Administrators and Navy collaborate to extort money from boat owners

March 11, 2025

HURFOM: Since February, 2025, the Mawrawaddy Navy Command has been forcing the boat owners in Ka Byar Wa and Mam Gyi village, Ye Township, Mon State to apply for recommendation letters from their particular village Administrators.

Then, the Administrators extort from 15,000 to 20,000 MMK per document from the boat owners. The amount of extortion depends on the size of the boat.

The navy unit requires recommendation letters be monthly; however, the Ka Byar Wa Administrator forces boat owners to apply for these documents on a biweekly basis.

“The navy unit ordered us to get a recommendation letter each month. But the village Administrator only issues a document that is valid for 15 days. Then, he exhorted 20,000 MMK. After 15 days, another document must be obtained. Then, he exhorted 20,000 MMK again. The Administrators and the navy unit are making money in cooperation,” said a boat owner.

The boat owners who went fishing with expired recommendation letters were arrested and beaten by the navy unit.

“Some boat owners had financial problems extending their documents. The document had expired by just two days but the navy unit arrested and beat the boat owner as punishment. Even elderly villagers were beaten. Some coughed up blood,” said a local villager.

In addition to this extortion, boat owners who want to transport stone from “Ma Yan Beach” have to pay an extra 30,000 MMK to the Mawrawaddy Navy Command as ration fee for food for the navy unit.

Since February, 2025, at least 15 boat owners or workers were arrested and beaten by the navy unit for using expired recommendation letters and some of them had to be admitted to hospital for treatment.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News