More than 60 percent of Mon State Chief Minister Dr Aye Zan’s expense account for the 2020 general election held on November 8 were provided by companies and businesses based in Kyaikto and Mawlamyine, according to Thaton District Election Sub-commission.
The funds raised for election campaign included Ks2.5 million by the chief minister himself, over Ks700,000 by the central National League for Democracy for aid and online expenses, Ks2 million plus Ks750,000 for campaign shirts depicting the candidate’s portrait by First Yo Yo Lay Co Ltd owner Nay Htet Thein Naing and wife in Kyaikto, Ks1 million by businessman Ye Tun and wife in Kyaikto, Ks500,000 by PT Power fuel station owner Myint Tin in Mawlamyine, Ks250,000 by Kayikhtiyo Market Committee and Ks75,000 by Yadana Hein Gems Exploration (Motpalin) totalking over Ks8.2 million. Of the total amount, over Ks7.6 million were spent for his election campaign, according to the election sub-committee.
Of the over Ks7.6 million, over Ks4.5 million was provided by some companies, businesses and entrepreneurs based in Kyaikto and Mawlamyine towns.
“As per the law, the election expense shall not exceed Ks10 million. No one submitted their election expense accounts that exceed Ks10 million. The amount every candidate submitted is different,” said Thet Naing Oo, secretary of the election sub-commission. One political analyst, Min Min Nwe, said: “As far as I learn from the news about the election expense of the state chief minister, companies have contributed to his election spending. But his expense is just as normal as others’. We found nothing special.”
He however expressed his view that there could be behind-the-scenes relations between businesspeople and political parties and parliamentary candidates running for election.
“Civil society organizations, media and people need to be aware of such things. I mean there are some local companies that really serve the regional interest while there are some others seeking self-interest. If a politician or parliamentary representative happens to associate with self-seekers, regional interest will be hampered. We must be aware of this,” Min Min Nwe said.
Mon State Chief Minister Dr Aye Zan won parliamentary seats both in the 2015 and 2020 elections.
