YANGON—Corruption charges have been filed against a deputy director and a clerk of the Rural Road Development Department who allegedly abused their positions to demand more than 10 million kyats (USD6,200) in bribes, Myanmar’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said.
The anti-graft body announced Wednesday that U Aung Myint Kyaw, the department’s deputy director in Mandalay, and clerk Daw Thuzar demanded more than 10.278 million kyats in “office expenses” from six companies that won tenders to build roads in rural areas.
Cases were opened against the men under Articles 56 and 63 of the country’s Anti-Corruption Law. If convicted, the deputy director faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. The clerk is accused of being an accomplice to the alleged graft.
Founded in 2013, the ACC has stepped up its activities since U Win Myint was sworn in as president in March. He has vowed to fight the country’s chronic corruption.
Last month, the ACC filed cases against the attorney general of Yangon Region and five other officials including a judge, law officers and a police officer for accepting more than 70 million kyats (nearly USD46,300) to drop cases against three suspects in the murder of Facebook comedian Aung Yell Htwe.
The six accused are currently facing trial in Yangon.
The original version of this story mistakenly referred to the agency involved as the Rural Development Department. The correct name of the agency is the Rural Road Development Department.
