Thread: Myanmar junta leader admits not in full control of country

Leader of Myanmar’s military junta Gen Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that he didn’t expect to see huge popular opposition to his rule and acknowledged that more than three months after the takeover his regime still could not fully control the country.


The candid confessions by the senior general came during an interview with Hong Kong-based Chinese language broadcaster Phoenix Television on May 20. It was aired on the military-owned Myawady TV in Myanmar on Thursday night.


Min Aung Hlaing staged a coup on February 1, claiming that the then-ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by Aung San Suu Kyi had committed voter fraud during last year’s general election. The NLD won a landslide victory with more than 80 percent of the parliamentary seats in that election.


Following the coup, hundreds of thousands of Myanmar people from all walks of life peacefully took to the streets across the country to show their opposition to the takeover and to demand the release of Suu Kyi and deposed President U Win Myint. Both were arrested at the time of the takeover and are now facing multiple charges filed by the regime.


When asked by the Phoenix interviewer if he expected such kind of resistance, Min Aung Hlaing replied: “I have to say I didn’t think it would be that much.”


He said he considered the protests to be an emotional reaction, saying that his claims of voter fraud would anger NLD voters. He also claimed without elaborating that some of those protesting were “dishonest individuals” who feared they could face legal charges.


Myanmar junta leader admits not in full control of country | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

Originally Posted by misskit

Leader of Myanmar’s military junta Gen Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that he didn’t expect to see huge popular opposition to his rule and acknowledged that more than three months after the takeover his regime still could not fully control the country.

The man needs help. Perhaps a monarch?

Hasn't this been the case of the last few decades...?