When you can’t beat them, smear them?
That seems to be the mantra of the joint-chairman of Myanmar’s ruling party, who kicked off his election campaign on Tuesday with what appeared to be a sexual jibe at opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Eleven Media reported.
Speaking in Irrawaddy Division’s Hinthada Township, Htay Oo of the Union Solidarity and Development Party made a bizarre argument implying that leaders of “big nations” are only coming to Myanmar now because they might be able to kiss Suu Kyi.
Obama flouted the country’s cultural norms when he kissed Suu Kyi on the cheek in 2012 and 2014.
“In the past, powerful countries that assumed Myanmar will never change its political system started recognising the political changes in Myanmar and associated them with us [USDP]. Previously, the United Nations and other countries blamed us. Now, the big nations which have taken action against us visit Myanmar,” said Htay Oo.
“Mr Barack Obama came here two times. What happened when he came here? Someone was kissed two times!”
Ahead of the country’s November 8 election, female politicians have complained of smears and attacks on their integrity.
Photo / AFP
