Min Aung Hlaing in Sittwe to consecrate pagoda built by strongman predecessor

By Admin 30 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 March 2023, Sittwe

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is in the Arakan State capital Sittwe to consecrate a pagoda built by his predecessor in the role of Myanmar military dictator, Than Shwe.

“He arrived around noon today,” an official of the Arakan State Administration Council told DMG. 

Min Aung Hlaing is expected to place the hti (umbrella) atop Lawka Nanda Pagoda on Friday morning. DMG reporters observed security being tightened near the pagoda on Thursday.

Known as a “hti” in Burmese, the umbrella is considered the most important part of the pagoda to Myanmar Buddhists, and is placed atop the highest part of the religious structure.

U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party, said: “In his previous visit, he said he came for the development of Arakan State. We can say he is attempting to mobilise support in Arakan State.”

The pagoda was built at the instruction of Than Shwe in 1997, and the former military strongman placed the hti on the pagoda during its first consecration. Min Aung Hlaing will put the hti atop the pagoda for the second time.

Including his ongoing visit, Min Aung Hlaing has visited Arakan State three times since he seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021.

The Myanmar military and the AA have observed an informal ceasefire since November, after a resumption of hostilities between the two sides that began in earnest in August.