George Yeo Is Mistaken About Burma's History

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George Yeo is mistaken about Burma’s

history
Tuesday, 4 August 2009, 7:56 am | 2,473 views
John Moe
I refer to the article published by The Online

Citizen (TOC) on Sunday, 2 August 2009,
reported by Ravi Philemon under the title,
“George Yeo’s Meet the People Session at
McDonald’s”.
According to the TOC report, Mr Yeo made

some controversial comments about Burma’s
pro-democracy icon, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
her husband and her family, including the
much-loved father of Aung San Suu Kyi-
Burma’s independence leader, General Aung San.
According to Ravi Philemon’s report :
“The focus then shifted to ASEAN and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr. George Yeo said, “It is very
sad that she has been imprisoned for so many years.” But he was quick to add that we must
not oversimplify the problems in Burma. He felt that as the country was very complex in its
make up with the Burmese making up only about 50% of the total population of the entire
population of Burma, only the military could hold the entire country together. He added that it
was the military that had ruled Burma from independence and that it was Aung San Suu Kyi’s
father, General Aung San, that was the original military man that had ruled the country since
independence.”
theonlinecitizen.com/…/george-yeo-is-… 1/23
General Aung San, the leader of Burma’s independence
movement, was assassinated on 19 July 1947. Burma’s
first constitution was established in 1948. Therefore Mr
Yeo’s incoherent comments were completely incorrect.
The Burmese military did not rule the country “since
independence”, as Mr Yeo said.
Chronologically, Burma was a fully democratic republic

from 1948 to 1962. On 4 January 1948, the nation
became an independent republic, named the Union of
Burma, with Sao Shwe Thaik as its first President and U
Nu as its first Prime Minister.
Why does Mr Yeo owe an apology to Aung San Suu Kyi? Mr Yeo said “that it was also General
Aung San who created the rule that a Burmese who married a foreigner cannot rule the
country and that now Aung San Suu Kyi is married to a foreigner.”
Mr Yeo is thoroughly mistaken.
The 1948 Constitution stated: “No person shall be eligible for election to the office of President
unless he is a citizen of the Union who was, or both of whose parents were, born in any of the
territories included within the Union.” Aung San Suu Kyi’s parents were both Burmese. She was
born in Burma and she is still a Burmese citizen. Therefore she can be President of Burma, as
stated in the Consitution.
Mr Yeo’s comment is thus a great insult to Aung San Suu Kyi and her family. Also, Mr Yeo,
who is Singapore’s Foreign Minister, has insulted over 52 million Burmese who hold the
highest respect for General Aung San.
As Burma’s first constitution was established only in 1948, after General Aung San had been
murdered, it is impossible for General Aung San to create a rule to ban any Burmese who
married a foreigner from ruling the country . The military junta only introduced the rule
in 2008, deliberately aimed at preventing Aung San Suu Kyi’s participation in the 2010
elections.
Mr Yeo would have Burmese adhere to the Constitution which was first suspended when
General Ne Win came to power through a coup, and which was later amended by the junta for
political purposes. Equally, should not Mr Yeo be demanding that the Burmese junta adhere to
the results of the 1990 elections which Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD won overwhelmingly?
Mr Yeo’s comments, which shows his ignorance of

Burmese history, has added fuel to the fire, especially at a
time when Aung San Suu Kyi is in a politically-motivated
mock trial for breaking the conditions of her house arrest.
The charges were laid after an American man paid an
uninvited visit to her home. It is widely expected she will
end up in jail. The verdict of her trial is expected to be
delivered on Friday.
Mr Yeo said: “It was because her husband is a foreigner

and from the ‘western world’ that the ‘western world’ has
come to support Aung San Suu Kyi and have failed to
recognise the rule of the military”.
In 1972, Aung San Suu Kyi married Dr Michael Aris, a scholar of Tibetan culture, in Bhutan.
The following year she gave birth to their first son, Alexander Aris, in London; their second
son, Kim, was born in 1977. Following this, she earned a Ph.D. at the School of Oriental and
African Studies, University of London in 1985.
Mr Yeo denigrated not only Aung San Suu Kyi’s personal life , his comments also cast
aspersions on her family and her supporters. Mr Yeo’s labeling of Dr Aris as someone from
the ‘western world” shows his lack of sympathy for Aung San Suu Kyi, her husband and their
children.
Dr Aris died of cancer on his 53 birthday on March 27 1999. He had requested to see his wife
one last time in Burma but his request was denied by the military junta.
The fact that the ‘western world’ supports Aung San Suu Kyi has nothing to do with her
husband being a foreigner . The support for the Burmese cause and for Aung San Suu Kyi
comes from all parts of the world, including Asean countries.
Mr Yeo added that “the problem in Burma is actually a very deep family dispute and the road
to democracy for Burma is long and that the elections next year is but a small step towards
that goal.”
Burma’s political imbroglio is created by neither Aung San Suu Kyi nor her party, the National
League for Democracy (NLD) . The NLD had won a landslide victory in the 1990 elections
organised by the military junta which, till today, has refused to hand power over to the NLD.
Burma’s problems are created by the military regime itself such as forcing millions of ethnic
minorities to flee to neighboring countries, ignoring humanitarian aid to cyclone Nargis’
victims and killing monks and protesters. The military regime imprisons thousands of political
prisoners. News are now emerging that the regime is also seeking to build nuclear reactors
with help from North Korea.
Mr Yeo said that “ASEAN has worked well in

keeping the peace in this region, in subjecting
the member nations to peer pressure and in
trying to forge economic integration.”
Ironically, Mr Yeo’s statement is contradicted

by Singapore’s Senior Minister, Mr Goh Chok
Tong, who had said that “Singapore investors
will likely wait until after Myanmar’s elections
next year before pouring any more money into
the country”. His comment came at the end of a
four-day trip to Burma in June where he met with Burma’s top generals, including Senior Gen
Than Shwe.
To conclude, Singapore’s Foreign Minister insulted Aung San Suu Kyi, her husband Dr Michael
Aris and Burma’s independence leader, General Aung San.
Given the fact that Mr Yeo has gotten his facts wrong, Does he not owe Aung San Suu Kyi –
and the Burmese people – an apology?
—–
John Moe is a Burmese pro-democracy activist who had lived and worked in Singapore for
eleven years. He was expelled from Singapore for his involvement in a protest in Singapore in
2007. John can be reached at jmoekt@gmail.com
——
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Com ments
67 Responses to “George Y eo is mistaken about Burma’s history”
1) George Y O ! on August 4th, 2009 7.59 am
LOLLL And this gaffe come from our million$$$ FOREIGN AFFAIRS minister?!?!?!
2) Die-hard Singaporean on August 4th, 2009 8.19 am
John Moe – you are spot on yet again. As a Singaporean I am concerned that Mr Yeo
considers a military dictatorship appropriate if the circumstances, in the view of those in
power, call for it. I always thought that George Yeo would have more sense.
3) zero on August 4th, 2009 8.20 am
This article is a great shock to me. I always thought that George Yeo is a well read
gentlemen and familiar with world history especially history of neighbouring countries. I
had also thought he’s a bit more intellectual and familiar with political scenarios, as
should be the case for a person with the responsibility of a Foreign Minister.
If Mr George Yeo doesn’t respond to this blog post in TOC, then it will be completely
unforgiveable and i would rate him as I would rate the rest of Chiak Liau Bees in the
cabinet. I can’t believe he make such stupid mistakes, assuming this article is true. MR
GEORGE YEO SIR WHERE ARE YOU. Speak your piece and see if you can be
redeemable. There is nothing wrong to come down from the ivory towers and put a post
here, just like you came down from your ivory towers and went to McDonald’s. Keep up
the good work and we may still be able to love you.
Zero
4) My god on August 4th, 2009 9.24 am
So much for being an elite. Vote him out.
5) Frank Speaks on August 4th, 2009 9.28 am
Well read but a $$ man perhaps? Beholdened?
6) Saddam would be proud.... on August 4th, 2009 9.35 am
that we have a cabinet full of Comical Alis…..
7) eidetical on August 4th, 2009 10.12 am
I agree with most of your article and I’m sorry to nitpick, but I think you meant
‘chronologically’ and not ‘chronically’? There is a huge difference between both words.
8) Myko on August 4th, 2009 10.16 am
as the old saying go.. nv trust politicians. they say anything to hang on to power.
9) birds of a feather on August 4th, 2009 11.37 am
Common sense indicates the noble idea of working from within the PAP is doomed from
the start………………..eventually you become one of them.
In the event the PAP is voted out and the biggest Chimp sends in the army, we can
expect George Yeo and Kishore to say only the military rule of the PAP can hold the
country together……what a freaking laugh !
10) Debbie Stothard on August 4th, 2009 11.47 am
Perhaps Mr George Yeo is better off reading http://www.altsean.org to check the facts on
Burma instead of regurgitating malicious propaganda spread by the SPDC and their
apologists
Alternatively he can always read the Irrawaddy Magazine while being driven to these
public engagements.
11) Y o!Y o!Y o!!! on August 4th, 2009 1.26 pm
Well, look at it from another point of view…by having such a twisted view, think of what
the other world leaders will think of GY….I think it will be with the eyes of contempt…
12) LCC on August 4th, 2009 3.25 pm
In response to this article, Mr. George Yeo made the following comments on his
Facebook page.
“I am surprised and saddened that my comments about Myanmar have been made to
seem as if I’m against the people of Myanmar. Ravi Phiilemon’s report did not fully
capture what I said. I went back to Burma under the British Raj when Rangoon was
dominated by Indians, subsequently engendering in Ne Win and others a xenophobic
reaction against Indians and Chinese. That left the army as the only institution holding
the country together in the face of armed insurrection by ethnic groups in various parts
of the country. Aung San is a leader revered by both the army and pro-democracy
activists. As for the disqualification of a Myanmar citizen marrying a foreigner from
becoming leader, this is a matter for each country to decide. I wasn’t passing judgement.
I stand corrected whether the inspiration for that provision originally came from Aung
San; that was certainly suggested to me by Myanmar ministers I met.”
“The Singapore Govt’s positions on Myanmar’s road to democracy, the need for economic
engagement, release of ASSK, national reconciliation are well known. When the
authorities cracked down brutally on peaceful demonstrators in Sep 07, we made clear
our stand and, as Chair of ASEAN, expressed our revulsion. After Cyclone Nargis, we
bridged the gap between the Myanmar govt and international agencies which helped to
prevent a second wave of deaths from disease and famine. We are opposed to sanctions
because they don’t work and only cause more suffering to the people. ASEAN may not
have teeth, but ASEAN has a tongue.
Just to clarify, John Moe was not expelled from Singapore because of his views but for
breaking the law in Singapore.”
13) famiLee junta on August 4th, 2009 6.01 pm
in the event the biggest Chimp sends in the army after a freak elections result,
we can expect George Yeo to say only the PAP’s military rule can hold the country
together.
14) anakin on August 4th, 2009 6.16 pm
well money talks, so obviously if Burmese Generals pump $$$ into Singapore then
definitely Spore Govt will back them, ditto MNCs who exploit workers, ditto FTs who
deprive Singaporeans of jobs. Money talks in Singapore and obviously BS walks
15) famiLee junta on August 4th, 2009 6.42 pm
In the event the biggest Chimp sends in the army after a freak elections result, we can
expect George Yeo to claim only the PAP’s military rule can hold the country
together………ain’t that right georgie ?
16) George on August 4th, 2009 7.37 pm
Every man has a price.
17) Y ang on August 4th, 2009 7.53 pm
TOC, please cheack your system as it breakdown quite often. we just cannot log in or
take very long to download and it cut off in the end.
As for this article, I think Mr Yeo will need to explain to us what is going on. Asean
nowadays is useless, just for show sake.
18) ss stirrer on August 4th, 2009 8.00 pm
This is the George Yeo who replied “not substantial” when asked how much arms did
Singapore sell to Burma.
Not substantial? what kind of response is that from a govt that keeps statistics on
everything.
what a hypocrite.
19) A ndrew Loh on August 4th, 2009 8.08 pm
“Just to clarify, John Moe was not expelled from Singapore because of his views but for
I am surprised the minister made this statement of admission that John Moe was
expelled. The authorities, from my collection in interviewing John earlier this year, was
that they did not tell him why his work permit was not being renewed.
In any case, John Moe was not the only one who took part in the Orchard Road protest.
Many Burmese took part – but not all were expelled from S’pore.
Thus, I don’t understand the rationale for expelling John Moe and not the other Burmese.
20) KopitiamA pek on August 4th, 2009 8.29 pm
12) LCC on
John Moe broke which law in Singapore?
21) Jentayu on August 4th, 2009 8.46 pm
I am equally sueprised that the highly respected George Yeo could be so gullible. Or is
he? Why did he choose to believe the Burmese Ministers (who obviously are military
men) against his better judgement and his wide knowledge of history? He is a well read
man. How did he get it so very wrong? Something seems to tell us that there is
something he is not telling us.
Agreed, ASEAN may not have teeth. But surely Singaporeans do not expect their highly
respected Foreigh Minister to have a fork tongue. Still no apology Mr. Yeo?
22) Race on August 4th, 2009 9.41 pm
breaking the law in Singapore.” — george yeo
What a stupid statement. That law shouldn’t be there in the first place. Shame on George
Yeo.
23) Got tongue but no brain = T oothless Lion on August 4th, 2009 10.06 pm
TOC commentators here also got tongue too……..but we have brains to think as well.
24) prettyplace on August 4th, 2009 11.22 pm
If these were GY’s words and Burmese history distorted ….I am truly sorry to the
Burmese people….George Yeo has added insult to injury.
I hope he responds because the world is watching volatile Burma….and a comment such
as this one by Singapore’s FM is very strange.
People are calling for ASEAN to expel Burma….and news is coming about Burma’s
nuclear ambitions and George Yeo’s comments seems to lean towards the junta.
I hope our FM don’t make us Singaporeans look like a pariah in the world stage.
And I am eargly waiting for his response.
25) Joker on August 5th, 2009 2.03 am
How embarrassing. How can our FM make such a mistake?

Which joker voted for him? Own up!
26) Daniel on August 5th, 2009 2.21 am
So what is the difference between view and action ? John Moe merely translate his view
into action which result in breaking the law ? No wonder the government love NMP and
NCMP scheme because these people only offer nothing but view which is NATO (No
Action Talk Only). So ant people who translate political view into action that out of OB
marker is perceived as breaking the law ?
27) SS Stirrer on August 5th, 2009 5.34 am
Dear Zero
What do you base your presumption that GY is a well-read man?

Let’s see if he rebuts the articles about his comments on Burma.
28) Marketplace T hiologist on August 5th, 2009 5.48 am
As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I don’t think he can publicly refute the Junta’s account of
history.
29) Charles Lee on August 5th, 2009 7.01 am
I think Thiologist is right.
ASEAN has a tongue, use it better with a louder voice backing it up.
As the world watches this drag on, it makes that tongue less potent
because the Junta shows more disregard and disinterest in what ASEAN
is about.
If because it is Singapore making money off Burma, that is sad.
30) Jiekai Koh on August 5th, 2009 7.15 am
Apparently George has responded to this article through his facebook comments. LCC
has helpfully copied and pasted it on this page.
31) Merobok on August 5th, 2009 7.22 am
Hey Georgie boy, you do not know your history well! You probably read a few quick fixes
on some commentaries and muttered away. You represent “US” so don’t embarrassed
us.!
32) Muhamad Nur on August 5th, 2009 8.47 am
This man almost lost his Aljunied GRC in 2006. Singaporeans cannot get it more wrong
at the next election. We want democracy for all of Asean. Do not defend the aggressors
for any reasons. Or you will be like Austria, Switzerland and Italy during WW2. Millions
suffered because of the silence of these powers.
33) Eric on August 5th, 2009 10.25 am
I am definitely not familiar with the history of Burma/Myanmar. But so far, we have only
seen two versions. If history is written by victors, then there should be at least one more
or even several more versions of the story, it cannot be just one monolithic truth.
Besides Mr. George Yeo and Mr. John Moe’s version, is anyone else familiar with the
history of the region and its political context? I am not siding with any party, but I
believe for us to have an informed and intelligent debate, we must understand more
before we be so quick to condemn one, or to applaud the other.
Mr. Yeo’s point that 50% of their national population is not Burmese is quite glaring and
open to verification. Any take on this? How does he define the ethnicity? Pardon my
ignorance, is there such an ethnic group as “Burmese” in the first place, given the context
of the region, i.e., considering Cambodia, Laos and perhaps even Vietnam and Thailand.
Also, he used “Burma” instead of “Myanmar.” Politically, how a foreign minister, or any
official for the matter, addresses another country is very significant. I am not sure how to
make sense of this. Any one care to comment?
Eric
34) Eric on August 5th, 2009 10.52 am
Hi folks,
I don’t think Mr. Yeo did not use the term “Burmese.” Mr. Moe’s article cites Ravi
Philemon’s article, but not a direct quote from Mr. Yeo. In fact it’s not possible to tell
from the article whether Mr. Yeo used Burma or Myanmar during the session. I won’t be
surprised if he had used the latter.
Sorry, my bad.
FYI, those who use “Burma” typically reject the legitimacy of the incumbent, the military
junta, who changed the name of the country in 1989.
Eric
35) kingrant on August 5th, 2009 11.31 am
What do you all expect? Between S’pore and Burma, it is a case of one dictator regime
rubbing the other’s back. If PAP loses the next elections, maybe they will also refuse to
hand over power and hang on and ask the military to back them up! Like begets like. Or
the PAP is more sympathetic to the Burmese junta because it is politically alike.
36) What Else on August 5th, 2009 12.28 pm
It’s the Burmese (only the generals and its friends use Myanmar) variant of the
“Singapore was a backwater till LKY came along” fiction. Yes, living conditions were not
as good as today’s but Singapore was a thriving commercial hub when Raffles landed.
Whay do you think all our forefathers rushed here?
37) X Military Men on August 5th, 2009 1.38 pm
Don’t forget, Georgie Yeo was a SAF General himself before. His military training, I am
sure, has embedded into his psyche a tendency to favour military regimes to be in
power, e.g. the Suharto Era, the Marcos Era, the Jiang Kai Sek Era, and now the Burmese
Juntas.
38) Ho Choon Hiong on August 5th, 2009 2.54 pm
For your info John moe “broke the law” can be seen in these videos on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0t3RYT6Xwds&feature=PlayList&p=E6ECAACEDC232B72&index=6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMLrKoIskI&feature=channel_page
as to further andrew loh statement…. i do not understand why in the context of a

foreigner breaking the law as in John Moe, he is not charged in court for illegal
assembly… and why only him and some others (to my knowledge so far 6 burmese do
not have their permit renewed and thus they have to leave Singapore, this include a NUS
graduate and some burmese who have worked in Singapore for over 11 years)
if he breaks the law, fine, i will expect the court to jail him and fine him, but
unfortunately they were never charged in court for illegal assembly (for your info,
Singaporeans like the Tak Boleh 18 people were either given the option to pay a fine or if
they do not wish to pay, they serve jail for a few weeks ranging from 1 week to 3 weeks
or more for repeated offenders)
Under Singapore Law, this is penalty for illegal assembly… but I am really shock that for
foreigners, instead the penalty is having their work permit not granted which deprive
them of their livelihood… this i think is really unfair… this punishment really does not suit
to the crime… it is like an analogy of a foreigner working here perhaps he got into car
accident, and the punishment is a life sentence while for a singapore the punishment is a
big fine and his license revoked… arent the law equal to foreigners or singaporeans alike
be it big time “rebel” like Dr Chee. The “crime” really does not suit the punishment… for
a humanitarian record… these burmese are now refugees and when they worked in
Singapore, the income they earned was remitted to their poor family back home
Sure perhaps these burmese really break the law by conducting an illegal assembly…
then what about the monks and burmese in Burma protesting then… they also broke the
law and I am sure Burma Junta will have invent alot of unfair laws to curb them… so why
is the world and Singapore making noise about it? Arent we be hypocritical then when
we issue statements that the junta is being brutal to those “lawbreakers”
this is my personal opinion and Mahatma Gandhi have long again express this thot: that
some laws are unfair and those lawbreakers are not “criminals” in challenging a unfair
law
I hope Singapore Govt can have the wisdom to see that these “lawbreakers” have a big
heart…
if Singapore govt believes in the rule of the law, then Nelson Mandela, Gandhi are
criminals isnt it… so why are we giving red carpet treatment to some of these world
leaders who used to be law breakers too?
and I understand that Singapore govt did issue warnings or “chances” to the Burmese
activists not to engage such activities, but cant the govt think out of the box and see the
context why these people are doing such things… dont they know the whole world when
saffron revolution happens, everywhere burmese and the world communiity are going
out on the street in peaceful protest against the junta’s crackdown
lastly if the excuse is that Singapore govt have already given chances to the burmese
activists, then what about the Junta… arents these hooligans generals more
unrepentant… why are we still being so cordial to these bunch of murderers, like giving
them red carpet treatment, having an orchid named after the general, allowing them to
come here for medical treatment… how many chances have we given to these
unrepentant junta… shouldnt the Singapore govt
be more firm in dealing with the junta then dealing with these bunch of small flies like
the burmese activists?
39) Ravi Philemon on August 5th, 2009 3.48 pm
My response to GY: http://singaporesocialactivist.blogspot.com/2009/08/george-yeos-

response-to-my-article-on.html
40) Y ang on August 5th, 2009 5.22 pm
Hello guys, GY got no choice to ’saka’ the Burmese gov because s’pore is so small. All of
us are afraid offend other big big countries. Black said colour, wrong sais right. No choice
la, must pity him. He is stuck in the middle.
41) Jonah on August 5th, 2009 5.32 pm
this is not surprising – people often say what they would like you to believe, regardless
of the truth. check out mr wang’s blog. there is a great article about this.
all said, this is truly yet another dent in their credibility.
42) Die-hard Singaporean on August 5th, 2009 8.09 pm
As one Patrician to another, spare a thought for those in need George, whether they are
here in Singapore or over there in Burma.
Spare a thought for the 25% of Singaporeans who earn less than $1,000 a month and
the 284,000 who earn an income but who have no money going into their CPF accounts
AT ALL, when the CPF is supposed to be compulsory.
Spare a thought for the destitute Burmese, especially the orphans, in the cyclone-
devastated parts of the country.
Go back to our Patrician roots George, the Catechism sessions before the start of formal
lessons each week-day and the sermons in the lovely stain-glassed chapel.
Do your fellow Patricians proud George!
43) B.Kuppupokusam y on August 5th, 2009 11.03 pm
It was the junta who held the GE in the first place.They should accept the defeat
graciously.Is Mr. Yeo saying that anarchy will reign if the NLD rules,given the
demography of that country?That is dealing in hypotheticals.
This is the so-called socio-political pragmatism of a member of the PAP.Democracy and
human rights are mere blood sacrifices to be offered on the altar of this pragmatism if
the situation warrants it.Hemce the witless Burmese people must thank those enlightened
generals for keeping the peace.What rationalsations will our FM come up next if Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi is jailed?
Will such “blood sacrifices” be carried out here too by the ruling party?We are having
more MPs appointed,not elected by the masses.God knows what tweaks will the PAP
come up with next…..
44) David on August 6th, 2009 12.39 am
No wonder he and his team almost lost PAP Aljunied GRC. George Yeo’s view as foreign
ministers is tantamount to pap’s view, this alone, is quite scary because there is tendency
of twisting facts into fiction in order to buy votes. I think it has happened and GY’s
statements are good example why pap cannot be trusted to rule this country like junta.
45) prettyplace on August 6th, 2009 2.14 am
Perhaps George Yeo …..who visited Burma under the British Raj, did not understand
then….
The Burmese are made up of many ethnic groups, but the economics was handled by
Indians and Chinese.
They, the Burmese were trying to get independence from the British and their economic
masters as well, which I think was their just cause at the point in time, since they were
treated like 2nd class ciitizens in their own country.
I stress this point.
Many Indians from Malaysia & Singapore died during their journey to India to fight the
British. They were recruited by Subhas Chanra Bose.Given up to the British by the
Indians in Burma.
His family was just recently credited by Japan for it’s contribution during the war.(WW2)
The times were so different then…..and I hope George Yeo comes to live amongst us
now, for sighting history which was far complicated then.
It is simple as ABC to recognoze the rule of the vote from the people. Burmese military
refused it, then and still is.(The reason for the golden triangle). I wonder who was
making money, eventually that must be the reason.
People like you are perpectuating a sysytem…unstable and with unreliable facts.
STOP IT.
46) prettyplace on August 6th, 2009 2.27 am
Please remember, FM George Yeo, you made a big mistake. Trying to tell people that it’s
a family fued (if you had said that)…..
.it is not….it is a country….filled with people….who walk in silence to protest….

who join the monastries to be monks…refusing to carry guns…
to achieve peace through God’s grace..
both for themsleves and their beloved country…
who in turn get beaten up…. ruthlessly…losing thier lives…with some
body bruised…and feeling they have done their duty to God and Country..
their country…BURMA…
The least we should do is to feel the pain for them and think of ways to help…
Creating new histories to distort facts will eventually fall on us…with great vengence.
47) mon on August 6th, 2009 3.54 am
This is the standard of our minister after years in Government.
Wonder why Cambridge invited him to talk.
Maybe to raise money?!
48) John Moe's Justification on August 6th, 2009 12.10 pm
Dear Mr George Yeo,
I would like to justify on your comment which you said “Just to clarify, John Moe was not
expelled from Singapore because of his views but for breaking the law in Singapore.”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=551572184&ref=name#/georgeyeopage?
ref=ts
1) I had never denied my participation in protests. I was involved in a peaceful staged

demonstration in Singapore together with over 40 Burmese national on 20th November
2007 at Orchard Road, I prepared banners such as “Listen to Burma’s desires”, “Do not
follow junta’s Order” it called for ASEAN to stop while military soldiers brutal crackdown
on the peaceful monk-lead Saffron Revolution. Here is video link for your ref; Burmese
staged peaceful demonstration in Singapore http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0t3RYT6Xwds
2) I was also interviewed by Channel News Asia, Today Newspaper, The Straits Times
newspaper and several Burmese news agencies where I highlighted that violating human
rights during the referendum process arrangement was organised by the Burma Embassy
in Singapore. Besides, I highlighted to the media that the constitution is not for the
Burmese people and that is only for the military to prolong power all along. Here is video
Link for your ref; BURMESE SAYS NO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMLrKoIskI
3) Does it Mr Yeo clarify on it taking part in the protest is breached the Singapore law? If
it is, why don’t take egalitarian action accordance with the law of Singapore rather than
given impunity. That is not fare treatment if compare to ordinary Singapore citizens’
those who are still facing various trials for similar protests.
4) What about other Burmese still living in Singapore they took part in the same protests
too? Why Singapore government given impunity? Why Singapore government acted
selectively and told Burmese prodemocracy activists to leave the country instead of
charge them like what Singapore government exercising on Singapore opposition such as
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).
5) Given the fact that Singapore authorities have not given any specific reason for
Expulsion of Burmese activists despite two Singaporeans protested outside the MOM
building. Here is video clip for your ref; “Singaporeans arrested for protest in support of
Burmese” http://vimeo.com/2808270?pg=transcoded_embed&sec=2808270
With warm regards,
John Moe
49) Leemay on August 6th, 2009 6.09 pm
Heard of the term: Legal Corruption ?
50) RO SE-T INT ED GLA SSES « that burning republic-state doesn’t sway
placidity on August 6th, 2009 10.18 pm
[...] Moe called this shenanigan out, saying that ‘the military junta only introduced the
rule in 2008, deliberately aimed at [...]
51) Road to Burma on August 6th, 2009 11.17 pm
One junta general learning history from another?

The fundamental thing the world is not happy with regarding the situation is –a
democratically elected leader is prevented from her rightful ruling post.
George please justify that.
52) Peter Sellers on August 7th, 2009 1.04 am
John Moe has done us a great service by setting the record straight on this matter.
Singapore’s history, too, has been selectively interpreted and many stalwarts of the past
appear to have been forgotten. I hope one day the record will be set straight on our own
history too.
53) Charles Stewart Lee on August 7th, 2009 6.57 am
Here Here Peter
54) T he Singapore Daily » Blog A rchive » Daily SG: 4 A ug 2009 on August 7th,
2009 11.19 am
[...] Free Burma – TOC: George Yeo is mistaken about Burma’s history [...]
55) Wu Jiezhen on August 7th, 2009 6.57 pm
History is subjective, and also fluid. I’m not sure how many of you were actually at the
Minister’s coffee shop talk, but I was. And I believe that the Minister’s comments have
truly been taken out of context. I also believe that he was sorely misquoted.
Mr. Philemon’s article quotes the Minister as saying that “..it was also General Aung San
who created the rule that a Burmese who married a foreigner cannot rule the country and
that now Aung San Suu Kyi is married to a foreigner.” I was listening very closely at this
point, and clearly remember the Minister saying that “General Aung San was the one who
said that a Burmese leader must not marry a foreigner.” The Minister never said that the
General created a “rule” per se. Personally, when I was listening to the Minister’s
response, I took it to mean that the General had advised Aung San Suu Kyi, or any
Burmese leader, against marrying a foreigner. Not once did it occur to me that it was a
“rule,” and neither did I hear the word “rule” at any point in time.
I believe that a lot of misunderstanding has been caused by this miscommunication, and
that it’s important that we look at both sides of the situation more objectively and not be
swayed by one single statement. I am speaking from a neutral perspective and hope that
it will shed light on a more balanced view of the Minister’s comments.
- Wu Jiezhen
56) videom an on August 8th, 2009 3.14 pm
any of you peeps remembered when the unarmed monks were demostratin against the
price of fuel that went up?
Aung San Suu Kyi plead with the singapore government not to support the military
juntas
what happened next?
our secret service department marked all the brown shirts wearer
our manpower minister revoke/deported all the burmese freedom attendees foreign
workers
now our senile minister is blamin her for bein the problemo
liked our fellow kaki here posted
was it not Aung San Suu Kyi elected by the people of burma
or maybe Aung San Suu Kyi won the election through the GRC process perhaps?
57) A nawrahtar on August 8th, 2009 4.46 pm
“Burmese military ruled the country since independence”.
I believe it is not wrong (or) it is correct to say that: because within 100 days of
independence in 1948, Myanmar’s civil war has begun. First, the communists went
underground and some Burmese battalions revolted. The Karens (KNU-KNDO) who were
fighting against communists together with Myanmar Army took opportunity to seize the
power of the country from the weak elected government of U Nu, by rebellion in Jan
1949. The communist and KNU insurgency goes on. While the civil war was raging, the
KMT(Kuomington forces) intruded into Myanmar while fleeing from China’s PLA forces
and seized large areas of North/Eastern Shan State. They bring along the “Poppy”, thus
Drug War Lords and their armies were born.
Who do you think was dealing with all these problems and insurgencies? Of course “The
Myanma Tatmadaw(Army)”.
Further more, the ruling party became cracked in 1958. So the Army act as a caretaker
government for a few years. Not once, but twice.
There are many more “incidents of the country” that the Army’ve had to solve and
maintain its intrgrity as a nation. Therefore I would agree with Singapore’s FM Mr Yeo
that Myanmar Military ruled the country since its independence.
58) T rue Colours Revealed on August 8th, 2009 6.21 pm
A long-time and seasoned Foreign Minister commenting and making remarks upon a
foreign country without having the full grasp of its background history is a true reflection
of the real standard of our minister.
Definitely, I would say, he is not a top notch talent who deserves the world’s highest
salary, but a make-belief ‘outstanding talent’ whom somebody would want all of us to
believe so.
This is not only embarrassing but also unfortunate. Unfortunate because such an incident
will not go down well for Singaporeans and the Singapore Nation as a whole in the long
run.
How can such a blunder be so easily made in the first place? Is it due to the eagerness to
please the winning side and therefore have no choice (mentally blinded) but to find
words to put the other party down?
Don’t ever forget, in any foreign relation, there is no such a thing as a long-term friend
nor enemy. There is only long-term interests.
Today, the Burmese Military may have the upper hand, but who knows, one day Aung
San Suu Kyi or someone from her party may, with the relentless and full support of the
Burmese people, be the ruler of Burma (not Myanmar as renamed by the Military Junta).
And also, don’t ever forget, the PAP cannot and will not be in power forever!
59) Derek T onkin on August 8th, 2009 7.13 pm
George Yeo was not talking about the Presidency. He was talking about election as an MP
under the 1947 Constitution leading to leadership of the winning party and nomination
as Prime Minister. It was General Aung San who introduced a clause, not about marriage,
but about loyalty to the State. Joe Moe and George Yeo have been talking at cross
purposes. Joe is right (about the Presidency) and George is right (about the
Premiership). Simple as that.
60) Breeder on August 8th, 2009 11.16 pm
There are a few things we all can agree on, which is that the military regime of Burma is
illegitimate, corrupt and tyrannical.
Everything else is contentious. What George Yeo said about the military holding Burma
together is plausible. What would happen to Burma if a civil war were to break out, and
all the races were to start fighting against each other? We would probably get a human
disaster something like the Congo wars after the fall of Mobutu.
What is the logic behind holding the sanctions against the military regime? The logic is
that you want to piss the people off so that they rise up against the miilitary regime and
overthrow them. The chances of that happening are approximately zero. What is so
abhorrent about doing business with the Myanmese? People live, people do business.
People living in corrupt dictatorships also have to fill their stomachs. Singapore welcomes
Myanmese labour – what’s so bad about that? Burma is a land of great natural resources.
Do you think that economic sanctions are going to hurt the regime? They can consolidate
their power, even if they were to become a purely autarkic state
Look at sanctions in Iraq – did that get rid of Saddam Hussein? It just became a big
eyesore. People just suffered. Saddam Hussein just got more powerful.
All this freedom for Burma stuff, it’s a great emotional release. It’s great to use as a stick
with which to hit people. As a measure to overthrow the military regime, it ain’t worth
shit.
61) Ravi Philemon on August 9th, 2009 12.01 pm
Wu Jiezhen@55: You should probably read the FB exchange with GY on this issue:
http://singaporesocialactivist.blogspot.com/2009/08/george-yeos-response-to-my-article-
on.html, where the Minister admitted that “I stand corrected whether the inspiration for
that provision (Burmese marrying a foreigner) originally came from Aung San; that was
certainly suggested to me by Myanmar ministers I met.”
62) Breeder on August 9th, 2009 2.07 pm
OK, first I want to acknowledge that Aung San Suu Kyii is the democratic elected leader
of Burma, whatever that means because that was 21 years ago.
That being said, the fixation on her is extremely unhealthy. Burma has moved on. Or
rather it is trying to move on but not really succeeding.
China is an abhorrent regime but the world is dealing with China. Why is it different with
Burma? Deal with China, trade with China, eventually it will be a more free and liberal
society. Shut away from the regime, then it will become all powerful with respect to the
Burmese people. When you consider that Burma is neighbours to 3 of the most dynamic
economies in the world (China, India, Thailand) you have to wonder how on earth it
became so screwed up.
Aung San Suu Kyii is not going to live forever. Maybe there’ll be progress when she’s
gone, and then maybe 50 years later we can really think about what her real legacy is.
63) A ngelina on August 10th, 2009 7.43 pm
I think George Yeo thinks people who go to MacDonals are stupid. He can hsien anything
he does not know or choose not to know. Thank goodness for the internet! Can you
imagine him getting away with all the smoke he throws (which he must have done many
times in all the years before internet, like all the rest)?
64) Dumb and dum ber on August 11th, 2009 1.57 pm
To 62) Breeder,
“Everything else is contentious. What George Yeo said about the military holding Burma
together is plausible. What would happen to Burma if a civil war were to break out, and
all the races were to start fighting against each other? We would probably get a human
disaster something like the Congo wars after the fall of Mobutu.”
>> We all know that Peace, prosperity and freedom do not come free; you need to fight
for it (All Singaporeans’ male has to serve NS, what do you think it is for?).
>>Is the notion of freedom worth dying for? I don’t live in Burma, I don’t presume that
they should be “grateful” to the junta. Maybe you want to check that out first.
“What is the logic behind holding the sanctions against the military regime?
>>The logic of not holding the sanctions against the military regime is so that Singapore
can benefit from trading with Burma – that I am sure.
“The logic is that you want to piss the people off so that they rise up against the military
regime and overthrow them. The chances of that happening are approximately zero.”
>>History has shown us that’s call “revolution”. That how humans have fought for their
beliefs. It’s not a matter of how, it just a matter of “when”. No “dictatorship” last forever.
The WWII memorial signifies exactly the same thing during the Japanese’s rule; unless
you tell me these people are “morons”; US then should “trade” with the “Japs” during
WWII instead of “fighting” against them.
“That being said, the fixation on her is extremely unhealthy.”

>>ASSK won the election 21 years ago; the junta refused to surrender the “power”.
ASEAN leaders “embraced” Burma into ASEAN…. what does that tells you? The junta is
right not to surrender their power? “Money” is the only thing that matters now? The
people of Burma “deserve” to live under the dictatorship of the junta and be grateful?
>>Hence, you may want to ask yourself why the leaders of ASEAN only “talk”? “Talk” is
“cheap”. Without “action”, it shows a lack of will or might to enforce what you “preach”;
or it’s “doublespeak”.
>>Nonetheless, the fixation on her is about her “goal” to liberate the people of Burma
under the current “dictatorship”. Same notion as our War Memorial. How can it be
“unhealthy”?
“What is so abhorrent about doing business with the Myanmese? People live, people do
business. ”
>>You are “blurring” the line. You are attempting to say that the “junta” and the “people
of Burma” is now one and the same. How can they be the same? Slaver and slaves – are
they the same even if they live under the same “roof”?
“People living in corrupt dictatorships also have to fill their stomachs.”

>> And they also need to “liberate” themselves from these “corrupt dictatorships” as
well.
“Burma is a land of great natural resources. Do you think that economic sanctions are
going to hurt the regime? They can consolidate their power, even if they were to become
a purely autarkic state”
>>You are “blurring” the line again. “Sanction” means I don’t agree with you – from a
country’s perspective with a “bite”. Natural resources is not the only thing a country
needs, you need “technology – medical, scientific, bio-engineering” and stuff you don’t
produce yourself; hence, you have to trade.
“Look at sanctions in Iraq – did that get rid of Saddam Hussein? It just became a big
eyesore. People just suffered.”
>>Iraq is a “poor” example. Who thinks US goes in to “liberate” Iraq? I thought they
went in for the “oil”. US went in with UN’s approval? Why not?
“Saddam Hussein just got more powerful.”

>>Saddam is dead. I don’t think Iraqis loves Saddam; they “dislike” US as they are the
“aggressor”. The notion of “freedom” is here again. The “rebels” branded themselves as
liberators.
“All this freedom for Burma stuff, it’s a great emotional release. It’s great to use as a stick
with which to hit people. As a measure to overthrow the military regime, it ain’t worth
shit.”
>>Definitely not worth anything to you. Maybe you want to ask John Moe or the people
of Burma to see if he cares.
Unfortunately, Burma’s problem is the burden that the people of burma has to bear. Just
like singapore’s is singaporeans’s responsibility. You decide your future.
65) FPC on August 11th, 2009 2.55 pm
to Anawrahtar :
Having an army rule a country for a long time is like having a maid/mother look after a
guy since he was a boy until he is an old man. How is he going to grow like that?
Unless you think having the military rule the country is appropriate.
also, did the military organise any elections that they won effectively?
So, why are they still there if not because they have the guns?
that country certainly have years of political stability but is it growing?
Anawrahtar is confusing the means and the ends?
66) FPC on August 11th, 2009 2.59 pm
Anawrahtar :
Another analogy: your mother might give birth to you (assuming you are a guy) and she
wears a bra.
That doesn’t mean you need to wear one too.
(actually, you shouldn’t by conventional wisdom)
67) Wu Jiezhen on August 16th, 2009 10.43 pm
Ravi Philemon@61: I had already read the Facebook exchange prior to posting my
comment, but thank you for posting the link. However, I believe that for Mr. Yeo to say
that he stands corrected should not be seen as any form of admission. Also, please know
that my intent was not to accuse anyone in particular of misquoting Mr. Yeo, but rather
to clear up what I felt was a misunderstanding. My comment was an attempt to state
what I recalled to the best of my recollection, and I believe that the Minister saying that
he “stand[s] corrected whether the inspiration for that provision (Burmese marrying a
foreigner) originally came from Aung San; that was certainly suggested to me by
Myanmar ministers I met” doesn’t exactly correlate with what I had mentioned in my
comment either. I still do believe that what the Minister had said during the Coffee Shop
Talk was taken out of context, and in turn it agitated a number of people. Once again, I
hope my being there will be able to give the readers a more objective perspective on the
articles/comments regarding the discussion that took place that day.
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George Yeo Is Mistaken About Burma's History

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8/28/2009 George Yeo is mistaken about Burma’s …

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George Yeo is mistaken about Burma’s

I refer to the article published by The Online

According to the TOC report, Mr Yeo made

According to Ravi Philemon’s report :

Chronologically, Burma was a fully democratic republic

Mr Yeo is thoroughly mistaken.

Mr Yeo’s comments, which shows his ignorance of

Mr Yeo said: “It was because her husband is a foreigner

Mr Yeo said that “ASEAN has worked well in

Ironically, Mr Yeo’s statement is contradicted

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Bookm ark this

67 Responses to “George Y eo is mistaken about Burma’s history”

1) George Y O ! on August 4th, 2009 7.59 am

2) Die-hard Singaporean on August 4th, 2009 8.19 am

3) zero on August 4th, 2009 8.20 am

4) My god on August 4th, 2009 9.24 am

So much for being an elite. Vote him out.

5) Frank Speaks on August 4th, 2009 9.28 am

Well read but a $$ man perhaps? Beholdened?

6) Saddam would be proud.... on August 4th, 2009 9.35 am

that we have a cabinet full of Comical Alis…..

7) eidetical on August 4th, 2009 10.12 am

8) Myko on August 4th, 2009 10.16 am

9) birds of a feather on August 4th, 2009 11.37 am

10) Debbie Stothard on August 4th, 2009 11.47 am

11) Y o!Y o!Y o!!! on August 4th, 2009 1.26 pm

12) LCC on August 4th, 2009 3.25 pm

13) famiLee junta on August 4th, 2009 6.01 pm

14) anakin on August 4th, 2009 6.16 pm

15) famiLee junta on August 4th, 2009 6.42 pm

16) George on August 4th, 2009 7.37 pm

Every man has a price.

17) Y ang on August 4th, 2009 7.53 pm

18) ss stirrer on August 4th, 2009 8.00 pm

19) A ndrew Loh on August 4th, 2009 8.08 pm

20) KopitiamA pek on August 4th, 2009 8.29 pm

John Moe broke which law in Singapore?

21) Jentayu on August 4th, 2009 8.46 pm

22) Race on August 4th, 2009 9.41 pm

24) prettyplace on August 4th, 2009 11.22 pm

25) Joker on August 5th, 2009 2.03 am

How embarrassing. How can our FM make such a mistake?

26) Daniel on August 5th, 2009 2.21 am

27) SS Stirrer on August 5th, 2009 5.34 am

What do you base your presumption that GY is a well-read man?

28) Marketplace T hiologist on August 5th, 2009 5.48 am

29) Charles Lee on August 5th, 2009 7.01 am

I think Thiologist is right.

30) Jiekai Koh on August 5th, 2009 7.15 am

31) Merobok on August 5th, 2009 7.22 am

32) Muhamad Nur on August 5th, 2009 8.47 am

33) Eric on August 5th, 2009 10.25 am

34) Eric on August 5th, 2009 10.52 am

35) kingrant on August 5th, 2009 11.31 am

36) What Else on August 5th, 2009 12.28 pm

37) X Military Men on August 5th, 2009 1.38 pm

38) Ho Choon Hiong on August 5th, 2009 2.54 pm

as to further andrew loh statement…. i do not understand why in the context of a

39) Ravi Philemon on August 5th, 2009 3.48 pm