Myanmar\u2019s military regime has revoked the passports of anti-coup activists living in Singapore \u2013 an unprecedented move for the junta, which typically reserves such tactics for high-profile opposition leaders and members of the shadow government based abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move came with no prior warning and only applies to residents of Singapore, said sources who told RFA Burmese they learned that their passports had been invalidated when they tried to leave or return to the Asian financial hub in recent weeks. RFA was unaware of similar measures taken against Myanmar nationals in other countries and the number of passports nullified by the move was not immediately clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An estimated 300,000 Myanmar nationals live in Singapore, and members of the community have voiced some of the strongest opposition to the military\u2019s Feb. 1, 2021, coup d\u2019etat. The country is also home to expatriate junta supporters, who are rumored to operate businesses with substantial holdings there, although the claims could not be independently verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myanmar nationals in Singapore told RFA they were caught off guard by the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I arrived at the airport, officials said my passport was no longer valid, so I could not travel,\u201d said Mae Kyaw Soe Nyunt, a Myanmar national who resides in the city-state. \u201cI told them the passport had not expired yet, but they said that, even so, the number was no longer valid and could no longer be used \u2026 They said it was ordered by my [country\u2019s] embassy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that she knows of at least \u201cthree or four other\u201d Myanmar nationals in Singapore also had their passports invalidated. Those affected have permanent residence status in Singapore and have been able to remain there, although the move impacts their ability to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another person whose passport was revoked said that \u201cmore people than expected\u201d were targeted by the move, although they could not provide an exact number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot, according to the information that I received,\u201d said the person, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal. \u201cThere are people who have sent the list of names [of those who support the anti-junta movement] to the regime. Whether it is true or not, your passport will be revoked if your name is on the list.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An activist in Singapore, who also declined to be named, said they asked about the situation at Myanmar\u2019s Embassy and were told that staff there had received no order to revoke passports from the junta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a question as to whether the junta is directing [Singapore\u2019s] immigration instead of directing its embassy,\u201d said the activist. \u201cCurrently, some people are able to renew their passports at the embassy, so they must not be on the blacklist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lodging complaints with police<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n RFA has received reports that the junta is not only taking action against Myanmar activists, but also lodging complaints about them to Singapore\u2019s police, based on tips from informants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May Kyaw Soe Nyunt, who had her passport revoked, said that she was questioned by the police after she sold raffle tickets to fund Myanmar\u2019s armed resistance out of her shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey said they didn\u2019t want the situation to blow up out of proportion, but they also expressed sympathy for the suffering of Myanmar\u2019s people,\u201d she said. \u201cI apologized and the case was over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n RFA attempted to contact Aung Ko Ko, the director general of the junta\u2019s ministry of foreign affairs, for comment on the revocation of passports, but was told he was in a meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A third person whose passport was revoked told RFA that the junta\u2019s crackdown on Myanmar activists was aimed at \u201cinstilling fear,\u201d but said that those who are being persecuted \u201cwill not back down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey are trying to destroy our lives in various ways,\u201d the person said. \u201cBecause of their actions, the strength [of the anti-regime movement] may be lessened. But it won\u2019t stop people\u2019s support for the movement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Myanmar nationals living in Singapore are residents with legal work permits or possess permanent residence permits. The country is also home to former Myanmar nationals who have become citizens of Singapore through permanent residency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Members of sizable Myanmar expatriate communities in other countries \u2013 including Thailand, South Korea and Japan \u2013 have said they were not affected by the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Dec. 2021, Myanmar\u2019s junta started revoking the passports and citizenship of members of the shadow National Unity Government and high-profile opposition leaders in what critics have called a form of political revenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n