Page 23 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL13

As Myanmar changes, the public perception of the military is also shifting.“Let us not forget that Tatmadaw [the Myanmar Armed Forces] has been trying to open up too,” said Mr Ghosh. “They have drafted the road map since the early 2000s. They did not only draft the road map – they stuck to it.”The story of the Myanmar military’s transformation is one that rarely appears on the media radar. Internationally perceived as secretive, archaic and brutal, the junta realized in the late ’90s that the country needed to either open up or become a failed state. It was former leader Than Shwe who started a road map to reform in the early 2000s.Many political changes in Myanmar over the past decade were determined by the road map, such as moving the capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw and shifting towards a civilian-led government.While the military did step aside, there is still discord between it and the new government. After winning the election, the NLD created the new position of state counsellor for Suu Kyi. The constitution drafted by the military had barred any civilian with a foreign spouse from becoming president.“The military was concerned about their image. They wanted to avoid being seen in a negative light,” said Ms Robinson. “After all, the military got what it wanted. They have interaction with the Western world, which is quite precious to the military. They get assistance and joint military operations with Western countries.”The bad days of Myanmar look to be over. Foreign investment and improving standards of living will make soldiers accept the current arrangement. But what will the investment bring with it? The long-time Myanmar hands believe the country will keep its allure and continue to draw the world’s attention.“Myanmar can get under your skin,” said Ms Robinson. “It has various issues – politics, economics, extreme religion, military and rising democracy, ingredients that you cannot always find in other nations.”Narratives are shifting. The contest between the military and the civilian government may not involve bloody protests as much as strategic mind games in parliament and compromises in new legislation. The military still has the upper hand as the constitution gives it 25% of seats in parliament and three posts in security-related ministries. That will give them a strong presence in Myanmar’s burgeoning democracy.All nine seats in the Constitution Tribunal went to the NLD, however, and that might give civilian politicians the upper hand in disputes on constitutional matters.and foreign media already complain about the party’s lack of experience in communicating their policies. The party is controlled by one person, the iconic 71-year-old Suu Kyi.The Lady, as she has long been known, is no longer a media darling, now perceived more as secretive and autocratic. The civilian government might be releasing dissidents incarcerated by the junta, but it also passed legislation limiting freedom of peaceful protest, worrying many that the NLD might transform into a democratic dictatorship. It was also recently revealed that two NLD ministers exaggerated their qualifications.But these are small hiccups when compared to the great leap the country has taken. Mr Kavi believes Myanmar’s curious democracy will continue to inspire observers and neighbouring countries. He thinks the Lady will succeed.“Japan and other Western countries will not allow Suu Kyi to fail,” he said. “She carries the democratic aspirations of Asia.”And Myanmar’s success will be a very positive development for the region.But the NLD honeymoon period will soon end. LocalElite+ 21