Mme Khin Nyunt buys without paying

Mme Khin Nyunt buys without paying

Human Rights

Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt and Chairperson of the Myanmar Women Affairs Federation, was in the Sino-Burma border town of Muse two days ago, purchasing items for the Burmese New Year that falls today, reports S.H.A.N. correspondent from northern Shan State. 

The lady and her family arrived in Muse, 110 miles north of Lashio and opposite Yunnan's Ruili, at 13:00. Sources claimed the some 30 Land-cruisers, Pajero and other four-wheel drive private trucks were commandeered by the local authorities to transport herself together with her retinue. 

"Whatever they wanted, all they had to do was point their index fingers," said a shopkeeper. "The local officials entered every item in their notebooks with a promise to pay up afterwards. Of course, we had no choice at all but to comply." 

The total purchase was estimated at 10 million kyat (roughly $ 10,000). "Articles of gold alone amounted to K 6 million," maintained another shopkeeper. "And we can't even dare to think what will happen if the authorities refuse to pay."