Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has had his former Navy chief arrested for failing to obey his orders during the fighting in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, sources told The Irrawaddy.
Admiral Zwe Win Myint, formerly Navy Commander-in-Chief, submitted his resignation after disobeying Min Aung Hlaing’s order to attack Arakan Army (AA) troops deployed in hotels on Myanmar’s premier beach, Ngapali, in Thandwe Township without using artillery.
Min Aung Hlaing ordered Zwe Win Myint to use landing craft to transport troops to the beach, but told him that artillery must not be used, said a source.
“AA troops have taken up positions in the hotel zone. There are also snipers. Min Aung Hlaing ordered that they be cleared. The navy chief said he could, but he proposed that artillery be used first to suppress the enemy before sailors land on the beach in landing craft. Min Aung Hlaing didn’t accept that, for fear that the hotels would be damaged by the artillery,” a naval officer who asked for anonymity told The Irrawaddy.
Ngapali Beach is where Myanmar’s cronies have built their most lavish resorts. There are 64 hotels and resorts on Ngapali Beach and most of the grandest ones are owned by tycoons with close ties to the leaders of Myanmar’s successive military regimes, from the State Law and Order Restoration Council, which ruled from 1988 to 2011, to the current State Administration Council.
The Russia-Myanmar Association for Friendship and Cooperation and Treasure of Ngapali Development Co. Ltd, which is a local company according to the regime, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a luxury seafront apartment project and cooperate in the tourism sector in Ngapali Beach.
Association president Anatoly Bulochnikov met junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Jan. 30, reportedly to discuss tourism and trade with Myanmar’s largest arms supplier.
“If we only use landing craft to land on the beach without artillery support, we all would die,” said the naval officer.
Min Aung Hlaing has also refused to bomb Thandwe, the native town of his wife, Kyu Kyu Hla.
Zwe Win Myint was arrested on July 8 for disobedience and was replaced with Vice-Admiral Htein Win.
Htein Win was part of the 29th intake of Defense Services Academy. He served as the commander of Mawrawaddy naval base in Tanintharyi Region’s Yebyu Township, and became the Chief of Staff (Navy) in January.
