SLORC (NLM): "Taking Refuge..."

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Article by Byatti: "Taking Refuge Under a Htamein To Escape Prosecution" 
in Burmese government daily KYEMON, July 14, 1996,  p. 5

[Translated from the Burmese] 

Begin text:  

Fabrications by foreign broadcasting stations experienced in propaganda
seem true, although they are not, and it is hard to judge whether they
are good or we are ignorant. During its 2100 broadcast on July 8, a
foreign-funded Burmese language program from Norway carried fabricated
new about elected representatives during their tailored Burmese news 
program.

The Norway station concocted fabrications that the SLORC [State Law and
Order Restoration Council] government, which has been condemned for
arresting and imprisoning elected representatives of the National League
for Democracy [NLD], has now resorted to pressuring NLD elected
representatives to resign. It also reported that 16 NLD elected
representatives have resigned since the mass arrest in May. I would like
to disclose some food for thought. At a time when the Medawgyi
[derogatory reference to Aung San Suu Kyi], the founding mother of the
NLD, was bragging about catching elephants and tigers, some semiliterate
elected representatives joined in, but some conscientious elected
representatives struggled free from the contaminated party of their own
volition. Some cited age and health reasons, while some clearly
expressed their disinterest in party politics. The actions of the
elected representatives have hurt the Medawgyi, who angrily and
shamelessly reported in public that the resignations were without the
party's approval and the consent of the electorate. In other words, it
was the Medawgyi's attempt to make party members and sympathizers
belittle those elected representatives who had resigned. While the
Medawgyi was being provocative, foreign broadcasting stations alleged
that the resignations were because of the SLORC's pressure, coercion,
and threats. The answer was clear. Though the answer was clear, I became
confused when I heard from the Norway station about Dr. Myo Nyunt, the
NLD elected representative from Dedaye Township constituency. I found
out the truth, however, after investigating political circles. According
to the broadcast from Norway, Dr. Myo Nyunt fled to avoid SLORC's
pressure. His wife was threatened by SLORC to entice him to resign. His
drug license was revoked, he was under economic pressure, and revoking
his drug license in food scarce Myanmar [Burma] was akin to sentencing
him to starvation. The broadcast also alleged that it was the SLORC's
attempt to destroy his livelihood. Innocent people, after hearing this
news, would think the news seemed true and would feel doubtful. The
actual incident was as follows: Acting on a tipoff that Dr. Myo Nyunt,
the elected representative from Dedaye Township Constituency-1 who
resides at No. 67-B, Sethmu 1st Road, Myittanyunt Ward, Tamwe Township,
was producing unlicensed medicines, a combined team--the Tamwe township
medical officer, township general administration officer and his deputy,
one police officer from the township police precinct, and the chairman
of the ward law and order restoration council--searched his house on 24
June 1996. They found out that he was producing and selling: Digar
B-Plex [name rendered in English] Vitamin B complex tablets; Digarton BP
Tablets [namerendered in English] antihistamine tablets; Mom [name
rendered in English] anti-gas tablets; and Paracetamol [name rendered in
English] tablets.  After required interrogations, his wife revealed that
the medicines were produced without a license. Therefore, responsible
authorities booked Dr. Myo Nyunt at the Tamwe police precinct on 26 June
under "Section 18/19 of the National Drugs Law." Dr. Myo Nyunt, who is
an artful dodger and afraid to bear the consequences, disappeared. In
old horror movies, [actress] Daw Mya Lay transformed into a vulture when
she covered herself with her htamein [lady's sarong]. Now elected
representative Dr. Myo Nyunt, who turned into a vulture after covering
himself with a pasoe [man's sarong], has also freely flown to an estate
on the banks of Inya Lake. What an idea! The Devi lady of the house also
accepted him casually. Madam Myo Nyunt [derogatory reference] contacted
the Devi lady of the house and was informed that her ladyship was busy
in the garden--not mowing the lawn, picking up leaves, or sweeping--and
he was told to call 530365 for further contact. This is the truth about
the incident, unlike what the Norway station blurted out. Why does an
elected legislator want to produce illicit drugs? If legal action is
taken against producing illicit liquor, what more should be taken
against illicit drugs. Who will vouch for the drugs' potency? Who will
suffer if the medicine proves fatal? Should Dr. Myo Nyunt be practicing
alchemy? The allegation that sentencing Dr. Myo Nyunt to starvation by
simply revoking his drug license is a joke because the least he could do
is beg, and there is no way he is going to starve. Dr.  Myo Nyunt has
the right to argue "I am not a beggar to be begging. I am a doctor." 
Remember, however, he took shelter at the commonwealth estate. If the
elected representative doctor feels he is right and can provide evidence
to clear up the matter, then he need not flee but should settle the
matter legally to show respect for the legal system. Those who have
accepted him should also do what is required if they respect the law. In
comparison, I would like to report on another elected representative. 
Everyone is aware that authorities called all NLD elected
representatives for interrogation last May. Accordingly, U Sai Myint
Aung, an advocate and NLD elected representative from Lashio Township
Constituency-1, was taken from a hotel in Muse. In relation to that
matter, it was reported that authorities shut down that hotel for six
months as a penalty for accepting the elected representative as a guest.
This matter also caused skepticism among the listeners.  Coincidently, I
came across an ex-politician in early June who had returned from a
business trip from Muse who also told me about that matter. When I
phoned his workplace and inquired about the closure of the hotel, he
replied that the hotel was not closed and that he himself was a guest at
the "Kyaw Kyaw" hotel. Meanwhile, the elected representative had already
returned home. The Norway station tried to fabricate exaggerations,
saying that the hotel closure was to discourage entrepreneurs from
associating with elected representatives. How strange.  Elected
representatives are not monsters, demons, and ogres for the people to
dissociate from. Dissociation by the people because of their character,
pride, and egotism does not concern the SLORC.  Whatever it may be, in
the hearts of some elected representatives they believe in doing what
they want, letting things happen as they please, and that they will get
away with violating the law if they take shelter under the htamein at
the commonwealth estate. Dr. Myo Nyunt, the fleeing elected
representative, practically proved the saying: "Taking refuge under a
htamein to escape prosecution." 

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