The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) issued a deep apology on January 9 regarding a video circulating online of an MNDAA member destroying a pagoda in Laukkai.

On January 8, a video clip of a young man wearing an MNDAA military uniform and hitting a Buddhist pagoda with a hammer was circulated online.

The statement of apology says that the video clip caused people to misunderstand and criticize the MNDAA. Therefore, the MNDAA announced four points to prevent the intentional incitement of religious and ethnic conflicts and to stop Buddhists from being emotionally harmed by the video.

First of all, the hammering of the pagoda was not an order from the MNDAA, but a personal act. Second, the organization deeply apologized for the poor discipline and incompetence of its subordinate soldiers. Third, the MNDAA respected free religious worship and did not oppose other religions or order the destruction of religious buildings.

 In the fourth point, the statement says the MNDAA military committee has assigned the relevant department to take responsibility for the matter, instructed it to take action and punish the accused. The MNDAA officers and soldiers were also instructed to respect religious freedom and protect religious buildings.

On January 8, a video of a member of the MNDAA smashing a sacred Buddhist pagoda on Laukkai Point 2202 Hill (Sin Oo Kin Hill) with a hammer went viral on social media.