OPINION:
State-run media in Myanmar reported a staffer affiliated with the Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic outfit founded by billionaire George Soros, has been detained and questioned for allegations of financial misconduct.
Eleven other Open Society officials are being sought for questioning, Reuters wrote.
Ruh-roh, Scooby. This is what happens when billionaire meddlers meddle with other nations’ governments: They risk angering other nations’ governments.
The Soros-tied organization is accused of funneling funds to the opposition forces of a coup that went forth in February. And yes, perhaps the Soros money was siding with the cause of democracy and freedom; military forces had taken over and usurped the elected Aung San Suu Kyi’s right to rule, and cracked down on opposing protesters.
But Myanmar is its own nation.
Suu Kyi isn’t exactly a friend to Rohingya Muslims, the targets of ongoing genocide.
And Soros via his billions and various foundations does has a habit of tinkering where he doesn’t belong, trying to exert massive influence over entire governments and people.
“The Open Society Foundations are deeply concerned by reports that an OSM (Open Society Myanmar) staff member has been detained in Myanmar,” the Open Society Foundations said in a statement to Reuters. “We call for her immediate release. We are alarmed by reports that authorities are seeking to interrogate other staff members.”
Other media outlets report Myanmar military authorities have seized the bank accounts of OSF-Myanmar and issued actual arrest warrants for the 11 other at-large OSF officials, including the leadership.
“The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, which has been for years a mouthpiece of the military, said OSM transferred funds without seeking permission from the Foreign Exchange Management Department,” Reuters wrote. “The group then exchanged $1.4 million into Myanmar’s kyat currency ‘without following the necessary rules and regulations.’ … [The] paper suggested that unidentified non-governmental organizations were ‘providing cash assistance to [civil disobedience] movements.’”
Open Society’s finance officer, Phyu Pa Pa Thaw, has been reportedly in the interrogation seat for days now, asked to explain “that cash flow into the CDM movement,” Reuters also wrote.
Open Society denies.
“These allegations suggest a worrying attempt to attack and discredit those who wish for a return to peace and democracy in Myanmar,” Open Society said in a statement.
Perhaps.
Then again: Soros does have a nasty habit of sticking his nose where it doesn’t really belong.
In America, Soros-tied money has found its way into dozens of local district attorneys’ and attorneys general races in recent years — races that are normally small dollar affairs that generate little voting interest. And once these local positions were purchased, my how the law enforcement system at the community levels changed.
“George Soros’ quiet overhaul of the U.S. justice system,” as Politico put it, in a 2016 headlines.
“Secret money, Soros money shake up State Attorney’s primary,” The Sun Sentinel reported in August 2020.
“Soros resources help district attorney races go liberal,” Fox News wrote in November 2020.
Soros is frequently trying to buy influence in government — and then sway the system as far left as it can swing. America the free doesn’t arrest people for doing that. America calls that a First Amendment right. But Myanmar, land of the chaotic government, home of the military rule?
Myanmar maybe has had enough. And honestly, it doesn’t come as that big of a surprise.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Socialists Don’t Sleep: Christians Must Rise Or America Will Fall,” is available by clicking HERE.
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