Ex Mp Presses Wisma Putra On Claims Of Backing Myanmar Elections

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Ex-MP Charles Santiago has urged Wisma Putra to clarify Malaysia's stance on Myanmar's upcoming elections, amid reports on recent engagements with the latter's military junta.
He pointed to recent reports from Myanmar claiming that Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan had "expressed satisfaction" with the junta’s election preparations.
The DAP man argued that if such reports are true, Mohamad has displayed a "dangerous endorsement" of a regime that has massacred civilians, jailed political opponents, and bombed its own people.
"Any gesture that lends legitimacy to this so-called election is a betrayal of the Myanmar people and Asean's own principles.
"To praise 'election preparations' in such a context is to normalise atrocity and give the generals exactly what they crave most: international recognition," Charles (above) said in a statement today.
Yesterday, the Myanmar government claimed Malaysia has assured Asean's support for its election slated for December this year, and has pledged to send observer teams to the polls.
State media The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that Mohamad had conveyed the matter during talks with Myanmar’s State Security and Peace Commission Chairperson, Min Aung Hlaing.
Foreign Minister Mohamad HasanThe election will be held after almost a five-year hiatus since the military took over the government on Feb 1, 2021.
‘No credible polls under military rule’
Charles, however, insisted that there can be no "credible elections" under a military dictatorship that continues to wage war against its citizens.
"Villages are being burned, thousands of political prisoners remain behind bars, and the junta controls the country through fear and bloodshed.
"If this report is inaccurate, the foreign minister must immediately clarify Malaysia’s position.
"Silence will only deepen suspicion that Putrajaya is shifting towards appeasement at a time when moral clarity is desperately needed," Charles stressed.
He cautioned that if the meeting between Myanmar and Malaysian leaders did take place as reported, then Mohamad "owes" the public a full explanation.
Min Aung Hlaing"Why is Malaysia engaging with a regime that stands accused of crimes against humanity?
"What possible justification could there be for sending 'election observers' to a process designed to rubber-stamp military rule? This would not be diplomacy, but complicity," Charles said.
He asserted that the junta's planned elections are a mere "political theatre" meant to consolidate control and neutralise opposition under the illusion of civilian rule.
He emphasised that Malaysia's involvement in such matters, even symbolically, would undermine regional and global efforts to hold the generals accountable for their atrocities.
"Mohamad must make it clear, now, where Malaysia stands: with the junta or with the people of Myanmar.
"At this critical moment, Malaysia cannot afford to be on the wrong side of history," Charles added. - Mkini

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