Myanmar’s junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has reorganized the regime’s governing body, the State Administration Council (SAC), at least five times since the 2021 coup.
Fifteen SAC members, including three generals, have been removed over the past two years.
Min Aung Hlaing formed the 11-member SAC on February 2, 2021, a day after the coup.
The first member sacked was air force chief General Maung Maung Kyaw, whose father held the same position under General Ne Win’s dictatorship.
He was reportedly fired from the SAC and forced out as air force chief because of Min Aung Hlaing’s personal animosity.
The latest dismissed members are Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun and Lieutenant General Soe Htut, who are being interrogated for corruption.
Moe Myint Tun was Min Aung Hlaing’s former right-hand man and an original SAC member, along with Maung Maung Kyaw.
He was the youngest cabinet member and played a key role in the 2021 coup by arresting President U Win Myint.
Home affairs minister Soe Htut was responsible for the crackdown on anti-regime protesters after the coup and ordered the execution of prominent democracy activists Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw in July last year.
Moe Myint Tun has been replaced by the military’s third-in-command, chief of the army, navy and air force Maung Maung Aye.
Maung Maung Aye was promoted to chief of the general staff after the coup and is related by marriage to SAC member and military spy chief Ye Win Oo.
Replacing Soe Htut is former quartermaster general and chairman of the military-owned conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation Nyo Saw, who manages business interests for Min Aung Hlaing’s family and was appointed as the junta chief’s advisor in July.
Other sacked SAC members are civilians representing ethnic minorities, including Thein Nyunt, Jeng Phang Naw Taung, Khin Maung Swe, Aye Nu Sein, Saw Daniel, Dr Banyar Aung Moe, Moung Har, Sai Lone Saing, Pu Gin Kam Lian, Maung Ko, Dr Aung Kyaw Min and Dr Kyaw Tun.
Pu Gin Kam Lian was replaced after just two weeks because he said he was appointed without his consent.
Three reshuffles so far this year point to instability within the regime.
