Singapore says Myanmar situation 'alarming', but no need for broad sanctions

FILE PHOTO: Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attends a session during the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China emergency meeting on the coronavirus in Vientiane, Laos February 20, 2020. REUTERS/Phoonsab Thevongsa/File Photo

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's foreign minister spoke out on Tuesday about "alarming developments" in Myanmar but said he did not support widespread sanctions on the country in response to a coup there as these could hurt ordinary citizens.

Addressing parliament, Vivian Balakrishnan said he hoped detainees including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint could be released so they can negotiate with the ruling military council, which seized power on Feb. 1.