NUG figures purchasing expensive houses in the USA spark controversy
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Hsu/ Iris (NP News) - May 14
It has been reported that high-level individuals from the exiled National Unity Government (NUG) such as U Aung Kyi Nyunt, U Kyaw Htwey, U Yee Mon's daughter, and certain senior members of the NUG have allegedly purchased accommodations in the USA. However, there has been no official denial of this news as of yet.
One of the prominent NUG lobbyists and a major donation receiver, Pencilo (Eaint Poe Ou), was reportedly able to purchase a house in the USA that worths thousands of dollars and even held a housewarming ceremony, according to a statement made by one of the CDM doctors on social media. The news of NUG's key figures continuously purchasing houses in the USA has been widely circulated.
Thetka Moe Nyo, a CDM Physician himself, took to social media to address this news gaining a significant following. He explicitly mentioned Pencilo's acquisition of a mansion in the USA, yet there has been no clarification from Pencilo's side regarding his alleged statement.
After Pencilo's purchase of a big house, U Aung Kyi Nyunt, the chairman of CRPH; U Kyaw Htwe from the National League for Democracy (NLD), and the daughter of U Yee Mon, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Defence appointed by the NUG, have also reportedly acquired big hosues in the USA. U Aung Kyi Nyunt allegedly hosted a housewarming party at the beginning of this month.
Those NUG figures arrived in the USA only after 2021 or 2022. Therefore, it has been only three years that they have settled in the USA. In fact, they cannot disclose their legitimate income sources nor they are not ready to be audited the donation amounts received for Spring Revolution under various titles.
A senior member of the NLD party shared his perspective with The Statesman News Journal stating, “They have been hearing those reports for a long time now. They questioned how those individuals, who were not wealthy when they were in Myanmar, were able to afford such expensive hosues after being in exile.” The NLD member also pointed out that even they were the members of parliament, they did not have the means to accumulate such large sums of money, saying “Especially, Ko Kyaw Htwe lived in a small flat in Yangon. When he became an MP of the NLD, he could only afford to rent an apartment in the Nay Pyi Taw Development Council Guest House.” The NLD member stated that these individuals need to provide a clear explanation for their sudden wealth and ability to purchase lavish properties in the US.
Not only Thetka Moe Nyo but also a source from the NLD who is currently in Mae Sot, have reported that news of senior NUG figures like U Aung Kyi Nyunt and U Kyaw Htwe purchasing houses in the USA allegedly misusing funds contributed by the people for the revolution. Those information has been circulating widely among NLD members for long.
A reliable source from Mae Sot further stated that when U Aung Kyi Nyunt purchased a big house in the USA, he did not use his own name but instead bought it under the name of his family member. As for U Kyaw Htwe, he acquired a house in the USA shortly after his arrival and also bought a new car valued at no less than $40,000 with an immediate cash down payment.
The source added, "The wife of U Kyaw Htwe reportedly secured a job in the kitchen of a hospital shortly before their arrival in Minnesota, earning $20 per hour. After taxes, she would be left with approximately $13 per hour. U Kyaw Htwe, who had been in hiding for three months, emerged and purchased a new car worth more than $48,000 with a cash down payment. He later began working as an Uber driver, which is not typically a high-income occupation."
"The individual in question managed to make a 20% down payment for a high-value house, despite struggling with daily expenses even when combining both his and his wife's incomes. Their individual earnings would not cover a 20% down payment,” the source told continuing that therefore, the source of funds for the $48,000 car and the 20% down payment on the $400,000 residency raises questions. A current NLD member residing in the USA remarked that when U Kyaw Htwe arrived in the USA, he collected money under the guise of 'eliminating the military junta.
Reports also stated that U Yee Mon’s daughter is studying medicine in the USA. Therefore, their legitimate incomes is ambiguous and dubious. Those NUG figures have been delaying to clarify the financial statements for the revolution. On the contrary, they bought big and expensive houses in the USA.
Under the post of CDM physician Thetka Moe Nyo, various comments have been left expressing concerns about the housing purchases made by NUG figures. Some comments directly accuse these individuals of using the "life and blood of Myanmar citizens" to fund their lavish lifestyle, while others question the logic behind their repeated claims of returning to Myanmar soon, only to purchase multiple houses in the USA with the questions of “Are we cheated?”. Overall, these comments reflect a growing skepticism and frustration among the public regarding the financial activities and perceived hypocrisy of NUG representatives.
According to NLD members currently in Mae Sot, a concerning revelation has emerged regarding the misuse of funds collected for the revolution by prominent figures such as U Aung Kyi Nyunt, U Kyaw Htwe, Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, U Moe Zaw Oo, U Htin Lin Aung, Jonny, U Yee Mon, U Lwin Ko Latt, Nay Hpone Latt, and others associated with the armed revolutionary movement. Particularly highlighted is Pencilo, who is noted to have gained significant advantages from the revolution compared to the aforementioned individuals. It is claimed that Pencilo has profited without assuming any responsibility or demonstrating accountability for her actions. This revelation underscores growing concerns about financial mismanagement and exploitation within the revolutionary movement.
Reports also stated that Daw May Win Myint, the former MP of the Yangon’s Mayangone Constituency is expecting to buy house in the USA.
Regarding the purchased mansions, reports indicate that the individuals involved are not using their own names but instead opting to purchase under the names of others, family members or trusted individuals. The source have cautioned that if these individuals face heightened public scrutiny for their alleged misuse of revolutionary funds, they may attempt to explain by claiming they are merely renting the properties or could potentially sell the expensive houses discreetly through alternative methods.