Myanmar

To have Myanmar within ASEAN was always controversial.

Following new US sanctions on Myanmar, Singapore is also implicated as 3 companies - Pavo Trading Pte Ltd, Air Bagan Holdings Pte Ltd and Htoo Wood Products Pte Ltd under a certain Mr Tay Za who is a close associate to the ruling military junta, are registered or linked to Singapore.

It is no wonder that around the time of the new sanctions announced by dubya Bush, including another 4 companies with no relation to Singapore, Foreign Minister started visiting the Burmese Buddhist Temple along Balestier Rd and starting issuing statements.

Internationally, Singapore is also getting alot of flak for treating General Than Shwe in one of the top hospitals here. Can also remember that youtube videos of his daughter's wedding was leaked and caused much ruckus because of the opulence given the dismal state of the country. And rumour has it that Singapore is very much involved in a slew of "indiscretion" in terms of drugs and money laundering....


But I'm not into that.

Personally, moral suasion could be the best way to nudge Myanmar towards democracy. Inclusion is better than isolation. On what grounds can a nation, regional or international group influence Myanmar if sanctions and embargoes are the way to "break down barriers". Sanctions are ineffective unless a total blockade is in place. Western sanctions are Asian gains.

Coordinated actions within the immediate region will greatly aid this nudge.

Introducing imported education would be a way to plant seeds of sustained evolution within the nation. I can understand why Japan is considering reducing aid to the country following the death of Kenji Nagai but do not understand why they should consider reducing any form of grants or aids that can benefit the country as a whole and not the military junta. Education grants and money aids for schools for example. The future leaders should be educated so as to allow change to happen from within.

Witness the introduction of democracy in Iraq. Imported democracy is dangerous and disruptive. Not to mention often unwelcomed. There should be an anti-dumping law on imported democracy. Democracy, when dumped illegally in another economy, can have the same effects as any other commodity. It causes market distortion, hardship to the locals producers and eventually the consumers, bad for the country in the long run and eventually weakens the economy to a state where it becomes vulnerable.