According to military sources in Naypyidaw, the terrorist military council has issued directives to investigate whether family members of military officers eligible for promotion to battalion commander level (Lieutenant Colonel) and above have any connections to National League for Democracy (NLD) party members, People’s Defense Force (PDF) members, or Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) civil servants.
Military leader Min Aung Hlaing has revised the regulations regarding promotions within the military, specifically mandating thorough background checks of family connections for officers being considered for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and above ranks. The directive emphasizes investigating any links to NLD party members, PDF forces, or CDM participants among the officers’ relatives. If such connections are discovered, the promotion will be completely suspended according to the new regulations.
Military sources in Naypyidaw have revealed that senior officer promotions now require extensive background checks, with special attention paid to whether any family members are involved with the PDF, NLD party, or CDM movement. If such connections are found, not only will promotions be halted, but affected officers may face transfers to civilian positions or reassignment to less significant military units. The sources indicate that while direct punitive measures are not specified, career implications could be significant for those found to have family members involved in opposition activities.
While the military council has relaxed some restrictions regarding age and educational qualifications for military promotions, they have implemented this new restriction specifically prohibiting family connections to NLD, PDF, or CDM members. Additionally, Min Aung Hlaing has emphasized that the military is a civil service organization that must remain separate from party politics, claiming they are only fulfilling their national political duties as prescribed in the 2008 Constitution rather than engaging in politics. He maintains that the military is serving national interests rather than political ones, despite evidence of the military council’s continued oppression of civilians and forced recruitment practices.
