Mizzima

Some Myanmar citizens who support anti-junta forces in their homeland said the military regime has revoked their passports, according to a report by Radio Free Asia. 

The military junta has been angered by the Myanmar community in Singapore due to its strong opposition to the 2021 coup. 

A woman named May Kyaw Soe Nyunt told RFA that her travel permit was denied by Singaporean immigration at the airport. She said, “Immigration officials at the airport told me that my passport is no longer valid. It was revoked by the Myanmar embassy.”

Some Myanmar activists in Singapore have also experienced revocation of their passports since last month, according to the RFA report.

Another Myanmar citizen whose passport was also cancelled told RFA on condition of anonymity for security concerns, “The military regime has reportedly received the name list of supporters of anti-military resistance forces from their informants in Singapore.”

The Myanmar junta made two orders in September for migrant workers—to remit 25 percent of their earnings at money-losing exchange rates, and to pay tax of at least 10 percent on their income earned abroad.

The orders will affect Myanmar migrant workers in renewing their passports as they need to show proof of tax payments or pay a lump-sum income tax. 

A recent announcement from the Myanmar passport offices said expats and sailors need to submit their tax certificates when renewing their passports.