Provisional government claims destruction of General Aung San statues is done legally

The provisional government has claimed that the destruction of statues of General Aung San, the father of Myanmar's independence and a national leader, is being carried out legally due to proportionality and shape deficiencies. Following the coup, the military junta has been destroying statues of General Aung San erected during the previous NLD government's term across the country, and this response has come as the movement has intensified since the formation of the transitional provisional government. Daw Khine Khine Soe, the spokesperson for the provisional president, stated that since the establishment of the provisional government, statues of General Aung San in over 100 townships have been inspected from April 1st of this year, and some statues were found to have inconsistencies in proportionality, shape, and artistic representation. Furthermore, she responded that it is being done in accordance with the 1962 Historical Figures Memorial Law, with the aim of enabling future generations to correctly study and preserve historical value and tradition, as it is not in line with the dignity of a historical figure. "This is an excuse. It's like saying they are blocking lightning with palm sugar. Because only the statues of General Aung San built during the NLD era are being destroyed. If they build it, it's right; if others build it, it's wrong," CDM Major Zin Yaw told the Irrawaddy Times. He also pointed out that this is merely an excuse, and the act is driven by jealousy and animosity towards General Aung San and his daughter, the chairperson of the NLD party and state counselor, and is also an act of bullying and destruction targeting the NLD party and its supporters. Similarly, NLD party members, CDM officers, and observers have also pointed out the same, and it is known that successive military dictatorships have often used General Aung San's words and images to mobilize the public for their own interests. Currently, reports indicate that there are no less than 15 cases of statues of General Aung San erected during the NLD government's term being destroyed across the country, including in Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, Ayeyarwaddy, Magway, and Sagaing regions and states. The Myanmar Lawyers Council has warned that this act is unethical and base, and that those involved in the intentional destruction of the nation's national symbols could face imprisonment of up to 7 years in the future. Similarly, the NLD party also issued a statement on July 8th of this year, stating that the provisional government is destroying public property, Myanmar's national identity, and historical symbols and evidence of Myanmar. Furthermore, the NLD party added that the provisional government is intentionally crushing and destroying the beliefs and hopes of the public, and strongly protests and condemns this, stating that they will continue to take effective action. Photo: Social media