The regime in Naypyidaw introduced a 15-chapter Private Security Services Law on Tuesday that grants private security companies the right to bear arms. This follows reports in early January indicating that Chinese security firms were planning to operate inside the country.
The law establishes a Central Overseeing Committee, led by the regime Home Affairs Minister Tun Tun Naung, with 16 members.
“China wants to handle security itself for the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. If Chinese personnel enter with weapons, it will alarm the public. This law was issued as a preemptive measure,” a source close to the regime told DVB.
The Arakan Army (AA) controls 14 out of 17 townships in Arakan State, but Sittwe, the vital port town of Kyaukphyu and the island of Manaung remain under regime control. The AA has repeatedly vowed to protect foreign investments in Arakan State.
The Private Security Services Law grants a licence period of three years. Foreign security companies are required to have up to 75 percent of Myanmar nationals employed as security personnel. Foreign security staff must hold criminal clearance certificates from their home countries and must not be members of foreign militaries.
The companies must cooperate with state security forces if necessary, though the law does not specify the extent of this cooperation. The law carries penalties ranging from one to three years in prison and fines between 10 million and 300 million MMK ($2,200-66,000 USD).
