One of the Burmese junta’s best known mottos is: “We will remain united whoever tries to break us up.” The military authorities ensure that plaques and signs are put up bearing this slogan in military schools, bases and public places across the country.

However, much as the slogan clearly prescribes an undivided approach to external threats, it does not appear to have generated the same team spirit when it comes to internal conflicts, in particular, splits and jealousies within the military hierarchy based on business interests.

Even some of Burma's top generals have fallen prey to the “dog eat dog” syndrome that plays out continually in Naypyidaw.

Most recently, over the weekend of March 5-6, several cabinet members and military cronies were left miffed when they were not included in a thinly veiled scheme by the Trade Policy Council to sell off cheaply into private hands a list of state-owned buildings and properties in Rangoon.

Many of the properties included colonial buildings that were former ministries, and other edifices located in the city's commercial hub. They were offered to many military officers and their friends and families, but certain potential investors missed out on the opportunity to take advantage on the discounted properties.

“The division in privileges has led to jealousies and rivalries between several military generals and cabinet ministers, as well as among the community of influential family members,” said a Rangoon businessman, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Now, some of them don't talk to each other. They compete fiercely to win contracts on any state property that is put up for sale.”

As an example, he said that ex-Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, the minister of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, and Soe Tha, the minister of National Planning and Economic Development, are no longer on speaking terms following a dispute that arose when they both tried recently to buy out the same state firm in Rangoon.

Since the beginning of this year, the junta has announced the sell-off of five large state-owned corporations and buildings, including the former Offices of the Ministers, a British colonial edifice where Burma’s independence hero Aung San and eight of his colleagues were assassinated in 1947.
 
Observers have said that the property sellouts have no benefit to the people of Burma; instead, the public buildings—several of which feature unique Victorian architecture that is considered characteristic of Rangoon, and are popular with tourists—are being transferred into the hands of Burma's military and business elite.
 
Family members of many of the military's top generals, such as Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, Gen “Thura” Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 ex-Gen Tin Aung Myint Oo and ex-Lt-Gen Tin Aye, all own former state properties and/or have taken over formerly state-run business enterprises, such as hydropower and mining contracts.

Although junta chief Than Shwe’s favorite grandson Nay Shwe Thway Aung is only 21 years of age, his buying power in Rangoon is second to none. 

Sources have said that Nay Shwe Thway Aung has recently purchased huge estates on Rangoon’s Parami Road and Kabar Aye Pagoda Road where he intends to construct shopping complexes and business centers.

“These are large plots of land he [Than Shwe's grandson] bought,” said a government official in Rangoon who wished to remain anonymous. “No other businessman has dared to even dream about acquiring these properties.

“But this is Nay Shwe Thway Aung’s era. He can do anything he wants,” he said.

Reports from Naypyidaw suggest that several military officers dislike Nay Shwe Thway Aung because he has assumed a high rank within military circles despite the fact he has never served in the army, and is reputed to be pretentious. Displeasure was also expressed by the military elite that Than Shwe's grandson was permitted to sit in the front row beside his grandfather at official photo shoots. 

“Nay Shwe Thway Aung has been involved in several business disputes with the sons of other top generals, including Aung Thet Mann, Toe Naing Mann and Shwe Mann. But, in the end, they always have to concede to Nay Shwe Thway Aung,” he added.

The family of junta No.2 Maung Aye is thought to be the richest in the country. His daughter, Nandar Aye, and her husband, Pyi Aung, who is son of Industry-1 Minister Aung Thaung, own and run the largest multinational in Burma—the IGE Group. Their other partner is Nay Aung, the other son of Aung Thaung.

The company is involved in the oil and gas industries, the timber trade, mining, tourism, banking and construction, either directly or through its sister companies: UNOG Co. Ltd; the Amara Co. Ltd; MRT Co. Ltd; FCEC Co. Ltd; and various others.
 
Another contentious issue among the generals is Than Shwe’s “divide and rule” tactic of reshuffling his closest allies in the post-election political arena. Junta No.3 Shwe Mann became the Lower House speaker while his fellow generals former Prime Minister Thein Sein and Tin Aung Myint Oo were selected as president and vice-president respectively.

Even though no one dares complain to Than Shwe—his orders are considered absolute—several high-ranking officers are reportedly very unhappy with the new lineup. Only one, Lt-Gen Myint Aung, dared to refuse Than Shwe’s appointment of him as defense minister. He was quickly dismissed and confined to virtual house arrest. 

But the ill feeling does appear to have had some effect on Than Shwe. His four daughters who held symbolic positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly resigned earlier this year in what Burma observers see as a face-saving maneuver.

“Although Than Shwe's son-in-law Zaw Phyo Win is still with the ministry, the daughters’ resignations are good news for all other staff members,” said a former Burmese diplomat in Rangoon. “They [the daughters] just claimed fake salaries. They never actually went to work or did anything.”