Myanmar Spring Chronicle – March 20
MoeMaKa, March 21, 2024
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Residence Fails to Sell at Auction; Military Council Organizes Protest in Buthidaung
The much-anticipated auction of the residence and land belonging to National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, sentenced to over 30 years in prison, concluded without a successful bid, announced by the district court. This marks the first unsuccessful attempt at auctioning the property, located in Nay Pyi Taw, amidst a longstanding ownership dispute dating back to 2001.
In 2016, a court ruling ordered the division of the property, with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi receiving the main building while her brother was allocated the remaining structure and half of the land. Following an appeal by her brother, the court mandated a fresh auction in August 2022, setting a floor price based on his bid. Speculation abounds regarding the exorbitant valuation of the property, estimated to exceed 300 billion Myanmar kyat, significantly surpassing prevailing market rates on University Avenue.
Observers note that the inflated floor price may deter potential buyers, wary of political ramifications associated with acquiring the contested property. While the auction’s failure underscores the complexities of inheritance disputes in Myanmar, concerns persist regarding the judiciary’s impartiality and susceptibility to external influences.
Meanwhile, in Buthidaung, a town under military council control in northern Rakhine State, the military orchestrated a protest denouncing armed conflict and the presence of the Arakan Army (AA) insurgent group. Held yesterday afternoon, the demonstration targeted areas predominantly inhabited by Rohingya communities, a strategic move to incite tensions and foster divisions within the region.
Reports suggest that the military coerced Rohingya residents from neighboring villages to participate in the orchestrated protest, ferrying them to Buthidaung in military vehicles. State-owned media outlets circulated images and footage of demonstrators brandishing placards with slogans such as “No AA, no fighting, protect Buthidaung Town,” signaling the military’s attempts to manipulate ethnic tensions for political gain.
This latest demonstration underscores the military council’s longstanding pattern of organizing rallies across the country to suppress dissent and sow discord. By mobilizing ethnic communities against perceived external threats, including the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed groups, the military seeks to consolidate its grip on power and perpetuate ethnic divisions.
Critics argue that the military’s exploitation of Rohingya grievances to advance its agenda exacerbates existing tensions and undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation in Rakhine State. With the region already plagued by violence and displacement, the military’s provocative actions risk further destabilizing an already fragile socio-political landscape, prolonging the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.