April 18, 2016

Myanmar's Suu Kyi Vows to Amend Junta-Era Constitution

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi vowed Monday to push for constitutional amendments to build a true democracy in the Southeast Asian country as it emerges from decades of military control.

Suu Kyi made the comments in a nationally televised address to mark the start of the Buddhist new year, highlighting her hopes for the future and also the difficult tasks ahead for her new government.

"Our policies and principles are to ensure national reconciliation, internal peace, the rule of law, amendments to the constitution and keeping the democratic system dynamic," she said.

"The constitution needs to be one that will give birth to a genuine democratic union," she said. "We need constitutional amendments." (Courtesy of ABC News)

Suu Kyi talks federalism: Promises greater autonomy to Myanmar's minorities

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday vowed to press for greater autonomy for the nation's ethnic minorities, in an early move to soothe the rebellions roiling the country after her party's ascent to power.

The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on 1 April.

But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar's prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.

To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union," she said in a televised address marking Myanmar's New Year. (Courtesy of firstpost.com)

Myanmar`s Suu Kyi reaches out to rebels with federalism vow

Naypyidaw: Myanmar`s Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday vowed to press for greater autonomy for the nation`s ethnic minorities, in an early move to soothe the rebellions roiling the country after her party`s ascent to power.

The country has been swept up in optimism for a more peaceful and prosperous future since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power from the military on April 1.

But the democracy figurehead warned Myanmar`s prospects pivot on ending ethnic conflicts that have blistered the country since its independence in 1948.

To do so, the National League for Democracy government will seek "a real federal democratic union", she said in a televised address marking Myanmar`s New Year.

"Peace and a federal democratic union are closely intertwined and that`s why we need to change the constitution. The most important thing is national reconciliation."

They were Suu Kyi`s first major comments as "state counsellor" -- a role she took on following the handover from an army that dominated the country for 50 years.

The current charter, penned by the military in 2008, centralises power. (Courtesy of Zee News)

Arakan in Post 1000 AD

Before 10th century, Arakan was inhabited by Hindus. At that time Arakan was the gate of Hindu India to contact with the countries of the east. Morris Collis writes in his book "Burma under the iron heels of British" that the Hindu ruled Arakan from first century to 10th century. Hindu civilization and literature spread all over Arakan du'ring this long thousand years. After the vanishing of the Hindu civilization there still remain the names, Danyawadi, Ramawadi, Maygawadi and Dwarawadi, the four-Wadis given by Hindus. Temples built by Hindus, coins melted by Hindus and the stone inscriptions written by Hindus were still to be found in Arakan.

According to A.P. Phayre and G, E, Harvey, History of Burma state that: "The capital of Arakan Shiri Gupta hill is 20 miles north of Mrohaumg. Mahamatmuni Image (the Great Image of Lord Buddha) is on that hill. This place is older than Vesali. The place was established by Hindus. Mahamatmuni image was built by the king Sandathuriya (146-198 A. D.).There were Hindu gods around the image of Mahamatmuni. These images of gods indicated that Arakan was a Hindu land until 10th century. Those Hindus might be Bengalis. (Courtesy of Rohingya Blogger)