NUG-led Magway government appoints controversial commander as defence minister

The governing authority in areas of Magway Region under the control of the National Unity Government (NUG) has appointed a controversial military commander as its defence minister, Myanmar Now has learned. Bo Letyar, the commanding officer of the Myaing Township People’s Defence Organisation (PDO), was one of seven people assigned to ministerial posts during an online meeting of the Magway Federal Unit Hluttaw held last week. The NUG has established Federal Unit Hluttaws, or parliaments, in Magway, Mandalay, and Sagaing regions to oversee legal, defence, and administrative matters in territory controlled by its forces. The Magway Federal Unit Hluttaw is led by Dr. Ye Htun Zaw, who was named chief minister in December of last year. His deputy, Chit Win Maung, was among the new appointees chosen during last week’s meeting, held on March 12. Speaking to Myanmar Now the next day, Bo Letyar (aka Pho Kyaw), 45, confirmed his appointment as defence minister after narrowly defeating another candidate for the position. A former member of Myanmar’s police force, he joined the resistance in early 2021, soon after the military seized power. Initially serving as a military trainer, he went on to become an officer of the Myaing Township PDO, which operates under the command of the NUG’s Ministry of Defence. His appointment comes just months after forces under his command were accused late last year of torturing three members of an NUG-led village administrative team and killing one. The Myaing Township PDO has also faced criticism for its handling of tax collection from the hand-dug oil wells in Myaing Region, popularly known as the “Dubai of Myanmar’s Dry Zone”. A member of the resistance in Magway Region condemned Bo Letyar’s appointment to a ministerial post, stating that public opinion was not taken into account. “Naming a widely criticised figure as Magway Region’s defence minister is deeply problematic. It completely ignores public input,” the resistance member stated. Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the NUG’s Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to requests for comment. Magway Region shares borders with Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Rakhine and Chin states. Resistance forces are strongest in the north, including the Yaw region and Myaing, Pauk, and Yesagyo townships, as well as in the west along the Ayeyarwady River. Magway is also strategically important because it hosts 15 of the junta’s 25 armaments factories, which have been heavily targeted since last year. “The war is challenging and intense, with troop strength and weaponry being key. We aim to work with armed resistance forces to turn our weaknesses into strengths and prepare effectively,” Bo Letyar said when asked about his plans as defence minister. Some suggested that his appointment was related to his influence in areas with oil well operations, which generate a significant amount of revenue in the form of taxes. “This shows that decisions are not based on a person’s character or policies, but on his wealth. Those with strength, power, and wealth are given positions, regardless of the harm they have caused,” said another resistance fighter active in Magway Region.

NUG-led Magway government appoints controversial commander as defence minister

Troops under the command of Bo Letyar, the new defence minister, have been accused of torturing and killing a local administrator

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