MYANMAR'S powerful military has triggered worry about a coup after threatening to "take action" over alleged fraud in a November election won by the party of Aung San Suu Kyi, just days before a new parliament convenes.
The military's allegations of voter list irregularities have been accompanied by cryptic comments about abolishing the constitution that have captured public attention and raised the spectre of a coup in a country ruled by the military for half a century after a 1962 military takeover.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner and figurehead of Myanmar's long struggle against dictatorship, won 83% of available seats in the Nov. 8 election seen as a referendum on her fledgling democratic government.
WHY IS THE MILITARY CHALLENGING THE VOTE
The military alleges discrepancies such as duplicated names on voting lists in scores of districts and is unhappy with the election commission's response to its complaints.
The military has been guarded about its motives and has not said if irregularities were substantial enough to have changed the election outcome.
Its grievance is similar to that of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the former ruling party created by the military before it officially ceded power in 2011.
The USDP, widely seen as a military proxy, was humiliated in the election, winning only 33 of 476 available seats.
WHY IS THE MILITARY GETTING INVOLVED?
As the architect of Myanmar's 2008 constitution and fledgling democracy, the military, known as the Tatmadaw, sees itself as the guardian of national unity and the constitution, and it has enshrined a permanent role for itself in the political system.
It gets an unelected quota of 25% of parliamentary seats and it controls the defence, interior and borders ministries, ensuring an important stake in politics, which has made for an awkward power-sharing arrangement with the NLD, many members of which suffered imprisonment and persecution by the former junta.
Columnist San Yu Kyaw said the political positioning was a last-ditch show of power by the military top brass before their mandatory retirement.
"The political ambitions of Tatmadaw leaders have not been reached so they are acting this way," he said.
WHAT HAS THE NLD, OTHER PARTIES SAID?
Suu Kyi has not commented on her party's election victory, nor on the military's complaints, but the NLD said the military's allegations were groundless and any election flaws would not have changed the outcome.
Of the more than 90 parties that contested the vote, at least 17 have complained of mostly minor irregularities and all except the USDP are smaller parties. Election observers have said the voting was without major irregularities.
The election commission on Thursday said there were no errors on a scale that could mean fraud or the election being discredited.
WHAT IS THE MILITARY PLANNING TO DO?
The spokesman for the armed forces, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, held a news conference on Tuesday to renew the allegations but gave a succession of non-committal answers to questions about the military's intentions.
He said the military would "take action", and use all available options including the Supreme Court. Asked if the military would cooperate with the new government and legislature, he told reporters "wait and watch".
Asked if he would rule out a coup, Zaw Min Tun said "cannot say so".
The military spokesman did not answer phone calls seeking comment on Friday.
IS A COUP LIKELY?
The constitution makes it difficult for the military to legally intervene against an elected government.
The commander-in-chief can take power only in extreme circumstances that could cause "disintegration of the union, disintegration of national solidarity and loss of sovereign power", but only during a state of emergency, which can only be declared by the civilian president.
To take power by force, it might have to breach its own constitution.
The commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, caused intrigue on Wednesday when he told military personnel a constitution was a "mother law for all laws" and if not abided by, it should be revoked. He cited previous instances when that had happened in Myanmar.
Legal expert Khin Maung Zaw said talk of scrapping the constitution was unreasonable.
"I wonder if they want to abolish it because they cannot protect their own interests," said Khin Maung Zaw.
Reuters
Fri Jan 29 2021
The commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, caused intrigue on Wednesday when he told military personnel a constitution was a "mother law for all laws" and if not abided by, it should be revoked. REUTERS file pic
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.