News analysis

Suu Kyi's pragmatic turn fails to sway critics

Her defence of Myanmar's military against genocide charges seen as a political move

Indochina Bureau Chief
Supporters of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague during hearings this week on the Rohingya genocide case. Ms Suu Kyi was defending her country at the International Court of Justice against accusations of genoc
Supporters of Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague during hearings this week on the Rohingya genocide case. Ms Suu Kyi was defending her country at the International Court of Justice against accusations of genocide filed by Gambia. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
  • Published
    Dec 14, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
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For anyone still harbouring any doubt, this week's Rohingya genocide hearing at the world court has laid bare Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's transformation from a junta-era political prisoner into a pragmatic politician.

She echoed the military's perspective on its alleged genocide in Rakhine state, defended the integrity of the military's parallel justice system, and warned the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against undermining the relationship between the military and the civilian government needed to make Myanmar work.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 14, 2019, with the headline 'Suu Kyi's pragmatic turn fails to sway critics'. Subscribe
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