• Burmese
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Myanmar Junta Chief Not Seen in Public for More Than a Week

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
March 7, 2022
in Burma, Factiva, News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Myanmar Junta Chief Not Seen in Public for More Than a Week

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on January 31

7.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Here’s an interesting development from Myanmar: the county’s coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has dropped out of sight.

Various possible reasons have been offered for his disappearance from public view. Some military sources say he has contracted COVID-19, while others say he is suffering from cancer of the lumbar, or lower back, region.

The only thing that’s certain is that the Myanmar military chief—who has gained international notoriety for ousting the country’s democratically elected government in a coup last year claiming electoral fraud, and killing more than 1,500 people for rejecting his rule—has not been seen in public for more than a week.

RelatedPosts

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

July 15, 2025
881
Myanmar and Russian Regimes Push Indian Trade Corridor to Bypass Western Sanctions

Myanmar and Russian Regimes Push Indian Trade Corridor to Bypass Western Sanctions

July 15, 2025
841
Myanmar Junta’s Air War Against Civilians Kills Eight in Two Days

Myanmar Junta’s Air War Against Civilians Kills Eight in Two Days

July 15, 2025
302

Those who track Min Aung Hlaing’s movements will be aware that he is rarely off the public radar screen for long. Over the past year since his power grab, there have been a handful of instances in which he has been absent for a few days. Typically, he reappears at a cabinet meeting delivering a long, rambling speech, or resurfaces on a military base to lecture his subordinates and their families on why his coup was legitimate.

But he has never gone missing for a whole week.

He was last seen along with other senior regime members at a religious ceremony in the country’s capital Naypyitaw on Feb. 27. Since then there has been no sign of him, nor have there been any meetings of the regime’s governing body, despite the fact that the country has been hit by devastating  prolonged power outages and skyrocketing commodity prices.

The mystery only deepened when his planned trip to Pyay in Bago Region this week was canceled at the last minute, according to military sources there. Min Aung Hlaing rarely postpones or cancels trips unless there is some major issue to deal with.

Among the online responses sparked by the coup leader’s unusual absence from public view is speculation that he is battling a spinal tumor. This theory has been fueled by photos taken of Min Aung Hlaing at a public appearance a few weeks ago showing him wearing a back brace.

Whatever the truth may be, the news of his absence has delighted Myanmar people, who have endured serious hardships under his military dictatorship. On Myanmar’s most popular social media platform, Facebook, many users heartily embraced the idea that he has disappeared. Many of the comments are so harsh they could well give him a heart attack should he read them, reflecting the depth of Myanmar people’s hatred of him and the strength of their desire to see his demise. Many Facebook users voiced hope that the people’s death wishes against Min Aung Hlaing had finally come true.

But others wanted more. “Don’t die now! Stay alive until we try you to hang,” said one.


You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Junta Starts Seizing Properties of Activists’ Families

Myanmar Regime Revokes Citizenship of 11 Prominent Resistance Figures

Myanmar Junta Suffers Heavy Losses in Kayah State: Resistance

Your Thoughts …
Tags: cancerCOVIDdisappearedjuntaleadermeetingMilitaryMin Aung HlaingmissingMyanmarpublicregimespeculationview
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
47k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.6k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale
Burma

Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale

by The Irrawaddy
December 8, 2023
32.9k

Min Aung Hlaing was trying to distract attention from a string of military defeats by handing out 147 medals for...

Read moreDetails
AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Sagaing Region Internet Shut Down Amid Myanmar Junta Raids

Sagaing Region Internet Shut Down Amid Myanmar Junta Raids

At Least 32 Regime Soldiers Reported Killed in Northern Myanmar Clashes

At Least 32 Regime Soldiers Reported Killed in Northern Myanmar Clashes

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

1 week ago
1.3k
What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

21 hours ago
881

Most Read

  • Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Launches Space Agency With Russian Help

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Moves into Nawnghkio Outskirts

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar and Russian Regimes Push Indian Trade Corridor to Bypass Western Sanctions

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.