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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Myanmar statues of independence hero Aung San disappear amid legacy battle

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Statues of Myanmar's independence hero Aung San are being removed across the country.
  • The government claims the removals are for maintenance due to incorrect proportions, but analysts suggest it's an effort to distance Aung San's legacy from his detained daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi.
  • The removals highlight a struggle over historical legacy and national symbolism in post-coup Myanmar.

Statues of Myanmar's independence hero Aung San are disappearing from public spaces across the country, sparking a debate over his legacy and its connection to his detained daughter, democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

They can remove the statues, but they can never erase Bogyoke’s image.

— Yangon residentA Yangon resident commented on the removal of Aung San statues, expressing that his image cannot be erased from people's memory.

Aung San, revered as the father of modern Myanmar, fought for the nation's independence from both British and Japanese colonial powers before his assassination in 1947. His statues, many erected during the period of democratic transition when Suu Kyi's party was in power, are now being taken down by the military government led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.

The government has stated that some statues are being removed due to "incorrect proportions and shapes." However, analysts interpret these actions as a move to symbolically sever the powerful link between Aung San and his daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains detained since the 2021 coup. The military regime aims to make Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party politically irrelevant.

incorrect proportions and shapes

— Government spokeswoman Khaing Khaing SoeThe government spokeswoman stated that statues with 'incorrect proportions and shapes' are being reviewed and addressed.

Despite the physical removal of statues, Aung San's image remains deeply embedded in the public consciousness. His assassination and that of his colleagues are commemorated annually on Martyrs' Day, a public holiday. "They can remove the statues, but they can never erase Bogyoke’s image," one Yangon resident commented anonymously, questioning the military's persistent fear despite their control of power.

efforts to revive his historical legacy

— Moe ThuzarMyanmar specialist Moe Thuzar described the erection of statues and the return of Aung San's face to currency notes as efforts to revive his historical legacy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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