‘Was Suu Kyi cloned by Than Shwe?’ is the latest headline on the ‘Burma Tha Din Network’ website, which has seemingly been resurrected following a five-month hiatus.
For those who aren’t familiar with the site, it’s basically Myanmar’s version of The Onion. Their tagline is ‘Reporting on Burma and the world, because sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.’
Past headlines include ‘Rare sighting of policy debate in Burma’s election?’, ‘Wirathu will be reincarnated as a Rohingya’ (one of our personal favorites), and an ‘exclusive’ piece exposing the news that ‘Aung San Suu Kyi not perfect’.
In their most recent article, the Network talked to friends and families of leading activists, investigated into secret tunnels near Nay Pyi Daw, and even tried to interview NDL spokesperson Win Htetin — who allegedly told them to ‘fuck off’ — in the hopes of determining whether or not the Suu Kyi that’s now calling the shots is the same lady who fought for Myanmar’s democracy.
“An Aung San Suu Kyi clone under the control of Than Shwe would explain many of her otherwise inexplicable recent actions, including appointing more ministers and officials linked with the military and former regime than members of the NLD, her attitude towards Muslims and Rohingya, silence on military attacks including rape of ethnic women, continuing Thein Seins peace process, her failure to release political prisoners, the crackdown on free media, and authoritarian leadership style.”
Considering the number of stringent restrictions on freedom of press in Myanmar, it’s no surprise that the site is run anonymously.
Earlier this month, the CEO of Eleven Media Group was arrested after writing an article implying that Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein had taken a $100,000 Patek Philippe watch as a bribe.
A reporter at the Myanmar Times was also sacked after publishing an investigation into allegations of rape committed by security forces in Rakhine State.
These are just two recent examples from a long list of government backlash against press who have, shall we say, depicted authorities in a less-than-flattering light.
In case you were wondering, the Network’s investigations couldn’t necessarily prove that Suu Kyi was in fact cloned by Than Shwe. However, they point out that “If the cloning program has happened, it raises the prospect that somewhere in a cell in a tunnel near NayPyiDaw the real Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is sitting in a cell listening to the radio and thinking; ‘How the hell can people believe I’d do that?!’”
Just something to ponder the next time you find yourself disappointed in the Lady.
