Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government and its parliamentary committee, the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) party, politicians, diplomats and members of the public expressed deep sorrow over the death of NLD co-founder and former armed forces chief U Tin Oo.
U Tin Oo, 97, one of the closest confidants of detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, died on Saturday morning at Yangon General Hospital, three days after he was rushed to an intensive care unit.
He was hospitalized several times following the 2021 coup.
A floral basket with the name of the detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairwoman of the NLD, was delivered to his home in Yangon on Sunday morning.
U Myint Oo, personal aide to U Tin Oo, told The Irrawaddy that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s basket was sent by staff from her Yangon residence at 54 University Avenue, but delivered by soldiers from the 6th Military Operations Command because her seized residence has been ordered to be auctioned by the junta.
U Myint Oo said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could not send a message from detention.
A wreath from junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, also commander-in-chief of the military, was delivered to U Tin Oo’s home on Saturday night.
The coup leader made an unusual visit to U Tin Oo in December 2021 to “cordially inquire after his health” and offer him treatment at military hospitals. The ailing NLD stalwart received the junta chief out of politeness – proudly wearing an NLD jacket emblazoned with the party’s red badge.
Despite the coup leader’s offer, the retired general never checked in to a military hospital.
The NLD’s Former President U Htin Kyaw, who resigned from his post in 2018, and his wife also sent a floral basket on Saturday.
A basket from U Win Myint, the president of the ousted NLD-led government who was arrested after the coup on Feb. 1, 2021 along with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD members, is also expected to arrive today.
U Myint Oo said officials from the Japanese and Chinese embassies were expected today.
Many members of the NLD came to pay respect to their late senior leader, he added.
U Tin Oo co-founded the NLD in 1988 and remained a steadfast leader through the party’s challenging journey, tirelessly championing the cause of democracy. He was often seen by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s side, through good and bad.
After joining the NLD, he was detained by former military juntas twice, first for more than a decade in the crackdown that followed the 1988 protests and again along with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after they narrowly escaped the deadly organized attack on a convoy carrying them in Upper Myanmar in 2003. The attack, known internationally as the Depayin massacre, saw at least 70 people killed.
U Tin Oo suffered a stroke in 2017. When coup leader Min Aung Hlaing rounded up the NLD’s senior leaders, he spared U Tin Oo, probably due to his old age and ill health.
Though his reaction to the 2021 coup was not recorded, it undoubtedly distressed him to see Daw Aung San Suu Kyi arrested again and the country once again subjected to military dictatorship. He would surely have been proud to learn that young people – some of them the same age he was when he joined the army – were flocking to ethnic armed organizations to undergo military training to help topple the regime.
U Tin Oo continued to defy the regime until he drew his last breath.
The NLD said in the statement released on Saturday that U Tin Oo’s passing is a great loss to the party and affirmed its commitment to continue realizing his vision and goals. The party also praised U Tin Oo’s patriotism, loyalty and integrity, saying they were his legacy.
The National Unity Government and the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw also released statements mourning the loss of U Tin Oo, recognizing his significant contributions to the struggle for democracy in Myanmar and expressing their resolve to continue his fight.
Politicians and members of the public have also expressed grief at U Tin Oo’s passing on social media.
His funeral will be held at Yay Way cemetery in Yangon’s North Okkalapa Township at 4 pm on Wednesday.
