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Myanmar elections and democratization in Southeast Asia
The landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the Myanmar elections held on Nov
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The landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the Myanmar elections held on Nov. 8 marks a conquest for democracy. This is the NLD's second triumph since the military junta conducted general elections for the first time in 1990. However, in 1990, the junta did not cede power.
Two landslide victories within 25 years demonstrate the strong desire of the Myanmar people to embrace democracy.
Indeed, in 2011, responding to strong winds of change and international pressure, the current Myanmar president, Gen. (ret) Thein Sein, declared Myanmar a country open to democracy.
The NLD, led by 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, is now preparing to take office when President Thein's term ends in March 2016.
Myanmar's political changes remind us of the experiences of its Southeast Asian neighbors. In 1986 the Philippines saw people's power topple the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
Since the fall of Marcos, the Philippines has consistently organized peaceful, democratic elections.
Indonesia is the next example. The Asian financial crisis in 1998 led to the fall of Soeharto's authoritarian regime and to the rise of democracy.
The post-Soeharto era has brought about press freedom, although lately, laws controlling pornography and online sharing and transactions are endangering freedom of expression.
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Myanmar today is looking to emulate the young democracy of Indonesia.
Myanmar today is looking to emulate the young democracy of Indonesia. So many issues related to, among other things, human rights, the environment and ethnic and religious conflict suddenly emerged and needed to be solved.
Like Indonesia, which reserved legislative seats for the military in the transition period after the 1999 elections, Myanmar will maintain its military representation in politics by allocating to the military 25 percent of seats in both the lower and upper houses.
Considering Southeast Asian people's long-standing struggle for democracy, it is important to celebrate the peaceful and democratic elections in Myanmar.
The emergence of a new democracy can be taken as an extra push toward the development of a better society in the region because, despite weaknesses and limitations, a democratic system provides a greater chance for transparency and good governance.
For that reason, the success of the Myanmar elections deserves applause. The peaceful process is testament to the current government's goodwill to fulfill people's need for change.
Journalists from both domestic and foreign media outlets witnessed and experienced the tranquil proceedings, not only on election day but also during the campaign season.
Unfortunately, responses to Myanmar's achievement from certain neighboring countries have not been encouraging.
They have overlooked the strength of pro democracy forces and public enthusiasm in welcoming political changes in Myanmar.
Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy, should not hide behind the ASEAN doctrine of non-interference to justify its cautious response to the NLD's victory.
Congratulating the winning party should not be construed as denial of the ASEAN non-interference policy. Rather, an open offer congratulations to the NLD should be seen as a moral obligation and a sign of respect for democracy.
Of course, Myanmar's election process is not yet complete. The coming few months, up until March 2016, will be a critical time.
Those wishing for the military to repeat its annulment of the 1990 election results will take the opportunity to provoke undesirable acts.
Daw Suu Kyi has opted to keep her faith in the current government and military. A week before voting day, on Nov. 1, in her last round of election campaigning at a yard near the Thuwwanna Pagoda she won over around 10,000 NLD followers in red shirts with the statement, 'The Army is not our enemy. We must be able to collaborate with anyone, including them.'
In an interview with the Washington Post on Nov. 20, she insisted, 'Myanmar's political situation has changed now. Communication [with the government and the military] is better.'
She realizes that democracy will need national reconciliation to mature and survive. ASEAN people are learning a lot from Myanmar.
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The writer is the journalism development program manager at the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). The views expressed are his own.
