Singapore’s Home Affairs statement on arrested Arakanese is inequitable: ULA says

12 Jul 2019

Win Nyunt | DMG

12 July, Sittwe

Some points stated in the statement released by the Singapore’s ministry of Home Affairs regarding Arakanese people arrested in Singapore are harsh. The statements were found to be one-sided, favoring the Myanmar government, the Arakan Army/ the United League of Arakan responded on 11 July.

Moreover, the ULA said in its statement that the action of the Singaporean government is detrimental to helpless IDPs in Arakan State and urged the Singaporean government and its ministry of Home Affairs to revise the proclamations.

The ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore on 10 July announced that it will deport some Myanmar nationals who are providing financial aid for the AA that is revolting against the Myanmar government.

In the statement, the Singapore’s ministry of Home Affairs said that a group of Myanmar nationals in Singapore have organized and mobilized some members of the local Myanmar community to support the Arakan Army (AA) and its political wing, the United League of Arakan (ULA); the AA is an armed group that has conducted violent attacks in Myanmar; and one of the individuals investigated has a direct relationship with a key AA leader and he actively mobilized support among the local Arakan community, and coordinated AA’s fund-raising efforts in Singapore.

The Myanmar government and the Myanmar Army has been accusing not only the AA but also all ethnic armed groups as terrorists, the ULA said in its statement.

Ko Aung Mrat Kyaw, younger brother of the AA chief Twan Mrat Naing, Ko Tun Aye, chairperson Ko Hein Zaw, vice chair Daw Aye Myat Mon (aka) May Gyi, communication official Ko Thar Lay (aka) Ye Kyaw Htet and Ko Tin Hlaing Oo from Arakan Association (Singapore) were arrested by the Singaporean authorities on 9 and 10 July.

Ko Tin Haling Oo and Daw Aye Myat Mon were deported from Singapore on 10 July and they were arrested by Myanmar authorities near Nay Pyi Taw on the evening of 11 July, Ko Tin Hlaing Oo told the DMG when we got contact with him.

But, the DMG could not conform where they have been detained. The DMG phoned Pol-Col Myo Thu Soe, spokesperson of police force information, but he could not be reached.

Moreover, another four: Ko Aung Myat Kyaw, Ko Tun Aye, Ko Hein Zaw and Ko Thar Lay (aka) Ye Kyaw Htet were also arrested at the Yangon International Airport after their deportation from Singapore to Myanmar on July 12. 

According to one of the members from the Arakan Association (Singapore) whose name is not to be mentioned, there are 86 Arakanese people altogether, the Singaporean police have a list of Arakanese people who may also face the arrest by Singapore police and deportation to Myanmar where they would surely be arrested like their colleagues. 

So, family members and close friends of them are very much concerned with their security and further arrests and deportations.

Related News : Leaders of Arakan Association (Singapore) unexpectedly arrested

Two arrivals arrested in Nay Pyi Taw after deportation from Singapore