• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °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 Specials Junta Watch

Junta Watch: Blackouts Eclipse Electricity Minister; Regime Boss Shamed by Sermon; and More

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
August 5, 2023
in Junta Watch
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Junta Watch: Blackouts Eclipse Electricity Minister; Regime Boss Shamed by Sermon; and More

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing (left) listens as senior Buddhist monk, the Venerable Sandana Thara (right), delivers a sermon at Tuesday’s consecration event.

2.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Another power minister unplugged

Thaung Han (right) is the second electricity minister to be sacked since the 2021 coup.

Among regime ministerial posts, the head of the country’s electricity ministry seems especially vulnerable to being fired. Thaung Han became the latest example Wednesday when he was forced to retire “on health grounds” after more than one year in the job. His predecessor, Aung Than Oo, had suffered the same fate. It means the ministry is already on its third minister in less than two and a half years, following the military’s power grab in 2021.

The junta doesn’t offer reasons for the forced retirements. However, both electricity ministers presided over continual rolling blackouts that have plagued the country since the coup. To Min Aung Hlaing’s embarrassment, major cities like Yangon have only a few hours of electricity per day even during the ongoing monsoon season, when the country’s hydropower turbines should be at full capacity. Even the regime’s administrative seat of Naypyitaw isn’t spared the power cuts.

It is now clear that Min Aung Hlaing’s coup shattered the country’s electrification plan being carried out by the National League for Democracy government, which was ousted in the takeover. Under the plan, the country had achieved 50 percent electrification by December 2019 and was on target for 75 percent in 2025 and full electrification in 2030.

RelatedPosts

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

July 11, 2025
130
Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

July 10, 2025
493
Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

July 10, 2025
497

Meanwhile, the regime’s plan to generate electricity from alternative sources like solar and wind with help from China and Russia has so far failed to bear fruit, as nationwide blackouts persist. So, Min Aung Hlaing has simply vented his anger on his electricity ministers. His next victim in line is the freshly appointed Nyan Tun. With Myanmar still under the cloak of rolling blackouts, keep your fingers crossed, minister!

Buddhist humiliation for regime boss

The Venerable Sandana Thara holds up three fingers to illustrate points made during his sermon on Tuesday.

For junta chief Min Aung Hlaing – who is universally known for bombing his own civilians – being told to do no evil is probably the last thing he wants to hear. But hear it he did. To his embarrassment, he was lectured face to face in public. Worse, the encounter was broadcast live on state-owned TV channels.

On Tuesday, the regime chief was visibly in high spirits as more than 900 Buddhist monks flocked into Naypyitaw to consecrate his seated Buddha statue that he boasts is ‘the world’s biggest’. But his elation was swiftly punctured when a senior monk from the country’s governing religious body gave a sermon to the audience, which included Min Aung Hlaing.

Venerable Sandana Thara of Kyaukme from northern Shan State summarized the essence of Buddhism in three short sentences in Burmese, Pali and English: “Do no sin or evil. Do good. And purify your mind.”

Coincidently, the monk raised his three fingers to emphasize the statements. The gesture was the same as the three-finger salute popularized by protesters during nationwide demonstrations against military rule.

How Min Aung Hlaing reacted to the sermon was not immediately clear. Although he was on camera at the time, there were no close-ups of his face. But the sermon’s message was clear to everyone: ordering arbitrary military attacks that kill civilians in their thousands violates fundamental precepts of the Buddha’s teaching.

The fate of senior monk following his daring sermon is not yet known. But later that same day, Min Aung Hlaing sacked his Minister of Religion and Culture, Ko Ko, who was responsible for overseeing the country’s religious affairs – including Buddhist monks. ‘Health reasons’ were given as the excuse for the removal of Ko Ko and other ministers this week.

Regime seeks friends in Mideast, Africa

Ambassadors to China from Myanmar and Guinea-Bissau sign a joint communiqué to establish diplomatic relations on March 6 this year in Beijing. / Ministry of Foreign Affairs Myanmar

The junta is seeking to establish ties with countries in the Middle East and Africa in a bid to expand its international relations beyond China, Russia and India.

On July 31, the regime agreed to the proposed appointment of Malaysia-based Florence Buerki Akonor as Ghana’s Ambassador Extraordinary to Myanmar.

In March, the regime established diplomatic relations with Africa’s Guinea-Bissau, which became the 126th country to establish official ties with Myanmar. The joint communiqué on forging diplomatic relations was signed at the Myanmar Embassy in Beijing.

As sanctions imposed by Western powers heighten Myanmar’s isolation on the world stage, Min Aung Hlaing’s regime has been busy cementing ties with countries in Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Oman and Bahrain. And its focus is now expanding to Africa.

So far, though, Myanmar has embassies in just five Middle Eastern and African countries – Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Boss again vows to bring control as emergency extended

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing

Min Aung Hlaing said further measures were needed to fight ‘terrorism’ in the country, and reiterated his plan to hold an election. Read more:

Military rule prolonged for another 6 months

Min Aung Hlaing at the NDSC meeting on Monday in Naypyitaw.

Min Aung Hlaing defies constitution to prolong military rule for the fourth time since 2021 coup, as his regime struggles to quell popular armed resistance. Read more: 

Your Thoughts …
Tags: BuddhismDiplomacyjuntamilitary rulestate of emergency
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

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
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
Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance Calls on Northeast Command Chief to Surrender
War Against the Junta

Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance Calls on Northeast Command Chief to Surrender

by The Irrawaddy
August 9, 2024
24.9k

Brigadier-General Soe Hlaing handed ultimatum to relinquish northern Shan State after resistance seizes command base in Lashio.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion
Burma

Myanmar General in Charge of Shan State Disaster Handed Surprise Promotion

by The Irrawaddy
February 5, 2024
24.5k

Naing Naing Oo elevated to Lieutenant-General and made chief of powerful Bureau of Special Operations No. 2, in a reshuffle...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Cambodian King Appoints Hun Sen’s Son as New PM

Cambodian King Appoints Hun Sen's Son as New PM

Dozens of Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Four Days of Resistance Attacks

Dozens of Myanmar Junta Troops Killed in Four Days of Resistance Attacks

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

2 days ago
954
‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
950

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    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.