Presidential spokesperson Ye Htut has dismissed several rumours surrounding President’s Office Minister Soe Thein’s alleged involvement in five foreign bank accounts.
Ye Htut responded to the Daily Eleven’s inquiry following a report in the Messenger journal, and some foreign media, regarding the minister’s alleged foreign bank accounts. Soe Thein holds an important post in the government as one of President Thein Sein’s most trusted advisors.
Specifically, the Daily Eleven asked the president’s spokesperson to confirm whether or not the minister or his relatives held overseas bank accounts; whether or not the minister has sons and daughters living overseas; whether his children were planning to return to Myanmar, or had already arrived, to run businesses with U.S. cash; whether the minister comes from a wealthy family; and whether or not the ministry has opened bank accounts using his children’s or relatives’ names.
Ye Htut, speaking on Soe Thein’s behalf, said: “The minister has a son and two daughters. In 1990, 1991, and 1992, they received scholarships to attend university and they are now working overseas. At that time, the minister was only a lieutenant colonel and his children were not educated overseas with their father’s influence. They earned expenses from the scholarships and jobs. They did not misuse the authority and power of their father. They are earning a living with their skills and profession. Everyone who lives overseas has a bank account.”
Ye Htut added: “The minister said that if anyone can find proof of his children possessing foreign bank accounts using his influence, the government can take action against him. But if people are accusing him without proof, he will take action to dismiss the accusation and to protect his dignity.”
Ye Htut also offered an opinion on how the allegations arose: “I think it may be connected with some cronies from the previous government era, who lost their monopolized business when the minister implemented the economic reform process.”
Union Minister Soe Thein, during the previous government era, had very few dealings with the financial management sector, Ye Htut noted. After he became the Minister for Industry, he was involved in the privatization of factories, land and buildings, and the transfer of these assets to the private sector. Moreover, as chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission, he permitted hundreds of new products including cigarettes, beer, and soft drinks.
In the new Government era, changes have occurred and four Union Ministers have been appointed since Soe Thein first served as Minister of Industry. Since he left the Ministry, two new Ministers have been appointed. As he is friendly with many businessmen, political observers are not surprised that this kind of accusation would come out now.
source: Eleven Myanmar
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/3514-spokesperson-dismisses-foreign-bank-account-rumours-surrounding-soe-thein
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