Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing’s recent press conference remarks in Belarus have drawn criticism from media experts for conflating unrelated concepts of economic sanctions and computer software. During the March 7 press conference, Min Aung Hlaing made puzzling statements suggesting that economic sanctions would somehow lead to increased consolidation and competition among computer software, demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of both concepts.
U Toe Zaw Latt, Secretary of the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), analyzed that Min Aung Hlaing appeared to misunderstand the basic meanings of sanctions and software, attempting to connect two entirely unrelated concepts. Additionally, a veteran domestic journalist pointed out that this confusion mirrors previous instances of military leaders’ misuse of English terms, comparing it to former leader Thein Sein’s incorrect usage of constitutional terminology. The journalist emphasized that Min Aung Hlaing’s attempt to link sanctions with software resulted in statements that were essentially meaningless and revealed his lack of understanding of international terminology.
Min Aung Hlaing’s linguistic limitations have been evident throughout his international engagements, as he consistently relies on interpreters for communication with foreign leaders, including recent meetings with Russian President Putin and the Belarusian President. His diplomatic shortcomings were further highlighted when he presented Putin with a book making historically unsubstantiated claims about prophetic connections, demonstrating a pattern of questionable international relations conduct. These incidents collectively underscore the military leader’s difficulties with international communication and diplomatic protocol, reflecting broader concerns about his ability to engage effectively in international relations. The confusion over sanctions and software is just the latest example of how language barriers and misunderstandings continue to characterize the military council’s international interactions.
