• Burmese
Saturday, July 19, 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: Monument to Dictator’s Colossal Vanity Rises; Regime Wedding Veils Violence; and More    

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
February 18, 2023
in Junta Watch
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Junta Watch: Monument to Dictator’s Colossal Vanity Rises; Regime Wedding Veils Violence; and More    

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing views gold ornaments and precious gems to be enshrined at the Maravijaya Buddha statue

5.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Buddha statue a giant display of Min Aung Hlaing’s hypocrisy 

Min Aung Hlaing at the Feb. 10 ceremony to enshrine religious relics at the Maravijaya statue.

While his troops are busy torching and shelling Christian churches in Chin and Kayah states and central Myanmar, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has instructed state media to solicit more donations for a marble Buddha statue – touted as the world’s biggest sitting Buddha image – which he is having built in Naypyitaw.

Reaching up 81 feet (24.69 meters) in height, the Maravijaya image is being constructed in a park of the same name in Dekkhinathiri Township along with more than 700 marble slabs inscribed with text from the Tripitaka (Pali Canon) of Theravada Buddhism. Through its media, the regime has been constantly urging people to donate funds for the construction of the Buddha image and stone inscriptions.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Using Conscripts as Cannon Fodder, Defectors Say

Myanmar Junta Using Conscripts as Cannon Fodder, Defectors Say

July 18, 2025
257
‘Factory of Death’: Report Links Chinese Firms to Myanmar Junta’s Bomb Production

‘Factory of Death’: Report Links Chinese Firms to Myanmar Junta’s Bomb Production

July 18, 2025
304
Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

July 17, 2025
1.3k

Speaking at the 77th anniversary of state broadcaster Myanmar Radio and Television on Wednesday, Min Aung Hlaing instructed state media including junta-controlled TV, radio, and newspapers to continue to promote the Buddha statue to “arouse the generosity of donors.”

This means there will be more articles in junta-controlled newspapers glorifying Min Aung Hlaing as the “protector and promoter of Buddhism” and gushing that the junta boss must have made much merit in his previous lives to be building the Maravijaya in this one.

Meanwhile, in eight townships in Chin State, western Myanmar, where the regime has imposed martial law and banned gatherings of more than five people, Christians have to seek approval from military authorities one week in advance for routine religious activities.

Elsewhere, the regime continues to kill and terrorize Buddhist and Christian civilians with indiscriminate air, artillery and infantry attacks on villages around the country.

Blood wedding for deputy defense chief’s daughter

Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Kyu Kyu Hla attend the wedding reception of Deputy Defense Minister Maj-Gen Aung Lin Tun’s daughter, Ma Thiri Lwin, and Captain Aung Myint Tun on Feb. 11.

Min Aung Hlaing and his wife attended a wedding reception in Naypyitaw on Saturday to witness junta Deputy Defence Minister Major-General Aung Lin Tun’s daughter Thiri Lwin tie the knot with Navy captain Aung Myint Tun.

Min Aung Hlaing appointed Aung Lin Tun as his defense deputy shortly after the military takeover in 2021. Aung Lin Tun has since demonstrated lethal efficiency in quelling anti-coup protests and rebellion, which earned him targeted sanctions from the European Union. Min Aung Hlaing rewarded the 52-year-old with the title of ‘Zeya Kyawhtin’, an honor for outstanding military service.

Meanwhile, Aung Lin Tun’s son is an actor who makes frequent appearances in regime propaganda movies, and also co-stars with the daughter of junta Social Welfare Minister Daw Thet Thet Khaing in adverts for Thet Thet Khaing’s gold shops.

EVs arrive in Myanmar amid electricity crisis 

Deputy Construction Minister U Win Pe inspects construction of a charging station at Thabyaygon Market in Naypyitaw on Feb. 16.

With the junta building charging stations for electric vehicles now arriving in Yangon from China amid serious power outages, questions are being asked about energy sources.

The regime’s cabinet meeting on Feb. 9 saw junta boss Min Aung Hlaing admit that power cuts would continue in Myanmar. Four days later, his electricity minister U Thaung Han and industry minister Charlie Than held an urgent meeting to discuss constructing a solar plant in the compound of a monosodium glutamate manufacturing factory in Daik-U in Bago Region. According to a report on the meeting, Min Aung Hlaing has called for a focus on solar energy to power electric vehicles.

However, the fact that the report was not published in state-run newspapers like Myanma Alin and Kyemon, which still have a relatively wide readership, but in the military mouthpiece Myawady Daily – which is not read even by soldiers – signals that Min Aung Hlaing’s electric vehicle scheme will come to naught in the end.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: BuddhismElectric VehiclesEVjuntaMajor General Aung Lin TunMin Aung Hlaingpower cuts
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
Myanmar Junta has Killed 3

Myanmar Junta has Killed 3,000 Civilians: AAPP

Chin Resistance: Myanmar Junta Trying to Retake Thantlang

Chin Resistance: Myanmar Junta Trying to Retake Thantlang

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

1 day ago
1.3k
Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

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

1 week ago
3.4k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

    Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Karen Fighters Push for Myanmar Junta Outpost on Thai Border

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Belarus Universities Teach Myanmar Junta How to Kill: JFM

    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.