Yesterday, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi encouraged residents of Pyay Township in Bago Region who are concerned about the possible resumption of the controversial Myitsone dam project to “widen their perspective,” despite widespread opposition to the unpopular project and its potentially disastrous environmental consequences.
“I would like you think about the issue from multiple sides, economically, socially, politically and environmentally. If we just scrap the project, we will lose our credibility internationally and people cannot rely on us if we just do what we want,” Suu Kyi said during a town hall meeting, live streamed on her official State Counselor Office’s Facebook page.
Suu Kyi also expanded on the effects that scrapping the project could have on Myanmar’s international reputation.
“If we just do what we want and stop this project, Myanmar will lose credibility. Although the project was promised in the previous government, we have to follow through with the promise or people won’t believe in Myanmar,” she said.
The Myitsone project has been suspended since 2011 by then President Thein Sein, in a rare concession to public outcry of the project’s implementation. However, Myanmar is considering the resumption of the project, under different terms, according to an announcement by U Thaung Tun, the minister of investment and foreign economic relations back in January.
Her comments come just months after Chinese officials reportedly pressured Kachin political officials in a December visit to Myitkyina, the state capital, to resume the Myitsone project. In another bizarre diplomatic spat, the Chinese embassy issued a statement that residents in Kachin State supported the Myitsone project, which was later refuted by Kachin political leaders.
The Myitsone project is just one of seven other hydroelectric power projects that have been slated to be constructed in the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy river. The controversial $3.6-billion (approximately 5.48 trillion kyats), has been opposed by international watchdogs, civil society, activists and the majority of Myanmar’s public for its potentially disastrous environmental and social consequences.
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