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Cronies’ contributions acceptable: Suu Kyi
Published on Thursday, 10 January 2013 16:31
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said contributions from cronies should be welcomed if they benefit the people.
Her statement was in response to questions as to why she accepted a sponsorship from cronies for the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) free education programme.
“If those so-called cronies render assistance for social work, we agree with them and [we welcome] their sincere contribution. Instead of spending money for useless activities, the money can put to good use; it is a good idea,” the NLD party leader said on January 9.
“Anyone has the right to mend any mistake. The rich men, so-called cronies emerged in democratic nations during the Industrial Revolution. It cannot be said that they became rich in an honest way. Many exploitative ways were seen even in democratic countries like the United States in the initial stages.
The US later contributed for the welfare of others,” she said.
Suu Kyi also said she does not like doing politics based on grudges. She added that there are different types of cronies. The ones who enriched themselves in the former regime can be labelled as such. “[But] as long as someone has not been found guilty, that means the person innocent.”