Above It All

By THE IRRAWADDY Friday, January 28, 2011

Shwe Mann, far left, stands behind junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife, Kyaing Kyaing, as they greet other senior members of the regime during a dinner to mark Independence Day in Naypyidaw on Jan. 4, 2011. (Photo: AP)

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When Burma's former head of military intelligence and prime minister Khin Nyunt was purged from the ruling regime in 2004, his successor, then Gen Thura Shwe Mann, famously said that in Burma, as in other civilized countries, “no one is above the law.”

This comment has earned Shwe Mann, who is tipped to become Burma's new president or chairman of the country's new Parliament, a reputation as a smooth talker. This is a skill that he will definitely need if he is appointed to a senior position in the new government, which is expected to be formed soon after Parliament convenes at the end of this month. One of the conditions for assuming a top spot is a full disclosure of personal assets, and Shwe Mann will have his work cut out for him explaining the fortune he has amassed in the course of his rise through the current junta's ranks.

Shwe Mann is tipped to become Burma's new president or chairman of the country's new Parliament. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Shwe Mann graduated from the elite Defense Services Academy Intake 11 in 1969 and was a major when the military crushed Burma's nationwide pro-democracy uprising in 1988. The following year, he was given the honorific title “Thura” and promoted to the rank of colonel for his outstanding efforts in military offensives against Karen armed forces. In 1991, he became a tactical commander in Light Infantry Division (LID) 66, and five years later he was promoted to brigadier general and commander of LID 11, which is responsible for the security of Rangoon. A year later, he became commander of the Southwestern Regional Command, based in Bassein, Irrawaddy Division, and also a member of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). In 2000, he was promoted to major general and became a permanent member of the SPDC.

Since then, he has cemented his position as one of Burma's most powerful men by cultivating a close relationship with junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe. Even his wife, Khin Lay Thet, is known for her solicitous behavior toward Than Shwe's wife, Kyaing Kyaing, and the rest of his family. According to those who know the family well, Khin Lay Thet often babysits Than Shwe's grandchildren and runs errands for his daughters.

While this may seem like rather subservient behavior for the wife of a major general, it certainly hasn't hurt Shwe Mann's career prospects. Than Shwe has even created an entirely new high-ranking post for him: Coordinator of Special Operations—Army, Navy and Air Force. No knows exactly how powerful this position really is, but sources in the regime's Ministry of Defense say it involves monitoring the implementation of orders from Than Shwe or his deputy, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye.

Shwe Mann's status as one of Than Shwe's most trusted loyalists was apparent in 2008, when he was sent to North Korea on a secret mission to cement ties with the reclusive, nuclear-armed pariah state as the head of a delegation that also included ex-Gen Tin Aye, the former chairman of the regime-owned corporation, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, and other senior officials.

In the army, Shwe Mann is regarded as genial and down-to-earth. He's reasonably fit for a man his age, and when he's not in uniform, he likes to dress well. While he doesn't have a paunch like most of his colleagues, he is known to enjoy a drink—preferably in the company of a young woman.

Although there's nothing unusual about senior military leaders having “affairs,” sources close to Shwe Mann say his tastes in women are different from those of other, more “patriotic” generals. Unlike them, he is said to prefer Thai and Western girls flown in specially for him from Bangkok, courtesy of Tay Za, the owner of Air Bagan and one of the wealthiest men in Burma.

When it comes to business, Shwe Mann is no slouch himself. Although he has been careful to avoid direct involvement in money-making matters, he has used his position to increase his family's wealth. When he was the commander of the Southwestern Regional Command, which covers the Irrawaddy delta, Burma's main rice-growing area, his son Aung Thet Mann was granted the exclusive right to sell fertilizer in Irrawaddy Division. In 2001, Aung Thet Mann's company, Ayer Shwe Wah, confiscated more than 30,000 acres of farmland in the area, leaving many farmers unemployed. In 2005, the company was granted a license to export rice to Singapore and Bangladesh.

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COMMENTS (7)

kerry Wrote:

02/02/2011

The photos say it all really. The irony is that they are still there, and firmly believing they will be there next year.

China, take a good look at your latest nightmare creation. It is not an 'image problem' you have: it is a human rights and 21st century reality check. For shame. May the people of Burma find a way to forgive, but not yet. Too many people are still being brutalized.

UN, EU, what are you going to do with this 'path to democracy' sham? For shame.

ASEAN, hang your heads. The deals were not worth the real human lives. For shame.

For shame, for shame, for shame.

Free Man Wrote:

31/01/2011

According to one of Tay Za's employees, Tay Za's wife is ok with whatever he does as long as he doesn't keep a minor/lesser wife.

Anyway, an issue of national importance is how to bring the regime to the table or remove them. And a more important issue is how to instill a liberal democratic mental and political culture into our society. How do we do? Any good suggesitons to share?

"Buddhists don't kill,steal, drink, commit adultery and tell lies."

I am sure there are no Buddhists in Burma then. :-)

luusoelay Wrote:

31/01/2011

Mr. Shwe Man, just remind you that history always repeats itself. Than Shwe was in your shoes when Nay Win was in power.

Now Than Shwe is in power. So you know what to do next? Cheer!

Kyansittha Wrote:

30/01/2011

Unlike them, he is said to prefer Thai and Western girls flown in specially for him from Bangkok, courtesy of Tay Za, the owner of Air Bagan and one of the wealthiest men in Burma.

Ah! TAY ZA is also a PIMP in his own right no doubt.

No wonder he is the richest man in Burma after Than Shwe.

Well, let them have their days like all of their ilk in Burma and elsewhere who cares.
However, DAY OF RECKONING is around the corner if they don't know yet.

After all all things must come to end when luck runs out at the end of the day, Than Shwe, Shwe Mann, Tay Za and all others living high and mighty and running amok to day no exceptions.

The fact also remains that their families and descendants will fare WORSE when the curtain comes down trust me.

Ne Win proved the fact lest they forget.
Thieves, rapists, murderers wallow in the spit of CITIZENRY and END up in the GUTTERS of HISTORY as well.

Their tales never ASPIRE no one other than serving as FODDER for public ridicule to say the least.

PB Publico Wrote:

29/01/2011

A good report, Irrawaddy, highly plausible and predictable. Good show, Shwe Mann. You are above all else and the law.

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:

29/01/2011

Well, that's the story of one gang member of Than Shwe and his thieves no less.

He has teeth and a belly, so he eats of course.

And he likes girls from Thailand and white girls also.

That's the way the thieves and murderers enjoy their lives while the people are starving and homeless no doubt.

Well EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY and Shwe Mann no exception in this case also.

The fact is "DOGS RIDDEN WITH RABIES LIVE UNTIL NOON" they say.

Let's wait and see how long they could last in the neighborhood and among humanity as well. I won't bet on it.

I really feel sorry for them sometimes you know.

They haven't realized that LIFE is JUST a FLEETING MOMENT.

And they are SQUANDERING the very limited time they have no doubt, and they are forgetting that as well.

Oops I forgot something.

Of course they are NO LONGER BUDDHISTS since they killed the Buddhist monks way back in 2007.

Buddhists don't kill,steal, drink, commit adultery and tell lies.

Hence, Shwe Mann is guilty on ALL COUNTS no doubt I say.

BWA NYUNT Wrote:

29/01/2011

This is a typical characteristics of any developing countries in the world. You may look at Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei. But among them, Myanmar is the worst, stupidly think (as mentioned by Singapore's LKY) that it comes naturally and belongs to them forever. Thus, I can say that they will not survive for long. Finally poor will definitely revenge and they may end up with miserable stories. Just look at recent Tunisia's Ben Ali. What ever gains/ wealth shall be reasonably shared among people for long term survival.