US Threatens Parties Causing Democratic Turmoil In Myanmar

JAKARTA - The United States (US) has raised its voice regarding the military coup in Myanmar. The US stressed that it was ready to take action against those responsible for denying the democratic process in Myanmar.

"We call on the military leaders of Burma (Myanmar) to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the wishes of the Burmese people, as expressed in the democratic elections on November 8," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"The United States opposes any attempt to change the recent election results or hinder Myanmar's democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed," a spokesman for the White House, Jen Psaki, complemented Blinken's stance.

Apart from the US, other Western countries, such as Australia and Britain, also expressed deep concern over the state of martial law and detention in Myanmar. The reason for the election fraud that triggered this coup is considered absurd.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne appealed to the Myanmar military "to respect the rule of law, resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and immediately release all civilian leaders and others" who have been detained.

Meanwhile, Britain said it was "closely monitoring" the situation in Myanmar which is described as "very concerning".

"This is clearly a very worrying situation in Myanmar," said junior health minister Helen Whately, the first British minister to appear in the media since news of the Myanmar coup emerged.

European Council President Charles Michel, on Monday, February 1, also condemned the military power struggle in Myanmar and demanded that the military release all those detained in raids across the country.

"The election results must be respected and the democratic process needs to be restored," Michel, who leads a body representing 27 EU national leaders, wrote on his Twitter account.