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SINGAPORE : As ASEAN leaders meet amidst tight security for their annual summit, another group has been striving to be heard nearby.
Some Myanmar nationals have been spotted wearing red T-shirts and carrying placards in the hope of making a statement about the suppression of protests in their country two months ago.
It has been more than a month since the religious icons of Myanmar took to the streets in protest. The world watched in horror as the military junta cracked down on the defenceless monks.
While the voices in Myanmar were quelled, they gained momentum in other countries.
In Singapore, the Myanmar nationals gathered, seeking solace and hopefully change. One month later, and there is still no letting up.
Two days before the 13th ASEAN Summit was scheduled to take place in Singapore, a slew of protests and dialogues took place, all seeking for some kind of reconciliation on the Myanmar issue.
Human rights activists in Singapore gathered, chorusing for changes to the ASEAN Charter. They wanted the human rights treaty to be made into a separate treaty.
The participants signed a document calling for democracy in Myanmar. Balloons representing the 10 ASEAN countries were released as a demonstration of their plea for Myanmar to be free.
In another dialogue session across the island at Excelsior Hotel, there was a sea of red, as participants gathered to support a change in Myanmar.
Over 3,000 Myanmar nationals signed a petition, unanimously asking for the international community, especially ASEAN, to pitch in with regard to the Myanmar situation. They felt that more could be done to help.
One Myanmar national, Myo Myint Maung, said: "We are very hopeful there will be tangible changes after the ASEAN Summit, and one of the reasons for doing this dialogue today is to voice out our request... regarding what kind of actions should be taken against the military junta, and what kind of concrete actions to take for the political change in Burma."
The petition was presented to Tampines MP Irene Ng who will deliver it to the Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister, George Yeo, so that it can be passed on to the United Nations.
While some expressed their feelings through dialogues, others expressed them through the arts. A "peace concert for Burma" was held at the Singapore Substation. More than 60 people turned up to show their support.
Despite the outpouring of emotion by the Myanmar nationals, ASEAN leaders on Monday maintained that they would let Myanmar deal with the United Nations on their own.
It was a statement that might have disappointed many, but if the events over the weekend are anything to go by, Myanmar nationals are not easily disenchanted; theirs is a hope not quickly quashed, and there may not be any letting up on the issue just yet. - CNA/ms
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