Sittwe: News of the deteriorating health of Burma's detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is causing concern among people around the country, said residents in Arakan.
"Almost everyone in our locality is worried about her after hearing that she is ill in prison. Since she is our sole hope for democratic reforms in our country, we pray for her good health and well-being," said a woman shopkeeper in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan in western Burma.
Anxious over the trial of Suu Kyi, most people are listening to foreign-based radio news from the BBC, RFA, and VOA, to keep abreast of the latest situation regarding her. Local media and newspapers, which are heavily censored by the military regime, rarely publish news about political dissent in Burma.
"I don't hear people talking about the price of merchandise here for days since the detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Insein prison. They talk of the latest news about her after hearing the BBC, RFA, or VOA radio programmes. People are concerned and wish her good health," said another woman, a cross-border trader from Maungdaw on the border with Bangladesh.
Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained in the notorious Insein prison and is on trial on new charges of flouting her house arrest rules after an American male intruded into her lakeside residence earlier this month. She could face a minimum of five years in prison if convicted.
Critics say the regime has put Suu Kyi on trial in the face of severe international pressure in order to keep her in prison during its 2010 general elections, which are widely believed to be an effort to legitimize and entrench military rule in Burma.
Her party stated last Friday that it was seriously concerned about her health as she could not sleep due to cramps in the legs at night and demanded urgent medical care for her.
"Anxiety for her is clearly growing among the people after hearing the news of her deteriorating health because everyone regards her as a democracy leader and believe that Burma cannot become a democracy without her," said U Pinnyadipa, a Buddhist monk from Mrauk-U, an ancient city of Arakan.
According to Narinjara reporters inside Arakan, the military authorities have stepped up security measures in the main towns of Arakan Sate. It has especially restricted the travel of monks and is keeping a close watch on some big monasteries in case Suu Kyi's trial triggers social unrest and protests in the area.
