Saturday, October 06, 2007

Burmese in Singapore swing into Activism Rapidly

I am not really surprised but what I observed so far is indeed impressive.

Burmese had been in Singapore for years but very quiet and inactive all these time. However, when their homeland are in crisis they act fast and LEARN fast. They are much more wiser and courageous than Singaporeans in this aspect.

In the past 10 days or so after 100,000 Burmese monks marched and junta cracked down, I met many Burmese people. This gave me a new perspective and opportunity to observe them. They are impressive, and they changed my entire impression of them in the past 10 days.

Burmese laborers; students; professionals; and Burmese spouses of Singaporeans etc. Came out to act in many necessary ways needed by their homeland crisis. They are finding organizations; functions; actions and collaborating with Singaporeans.

The latest evidence in this CNA news:


Myanmar nationals pray for peace and national reconciliation back home
SINGAPORE: Emotions ran high as some 420 Myanmar nationals in Singapore gathered at a prayer service to pray for peace and national reconciliation back home.

A song about freedom and democracy kicked off the two-and-a-half-hour service at the Excelsior Hotel on Saturday.

The song summed up what many felt in their hearts and it opened the floodgate of emotions.

Myo, a member of the organising committee, said: "That's all we want, that's our common goal - to achieve peace and justice for Myanmar. And to do that, we cannot achieve it in one day or within one month. We don't know how long it will take. It will be a long term battle, but we are determined to fight until the end."

About a dozen monks, including a nun from the Burmese Buddhist Temple, were also present to pray for those suffering in Myanmar.

And, they spoke against the military-led government's treatment of monks who participated in the peaceful protests.

Their speeches drew both tears and applause from those gathered at the event.

A minute's silence was also observed to pay tribute to those killed during the Myanmar crackdown.

Organisers of Saturday's gathering said more of such event will be held.

They also hope to have their Overseas Burmese Patriot Club officially registered soon.

The club, with some 3,000 members now, could be set up in various countries to unite the people and to better engage governments.

Organisers are also looking to the international community, particularly the UN, to help solve the crisis.

Edward, a member of the organising committee, said: "Singapore is now having the chair of the ASEAN, so we will urge or persuade Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and also MM Lee or Senior Minister Goh, everybody, to put their weight to see to the situation in Burma (former name of Myanmar)."

Over the past two weeks, the organisers have collected some 4,000 signatures for a petition, which they hope can be submitted to the UN Security Council in November, timed to coincide with the UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari's next visit to Myanmar for more peace talks.

Their petition calls for the UN Security Council to take decisive actions to restore peace in Myanmar. - CNA/ir


From my observations I believe that Burmese people will be free from their oppressive military junta sooner than we the Singaporeans could get freedom from famiLEE LEEgime. Singaporeans are too afraid; too limited; too slow and too dependent. The education of LEEgime put all the wrong qualities in the Singaporean people, making the people probably the best slave materials in the world.

We are aware that there so many Singaporeans overseas, however, we are not able to see overseas Singaporeans doing much about Singapore with the use of their better freedom outside red dot. And this is exactly what I am seeing Burmese in Singapore doing for Burma right now. Goh Chok Tong had called these overseas Singaporeans QUITTERS. I think he can not call these Burmese in Singapore QUITTERS, because they are so different.

Sammyboymod Thread URL