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 played a key role in enabling the military coup by falsely claiming irregularities in the 2020 election voter lists. The award ceremony was held at the military headquarters in Naypyidaw on March 13, with an official ceremony following on March 16. Colonel General Myat Min Oo was instrumental in facilitating Min Aung Hlaing’s seizure of power.
Following the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2020 elections, Myat Min Oo collaborated with U Thaung Aye, a Union Solidarity and Development Party candidate from Pyawbwe Township, to conduct unauthorized inspections of voter lists. He then falsely reported to Min Aung Hlaing that there were irregularities in Pyawbwe’s voter lists. This provided the pretext for nationwide voter list inspections, which ultimately led to the military coup. Myat Min Oo, a graduate of the 36th intake of the Defense Services Academy, earned Min Aung Hlaing’s trust through these actions.
Although he had hoped to be appointed Minister of Transport and Communications or Minister of Science and Technology after the coup, these positions were given to others. However, he maintains close ties with Vice Senior General Soe Win and plays a leading role in the military council’s e-ID project. He also has secured lucrative contracts to supply computers and technology equipment to the military council. Currently, he leads technical cooperation projects with Russia and resides with his family within the military headquarters compound in Naypyidaw, having relocated from Yangon’s Myaynigone area due to security concerns after the coup.
As Director of the Armed Forces Information and Technology Department, he continues to be a key figure in implementing the military council’s initiatives. His role in fabricating election irregularities and supporting the coup has made him a significant figure in the military council’s operations, despite not receiving the ministerial positions he initially desired. His actions have contributed to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, where the military continues to maintain power through force and oppression of civilians.
