With 77.1% of the votes from the recent election, it seems that the people of Myanmar have chosen their next leaders.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) behind Ms Aung San Suu Kyi seems to have won the right to form the next government, assuming that all goes according to plan.

This is a promising step forward for the country, after languishing behind its ASEAN neighbours for so long. Her people are certainly pleased at this.

Having had the pleasure of speaking with some of them in Singapore, I sense their excitement at this new development, even as I hear assurances that their country is safe despite its less-than-stellar reputation.

The Burmese that I met here are a welcoming people, and they are proud of their country, just not of the current governing body. A very common theme in our interactions revolves around how blessed we (Singapore) are as a nation to have a capable, efficient government. I have heard repeated variations of "if only we had your government" from them.

It makes me wonder what they can be if their government is a strong one, skilled at international relations and financial management, the way ours is. With their vast wealth of natural resources, they can easily become one of the most prosperous ASEAN nations.

All we have to do now is wait and see. And perhaps make an investment or two there. Their rising prosperity will definitely impact ours.

Myanmar, may you rise from the doldrums and take your place on the world stage. Your people have spoken. They are ready.