Indonesia, Thailand React to Aung San Suu Kyi's Sentencing

And more people are speaking out the sentencing of Burmese democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi. She was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest by Burma's military government yesterday for violating the terms of her house arrest.
The 18 month detention of Suu Kyi by a court in army-ruled Burma will effectively keep her off the political stage through the countrys election next year.

A Burmese court handed down a three-year prison term for violation of an internal security law.

But that was immediately cut down to 18 months by the governing military junta and eased to a house arrest.

Moments after the verdict was announced, Burmas Home Minister said the court had taken into account the fact that Suu Kyi was the daughter of Burmese independence hero Aung San.

He said the country needed to preserve community peace and tranquility as it prepares for multi-party elections.

But nonetheless, the verdict has drawn criticism from leaders and people around the world.

[Patra Zen, Jakarta, Indonesia Resident]: (Bahasa Indonesian, MALE)
"We urge the international community to take concrete action against the Burmese military junta."

Another resident called the sentence inexcusable.

[Arthur, Jakarta, Indonesia Resident]: (Bahasa Indonesian, MALE)
"My perception is that she received an additional 18 months punishment because some man, I understand who is English or something like that, met her in her house. That does not make sense and is inexcusable."

And political activists in Thailand were not surprised by Suu Kyis sentence.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing disappointment over the sentence.

One group believes Suu Kyis trial shows that Burmas ruling military junta was influenced by international pressure.

[Debbie Stothard, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma]: (English, female)
"We could see that from a fast kangaroo trial in one week, the regime has had to delay the trial and to impose a lighter sentence because of international pressure. This is clear evidence that the regime is sensitive to the international pressure. And this should be a good sign that we have to keep pushing the regime."

Critics say the case against the charismatic Suu Kyi was fabricated by the Burmese military to keep her out of circulation ahead of the polls.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Aung San Suu Kyi
• Burma
• Demcracy
• Military government
• House arrest
• Junta
• Aung San

[Aniwazoa]

Hmmmmm...

[Diasfu]

Somebody should send her some wireless internet equipment, so she could get her word out..???