Myanmar's junta must set clear timeframe to hand over power to civilian government

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama): Myanmar’s military junta must give a clear timeframe as when it will hand over power back to the civilian government, Prof Dr Aruna Gobinath, former lecturer at National Defence University Malaysia said.

She said setting a timeframe is crucial as this would allow the reconciliatory process which Asean is pushing for, to take place more constructively.

"A timeframe need to be in place. Asean should take a stand, how many years from now? They (the junta) said election (to) take place end of this year. Is it going to be end of this year with the Covid-19 now becoming worse?

"I think we should reaffirm (on the timeframe) whether it is going to be a year’s time or so on, ” she said during Bernama TV’s programme ‘The Nation’ which discussed on the topic ‘Myanmar and Asean’, aired on Friday.

Aruna added that the proposed reconciliatory dialogue that aimed to seek a peaceful solution to the political crisis in Myanmar should also involve all parties including dissident groups and minorities in the country.

She said sidelining any of these groups in the dialogue could only worsen the situation.

"For me, it’s not just about talking to Senior General Min (Aung Hlaing). Let’s hear them (dissident and splinter groups) and see how to help them to solve this situation because it is conciliatory measures, that means everybody must be in agreement, ” she said.

She also noted that imposing sanctions on Myanmar is not a solution to end the crisis.

Myanmar has been going through political upheaval and bloodbath since the junta led by Min staged a coup on Feb 1. To date, the unrest had killed more than 700 people.

Although it was reported that they would hold an election and hand over power to the new winning party, the junta however had not set the date for the election.

Following the coup, on April 24 a special Asean Leaders’ Meeting was convened to discuss the crisis.

The meeting, which was held at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia and also attended by Min had reached a five-point consensus which include call for immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, to commence constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people and for a special envoy and delegation to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

Asean leaders to the meeting also agreed that Asean shall provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar through the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA).

Asean established in 1967, consist of 10 member states namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Bernama