"Rumor: Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint have been released from prison by the junta. Fact: Suu Kyi and Win Myint remain behind bars along with their cabinet members and thousands of other political prisoners. Myanmar’s descent into chaos and turmoil continues. The recent partial pardon of Suu Kyi, which saw her total sentence reduced from 33 years to 27 years, is appalling but laughable. Suu Kyi’s former economic adviser Sean Turnell, who was also jailed in Myanmar before his release last year, said it was meaningless. Indeed, they are cowards! On Monday, amid rumors and speculation about the forming of a transitional government and the release of several politicians including Suu Kyi, the regime held a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) and extended the state of emergency. This is the fourth time the regime has done so, violating the charter. But it was joined by all NDSC members, including Vice President Henry Van Thio, who has served continuously as second vice-president under the National League for Democracy government and now the junta. It is just a divide and conquer scheme: Henry Van Thio is also under house arrest. The state of emergency was initially declared in February 2021, when the military ousted the democratically elected government of Suu Kyi. However, the country’s 2008 constitution drafted under the guidance of the military states that an emergency can be declared for an initial period of one year and can “normally” be extended for a maximum of two half-year terms at the discretion of the military-dominated NDSC. The extension means the regime will continue to rule illegally and unleash its terror campaign in Myanmar, where an unprecedented armed rebellion has been taking place since the coup. At the meeting, the junta chief called for increased military operations in Sagaing Region as well as Chin and Kayah states, saying “terrorist” attacks are the worst there. Last week, hundreds of military trucks entered Kayah State, where resistance forces have taken control of the territory. More slaughter and air raids are expected there. Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that the regime has no control over 130 townships, with martial law imposed in nearly 50 townships in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe regions, as well as Chin and Kayah states. The regime has responded to the growing resistance movement with indiscriminate air strikes, raids and arbitrary killings across the country. As of last week, the junta had killed more than 3,850 people, including those engaged in anti-regime activities and civilians killed in indiscriminate attacks, according to independent watchdogs. World’s tallest Buddha … and most downtrodden people Around the same time that the regime made the announcement that it would reduce Suu Kyi and Win Myint’s sentences, its murderer-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing offered up another carefully orchestrated news item to confuse the world and the media, holding a lavish ceremony in Naypyitaw to officially bless and open to the public the Maravijaya Buddha image, reportedly the world’s tallest. The gesture is absurd in light of the regime’s record. Since the coup, the Myanmar junta has caused the displacement of over 1.5 million people, scorched at least 70,000 homes, and killed more than 3,747 civilians. Dozens of detained activists and politicians have been executed, some hanged, as there is no rule of law in Myanmar. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the regime has committed “sexual violence, mass killings, extra-judicial executions, beheadings, dismemberments and mutilations” and created an appalling humanitarian crisis, plunging millions into dire poverty. Millions of people in Myanmar need humanitarian assistance due to the economic crisis sparked by the coup, which has only brought more poverty and distress to the population. But in July, addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the military was engaged in a “systematic denial” of humanitarian relief to the millions of civilians in need of help. There is a terrible irony in the regime leaders’ building the tallest Buddha image to show that they are the defenders of the faith in Buddhist-majority Myanmar; the country’s people feel they are the smallest, most defenseless and least protected people in this part of the world. Neighbors making friends with junta The question now is who can act as a broker between the regime and the opposition and apply any pressure? Other than China and Russia, the regime has few friends. In July, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met with Suu Kyi during a secret visit to Naypyitaw, becoming the first international dignitary to be granted permission by the regime to meet her. However, the meeting has caused controversy, as it took place shortly before the start of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministerial meeting. He described his encounter with Myanmar’s former State Counselor as “a good meeting”, going on to say that, in regards to the current situation in Myanmar, “She encouraged dialogue.” There has been no direct communication from Suu Kyi. The regime’s spokesman said the two met freely for more than one hour. Critics pointed out that Don has no right to speak for Suu Kyi, and no one can verify his claim that she has called for dialogue. The opposition remains fragmented but still wants to bring down the regime, despite having limited resources. Anyone seeking to appease the regime, or harboring the delusion that they can be successful in taming the wolf, will be surprised to see this meaningless and ludicrous gesture from the criminals in Naypyitaw. Last week, Chinese special envoy Deng Xijun arrived in Naypyitaw and met with regime leader Min Aung Hlaing. China is said to be increasingly concerned with the growing instability in Myanmar and was reportedly unhappy with the previous extension of the state of emergency in February. Whenever Beijing sends high-level delegations to Myanmar it is believed that they consistently and repeatedly raise the issue of Suu Kyi and her well-being. Some China-Myanmar watchers have even speculated that China wants to see Min Aung Hlaing removed. If it is true, this largely echoes the opinion of the majority of Myanmar citizens. Who would want to endorse, defend and prop up a murderous regime leader and his cabinet in this region? Nevertheless, China also wants to expand its business activities and resume its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Myanmar. This conflict of interest means Beijing cannot be viewed as an honest broker. Time to act It is time for China, the US, the EU, certain Scandinavian countries previously involved in Myanmar’s political transition process, and Myanmar’s neighbors to do more the resolve the country’s deepening crisis. Ironically, the Southeast Asian nation’s location between rivals China and India has so far rendered it more of an international blind spot than a strategic hot spot such as Taiwan or Ukraine. But it is time to wake up: Myanmar’s growing instability is in danger of spreading to its neighbors China, India and Thailand—and beyond, throughout the region. The surge in refugees, insurgency, arms smuggling, organized crime, trafficking, money laundering, online scams, illegal drug production and illicit trade since the coup is in danger of contaminating the whole region. No one in the region can escape Myanmar’s crisis. It will only get worse if we fail to stop it. All players should demand the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other detained leaders of the ousted government, as well as elected MPs and all other political prisoners. They should never have been put in prison in the first place. Western governments should continue to impose targeted sanctions and arms embargoes on military enterprises, junta leaders’ families and associated crony businessmen. Across ASEAN, elected MPs, prominent politicians, institutions, and civil society groups should keep up the pressure on their governments to do more on the Myanmar crisis, and continue to pressure companies that are assisting the regime. If ASEAN and the international community want to see a restoration of stability and peace in Myanmar, it is time to increase—not reduce—the pressure on the regime and support the democratic opposition..."