Under US Sanctions, This Is A Row Of Companies Owned By The Son Of The Leader Of The Myanmar Military Regime

Myanmar military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (Wikimedia Commons / Vadim Savitsky)

JAKARTA - The United States decided to increase sanctions for the Myanmar military regime, in line with the increasingly brutal action of the Myanmar police and military in facing anti-coup protesters on February 1.

Most recently, the US through the Department of Finance imposed sanctions on Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri, two children of the leader of the Myanmar military regime, as well as Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the State Administration Council (SAC). Sanctions also apply to companies controlled by the two.

These sanctions are in line with warnings previously conveyed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Some time ago, he warned the Myanmar military that the United States did not hesitate to take further action if violence continued in Myanmar.

"We will not hesitate to take further action against those who incite violence and suppress the will of the people", Blinken said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the two sons of the Myanmar military leader controlled various business holdings that directly took advantage of the position of his father, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The companies that are subject to sanctions are A&M Mahar Company Limited, Sky One Construction Company Limited, The Yangon Restaurant, Yangon Gallery, and Everfit Company Limited, as reported by The Irrawaddy.

Yangon Restaurant and Yangon Gallery are controlled by Aung Pyae Son, who was awarded a 30-year license to run it in 2013 without facing any competition.

OFAC said that from 2013 to 2018 Aung Pyae Sone paid less than one percent of the rental rate for businesses, compared to other properties in the same city. The Yangon Regional Government acknowledges that the central government sets low rental rates for it.

Khin Thiri Thet Mon owns Seventh Sense, a media production business with an exclusive contract with Nay Toe, a prominent actor in marketing for Mytel, a mobile phone operator founded by Min Aung Hlaing.

OFAC Sanction means, all property and interests in property controlled by those who are sanctioned, either directly or indirectly, individually or with other blocked persons, who are in the US or the possession or control of US persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

OFAC Director Andrea M. Gacki said the Myanmar military regime's use of indiscriminate force against protesters was unacceptable.

At least 60 people have been killed, hundreds injured and nearly 2,000 people have been detained by Myanmar's military regime since last month's coup. In response, millions of people took to the streets across the country in protest against the dictatorship.

"The United States will continue to work with other international partners to pressure the Myanmar military and police to stop all violence against peaceful protesters and to restore democracy and rule of law in Myanmar", he said.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.