Rangoon University Convocation Hall

THE MOST FREQUENT QUESTION I GET FROM FOREIGNERS THESE DAYS IS: CAN AUNG SAN SUU KYI RULE? NO DOUBT THE NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE AND THE OPPOSITION LEADER HAS UNPARALLELED SKILLS. SHE HAS NUMEROUS GLOBAL ACCOLADES, INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL SUPPORTS. BUT THE RECENT ELECTION WIN OF HER PARTY, THE NLD, CALLS FOR A NEW LEVEL OF QUALIFICATIONS TO BE ABLE TO LEAD AN ELECTED CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT, LAST SEEN IN BURMA SINCE 1962.

IT'S A JOB most demanding of an activist-turned-politician. The job requires not only leading a civilian government but also cleaning up the mess former military governments left to rot in the country for several decades.

Aung San Suu Kyi seemed to realize even before the Nov 8 polls, winning elections is one thing and leading a government is another. Hence, she drew a clear line between politicians and technocrats, separating their careers in a way that best suits the situation.

After the elections, she told her elected representatives "not to fancy the posts of ministers and deputy ministers," and urged them to focus on what they actually do (making legislations). She also made it clear non-NLD member experts would be appointed in government.

However, it didn't necessarily mean she would avoid selecting all of the elected NLD representatives to work in government port-folios. Here, she would be selective. Key government posts still be held by the NLD members. She has made it clear that government will comprise experts, ethnic nationalities and women -- and if qualifications are equal, priorities would be given to technocrats.

So we can expect to see a diverse qualification background of new government leaders and technocrats. This would truly reflect a democratic Federal Union the NLD had envisaged since pro-democracy movements started in 1988. More importantly, the NLD government would have to make efforts doubly in order to spur the morbid economy in a shortest possible time. That wouldn't be an easy job -- without creating a lot more transparency and confidence.

It's clear Aung San Suu Kyi cannot do it alone. Neither the NLD can. For a paramount challenge like the Nov 8 election, she had to woo supporters to vote for the NLD, which won landslide in the polls due to overwhelming public support.

Now the opportunity is knocking on the door. She has to use this mandate carefully when leading the first truly-elected civilian government in half a century. The opportunity is historic and a turning point for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD to achieve on their 27-year of struggle: human rights and democracy. Adding on to their political conviction is the economic development, which is lacking completely until today. The economic development has to come together with democracy and they cannot be separated and come one after another.

So the question is which is first, "economy" or "democracy"? Easy answer is "both". Aung San Suu Kyi cannot afford to give priority to one over another. She has to bring it on together, at the same time.

The people want democracy. But they want to be free from poverty more. They voted for the NLD because they are convinced the NLD can restore democracy in the country. If there is democracy -- the rule of law if you like -- the economy will be improved.

So my answer to foreign friends is "yes"; she'll be able to make it even though there can be countless of challenges -- legislative wrangle, civil war, illicit drug trade, religious radicals, illegal land grabbing, labor welfare -- to name a few.

Why I can say "yes"? If you see what I see, you'll agree with me. She set out three objectives for the NLD to win elections: to amend the 2008 Constitution; to reach internal peace; and to establish rule of law. If the NLD government could work to achieve these goals, then it would end the current woes of the country. With Aung San Suu Kyi leading the new government, there's no reason to think why it can't do it.

@@@@@
©Winston NW. Dislike what I post? Write your comments to me. Postings are just my personal thoughts.