Criticizing the military, once Myanmar’s defining pastime, has grown rare since security forces started winning over hearts and minds by committing acts of genocide against the Rohingya. But one Facebook user wants to bring the fad back, starting with a long-form Facebook post that has received more than 2,300 shares and 3,800 reactions since Feb. 24.
In the post, titled “This is Our Constitution,” writer Zarni Htike lists the constant and repeated failures of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Defense Services, in performing his duty to protect the people of Myanmar.
Throughout the post, Zarni Htike laments the general’s immunity to criticism, his ability to profit from his position, and his unconditional job security, all thanks to a Myanmar’s constitution, enacted by the generals in 2008, which protects the ministries of defense, home affairs, and border affairs from civilian oversight.
If the army had been doing a good job at achieving its stated goals of preventing attacks on Myanmar’s inhabitants and cracking down on drug smuggling, perhaps Zarni Htike would have had nothing to write about. But the combination of an incompetent security apparatus with a constitution that protects it from improvements is intolerable to the writer, and hundreds of netizens appear to agree:
He doesn’t protect anyone.
He doesn’t protect anyone.
The only thing he protects is the constitution.
Others, however, defended the Supreme Commander:
Read a full translation of the essay below:
This is Our Constitution
*****
A bomb exploded in Lashio.
They weren’t able to protect us.
The perpetrator was not caught.
Yet, the Supreme Commander
did not have to endure criticism.
He doesn’t even move his eyebrows to fulfill the duties of his office.
The defense budget has not lessened.
In the plot against U Ko Ni, two people died.
The main conspirator was not caught.
The Supreme Commander did not take responsibility.
He was not worried about his appointment.
Because there is war in the country
soldiers die,
civilians die,
even though there is still the same number of armed groups
the Supreme Commander does not take responsibility.
It is not just that he is not worried about his position
he renews his appointment to his position as he pleases.
Drug smugglers can not be found.
We are not allowed to put pressure on the Supreme Commander.
Everyday, the people become less protected.
The Supreme Commander doesn’t lose his job.
This is our Constitution!
The Supreme Commander, not doing any work,
even if he is just sitting there reading,
cannot be removed from his position.
Don’t even think about pressuring him.
He runs his businesses,
even if his children become rich
we can not look at the records.
We can not sue them.
The civilian government doesn’t have the power to hire the Supreme Commander.
They don’t have the power to fire him.
We are just sitting around watching him do whatever he wants.
We are just sitting around watching him not do the things he doesn’t want to do.
Don’t say anything about his responsibilities.
Don’t put any pressure on him for not fulfilling them.
This is our Constitution.
Is this defending the people
or defending the Supreme Commander?
Think of the answer for yourself.
