Myanmar military extends state of emergency by six months

The Myanmar military has extended its state of emergency by six more months, ensuring its grip on absolute power until at least end-July. Elections cannot be held during this period and planned polls can only take place after — if the state of emergency is not extended further. The state of emergency has not been lifted since the Feb 1 coup almost four years ago, which plunged Myanmar into civil war. Opposition groups have pledged to disrupt the polls, which they condemn as an attempt to legitimise the military regime. Leong Wai Kit reports.