[Tee tiong huat]

The junta’s enactment of the Conscription Law in February 2024 has been a boon for corrupt officials, with numerous reports of intimidation and extortion by authorities targeting those seeking to evade mandatory military service.

During a meeting on Thursday with military personnel and their families in Kalaw, southern Shan State, deputy junta chief Soe Win admitted his regime has had to grapple with daily cases of corruption in conscription bodies at all levels over the past year.

However, despite widespread reports of extortion and graft by junta conscription officials, the regime has previously acknowledged just one case – when it took action against a police officer and administrators in Shwebo, Sagaing Region, in January.