According to an informed source close to Burma’s military based leadership, Naypyitaw fears invasion, or rather infiltration, from the West by Muslim fundamentalists.
“The focus has moved away from the southeast (Thailand) in the past few years,” said the source who requested anonymity. “Thailand anyway is a nge-naing (a person one has always beaten in the past). Nothing much to worry about.”
China on the other hand is second on its watch list. “But culturally, it is regarded as a lesser threat than from radical Islamism,” he said.
Since its maritime dispute with Bangladesh in 2008, Naypyitaw has been sending more troops to the Bangladeshi-Burma border. A “Great Wall of Burma” has also been in construction along the 300 km border.
“Already three townships in Arakan State’s northwest have become Muslim majority,” he added. “It therefore decided further encroachments on its sovereignty could no longer be tolerated.”
One recent example of Naypyitaw’s concern could be seen from the result of the November elections. “There were two Muslim parties,” he explained. “Neither one was permitted to win a single seat.”
The two were Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organization (MKNSO) and Khami National Development party (KNDP).
Burma is well known for its human rights abuses. Muslims, especially Rohingyas, appear to have been bearing the brunt of them, according to reports from rights organizations.
