Zaw Min Tun | |
|---|---|
ဇော်မင်းထွန်း | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Zaw_Min_Tun_at_Tatmadaw_True_News_Press_Conference_on_18_January_2019_(cropped).jpg) Zaw Min Tun on a Tatmadaw's press conference in 2019 | |
| Deputy Minister of Information of Myanmar | |
| Assumed office 7 February 2021 | |
| President | Myint Swe (acting) Min Aung Hlaing (acting) |
| Prime Minister | Min Aung Hlaing |
| Deputy | Soe Win (general) |
| Preceded by | Aung Hla Tun |
| Head of the Press Team of the State Administration Council | |
| Assumed office 5 February 2021 | |
| Leader | Min Aung Hlaing |
| Chief of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team | |
| Assumed office 5 February 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Yenanchaung, Myanmar (Burma) |
| Citizenship | Burmese |
| Spouse | Thin Thin Aung |
| Alma mater | Defence Services Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Tatmadaw |
| Branch/service |  Myanmar Army |
| Years of service | 1990–present |
| Rank | &sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Major_General_Tatmadaw.gif){kind=small} Major General |
Zaw Min Tun (Burmese: ဇော်မင်းထွန်း; pronounced [zɔ̀ mɪ́ɰ̃ tʰʊ̀ɴ]) is a Burmese army general and the current Deputy Minister of Information in Myanmar.[2][3][4][5] He holds key leadership roles within the military and government, most notably serving as the chief of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team and heading the press team of the State Administration Council (SAC), which governs Myanmar following the military coup in February 2021.[6][7][8][9][10] Zaw Min Tun has been recognized as a senior spokesperson for the Myanmar Army, particularly following the military coup, which led to widespread political unrest and public protests. His role has been significant in the communication strategies employed by the military during this period, ensuring the conveyance of the regime's narratives to both domestic and international audiences. He oversees the distribution of information through various state-controlled media outlets, which play a critical role in shaping public perception of the military's actions and policies.[11][12] His leadership positions within the military and government make him a crucial figure in Myanmar's current political landscape.[13]His influence as a spokesperson extends not only to the management of state-run media outlets but also to the strategic direction of the military’s public relations efforts, both domestically and internationally. He is tasked with defending and justifying the actions of the military regime, countering the narratives of dissent, and addressing criticisms of human rights abuses and military repression. In his various capacities, Zaw Min Tun works to reinforce the military's stance on governance, national security, and opposition to pro-democracy movements. His efforts to control public perception through carefully crafted media campaigns have become integral to the military junta’s hold on power.[14]
Born in Yenanchaung, Myanmar, and currently holding the rank of major general in the Myanmar Army, Zaw Min Tun’s rise within the military and political spheres is marked by a combination of military expertise and political strategy.[15][16][17][18] He graduated from the 37th intake of the Defense Services Academy (DSA), a premier institution for training military officers, where he honed skills in military strategy, leadership, and public communication.[19][20][21][22] His educational background laid the groundwork for his future roles as a key spokesperson for the Myanmar military and a figurehead within the State Administration Council, a military-dominated body that replaced the civilian government following the 2021 coup.[23][24][25][26] Zaw Min Tun’s military career, spanning several decades, reflects his growing influence in both the operational and communicative arms of the military. His early exposure to the media and public relations sector of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) provided him with the tools to navigate the complex terrain of military governance and state-controlled media, which would become crucial during the coup and its aftermath. His leadership in both military operations and the dissemination of information has allowed him to position himself as an influential figure in shaping Myanmar's political narrative, especially in a context where the military’s control of information is central to its survival amidst both domestic and international pressure.[27][28][29][30] With a background in military public relations, Zaw Min Tun has been instrumental in presenting the Tatmadaw's perspective, often responding to allegations of human rights abuses and critiquing opposition movements. His efforts are aimed at reinforcing the military's position and justifying its actions in the eyes of the public, as well as attempting to maintain a semblance of legitimacy amidst ongoing scrutiny from various sectors. Through press conferences and official statements, Zaw Min Tun articulates the military's stance on key issues, including national security and governance, making him a prominent voice for the military junta. His influence extends beyond mere communication, as he is often seen accompanying high-ranking military officials, which underscores his importance within the military hierarchy. As the situation in Myanmar continues to evolve, Zaw Min Tun remains a pivotal figure in the military's ongoing efforts to control the narrative and respond to the challenges posed by dissent and international criticism.
- ^ Meeting between Hun Sen and Aung San Suu Kyi unfeasible at present- SAC spokesman (Published on May 10, 2024)
- ^ "Union Ministers and Deputy Ministers". www.moi.gov.mm.
- ^ "This is not a coup", said Major General Zaw Min Tun from a gilded hall in Myanmar's purpose-built capital Naypyidaw, the city where his comrades recently ousted an elected government, detained the country's leadership, and installed a military junta". The ASEAN Post. 9 April 2021.
- ^ Sebastian, Strangio (25 January 2023). "Myanmar Military Spokesperson Expresses Uncertainty Over Junta Polls". The Diplomat.
- ^ "Major General Zaw Min Tun told foreign media on Tuesday that Aung San Suu Kyi and the president of her toppled government, Win Myint, were among the elderly and infirm prisoners transferred from prison". Al Jazeera News. 17 April 2024.
- ^ "Detained Myanmar president, state counsellor to be treated in line with law: military". Xinhua. 16 February 2021.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview with Major General Zaw Min Tun, Spokeperson of SAC ". NP News. 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Myanmar military government spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told pro-army media a day after Laukkaing's fall that its local commanders relinquished control of the city after considering many factors including the safety of family members and of soldiers stationed there". The Seattle Times. 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Myanmar protesters gather again after worst day of violence". The Times Of India. 21 February 2021.
- ^ Ingyin Naing (19 February 2024). "Myanmar Army Enforces Conscription Law Amid Backlash, Exodus". VOA News.
- ^ "Myanmar Military Asks Govt to Punish Minister for Police Remark". The Irrawaddy. 4 February 2020.
- ^ "Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun from the Myanmar military's information team said the soldiers' sentences were reduced after their family members and Buddhist monks submitted petitions to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing". Radio Free Asia. 30 May 2019.
- ^ "Explainer: Crisis in Myanmar after army alleges election fraud". Reuters. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
- ^ "Myanmar army flexes muscles as Suu Kyi's government begins second term". Reuters. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2024 – via WION.
- ^ "Myanmar confirms that a key northeastern city near China has been seized by an armed ethnic alliance". The Economic Times.
- ^ "Myanmar hosts 1st regional meeting since army takeover". The Times Of India. 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Myanmar military court delays verdict in Suu Kyi corruption trial". The Times Of India. 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Myanmar military meets rebel groups with China's help - army spokesperson". Reuters. 11 December 2023.
- ^ "Myanmar ethnic minority fighters seize town from military". The Economic Times. 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Naypyidaw: About 88 per cent of schools across Myanmar have reopened since June 1, spokesperson of the military-run State Administration Council (SAC) Zaw Min Tun said". The Times Of India. 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Myanmar army denies detained Australian academic released". The Times Of India. 7 February 2022.
- ^ "Myanmar military says facing 'heavy assault' from insurgents". The Japan Times. 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Analyzing Information Strategies Employed by the Myanmar Army known as 'the Tatmadaw'". The Irrawaddy. 14 June 2022.
- ^ "Government spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun made the announcement at a news conference in the capital Naypyitaw, where he also said the authorities are trying to vaccinate 50% of the country's population this year". The Times Of India. 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Spokesman Zaw Min Tun said authorities were making progress in reducing Coronavirus infections and aimed to inoculate half of the country's population by the end of this year". The Times Of India. 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Myanmar military and ethnic guerrilla groups agree ceasefire". BreakingNews.ie. 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Cambodian leader asks Myanmar to reconsider foes' executions". The Times Of India. 11 June 2022.
- ^ "China FM to visit Myanmar this weekend: Myanmar army spokesman Zaw Min Tun". The Times Of India. 28 June 2022.
- ^ "Rohingya wary as Myanmar's anti-junta resistance reaches out". The Times Of India. 12 July 2021.
- ^ "Myanmar army enforces mandatory military service for young people. 'The duty to safeguard and defend the nation extends beyond just the soldiers but to all citizens. So I want to tell everyone to proudly follow this people's military service law,' military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told state media". Deccan Herald. 11 February 2024.