Press Statement
1st February 2021

In the wee hours of the morning, Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) were forcibly “taken” and detained through military raids. This comes after the Tatmadaw or the Burmese military claimed widespread fraud after NLD’s overwhelming victory at the November national elections.

We, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) of Malaysia, are deeply concerned by these actions by the Tatmadaw and its disregard for the democratic process. We have always been supportive of Myanmar’s democratic transition and its promise of a better future for Myanmar and its people. Therefore, we urge the military and its allies to respect the rule of the law and to utilize lawful means in resolving its disputes.

Reminiscent of Malaysia’s Ops Lalang, we condemn the unlawful arrest and detention of NLD leaders. We urge the military to immediately release those they have unlawfully detained. As with all democracies of the world, election results should be respected and the new government should be allowed to rule, whilst encouraging a healthy opposition within the walls and laws of Parliament.

Teo Nie Ching
DAP International Secretary