The friends of Aung San Suu Kyi continue to desert her and to criticise her government's policies. The 10-man international advisory board she appointed to try to smooth out the Rohingya crisis has dropped to eight. The two who quit have both left in bitter disappointment over Myanmar policy. They believe they were misled by Ms Suu Kyi and her government. In truth, the Rohingya crisis is growing instead of diminishing, as Myanmar's government and army continue to mismanage and harm the country.
Last week, Kobsak Chutikul announced he had had enough, and quit the grandly named Advisory Board for the Committee for Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine State. Because of his personal reputation and international standing, Mr Kobsak was a key member of that board. He has been an ambassador multiple times, a member of parliament and an adviser to the prime minister. He is secretary-general of the highly influential Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council. His principled resignation from Ms Suu Kyi's board will only further cement respect he has earned at home and abroad.
His stated reasons for walking away from the Myanmar position were similar to those of an earlier resignee, American Bill Richardson. A long-time friend and booster of the Myanmar leader, he broke with her over the advisory board, saying he believe members were being used as pawns to justify Myanmar army atrocities and even genocide against the Rohingya. Mr Kobsak said after just two meetings in five months, the board was becoming part of the problem, instead of contributing to a solution to the Rohingya crisis.
