KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 20 -- Senator Liew Chin Tong has urged Putrajaya to reconsider its decision to deport over 1,200 Myanmar nationals, subsequently handing them over to the military junta.

The DAP senator said he is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Myanmar, as the recent actions by the Tatmadaw, or the Myanmar Armed Forces, are against the wishes of its people and a step backwards for democracy.

"As a leading member of Asean, Malaysia needs to lead regional opinion in pushing at the least the minimalist agenda of getting the junta to free all prisoners of conscience," Liew said in a statement.

The former deputy defence minister said deporting the Myanmar nationals would serve to legitimises the military junta's coup on F...