Shwe Mann

Shwe Mann has had a close relationship to former dictator General Than Shwe. When Than Shwe became commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw in 1992, he made Shwe Mann one of his deputies.[5] Although Than Shwe frequently shook up the ranks, firing ministers and military officials, Shwe Mann was allowed to rise through the ranks and become the third most powerful figure in the country.

It has been alleged that Than Shwe feared Shwe Mann’s comeuppance, and decided to balance his aspirations and power by choosing Thein Sein for the position of President and Tin Aung Myint Oo as Vice-President.[8]

Shwe Mann played a key role in the ousting of Prime Minister Khin Nyunt in 2004. After Khin Nyunt’s arrest, Shwe Mann famously said that “Nobody is above the law.”

He was seen as the most likely successor to General Maung Aye, who was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Allegedly, Shwe Mann and Maung Aye were political rivals.[9]

Shwe Mann was also an alleged rival to first Vice-President Tin Aung Myint Oo.[8]

It is believed that he has the loyalty of General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.[8]

Shwe Mann has claimed that “reforms are irreversible” and their goal is “to build a multi-party democratic system and a market economy.”[3] He has been called “a defender of the president [Thein Sein]’s reforms.”[5] Although political reforms have moved apace, he also believes that socio-economic development and administrative reforms are lagging behind.[4][14]

He has been seen as a staunch critic of corrupt practices amongst public officials. He had reportedly ordered action against corrupt authorities as far back as 2005.[9] He criticised the government’s lack of transparency and accountability over public funds.[15] He has firmly supported liberal reforms and the turn towards a market economy in Myanmar. He has been critical of Thein Sein’s “sluggish” approach to liberalisation,[5] and has taken a strong stance against corrupt practices in the interest of “good governance.”[8]

In regards to the 25 per cent of parliamentary seats allocated to the Tatmadaw, he has expressed hope that the Constitution will change before the elections to accommodate a more representative political outcome.[4]

Shwe Mann has argued that democracy must be seen “as a vehicle for progress.” In an interview, he stated that “the biggest challenge is changing the [old] mind-set and attitude. If people do not understand the essence of democracy, there will be more disadvantages than advantages.”[16]

He has been praised for reaching out to political activist groups, including the 88 Generation Students Group. He has often remarked on the importance of upholding the 2008 Constitution.[5]

Despite their opposite political standpoints, the relationship between Shwe Mann and Aung San Suu Kyi has been defined as “excellent.”[4] Others have defined it as “a working relationship, albeit perhaps one of convenience.”[2] They have maintained an open stance on a possible future alliance.[17]

He has referred to the Muslim Bengali minority as a sensitive issue that requires immediate attention.[3] However, he has also stressed that the problem has been on-going for at least the last 100 years. In his conference at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, he pointed out that the ongoing violence in Rakhine State is not only between religious groups, but also between mobs.

Shwe Mann has assumed a liberal-conservative position on federalism. He has claimed he would rather see an evolution of the federal system rather than its revolution.[3]

Shwe Mann has spoken about the need to strengthen the current education system in Myanmar. He has argued that Myanmar education is “not in line with what [is] need today.”[1] He has also spoken in favour of a National Educational Bill to improve basic and secondary education, including universities and vocational schools.[1]

Shwe Mann has been seen as a key figure in the ongoing diplomatic effort to recalibrating Washington’s foreign policy towards Asia, known as "pivot." Indeed, the U.S. President sought his company during his first official visit to Myanmar.

Jim Della-Giacoma, Southeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group (ICG), argued that the U.S. had made a common cause with Shwe Mann to "bringing the national parliament to life as a legitimate democratic institution."[5]

Shwe Mann has argued in favour of increased U.S. investment and technical support in Myanmar.[4]

Shwe Mann visited China before his 2015 official visit to the U.S. He has stressed that Myanmar and China are good neighbours and entertain friendly diplomatic relations.[4] At the same time, he has called for greater transparency and accountability on Chinese investments.[4]

Shwe Mann has emphasised the need to integrate Myanmar into the global economy. "In the globalised economy, no country or region can stand alone. The development of one region depends on integration with other regions in the world," he stated in an official press release.[18]

He has therefore praised the potential of the ASEAN Economic Community as an “asset” to the economies of ASEAN nations and as a dialogue partner for the rest of the world.[18]

Whilst still in the military, Shwe Mann travelled to India and North Korea to sign military cooperation agreements with the two countries.

In the 2000s, he tried to forge closer ties with India, which he visited to appeal for more armaments in 2006. In November 2008, Shwe Mann travelled to North Korea and signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation. In an interview, he said that the Burmese counterpart "studied their air defence system, weapons factories, aircrafts [sic] and ships."[5]

Aung Thet Mann is the Chief Executive officer at Ayer Shwe Wah, which became the first private company allowed to export rice to Bangladesh and Singapore in 2005. The company is part of Burmese tycoon Tay Za’s Htoo Group of Companies.[9]

When Shwe Mann was Regional Commander in the Ayeyarwady Division, Ayer Shwe Wah received lucrative government contracts to supply fertilizers to farmers throughout the delta.[9] The company also received 30,000 acres of land for development under the government’s Lowland Development Program. These have since been returned with all dues and taxes paid for.

Ayer Shwe Wah has also been involved in construction projects in Naypyidaw.[9]

Toe Naing Mann is the founder of Red Link Communications, a major Burmese telecommunications group. In 2004, Toe Naing Mann married Zay Zin Latt, daughter of Khin Shwe, who is the president of Zaygabar Co. Ltd. and a leading Rangoon real estate mogul.[9] Among its businesses, Zaygabar operates the Karaweik Restaurant, a structure on Kandawgyi Lake, and handles Kandawgyi People Park’s operations.

In October 2007, the U.S. Treasury placed Khin Shwe and Zaygabar on its list of individuals and business targeted for sanctions.[9]