AsiaCalling

Download Burma has begun releasing people from the country's jails as part of a mass amnesty.

So far, around 200 political prisoners, including some high-profile dissidents, have been among those freed.

They include the prominent satirist and vocal government critic Zarganar who has been jailed four times, the latest for three years.

He is speaking here with Nay Thwin who began by asking him what he has been doing on his first day of freedom?

“(laughing) So far I have been talking to journalists! Domestic media and international media. I was just speaking with the Wall Street Journal over the phone before you called.”

Q: Why do you think the government released you after all this time?

“The President U Thein Sein must know the answer, I do not know it.”

Q: Why do you think you were arrested? Are your jokes the reasons?

“The main reasons, the court says was that I violated the internet act, and because I was involved in monk-lead demonstration, I offered food to the monks and had contact with unlawful associations in exile - etc; but I think I was arrested becasue they like me to be in jail. Because I organised donations to cyclone Nagis affected families. I successfully organized some artists to join with me to help. I penetrated where one is allowed to and helped the victims. All these reasons why I was arrested.”

Q: So does your release means you can do such things again?

“I don't think so; but I will do I need to do. I am involved in politics, social work and the economy; plus the arts. So I will do what I have to do, which may be allowed or not allowed. That’s my decision.”

Q: What is the most significant change during the time you were in prison that you have noticed?

“The one thing I have noticed is the development of journalism and the media.”

Q: How?

“For example, the local and international media were chasing me from the airport to my home until 9 p.m. This is the fourth time I have been my release from jail and I have never experienced such a thing in the past.”

Q: Any significant changes in politics?

“I do not want to say any exact change is happening in politics. I am still in the position of with doubt. I do not believe in so-called the change. Maybe there are some cosmetic changes like the political prisoners being released but I have doubts some doubt if the government have the genunine political will for the Change. There are still many political prisoners in jails. Why are they not freed? Those people are were not sentenced during U Thein Sein's presidency, so why has the current government not released them. Set them free! If they were released I will assume some change is happening. "Those people", I mean not only whom I know or close to me, such as Min Ko Naing (88 generation group, former student leader in 1988 popular uprising and jailed in early 2007), but former general Khin Nyut and his men, (former chief of the government's notorious Spy agency, and now under house arrest after power struggle in 2004). The government claims all of us will work together hand in hand why they are so hesitate to free all of them.”

Q: You have been in jail four times, have you usee any improvements in conditions in the jail?

“My experience only will represent Myit-Kyi-Na prison in northern Burma. I think some reform have been made in this prison. For example, the prisoners are allowed to read the local newspapers, weekly magazines, which was not possible in the past. We can watch TV as well. In the past I wasn’t even allowed to go for a walk outside the cell. But now the prisoner are allowed to walk around for 12 hours a day or playing some cane-ball outside the cell. And the authorities are more friendly and take more care of the prisoners which is also differ from the past. I don’t know if it’s the same for the rest of the 41 prisons.”

Q: What was the most interesting thing you read about while in jail?

“(laughing) It's called the Arab Spring, isn't it?  We have read all these news about that. I found out some big Changes are happening in the world. In terms of news about Burma i found out that the massive Myint Sone Dam was halted.”

Q: You are speaking about Arab Spring, do you think Burma needs such Spring?

“No...I don't think Burma needs it. I mean right now. I cannot foresee what will be happen in the next two years but I think it’s not the right time to take to the streets.”

Q: So what will you do now?

“I will keep putting politics and art together. I will gather with my friends to discuss this. I am meeting Aung San Suu Ky today. So I will discuss with Aunty about political issues. I have not made any particular decision yet for now.”

Q: Have you spoken with your family who are now living in the US?

“No, because I am busy with these interviews. I haven't talked with my wife, my son or my daughter so far. My wife just rung me, but I thought it was a call from foreign media for interview. I couldn't answer because I am giving an interview to a local media here.”

Q: Do you worry about being arrest again?

“No! I can’t worry because I have been arrested four times already. I am regular prison customer.”

Burmese satirist Zarganar, who'd just released from the jail on Wednesday after three years. He was speaking with Nay Thwin.