Military Mismanagement

“Before the military started in 1962, we were the largest exporter of teak in the world, we had the earliest train system in the region, we were the regional hub for planes. So we were a rich country, and it is the military that has ruined everything.”

Maung Maung is currently the president of the Confederation of Trade Unions in Myanmar (CTUM). A prominent figure in the labor movement in Myanmar who plays a crucial role in advocating for workers' rights and improving the conditions for Myanmar's workers, he has been making his voice heard in advocating for democracy since the military coup in 2021.

In this quote from our recent podcast dicussion, Maung Maung emphasizes the fact that Myanmar was once a prosperous country, and he rightly attributes the decline of Myanmar's economy and infrastructure to the military's actions and policies. The military has played a dominant role in Myanmar's political landscape, wielding considerable power and influence over the country's economy and governance.

One of the most notorious examples of corruption involving the military is its control over key sectors of the economy. The Tatmadaw has been involved in various forms of illicit activities, including illegal logging, smuggling of natural resources, and illicit trade. These practices have resulted in environmental degradation and significant financial losses for the country.

Additionally, the military's involvement in the gemstone trade, particularly in relation to Myanmar's rich reserves of jade and rubies, has been marred by corruption and lack of transparency. The military's control over this lucrative industry has resulted in the misappropriation of revenue, benefiting a few powerful individuals within the military establishment rather than the wider population, while causing tremendous harm to those who must work the mines.

Furthermore, the military's opaque budgeting practices have made it difficult to hold them accountable for the allocation and utilization of public funds. This lack of transparency has created an environment conducive to corruption, allowing for embezzlement, bribery, and kickback schemes.