A Myanmar comedy troupe who satirized leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been forced to defend their skit as “not an insult” after facing a barrage of criticism – and some acclaim – online.
Video footage of the performance by the group, Har Style, shows a comedian dressed as Suu Kyi brushing aside ‘civilians’ in favor of foreign trips.
Since coming to power earlier this year, the politician has made numerous state visits – most recently to India as a security crisis was ongoing in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.
“It is normal that jokes draw criticism,” Kaung Htet, one of the four troupe members, told the Irrawaddy, adding that it is the job of comedians to criticize the flaws in governments.
Previous military and military-backed governments were the target of many comedians, some of who were jailed for their performances.
But this is Suu Kyi, long lionized as the country’s moral leader after spending years under house arrest in pursuit of democracy. After she came to power, cartoonists were divided on whether she was a fair target.
Zarganar, a comedian who was frequently jailed by the former ruling military junta, defended Har Style, telling the Irrawaddy: “The government needs to perform well if they don’t like criticism.”
Others took a dimmer view of the troupe.
Mandalay-based comic Chit Sayar said the new government was struggling against the challenges created by previous administrations and accused Har Style of “poor political awareness”.
