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[INSIGHT] The military coup in Myanmar and its impact on ASEAN
A return to democracy will strengthen Myanmar’s integration, not least within its Southeast Asia neighborhood, where it will always be located.
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![[INSIGHT] The military coup in Myanmar and its impact on ASEAN](https://img.jakpost.net/c/2021/02/01/2021_02_01_110275_1612178274._large.jpg)
A soldier stands guard on a blockaded road to Myanmar's parliament in Naypyidaw on Monday, after the military detained the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's president in a coup. (AFP/STR)
Pou Sothirak, Philips J. Vermonte, Herizal Hazri, Herman Joseph S. Kraft, and Thitinan Pongsudhirak
Phnom Penh/Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Bangkok
Myanmar’s military coup on Monday is a matter of great concern to both the country itself and Southeast Asia as a region. Following the Nov. 8 general election, the coup appears to be an attempt to reverse the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.
The suspension of Myanmar’s democratic institutions could prove a serious setback for the country’s brave transition to democracy and political liberalization less than a decade ago. Political differences that may have occasioned the current state of emergency, which is slated to last for one year, can be managed and resolved through constructive dialogue and other lawful means without the use of force. It is regrettable that, so soon after the people of Myanmar fulfilled their Constitutional obligation in an election, the democratic process has been nullified in ways that have disregarded the democratic institutions available to challenge the results of the election.
An official statement issued by the Tatmadaw on Monday to explain the action it has taken refers to perceived irregularities in the vote count. However, no military coup is constitutional in a democracy, and no unconstitutional means can be a legitimate part of a solution to return to constitutional rule. What took place may be seen as the Myanmar armed forces’ violation of the military-inspired 2008 charter and a betrayal of the popular will.
In an earlier statement from Sunday, the Tatmadaw said the NLD government had not released the final election data from the Union Election Commission (UEC) even when requested. On its part and in taking the action that it did, the Tatmadaw is equally obliged to release any evidence of the alleged fraud if its claim is to be credible. The lack of evidence fails to support claims of widespread vote fraud.
The Tatmadaw further said it was not objecting to “the outcome itself of the elections”, in which the NLD won. In that spirit, the Tatmadaw should forthwith relinquish the powers and positions it has assumed since its takeover of government and reinstate all officials in the NLD-led administration to proceed with constitutional means in addressing any outstanding grievances. The detention of civilian leaders does not bode well for the Tatmadaw’s credibility and pretext for seizing power in the first place.
