Myanmar, Illicit Drug Trafficking and Security Implications

Abstract

This paper focuses its research on Myanmar, a major opium producer in Southeast Asia. The paper discusses illicit drug trafficking and its implications on the security of Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. Objectives of the study are to: examine the history of opium production in Myanmar; determine how illicit drug trafficking activities in Myanmar affect national, Southeast Asian region and global security; and suggest innovative responses that could be more effective to deal with the illicit drug problem. Results from the study show that illicit drug trafficking in Myanmar is growing in magnitude and has seriously threaten its national security as well as the entire Southeast Asia, particularly, as borders become even more permeable. This study concludes that despite the fact this transnational threats spread without regard for national borders, Myanmar has continued to define and design its national security strategies in a traditional way. It also concludes that threats to humans, always has the potential to disrupt the stability of a state and eventually of the region. The study suggests transnational cooperation to deal with transnational threats. A true state of peace and security can exist only when ‘human security’ is ensured, meaning that basic human needs and human rights must be provided for and protected. Peace and stability therefore must be sought by state entities concurrently with efforts to improve the security of the individual human beings within their states.

ABSTRAK

Tumpuan kajian dan perbincangan dalam makalah ini ialah negara Myanmar, iaitu sebuah negara pengeluar dadah yang utama di Asia Tenggara. Kajian ini membincangkan pengeluaran dadah dan implikasinya kepada keselamatan negara Myanmar dan rantau Asia Tenggara. Objektif kajian adalah untuk: mengkaji sejarah pengeluaran opium di Myanmar; mengenal pasti bagaimana aktiviti pengedaran dadah haram memberi kesan kepada keselamatan negara Myanmar, rantau Asia Tenggara dan di peringkat global; dan mencadangkan pembaharuan yang lebih efektif dalam menangani masalah dadah. Hasil kajian menunjukkan magnitud pengedaran dadah di Myanmar semakin meningkat dan mengancam keselamatan negara itu sendiri, juga seluruh Asia Tenggara, terutamanya dengan keadaan jurang sempadan yang semakin menipis. Kajian ini merumuskan, walaupun ancaman rentas sempadan tersebar tanpa mengenal sempadan nasional, namun Myanmar terus mendefinisikan dan menggubal strategi keselamatan negaranya secara tradisional. Kajian ini juga merumuskan bahawa ancaman kemanusiaan selalunya berpotensi untuk mengganggu kestabilan sesebuah negara dan juga rantau. Pembabitan jenayah terancang rentas sempadan memerlukan kerjasama serantau. Dengan itu, sesebuah negara perlu berusaha mencapai keadaan keselamatan dan keamanan pada masa yang sama ia berusaha memperbaiki keadaan ‘keselamatan insan’ yang terdapat di dalam negara itu.