initiated the peace process with
ethnic armies. Second was an economic reform: Foreign Direct Investment
Law was enacted in Parliament. Third step is reform of administration.
And in fact, in December, the elections for village-tract administrators
are all over the country, and disputes are arising in rural area where
the local pro-USDP and pro army people have ruled for decades.
In
Rakhine State, the administration is running not dissimilar to the era
of military rule and, officials are still corrupted and suffering
kleptomania, so they are just a strategic tool of state ruling mechanism
to manipulate and suppress the ordinary grassroots people.
Rakhine
is very rich in natural resource especially hardwood timber, oil &
gas, agriculture, and fishery resources. The old and new government
harvested billions of dollars by selling gas to China. Despite greatly
rich in natural resources, there is absolutely no electricity in rural
areas, and the idea of 24-hour electricity rather appears to be a dream
for Rakhine people in 21st century. And, where it is accessible in the
urban areas, the cost per electric unit is very expensive: it is 10
times greater than that of Yangon and other cities in central Myanmar.
Rakhine People feels that they are always marginalized and suppressed by
successive central Burmese government. Rich in natural resources,
pleasant with coastal blue waters and beautiful beaches, green with
beautiful mountains, Rakhine people remains unindustrialized with 43.5%
of the whole Rakhine population living under the poverty line according
to a 2011 survey by UNDP.
Under the British rule, they
introduced modern institutions and infrastructures to Rakhine, so Arakan
flourished to some extent in important sectors. Rakhine people have
never enjoyed their national democratic rights, all remote rural area
are underdeveloped and poverty-stricken with very little health and
education facilities and services. Very few humanitarian aids for the
poorest people, and in fact, many remotes areas are highly inaccessible
to aids for various reasons. Everything is managed by central government
and, the local people never have a chance to decide on the allocation
of their resources.
By illegal logging of Cronies backed
by military elites, Rakhine Mountains and natural forests greatly
suffered deforestation and other environmental disasters. In
archeologically significant areas, damages to such historically
important areas are already done by so called development projects of
the government.
Rakhine area receives a very rich of
rainfall of nearly 200 inches (5.08 m), but Rakhine farmers can
cultivate only one crop of rice in the whole year. And, to get clean
water is very difficult in rural areas in the summer and only about 40%
of the State’s population can use clean water regularly. Forced labour,
forced confiscation, forced relocation was very familiar to the Rakhine
people, but now it becomes less to some extent.
In
Rakhine, fisheries Zones are divided and fixed by the Department of
Fishery. And auction by state government. Local people living near by
the creeks and rivers have no right to earn their living freely on
water. RNDP always opposes and try to negate this policy in State
Parliament. In the end of 2012, this policy had been abolished in the
State Parliament. But the Chief of Minister is trying to exercise this
policy by saying the loss of revenue for the government.
Since
the founding of the party, RNDP declared 3 main principles, DED. First D
is development, E means Equality and another D is democratization. At
that time, birth of a new government is uncertain and RNDP actually
wants to achieve Democracy by evolutionary process. Now the people can
feel the democratization.
In the meantime, the civil war
in Burma, the longest in the world is still flaring in some areas. Most
of the ethnic armed forces made ceasefire with the government and they
are preparing and waiting for political dialogue. Myanmar is a
multinational (multi-lingual + multi-ethnic) state, with variety of
ethnic nationalities with their own identities. So in Myanmar, democracy
and ethnic issue is just like head and tail of a coin, they can’t be
separated. As the long rooted problems became more complicated, the idea
that only democracy can alone solve the whole issue is not pragmatic.
If
the constitutions is not federal in a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic,
multi-cultural nation, democracy is the not the perfect solution because
democracy is in one part, rule of majority (the essence of democracy).
All
ethnic people are happy to live together peacefully: however when there
is no choice left in handling unfairness, the radical desire to secede
from the union may arise. All are calling for practicing federalism.
Federalism can guarantee equality, peace and development. Federalism can
end civil war. Without federalism, sustainable peace cannot be
achieved. No peace, No development, No democracy.
In old
days, federalism is a haunting ghost and a term of political taboo in
Myanmar politics, for the false interpretation (perception) that
federalism is to disintegrate the country. The main obstacle for
practicing federalism is 2008 constitution. Some scholars pointed out
that 2008 constitutions is a federal framework and it is required to be
amended. So, constitutional amendment is crucial for peaceful and united
country.
Constitutional change is not an easy task. To
amend some provisions, it is necessary for the prior approval of more
than the 75 % of all the representatives of Union Parliament and after
which in the nation-wide referendum only with the vote of more than half
of those who are eligible vote.
Political reform without
constitutional change can not lead to all round development, conflict
resolution and peaceful solution for ethnic nationalities.
All
political forces are very enthusiastic to discuss that and now the
leading Burmese ex-military elites come to say about constitutional
amendment and federalism openly. Now workshops and seminars are being
held on the topics of decentralization and federalism in Yangon
political circles.
The political will, sincerity and
democratic commitment of the top leaders in cabinet and parliaments will
determine the future of Myanmar.
Politics of Rakhine: Power sharing, Resource sharing
In
his 30 March 2011 inauguration speech, President U Thein Sein addressed
the ethnic issues speaking of “The hell of the untold stories”. He
always stressed the need for national unity. But government has failed
to take similar consideration in regard to ethnic issue compared with
the steps government has taken for economic reforms. Two tasks are
extremely crucial for a nascent democratic government because these are
many decades old legacies of undemocratic and reactionary mechanism.
In Rakhine politics, now major theoretical issues are power sharing, resource sharing and to enjoy cultural rights fully.
In
2011 election, Rakhine People support RNDP and voted bravely with
ethnic nationalism hoping for change. RNDP won the election as a major
national party in Rakhine but they have no right to choose the leader of
Arakan state. The party got democratic popular support, but cannot get
power endorsed by the people, the political power. That is the problem
of political self-determination. In coming 2015 general election,
Rakhine people hope that such situation (issues) can be changed. This
will be one of the guarantees for democratic transition in ethnic areas.
Resource
sharing is a very great issue for ethnic nationalities. If a
nationality cannot enjoy any benefit sharing from the resources which
are the products of their own land, it is totally unjust and it can be
considered an exercise of neo-colonialism, undemocratic and uncivilized
ideology in 21st century. Rakhine with green mountains, blue coastal
waters, rich resources, ancient historical monuments and heritages, why
this region and this people become poorer and poorer is a question of
self-determination on economy.
And also cultural and
historical rights are still far away. To learn Rakhine language, Rakhine
history in government and private schools and to press and publish
newspapers and journals in Sittway are not allowed by law. In British
colonial era, Sittway is the first city to publish newspapers in Burma.
Now, the ancient city MraukOo is banned for tourist destination without
concrete reasons.
Even though Rakhine people are facing
difficulties and challenges, even they are losing their own rights, the
new government of Rakhine state is keeping silent, running naively
pretending nothing wrong is being done to theRakhine state.
Bengali Rohingyas
A
spectre is haunting Myanmar, particularly Rakhine, the spectre of
Rohingya. Rakhine has been an independent Buddhist Kingdom up until
1784. In MraukOo, the capital of last Rakhine dynasty, Buddhist pagodas,
temples, monuments and archaeological heritages can be observed easily
in anywhere. In MraukOo dynasty of Rakhine Kingdom there were early
Muslim settlements. British introduced the modern institutions to the
Rakhine state, so the situation developed rather than other Burma areas
especially in the sectors of agriculture, education and transportation.
Many undeveloped lands were re-cultivated and when the Suez Canal was
opened in 1869, the products of agriculture became boomed. For the
expansion of cultivated area, the manual laborers are greatly needed.
Due to the British economic Policy, Chittagonian Bengalis can freely
come to the Rakhine land as manual laborers. They are cheap and
industrious working people: thus they are very suitable and profitable
for British colonialist. From a few hundreds, the number has steadily
increased and within the last decade of 19th century, growth has been
continuous since they do not return to their native land.
The
practice of polygamy is one factor for big population density of Muslim
in that area. The British authority has great concern for this problem
and special investigation commission was formed in 1939. The team
suggested restricting the immigration, however, due to the outbreak of
world war the suggestion was not taken into action.
In
March, 1942, the Japanese Army marched into Rakhine and British had to
retreat to India across Naff River. Because Rakhine people were
anti-British, British handed some of their weapons to Muslim. The
communal violence erupted between the Rakhines and Muslim communities.
In Buthidaung and Maungdaw area, nearly 20,000 Rakhine including Deputy
Commissioner U Oo Kyaw Khine, an Indian Civil Service, were killed, most
of the villages were burned and Rakhine had to flee to middle Rakhine
state deserting their homes, farms and fields. These historical events
are unforgettable for Rakhines and great trauma and fear still exists in
their hearts generation after generation.
After the
independence, Rakhine ethnic statehood was not recognized. When the cry
for Arakan state become louder the Muslim demanded separate state and
started to rebel. In 1951, they held a conference in Aletthankyaw
village in Maungdaw Township, and a charter of demand for Rakhine Muslim
was produced. They were called Mujahids and were crushed by the Burmese
Army.
Now so-called Rohingyas are the descendents of these
Muslims and illegal migrated people from Bangladesh. In the start of
Mujahid Insurgency the Rohingya name was not used in their statement.
They call themselves Rakhine Muslim. In the local gazetteers of British
era, they are mentioned as “Chittagonian Bengalis” and the term
‘Rohingya’ is not found in the British census. The Rohingya is just a
historically fabricated term by Rakhine Muslim elites, now radical elite
elements in their quest for unhistorical, illogical demands to get
recognized as an ethnic nationality and to realize an Islamic autonomy
in northern Arakan. They said that Rohingya are natives of Arakan and
this land is their ancestral area. In contrary to their claims, a
prominent scholar and also an expert in Rakhine history Dr Jacques
Leider as commented that "Rohingya is a name, not an ethnic category,
that has been revived in modern days to indentify Muslims in Rakhine as a
separate social group. One may eventually compare it with the name of
Chinese Muslims in Myanmar who are called 'Panthay'."In fact, the term
‘Rohingya’ is not found in the history of Indian civilization and in
census of India. New Democratic Burmese Government also does not
recognize Rohingya as an ethnic Identity of Burma. The Rakhine
historians and people totally agree with this.
The
successive governments cannot handle this problem properly and it has
existed like a snow-capped volcano which can erupt at any time.
Situation worsens due to corruption of government officials, lack of
rule of law and the extremely porous border. In addition to this, those
muslims are not allowed to leave Rakhine State and to settle freely
around Myanmar, which makes great burden of population density on the
shoulders of Arakan.
When a Rakhine rural girl, Thidar
Htway, was raped and brutally killed by 3 Muslim men, 10 Muslims were
killed by mob in retaliation. On June 8, 2012, after Friday prayers
thousands of Muslim mobs in MaungDaw rampaged and destroyed the property
of Rakhine residents, then communal violence quickly spread to capital
Sittwe and some unexpected areas. As a consequence of violence, hundreds
of victims were killed and sorrowful incidents happened and great
losses for both communities which have been suffering from severe human
rights abuses under military regime. First round violence was in June
2012 and second round in October was fiercer than the first. Witness
from Maungdaw violence, no protection and any special measures taken by
the authority was not seen.
Situation is very complicated that it
is very difficult to identify who are major culprits, who are players,
who get benefits. The truth is that the people of both communities are
victims. Minute incidents happened frequently between two communities
which have been living peacefully. Under the Burmese military regime,
human right violation is rampant in any where not only for non-ethnic
Rohingya, but also for Rakhine, Shan, Karen and all ethnics including
Burmese.
Propagandas of exile Rohingya elites by mass
media, human rights violation of the military regime, successful
lobbying and advocacy of Rohingya elites in the US Congress, British
parliament and western diplomatic circles, and strong support of
international Islamic organizations endorse them good chance to hoist
the flag of Rohingya and their issues under the guise of human rights.
On the paper of "The Muslims in Rakhine and the political project of the
Rohingyas" by Jacques Leider, it has written as follow: 2010 BRANA
(Burmese Rohingya Association of North America)"advocacy organization
with a primary mission of closely working with the US government,
Canadian government, and various NGOs in legislation, policy
formulation, and humanitarian support for issues facing the Rohingya
people in Burma and other countries around the world..", Additionally
BRANA maintains strong ties with various NGOs around the world to
advance the cause of Rohingyas...
Thus, Rohingyas are greatly
favoured in diplomatic platforms, and Rakhines are heavily marginalized.
Since 1784, even though Rakhine became a defeated nation with the loss
of her sovereignty and had never enjoyed the national democratic rights
and self-determination, sympathy and support for Rakhine people is very
little.
Rakhine are native hosts, and illegal immigrants
Bengalis instigated from exile are intruding. So when the limited
tolerance is over, it is easy to rise up ethnic nationalism which is
hard to calm down. On one hand, the handling of the problem by Rakhine
state government demonstrates the weakness in power, responsibility,
accountability and capacity. So the conflicted communities became real
victims. In exile media, Rakhine organizations and people are villains.
Exile Rohingya and their pro-media accused RNDP and Rakhine people of
co-operating with the Burmese army to suppress and kill the Rohingyas.
And Burmese high ranking officials say suspect of RNDP for instigation
and involvement in the conflicts.
After the first round
violence in June, President U Thein Sein told UNHCR commissioner Antonio
Guterres that Rohingyas are not ethnic people, the persons disqualified
due to 1982 citizenship law have to live under the care of UNHCR and
they are allowed to leave if the third country will accept them. Rakhine
people agreed and appreciated that idea. Rakhines opposed the
establishment of OIC office in Rakhine. They felt that Myanmar and the
President are on their side. Rakhine people like to grant citizenship
for legally qualified persons, they can have the opportunity to enjoy
human rights fully, to travel freely, to settle down in anywhere of
Myanmar. So that it can reduce the tensions and burden of population
density which is especially on the shoulders of Rakhine at this point.
In
the beginning of 2013, the tension becomes calm down and less but
hatred and fear are still burning in the hearts of both communities. It
will take time for peaceful coexistence. Humanitarian aids not only
materials but also mental and ethical assistance are needed. Conflict
resolution tactics, comforting the wounded mind and trauma healing are
truly essential for both communities. One important thing is that the
mass media should not bias and exaggerate, in order that the conflicted
communities will not be further provoked by media coverage.
Now,
the image of peaceful and beautiful Rakhine land is faded and the
economy is deteriorating gradually which is an enormous loss for Rakhine
people in the era of democratic transition in Myanmar. Rakhine people
do not want to hear the term Rohingya and they think that behind this
name stands the ulterior motive of Islamization to occupy their
ancestral Buddhist land. Rakhine have been sandwiched between
Burmanization and Islamization and become endangered species of
nationality in the planet.
I was wondering why British
scholars and historians are keeping silent on the Rohingya Issue which
originated under the British administration era in Burma.
Geopolitics:
In
opposition to the Junta's denial of the 1990 elections result,
sanctions are imposed by the US and European countries, and loans and
assistance are cut off. Myanmar was drawn into the orbit of China. This
is a great chance for China to shape her grand strategy to dominate the
waters of the Bay of Bengal. China plans to build a giant industrial
zone at Ramree Islands, and construction of a deep sea port for ships
bringing oil from Middle East and Africa, a 800 kilometre railway. This
will create China trade corridor in Indian Ocean across Myanmar. Shwe
(Gold) natural gas pipeline and oil pipeline will start from Kyaukphyu
to Kumming. Constructions of these projects have already caused large
scale land confiscation. Many villages have to face direct relocation
from that SEZ area. The fear for the impacts of toxic waste and
pollution from electrochemical and metal industries is increasing and
local residents have no right to know the information about the
projects. Environmental, social, health, and human right impact
assessments are never disclosed to the affected communities.
On
the labor issues, the project officials do not respect the
international norms. Local laborers are not prioritized, they are
marginalized and they cannot get suitable wages in time. No medical
service for them, the living shelters are very dirty and dire comparing
with the housing quarters of the Chinese workers who came from mainland
China. Protection of environment, human right and livelihoods of local
people are out of consideration. Skill jobs, minute case just like
drivers, are given to workers from China. Rakhine people hope the zone
will promote the development of the region but so far, china industrial
zone is becoming real threat to Rakhine coast and Rakhine people.
Now
in Sittway, nearly 100 miles away from Kyaukphyu, Kaladan River
multi-model Transit Transportation project is building. This India
project is to implement the look East Policy of India. It includes a
high way from Mizoram, one of the seven sister states of Northeast
India, to Rakhine state, dredging the Kaladan river, and building a sea
port. This is a splendid bridge of North East India’s landlocked states
to Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean. Just like the China project the fears
and concern are filling in the hearts of the local people. In both
projects, respect for the environment, respect for the interest of the
local people, and respect for the international norms on labor issues
are always missing.
People are pleased for any coming
projects because they hope that it can create job opportunity and
development. RNDP welcomes the development projects of any foreign
investments in Rakhine region. It will be beneficial to all three
parties: local people, central government and investors. But now, great
concern and impacts are in the heart of the local people of Rakhine.
India
and China are maneuvering for their interest in the Bay of Bengal. The
visit of President Obama has encouraged the democratization in Myanmar
and one other factor is to contain the Chinese influences in Myanmar
since the former is lagging behind China in the area of Bay of Bengal.
Presently, Rakhine has been becoming the strategic geo-political
location for competition of the three giant nations; China, India and
US.
RNDP does not want the Rakhine People to be victimized
by their own resources without enjoy any of the benefits in this
strategic gamble. Every power-sharing entity has to respect every
individual in Rakhine State – that is Democracy.
Myanmar
has started on the right track of democracy and reforms on politics,
economy and administration are echoing in Naypyidaw, in Yangon media
circle, especially in the stratum of upper middle class. International
assistance such as loans and foreign direct investments are beginning to
flow in. For the grassroots level in Myanmar and people from ethnic
areas are not enjoying such socio-political harvest in Burma but still
hoping for the concrete real change.
Parties and Organizations
For
a good democratization, one important factor is democratic political
parties. In Rakhine, RNDP, USDP and NLD are now major parties. Arakan
league for Democracy (ALD), the prominent party of 1990 election winning
11 seats registered and Rakhine people like to see the co-operation and
combination of two national parties to be a single party to complete
the NLD and USDP in coming 2015 election
RNDP is a nascent party
with poor experience, poor capacity, poor funding but people relies on
them for the change. USDP is financially strong but they do not get
popular support however extremely inefficient in public affairs
management. People think that NLD is very dull and not on their side in
communal violence, so the party popularity is decreasing in Rakhine.
ALP, Arakan Liberation Party which has taken up arms nearly 40 years for
the independence of Arakan, now signed an agreement for ceasefire with
the government and opened a liaison office in Kyauktaw. RNDP is bold and
initiative, always stepping forward in public affairs rather than other
democratic parties.
The journey has started. The speed of
the train, the completeness for the journey will depend on the
political will and dedication of the democratic leaders and the people
themselves. One point is sure that the reversible trend in democracy
cannot be allowed by the people.
I am not a scholar, just a
petty-politician of democracy transformed from an activist so there
will be subjectivity and flaws in my paper. I am happy to take comments
and criticisms.
Thank you All.
By U Oo Hla Saw
