Burmese Language
Cries of foul play as ‘new Burma’ is hoisted
As the rooftop landscape of Burma changed yesterday with the hoisting of a new flag, critics of the junta have said that the country’s identity change came too early.
According to opposition politicians, Burmese law states that the 2008 constitution must come into force before any new flag is raised. This shouldn’t happen until after the controversial 7 November elections.
Nay Myo Wei, general secretary of the Diversity and Peace Party (DPP), which is running in the polls, said that the junta had exploited a legal loophole to make it appear as if it had complied with the law.
“This is very controversial so it shouldn’t be carried out by either the government leaders nor the political leaders [competing in the elections],” he said.
The criticism was echoed by Thein Oo, chairman of the exiled Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC), who claimed that the junta was “already abusing and violating the constitution even before it has started, and this is definitely not a good sign for Burma in the future”.
A government announcement yesterday said however that it was part of “preparatory work to bring the Constitution into operation”.
One civil servant who attended the ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw, said that every government ministry was ordered to hold the flag-changing ceremony at 3pm concurrently.
While the star on the new flag is meant to signify ”the perpetual existence of the consolidated Union’, observers claim it is the stamp of the army. The green officially represents peace, yellow solidarity, and red valour.
A name change was also implemented as flags were raised across the country. It is now officially known as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, where previously it was just the Union of Myanmar.
The country’s pro-democracy movement, as well as a number of Western governments, continue however to call it Burma – the name given to the country by the British. Prior to the start of colonial rule, it was variously called Birmah, Bermah and Brama.
The generals have promised a transition to civilian governance following the elections, but critics say the polls are merely a cosmetic lift, with military rule set to continue.
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the same as the Lithuanian flag
It is clear that the regime destroys not only the union of the country but also the flag that represents for everyone.
EACH PERSON HAS IT’S POWER OF THOUGHT BUT YET IT’S SHOWS THE POWER.I DON’T THINK THAT THE PLAG SHOULD BE CHANGED.THERE IS MINORITY BESIDE THE MAJORITY.COULD IT BE THE SOLUTION TO THE CASES OF UNSTABLE IN THE COUNTRY?
No King and /No min in Burma
my words is the law
This is just simply a superstitious act of medievil Than Shwe before the election. As for the flag green represents military and the star which represents the state sits mainly in the green zone.
This flag does not represent a new are for the people Burma, it represents the illegal government that has murdered raped and tortured their people for years. Thitsaphout Than Shwe is terribly mistaken if he thinks the world will just forget about how he has butchered his own people. That criminal and his evil associates must stand trial for the vast war crimes they have perpetrated on the Burmese people. There must be justice for every person who has ever been violated by Thitsaphout Than Shwe’s cruelty, whether they are living or dead. This criminal Thitsphout Than Shwe must never be allowed to escape the hangman’s noose.
Really sad to see with new flag…Our brothers and we can’t do anything about it? It means insult to the nation of myanmar people. We should be united this time and follow our leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Yellow represent Than Shwe. Green represent Army. Star represent Army. What represent for burmese and our brothers in the flag.
lithuania says:
the same as the Lithuanian flag
‘Ka’ means ‘what?’.
So funny. You know hwo is in Lithania. What about Latvia? Go to 72 Queensborough Terrace in Bayswater, London W2. Do you dance Tango?
Poor Chilean Tango dancer was tortured by Pinochet’s regime.
He died in London.
Have an ‘Occho’!Figure of eight.
Good rubbing.
It looks like Shan flag (with white circle or the moon) which is used from 7 February 1947.
Wake up United Nations! Wake up world! Free Burma NOW!!!!!!
This change of the country’s name and flag is illegal just as much as the junta government, the 2008 constitution and the up-coming election, are.
Incidentally, Burma is an adaptation of the English tongue from Bamar, a perfectly native word, just like Rangoon and Yankon (Y for native Rakauk). I saw once around 1987, the cutting-down of tamar trees on up-country roadsides just to get rid of the remnants of the colonial masters, thay said. Such plain xenophobia, you know!!!