Arakan State parliament speaker requests to reconsider Internet cutoff

27 Jun 2019

Min Tun | DMG

26 June Sittwe

The Myanmar government cut off mobile data service for eight townships in Arakan State and one township in Chin State commencing 21 June to prevent regional instability and poor rule of law in the region, attracting widespread criticism in various areas.

Speaker of Arakan State parliament U San Kyaw Hla said that it should consider other options instead of shutting down the Internet in unstable regions in order to restore regional stability and to stop hate speech in the region.

“To prevent hate speech and to restore regional stability, it needs to take into consideration what motives an individual to use hate speech and why the region is unstable to begin with,” the parliament speaker said.

U Tun Tha Sein, lawmaker for Mrauk-U Township, said that the Internet ban blocks people from accessing information and news that is vital for their everyday living.

“Since social networks and other data services are shut down, there are no other options for receiving and sending information. It’s like trying to see when you’re enveloped in total and absolute darkness,” U Tun Tha Sein said. 

Some people and CSOs have criticized that the Internet cut-off is a transgression of rights.

Lt-Col Min Thu, a military legislator, responded that it was not a news blackout.

“It cannot be called a news blackout if information can be communicated via phones. A News blackout entails blocking all mobile voice communications and data services. According to the current situation, information cannot be accessed efficiently,” he said.

U Kyaw Lwin, legislator for Kyauk Phyu Township, said that suspending mobile data services only in eight townships in Arakan and one township in Chin State is a one-sided decision although the government’s reason for the block was to prevent hate speech in the region of conflicts affected. 

“I’d like to suggest to shut down the Internet in all states and regions in Myanmar to stop hate speech. Disagreements between two sides could lead to hatred, but blocking one side’s voice will make matters worse,” he said.

U Hla Thein, MP for Minbya Township, put forward an urgent proposal in the parliament session on Monday to restore mobile data service because the ban is making problems for local people.

Six lawmakers were in favour of the proposal on 26 June and the state parliament approved it after it found no objection.