Prosecution witnesses, five former Arakan State ministers turned defendants examined

By DMG 21 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
21 December 2021, Sittwe 

The prosecution witnesses and five former Arakan State ministers including ousted Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, who have been charged under Myanmar’s Anti-Corruption Law, have already been questioned, according to lawyers involved in the case. 

The five former ministers were arraigned before a special court in Sittwe Prison on December 20, said U Aye Kyaw Than, an attorney representing the ex-ministers. 

“All prosecution witnesses and the accused have already been examined and the plaintiff will be questioned at the next court hearing,” the lawyer added. 

U Nyi Pu; former economic minister U Kyaw Aye Thein; former Minister for Electricity and Transport U Aung Kyaw Zan; former Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Mining U Kyaw Lwin; and former Minister for Municipal Affairs U Min Aung were charged under the Anti-Corruption Law after the military coup that toppled the National League for Democracy (NLD) government of which they were a part on February 1. 

The five former ministers have been charged with four counts by the junta-controlled Anti-Corruption Commission. 

U Nyi Pu, U Kyaw Aye Thein, U Aung Kyaw Zan and U Kyaw Lwin are accused of misappropriating funds in relation to a low-cost construction project in Gwa Township, as well as violating tender rules and regulations, and abuse of power. 

U Nyi Pu, U Kyaw Aye Thein and U Aung Kyaw Zan were also sued for allegedly providing financial assistance to Sittwe-based Glorious Saw Co., Ltd to create job opportunities for locals without scrutinising the proposal. 

U Min Aung, the former municipal affairs minister, has been accused of not contributing money to the local government and illegally bidding for five markets, including the Taungup Myoma Market, without the permission of the Arakan State legislature. 

“The ministers testified that the cases were decided by the Arakan State government. We have denied any wrongdoing,” said U Aung Sit Min, a lawyer with the Thazin Legal Aid Institute involved in the trial. 

The next court hearing in the cases of the five former Arakan State ministers has been scheduled for December 22.