Border News Agency
Kyaukphru, September 6

Amid intense clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and junta forces, U Myo Min Htun, the Chairman of the Kyaukphru Township Administration Council and Township Administrator, is under investigation for abuse of power and corruption, according to junta-related sources.

It is reported that U Myo Min Htun, along with senior junta officials in Kyaukphru Township, is under investigation due to allegations of granting travel and trade permits — including passenger flights between Yangon and Kyaukphru, as well as travel and goods transport into areas controlled by the Arakan Army — in exchange for massive amounts of money, amounting to billions.

It is reported that, under orders from the General Administration Department headquarters in Naypyidaw, the township administrators of Taunggoke and Gwa were sent to Kyaukphru to conduct the investigation into U Myo Min Htun.

In addition, Major Aung Phyo Oo (known as “Dat Si”) from Battalion 34 and others involved were also investigated. However, according to junta-related sources, no investigations or actions have yet been taken against senior junta army officers, naval officers, or other high-ranking officials from various departments.

According to a senior official from the Kyaukphru District General Administration Department and the District Administrator’s Office, told Border News Agency that travel from Kyaukphru to Yangon is only permitted if approved and signed by Township Administrator Myo Min Htun. However, he is merely rubber-stamping approvals; the actual permission must come from the chief army strategists or naval strategists. These strategists hold meetings to decide who is allowed to travel, and Myo Min Htun then signs the documents. The official added that those who issue signatures can also be held accountable.

Since the start of the final clashes, the junta has restricted all roads and communications. However, residents say that anyone traveling to and from Yangon from areas controlled by the Arakan Army can only do so through Kyaukphru Airport.

To obtain such travel and goods transport permits, it is reported that large sums of money are being paid as bribes to junta officials and staff, including those from the Kyaukphru District General Administration Department, the District Administrator, and Township Administrators.

According to junta-related sources in Kyaukphru, travelers and traders mainly have to enter and exit through Nga La Pwe Port in Kyaukphru Township, which is primarily controlled by Major Aung Phyo Oo (“Dat Si”) of Battalion 34.

Junta-related sources say that although Township Administrator Myo Min Htun and Major Aung Phyo Oo (“Dat Si”) are personally carrying out these billion-kyat corrupt activities, all junta officials, including staff from the Kyaukphru District General Administration Department and the Kyaukphru Township Administration, are also involved.

A junta official told Border News Agency that Myo Min Htun and Dat Si only receive a small portion for themselves, while senior army and naval officers take the majority. Even office clerks, airline ticket handlers, and passenger transport staff reportedly receive tens of thousands. The official added that if real action were taken, all administrative staff, multiple departments, and all military officers would need to be held accountable.

Residents who have personally traveled report that although the official Kyaukphru–Yangon flight ticket costs around 700,000 kyats at most, travelers have to pay up to 1.5 million kyats to those colluding with the junta.

A civilian from an Arakan Army–controlled area confirmed that to travel to Yangon, it costs at least 350,000 kyats, with the majority of the money going to junta officials and staff in Kyaukphru Township.

Staff from the Kyaukphru Township Administrator’s Office said that over 500 civilians returning from Yangon are currently stuck in Kyaukphru because Township Administrator Myo Min Htun is under investigation. As a result, it is still uncertain whether they will be allowed to continue to their intended destinations.

Residents say that officials from the Kyaukphru Township General Administration Department, along with senior junta officers, are daily committing hundreds to thousands of acts of abuse and corruption by misusing their power and privileges. They add that everyone involved should be investigated and held accountable.

Intense clashes continue in Kyaukphru Township between the junta and the Arakan Army, with junta forces, including naval warships, heavily armed and resisting in coordinated ground, air and sea operations.