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Selasa, 02 Februari 2021

UN Security Council searches for unity on Myanmar - CNA

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Myanmar on Tuesday (Feb 2) but was unable to agree on a statement about the country's military coup, with diplomats saying negotiations will continue.

"China and Russia have asked for more time," one diplomat told AFP following the behind-closed-doors videoconference meeting in New York that lasted just over two hours.

"A statement is still under discussion," confirmed another diplomat, also on condition of anonymity.

According to a draft of the text seen by AFP, the United Nations Security Council would call for a return to civilian power following Monday's bloodless coup in which democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top politicians were detained.

The text, drafted by Britain, would also call for Myanmar's military to "immediately release those unlawfully detained."

It would also demand that the one-year state of emergency be repealed and "for all sides to adhere to democratic norms." The draft does not mention sanctions.

READ: UN fears for Myanmar Rohingya after coup, Security Council due to meet Tuesday

To be adopted, it requires the support of China, Myanmar's main supporter at the UN and a veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council.

During the Rohingya crisis in 2017, China thwarted any initiative at the council to meet on Myanmar or issue joint statements.

Beijing insisted the brutal military crackdown of the Muslim minority was an internal issue.

READ: Myanmar army chief says coup was 'inevitable'

Swiss diplomat Christine Schraner Burgener, the United Nations' envoy to Myanmar, briefed the 15-member council on the latest developments at Tuesday's meeting.

"She urged Council members to collectively send a clear signal in support of democracy in Myanmar," according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Britain, which holds the rotating council presidency for the month of February, had long planned to hold a meeting on Myanmar this week, but brought it forward given the circumstances.

Commentary: Why a military coup cannot be the solution in Myanmar

READ: Myanmar military takeover threatens country's development - World Bank

China had demanded the discussion to take place in private, diplomats told AFP.

Its foreign ministry had on Monday called for all sides in Myanmar to "resolve differences".

'TARGETED SANCTIONS'

Britain's ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, told reporters after the meeting that she hoped the Council will "be able to speak with one voice."

"Discussions will continue among Council colleagues on next steps," she added.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released statements calling on the council to take a firm stand.

"Had the Security Council acted decisively and strongly from day one, we might not be in a situation where the lives and liberty of people across Myanmar are now at even greater risk," said Amnesty's Sherine Tadros.

READ: US determines Myanmar army carried out coup, blocking aid

She called on the council to impose "targeted financial sanctions" on Myanmar's military leaders and a "comprehensive global arms embargo" on the country.

Louis Charbonneau, UN director for Human Rights Watch, also demanded "targeted sanctions" on the coup leaders.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won November elections in a landslide, but the military now claims those polls were tainted by fraud.

The last Security Council meeting on Myanmar was in September and was also behind closed doors.

Its last joint declaration on the country was adopted in 2018.

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2021-02-02 18:56:15Z
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People in Yangon, Myanmar bang pots and pans to protest against military coup - CNA

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2021-02-02 16:25:32Z
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Myanmar medics in anti-coup frontline as dissent spreads - CNA

YANGON: "Dictatorship must fail," read the writing on the back of one Myanmar doctor's hazmat suit in a statement of defiance against Monday's (Feb 1) military coup.

Other medics in at least 20 government hospitals rallied to a campaign of civil disobedience against the generals who overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday and cut short a tentative transition to democracy.

Doctors threatened to stop work even with coronavirus infections still rising steadily in the country of 54 million.

"We cannot accept dictators and an unelected government," Myo Thet Oo, a doctor participating in the campaign, told Reuters from the northeastern town of Lashio.

READ: Myanmar's ousted NLD party calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi

"They can arrest us anytime. We have decided to face it ... All of us have decided not to go to the hospital."

Reuters was unable to contact Myanmar's new army government for comment on the doctors' boycott and the broader signs of spreading dissent.

Anger against the military surged on social media, with a swathe of Facebook users in a country where it is the main platform changing profile pictures to portraits of Suu Kyi or the red colour of her National League for Democracy party.

In the main city of Yangon, people banged pans and sounded car horns after dark in protest.

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One of Myanmar's biggest youth groups and its federation of student unions called for civil disobedience campaigns along with the doctors from across the country - including a 1,000-bed hospital in the capital Naypyidaw.

READ: Commentary: Why a military coup cannot be the solution in Myanmar

"That is inspiring," activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi told Reuters of the civil disobedience campaign, whose new Facebook page already had more than 112,000 likes.

The military also had its supporters, winning backing from the Young Men's Buddhist Association in the Buddhist majority country. Hundreds of people rallied in the centre of the main city, Yangon, to support coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.

ARMY SUPPORTERS

While the anti-coup doctors voiced dissent, supporters of the army on social media posted an old picture showing the uniformed Myanmar Military Medical Corps COVID-19 response team holding up a banner that said "We Are Ready".

"We would rather die, than get treatment from the military," some people posted in response.

Min Aung Hlaing set fighting the coronavirus as his main priority alongside holding elections on Tuesday. It has killed over 3,100 people from more than 140,000 infections, one of the highest tolls in Southeast Asia.

The pandemic has brought even greater respect for doctors working in one of the world's weakest health systems.

It is not the first time they have emerged in a challenge against the military. In 2015, they mounted a Black Ribbon campaign against the militarization of health ministry and other medical appointments.

READ: UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Myanmar

Some doctors revived that campaign on Tuesday alongside the boycott.

"We are well connected to each other in our medical network. We expect to connect and spread the campaign nationwide," said Sai Nay Myo, a former assistant hospital director, of the civil disobedience campaign.

"We cannot accept dictatorship." In a letter that anticipated her detention and was published by an aide on Monday, Suu Kyi had called on people to protest against a coup - though she did not specify that they should take to the streets.

Pro-democracy supporters showed anger in many ways - including a slew of insults to a Facebook post by the new information minister thanking people for their best wishes.

Some announced boycotts of beer and other products from companies with links to the army's extensive business holdings.

"We will only accept the government that was elected and wholeheartedly supported by the people," said the Grill and Chill Restaurant in the main city Yangon, one of several to join the campaign.

And in an echo of months of anti-government protests in Thailand, two senior members of Suu Kyi's NLD posted pictures of themselves giving the three-finger salute of opposition to army rule that was inspired by "The Hunger Games".

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2021-02-02 16:08:54Z
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UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting to discuss Myanmar coup - CNA

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UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting to discuss Myanmar coup CNA
Myanmar coup: Calls for Aung San Suu Kyi release BBC News
Myanmar generals tighten grip on power as US calls for sanctions The Straits Times
The backsliding The Indian Express
Aung San Suu Kyi’s reputation is tarnished, but she is not Myanmar The Guardian
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2021-02-02 13:09:07Z
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4 out of 155000 people vaccinated had severe allergic reactions, all have recovered - CNA

SINGAPORE: There have been four reported cases of anaphylaxis in people who received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said in Parliament on Monday (Feb 1) in Parliament.

This is one more than the number reported last week when the Ministry of Health (MOH) gave an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Singapore.

Dr Puthucheary was responding to parliamentary questions filed by 12 Members of Parliament who had asked for an update on the progress of vaccination as well as the side effects people have encountered to date.

READ: 3 people experienced severe allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccine; symptoms 'promptly detected and treated'

READ: People who need to travel have to wait turn to be vaccinated for COVID-19: MOH

Of the more than 155,000 people who have received at least the first injection of the two-dose vaccine, there were four reported cases of anaphylaxis, or the rapid onset of severe allergic reactions.

The individuals, in their 20s and 30s, developed rashes, breathlessness, lip swelling, throat tightness and giddiness, he said. The symptoms were "promptly detected and treated" and all have recovered, said Dr Puthucheary.

"One was under observation for a few hours while the others were discharged from the hospital after a day’s observation or treatment. None needed ICU support," he added.

Three of them had a history of allergies, including allergic rhinitis and food allergy such as to shellfish, but none had a history of anaphylaxis which would have precluded them from receiving the vaccine.

INCIDENCE RATE

The incidence rate of anaphylaxis here is about 2.6 per 100,000 vaccine doses administered. In contrast, the incidence rates reported abroad is around 1 to 2 per 100,000 doses, after millions of people have received their jabs.

Variations in the incidence rate are to be expected initially when the number vaccinated in Singapore to-date is small compared to other countries, he said.

"Currently, the benefits of getting vaccinated to protect oneself from the effects of severe COVID-19 disease and its complications far outweigh the risk of any potential adverse events known to be associated with vaccination," said Dr Puthucheary.

"We will continue to closely monitor the safety of the vaccine and ensure the vaccines used in Singapore are safe for our population groups."

Commentary: We may not see it yet. But COVID-19 vaccines will help us faster than we think

Commentary: Vaccines have been oversold as the pandemic exit strategy

The minister said that as with other vaccines, people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine may experience injection site pain and swelling, fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches, which usually subside within a few days.

COVID-19 vaccination at Tanjong Pagar, Singapore — Singapore starts its COVID-19 vaccination exercise for seniors at Tanjong Pagar Community Centre on Jan 27, 2021. (Photo: Jeremy Long)

Explaining the vaccination process, Dr Puthucheary said that everyone has to go through a screening process at the vaccination site before being vaccinated.

Each person will have to declare their relevant medical conditions based on the vaccination screening form provided. A final check on the individual’s suitability and fitness for vaccination will be done by a trained healthcare personnel at the vaccination centre or polyclinic.

"These personnel will have on-site access to an individual’s salient medical history in the National Electronic Health Records if necessary, before the individual is allowed to be vaccinated," he said.

DOCTORS SHOULD REVIEW MEDICAL HISTORY OF SENIORS CAREFULLY

MOH will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination to seniors, said Dr Puthucheary in response to a question by MP Dennis Tan (WP-Hougang) about reported deaths of elderly patients in Norway after taking the Pfizer vaccine.

The Norwegian health authorities and the World Health Organization’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety have found no evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contributes to an increased risk of death in the elderly, said Dr Puthucheary.

"It is important to vaccinate and protect seniors, as COVID-19 infection in the elderly has been observed to result in severe or fatal illness," he said.

But he added that MOH has reiterated to vaccination providers that doctors should review the medical history of seniors to confirm that they are suitable for vaccination, and that they should be monitored closely right after vaccination.

Vaccination for seniors began last week with pilots in Tanjong Pagar and Ang Mo Kio.

READ: Singapore starts vaccinating seniors against COVID-19 with pilot exercises in Tanjong Pagar, Ang Mo Kio

CALL MOH HOTLINE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

In response to a question from NCMP Hazel Poa (PSP) on whether a COVID-19 vaccination advisory service can be provided, Dr Puthucheary said that members of the public may call the MOH COVID-19 hotline if they have any medical queries. They may also consult their family doctor.

"They will be able to advise any individual on vaccine-related queries, including evaluating their specific individual suitability for vaccinations," he said.

The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has recommended that pregnant women, children below 16 years of age, or those with a history of anaphylaxis or severe allergies not take the vaccine at this stage.

People who are unwell or have had a fever in the last 24 hours are also advised to postpone their vaccination until they have recovered.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2021-02-02 10:16:26Z
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Hong Kong stocks rally again as mainland funds aid Tencent, eyes on Alibaba - South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong stocks rally again as mainland funds aid Tencent, eyes on Alibaba South China Morning Post
Hong Kong extends social distancing measures for 2 weeks until after Chinese New Year The Straits Times
Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi detained as army stages coup Yahoo Singapore News
Hong Kong leader doubles down on lockdown policy as key tool in Covid-19 fight South China Morning Post
HK extends distancing curbs until after CNY, East Asia News & Top Stories The Straits Times
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2021-02-02 09:13:31Z
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Myanmar's ousted NLD party calls for release of Aung San Suu Kyi, other leaders - CNA

YANGON: The party of Myanmar's toppled leader Aung San Suu Kyi demanded her immediate release on Tuesday (Feb 2), after a military coup that triggered international condemnation and sanctions threats from the new United States president.

Armed troops patrolled the capital, Naypyidaw, where Aung San Suu Kyi and other National League for Democracy (NLD) party leaders were detained in pre-dawn raids on Monday, just ahead of the scheduled resumption of parliament.

Soldiers were also stationed outside the dormitories for parliamentarians in Naypyidaw on Tuesday, with one NLD MP describing it as "an open-air detention centre".

"We are not allowed to go outside," she told AFP by telephone, requesting anonymity for fear of the military. "We are very worried."

Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint remained under house arrest, the lawmaker told AFP, although it was not immediately clear where they were being held.

Despite the intimidation, a statement was posted on the NLD's verified Facebook page calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all detained party members.

"We see this as a stain on the history of the State and the Tatmadaw," it added, referring to the military by its Burmese name.

It also demanded the military "recognise the confirmed result of the 2020 general election".

The military justified its seizure of power by alleging widespread fraud in elections held three months ago which the NLD won in a landslide.

The military said it would hold power under a state of emergency for 12 months, claiming it would then hold fresh elections.

Commentary: Why a military coup cannot be the solution in Myanmar

READ: UN fears for Myanmar Rohingya after coup, Security Council due to meet Tuesday

CONDEMNATION

US President Joe Biden led the chorus of global outrage, calling for a quick restoration of democracy and warning that Washington could reimpose sanctions.

"The international community should come together in one voice to press the Burmese military to immediately relinquish the power they have seized," Biden said.

"The United States is taking note of those who stand with the people of Burma in this difficult hour."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union and Australia were among others to condemn the coup. Britain summoned Myanmar's envoy in formal protest.

But China's response was less emphatic, with the official Xinhua news agency describing the coup as a "cabinet reshuffle".

The UN Security Council was due to meet on Tuesday for an emergency meeting.

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

READ: Foreign companies scramble to assess fall-out in Myanmar after coup

MILITARY RULE

Myanmar's November polls were only the second democratic elections the country had seen since it emerged from the 49-year grip of military rule in 2011.

The NLD won more than 80 per cent of the vote in November - increasing its support from the 2015 elections.

But the military claimed to have uncovered more than 10 million instances of voter fraud.

Although the military had flagged last week it was considering a coup, Monday's events seemed to stun the country, and power was seized extremely quickly.

The military strangled the Internet as the coup was unfolding, but eased restrictions later in the day.

On Tuesday, there were few signs of extra security in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city and commercial capital, indicating the generals' comfort levels and belief that, for now, they faced no mass protests.

On Yangon's streets, people voiced anger, fear and helplessness.

"We want to go out to show our dissatisfaction," a taxi driver told AFP.

"But Mother Suu is in their hands. We cannot do much but stay quiet at this moment."

A newspaper seller said he did not recognise the new government.

"The duty of military is to protect the country, not to rule the country ... but everyone knows the military has guns and they are used to shooting people," he told AFP.

READ: Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand protest against coup in home country

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

PARIAH

Military chief and coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is now in charge of the country, although former general Myint Swe is acting president.

Min Aung Hlaing is an international pariah who is under US sanctions for a military campaign against Myanmar's Muslim Rohinyga community that forced 750,000 of them to flee into Bangladesh, a campaign UN investigators said amounted to genocide.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, is an immensely popular figure in Myanmar for her opposition to the military - which earned her the Nobel Peace Prize - having spent the best part of two decades under house arrest during the previous dictatorship.

But her international image was shredded during her time in power as she defended the military-backed crackdown on the Rohingya.

Derek Mitchell, the first US ambassador to Myanmar after military rule, said the international community still needed to respect Aung San Suu Kyi's overwhelming victory in November.

The West "may have considered her this global icon of democracy and that lustre is off. But if you care about democracy in the world, then you must respect the democratic choice and she is clearly that".

"It's not about the person; it's about the process," he said.

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2021-02-02 07:30:00Z
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