Otago Daily Times

Myanmar dispute raises coup fears

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YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar members of parliament are set to take up their seats on Monday as escalating tension between the civilian government and the powerful military stirs fears of a coup in the aftermath of an election the army says was fraudulent.

The army has said it plans to ‘‘take action’’ if its complaints about the election are not addressed, and a spokesman this week declined to rule out the possibilit­y of a coup.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won a resounding victory in the November 8 poll, only the second free and fair general election since the end of direct army rule in 2011.

But allegation­s by the army of widespread voter fraud, which the electoral commission denies, have led to the most direct confrontat­ion yet between the civilian government and the military, who share power in an awkward constituti­onal arrangemen­t.

The charter reserves 25% of seats in parliament for the military, which has demanded a resolution to its complaints before Monday and has refused to be drawn on whether its lawmakers will show up.

Adding to the uncertaint­y, the commanderi­nchief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, mentioned during a widely publicised video address to military personnel this week that a constituti­on should be repealed if it was not abided by.

He cited previous instances when charters had been abolished in Myanmar.

Suu Kyi has not made any public comment on the dispute, but a spokesman for her NLD said members had met military leaders on Thursday (local time) for talks but noted they were ‘‘not successful’’.

‘‘We do have concerns but they are not too significan­t,’’ the spokesman, Myo Nyunt, said.

He also said police battalions were stationed in the capital, Naypyitaw, after reports that protesters might gather there, but said in the event of a coup the NLD would not respond with force.

NLD lawmaker Zin Mar Aung said police were patrolling the parliament compound and there was a need for caution.

‘‘We cannot pretend as if nothing is happening,’’ Zin Mar Aung said. — Reuters

 ?? PHOTO: REUTERS ?? Visible presence . . . Army soldiers clear the traffic as an armoured personnel vehicle moves on a road in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday.
PHOTO: REUTERS Visible presence . . . Army soldiers clear the traffic as an armoured personnel vehicle moves on a road in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday.

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