Ohn Myint (politician)
H.E. Ohn Myint | |
|---|---|
အုန်းမြင့် | |
| Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development | |
| In office March 2011 – 30 March 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Tin Naing Thein |
| Succeeded by | Aung Thu |
| Minister for Cooperatives | |
| In office March 2011 – September 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Tin Htut |
| Succeeded by | Kyaw Hsan |
| Pyithu Hluttaw MP | |
| In office April 2010 – March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Constituency | Hpakant Township, Kachin State |
| Majority | 29,426 (51.58%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Burma |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Political party | Union Solidarity and Development Party |
| Spouse | Nu Nu Swe |
| Children | Kyaw Thura, Kyaw Thiha |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Myanmar |
| Branch/service | Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | - 2010 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
Ohn Myint (Burmese: အုန်းမြင့်, born ) was the Burmese Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development from 2011 to 2016.[1] From March 2011 to August 2012, he concurrently served as the Minister of Cooperatives, until he vacated the post in September after a reshuffle of President Thein Sein's cabinet.[1][2]
Ohn Myint appears on the European Union list of sanctioned regime members, as he served as a member of the State Peace and Development Council, the military regime that ruled Burma until 2010.[3] He is married to Nu Nu Swe.[4]
In 2010, he resigned from the military, in order to stand as a Union Solidarity and Development Party candidate in the 2010 Burmese general election.[5] He won a Pyithu Hluttaw seat representing Hpakant Township in Kachin State by a majority of 29,426, defeating his primary opponent, Bawk Ja from the National Democratic Force, an ethnic Kachin activist.[6]
Controversy[edit]
In January 2014, a controversial video of Ohn Myint speaking to residents at Thityakauk village in Magway Region during a 28 January visit surfaced.[7] In that video, Ohn Myint used profanity and vulgar language toward the residents, who were pleading for clean potable water in the village.[7][8] He also threatened to slap and imprison residents who inquired about the government's water access initiatives.[9] In part of the diatribe, Ohn Myint said "I don’t care about anybody. Anyone can write and say anything about me. I’m not afraid to die, so what else should I be afraid of? I don’t give a damn. I am that kind of person. I don’t give shit."[10]
His colleague, Minister of Information, Aung Kyi, defended Ohn Myint's words.[7] In response, the National League for Democracy introduced a motion in the Pyithu Hluttaw to debate and reprimand Ohn Myint's language.[7] President Thein Sein has reportedly reprimanded Ohn Myint for his language, but activists continue to call for his dismissal.[10] On 3 February 2014, activists from the Democratic Force staged a protest near Mahabandoola Park in Yangon.[10] The residents of Thityagauk village have demanded his resignation.[9] Their application to stage a protest on 13 February was blocked by Magwe Region police.[11]
Military career[edit]
Ohn Myint is a former Lieutenant General and Chief of the Tatmadaw's Bureau of Special Operations-6.[1] He also served the following military posts:
- Northern Command Commander[1]
- Coastal Region Command Commander[1]
- SPDC official for Kachin State[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Cabinet". Alternative Asean Network on Burma. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Myanmar reshuffles cabinet ministers, deputy ministers". Eleven Media. The Nation. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "BURMA: COMPARISON OF NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WITH THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION LIST OF SANCTIONED REGIME MEMBERS". Global Justice Center. 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)" (PDF). Official Journal of the European Union. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ Yan Pai (25 August 2010). "More Senior Officers Reportedly Resign to Join USDP". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "People's Assembly Constituencies". Alternative Asean Network on Burma. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d Thin Thiri (6 February 2014). "Myanmar Government Slammed for Defending 'Rude' Minister". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ Kyaw Htun Naing; Nay Myo Tun (3 February 2014). "Myanmar Minister Draws Fire for Using Harsh Words on Villagers". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Magwe demands 'Slapper' Ohn Myint step down". Democratic Voice of Burma. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ a b c Hein Ko Soe; Nan Myint (4 February 2014). "Thein Sein rebukes minister for vulgar remarks". Mizzima. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ Si Thu Lwin; Ye Mon (20 February 2014). "Police stop protests against U Ohn Myint as pressure builds for action". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 21 February 2014.