When Great Britain gave Burma her independence, elected representatives decided the constitution and the design of the Burmese National Flag. The flag was supposed to represent the States, making up the Union of Burma. Unfortunately, the Arakan and the Mon were not represented. It appears that U Nu’s government, although made up of elective representatives, did not subscribe to the spirit of Pan-long agreement drawn up by the Bogyoke Aung San and leaders of the ethnic groups. Some of the leaders were hereditary chiefs and not necessarily elected by the people. The Pan-long agreement would have made the Union of Burma more of a Federal Union.
A centralized form of governance is convenient for occupying forces, whether foreign or home grown like the traitorous Burmese tatmadaw. The Burmese military has occupied Burma continuously since the 2nd of March 1962. The Burmese way to socialism was a military dictatorship. The so called representatives were appointed by the military and most of the ministers of government were military officers out of uniform.
The national referendums being held were similar to those in other totalitarian states e.g. dictatorships is Africa, the Soviet Union etc. The results of referendums in totalitarian states have always been in the neighborhood of 99.999999999% in favour of. Be it the national constitution or the national flag. The people of Burma spoke out during the 1988 nationwide demonstrations, when the tatmadaw’s ma-sa-la flag was flown upside down, burnt or used to clean the feet.
The only legal constitution and flag for Burma is the 1948 constitution and flag, made up by freely elected representatives. Any modifications, addition or deletions should only be made by freely elected representatives of the people. Not by command.
Then and only then will Burma be part of the family of free nations, once again.
U P.T.M.
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