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Senin, 01 Februari 2021

Myanmar generals tighten grip on power as US calls for sanctions - The Straits Times

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States threatened to re-impose sanctions on Myanmar’s generals after they seized power in a coup and detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose whereabouts remained unknown on Tuesday (Feb 2) more than 24 hours after her arrest.

The UN Security Council was due to meet later on Tuesday, diplomats said, amid calls for a strong global response to the military’s arrest of the Noble Peace laureate and dozens of her political allies on dawn raids on Monday.

The coup followed a landslide win for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in November elections, a result the military has refused to accept citing allegations of fraud.

The army handed power to General Min Aung Hlaing and imposed a state of emergency for a year, crushing hopes the poverty-stricken country also known as Burma was on the path to stable democracy after decades of military meddling in politics.

US President Joe Biden said the coup was a direct assault on Myanmar’s transition to democracy and the rule of law, and said his administration would be watching how other countries responded.

“The United States removed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on progress toward democracy. The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action,” Biden said in a statement.

“We will work with our partners throughout the region and the world to support the restoration of democracy and the rule of law, as well as to hold accountable those responsible for overturning Burma’s democratic transition,” he said.

The crisis in Myanmar is one of the first major tests of Biden’s pledge to collaborate more with allies on international challenges, especially on China’s rising influence. That stance contrasts with former President Donald Trump’s often go-it-alone "America First" approach.

The United Nations led condemnation of the coup and calls for the release of detainees and restoration of democracy in comments largely echoed by Australia, the European Union, India, Japan and the United States.

China did not join the condemnation, saying only that it noted the events and calling on all sides to respect the constitution. Other countries in the region including neighbouring Thailand refused to comment on Myanmar’s “internal affairs”.

The streets of Myanmar were quiet overnight during a curfew already in place to stop the spread of coronavirus. Troops and riot police took up positions in the capital, Naypyitaw, and the main commercial centre Yangon.

By Tuesday morning, phone and internet connections were running again but usually bustling market places were quiet and the airport in the commercial hub of Yangon was closed.

Banks said they would reopen on Tuesday after suspending services on Monday amid a rush to withdraw cash.

Suu Kyi whereabouts unknown

The whereabouts of Suu Kyi, 75, President Win Myint and other NLD leaders remained unknown, the military giving no information about where they were being held or in what conditions.

Min Aung Hlaing, who had been nearing retirement, promised a free and fair election and a handover of power to the winning party, without giving a timeframe.

Suu Kyi called for protests against military dictatorship in a statement prepared in anticipation of her arrest and released on Monday, but there were no reports of unrest.

Suu Kyi’s election win followed about 15 years of house arrest between 1989 and 2010 and a long struggle against the military, which had seized power in a 1962 coup and stamped out all dissent for decades until her party came to power in 2015.

Consolidating the coup, the junta removed 24 ministers and named 11 replacements to oversee ministries including finance, defence, foreign affairs and interior.

Buddhist monk Shwe Nya War Sayadawa, known for his outspoken support for the NLD, was also among those arrested on Monday, his temple said. Monks are a powerful political force in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

One of the key concerns for UN diplomats is the fate of Rohingya Muslims and other ethnic minority groups who were driven out of the country by the military and are living in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.

Bangladesh, which is sheltering about 1 million Rohingya, called for “peace and stability” and said it hoped a process to repatriate the refugees could move forward.

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2021-02-02 02:12:36Z
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Biden demands Myanmar military cede power, orders sanctions review - The Straits Times

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Joe Biden on Monday (Feb 1) threatened to re-impose sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and called for a concerted international response to press them to relinquish power.

Biden condemned the military’s takeover from the civilian-led government on Monday and its detention of elected leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as “a direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law.”

The crisis in Myanmar, which is sometimes referred to as Burma, marks a first major test of Biden’s pledge to collaborate more with allies on international challenges, especially on China’s rising influence. That stance contrasts with former President Donald Trump’s often go-it-alone ‘America First’ approach.

It also represented a rare policy alignment between Biden’s fellow Democrats and top Republicans as they joined in denouncing the coup and calling for consequences.

“The international community should come together in one voice to press the Burmese military to immediately relinquish the power they have seized, release the activists and officials they have detained,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden warned the United States was “taking note of those who stand with the people of Burma in this difficult hour.”

Biden also called on the military in Myanmar to lift all restrictions on telecommunications and to refrain from violence against civilians.

A US official later told Reuters the administration had launched high-level internal discussions aimed at crafting a “whole of government” response and planned to consult closely with Congress.

Analysts cautioned that US leverage was limited. Greg Poling and Simon Hudes at Washington’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies said there would almost certainly be new sanctions against those involved in the coup.

“But that is unlikely to have much immediate impact on the generals,” they said, given that few of them had any intention of travelling to or doing business in the United States.

Also, unlike its reaction to a 2014 coup in Thailand, the United States cannot pull back on military exercises, training, and sales, because military-to-military relations with Myanmar remain almost non-existent, they said.

Former President Barack Obama started easing sanctions on Myanmar in 2011 after the military began loosening its grip, and in 2016 lifted many remaining restrictions. In 2019, the Trump administration imposed targeted sanctions on four military commanders, including coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing, over allegations of abuses against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party won a landslide 83 per cent in a Nov 8 election. The army said in taking over in the early hours of Monday that it had responded to what it called election fraud.

‘Intensive’ consultations

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told a regular news briefing Washington had had “intensive” conversations with allies. She declined to say what other actions were under consideration aside from sanctions.

Psaki said Biden’s remark that the United States was “taking note” of how other countries respond was “a message to all countries in the region.” The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, said Washington and other countries “should impose strict economic sanctions, as well as other measures” against Myanmar’s army and the military leadership if they did not free the elected leaders and remove themselves from government.

He also charged that the Myanmar army was guilty of “genocide” against minority Rohingya Muslims – a determination yet to be stated by the US government – and of a sustained campaign of violence against other minorities.

US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who like members of the Biden administration has had close past ties with Suu Kyi, called the arrests “horrifying” and said Washington needed to “impose costs” on those behind the coup.

“The Biden Administration must take a strong stand and our partners and all democracies around the world should follow suit in condemning this authoritarian assault on democracy,” he said.

The events in Myanmar are a significant blow for the Biden administration and its effort to forge a robust Asia Pacific policy to stand up to China.

Many of Biden’s Asia policy team, including its head, Kurt Campbell, are veterans of the Obama administration, which on leaving office in 2016 hailed its work to end decades of military rule in Myanmar as a major foreign policy achievement.

Biden served as Obama’s vice-president.

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Myanmar's military removes 24 ministers and deputies, names 11 replacements in new administration - CNA

YANGON: Myanmar's military on Monday (Feb 1) announced a purge of Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, removing 24 ministers and deputies while naming 11 replacements in its new administration after seizing power in a coup.

The announcement was made on the military-run Myawadday TV and included new appointments in the portfolios for finance, health, information, foreign affairs, defence, borders and interior.

Live updates: Aung San Suu Kyi, other Myanmar leaders detained

Explainer: Crisis in Myanmar after army alleges election fraud

The military seized power on Monday in a coup, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi along with other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party in early morning raids.

The army said it had carried out the detentions in response to "election fraud", handing power to military chief General Min Aung Hlaing and imposing a state of emergency for one year, according to a statement on the military-owned TV station.

General Min Aung Hlaing Myanmar — Myanmar Acting President Myint Swe (center), military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (third left) and other military members of National Defence and Security Council attend a meeting at Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Feb 1, 2021. (Photo: AP/The Military True News Information Team)

Summarising a meeting of the new administration, the military said Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to practise a "genuine discipline-flourishing multi-party democratic system".

He promised a free and fair election and a handover of power to the winning party, it said, without giving a timeframe.

NLD CALLS FOR PROTESTS

Aung San Suu Kyi's party said she has called on people to protest against the military takeover, quoting comments it said had been written in anticipation of a coup.

Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other NLD leaders were "taken" in the early hours of the morning, NLD spokesman Myo Nyunt told Reuters by phone. Reuters was subsequently unable to contact him.

READ: ASEAN chair Brunei calls for 'dialogue, reconciliation and return to normalcy' in Myanmar

READ: Singapore gravely concerned over events in Myanmar, monitoring situation closely - MFA

A video posted to Facebook by one MP appeared to show the arrest of regional lawmaker Pa Pa Han. In the video, her husband pleads with men in military garb standing outside the gate. A young child can be seen clinging to his chest and wailing.

The generals made their move hours before parliament had been due to sit for the first time since the NLD's landslide win in a Nov 8 election viewed as a referendum on Aung Suu Kyi's fledgling democratic rule.

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

Phone and Internet connections in the capital Naypyitaw and the main commercial centre Yangon were disrupted and state television went off air after the NLD leaders were detained.

Troops and riot police stood by in Yangon where residents rushed to markets to stock up on supplies and others lined up at ATMs to withdraw cash. Banks then suspended services due to poor Internet connections but said they would reopen from Tuesday.

READ: Myanmar nationals in Singapore express disbelief over military coup back home, worry about families

READ: US warns of response after military detains Myanmar officials

Foreign companies, from Japanese retail giant Aeon to South Korean trading firm POSCO International and Norway's Telenor, scrambled to reach staff members in Myanmar and assess the turmoil.

Multinationals moved into the country after Aung San Suu Kyi's party established in 2015 the first civilian government in half a century, although the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority, which tarnished Aung San Suu Kyi's reputation, made some investors wary.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, came to power after an election win that followed decades of house arrest and struggle against the military, which had seized power in a 1962 coup and stamped out all dissent for decades.

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2021-02-01 15:37:47Z
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Myanmar's military purges Suu Kyi government after seizing power, names 11 new ministerial posts - The Straits Times

BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Myanmar's ruling junta on Monday (Feb 1) announced a purge of Aung San Suu Kyi's government, removing 24 ministers and deputies and naming 11 replacements in its new administration after seizing power in a coup.

The announcement was made on the military-run Myawaddy Television and included new appointments in the portfolios for finance, health, information, foreign affairs, defence, borders and interior.

The move came hours after the military declared a one-year state of emergency and appointed a general as acting president, after arresting civilian leader Suu Kyi and other senior officials.

The 75-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner urged her supporters to "protest against the coup" through a message on her party's Facebook page. She and other senior figures from the governing National League for Democracy (NLD) were arrested during an early morning raid on Monday – hours before the first session of the new Parliament was set to open.

The military said the arrests were carried out owing to allegations of election fraud and it has appointed former general Myint Swe as acting president. It also said it would hold a "free and fair general election" after the emergency is over.

Those in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon experienced widespread communications blackouts on Monday, while banks were closed and soldiers in army fatigues patrolled the streets.

Only the military-owned Myawaddy TV channel could be accessed on television, with all other news channels seemingly blocked, reported CNN.

The power grab by the military comes after it threatened last week to "take action" over alleged fraud in last November's election, which was won by the NLD in a landslide victory. The military-backed opposition party was routed in those polls, winning just 33 of the 476 seats.

The NLD, led by Ms Suu Kyi, won 396 seats in the November election.

The military said an emergency was needed to preserve the stability of the state and accused the country's Election Commission of failing to address "huge irregularities" in the November election.

"The UEC (Election Commission) failed to solve huge voter lists irregularities in the multi-party general election which was held on Nov 8, 2020," said the statement signed by the new Acting President Myint Swe, who had been vice-president.

The statement accused "other party organisations" of "harming the stability of the state".

"As the situation must be resolved according to the law, a state of emergency is declared," it said, adding that responsibility for "legislation, administration and judiciary" had been handed over to military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing.

In a statement on the NLD's Facebook page, Ms Suu Kyi urged her supporters not to accept the military's action.

In comments she wrote in anticipation of a coup, Ms Suu Kyi said the military's actions were an "attempt to bring the nation back under the military dictatorship without any care for the Covid-19 pandemic people are facing".

President Win Myint is among those detained, reported Reuters. Media said security forces also confined Members of Parliament to residential compounds.

Myanmar was ruled by the armed forces until 2011, when democratic reforms spearheaded by Ms Suu Kyi ended military rule.

Tensions have been escalating of late, with the military -– known in Myanmar as the Tatmadaw -– saying on Sunday it "finds the process of the 2020 election unacceptable".

Myanmar's Election Commission last week had labelled the vote transparent and fair.

Hours after the state of emergency was declared, crowds flocked to supermarkets and automated teller machines across Yangon to stock up on groceries and withdraw money, with some anticipating a "possible curfew", one resident told The Straits Times.

Another Yangon resident, Mr Aung Pyae Soe, said: "I am angry. The country was trying to get back on its feet. Business was not good because of Covid-19. When I think about the future, I don’t know what to do."

Shoppers at a supermarket in Yangon on Feb 1, after the state of emergency was declared. PHOTO: AFP

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2021-02-01 14:24:52Z
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ASEAN chair Brunei calls for 'dialogue, reconciliation and return to normalcy' in Myanmar - CNA

SINGAPORE: Brunei, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called on Monday (Feb 1) for dialogue among parties, reconciliation and the "return to normalcy" amid the ongoing developments in Myanmar.

This comes after Myanmar's military seized power in a coup and declared a one-year state of emergency.

Several Myanmar political figures, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), have been detained amid escalating tensions between the country's civilian government and the military.

In an ASEAN chairman's statement, Brunei said: "We encourage the pursuance of dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar."

The ASEAN chair also said that member states have been closely following the situation, adding that "we recall the purposes and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, including, the adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

"We reiterate that the political stability in ASEAN Member States is essential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community."

The Myanmar military said on Monday it detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders in response to "election fraud", handing power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

A presenter on military-owned Myawaddy TV made the announcement, citing a section of the military-drafted constitution that allows it to take control in times of national emergency.

He said the reason for takeover was in part due to the government’s failure to act on the military’s claims of voter fraud in last November’s election and its failure to postpone the election because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Live updates: Aung San Suu Kyi, other Myanmar leaders detained

Earlier in the day, Southeast Asian governments issued varying statements on the situation.

The Indonesian foreign ministry called on Myanmar to observe the principles of the ASEAN charter, including adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government.

It also urged restraint among all parties in the country and encouraged the use of dialogue to resolve challenges.

"Indonesia also underscores that all electoral differences be addressed in accordance with available legal mechanism," said the statement.

Malaysia said all parties in Myanmar should resolve any electoral disputes peacefully.

"Malaysia supports the continuation of discussion among Myanmar’s leaders to avoid adverse consequences to the people and state of Myanmar, especially in the current, difficult COVID-19 pandemic situation,” the Malaysian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said the coup was Myanmar’s "internal affairs" and declined further comment.

"Cambodia does not comment on the internal affairs of any country at all, either within the ASEAN framework or any other country," said the Cambodian leader, who himself seized full control in 1997 from his elected coalition partner and whose party has been in power since.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan echoed the same sentiment, saying: "It's their internal affairs."

READ: All eyes on Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing as military seizes power

The detentions on Monday morning took place after days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the military that stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of the election.

Myanmar lawmakers were scheduled to gather on Monday in the capital Naypyidaw for the first session of parliament since last year’s election.

The 75-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi is by far the country’s most dominant politician, and became the country’s de facto leader after leading a decades-long nonviolent struggle against military rule.

NLD captured 396 out of 476 seats in the combined lower and upper houses of parliament in the November polls, but the military holds 25 per cent of the total seats under the 2008 military-drafted constitution, and several key ministerial positions are also reserved for military appointees.

The NLD party on Monday said its leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the public not to accept a coup by the military and urged them to protest.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday expressed “grave concern” about the situation in Myanmar.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and hope all parties involved will exercise restraint, maintain dialogue, and work towards a positive and peaceful outcome," said a MFA spokesperson.

"Myanmar is a close friend of Singapore and key member of ASEAN. We hope that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible."

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2021-02-01 11:10:55Z
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ASEAN member states discussing potential statement on situation in Myanmar: Brunei foreign ministry - CNA

SINGAPORE: Brunei, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said on Monday (Feb 1) that it is consulting other member states regarding developments in Myanmar, after the military seized power in a coup and declared a one-year state of emergency.

In response to CNA's queries, Brunei’s foreign ministry said: “Brunei Darussalam as Chair of ASEAN is consulting other ASEAN Member States on their support for an ASEAN statement.”

The Myanmar military said on Monday it detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders in response to "election fraud", handing power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing.

A presenter on military-owned Myawaddy TV made the announcement, citing a section of the military-drafted constitution that allows it to take control in times of national emergency.

Live updates: Aung San Suu Kyi, other Myanmar leaders detained

Southeast Asian governments have issued varying statements on the situation.

It also urged restraint among all parties in the country and encouraged the use of dialogue to resolve challenges.

"Indonesia also underscores that all electoral differences be addressed in accordance with available legal mechanism," said the statement.

Malaysia said all parties in Myanmar should resolve any electoral disputes peacefully.

Meanwhile, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said the coup was Myanmar’s "internal affairs" and declined further comment.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan echoed the same sentiment, saying: "It's their internal affairs."

READ: All eyes on Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing as military seizes power

The detentions on Monday morning took place after days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the military that stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of the election.

Myanmar lawmakers were scheduled to gather on Monday in the capital Naypyidaw for the first session of parliament since last year’s election.

The 75-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi is by far the country’s most dominant politician, and became the country’s de facto leader after leading a decades-long nonviolent struggle against military rule.

The NLD party on Monday said its leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the public not to accept a coup by the military and urged them to protest.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday expressed “grave concern” about the situation in Myanmar.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and hope all parties involved will exercise restraint, maintain dialogue, and work towards a positive and peaceful outcome," said a MFA spokesperson.

"Myanmar is a close friend of Singapore and key member of ASEAN. We hope that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible."

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China calls for all sides to 'resolve differences' after Myanmar coup - channelnewsasia.com

BEIjING: Beijing called on Monday (Feb 1) for all parties in Myanmar to "resolve their differences" after the military seized power and detained democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

"China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar and hopes the various parties in Myanmar will appropriately resolve their differences under the constitutional and legal framework to protect political and social stability," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing.

Wang said China - which shares a border with Myanmar - was still "furthering our understanding of the situation".

The military has declared a one-year state of emergency in Myanmar, and the coup ends a decade of civilian rule in the country.

READ: Aung San Suu Kyi calls on public to reject and protest military coup

Live updates: Aung San Suu Kyi, other Myanmar leaders detained

Myanmar is a vital piece of China's Belt and Road Initiative - Chinese President Xi Jinping's US$1 trillion vision for maritime, rail and road projects across Asia, Africa and Europe - including a proposed US$8.9 billion high-speed rail link from southern Yunnan province to Myanmar's west coast.

Xi also visited Myanmar in January last year to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On the visit, he promised that Beijing would "firmly support the Myanmar government and people in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions," according to a foreign ministry readout of the meeting between him and the Myanmar President U Win Myint.

Xi also said China was ready to "work together with the Myanmar side in ... speeding up the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Myanmar's development strategies."

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2021-02-01 08:26:25Z
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