On behalf of the People’s Justice Party (KeADILan), I would like to wish Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – “Happy Birthday, despite the outrageous circumstances of her being under indefinite house arrest.

Once again, I wish to reaffirm KeDILan’s commitment to campaigning for her release and for the liberation of Burma from the hands of the military junta.

Despite the rhetoric of the ASEAN governments who speak often of democracy and freedom, we continue to turn a blind eye to the people in Burma who live under military dictatorship.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Burma’s entry into ASEAN, sponsored by the Malaysian government; and it is without doubt our biggest shame.

Constructive engagement has proven to be a total failure. Chastising, even denying the Burmese military junta the chairmanship of ASEAN, has only produced marginal results. Everyday, more refugees arrive at the borders of Malaysia to escape political persecution.

It is time ASEAN takes stronger measures against Burma and ASEAN governments must lead the way on international sanctions against Burma. There appears to be no other way in resolving this conundrum.

We expect nothing less than to see a free Suu Kyi, celebrating her next birthday in a free Burma.

Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
President, People’s Justice Party (KeADILan)
Member of Parliament, Malaysia
Vice-Chair, Malaysian Parliamentary Caucus for Democracy in Myanmar (Burma)