According to Brig-General Zaw Min Tun, previous Chief Minister for Yangon Region Phyo Min Thein will be punished according to the law as no one is above the law, after he was asked by a reporter on whether Phyo Min Thein will be charged with graft on June 12 at the press conference by the State Administration Council (SAC).
He continues to say that if found guilty to investigations on corruption under Section 55 and 63 of the anti-corruption laws, steps will be taken to ensure Phyo Min Thein will be charged.
"As to the processes undertaken, there are the witness testimonies. So for bribery, there are charges for both ends of the bribe. What I want to highlight is that as the State Administration Council, we have first and foremost reformed the UEC and launched investigations into the voters list. As we were doing that, we saw these things so we had to carry it out and when we did, we did so because we have enough evidence and testimony. So in regards to the question, there is no one above the law. It will be done so according to the law," said Brig-General Zaw Min Tun.
There also were follow up questions regarding other ministers that had rumours of alleged corruption, citing the previously charged Minister Daw Nilar Kyaw that was charged for corruption. Questions were also asked regarding Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein again in regards to YP fuel station, YBS, Mingalardon land plots and so on.
The Brig-Gen replied that investigations are ongoing and that certain information cannot be divulged but there have been statements and that further developments will be announced. He also said that not all chief ministers are to be charged and those that were charged will be explained in a transparent manner.
"Like I said, it will be done according to the law. No one is above the law. I've said before not to ask me about cases that investigations or court cases are ongoing although this is not a court case. It is regarding this one person and all the chief ministers under the previous government. We are still investigating into them. There will be no one above the law and it will be done according to the law," said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
All chief ministers that served under the NLD government are detained and Magway Region's Chief Minister Dr Aung Moe Nyo has been sentenced to 2 years in prison under Section 505(b).
Charges of corruption have been placed on Mon State's Chief Minister Dr Aye Zaw, Sagaing's Dr Myint Naing, Kayin's Nan Khin Htwe Myint. Mandalay Region's Chief Minister Dr Zaw Myint Maung and most ministers have been detained in several prisons and charged under Section 505(a) and (b), Section 25 of the natural disaster management law and so on.
There also was a follow up question to where Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein is being held after rumours broke that all those served in the Yangon Region government body under the NLD is being detained in Insein Prison but a reporter's interview claimed that despite seeing other members of the government were seen in Insein Prison, Phyo Min Thein was not there.
In regards to this question, Brig-Gen said that "I think I've said before at the 3rd time of this press conference. Not everyone, including U Phyo Min Thein, is in Insein Prison. There were some ex-ministers and other responsible persons. Some are being kept in military compounds and they are in good health. This is not only for the Yangon Region. For example, I've said previously where UEC members being kept in Nay Pyi Taw and they are at the Military Yeik Thar (compound/guest house). They are there."
The SAC had aired a video of Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein admitting to bribing State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with gold bars and cash as well as the confession of the tycoon Maung Weik.
On June 10, the SAC had also announced that State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi including the Nay Pyi Taw municipal Mayor Dr Myo Aung, Deptuy Mayor U Ye Min Oo and municipal member U Min Thu will be charged under anti-corruption laws.
