Bank employees voice security concerns after Sittwe KBZ Bank robbery

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 16 Jun 2020

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
16 June, Sittwe

Employees of banks in Arakan State are concerned for their safety after armed robbers recently made off with about K180 million (US$124,000) from a Kanbawza (KBZ) Bank branch in downtown Sittwe.

A manager from a private bank of Sittwe branch in the Arakan State said his employees are worried about their security after the KBZ heist last week.

“We were frightened when we heard news about the KBZ Bank robbery,” he told DMG. “We were preparing to put money in safe keeping at that time. I have never heard such kind of news. I was amazed by the news.”

In the bank robbery’s aftermath, locals have criticized what they say is a lack of public safety and rule of law in Arakan State.

“A robbery at a bank with security guards has left Sittwe residents worried for their safety. We are more concerned for our security because we are bank employees and robbers can harm us. It would be better if security could be tightened,” said a banker in Sittwe who declined to be named.

Four people wearing masks reportedly pulled up to the KBZ branch in a white Hijet vehicle at about 4 p.m. on June 10 and robbed more than K180 million.

In November 2019, as officials from Myanma Economic Bank in Kyauktaw town were conveying a treasury box to a vault at the local police station, two masked people stole more than K200 million.

In both the Kyauktaw and Sittwe robberies, perpetrators remain at large.