Maung Khet Nway
The Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and the Regional Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung were reportedly translocated to ministers' housing in Naypyidaw, said an anonymous news source of the National League for Democracy (NLD), as rumours swirl over the Myanmar junta’s plans.
The 78-year-old State Counselor was translocated from Naypyidaw Prison on 24 July and the 71-year-old Mandalay Region Chief Minister was transferred from Mandalay Obo Prison on 27 July, the informant stated, confirming earlier news reports.
The moves came after Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met with Aung San Suu Kyi on 9 July. The Myanmar junta later admitted that the meeting in Naypyidaw Prison was held with the permission of the military regime and lasted more than an hour.
BBC Myanmar reported that Aung San Suu Kyi was relocated to the deputy ministers’ housing on 25 July.
However, the junta’s spokesperson General Zaw Min Tun told VOA Myanmar that he had not heard about the news.
The NLD chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi and vice chairman (2) Dr. Zaw Myint Maung were moved to Yarza Thingaha Housing - also known as VIP housing of former ministers and generals - Ottarathiri Township, Naypyidaw, the NLD party source told Mizzima. The source is not the spokesperson of the party, and so preferred not to be named.
“It is confirmed that Amay Suu [Aung San Suu Kyi] will stay there. Dr. Zaw Myint Maung will stay in a house next to her.”
The junta charged Aung San Suu Kyi with 19 cases and the courts under the junta’s control sentenced her to 33 years in prison. Additionally, they charged Dr. Zaw Myint Maung with nine cases and sentenced him to 29 years in prison. The two leaders have spent 13 and 19 months in prison respectively.
Rumours are rife in Myanmar in the wake of these recent developments with speculation that an interim government led by former President Thein Sein will be formed after 1 August and that national elections will be held within a year.
Uncertainty surrounds the whereabouts of former president Win Myint. There is speculation he will be moved to the housing unit in Naypyidaw, but as of 28 July he was still in Taungoo Prison.
