Over 32 billion kyat raised by regime in flood donations
Min Aung Hlaing and his regime received a total of 32.230 billion kyat in cash donations from pro-military businesspeople and cronies at an event in Naypyidaw on Saturday. He said that the funds will be used for rescue, relief and resettlement operations in disaster-affected areas after the remnants of Typhoon Yagi caused floods and landslides on Sept. 9.
“I would like to express my thanks to you all. We don’t have to spend money carelessly,” said Min Aung Hlaing, addressing those in attendance at the event. He added that his regime plans to use the donations to assist the 148,643 people impacted by flooding in 54 townships nationwide.
Regime media reported that 384 people have been killed and 89 people remain missing as of Saturday. It went on to state that 533 roads and bridges, 435 religious buildings, 99 telecommunication towers and 735,461 acres of paddy fields were damaged by flooding. Despite this, Min Aung Hlaing said that the national census will still take place Oct. 1-15.
Military carries out 31 airstrikes instead of flood relief
DVB data states that from Sept. 9-18, a total of 31 airstrikes killed 64 and injured 26 civilians in six out of 12 townships targeted over the nine days. A regime media op-ed published on Sept. 17 called for a temporary ceasefire between the military and Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) to allow for rescue and relief operations in areas under their control. Min Aung Hlaing told a meeting of the regime’s Natural Disaster Management Committee in Naypyidaw on Sept. 17 that he was caught “unaware” and has ordered his officials to complete flood relief and reconstruction within the next six months.
Human rights group reports five men to be executed
The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) called for the immediate release of five men from prison. It stated that Zaryaw Phyo, 32, San Min Aung, 24, Kyaw Win Soe, 33, Kaung Pyae Sone Oo, 27, and Myat Phyo Pwint were sentenced to death on May 18, 2023, in a closed-door trial at Yangon’s Insein Prison for their alleged involvement in a deadly shooting on a train in Yangon in 2021.
“We call upon the [the regime] to immediately release them and ensure that, pending their release, their detention conditions comply with international standards, including access to legal representation, medical care, and contact with their families,” said Mercy Chriesty Barends, the APHR Chairperson and a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Five military officials from the Southwest Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein, have been charged with misusing more than 100 million kyat of public funds allocated for natural disaster relief, according to sources close to the military.
“The natural disaster fund is only slightly more than 100 million kyat. They were arrested and interrogated,” the source told DVB. They have also been accused of smuggling fuel and timber as well as attempting to bribe their superiors to avoid being sent to combat zones. The five were arrested by the military intelligence unit, added the source.
SAGAING—Twelve women were killed during a shootout in Sagaing Township on Sept. 17, Myanmar Now reported. A car carrying 12 women and three men was attacked en route about one mile (1.6 km) northeast of Kyepone village, a known stronghold of the pro-military pyusawhti militia. The three men were also injured.
“The women were just ordinary farmworkers. Three men armed with guns were following as guards,” a Sagaing resident told Myanmar Now. Regime media claimed the attack was carried out by a resistance group. A member of a People’s Defense Force (PDF) battalion in Sagaing said that he was unaware of the incident.
NAYPYIDAW—The regime’s Ministry of Labor announced on Sept. 16 that it is taking action against 81 overseas employment agencies that failed to provide proof of remittances to families of migrant workers. The regime has required overseas workers to transfer 25 percent of their salaries to their families through designated banks since September 2023.
An official from an overseas employment agency told DVB that they are unable to force migrant workers to send money back home. “It’s our money, so if we want to transfer it, we will. The exchange rate with [regime-run] banks is also too unfavorable,” a migrant worker in Thailand told DVB. The regime ordered 150 more employment agencies to provide proof of remittances from workers it has sent abroad.
YANGON—Two members of a resistance group calling itself Dark Shadow were arrested on Sept. 15 in Hmawbi Township. “Despite these challenges, we will continue to fight against the military, as our comrades have already sacrificed their lives in similar operations. We must honor their sacrifice,” the group’s spokesperson told DVB. He added that the arrest occurred as the group was planning an attack on Hmawbi Air Force Base.
Two administrators involved in collecting information for military conscription were killed in South Dagon Township on Sept. 20. The two were attacked by a group of unidentified gunmen on their way back from the 107 ward administration office. “I heard four or five gunshots. The other admins managed to escape by running into the office. Both victims died instantly,” a South Dagon resident told DVB.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 5,200 kyat)
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