VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Myanmar has become the center of international attention again. The rejection of the Myanmar people towards the coup of civilian rule by the military has attracted the attention in various countries. Although television and news coverage at home is limited, news of the coup and demonstrations of thousands of Myanmar people across the country, has spread throughout the world. To reduce the spread of calls for demonstrations and news about it, the military has taken steps to close access to social media.

Concern over a military coup against civilian rule will be discussed at the United Nations. It was reported that on Friday, February 12, 2021, the UN Human Rights Council will meet specifically. As reported by Reuters news agency, the UN Security Council has stated that the agenda to be discussed is the crisis in Myanmar. On Monday, February 8, 2021, Britain and the European Union had requested a special session on this matter. The Asian countries that have supported the Movement at the United Nations are South Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, until the beginning of the second week of February 2021, not a single ASEAN member country has commented on this issue. Understandably, the ASEAN Joint Commitment affirms that ASEAN members may not interfere in their respective domestic affairs. The political crisis in Myanmar also seems to be seen as a domestic problem in that country.

The United States will support the proposals of the UK and the European Union, because since Joe Biden became President, the United States has regained its membership in the UN Human Rights Council. Washington has also reacted to the military coup in Myanmar and stressed the possibility of sanctions.

Facing the international community reactions, the Myanmar Military Junta has so far not responded. Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said he will hold elections soon. It is very likely that this election will not be followed by Suu Kyi, who has been detained by the police, on charges of unsubstantiated matters.

Whether international pressure, minus ASEAN, will destabilize the military junta is still uncertain. The Military coup and forced elections will certainly have implications for the life of democracy and the people of Myanmar. The country, which has just recently entered the democratic era after ended the military dictatorial regime, is now in a decisive moment. Going back to a totalitarian or democratic era.