You can't teach an old dog new tricks

ခွေးမြီးကောက် ကျည်တောက်စွပ် (pronounced roughly as "khway myee kout kyee daut sut"). This Burmese proverb, meaning "a dog's tail, even in a bamboo tube, remains crooked," perfectly encapsulates the nature of Myanmar's military junta. Their actions consistently demonstrate an inherent untrustworthiness, a fundamental inability to deviate from their pattern of violence and oppression.

The recent earthquake, a natural disaster demanding immediate and unified humanitarian response, became yet another stage for their brutality. Hours after the tremors shook the region, instead of prioritizing rescue and aid, the junta launched airstrikes, adding human-made devastation to nature's wrath. This callous disregard for human life, especially during a time of immense suffering, reveals their true character.

What the junta is attempting now is a calculated maneuver, a cynical exploitation of a tragedy for their own gains. They seek international recognition and legitimacy, hoping to portray themselves as a functioning government capable of responding to crises. However, their actions on the ground paint a starkly different picture. There are no significant government-led rescue efforts. Instead, the people of Myanmar, along with courageous Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), are organizing themselves, risking their lives to save others. This self-reliance in the face of disaster stands as a damning indictment of the junta's inaction.

Contrast this with the National Unity Government's (NUG) call for a ceasefire and their commitment to facilitating rescue efforts. The NUG's willingness to prioritize the well-being of the people, even amidst conflict, underlines the stark difference between a government seeking legitimacy and a regime clinging to power through terror.

Logic dictates that a government genuinely concerned for its citizens would seize a moment of crisis to build trust and offer aid. Instead, the junta chose violence and just making a show of helping in aid, solidifying their reputation as a force of destruction. Persuasion, in this context, becomes a futile exercise. How can one reason with a regime that consistently chooses violence over compassion and uses human suffering as a tool for political gain?

The junta's actions are not merely isolated incidents; they are a pattern, a consistent thread woven through their history, like during Nargis cyclone. To trust them, to believe in their promises, is to ignore the overwhelming evidence of their brutality and their self-serving nature. ခွေးမြီးကောက် ကျည်တောက်စွပ်။ Their nature will not change. They are using the earthquake as a stage to gain international favor, while leaving their own people to fend for themselves.