Aung San Suu Kyi in the Vicinity

May 18, 2020

Aung San Suu Kyi in the Vicinity

Aung San Suu Kyi in the Vicinity

Contributed by Roland and Jerry (11 May 2020)

Roland was on a 2 days business trip to Rangoon, Burma more than 10 years ago. He managed to drive along University Avenue where Aung San Suu Kyi was held captive under house arrest at her home.

Aung San Suu Kyi was place under house arrest for a total of 15 years over a 21 years period, on numerous occasions (1989 to 1995, 2000 to 2002, 2003 to 2010) since she started her political career 24 September 1988 (National League for Democracy party). During her house arrest, she was prevented from meeting her party supporters and international visitors. She was finally released on 13 November 2010.

Roland remarked that “The news that we read in the earlier days were mainly supplied by the Western Media, who wanted to promote democracy everywhere. When I was there in Burma, more than 10 to 15 years, the Burmese people were happy going about their own ways of life. They were contented and find no need to adopt the modern way of life, which they may feel is stressful.

The avenue passing by 54 University Avenue, where Aung San Suu Kyi was staying is open to all. There were only 2 soldiers guarding a stop date at both end of the avenue. We read in the news about how the Burmese people were ill-treated but all these were false.

Jerry said that he was in Rangoon after it opened up, before the NLD won the Myanmar general elections (8 November 2015). This trip was from 6 May to 25 May 2012. This was after the NLD had won the Myanmar by-elections on 1 April 2020. In this trip, he visited Yangon, Mandalay, Kyaume, Hsipaw and Pyin O Win in the Shan State. He found that there were NLD office in every small town in Yangon. He even attended a fashion and swimwear show. Since then, he has yet to visit Yangon (also known as Rangoon) again.

Video:NLD Campaign Aung San Su Kyi

He said “Everyone that I talked to about Aung San Suu Kyi showed their fondness of her by holding up a photo of her. She was their patron saint.

Jerry recalled that he was forced to cancel an earlier trip because just a few days before his fly-off date, there was a student demonstration on the streets. At that time, Burma was just opened to tourists. He bought his airline ticket from an airline started by someone related to the junta. He received a refund when he went to cancel his ticket at their ticket office in Orchard Road.

Cinematic Portrayal of Aung San Suu Kyi

Beyond Rangoon (1995)