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 helped facilitate 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 a formal presentation ceremony taking place on March 16.
Colonel General Myat Min Oo was one of the key instigators who helped enable Min Aung Hlaing’s military coup. After the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2020 election, he collaborated with U Thaung Aye, a USDP representative 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 fabricated claim about voter list discrepancies was used as a pretext for the military to seize power through violent means.
A graduate of the 36th intake of the Defense Services Academy, Colonel General Myat Min Oo earned Min Aung Hlaing’s trust but failed to secure his hoped-for ministerial positions in the Transport and Communications Ministry or the Science and Technology Ministry after the coup. However, he gained the trust of Vice Senior General Soe Win and has played a key role in the immigration department’s e-ID project. He has also secured contracts to import computers and technology equipment for the military council at significant markups and currently leads cooperation efforts with Russia on technology matters.
Previously residing in Myaynigone Sanchaung, Myat Min Oo relocated with his family to the military headquarters compound in Naypyidaw after the coup due to security concerns. Before the coup, he was known for flouting military regulations by living separately from his wife and frequenting entertainment venues at night. In his current role as Director of the Military Information and Technology Department, he continues to actively support and enable the military council’s activities.
