Cars Released at Naypyidaw's Shwenanthar Gate After Demanding Tens of Millions in Bribes

At Naypyidaw's Shwenanthar checkpoint, "Without" cars are being released after demanding tens of millions of kyats

September 25

At the city entrance inspection checkpoint in Shwenanthar Ward, Ottarathiri Township, Naypyidaw, a male deputy police officer and a female lance corporal have been collecting money from passing vehicles and also demanding money to release "Without" cars, according to reports from local residents.

Deputy Police Officer Zaw Min Htike and Lance Corporal Pyone Ei Mun are said to sit in civilian clothes at Shwenanthar checkpoint from dawn to dusk, collecting money from passing vehicles, and are also said to be collecting monthly fees via KBZ Pay from some car owners.

"When they stop cars in civilian clothes, the drivers don't know who they are. I asked what was going on since they were stopping cars in civilian clothes. That woman said rudely, 'Can't you see the traffic police are stopping you? If you're being called, just come,'" a driver told MyoTaw.

At that checkpoint, 1,000 to 30,000 kyats are being collected per vehicle, and "Without" cars are also said to be released after demanding large sums of money.

"They demand 2,000 for a line car. They demand 1,000 for a brick, sand, or stone truck. For a bamboo or firewood truck, you have to pay from 20,000 to 30,000. For 'Without' cars, they demand tens of millions and release them," a Shwenanthar resident told MyoTaw.

Deputy Police Officer Zaw Min Htike and Lance Corporal Pyone Ei Mun are said to threaten those who don't pay the fee by saying their cars can be confiscated, and demand the fee. It is also known that there are claims that this collection is permitted by township and district offices and that quotas must be given back to higher-ups.

MyoTaw News Channel