Comparisons between the Myanmar and Indonesian reforms

Abstract

The situation today in Myanmar as observed by a visiting Indonesian easily invites comparison with that in Indonesia during and after the change of regime in 1965-66. Of course, no two countries and no two situations are alike enough to support compelling policy conclusions. Therefore the lessons or conclusions drawn from the comparison have a speculative character, but could probably be used as a means of analysis to better grasp the essential problems and to evaluate the main options for policy. With this qualification in mind, I would like to submit my reflections from a private trip to Yangon (from June 9-14, 1990) and the ideas I put forward at several meetings I had with Myanmar economic officials as well as with other informed persons. I have also used information from Myanmar sources. In terms of population and area, Myanmar with about 40 million people is much smaller than Indonesia (population 180 million). Myan- mar's population is more comparable with that of Thailand (56 million). Myanmar's per capita income is US$200 to US$300 per annum (the much overvalued kyat makes international comparison very difficult) while Indonesia's is about US$520 per annum. Thailand's per capita income is already about US$1,200 per annum. These figures for per capita income reflect a lot of history. Before World War II, most Southeast Asian countries were of the same level of prosperity.