Sentence In Prison: Sagaing Region Ex-Chief Minister Gets 21-Year Prison Sentence

The Sagaing Region High Court sentenced former chief minister Dr Myint Naing to 21 years in prison with labour for seven criminal cases (from 1/2021 to 7/2021) Monday, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

According to the investigation, Dr. Myint Naing, during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the Sagaing Region Government, breached rules and regulations in conducting tenders with the capital fund for the 2020-2021 financial year, which has led to leaks of tender floor prices, making the state loss of benefits as 66 companies with a tender value of over 20,000 million kyats won the tender according to the original floor price.

Due to his permission to a person to use 5.78 acres of lake owned by the Sagaing Region Department of Fisheries after receiving bribes, the State has lost 867 million kyats. He was also found guilty for asking for a Hijet vehicle worth K11 million to be used at his refuge from a company owner who had businesses in Monywa.

Without the permission of the Central Committee on Management of Fallow Lands and Virgin Lands, a house was built on 2.85 acres of state-owned land adjacent to the refuge as the house of the in-charge of the refuge. The former chief minister failed to follow and supervise the rules and regulations of the Myanmar Mining Law and Rules.

Of the 243 small-scale gold blocks and 47 blocks permitted from the 2018-2019 financial year to the 2019-2020 financial year, the State lost more than 2,900 million kyats in revenue due to his permission to operate without collecting advance tax to the State budget.

Therefore, a case was filed against him under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law in the Sagaing Region High Court on 17 May 2021 and was heard in seven criminal cases from Criminal Case No.1/2021 to 7/2021. As he was found guilty for the cases, he was sentenced to 21 years in prison (three years for each case) with labour, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission.