Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing’s recent press conference remarks in Belarus have drawn criticism from media experts for conflating unrelated concepts of economic sanctions and computer software. During the March 7 press conference, Min Aung Hlaing made puzzling statements suggesting that economic sanctions would somehow lead to increased consolidation and competition among computer software, demonstrating what critics say is a fundamental misunderstanding of both concepts.
U Toe Zaw Latt, Secretary of the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), analyzed that Min Aung Hlaing appeared to misunderstand the basic meaning of sanctions and software, attempting to connect two entirely unrelated concepts. A veteran journalist also pointed out that this confusion mirrors previous instances of military leaders misusing English terms, citing how former leader Thein Sein had incorrectly referred to the 2008 Constitution. The journalist emphasized that Min Aung Hlaing’s attempt to link sanctions with software revealed a clear lack of understanding of both terms, resulting in statements that made no logical sense.
Observers noted that Min Aung Hlaing’s limited English language proficiency was evident during his meetings with Russian President Putin and the Belarus President, where he relied entirely on interpreters for communication. Additionally, during his March 4 meeting with Putin, he presented a book making historically unsubstantiated claims about Putin being a prophesied ‘Rat King,’ further highlighting what critics describe as problematic approaches to international diplomacy. These incidents, combined with his confused statements about sanctions and software, have led analysts to point out significant weaknesses in Min Aung Hlaing’s ability to engage effectively in international relations and understand complex global issues.
