Kayin State government’s secretary U Pyone Cho; police lieutenant colonel Kyaw Zay Ya from Ministry of Home Affairs; ex-military captain Nay Myo Tun; Sagaing district administrator U Kyaw Soe Naing; deputy director of Mawlite district general administration department U Kyaw Ye Thway; and U Myo Khine who represents land owners; all have been charged under sections 56 and 63 of anti-corruption law after the anti-corruption commission found out that these five were involved in corruption activity with regard to the sale of land owned by the Ministry of Industry.
Yangon regional chief justice rejected former military captain U Nay Myo Tun request for bail on ground that the offense was not bailable since the prison sentence for the case can be up to 10 years.
“This case requires a solid explanation. Due to U Nay Myo’s health, his lawyer applied for bail. It was not granted as there is no strong reasoning. Bail can only be granted if there is a good reason,” said U Chit Ko Ko, lawyer for U Myo Khine and U Kyaw Naing Soe.
U Pyone Cho, while serving as the permanent second-secretary in 2015, was involved in corruption and allegedly took hundreds of thousands of kyats as bribe, as well as two vehicles, according to an investigation by the anti-corruption commission.
The scandal was first reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs by a land-owner of the Ministry of Industry, Daw Khin San Oo. The case was transferred to the Anti-corruption commission by the Ministry because some government staff were involved.
An investigation commission, headed by U Thaik San was formed, after submitting the issue to the president.
This was the fourth hearing for the five suspects, and it is the first time witnesses were interrogated. The hearing was adjourned to September 18 and the examining of witness U Sein Tin’s testimony will continue at this date.
Moreover, police lieutenant colonel Kyaw Zay Ya, one of the accused, asked for bail due to health conditions. According to the Anti-corruption law, “If any political post holder is convicted for bribery, he shall be punished with imprisonment for no more than 15 years and with a fine.” Furthermore, “if any other authorised person is convicted of committing the bribery; he shall be punished with imprisonment for no more than 10 years and with a fine”.
