Suu Kyi ‘saving face’ with journos’ release

YANGON: After relentless diplomatic pressure and global outrage, fallen democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi finally decided that a pardon for two Myanmar journalists jailed for reporting on a Rohingya massacre was the only way to resolve an issue that has dogged her government for nearly 18 months.

Observers say the unexpected release of the Reuters reporters was a political decision timed to save face for the country’s civilian leader, after a vigorous international campaign that saw Amal Clooney join their legal team, Time magazine put the pair on their cover, and journalism awards and honours piled up.

A presidential pardon freed Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, from prison on Tuesday to a media frenzy and messages of congratulations from the White House to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The pair spent over 500 days behind bars under colonial-era state secrets convictions after probing the extrajudicial killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims during a military crackdown.

Global attention on the reporters and the damage already done to the country’s reputation were “potentially costly” to the government, said independent analyst Richard Horsey. Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi – already seen as a pariah by many for perceived complicity in the Rohingya’s plight – provoked outcry when she refused to intervene.

The abrupt decision to free the pair was made as Myanmar’s leaders had “taken into consideration the longterm interest of (the) country,” said government spokesman Zaw Htay.

Political timing was also a factor, observers say.

Myanmar will go to the polls next year and this was a chance to “get it out of the way” rather than risk overshadowing the vote, said retired Thai diplomat Kobsak Chutikul.