Irrawaddy Region Deputy Speaker Submits Resignation

By Salai Thant Zin 18 January 2019

PATHEIN—The deputy speaker of the Irrawaddy regional parliament has handed his resignation to parliament following his expulsion from the National League for Democracy (NLD) for the alleged misappropriation of funds.

“He has verbally asked to me to allow him to resign, but I haven’t approved his resignation,” Irrawaddy Region parliamentary speaker U Aung Kyaw Khaing told The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy regional chapter of the ruling party will hold a meeting with U San Min Aung which will also be attended by U Myo Nyunt, a member of the NLD’s central. A decision on U San Min Aung’s resignation will be made during the meeting, said U Aung Kyaw Khaing.

The Irrawaddy has not been able to contact U San Min Aung for his comments.

Following the filing of a complaint by a Pathein resident against deputy speaker U San Min Aung, who allegedly embezzled government funds in the purchase of five vehicles for the regional parliament, the NLD party launched an internal investigation into the case in December, leading to his dismissal following a meeting of the party’s central executive committee on Jan. 13.

U Myo Nyunt, who is also a spokesperson for the NLD, said that the ruling party would inform the Irrawaddy regional parliament and the national anti-graft body of the financial matters of U San Min Aung so that necessary action can be taken against him.

“They may take necessary action according to their procedures depending on our report,” U Myo Nyunt told The Irrawaddy.

U San Min Aung, 38, worked as a lawyer before his success in the 2015 election in Bogale Township, Irrawaddy Region after which he was appointed deputy parliamentary speaker.