Lee Kuan Yew: Burma generals rather dumb

10 October 2007

Lee Kuan Yew: Burma generals rather dumb

Singapore's senior statesman Lee Kuan Yew believes the ruling generals of Burma are "rather dumb" when it comes to managing the country's economy and will not be able to survive indefinitely, a published interview said Wednesday.

However, the Army must be part of the solution to the problems facing the country, he said. If the Army is dissolved, all of Burma's administrative instruments will go with it, and the country will have nothing with which to govern itself.

Lee, Singapore's founding prime minister and currently minister mentor, spoke with a columnist from the University of California's Los Angeles Media Centre and a new-media expert from the University of Southern California.

The contents were published in The Straits Times.
"These are rather dumb generals when it comes to the economy," he was quoted as saying. "How they can so mismanage the economy and reach this stage when the country has so many natural resources?"

Lee said that Singapore hoteliers who sunk millions of dollars into Burma on his advice have now found their hotels empty.

He has tried to advise the generals to take Burma out of isolation, referring specifically to former junta member Khin Nyunt, who is currently under house arrest.

"He's the most intelligent of the lot," Lee said of Khin Nyunt, who as prime minister and head of military intelligence was once part of a troika in the military junta, but apparently fell out with the current regime chief Senior General Than Shwe and was stripped of his posts in 2004.

Lee said he could not understand how the generals could believe that they could let Burma remain isolated, adding that even medicines were being smuggled from Thailand.

Referring to recent excesses by the junta, Lee said that the rulers must have pushed "a hungry and impoverished" people to revolt. Among the excesses were moving to a new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, complete with expensive buildings.

"We will see how it is, but whatever it is, I do not believe that they can survive indefinitely," Lee said.

Source : Bangkok Post

3 comments:

Helz Cuppleditch said...

Dear Ka Daung Nyin Thar

The world pressure is starting to mount. It is good to see big companies, like Tiffanies and Cartier, boycotting Burmese goods.

I am so proud that these businesses are not waiting for sanctions, but are instead putting ethics and morals before profit and greed.

These actions are keeping the struggle and tyrony inflicted by the Junta in the headlines.

Some people have been sceptical that peaceful demonstrations and petitions do not work against bullies and murderers. But it is working and will continue to snowball.

Long live the teachings of Buddha.

Love and peace

Helz

Anonymous said...

Helz, did you read Mizzima news on MAI?

October 12, 2007 - The Myanmar Airways International suspended its flights after the London based insurance company put a stop to its insurance coverage till the end of October.

The London Market Aviation Insurer of MAI's lesser Lion Air gave a notice to Burma's state-run airlines. It was "due to the recent crisis in Myanmar" which forced suspension of MAI's Bangkok and Malaysia flights, said the statement issued today by the airline.

it sounds sweeter by the day and I hope more companies join us...

if you'd like to read the whole article the link is below... regards...

http://www.mizzima.com/MizzimaNews/News/2007/Oct/54-Oct-2007.html

Helz Cuppleditch said...

Hi Jeg

Yes I did see that, it's great news, thank you. I think more and more companies are getting the message.

Thanks also for your comment about my work a couple of weeks ago.

Love and peace

Helz