SAC vows to combat illegal exploitation of state-owned resources, terrorism financing
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Phyo (NP News) - Feb 23
The State Administration Council (SAC) has announced that it will crack down on those who are illegally extracting state-owned resources and providing support to armed groups.
Taking advantage of armed conflicts in certain regions, businessmen are illegally exploiting state-owned resources and financially supporting the non-state armed groups and terrorist groups.
Additionally, recruiting and attracting locals with money to participate in the illegal extraction of state-owned natural resources is considered support for violence under the Anti-Terrorism Law, the SAC statement said.
The statement also said that, therefore, authorities will investigate and eliminate illegal exploitation of state-owned natural resources and the support provided to armed groups. Locals have been advised to avoid participating in illegal resource extraction activities.
Currently, many ethnic armed groups that control resource-rich cities are exploiting natural resources for their own benefit. Reports indicate that precious gems from Mogok in Mandalay Region and Hpakant in Kachin State are being extracted and controlled by armed groups, including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kachin Independent Army (KIA).
Locals claim that individuals with close ties to top KIA and KIO leaders have combined significant wealth by conducting illegal business in Hpakant, a major hub for jade mining. Similarly, PDFs are known to exert tight control over gold and lead mining sites near Dawei township in Tanintharyi Region, where natural resources are being extracted recklessly, raising concerns over environmental and economic consequences.
Reports also indicate that about 150 members of the PDF are controlling the mining site and extracting gold and lead in Dawei area. In addition to the extraction of gold and lead, around 90 million kyats are continuously lost from the national budget due to these activities.
Given these circumstances, it is assumed that the SAC government released the above-mentioned statement. –