Dear friends,

Asia is currently the fastest growing region in the world, and is
estimated to remain so for many decades to come. Many people have
called this time that we live in the Asian Century, and we are only 7
years into the century. If the predictions of the world's prominent
statesmen, bankers, economists and entrepreneurs are correct, what we
shall see over the next few decades is continuous growth in Asian
economies, fueled primarily by China and India, as well as
technological advancement led by China, India, Japan and the Asian
tigers. However, the booming economy needs to be sustained by social
and political stability, not just nationally but regionally as well. A
united Korea, an integrated and progressive ASEAN, an economically
strong India, and a socially reformed China are all good reasons to
pursue democracy in Asia.

Democracy will keep the booming Asia in pace with the West socially.
In turn, Asian economy will create opportunities to many people across
the globe, especially to businesses and investors in the West. The
recent violence ignited by the Burmese military government has raised
concerns from world leaders about the democracy process in the nation.
In this short essay, I hope to highlight the areas where the military
junta has failed or fared badly, in addition to its political
oppression tactics, which have already invited worldwide criticisms.

[Corruption]

Corruption is a form of injustice to the people. The 2007 report of
Transparency International lists Myanmar, which ties with Somalia, as
the most corrupt government in the world. Already, it is a heavy
burden to be poor, but people living in highly corrupt countries face
even more intense hardship. In Myanmar, where corruption and poverty
intersect, people are desperately poor. Suppression of the civil
society, forced labour and bribery are all tell-tale signs of
corruption in Myanmar.

[Poverty]

Endowed with abundant natural resources and fertile land, Myanmar
should be one of Asia's most prosperous countries. However, corruption
and government mismanagement have placed it among the 20 poorest
countries in the world. Myanmar has a per capita income of $200, 10
times less than its neighbour Thailand. Some 90% of the population
live on $1 a day, many people go without regular food and electricity.
Unemployment rate is 10% and inflation is high, in particular the
ruling military junta increased fuel prices by 500% in August this year.

A recent report on BBC reveals that poverty is driving thousands of
Burmese to find work outside their home country:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7033663.stm

[Health, disease and drugs]

Corruption, poverty and weak public health structures have denied many
people in Myanmar the most basic health care services. The worsening
economic situation of affected families lowers Burmese children's
health and nutrition rates, which are already among the lowest in
Asia. More than one million children are malnourished, 9% to 12% of
them severely so. The infant mortality rate in Myanmar is 66, higher
than the world's average of 49. In addition, inadequate sanitation and
water treatment are also contributing to disease. The life expectancy
in Myanmar is 62.1 years, which is at 10% below the world's average of
67.2 years.

Myanmar remains one of the most serious HIV epidemic centers in
south-east Asia. It has the third highest adult HIV prevalence rates
in the region, following Cambodia and Thailand. HIV in Myanmar is
mostly spread by injecting drug use and risky sex. HIV prevalence
among sex workers and IDUs are 32% and 43% respectively.
Antiretroviral therapy was introduced in 2005, but only 3% of HIV/AIDS
patients currently receive such treatment. In 2005, the Global Fund
terminated a US$98m grant after Myanmar government restricted the
travel of its staff.

After Afghanistan, Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of
opium. The World Drug Report 2006 reveals Myanmar annual prevalence of
opiates abuse at 0.7%, which is one of the highest in Asia.

[Environment]

Myanmar faces serious environmental problems. Two-thirds of its
tropical forests had been eliminated by 1994. The smuggling of
teakwood is the major cause of deforestation. Teak forests that have
provided livelihoods for many ethnic minorities are still being
rapidly destroyed by Thai loggers, causing floods and landslides. The
military government has allowed massive logging and the construction
of gas pipelines and other development projects, which continue to
cause serious damage to the environment. Many endangered animal and
plant species are facing extinction as a result of the junta's mining
and logging policies, and pipeline and dam projects. Uncontrolled
fishing by foreign companies to whom the junta gave fishery
concessions has led to the impoverishment of the people from whole
villages who depend on this activity as their only sustenance. The
government's ban on public discussion of environmental issues and
punishing those who try to question its policies only further
increased the environmental woes while deepening the generals' pockets.

[Terrorism]

Terrorism is a global threat. Containment of terrorism requires both
national effort and international cooperation. The military junta's
action on peaceful protesters in the past two weeks is condemned by
world leaders and citizens as unacceptable, inhumane and a violation
of human rights, and likened to terrorist acts by the outside world.
By isolating itself from the world and failing to unite the Burmese
people under its doctrine of cruelty and brutality, the military
regime puts the country at risk of potential import of fundamentalism
and terrorist attacks.

[Conclusion]

It is long overdue the Myanmar government hands over the governance of
the country to its people. It is long overdue that the Myanmar
military releases Aung San Suu Kyi, who was democratically elected
leader of the nation 20 years ago. It is long overdue that the Burmese
people are treated with dignity, that their voices are heard and their
choices respected.

I hope the military generals now running the country listen to the
will of the people, allow democracy in the country, hand over their
powers and end the dictatorship.

Thank you.

metta,
Yong Peng.