Demonstrators gather on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AP
Demonstrators gather on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AP
Demonstrators gather on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AP
Demonstrators gather on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 to protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AP

Asia

Internet blackout in Myanmar continues amid fears of worsening crackdown

A ban on public gatherings has little effect despite increasingly agressive methods from security services

The National

February 16, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Myanmar’s junta blocked the internet for a second night straight to stem nationwide protests after it seized power from civilian leaders on February 1.

The blackout came shortly after state-run MRTV said army chief Min Aung Hlaing enacted a new law telecommunications law, with details set to be announced on Tuesday.

Authorities have sought to disrupt telephone and internet access to prevent demonstrators from organising.

They have granted themselves new powers to intercept communications and detain dissidents.

Protests continued on Monday in defiance of a ban on public gatherings imposed after the coup.

The junta is scheduled to give its first press briefing since it took power later on Tuesday, while US Ambassador to Myanmar Thomas Vajda plans to host an online question-and-answer session hall for Americans.

Myanmar’s military leaders have struggled to gain control of the streets since ousting the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won a landslide victory in November elections. She has urged the country’s 55 million people to oppose the army’s move, calling it “an attempt to bring the nation back under the military dictatorship”.

Ms Suu Kyi and other political leaders are among more than 400 people detained since the coup, a number that rises by the day. While authorities have largely avoided confronting protesters in major cities who have ignored a ban on public gatherings, several demonstrators have been injured in crackdowns, including a woman shot in the head who is now on life support in Naypyidaw, the capital.

Ms Suu Kyi will remain in detention ahead of a Wednesday court hearing, Reuters reported, citing her lawyer.

Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the 'civil disobedience movement' (CDM) in front of an armoured vehicle during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the 'civil disobedience movement' (CDM) in front of an armoured vehicle during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
A military armored vehicle is seen driving along with traffic on a road in Yangon, Myanmar. Getty
A military armored vehicle is seen driving along with traffic on a road in Yangon, Myanmar. Getty
An armored personnel carrier is deployed outside the Central Bank building in Yangon, Myanmar. AP
An armored personnel carrier is deployed outside the Central Bank building in Yangon, Myanmar. AP
Myanmar's military junta on 15 February cut Internet services and deployed troops and armoured vehicles across the country. EPA
Myanmar's military junta on 15 February cut Internet services and deployed troops and armoured vehicles across the country. EPA
A policeman holding a shield stands guard in front of Yangon City Hall during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
A policeman holding a shield stands guard in front of Yangon City Hall during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards in front of an armoured vehicle during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards in front of an armoured vehicle during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Soldiers stand guard in front of banners calling for the release of Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Soldiers stand guard in front of banners calling for the release of Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Armoured vehicles drive along a road in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Armoured vehicles drive along a road in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the CDM during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the CDM during a protest outside the Central Bank in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the CDM in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA
Demonstrators hold up placards supporting the CDM in Yangon, Myanmar. EPA

Telenor Group, which owns one of two wholly foreign owned telecommunications providers in Myanmar, on Monday joined mounting opposition to the junta’s proposed cybersecurity bill, saying it gives the regime broad powers including the ability to order lawful interception.

The Asia Internet Coalition, whose members include Facebook, Apple and Google, stated on February 11 that the bill allows for unprecedented censorship, breaches privacy and would “significantly undermine freedom of expression”.

“The current very short and limited consultation has not allowed for the required dialogue on the proposed Cyber Security Bill,” Telenor said in a statement. “We are concerned that the proposed bill does not progress relevant regulatory frameworks and law for a digital future, nor promotes and safeguards digital safety and rights.”

STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYasmin%20Azad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESwift%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

A Prayer Before Dawn

Director: Jean-Stephane Sauvaire

Starring: Joe Cole, Somluck Kamsing, Panya Yimmumphai

Three stars

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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