Home is where the hurt is for Daw San San

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It is not unusual for House of Representatives legislators to hold hearings late into the night, especially when high-profile cases are involved.

On one particular evening recently, however, only four of 50- something legislators from House Commission I on defense, foreign and information affairs, showed up for the hearing.

The rest failed to have the courtesy to welcome two Myanmarese prodemocracy activists, Daw San San and Khin Ohmar, who came all the way from their place of exile in Mae Sot, Thailand, to meet the legislators.

It would not have been so pathetic had San San been in her late 30s, like Ohmar. However, San San is 73 years old: Clad in blouse and sarong, she looked like an abandoned grandmother in a room full of empty chairs.

But rarely is any grandmother as relentless as San San, a long-time prodemocracy advocate who has visited many countries to seek support in the struggle against the military junta or to receive awards on behalf of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

San San demanded Indonesia and other countries oppose Myanmar's turn next year to hold the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as it will tarnish the countries' credibility.

"I know, some of you may be thinking that, at my age, I should be at home, enjoying life with my family. I wish for that too, but unfortunately, what is happening in my country does not permit that luxury," San San told the legislators.

In an interview with The Jakarta Post a few days later, she said the situation in Myanmar was deteriorating, both democratically and economically.

"There are problems of drug trafficking and terrorism. Activists are being harassed and arrested. As the largest democratic country in the region, I asked Indonesia to lend a helping hand," San San said in simple English, in tones stripped of emotion.

A former marine biologist, San San's active involvement in politics was heightened during the People's Uprising against the junta in 1988. Back then, she was a deputy director in the labor department.

"I was elected as president of the labor union. But then I was forced to resign," she said.

In the 1990 general elections, at which the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel laureate Suu Kyi won 81 percent of the seats, San San became an elected member of parliament.

The parliament, however, was not convened. Instead, the military started harassing elected members, forcing them to resign, arrested many others and declared many political parties illegal.

San San was among those arrested, but was given some sort of amnesty by the Home Affairs Ministry; she was released in 1992.

"They issued a statement, saying that I was not a danger to the state," she said.

However, after she was elected as NLD vice president for Yangon division in 1997, the amnesty was withdrawn. She was arrested with other prominent NLD members after attempting to hold a meeting with Suu Kyi.

For at least the first three months of her 25-year sentence, she was held in prison without access to her family, doctors or a lawyer.

Reports described her cell as having a very low ceiling, with only a tiny window, and prisoners sleeping on bamboo mats on the ground. The toilet was a muddy bowl in the center of the room and was emptied only once a day. The women were often forced to sit cross-legged on the ground with their heads bowed.

San San drew a picture of the prison as a place where rats were rife.

"It was a brick building, but my room was wooden, not made of brick and concrete, so rats could come and go. I then asked for a cat. But it was so small, it was afraid of the rats. So, I often caught them myself," she said, laughing.

As an elderly woman, she managed to escape physical torture, but things were different for male activists.

"They would cut their work and sources of earning money so that they would not be able to support their families. They would also be beaten mercilessly, or be put into some sort of well full of human excrement. That's why there are many women activists in Burma -- it is much more difficult for men," said San San, whose husband, a civil servant, died in 1994.

In 2001, already 69 years old, San San was released due to her failing health. She was suffering from hepatitis.

However, she was warned by the authorities that if she were to get involved in politics again, she would have to settle the prison debt.

"Of course I didn't listen to them. I tried to continue working because I felt the mandate of the people was more important," she said.

In 2003, after the Depayin massacre, in which many people were killed and many others, including Suu Kyi, were arrested, San San decided to flee to Mae Sot, Thailand.

"I dressed like an old man. I told the border security officials that I wasn't feeling well and couldn't leave my car at the checkpoint," said San San.

In Mae Sot, she lived with fellow activists, with financial support coming from the United States and Australia. The latter granted her political asylum and provides her with a travel document similar to a passport.

Asked if she had been afraid at all, San San said she was sometimes afraid that members of her family might suffer and be arrested. That was why she never contacted her five children and six grandchildren.

"My family did not know I fled. I never make contact with them because the authorities always tap my telephone. Even some of my relatives are agents," said San San.

She did not wish her children to become activists, saying that one activist was enough in her family.

"My eldest sister used to be involved in politics. She was not forced to resign, but after 20 years to 25 years working as civil servant, she is still a low-ranking official," San San said.

Her strong facade, however, crumbled a little as she recalled her family.

"I try to forget.. but sometimes in the afternoon, as the sun is setting ... I miss my grandchildren," she said, looking into the distance.

Asked again if she was exhausted by the struggle, San San only laughed. Clearly, regardless of her state of health or exile, she would not cease to strive for freedom in Myanmar.