KUALA LUMPUR – The Perikatan Nasional government’s response to Myanmar’s military coup is hypocritical at best, said Klang MP Charles Santiago.
Speaking to the Vibes, he said the irony is due to Malaysia being under a “questionable” state of emergency at present.
“It is ironic enough that the government that imposed the emergency and suspended Parliament would be able to express serious concern over the military coup in Myanmar, which did the exact same thing.
“The question remains whether the government is keen to act on its statement by addressing it at the Asean level, or is it merely hogwash?”
Santiago, who is also Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) chairman, said the Asean charter calls on all members to observe and uphold human rights and good governance, and adhere to the rule of law.
“While reactions from Asean countries are mixed over the military coup, the statements by Indonesia and current Asean chair Brunei are commendable.”
It was reported that Brunei called for a dialogue among parties, reconciliation, and a “return to normalcy” amid the ongoing developments in Myanmar, while Indonesia urged for the Asean charter to be observed.
Cambodia and Thailand echoed sentiments about leaving Myanmar to its “internal affairs”, while Singapore expressed similar concerns as Malaysia.
Santiago said the military coup could force more refugees from Myanmar to leave the country to seek asylum in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
“This is something that the government needs to address and take seriously, as it involves the potential breach of security.
“Hence, Malaysia needs to take a firm stance within the Asean framework in an effort to put pressure on Myanmar to restore democracy in the country.
“A high-level Asean delegation should be sent to Myanmar to exert certain pressure, failing which, it should consider expelling Myanmar from Asean.”
He said the situation in Myanmar is unjustified, as the government that won elections last November by a landslide was overthrown by the military for frivolous reasons, such as weak governance and alleged voter fraud.
During a webinar hosted by APHR, Progressive Voice, Altsean-Burma and Initiative for International Dialogue and Forum Asia yesterday, Santiago expressed doubts over the Myanmar military’s pledge to call elections within a year.
“This is the very military that continues to control major industries, participates in genocide, and has tortured or detained dissidents for many years.
“The potential of violence spilling into the streets is still there, despite this being the early stages of the coup.”
Progressive Voice advisory board chairman Khin Ohmar said the most at-risk group targeted by the military is the independent media.
“I hope that the military will not put those detained under physical or mental torture, although the likelihood of that happening is high.”
The exiled Myanmar activist called on social media platforms such as Facebook to bar Myanmar’s ultra-nationalists and those linked to the military from using them to spread racial and pro-military propaganda.
“These are among the actions that can be taken to stem the progress of the unlawful military protest.”
On February 1, the Myanmar military announced a state of emergency for one year, with all legislative, executive and judicial powers transferred to its commander-in-chief, General Min Aung Hlaing.
Senior members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), including state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, were immediately arrested, with opposition activists also arbitrarily detained. In addition, there have been reports of internet connection being disrupted, and the presence of soldiers on the streets.
The coup comes after the elections last November that NLD won resoundingly, but which the army claimed to be fraudulent, and as the new Parliament was due to convene for the first time. – The Vibes, February 3, 2021
