Drug case sends bank scare

^{19 July 2008}

The bank in question is the Kambawza Bank owned by Aung Ko Win, better known as Saya Kyaung, one of the two godsons of Deputy Senior Maung Aye, the junta’s #2 man, who has reportedly been in bitter dispute with Than Shwe, when the latter had taken swift and decisive action against business tycoon Maung Weik in connection with drugs but letting off Aung Zaw Ye Myint, Maung Weik’s colleague, a son of Lt-Gen Ye Myint, easily by sending him off to a drug treatment center.

“People are in panic,” said a trader in Rangoon. “They are afraid the next guy to be axed may be Maung Aye. If he falls, so will all his business interests.”
 
According to Mizzima News, upon learning his favorite grandson Nay Shwe Thwe Aung was addicted to Ecstasy, known in Thailand as Ya E and headshaker, the senior general flew into a rage and ordered the crackdown. The first suspect to be taken into custody was Aung Zaw Ye Myint, on 29 May. Two days later, Maung Weik, 35, managing director of Maung Weik and Family Co.Ltd, was arrested. The trial of Maung Weik and 6 others, including a Malaysian national, began on 14 July. Meanwhile, Aung Zaw Ye Myint, whose involvement had cost his father his job as a powerful overseer of three regional commands, had returned from Wettikan, where his addiction was treated, to his Rangoon home, reported Mizzima.
 
“Everybody who has a gun is involved,” a Palaung leader was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post.

“Apart from the drug scandal, we know Than Shwe has some holes to pick with Maung Aye for the less than satisfactory contribution of the Kambawza Bank to the Nargis relief efforts,” according to a source from eastern Shan State.