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SINGAPORE: Some Myanmar citizens living in Singapore said they were shocked to learn of the military coup in their country and are concerned for their families.
Many told CNA that they heard the news through social media and personal messages from friends and family.
“When I received the first message, I did not believe. When I received the second message, I did not believe. I only believed it when I confirmed it with the news, ”said a 48-year-old man who did not want to be identified for fear for the safety of his family.
Her shock quickly turned to concern as she tried to contact her family in Myanmar. He was unable to reach them, but received an online message from his sister. He said that phone services were down, but that some service providers have been able to continue operating their wireless connection services.
Live Updates: Aung San Suu Kyi and Other Myanmar Leaders Arrested
It was previously reported that telephone and Internet connections in the capital Naypyidaw and Yangon’s main commercial center were disrupted and state television stopped broadcasting, after the military seized power on Monday (February 1) in a coup. against the democratically elected government of Nobel. laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The de facto leader was detained along with other leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.
The generals made their move hours before parliament sat down for the first time since the NLD’s landslide victory in the November 8 general election.
READ: Aung San Suu Kyi calls on the public to reject and protest against the military coup
Another Myanmar citizen in Singapore, a 30-year-old man who also did not want to be identified, said: “There are many things on my mind that I cannot put into words. I am speechless.”
He managed to get in touch with his parents by phone around 6.30 a.m. and spoke with his mother.
She’s not okay, but she’s trying, she told CNA.
READ: Myanmar military dispels coup fears, says it will protect constitution
“They (the older generation) have that experience from the 1980s, so she managed to calm down,” he said, referring to a period of military rule in Myanmar.
When he called back an hour later, he couldn’t get through.
“I am concerned. We cannot say when telecommunications services will resume, he said.
Mr. Maung Hla Shwe, a businessman who has lived here for 24 years, said that he talks to his family in Yangon every day and that he spoke with them for the last time on Sunday night. He was also worried about not being able to contact them, with the services closed.
Engineer geologist Tin Maung Win said he was “so angry” about the situation.
Tin, who is on the executive council of the Myanmar Club in Singapore, is also concerned about the progress of COVID-19 vaccines in his home country. The club has been raising money to send to Myanmar to finance vaccines.
“I am concerned if the vaccination process will go smoothly because of the blow,” he said.
“What can we do? We have to hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
Khin Latt, an engineering geologist, said his family did not know what had happened until he told them. While he was not surprised by the development in Myanmar, he is upset that it happened.
“They (the military) made our country unstable,” he said.
When CNA visited Peninsula Plaza, a shopping center frequented by citizens of Myanmar, many tenants, who are citizens of Myanmar, did not want to speak. They said they were waiting for more information about what was happening.
Ms. Sam, a 40-year-old engineer, was at the mall to eat with her husband and do the shopping. He said the situation at home has been the topic of the day in his circles.
“We are concerned for our country and we pray,” he said.
