Comments

  1. Jessie says:

    I live in Myanmar and I am frightened by the hatred I have observed this past week, amongst local Buddhist friends and respected human rights advocates alike.

    The hatred so many Myanmar people are throwing at Muslims these days will only fuel any radicalization trend, which puts the whole world at greater risk. Which came first for these fringe groups, their miserable, oppressed lives or their extremism?

    As an American, I have lived through the actual experience of terrorist attack. We had to learn that tolerance, education, and respect were our best defenses. For every act of retaliation against Muslim Americans, there were thousands of acts of peace. The majority of us disagreed with the ensuing wars that followed in Afghanistan and Iraq, which we knew could not be won.

    Some may claim that our powerful military defense and intelligence have protected our country from subsequent outside attacks, but I believe it is our day to day tolerance and coexistence that have prevented racial and ethnic divisions in our society from deepening. I wish I could say the same for Myanmar.

  2. Nodoubt says:

    Thank you Sai Latt for giving us a fairly objective and balanced update on the situation developing in the Rakhine state based on observations of ‘netizens’ attitude. Some of the comments posted here clearly supports some of the points Sai is making. I find it very saddening and disturbing to see many so called human right/democratic activists keeping quiet on this very tense issue and failing to take a principled stand against clearly racist attitudes toward the Rohingyas. Irrespective of ones position in considering whether the Rhoingyas should be considered ‘fake’ or part of Myanmar ethnic group, attempts at dehumanizing a whole community of people is clearly racist. Above all many of the so called ‘scientific approach’ to classifying human ethnicity during European colonialism has been shown over all over again as arbitrary and often planting the seed of later ethnic violence and genocide- think Rwanda.

    Anyway some of the comments posted here clearly supports Sai’s observation regarding internet hysteria and open racism. Of course many of these comments are comparable to the yellow Royalists seeing their fellow Red Thais as water buffaloes and not deserving to be of equal human status, or back to the Rwanda case the infamous ‘tutsi cockroaches.’

    Obviously all concerned people should stop adding more fuel to an already almost out-of-control flame, but let’s call what’s happening in Rakhine what it is, a classic communal violence brought about by ignorance, bigotry, and above all poverty and social frustration.

  3. Anthony says:

    I’m sorry, but you paint a thoroughly miserable and in some cases inaccurate picture of Phnom Penh. Pretty much everything you’ve written could have been dragged off the BBC’s equally depressing outlook of Cambodia. Try looking a bit harder for the good things and blog about those – or is your intention to dissuade people from visiting Cambodia so you can enjoy it and all its magic for yourself, in which case I salute your effort!

  4. Aung Moe says:

    Here is that evidence from US Embassy in Rangoon!

    http://hlaoo1980.blogspot.com/2011/11/rohingyas-and-al-qaeda-islamic.html

  5. Aung says:

    The author’s assertion that there is no organization behind Rohingya is not
    correct. OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries), a rich man club, is the main sponsor behind Rohingya activists and apologists. See how they have mingled together below:

    [1] Rohingyas, Harn Yawnghwe [a prominent Shan activist], and Fraudulent Claims?
    http://hlaoo1980.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/rohingyas-harn-yawnghwe-vested.html

  6. Aung Moe says:

    BY cleverly using a Shan-Burmese sounding Pseudonym like Sai Latt instead of his real name (most likely a Muslim one) the author has portrayed himself as an un-biased and fair-minded analyst and then put out this false analysis basing on internet gossips (one of the rapist-murderers of Khin Thida Htwe is a Buddhist Yakhine) and other Bengali-Muslim innuendos.

    The author probably is the one working for that Canadian Anti-Burma group calling themselves ADDB (Associates to Develop Democratic Burma) and now taking petrol dollars from OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) by agreeing to sell part of Arrakan state to Bangli-Muslims (so-called Rohingyas).

    He could even be working directly for that notorious Shan traitor Harn Yawnghwe who is the leading man in selling that part of Arrakan (the Butheedaung-Maungdaw District) to the OIC to establish a so-called Rohingya County of Bangladesh and advocating the OIC to directly fund the Muslim invasion of our Burma.

    Burmese-German citizen Aung Than Oo of FBE (Forum for Burmese in Europe) has exposed that Harn Yawnghwe for who he really is in his detail report at this link.

    http://hlaoo1980.blogspot.com/2011/10/rohingyas-harn-yawnghwe-vested.html

  7. Aung says:

    I have argued earlier that this invasion of Northern Burma by mass illegal immigration and sophisticated media handling methods, that is playing the
    “under-dog” game which aim to beg donors as well as to bag sympathies.
    I will provide what made me reach that conclusion.

    Danish government refugee agency made a field survey and they have sought advice of Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Dhaka University, Bangladesh [1]. In our opinion, it is alike asking the fox to guard the hen. I am sure when your country is shrinking as it is sinking undersea, and exploding with high growth population, you will make sure your countrymen to get a new place to stay, perhaps in less populated Burma. So that report adopted heavily the documents of Refugee International, cousin of HRW, RI is be under the control of some Islamists as the son of the president of RI has fallen for Jihadist cause[4].

    But what is more interesting, to support the assertion that Professor Ahmed is working with Bangladesh Strategic Think Tank, a government organization, perhaps for the interest of Bangladesh [2]. Another sinking nation Maldives has been asking Australia to allow the resettlement of their people. However, for Bangladesh cannot afford to offer the financial incentives like the PM of Maldives did to Australia, their only alternative is to acquire some land space for her survival [3]. I respect Professor Ahmed and other Rohingyar activists for their love for their co-ethnic brothers but I also need to protect the interests of my Burmese brothers. That made us taking time to comment here.

    References:

    [1] New to Denmark, Danish Immigration, Fact Finding Report about Rohingya, 2011
    http://www.nyidanmark.dk/NR/rdonlyres/B08D8B44-5322-4C2F-9604-44F6C340167A/0/FactfindingrapportRohingya180411.pdf [accessed 11 Junt 2012]

    [2] Professor Ahmed work with Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies
    http://www.biiss.org/asia.pdf

    [3] Maldive leaders suggest to move Maldive to Australia
    http://www.popsci.com.au/science/population-of-the-maldives-could-move-to-australia

    [4] A plan to sneak terrorist linked Rohingya refugees into United States using tax payer money
    http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/state-department-notes-linkage-of-rohingya-to-terrorist-group/

  8. Able Aung says:

    Sai

    I suggest that before u advice Australian government about to engages with Burma on human rights issues, the very first step should be supporting peace education programs through Australian gov itself. 🙂

    who said >>>>>>>

    ‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.’

    ‘This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’

    ‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!’

    ‘Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.’

    ‘We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.’

    ‘This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,

    ‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’.’

    ‘If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.’

    Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American and Canadian citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths. <<<<<<

    1) Burmese gov never force to learn Burmese language to those people.

    2) And didn't ask any question about what they belief.

    3) Never invite to come like ur Ausi gov.

    4) Burmese gov allow those people to go anywhere when they have proper documents but never put on an island. 🙂

    5) people call them "boat people" because of they sail to other better place to get freedom from Burmese gov abuse But why their population is rapidly grow?

    We should not have double standards. Please do more some homework before writing about "Intolerance".

    btw, Many thx for Australian Aid recently give by @BobjCarr to Burmese people and schools. We will always remember ur Australian Aid.

    I'm afraid that this good relationship between Burmese and Australian People will be spoil just because of ur paper.

    Thx for ur understanding.

  9. Ohn says:

    Appealing, simple, descriptive, “snazzy” catchphrase is perhaps best way to incite or mobilize a mob. Not just naming them, simply describing would suffice as well.

    Burmese communist called the monks parasites before urging the public to kill them. All extremism, it seems, calls for ablution of blood.

    But other “milder” forms are daily found everywhere for the purpose of control on the behaviour of the mob.

    McDonald’s “I am lvoing it”, KFC’s “I like it like that.” Loreal’s “Because you are worth it” are all effective mind benders if not so gory.

  10. Sabai sabai says:

    Nicely written entry. Care to offer a new perspective on where you see such rhetoric being applied elsewhere in mainland Southeast Asia?

  11. Nobody says:

    Guys Im sure we can agree that Thaksin should be chraged with a bunch of things. However, are Abhisit and Suthep going to have to face a little justice too? How about al those who conduct coups and overthrow the system. Right now we see a legislature being hauled in front of a court on allegations they may have intent to overthrow the system, and yet neither court nor media see the obvious joke that those who did it with evidence to show get off with impunity.

    It is only going to end in tears if only Thaksin gets prosecuted while others wander around free. Either everyone gets amenstied or everyone gets charged and goes through a fair and free court system that the people of the country have faith in, and we have to bear in mind that last time the people’s faith in the constitutional court was polled 57% had none.

    Lots of issues here for the Thai people to resolve in a way that is acceptable to them.

  12. […] two long-oppressed peoples in an area rich in oil and gas reserves. This analysis by B. Raman and this by Sai Latt are helpful in better understanding what is […]

  13. […] Intolerance, Islam and the Internet in Burma today in New […]

  14. Aung says:

    The reason US does not let in those Jihadist Rohingyas is simply because US Department of State has already learned that 50,000 of Rohingyas are trained terrorists. See here for yourself

    [1] US State Department Countries Report on Terrorism – 2008
    http://www.wontharnu.com/index.php/article/104-us-state-department-countries-report-on-terrorism-2008

    [2] State Department Notes Linkage of Rohingya to Terrorist Group
    http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/state-department-notes-linkage-of-rohingya-to-terrorist-group/

  15. Aung says:

    For Rohingya activists (you are one of them), apologists (you are ignoring that those illegal immigrants are now killing our people in Maung Daw), appeasers (you are one of naive, gullible stupid people or a sell-out). Here are the steps to learn a hard fact yourself that you do not exist and some of your ancestors have fabricated or you yourselves are conspirating in it, we understand you, you need land for your people. We will do the same if our country is sinking.
    Anyway, it is easy to follow, not rocket science:

    1) Go to The National Archives of UK http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

    2) Go to Search, then Advanced Search, use “Rohingyar” as a keyword
    British are very good in archiving. They meticulously archive their records and their colonial ones. We were their colonial subjects. They ruled Burma, from 1824 (first Anglo-Burman war) to 1947 (till we gain independence). So if Rohingya as a race existed as you claim, British would have recorded. That is the logic here. Refute me if you can. For example, if you search with keyword “Aung San”, you will find archives for years prior to 1947. Using induction logic, if you cannot find any archive with “Rohingya” before 1950. Then you know you are duped or you are trying to dupe us.

    3) I searched, I found none, the earliest archive with Rohingya is dated 1991.
    This made me claim that “Rohingya is a fabricated race”. It does not exist. Period!

  16. Vichai N says:

    Oooops. I didn’t realize that Hoyt, like Spooner, and many others at NM winking at the “Thaksin misdemeanors” are in fact “no Thaksin lover”. Sorry . . . honest mistake.

    But I guess if Hoyt and Spooner are ‘not lovers or friends of Thaksin’, they must not be ‘true Reds’ either. Is there at least one NM reader who will not be embarrassed or humiliated to admit that he/she ‘loves Thaksin’?

    But Hoyt said: ” . . I would love to see him (Thaksin) actually charged with the crimes I am sure he has committed not a bunch of silly misdemeanors.” Well Hoyt please do tell what those ‘Thaksin crimes he has committed that he should be charged’ are. Because personally this Abhisit-loving Vichai believes those ‘silly misdemeanors’ that Thaksin had been convicted of, and many others pending (including: policy corruption, electoral fraud, terrorism, Rachadipisek land deal, tax issues, etc.), committed while he was Thailand’s Prime Minister mind you, could NOT be easily dismissed as ‘silly’ or ‘misdemeanors’.

    Please do tell Hoyt what those ‘Thaksin crimes he has committed that he should be charged’ are . . . you believe more heinous than those pending ‘silly misdemeanors’.

  17. Marteau says:

    Leah Hoyt #69. Would you regard it as acceptable if he admitted that he tried to pay a bribe of 2 million to move a court date then? If that were indeed the case, how much was he offering to get acquitted? The problem might have been that his stinginess prevented him from offering to pay the larger amounts in cash and his offer of jam tomorrow was regarded as an acceptable credit risk by prudent judicial gentlemen. I wonder what compensation the two donut box lawyers were paid for actually serving six months in the slammer for the Boss. One of them was apparently very generous in providing free legal advice to other prisoners.

  18. Qing Minya says:

    This article is not true at all.
    1. The so-called Rohingyas are never an ethnic minority of Myanmar.
    2. There isn’t human right violation on them.
    3. There is Rohingya invasion in Arakan State.
    4. Rohingyas are not pathetic stateless ethnic minority.
    5. They are criminals and terrorists.
    6. They rape our women, kill our men, destroy our pagodas and destroy our houses.
    7. Rohingya advocates who are well-sponsored by Arab nations are lobbying them into Myanmar.
    8. They publish deliberately-deceptive stories of Rohingyas being killed on Arakan land.
    9. The truth is Rohingyas are killing the civilians of Myanmar.

  19. Kyaw says:

    I’ve got to say, I am surprised at the tone of Eleven Media Group’s coverage.

    If this whole situation wasn’t so sickening I’d laugh at their pledge to “continue presenting the most reliable news for the benefits of the State and the public. Foreign media such as the BBC and the AFP should mention exactly that Bengali Rohingyas are not involved in Myanmar national ethnics. The reporting on Myanmar ethnic affairs should be accurate to avoid racial violence.”

    The whole thing reeks of xenophobia and nationalism. Their intolerance extends not only to Rohingya but also the merest hint of criticism from the “skyful liars” in the foreign media.

    http://eversion.news-eleven.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=583:emg-objects-to-article-of-new-york-times-correspondent&catid=42:weekly-eleven-news&Itemid=109

  20. Krom says:

    well done Chris, all the best from Krom