November 05, 2015•Update: November 06, 2015
By Joshua Carroll
YANGON, Myanmar
Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has told a press conference that people should not “exaggerate” in response to a question about the plight of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.
Speaking Thursday in the garden of her home in Yangon, the commercial capital, the Nobel peace laureate sought to distance herself from the Rohingya, in a move many suspect may be in fear that any perceived support may damage her National League for Democracy party's election chances.
When questioned about allegations of genocide against the Rohingya, who live mostly in coastal Rakhine state, Suu Kyi said it was important not to “exaggerate small problems,” but later added: “I’m not saying this is a small problem.”
Suu Kyi has repeatedly refused to break her silence on the plight of the Rohingya, who have been fleeing violence and state enforced discrimination in the country by sea.
When questioned about allegations of genocide against the Rohingya, who live mostly in coastal Rakhine state, Suu Kyi said it was important not to “exaggerate small problems,” but later added: “I’m not saying this is a small problem.”
Suu Kyi has repeatedly refused to break her silence on the plight of the Rohingya, who have been fleeing violence and state enforced discrimination in the country by sea.
“I think you should take into consideration the fact that a whole country is in a dramatic situation, not just Rakhine,” she said when questioned about the thousands of Rohingya who are likely to take to shoddy boats again in coming months following the end of Myanmar's rainy season.
Earlier this year the exodus led to an international crisis as thousands were left stranded at sea by people smugglers who were targeted in a crackdown by Thai authorities.
Suu Kyi -- standing in front of a bright red background, decorated with the white star and dancing peacock of the NLD flag -- also said that she would not make a decision on her own about amending a 1982 law that denies many Rohingya citizenship.
Many believe Suu Kyi’s reluctance to defend Islamic minorities is based on fear of populist Buddhist extremists who have gained significant political power in recent years.
Despite falling foul of hardline monks, Suu Kyi is widely expected to win the most seats in the Nov. 8 poll. But even if the NLD secures a large enough majority to elect the president on Sunday, she will not be eligible for the role because the military-drafted constitution bars her.
She told the conference that despite the ban she will lead the government if the NLD wins, and be “above the president”.
Suu Kyi also reiterated that she has “made plans” to address the fact she has no obvious successor, but did not give details of who might be president.
