RANGOON — The daughter of former dictator Ne Win has used a public announcement in the Messenger newspaper to distance herself from her son, who has spoken expansively on his political opinions to a number of media outlets in recent weeks.
Khin Sandar Win and her husband used Tuesday’s announcement to admonish Aye Ne Win for his recent media engagements, saying they did not reflect the opinion of the rest of his family.
“We would like to inform that our son Aye Ne Win, without the approval of his parents Aye Zaw Win and Khin Sandar Win and his family, has talked to the media, including internet, newspapers, journals, TV and radio about our father U Ne Win, our family and political and military issues that are nothing to do with our family,” the notice said.
“If he does so again in the future against the will of the parents, he is the sole person responsible for it and we, his family, will not assume any responsibility.”
The grandson of Burma’s late dictator Gen. Ne Win, Aye Ne Win was one of 69 political prisoners released under a presidential pardon in November 2013. He had spent 11 years in jail after he and his family were charged with high treason at the age of 26, accused of plotting to overthrow the former military regime. His father and brother, Zwe Ne Win, were released in a previous amnesty in January 2012, while Khin Sandar Win spent six years under house arrest in the family’s Inya Lake home.
Aye Zaw Win told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that he did not know about the announcement bearing his name until he was contacted for his opinion.
“I don’t really know. I’m back from playing golf now, but I still haven’t met my wife,” he said. “As for the announcement, I will ask my wife what my son has said to the media.”
Khin Sandar Win, reported to be the late Ne Win’s favourite daughter, has attempted to keep her family firmly out of the public eye since her father’s death in 2002.
Since Aye Ne Win’s release, he has been a prolific user of social media and has been spotted at many public events, including this year’s celebration of Armed Forces Day. In recent weeks he has spoken with numerous local and international outlets, discussing a range of topics including his political and religious views, the continued role of the military in political life, and his business dealings.
The Irrawaddy was unable to reach Aye Ne Win for comment.
