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From the Foreign Desk

Myanmar has been rewarded diplomatically for its recent loosening up, but the gains for democracy remain fragile.

If there is anything certain about the pseudo-democratic regime of Myanmar, which took over in March 2011 from the military junta following the skewed elections of 2010 that marked the final step in the junta’s so-called transition to civilian rule, it is that it has developed quite the capacity to surprise.

By Irene Lee

In this past year alone Burma, otherwise known as Myanmar, has amazed the international community with its efforts in opening up the country in what can be considered as progressive steps towards democracy. Its latest installment of political reforms includes the end of the notorious censorship laws, announced in late August, which require work to be submitted to the state before publication.

However, years of unfulfilled promises by the Burmese government have raised much skepticism over the changes. Nonetheless, from another point-of-view, it can be said that such change is better than no change. So skepticism aside, how has the media landscape in the golden land been transformed?

The Lady: What makes an internationally celebrated political figure what she is.

By Jewel Philemon

“I have been free for more than a month. Some people may think that that is long enough. Others may think that that is not quite long enough.”

These are the words of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was detained under house arrest for fifteen years by the military junta in Burma, for her efforts in trying to bring democracy to her country.

I first learned of Daw Suu Kyi in 2009, when I was sixteen. I attended an event at Speakers’ Corner, organized by human rights group Maruah, which called for the release of Daw Suu Kyi. I was surprised to see a turnout of over four hundred participants, urging the government of Singapore to mediate with the Burmese junta to release Daw Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest at that time.