By: Sai Wansai
Friday, 28 February 2014

The question of constitutional amendment or rewriting boils down to two crucial points. One is whether the 2008 Constitution really reflects the wish of the people – i.e., all ethnic groups and all social strata – and the second one is whether the implementation of the prescribed political system is an adequate form of governance for Burma.

So far as the first point is concerned, all know that the 2008 Constitution has been manipulated from the beginning of its formulation to the nationwide referendum, to be able to achieve the military supremacy stance in Burma political arena for as long as possible. And there is no denying that this is the core problem that needs to be addressed and tackled.

The second point is whether the unitary presidential system, which is centrally controlled, is compatible to the people’s desired genuine federal union, where political decision-making power is shared between the centre and the states.

Amending a few paragraphs here and there is definitely not going to solve the political woes and accumulating, nationwide problems. Eventually, all the people residing within Burma would have to come up with a reality of formulating their own desired constitution and political system they aspired and not just amending the military-drafted constitution, a little here and there, so that the military won’t be upset.

The people concerned with the well-being of country should now try to think of replacing the military-driven vehicle with its own driver at the steering wheel, rather than just being passive passengers with no real say in plotting the journey and destination.