Junta deputy commerce minister Nyunt Aung has followed in the footsteps of his mentor, former Colonel Kyaw Shwe – the first military officer to be jailed under the previous SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) military regime.
Nyunt Aung was recently detained for interrogation as part of a junta purge in response to soaring prices of basic commodities.
Nyunt Aung was part of the Defense Services Academy 30th intake along with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing’s right-hand man and trade chief, Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun, who is also being interrogated for corruption.
Nyunt Aung was a protégé of the notorious Colonel Kyaw Shwe. The 1988 military takeover saw Kyaw Shwe, then Yangon Command chief, appointed as deputy commerce minister by his boss Maung Aye, the junta’s deputy supremo and trade chief.
Nyunt Aung was then a captain serving as a general staff officer (3rd class) in Yangon Command. Following his appointment as deputy commerce minister, Kyaw Shwe had Nyunt Shwe transferred to the commerce ministry.
Kyaw Shwe took bribes worth billions of kyats shortly after taking the position. He was arrested and handed 40 years in prison by Maung Aye.
Nyunt Aung, however, continued to serve in the commerce ministry. He rose through the ranks and became director-general under Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian government.
Nyunt Aung was eventually fired for allowing the illegal use of heavy machinery in jade mines in Kachin State’s Hpakant, as well as taking bribes for border trade. He escaped punishment, however.
Following the 2021 military coup, he was restored to the commerce ministry post by his old classmate and newly appointed trade chief Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun.
Moe Myint Tun’s growing power in the regime has helped several of his military classmates amass significant wealth, said a former military officer.
Nyunt Aung is also a member of the Myanmar Investment Commission, which is chaired by Moe Myint Tun. Together with Moe Myint Tun’s henchman Yan Naung Soe, he also serves as secretary to the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods – which is also led by Moe Myint Tun.
Importers need approval from the committee and commerce ministry before shipping in any goods.
Nyunt Aung’s arrest followed the detention of Moe Myint Tun and Yan Naung Soe in the first week of September.
The regime is also questioning five directors and another director-general of the commerce ministry, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Observers say junta boss Min Aung Hlaing is reluctant to take harsh action against Moe Myint Tun because of his close ties to Maung Aye.
