October 10, 2024
Business tycoons affiliated with the military regime have made their third round of donations to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, ostensibly to provide aid for flood victims affected by the recent Ragibun monsoon disaster, according to pro-regime media reports.
The donation ceremony took place on October 9 at the Mingala Hall of the Yangon Region Government Office, where Min Aung Hlaing personally attended to accept the contributions. The event was heavily covered by state-controlled media.
Among the prominent business figures attending the event were Dr. Win Myint, owner of Myat Myitta Mon Company and a former USDP MP; U Thadoe Hein of Myanma Abba Industries; and U Kyaw Win, chairman of Shwe Thanlwin Company.
According to the junta chief, previous donations amounted to over 32 billion kyats in the first round and more than 10 billion kyats in the second round. The third round, which took place on October 9, reportedly raised 11.97 billion kyats.
While most of the donations have been made through the junta, some businesses have opted to provide direct assistance. Kanbawza Bank, owned by U Aung Ko Win, is one such example, having directly donated 10 billion kyats for flood relief without going through the regime.
The donation event on October 9 was prominently reported by the regime’s propaganda outlets, which referred to Min Aung Hlaing as the “Prime Minister” in their coverage of the ceremony.
