Druglords selected to represent junta party on 7 November polls

Written by Hseng Khio Fah

Monday, 27 September 2010 16:40

A number of junta-backed local militia chiefs, who are notorious among local people as drug
dealers in Shan State North’s Kutkhai, Muse and Namkham townships, are reportedly
handpicked by Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to run for seats in the 7
November polls, according to election watchers from the Sino-Burma border.

“There are so far four men. All are heads of militia groups. Two are from Kutkhai, one from
Muse and another one from Namkham,” a source from Muse said.

The two from Kutkhai are identified as U Myint Lwin and U Ti Khun Myat.

U Myint Lwin, aka Wang Guoda, 60, Kokang Chinese chief of Tamoeng-ngen militia group, had
attended the junta-organized National Convention (NC) as a national races delegate.

“All people from the town know him as a drug king,” a source from Kutkhai said.

Likewise, U Ti Khun Myat, 57, is the leader of 600-strong Kutkhai militia. He had also attended
the NC. “He was one of the shareholders of Myanmar Mayflower Bank which was infamous for
washing black money into white money.”

The two are said to be contesting for State legislature in Kutkhai.

The other two are U Kengmai from Muse and Panhsay Kyaw Myint from Namkham.

U Kengnmai, 50, chief of 200-strong Mongpaw militia unit is said to be contesting for State
legislature in Muse, Constituency No.2.

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Druglords selected to represent junta party on 7 November polls

Written by Hseng Khio Fah

Monday, 27 September 2010 16:40

“Most drug production in Muse and Kutkhai are run by U Myint Lwin and Kengmai’s groups.
Most of U Ti Khun Myat men will transport the products through U Kengmai’s controlled region
to China.”

Another one Kyaw Myint aka Li Yongqiang, 51, well-known Panhsay militia chief from
Namkham and is an executive member of Union Solidarity and Development Association
(USDA) of Muse District will run for a seat for State legislature in Namkham township.

Kyaw Myint was also a representative at the NC, in the national races category. He is known
more for his drug business. Yongyang Casino on the Mao-Shweli River near Muse is owned by
him. “His group is helping the Burma Army to earn pocket money,” a local villager in Namkham
said.

Many ferry crossings on the Mao-Ruili river that serves as a boundary between China and
Burma are guarded by Kyaw Htwe aka Li Yongping, younger brother of Kyaw Myint, who enjoys
close relations with former regional commander Myint Hlaing. His men tax the wayfarers and
also reportedly traffics in drugs.

Kyaw Myint’s relative Sai Htun Maung, is also reported to have been selected to represent the
Lisu nationality and contest at the 0.1% ethnic minorities in Shan State, sources from Namkham
said.

There will be 5 ballot boxes in each polling station: 1 for upper house, 1 for lower house, 2 for
state/region legislature and another one for minority candidates representing communities with
at least 0.1% of the total population. The New Light of Myanmar reported that the ballot boxes
will be classified in four colors: blue, green, purple and white. “Blue is for upper house, green for

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Druglords selected to represent junta party on 7 November polls

Written by Hseng Khio Fah

Monday, 27 September 2010 16:40

lower house, purple for the State/Region Legislature and white for ethnic minorities candidates,”
the White Tiger, the bilingual newsletter of Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) quoted it as
saying.

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