Symbolism Of Military Coup Rejection From Myanmar Citizens

Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters rally. (Wikimedia Commons / Burma Democratic Concern)

JAKARTA - The coup on February 1 was not the first time done by the Myanmar military. Yes, the country has experienced four military coups since they declared their independence from Britain in 1948.

The first was a military coup led by General Ne Win Took on March 2, 1962, which put Myanmar under the leadership of a Revolutionary Council led by the military. Next, in 1988 the military launched another coup led by General Saw Maung.

In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the election. However, the military was reluctant to give up power and continued to exercise power by continuing to rule the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) until 1997, and then as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) which ended in 2011.

Most recently, the Myanmar military under Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who launched a coup on February 1, formed the State Administration Council (SAC). This coup was followed by the detention of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar President U Win Myint, and hundreds of other figures.

Protests were staged by the masses immediately after the coup. Since Tuesday 2 February, residents have been enthusiastically hitting pots and pans for 30 minutes starting at 8 pm as a symbol of rejection to the military coup.

Health workers, including doctors, nurses to hospital staff, led the protest act, demanding the release of Suu Kyi and Win Myint. Larger protests took place over the weekend in the Yangon business center, which was then followed in other cities, such as Kachin, Mandalay, Magwe, Bagan, Myawaddy, Pathein to Moegyoke.

While wearing a mask, three-fingers greeting, and honking, the people are demanding the release of Aung Sang Suu Kyi, the detained figures who reject the repeat of the military regime and the takeover of power.

The crowd also carried demanding banners, such as "I Vote for the NLD: Respect Our Voice" and "Get Down With a Military Dictatorship!". The crowd also continued to shout anti-military regime slogans.

"We have to take risks, we can't stand still. This is for our future and for the country too", said Wai Yan Tun, a student at the University of Technology to The Irrawaddy.

On Sunday, the growing crowd of protesters was heated up by the false news of Aung San Suu Kyi's release that was raised by the military. However, at the invitation of the Archbishop of Myanmar Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the protesters avoided the anarchist action, greeting the riot police who were on guard, while offering them food and drink.

Since the military took power on February 1, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Thomas Andrews said more than 160 people had been arrested by the military. Apart from Suu Kyi and Win Myint as well as political figures, figures from various backgrounds, including monks and directors, were also arrested.