Min Aung Hlaing has awarded a first-class technology excellence award to Colonel General Myat Min Oo, Director of the Military Information and Technology Department, who falsely claimed voter list irregularities to enable the military coup. The award ceremony was held at the military headquarters in Naypyidaw on March 13, with a formal presentation ceremony following on March 16. Colonel General Myat Min Oo was one of the key figures who initially pushed for the military coup under Min Aung Hlaing’s leadership.
Following the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2020 election, Myat Min Oo collaborated with USDP candidate U Thaung Aye from Pyawbwe Township to conduct unauthorized inspections of voter lists. He then falsely reported to Min Aung Hlaing that there were irregularities in the voter lists. This became the pretext for Min Aung Hlaing to order nationwide voter list inspections, ultimately leading to fabricated claims of millions of irregularities that were used to justify the violent seizure of state power.
Colonel General Myat Min Oo, a graduate of the 36th intake of the Defense Services Academy, earned Min Aung Hlaing’s trust but failed to secure his hoped-for positions as Minister of Transport and Communications or Minister of Science and Technology after the coup. However, he maintains close ties with Vice Senior General Soe Win and plays a key role in the military council’s e-ID project under the Immigration Department. He has also secured lucrative contracts to import computer and IT equipment for the military council at significant markups and leads technical cooperation initiatives with Russia.
Previously residing in Myenigone Sanchaung, he relocated with his family to the military headquarters compound in Naypyidaw after the coup due to security concerns. Known for disregarding military regulations, he frequently visited entertainment venues during evening hours. As the current head of the military’s information and technology department, he continues to play a crucial role in supporting Min Aung Hlaing’s illegitimate regime and bears responsibility for the ongoing war crimes against the Myanmar people.
