Polemic New National Capital: Myanmar Military Junta Forces ASN To Move From Yangoon To Naypyidaw

Myanmar's parliamentary center building in Naypyidaw City. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The Myanmar government's decision to move the State Capital from Yangoon to Naypyidaw did not go smoothly. The Myanmar side considers the transfer of power centers in a hurry and has no important urgency. Moreover, for the State Civil Apparatus (ASN).

They think Naypyidaw is not worthy of being the center of power. The narrative is because life support facilities are not adequate. However, the Military Junta does not care. Anyone who serves as ASN is forced to swallow the bitter pill to move to a quiet Naypyidaw.

There are only two Yangoon extensions as the capital city of the State of Myanmar. The whole of Myanmar feels that Yangoon is the right city. The people of Myanmar enjoy a lot of welfare in Yangoon. From education to work.

Malang cannot be rejected. The general view regarding Yangoon's existence is different from that agreed by General Than Shwe. The Military Junta leader considers Yangoon no longer worthy of being occupied as the center of government.

The movement of development that is fast considered by the Military Junta is like a disturbance. It is feared that the age of power of the Military Junta will not last long. Myanmar may collapse quickly when there is a war. Even the power of the Military Junta could be destroyed because of the mass action.

General Than Shwe saw that his power could step down at any time. It is said that the narrative was also present through various predictions that made the Military Junta more paranoid.

The power of attorney has also started planning the transfer of the State Capital. Minister of Planning and Economic Development, U Soe Tha. Development began secretly in the 2000s era.

The result surprised the Myanmar government to officially move the center of government from Yangoon to the new nation's capital in 2005. Naypyidaw (City of the Kings), his name. The new nation's capital is quite far from Yangoon, or 400 kilometers. The military junta government also has a lot of land to build defense centers and other facilities.

The government immediately straightened out the reasons for the transfer. Information Minister Kyaw Hsan said the new capital city was more strategic for the government. Yangoon is considered a sumpek, there is little land left to build a government building. The construction of the new capital city was led by U Soe Tha, Minister of Planning and Economic Development.

The government is building five parts of the new city, namely Oathara Thiri, Dekkina Thiri, Poppha Thiri, Zapu Thiri, and Zeyar Thiri. This area is divided according to zones, such as government, settlements, business areas, military, hotels, recreation, pagoda, and international zones. The government also provides about two hectares of land for embassy buildings and international organizations, "explained Yandi M.R. in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled Mass City of Kings (2010).

The move from the State Capital from Yangoon to Naypyidaw made hundreds of ASN classified as the first wave uneasy. They became the first Myanmar citizens to fill the new nation's capital. The move even tends to be forced by the Military Junta.

Anyone who feels he is serving the country is asked to prepare for Naypyidaw. In fact, the move was requested in the shortest possible time. Even so, the Myanmar government has prepared all kinds of incentives and other supporting facilities.

Many ASNs say they are not happy with the government's plan. However, what can be done, they live in the midst of a repressive military government. ASN must also live an isolated life from the outside world.

The narrative of life in Naypyidaw is all limited so it comes to the fore. This is because development is still not summarized. Myanmar ASN also tactics. Most of their families deliberately stay in Yangoon. Everything so that their children and wives can still enjoy the comfort of life, such as school and work, rather than having to live in Naypyidaw.

Many news spread about ASN and their families who were dissatisfied by being forced to leave Yangoon and live in Naypyidaw. They accused the junta of ignoring the whole country by moving the capital roughly. The transfer is thought to only make the bad economic situation worse.

The big cost is disbursed for Naypyidaw construction which is expected to accommodate one million people. The cost is expected to cost as much as 4-5 billion US dollars. A sizeable amount amidst the annual income of its people is only 280 US dollars per person," said Daniel Goma in the book Burma Or Myanmar? The Struggle for National Identity (2010).