Dictator slammed for Ketumadi obsession
Min Aung Hlaing has again come under fire for his obsession with restoring an ancient city even as ethnic armies consolidate administrative control over towns seized from the regime in northern Shan State.
The junta boss is already attracting harsh criticism from Myanmar military supporters for remaining in the safety of Naypyitaw, the regime’s nerve center, despite the fall of Northeastern Command headquarters along with the whole of northern Shan State.
He finally ventured out of Naypyitaw on Friday, but only as far as Mandalay City and Taungoo Township in northeastern Bago Region. In the latter, he called for excavation of the ancient city of Ketumadi and the reconstruction of its palace.
Ketumadi was built five centuries ago by King Mingyi Nyo (1486-1531), who founded the Taungoo Dynasty.
Military supporters are now asking why the regime is not focusing on retaking recently lost towns instead of restoring old cities.
Military personnel have also criticized Min Aung Hlaing on social media for engaging in trivial escapades while his forces lose territory and men in daily clashes across the country.
Bombing civilians, then demanding loyalty
After over three years of committing war crimes against civilian populations, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing apparently still believes that Myanmar people are willing to cooperate with his regime.
It is unclear if the barbarous military chief is deceiving himself or simply delusional with the latest of his many wild ideas – to shore up his depleted army with “people’s security and anti-terrorism groups.” The groups will be formed at ward and village levels with men older than 35 who are exempted from mandatory military service.
“Only when people participate in the public security system can peace and stability be restored and a multi-party democracy be implemented,” the junta boss told his staff while visiting Mandalay on Sunday.
Min Aung Hlaing may be proud of his plan to use civilians to suppress the popular revolt against his regime, but many observers believe it will backfire. The people have already endured years of brutality and hardship under his regime, and even a worm will turn, let alone a population that has come to loathe the military.
Older men forced into military service
After exempting them from its forced conscription law, the regime now plans to recruit men aged over 35 to village and ward “people’s security and anti-terrorism” teams. Read more
Two journalists tortured and jailed
Two journalists were detained in December in Myeik secretly jailed for life and 20 years by a regime court. Read more
‘Stability’ pledge exploded as another town falls
Min Aung Hlaing visits Mandalay and pledges to restore stability across country, only for another town to fall the same day. Read more
