Implications of Suu Kyi’s refusal to meet Gambari…

Any wonder why the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has chosen not to meet up with UN envoy, Ibrahim Gambari?

According to Kyaw Zwa Moe, in Irrawaddy’s, ‘The UN’s Dangerous Detour‘, the UN has been bending itself over backwards in promoting the interests of the military junta and its ‘road map’ to democracy. He wrote, it ‘was more than a disappointment: it was a disgrace’. The writer also added that Gambari was pushing for a nation-wide 2010 elections, which was originally part of the junta’s ‘road map’. The envoy further assured that the UN would monitor this election to ensure that it is conducted in a ‘free and fair’ manner.

Human Rights Defender - Hu Shigen

Associated Press reported the release of a Chinese democracy activist, Hu Shigen, now aged, 53, who has served 16 years in prison for “carrying out counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement” and “organizing a counterrevolutionary group”.

A lecturer of the Beijing Language and Culture Institute, Shigen formed the China Freedom and Democracy Party with Wang Guoqi and others in 1991. He was also part of the Chinese Progressive Alliance formed by Kang Yuchun and one of the co-founders of the China Free Trade Union Preparatory Committee.

The (secondary) role of women in Malaysian politics…

According to the BBC, Anwar Ibrahim has launched his political campaign to fight for a seat in the Malaysian Parliament. He is coming up against the government’s candidate, Arif Shah Omar, in Permatang Pau, which used to be held by his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. The window of opportunity arose after she gave up office, thereby triggering a by-election, which, according to the news agency, acts to ‘pave the way for her husband’s return to formal office’.

Anwar supporters might have welcomed this move given they have waited with anticipation for the man’s return; and that Wan Azizah, rose to prominence only because she was  ‘the face and support for Anwar’ during those years in which he was incarcerated. Nevertheless, by giving up her position to facilitate her husband’s entrance to parliament, the bigger question of women’s role in Malaysian politics resurfaces its ugly head.