The leader of Myanmar’s military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, is set to personally dictate the formation of the new Mon State government, maintaining a strict “one voice, one command” approach that has left even his closest political allies in the dark.
Despite illegal parliamentary sessions scheduled to begin on 20 March to form the regional administration, high-ranking members of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Mon State claim they have yet to see the list of proposed ministers. A resident of Mawlamyine with ties to local political parties told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency (MPA) that the usual pre-appointment discussions between winning parties have been entirely bypassed.
“Normally, by now, everyone would know who the Chief Minister and cabinet members are,” the source said. “Even the senior USDP officials at the state level are currently lost and confused because they haven’t been informed.”
The source added that the final list of appointees for the Mon State government and parliamentary leadership will only be revealed once a sealed envelope is delivered directly from Min Aung Hlaing. Local officials reportedly view the national USDP Chairman, Khin Yi, as a mere figurehead, waiting instead for instructions from the junta chief.
While the current military-appointed Chief Minister, Aung Kyi Thein, led an introductory event for the Mon State Parliament on 4 March, no discussions regarding the new government were held. Observers believe Aung Kyi Thein will not be reappointed to the position.
The lack of transparency has also affected the Mon Unity Party (MUP), which was quick to support the 2021 coup. Nai Lalyi Tama, a joint secretary of the MUP who currently serves as the State Minister for Economic Affairs and was recently awarded the “Wunna Kyaw Htin” title by the junta, is reportedly confident of retaining his post after winning a seat in the 2025-2026 disputed elections.
In the contested regional parliament, the USDP holds 11 seats, followed by the MUP with seven. Other single seats are held by parties including the National Unity Party, the Pa-O National Development Party, the People’s Party, the People’s Pioneer Party, and the National Interest Development Party.
The move to centralize cabinet appointments highlights Min Aung Hlaing’s tightening grip on regional governance as the military continues to struggle for political and territorial control across the country.
