U Kyaw Htun, the military junta’s acting ambassador to Japan, has sparked a backlash among the Myanmar diaspora after telling fire victims in Ibaraki Prefecture to return home if they wish to engage in political activities.
During a visit on 5 March to assist workers whose documents were destroyed in a 19 February house fire in Shimotsuma, the ambassador reportedly used the meeting to warn workers against joining revolutionary organizations.
In a video clip seen by Mizzima, U Kyaw Htun said, “I ask you not to join such organizations. You only want to follow your own ideas. Are you here to do politics or to earn money? Don’t lose your purpose. If you want to do politics, go back to Myanmar and do politics.”
He also said that wherever they were in Japan or Thailand, they should avoid getting involved in politics and instead focus on their work, rather than joining politically active organizations.
“You don’t need to side with those who try to persuade you. If you do, you will simply become tools for them,” U Kyaw Htun said.
The ambassador added that Myanmar citizens should not betray their country because they were born on Myanmar soil, drank Myanmar water, and grew up there.
According to U Myint Swe, chairman of the Federation of Workers’ Union of Burmese Citizens (FWUBC), U Kyaw Htun who arrived 20 days after the fire to assist the workers repeatedly told them during the meeting not to become involved in political activities.
“He came 20 days after the fire. He showed little concern about what kind of assistance would be provided to the fire victims in Japan or when it would be delivered. Instead, he repeatedly echoed the words of the Military Commission, telling us not to get involved in political activities,” U Myint Swe said.
A house fire broke out early on the morning of 19 February in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, where 21 Myanmar workers and one Chinese national were living. One Myanmar worker was killed in the blaze.
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