Min Aung Hlaing has awarded a first-class technology excellence medal to Major General Myat Min Oo, Director of the Military’s Information and Technology Department, who played a key role in enabling the military coup by falsely claiming irregularities in the 2020 election results. The award ceremony was held at the military headquarters in Naypyidaw on March 13, with an official ceremony following on March 16. Major General Myat Min Oo was instrumental in facilitating Min Aung Hlaing’s seizure of power through his role in fabricating claims of electoral fraud.
Following the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2020 general election, Myat Min Oo collaborated with Pyawbwe township USDP representative U Thaung Aye to conduct unauthorized inspections of voter lists. He then falsely reported to Min Aung Hlaing that there were irregularities in the voter lists, which led to nationwide voter list inspections. This manufactured pretext of electoral fraud paved the way for the violent seizure of state power. A graduate of the 36th intake of the Defense Services Academy, Myat Min Oo earned Min Aung Hlaing’s trust but failed to secure his hoped-for ministerial positions in Transport and Communications or Science and Technology after the coup.
Despite this setback, he maintains close ties with Vice Senior General Soe Win and plays a central role in the immigration department’s e-ID project. He has also secured lucrative contracts to supply computers and technology equipment to the military council and leads cooperation initiatives with Russia on technology matters. Previously residing in Yangon’s Myaynigone area with his family, he relocated to the military headquarters compound in Naypyidaw after the coup due to security concerns. Known for flouting military regulations by living separately from his wife and engaging in entertainment activities, he continues to serve as the Director of the Military’s Information and Technology Department, playing a crucial role in maintaining the military council’s grip on power.
As head of the military’s technology operations, Myat Min Oo stands as a key figure in the military council’s ongoing efforts to control information and maintain power through technological means. His actions in fabricating electoral fraud claims directly contributed to the military’s seizure of power, making him a significant figure in the events that led to the current crisis in Myanmar. Despite his personal disappointments in not securing higher positions within the military council’s administration, he remains deeply embedded in the military’s technological infrastructure and continues to serve as one of the key enablers of the military council’s operations.
