By Ko Myitta (Nay Pyi Taw)
“Employees who involved in Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)are being supported with the money in envelopes. Those who do not do CDM are also being provided with rice and oil. We have seen a lot of persuasive telling to provide monthly assistance but the sponsors are unknown. When asked, CDM staff have to report their names to the addresses shown on Facebook through messenger.”
“This act is due to the misconception that the State will stop its mechanism by doing so. I would like to ask if this kind of supporting from behind is following the existing laws. Nevertheless, I want peace as soon as possible. I am against the CDM and I don’t involve in this movement for the long-term benefits for the family. I go to work,” said Ko Tun Tun (not his real name), a Deputy Head-level official.
I totally condemn the act of social bullying against the staff who do not involve in the CDM on social media and I think they should not do that. People have the right to freely disagree in democracy and I reject the act that insults the morals of others. It is seen that CDM staff insult the staff who goes to work. We must commend the civil servants who do not involve in the CDM for their tolerance. These moves do not accord with the democratic system but against it. What if those who have been insulted file the lawsuit for the truth?
“I would like to compare the CDM movement with the 1988 uprising. The current CDM movement is not as severe as it was in 1988 and the other side doesn’t suppress as it used to be. But if lawlessness and violence are committed, the rule of law and the peace and stability of the country must be taken into account.
Although it is not uncommon for extremists to be involved in the CDM with bad and stupid ideas, I believe the genuine public servants will not involve in it just like the story of two parrots that we have learnt at schools.
“Therefore, I don’t want people to post anything that violates the rights of others on social media. I don’t want them to imitate the actions of people who do not have a vision for the future,” said Ma Moh Moh (not the real name), a Facebook user.
There are also retired civil service personnel who want those who participate in the current CDM activities to go to work peacefully, as opposed in comparison with the lessons learned from the 1988 uprising.
“I would like to compare the CDM movement with the 1988 uprising. The current CDM movement is not as severe as it was in 1988 and the other side doesn’t suppress as it used to be. But if lawlessness and violence are committed, the rule of law and the peace and stability of the country must be taken into account. I would like to say to avoid harmful acts to those who don’t have the same belief and incitements. The reason I say this is because I am now 61 years old and I have experienced the 1988 uprising and I have learnt a lot from the various scenes of the incident,” said a retired official from a ministry.
“My wife is an employee in Nay Pyi Taw. I drive the motorbike to get her to work. When I was stopped and asked where to go by some CDM staffs on the way, I politely explained that I am retired and my wife worked currently. However, they persuaded us to involve in the CDM activities whether we are retired or currently working. I apologized that I couldn’t do that and I get her to work. Anyhow, we do not want people to force others to join the CDM, and also I do not want them to join the CDM, after reviewing past occurrences. I want peace for all and I want them to go to work as usual,” he said.
I totally condemn the act of social bullying against the staff who do not involve in the CDM on social media and I think they should not do that. People have the right to freely disagree in democracy and I reject the act that insults the morals of others.
Similarly, I want the CDM staff to hear the voices of retail sellers and staff living in the Nay Pyi Taw staff housing who want a peaceful life.
“Selling and buying are not as easy as it used to be in times of peace. I do shopping in Bawgathiri market in Pyinmana early morning and sell them around the staff housing. I am worried until I returned home because I am afraid there will be persuasion to involve in the CDM, on the other hand, I have to work for a living. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, which makes it difficult to make a living, the CDM movement makes the sale more even difficult.
I usually arrived back home in the afternoon in the past, but now I can be home only around 5:30 pm. I want to be back home peacefully like before. I don’t want to sell with worries. I want to get things done fast when it comes to home or office work. We do not want the public services to become slow due to the CDM.
We do not want to waste our precious time as we have to make time for our living. Therefore, we do not want the CDM activities. I am against the CDM movement,” said a seller with a tricycle.
“My wife is an employee. She is not willing to involve in the CDM and I don’t want to encourage her to do so, either because we have many future plans and we do not want to destroy them. Despite being persuaded to participate in the CDM, we replied clearly that we do not want to be involved in it.
We need to have awareness as we should not believe every statement lack confirmation. We need to have more knowledge and we need to deliberate which is right or wrong. As an employee, we must think realistically whether we should involve in the CDM or not. I don’t support the CDM movement. I disagree with them,” said a resident in Gangaw residence in Zabuthiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw.
We believe what we want and we must also respect others who have their own beliefs. We should think about our long-term development. Therefore, we should express our attitudes and beliefs peacefully in a democratic way without harming the morals and interests of others and by respecting the existing laws, rules and regulations.
Translated.
