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 enable 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 following on March 16. Colonel General Myat Min Oo was one of the key figures who initially pushed for Min Aung Hlaing’s military coup.
After the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2020 election, Colonel General Myat Min Oo collaborated with U Thaung Aye, the USDP parliamentary candidate from Pyawbwe Township, to illegally inspect voter lists in Pyawbwe. He then falsely reported to Min Aung Hlaing that there were irregularities in the voter lists, which led to nationwide voter list inspections that were used as a pretext for the military coup. This deceptive action by Colonel General Myat Min Oo served as the catalyst for Min Aung Hlaing to seize power through violent means, claiming millions of voter list irregularities.
A graduate of the Defense Services Academy Intake 36, Colonel General Myat Min Oo had hoped to be appointed as Minister of Transport and Communications after the coup, but was passed over for the position. He later anticipated being named Minister of Science and Technology, but this position was also given to someone else. However, he maintains close ties with Vice Senior General Soe Win and plays a key role in the Immigration Department’s e-ID project. He has also secured lucrative contracts to import computers and IT equipment for the military council at significant markups.
Currently, he leads technology cooperation initiatives with Russia and has authority over computer and technology imports for the military council. Though he previously resided with his family in Yangon’s Myaynigone area, they relocated to the military headquarters compound in Naypyidaw after the coup due to security concerns. As head of the military’s Information and Technology Department, Colonel General Myat Min Oo continues to play a crucial role in maintaining the military council’s grip on power and stands as a key figure responsible for the historical crimes committed during and after the coup.
