The military council is forcibly collecting donations from business owners, industrial zone operators, and business associations by summoning them to Naypyidaw, particularly from earthquake-affected Mandalay. A donation acceptance ceremony is scheduled for April 1st at 2 PM at the temporary hall in Tapayar Field, Naypyidaw, where business owners and associations from both Mandalay and Yangon have been ordered to attend. The military council has arranged air transportation for Yangon-based business representatives to attend the ceremony.
The March 28 earthquake caused significant casualties and damage across central Myanmar, including Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Sagaing regions. While many cities are in desperate need of rescue and aid operations with civilians suffering greatly, the military council is focused primarily on collecting money through pressure and threats. For Mandalay’s business community affected by the earthquake, the council’s invitation letter states that if they cannot attend in person, Deputy General Myo Moe Aung and the Mandalay Chief Minister will accept donations on their behalf, demonstrating the coercive nature of the collection.
The military council has also demanded that industrial zones in Yangon Region must each contribute 20 million kyats by April 4th without fail. Business sources have criticized the military council’s priorities, noting that while people remain trapped under earthquake debris awaiting rescue, the council is organizing elaborate ceremonies and arranging air transportation to collect donations. This forced collection of funds comes at a time when affected communities are still struggling with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, yet the military council appears more focused on extracting money from businesses than providing essential rescue and relief services to those in need.
