Ohn Myint (politician)

H.E.
Ohn Myint
အုန်းမြင့်
Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development
Assumed office
March 2011
Preceded by Tin Naing Thein
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(s) Nu Nu Swe
Children Kyaw Thura, Kyaw Thiha
Occupation Soldier
Military service
Allegiance Myanmar
Service/branch Myanmar Army
Years of service - 2010
Rank Lieutenant General

Ohn Myint (Burmese: အုန်းမြင့်, born ) is Burma's incumbent Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, having been appointed in March 2011.[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 Burmese general election, 2010.[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

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

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:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Cabinet". Alternative Asean Network on Burma. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Myanmar reshuffles cabinet ministers, deputy ministers". Eleven Media (The Nation). 28 August 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)" (PDF). Official Journal of the European Union. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Yan Pai (25 August 2010). "More Senior Officers Reportedly Resign to Join USDP". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "People's Assembly Constituencies". Alternative Asean Network on Burma. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Thin Thiri (6 February 2014). "Myanmar Government Slammed for Defending ‘Rude’ Minister". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 "Magwe demands ‘Slapper’ Ohn Myint step down". Democratic Voice of Burma. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 Hein Ko Soe; Nan Myint (4 February 2014). "Thein Sein rebukes minister for vulgar remarks". Mizzima. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  11. ↑ 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.


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