Anwar urges all parties to respect electoral results in Myanmar

PETALING JAYA: Describing recent developments in Myanmar as alarming and deeply troubling, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says recent actions by the military have undermined the tentative steps that the people of Myanmar have taken towards democracy.

The Opposition leader has urged all parties in Myanmar to respect the country's constitution, the mandate of the people and the outcome of its recent election.

"With these latest actions by the military, the powers that be will surely pull the nation and people of Myanmar further backwards into the abyss of military dictatorship," he said in a statement on Monday (Feb 1).

Anwar said Myanmar's military should instead be there to defend the democratic aspirations of the people.

"I urge them to do so immediately.

"Respect and protect the choice made by the people and bring the nation back from the edge.

"It is not too late to do the right thing for their nation and her people," said Anwar.

It is reported that a state of emergency for one year had been declared in Myanmar on Monday (Feb 1), hours after Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior figures from the ruling National League for Democracy party were detained in an early morning raid.

Myanmar's army has reportedly stated that power had been handed to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Min Aung Hlaing.

The move comes after days of escalating tension between the civilian government and the powerful military that stirred fears of a coup in the aftermath of an election which the army said was fraudulent.

The Port Dickson MP said despite the mistreatment and human rights abuse towards the Rohingya people condoned by the previous administrations, Myanmar was still a young and viable democracy with much potential.

"After much struggle, the people of Myanmar emerged with a constitution and basic electoral freedom," he said.

He urged Asean and other world leaders to stand united and call for the immediate release of political leaders and the reinstatement of the rule of law in Myanmar.