Use our liberty to promote theirs!

June 19 was the birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, the only Noble Prize laureate who is still as political prisoner. Several protests and birthday gatherings were conducted across the region last week. The ASA also update about the activities in the blog as well.

This morning, we received the statement from the President of the People Justice Party (KeADILan) in Malaysia about the situation of the Suu Kyi. Dr. Wan Azizah, the wife of the former Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim criticised the Malaysian government in handling the military junta and the ASEAN government who allowed the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to chair the next ASEAN leadership.

Dr. Wan Azizah said in her statement,

"However it is regrettable that Malaysian authorities continue to take harsh measures against free expression. I am particularly disappointed when I was informed that 60 over Burmese had been arrested and detained for participating in a peaceful assembly on 16 June. In the spirit of solidarity, I urge Malaysian authorities torelease all of them."

Icon of struggle

Besides, Aung San Suu Kyi continues to an icon representing the struggle of humanity over tyranny of power. No matter how the authoritarian regime tries to suppress the Burmese people, the hope for a free and democratic Burma will never be extinguished. The implication of Suu Kyi's message of peace and freedom goes beyond Burma. She has brought the global community together to care for a small impoverished Asian country. Her voice appeals not only to free her motherland Burma, but it is also a call to each and everyone in this global community to stand up firmly against oppressors and oppression in any forms.

To end this article, I just used the ending of the article of "Happy Birthday Suu Kyi" by Elizabeth Wong, the ASA friends to our reminder.

"Suu Kyi has asked us to use our liberty to promote theirs. The best birthday present she could possibly receive from us is our effort to secure the freedom that she and the good citizens of Burma long deserve."