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SINGAPORE: Brunei, the current president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said on Monday (February 1) that he is consulting with other member states regarding developments in Myanmar, after the military seized power. in a coup and declared a state of emergency for one year.
In response to the CNA’s inquiries, the Brunei Foreign Ministry said: “Brunei Darussalam, as ASEAN president, is consulting with other ASEAN member states about their support for an ASEAN statement.”
Several Myanmar political figures, including State Councilor 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.
Myanmar’s military said on Monday that it detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders in response to “election fraud,” handing over power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing.
A host of the 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 the inauguration was due in part to the government’s failure to act on allegations of electoral fraud by the military in last November’s elections and did not postpone the elections due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Live Updates: Aung San Suu Kyi and Other Myanmar Leaders Arrested
The governments of Southeast Asia have issued various 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 governance.
He also called for restraint from all parts of the country and encouraged the use of dialogue to resolve challenges.
“Indonesia also underlines that all electoral differences will be addressed according to the available legal mechanism,” the statement said.
Malaysia said that all parties in Myanmar should resolve any electoral dispute peacefully.
“Malaysia supports the continuation of the discussion among Myanmar’s leaders to avoid adverse consequences for the people and state of Myanmar, especially in the current difficult situation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the coup was Myanmar’s “internal affairs” and declined to comment further.
“Cambodia does not comment at all on the internal affairs of any country, neither within ASEAN nor in any other country,” said the Cambodian leader, who in 1997 took full control of 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 is their internal affairs.”
READ: All eyes on Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing as army seizes power
The arrests on Monday morning were carried out after days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the army that raised fears of a coup after the elections.
Myanmar lawmakers were scheduled to meet in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday for the first session of parliament since last year’s elections.
In this Dec.17, 2019 file photo, Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks during a joint press conference with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw. , Myanmar. (AP Photo / Aung Shine Oo)
Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, is by far the most dominant politician in the country and became the country’s de facto leader after leading a decades-long non-violent struggle against the military government.
The NLD captured 396 of 476 seats in the upper and lower houses of parliament combined in the November elections, but the military holds 25 percent of total seats under the 2008 military-drafted constitution, and several key ministerial positions. they are also reserved for the military. designated.
The NLD party said on Monday that its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, asked the public not to accept a coup and urged them to protest.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry (MFA) on Monday expressed “grave concern” over the situation in Myanmar.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and hope that all parties involved will act with restraint, maintain dialogue and work towards a positive and peaceful outcome,” said an MFA spokesman.
“Myanmar is a close friend of Singapore and a key member of ASEAN. We hope that the situation will return to normal as soon as possible.”
