The Feb. 1 coup, in which Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders were arrested, has created a potential minefield for businesses and investors in Myanmar. © Reuters

Myanmar's coup creates a minefield for business

Fears of digital crackdown undercut hope junta will improve on Suu Kyi's policies

GWEN ROBINSON, Nikkei Asia editor-at-large, and THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

February 19, 2021 07:24 JST

YANGON/BANGKOK -- For one Burmese investor in Myanmar's nascent tech industry, the military coup of Feb. 1 brought back unwelcome memories of his country's dark past, of an atmosphere of repression and fear, that he thought had been left behind.

"I've lived through what I thought were the lowest points ... but I've never seen nor imagined anything like this," said the Bangkok-based investor.