Burmese groups protest referendum outside embassy

More than 500 Burmese refugees and students demonstrated outside their embassy in the Malaysian capital, calling for a referendum in the reclusive nation to be scrapped.

Burma’s ruling generals went ahead today with the ballot for a new constitution despite the major devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis last weekend, which killed tens of thousands and left 1.5 million people desperately needing aid.

"We don't want to vote for the artificial referendum," protest organiser and ethnic Chin Richard Burton told reporters.

"The junta should postpone the referendum because of all the suffering the Burmese people are facing from the cyclone," he added.

A refugee in Malaysia for the last four years, Burton said most people were not allowed to vote freely in the country formerly known as Burma.

"We are being forced to vote for the referendum at the point of a gun so there is no choice for the Burmese people. We must vote 'No' for the referendum."

Memorandum submitted

Wearing t-shirts with the word 'NO' emblazoned in white, demonstrators chanted pro-democracy slogans as leaders submitted a memorandum to Burmese embassy officials.

Over 300 policemen, some armed with tear gas launchers, allowed representatives to address the crowd.

A large number of Burma's various ethnic groups turned up for the protest with many Karen, Shan, Chin and Mons dressed in traditional outfits.

Some brought their children and the group staged a minute's silence in memory of the cyclone's victims before dispersing.

In the worst cyclone-hit townships including Burma's most populous city Rangoon, the vote has been postponed, but the referendum went ahead today in the remaining townships.

The junta says the vote will lead to general elections in 2010.

The last ballot in Burma was won by the opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi nearly two decades ago but they were never permitted to take power - and the military has continued its tight hold on the country.

- AFP