Myanmar's bugging scandal

House of Commission I revealed that a joint investigation to beef up national security by the (foreign affairs) National Intelligence Agency, the State Code Institution and the Foreign Ministry had found a bugging device in Indonesia's ambassador office in Yangon. The junta frantically denied, but the Foreign Ministry insisted that "the findings of our team in Yangon gave us strong reason to believe that bugging was done" (The Jakarta Post, 13 July).

Indonesia had reasons to stick to guns on the charge, given the fact that the report was the technical result of a joint investigation of our credible state institutions which was made public by the powerful House of Commission I. It is absurd that the state institutions ever intended to fabricate allegations to play around by discrediting Myanmar, as stated in the junta's typically accusatory statement.

Four things are obvious: Firstly, the scandal indicates the cheating nature of the junta's attitude, which is not surprising. Secondly, it indicates the junta's lack of appreciation towards Indonesia's efforts in helping the country back into international folds. Thirdly, the junta might have felt increasingly nervous over the "democratization fever" that Indonesia is undergoing. Fourthly, the junta has increasingly become the "thorn in the flesh" for ASEAN and bilateral relation between the two countries.

As official diplomatic protest has been lodged, Indonesia should not lose patience. The scandal can become an impetus for Indonesia to strengthen efforts to help the people of Myanmar who endure their life under the gunpoint of the junta. It is justifiable that pressing the junta too hard may throw the country onto the lap of China, but given its records the latter might always be pragmatic in treating the junta.

Nonetheless, the prospect to have a pariah state leading ASEAN in 2006 is unthinkable and skipping Myanmar's turn should be the last resort. Efforts to help Myanmar should continue and should not be impeded by the ASEAN non-interference attitude. The attitude needs to be applied discriminately. It is like when our neighbor is trapped in a burning house, we have more than just practical obligation to offer assistance.

For example, with ASEAN spirit, Indonesia can send its special envoy with military background to meet Than Shew and his junta and politely explain that military's deep involvement in politics can be very destructive. That the Indonesian military voluntarily followed democratic constitutional reform is a dear lesson for the junta.

At the diplomatic level, however, pressure to force the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and undergo substantive reforms should not be lessened.

ALPHA AMIRRACHMAN, Vice Director, Public Sphere Institute, Sydney