The military has arrested Rakhine ethnic rapper Zwe Pyae Paing, also known as Mg Alpha, at his residence in Tamwe Township, Yangon. The arrest took place around 2:30 PM on September 3rd when a group of plainclothes soldiers and police officers entered his home in Kyauk Myaung ward. Zwe Pyae Paing, who is only in his early twenties, is a young artist from Rakhine State who has gained popularity through his rap music and songwriting.
Beyond writing and performing his own songs, Zwe Pyae Paing has been actively involved in various artistic endeavors. He is particularly known for his song ’11/Arakan’ which has garnered significant attention among his audience. Additionally, he has been developing and selling his own brand merchandise. At the time of his arrest, the military did not disclose any charges or reasons for taking him into custody. According to his friends, Zwe Pyae Paing is known in his community as someone with good interpersonal relationships and maintains harmonious relations with his neighbors.
Currently, there is no information about where Zwe Pyae Paing has been taken, leaving his family members and friends deeply concerned about his well-being. The military’s arrests are being viewed as a form of suppression against young artists, interfering with their freedom of creative expression. There are growing concerns that such arrests could have a detrimental impact on artistic activities in the country. The arrest of Zwe Pyae Paing represents another instance of the military’s ongoing crackdown on creative voices and young talents in Myanmar, raising serious concerns about the state of artistic freedom and personal security in the country.
