(Staff article from the IRRAWADDY on February 1, 2021.)
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| I can rely only on the people. |
In a statement released on the “Chair NLD” (National
League for Democracy) Facebook page hours after she and others were detained by
the armed forces, she said the military’s action completely disregarded the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and was an attempt to reimpose dictatorship upon the
country.
“I urge people
not to accept the coup by the military, and resist it resoundingly,” Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi said in the statement. It appeared the statement had been prepared
in advance as a message to the public in the event of a military takeover.
“At the time [you are] reading this [statement], the military has abolished the elected Parliament and government for which the public unanimously voted, ignoring the Constitution they themselves drafted,” she said. Saying that previous coups had impoverished the country, NLD patron U Win Htein said the coup would take the country “back to zero”.
“Oppose it as
much as you can in a nonviolent way, as called for by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Object through civil disobedience, speak up against their action and do not
collaborate with their program,” he said in a video, repeating the party
leader’s message. U Win Htein, a former military captain, condemned the coup as
the result of military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s personal ambition
for power.
The military
hinted at the possibility of a coup in statements last week over the
government’s inaction on the armed forces’ claims of electoral fraud in the
November general election, in which the military’s proxy party experienced another
defeat at the hands of the NLD.
After the
military announced its seizure of power early Monday morning, many people
including taxi drivers, shop owners, pedestrians, older residents and company
employees could be seen on the streets of Yangon’s townships voicing their
shock at the military’s actions. After internet access was restored in
Myanmar’s towns in the afternoon, many netizens took to social media to show
their support for the elected government.
The military has announced it will rerun the election and hand power to the winner after implementing emergency measures.
NLD Chair ASSK’s Command To People Of Burma To Resist
1. Despite our
NLD’s refusal to accept the 2008 Constitution, we respectfully follow that
constitution since we entered the parliamentary politics.
2. Within the
existing framework of constitutional laws, NLD has consistently tried to reform
that 2008 Constitution, without success.
3. In accordance
with the existing election laws and rules, NLD has contested and decisively won
the 1990 General Elections, 2012 By-elections, 2015 General Elections, and the
last 2020 General Elections.
4. By the time
this letter is being read by the people of Burma, Tatmadaw (Burmese Miitary)
has completely ignored their own 2008 Constitution, staged a violent coup, terminated
our Huttaw (Parliaments), and removed our NLD Government which was lawfully and
resoundingly elected by the people of Burma in a landslide win.
5. This illegal action of Tatmadaw, ignoring the horrifying global COVID Pandemic, is the attempt to enslave our people under the military dictatorship again. Thus, I encourage our people to reject the military coup and totally resist the Tatmadaw. Our people are our only strength and the nation’s hope!
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| Soon, Tatmadaw's War-dogs won't be able to protect their Top-dog Min Aung Hlaing. |
