On June 2, Michael Kyaw Myint accused Tin Htun, a personal secretary of the Yangon Chief Minister for taking a bribe to help facilitate a land deal from him.
Micheal Kyaw Myint, a local business man said he paid 1.2 million Kyats (around $900) as a bribe to Tin Htun to speed up a deal for land promised to two farmers, but the land was later given to a construction company instead. It was alleged that, originally, Tin Htun asked him for 5 milllion Kyats. The dispute is related to 30 acres of land in North Dagon Township’s 48th ward, which had been under military administration since 1989. For 9 acres out of 30 acres land, Chaw Kay Khine, partner of Michael Kyaw Myint, has already reported to Committee on Confiscated Farmlands and other Lands. Michael Kyaw Myint paid because he want to get land grant (a type of land title) soon.
At first, Michael Kyaw Myint had planned to hold the press conference at the Royal Rose restaurant. Later, the venue was shifted to Yuzana Hotel. Both refused to hold a press conference on their premises, He finally held his press conference at Bo Sein Hman ground in Tarmwe Township, which is often used for public protests.
Micheal Kyaw Myint said “If the Yangon government is honest, they should not be afraid of me and I am just telling the truth. I am ready to face them in court”.
Michael Kyaw Myint was later detained cusations, Tin Htun said he is just a close friend of Phyo Min Thein and not his Personal Staff Officer (PSO). He claimed he did not take the money and the truth will be revealed soon. In 2016, the CEO of Daily Eleven and Eleven Media Group, was jailed and sued under the telecommunications law by the Yangon Region government for defaming the Chief Minister. Dr Than Tun Aung wrote an article which accused the Yangon Region Chief Minister of “rosy relations with corrupt officials” and of wearing a $200,000 Patek Philippe watch that was described as a gift from a convicted fellon.
