The Perfect Hostage - part 3

She returned to Burma on April 2, 1988, to care for her ailing mother who had suffered a serious stroke. Little did she realize that trip home would cement her destiny. Michael Aris, however, wrote that “I had a premonition that our lives would change forever” (pg. 221).

When she returned, she discovered first hand the suffering that her people were going through, and how the despotic generals (who are ironically supported by the so called “leaders of the free world”) had destroyed Burma. It was around that time, one could say, The Lady received the calling to continue her father’s work in creating a free and peaceful Burma.

Her work in restoring democracy to Burma has made her the world’s most well-renowned prisoner of conscience. In 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which her husband and children received on her behalf. Her courage in taking on the ruthless junta has isolated her from the people she loved the most. She could not be with her husband on his deathbed and could not even attend his funeral. She has not seen her two sons in years. She is locked up at 54, University Avenue with no companions, save a doctor who checks on her once in a while.

Despite the suffering that she personally gone through, and the sufferings of her people she had to witness, The Lady remains indomitable. She once told Steven Gan of the Bangkok Nation, (yes, the Steven Gan who is now the editor of Malaysiakini.com) that she wants to reach an understanding with the junta. “All sides have to realize that the impasse is not doing anybody any good.” That was in 1998.

While international media has highlighted the plight of The Lady from time to time, leaders of the world, especially those of ASEAN, seem to approach the matter at arm’s length. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, you have not been forgotten.

This book is well-researched and it tells a compelling story. If there is one book that will help you make sense of the tragedy called Burma, this is probably it. We all wait the day when ASEAN’s most famous citizen will lead her country into glory.