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Organization: Forum for Democracy and Human Rights
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Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 16:01:44 +0000
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Malaysia to introduce air services to Myanmar
>From V. Jayanth
Singapore, Aug 15: In what is considered to be rebuff to the pro-democracy movement led by Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysia on Tuesday decided to introduce its air services to Myanmar by November 18, when the Visit Myanmar year begins.

Though the Malaysian Airlines is not the first regional carrier to introduce services to Myanmar, its decision to time it for the visit Myanmar year come as a personal triumph of the military junta. Ms. Suu Kyi has appealed to foreign tourists to boycott the visit Myanmar year, as a mark of solidarity with the Burmese people in their struggle for democracy.

The decision to launch the MAS connection with Yangon was announced after a meeting of two Transport ministers in Kuala Lumpur today, the second day of a five-day visit by a high-power Myanmar delegation lad by its prime minister, senior gen. than shwe.

Gen. than shwe has appealed to Malaysian investors to participate in the development of Myanmar and highlighted the opportunities available for them. In particular, he has mentioned the building of two international airports and the development of sea ports.

Besides attending a meeting of the Malaysian chamber, the Myanmar leader had a detailed discussion with Malaysian deputy prime minister and finance minister, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysian officials said the delegation expressed interest in adopting the market-oriented economy as practised in Malaysia and also the system of building racial harmony.

The two countries have decided to cooperate more closely in both railways and maritime sectors as well. The Myanmar delegation spent some time touring the new Kuala Lumpur international airport under construction in a 100 sq. km area, well out of the city. Gen. than shwe also visited the massive Proton car factory in Malaysia, which manufactures different models of big and small cars in collaboration with both Japanese and European producers.

It was generally agreed that Malaysia should try to relocate some of its lobour-intensive units in Myanmar part of its development plan. The potential for a significant increase in bilateral trade was also emphasised.
 
The two Foreigner Minister, Mr. Abdullah Badawi and Mr. Ohn Gyaw, had detailed review of bilateral relations and developments on the ASEAN front. Kuala Lumpur has suggested that Myanmar should try to joy ASEAN by next year itself, if possible Yangon has responded positively, but said it would like to joy as soon as it was possible and ready Mr. Ohn Gyaw again outlined the junta's policy and approach to the question of national reconciliation. On the future role of Ms. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy, he stuck to his stand that the platform for dialogue was the national convention that was drafting the new constitution. He said: ''those who tied the knot must untie it," meaning that the National League for Democracy which walked out of the convention, should return to it and create the climate for reconciliation and its participation.
The only inkling of any interest that Malaysia showed in political process of Myanmar was during the interaction between the visitors and Mr. Anwar Ibraham. The process of drifting the constitution figured in these discussions but, of course, officials would not elaborate on the context of the deliberations.
National League for Democracy sources in yangoon expressed disappointment at the reluctance of the ASEAN countries in trying to persuade the military junta to see reason and transfer power to a civilian authority. They pointed to Ms. Suu Kyi 's plea that the will of the people and their verdict cannot be ignored or brushed aside. Any country waiting to insult the people and interested only in the short term economic gains offered by the military regime could not bring any good or benefit to the Myanmarese, the sources argued.  
NCGUB
New Delhi Office
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