Phyo Min Thein

Phyo Min Thein ( my, ဖြိုးမင်းသိန်း; born 13 April 1969) is a Burmese politician and former political prisoner who is currently serving as Chief Minister of Yangon Region and Yangon Region Parliament MP for Hlegu Township Constituency No. 2. Prior to this, he was the chairman of Union Democratic Party and founder of People Democracy Party which was later merged with Union Democratic Party.

Early life

Phyo Min Thein was born on 13 April 1969 in Yangon. He was the youngest of four children born to Khin Tun and Khin Khin Aye. He studied at Yangon University but did not graduate.

Student activist

In 1988, Phyo Min Thein was a second year physics major student at Botahtaung campus of Yangon University when the 8888 Uprising began, and became the secretary of the Thanlyin Township All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABSFU). During the uprising, he was one of the leaders of Botahtaung campus and Thanlyin Township anti-government protests. He helped founded the Democratic Party for a New Society in 1988.

Political imprisonment

Phyo Min Thein was arrested on 20 January 1991 for his involvement in 8888 Uprising and sentenced to seven years imprisonment in May 1991. In 1995, during his time in prison, the military government added another seven years to his sentence. In 2001, the government extended another seven years to his sentence. He was eventually released on 6 July 2005.

Political career

Early political career

Phyo Min Thein was a chairman of Union Democratic Party and also a founder of People Democracy Party which was later merged with Union Democratic Party. He was elected for a parliamentary seat in the lower house (Pyithu Hluttaw)'s Hlegu constituency in the 2012 by-elections, representing the National League for Democracy.

Chief Minister

In 2015 general election, he was elected for a parliamentary seat in Yangon Region Parliament. He was appointed as Chief Minister of Yangon Region on 30 March 2016.

His decision to restrict 2016 Burmese New Year Water Festival pandals in Yangon soon after he took Chief Minister Office was challenged by several people. In May 2016, he ordered a controversial decision to crack down nightlife in Yangon, which resulted a public backlash.

In May 2016, he made hard line decisions to suspend around 70 high-rise construction projects and tightening regulations against drinking establishments. The decision was criticized by real estate developers and some lawmakers.

In January 2017, he launched Yangon Bus Service (YBS) to overhaul the bus network of Yangon. However, YBS amid criticism of being ill-equipped to serve commuters, shortage of buses, misconduct of bus staff and constant violation of traffic rules. On 7 April 2017, lawmakers from Yangon Region Parliament called for a transparent review of the YBS. On 24 and 27 April 2017, he was conspicuously absent from the debate session on YBS review proposal, so some lawmakers accused him of disrespecting Parliament. On 27 April, 117 lawmakers approved the review proposal after a heated debate by 26 legislators.

On 8 March 2019, news reports stated Phyo Min Thein's affiliations with Kyaw Ne Win, the grandsons of Myanmar's former dictator U Ne Win, regarding the financing of US$36.8 million for the acquisition of buses for the YBS. It was reported that the loan was sought at the Phyo Min Thein's recommendation, and that the local bank was preparing to sue the YBS consortium for violating its payment deadline.

In the wake of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état on 1 February, Phyo Min Thein was detained by the Myanmar Armed Forces.

Personal life

Phyo Min Thein married to Khin Mi Mi Kywe in 2009. He is a brother-in-law of Htay Kywe, a pro-democracy activist and one of the leaders of 8888 Uprisings.

References

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Living people
National League for Democracy politicians
Prisoners and detainees of Myanmar
Government ministers of Myanmar
1969 births
People from Yangon
Region or state chief ministers of Myanmar