Myanmar envoy to ASEAN: Stand where truth is

MANILA, Philippines — The special envoy of the Myanmar Parliament to the United Nations has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to “stand where the truth is” and described the ASEAN’s response to the unrest and developments in the country as “very unfortunate.”

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on OneNews/TV5 on Monday night, Dr. Sasa, elected by a parliament committee to represent Myanmar to the UN, said the 54 million people of Myanmar are living in fear.

“Again and again some of our ASEAN friends continue to stand with the military junta, which is illegal. It’s not the will of the people of Myanmar,” Sasa said when asked about his assessment of the ASEAN’s response and individual countries.

“We’re calling them to stand with the people of Myanmar. Not again with the illegitimate and illegal military-led government. That means that some of the countries again think that it’s an internal problem,” he said.

The envoy emphasized that ASEAN has the responsibility to protect the people of Myanmar.

“So we’re asking all the countries in ASEAN, our friends, our dear neighbors, to please stand with the people of Myanmar,” Sasa said.

Sasa said the 10-nation bloc would not earn the respect of the world if it will demonstrate weakness, noting that it should take immediate and decisive actions when there is an emergency.

“The ASEAN has the responsibility to stand where the truth is. They can’t stand again and again covering these generals who have committed crime against humanity. If they still stand with them they’ll be blamed in history,” Sasa stressed.

“We’re calling on the internal community to act quickly and decisively, especially our ASEAN friends. This is the time for them to act. If they don’t act this time, again I believe history will judge us harshly,” he added.

Sasa slammed the military junta’s plan to hold another election following their government takeover.

He called the military junta’s push for new election as “stupid” and “unjustified.”

“It’s meaningless. We don’t need another election,” he said.

The Philippines has expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Myanmar.

The Philippine government reiterated its call for a “complete restoration of the status quo and allow State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to play her unifying role.”

UN Special Envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener said the situation in the country challenges “the stability of the region” and could lead to a “real war.”

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power and detained Suu Kyi and much of her National League for Democracy leadership, who won the November election in a landslide, which the military said was fraudulent.

The election commission said the vote was fair.