Kim Aris, the younger son of Aung San Suu Kyi, has officially protested through social media against the military council’s decision to allow Ye Aung Than, who they claim to be a family member of General Aung San, to attend the 78th Martyrs’ Day ceremony at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon. The military council organized the ceremony on July 19th and permitted Ye Aung Than, who is claimed to be the grandson of General Aung San’s elder brother U Aung Than, and his wife to attend. This action has been widely seen as a political manipulation by the military council.
Kim Aris stated that the Martyrs’ Mausoleum is a place of dignity where his grandfather and other martyrs are honored and commemorated. He expressed his unprecedented dismay at seeing Ye Aung Than, who has no close relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi, paying respects at General Aung San’s tomb. He emphasized that this family has neither preserved General Aung San’s legacy nor maintained any connection with Aung San Suu Kyi. The situation has raised concerns about the military council’s attempt to manipulate historical narratives and family connections for political purposes.
Regarding Aung San Oo, General Aung San’s eldest son, Kim Aris revealed troubling behavior towards his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi. He described how Aung San Oo has shown unbelievable conduct and publicly disrespected their mother. Kim Aris expressed particular distress at how certain individuals are now posing as guardians of General Aung San’s legacy while his mother remains unjustly detained. He emphasized that the Martyrs’ Mausoleum should not become a political theater for those who do not truly respect the martyrs’ sacrifices.
While military council leader Min Aung Hlaing attended this year’s Martyrs’ Day ceremony, Aung San Suu Kyi has been prevented from attending for five consecutive years. Although the military council leader spoke about the need for public unity to achieve the country that General Aung San envisioned, the military continues its oppressive actions against civilians. The contrast between their public statements and actions highlights the ongoing struggle between the military council’s authority and the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people, for which both General Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi have fought.
