SINGAPORE - Despite the wave of political and economic reforms that Myanmar is
undergoing, skepticism remains over whether its government might return to its
rogue ways.
But panellists at the 5th ASEAN
and Asian Forum - which was held here yesterday - were unanimous in agreeing
that the reforms were here to stay.
The panel, organised by the
Singapore Institute of International Affairs, comprised United States
Ambassador to Singapore David Adelman, Yoma Strategic Holdings Chairman Serge
Pun and Dr Mely Caballero Anthony, who heads the S Rajaratnam School of
International Studies Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies.
During the discussion on engaging
Myanmar, the panellists were optimistic that the reforms, while a work in
progress, are sustainable in the long term. Foreign investors eyeing Myanmar's
rich natural resources and frontier market potential will continue to provide
the economic incentives for its opening, they said.
The leadership of Myanmar
President Thein Sein - who initiated the reforms - would also remain pivotal in
directing and implementing the changes, they added.
Mr Serge Pun, a Myanmar national,
said: "Thein Sein is respected because his principle is almost abnormal
compared to those around him. If you look at what he has achieved in the eight
months since he took office, you will agree that the reforms are not simply old
wine rebottled."
Mr Adelman also noted that Mr
Thein Sein has been successful in communicating the administration's will and
policies to all parties, including the opposition led by democracy icon Aung
San Suu Kyi.
While the reforms have ushered
warmer ties between Myanmar and the West, human rights issues persist - such as
reports of killings carried out by Myanmar security forces against Rohingya
Muslims - and on the business front, the country, which will chair ASEAN in
2014, still lacks financial and credit infrastructures.
The panellists reiterated that
these issues must be addressed with full external support, such that the
reforms do not lose momentum.
Wong Wei Han
Business & Investment Opportunities
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