Myanmar activists have launched an online petition campaign to pressure Singapore’s government to block the junta’s access to funds, arms, equipment and jet fuel.
Singapore is the third-largest supplier of arms and equipment to the Myanmar military and also a financial hub for the regime and its generals.
The Blood Money Campaign (BMC) says the junta relies on Singapore resources in waging a campaign of terror against civilians featuring daily indiscriminate airstrikes, shelling, murder, torture, arbitrary detention, rape and arson attacks.
It calls on Singapore to impose sanctions to stop the direct and indirect transfer of arms, dual-use goods, technology and jet fuel to the Myanmar military. Additionally, it urges the city-state to impose money-laundering and related restrictions to ensure the regime cannot access the Singapore financial system and over US$4.5 billion in funds that belong to the government of Myanmar.
The BMC petition also calls on Singapore to expedite and make public ongoing investigations into domestic companies suspected of supplying arms, dual-use goods and technology to the Myanmar military.
As of Tuesday, it had collected over 24,400 signatures. The campaigners said the petition will be sent to Singapore’s government on Oct. 29 to mark 1,000 days since the coup.
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar revealed in May that $254 million of supplies were shipped from dozens of entities in Singapore to the Myanmar military from February 2021 to December 2022. Singaporean banks have been used extensively by arms dealers supplying the military.
The activist group Justice for Myanmar also recently released a “Dirty Over 30” list featuring nine tycoons whose Singapore businesses are linked to war crimes, detailing how some enjoy lavish lifestyles in the city-state.
The petition was launched as part of a global campaign being held from October 25 to 31 to increase pressure on Singapore to block the flow of funds and weapons to the junta.
It will feature both online and on-ground activities, said campaigners, who invited people to join them online or in person.
“If Singapore can block weapons and financial channels that support the terrorist junta group, it will not only be a great support for the revolution but also reduce the damage to the people’s lives and livelihoods,” the BCM said in the announcement.
