The Passing of Mandalay's Unyielding Leader: A Tribute to Dr. Zaw Myint Maung

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, the former Chief Minister of Mandalay Region and Vice-President II of the National League for Democracy (NLD), passed away in junta custody on September 7, 2024. Known for his relentless dedication to Myanmar's democratic movement, he was a key figure in the struggle against military oppression, having endured multiple imprisonments under both former military regimes and the current coup-led junta. His passing marks the end of a life characterized by resilience, service, and sacrifice for the people of Myanmar.

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung was also the driving force behind the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship 30,000 Monastic Alms Giving Festival in 2019—a monumental gathering that epitomized the Buddhist value of generosity. Despite the constraints imposed by his role under a regime that sought to curb acts of solidarity, he remained committed to promoting unity and compassion. Even in his passing, Dr. Zaw inspired thousands: nearly 2,000 mourners attended his funeral, bravely gathering despite the heavy security presence and potential for repercussions. Videos from the ceremony showed people kneeling to pay homage along the funeral route, right beside armed security forces and traffic police, highlighting the enduring love and respect for him among Myanmar's citizens. The scale of this gathering was second only to the anti-coup protests of 2021 in Mandalay—a testament to his influence and the people's unbroken spirit. The security forces, led by a junta lieutenant colonel, reflected the junta’s fear of potential protests even at his funeral.

Dr. Zaw was elected to office four times in his political career. In 1990, he was among those elected when the military junta refused to transfer power to the NLD, resulting in his arrest and two decades behind bars. In 2012, he won again in the by-elections, and in 2015 he was elected to the Mandalay Regional Parliament, where he became Chief Minister. He won once more in 2020 before the February 2021 military coup ended his tenure. During his administration, Mandalay was recognized as a "Smart City" by the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) in 2019. He was respected not just for his achievements but also for his empathy, famously urging people in 2019: "Pray together for Arakan State. Love is scarce in Arakan State."

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung’s compassion was evident in his leadership of various alms-giving festivals. In 2017, he and his cabinet helped organize an alms-giving ceremony for 20,000 monks, including 60 from Thailand, in cooperation with Thailand’s Dhammakaya Monastery and Myanmar's Mya Kyauk Sayadaw. The event was meticulously planned, with even the location—Chanmyatharzi Airport—chosen by the Chief Minister to avoid traffic congestion, as noted by U Soe Linn, chairperson of Maha Muni Temple and the event committee.

These alms-giving events became a hallmark of his time as Chief Minister, starting with the 10,000 monk ceremony at the foot of Mandalay Hill in 2015, followed by the 20,000 monk alms-giving at Chanmyatharzi Airport in 2017, and culminating in the 30,000 monk ceremony in 2019. Despite the junta's attempt to replicate this show of generosity with a similar mass donation for 10,272 monks in May 2024, it was widely criticized as propaganda—a move to portray the military as supporters of the Sangha (monastic community) while continuing to wage brutal conflicts across the country, even targeting monks and nuns. The number of monks—10,272—was noted as a potential "Yadaya," a numerological ritual often used by military generals, as the event took place seven months after the 3 Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 in Northern Shan State.

Despite his declining health, Dr. Zaw Myint Maung remained resolute until his final days. He passed away from leukemia on September 7, 2024, deprived of adequate medical care by the junta. Thousands of people gathered to honor him at his funeral, displaying a courage that defied the junta’s threats and showing their love for the man who had stood by them in their darkest times. The military has long painted NLD leaders as "destroyers of the Buddha Sasana (Buddhist teachings)," yet it was these unarmed leaders who embodied the teachings of compassion and inner peace, practicing metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion) towards the people. Dr. Zaw’s life was a reflection of these values, and in his death, the love of the people for him was the clearest testament to the karma he cultivated. His legacy stands as a beacon of truth, proving that genuine compassion cannot be silenced by military might.