A Monk’s Criticism of Myanmar’s Military Government Raises Eyebrows
In a surprise turn of events, last Tuesday a bespectacled monk in Pyin Oo Lwin, a mountain town in Myanmar, made a bold and earth-shattering suggestion to hundreds of people gathered in a small square. The suggestion? That Myanmar’s military junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, should step down and let his deputy, General Soe Win, take over.
The monk, Pauk Ko Taw, is a member of an ultra-nationalist fringe group of Buddhists that has previously supported the military government. However, Myanmar’s recent series of crushing defeats in battles against ethnic rebels have caused even some of the most staunch military supporters to reconsider.
The monk’s criticism highlights the growing frustration with the military leadership’s inability to reverse their decline. While it remains unclear whether Mr. Bao Kodu has ties to the military, his comments echo those of other junta supporters who are increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo. Bao Kodu declined to be interviewed by BBC Burmese.
Myanmar has a long history of links between the military and monks, and has seen a division within the Buddhist community, with some monks opposing the 2021 coup and others collaborating with the regime. These divisions have been further highlighted in recent years, with the formation of armed Buddhist militias and increasing political activity among monks.
The recent criticism of the military leadership comes amid a period of significant losses for the Myanmar military in battles with ethnic armed groups. The military’s failure to effectively counter these rebel groups has raised concerns about the future of the regime and the morale of the army.
The monk’s bold criticism did not go unnoticed, as he was immediately detained for questioning by soldiers but was quickly released, indicating that he did have some powerful backing. General Soe Win, who was mentioned as a potential successor, has shown no sign of preparing to usurp his boss’s post, and for now no clear successor is in sight.
The recent criticism from unlikely quarters and the military’s poor performance in recent battles reflect a growing unease with the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing. Whether the regime can weather this storm and maintain its grip on power remains to be seen.