GRAPE VINE
Minister U Hpo Hlaing (1823-1883)--A Candle for Democracy in Burma
Source : Gustaaf Houtman, Analytica Birmanie
Maung Maung explained in his section the choice of democracy in Burma's 1948 democratic constitution, how it was Minister U Hpo Hlaing (1823-83) who first introduced Burma to the idea of democratic reform. As Maung Maung put it, Hpo Hlaing had tried to press upon him [King Thibaw] a democratic constitution.
'U Po Hlaing at the height of his power on the ascension of Thibaw to the throne had submitted a constitution, or a treatise of rules for the King, by which the King would draw a salary and reign as a constitutional monarch, while the affairs of state would be conducted by a bicameral parliament of the people and the aristocracy, and a cabinet of ministers. The ideas were drastic then, and the absolute King and his weaker ministers rejected them, and U Po Hlaing was stripped of power and turned out of office.' (Maung Maung, U. 1959. Burma's Constitution. The Hague: M. Nijhoff, p 91)
In 1878, aiming for the reform of the Burmese monarchy, Hpo Hlaing wrote Companion of Dhamma for Royalty (Raja-Dhamma-Singaha-Kyan), with which he hoped to convince Thibaw to reform the monarchy into a democratic government. However, instead of initiating reform, King Thibaw and his cabinet dismissed him in that same year. Less than a decade afterwards, the British annexed Upper Burma, thus bringing the whole of Burma under foreign control. National independence was thus lost in 1886 not because democracy reforms had been implemented, but /because/ Thibaw and and his ministers did not see the necessity for democratic reform.
Today, we are still in this situation.... In 2000, more than a century after Minister Hpo Hlaing was dismissed for his advocacy of 'traditional democracy', enduring democratic reforms have yet to take place. This may yet again cost Burma its independence - worse, this time to one of its close Asian neighbours and not some distant power. If it is not actually gobbled up, it is now well on its way to become a buffer state dancing to the tune of its infinitely more powerful, populous and intellectually cunning neighbouring governments.
Ne Win, Khin Nyunt, Thant Shwe and Maung Aye still act like Thibaw and his ministers. They would be wise to hurry reforms along, for the clock is ticking..... the wa-lon are multiplying.