Four junta-appointed ward administrators tender resignations in Ponnagyun Twsp

By Admin 02 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 October 2023, Ponnagyun

Four junta-appointed ward administrators in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township reportedly tendered letters of resignation on September 29.

The administrators from Sanpya, Myothit, Alesu and Ywahaung wards in Ponnagyun are said to have submitted their resignation letters simultaneously.

“Yes, we have submitted resignation letters. As we are getting old and in poor health, we have decided to resign,” said one of the ward administrators.

A resident of Ponnagyun speculated that the ward leader had resigned because of the ongoing tensions between the military and the Arakan Army (AA), and the loss of authority felt by local, junta-appointed administrators.

“In Ponnagyun, the two administrations are in competition, and the importance of junta-appointed ward and village administrators has decreased. Local people only seek recommendation letters from the junta-appointed ward and village administrators and the administration is handled by the AA. I think this is the reason why ward administrators resigned from their posts,” said the man, from Ponnagyun’s Sanpya Ward.

DMG attempted to contact Ponnagyun Township administrator U Maung San Win regarding the matter, but he could not be reached.

In Ponnagyun Township and neighbouring Rathedaung Township, a stream of resignations by local administrators this year has left residents worried that they will not be able to effectively communicate their needs, such as more and better roads, bridges, schools and clinics.

Locals may also face hurdles when it comes to basic administrative functions, according to a social activist in Ponnagyun.

“I heard some ward administrators have tendered resignation letters, but I don’t know whether they will be allowed to resign from their posts. Locals may face difficulties getting recommendation letters from the ward administrators to apply for household certificates and ID cards, and for travel purposes,” the activist explained.