Myanmar Journal: You Can't Make This Stuff Up
“Last night there was a very encouraging news release from the military regime regarding the banking system. In a previous memo I mentioned that one of the biggest problems people face is getting money out of their bank accounts. Those with ATM cards are able to withdraw small amounts but you never know on which day ATM machines will be open and when you find one that is, you have to endure long lines and the money runs out before the end of the queue is reached. Those wanting to withdraw without an ATM card must first fill out an application online stating the specific service they require and then submit the application to the bank. After the application is reviewed and approved you will then be given a date when you should come to the bank to take care of your business a process that overall can take a week or more. We are further told that if your application is denied they simply don’t respond to your application leaving one to wonder.
Happily, now all of that has now changed!! In its press release last night it said that the Junta understands that people are afraid to keep money in their home for fear of it being stolen (actually, the people have a long history of secreting money either in their homes or elsewhere rather than deposit it in a bank and even in the 5 years of democracy people remain skeptical of keeping money in the banks, except that which they needed for mobile data transactions).
So, to relieve the citizenry of the enormous angst (!) and to help stabilize the country the Junta has trotted out a new program whereby if you open a new bank account (and this only applies to new accounts opened after 3 May) by depositing money into that account, and then you will enjoy the luxury of being able to withdraw that money whenever you wish… and if you believe that, then I know of many businesses that have gone belly up in in the past 3 months that you can invest in at bargain basement prices!
But this does not apply to any accounts opened before 3 May. Of course, everyone is out on the streets today dancing and rejoicing over this news. (oops…….my mistake….I was just told that those are protestors out on the streets… sarcasm again) Well, all I can say is that Min Aung Hlaing was certainly correct when he told ASEAN a few days ago that the situation in Myanmar is rapidly improving. You are so wonderful PaPa!
On a more serious note, the Junta is hemorrhaging money and it continues to try every means possible to attract money. One of the more comical is that, a few weeks ago they announced the reopening of the national lottery. However, if you are one of the lucky winners you can only collect 60% of your winnings now and the balance will be paid at some later, undefined date! Good luck with that! Despite this, I have not seen a single lottery seller in months.
We have also heard numerous accounts of soldiers either not being paid at all or being paid weeks late. When they break into apartments and steal anything of value the reason they give is that because of the protestors they are not getting paid. So, in fairness to the soldiers I respectfully request that everyone put an end to the protests so that the soldiers can once again earn the money they have so aptly gained by their excellent work of terrorizing, arresting, kidnapping, beating, torturing, killing and gang raping the civilians they so valiantly protect.”
This ongoing thread is being written by a vipassana meditator from the tradition of S.N. Goenka who is currently in Myanmar, who has played a pivotal role in the organization’s mission. For his safety, personal details have been obscured, but he has made it his desire that his observations be read by meditators everywhere. Please note that we are able to ensure donations reach this person as well as the community he is supporting.