Min Aung Hlaing proposes 6 new government ministries
Min Aung Hlaing, voted by pro-military lawmakers as president on April 3, proposed a change to the total number of ministries in the capital Naypyidaw on Monday. He wants 31 ministries to be run by 30 ministers, which is an increase from 25 ministries led by 25 ministers during the National League for Democracy (NLD) administration led by Aung San Suu Kyi that governed Burma from 2016 up until Min Aung Hlaing led the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021 and placed her in detention.
The six new ministries Min Aung Hlaing proposed were announced by the speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Aung Lin Dwe on April 6. They are the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Hotels, Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, and the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications. The President’s Office was split into two with a new Ministry of President’s Office proposed.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs would be split into two. The culture portfolio would be moved from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. The Ministry of Industry would be rebranded to include Small and Medium Enterprise Development, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications would be renamed the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, with transport separated into its own ministry.
Regime relaxes fuel purchase rule for commercial vehicles
The regime’s Ministry of Energy stated that commercial vehicles, including taxis, three-wheelers, and cargo trucks are allowed to buy fuel up to three times a week depending on the mileage since April 3. The regime’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) restricted vehicle owners from purchasing fuel from once every 24 hours to once or twice a week depending on the vehicle’s engine power on March 22.
The ministry added that its quick response (QR) code system for drivers to purchase petrol was extended to the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein, and towns along the Yangon-Pyay-Magway highway on April 3. The system was first introduced in Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw and the Shan State capital Taunggyi on March 12. A total of 879 out of 2,943 fuel stations nationwide have adopted the QR system, according to the ministry.
One litre of 92-octane gasoline increased 4,450-4,625 MMK ($1.05-1.10 USD) but 95-octane gasoline decreased from 4,975-4,780 MMK ($1.18-1.13 USD) April 2-6, according to the regime-controlled Petroleum Products Regulatory Department. The price of diesel rose 5,450-5,680 MMK ($1.29-1.35 USD) with premium diesel up 6,085-6,805 MMK ($1.44-1.62 USD).
Min Aung Hlaing meets Theresa Lazaro, the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the newly-appointed Special Envoy of the ASEAN 2026 Chair on Myanmar, in Naypyidaw on Jan. 6. (Credit: Regime media)
Philippines to continue engaging with Myanmar
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 Chair the Philippines stated that it will continue to engage with Burma following Min Aung Hlaing’s elevation to the presidency on Friday. The Philippines News Agency reported on April 4 that Malacañang Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that Manila is taking note of recent political developments in Naypyidaw, including the new president.
“The Philippines will continue to engage relevant authorities and stakeholders in Myanmar through Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar, as well as through our respective embassies,” said Castro. The Philippines continues to abide by the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan agreed to by Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 – following his 2021 coup – but not implemented upon his return to Burma.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Lazaro as the Philippines’ Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar, as part of Manila’s role in supporting regional efforts to address the crisis in Burma. Castro said the Philippines remains committed to supporting ASEAN’s collective efforts and urged renewed momentum toward the “full and effective” implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
News by Region
MON—A resident of Mudon Township told DVB that a cargo truck driver was killed by an unknown armed group along the Mawlamyine-Thanpyuzayet road on Saturday. Mudon is located 16 miles (25 km) south of the state capital Mawlamyine.
Mudon residents told DVB on the condition of anonymity that fighting between regime and resistance forces followed the shooting. Pro-military media blamed the New Mon State Party – Anti-Dictatorship, an NMSP splinter group established in February 2024.
NAYPYIDAW—The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) blacklisted 286 companies and five executive members of the Htoo Trading Company, including tycoon Tay Za and his son Pyae Phyo Tay Za, for “failing to deposit their export earnings from 2021-25 into their domestic bank accounts in foreign currency within a designated period.”
The 2023-amendment to the 2012 Foreign Exchange Management Law requires earnings from exports to Asian countries to be deposited within 30 days of shipment, while earnings from exports to other countries must be done within 60 days. The Htoo Group of Companies was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2022.
SAGAING—Residents of Salingyi Township told DVB that the Wanbao Letpadaungtaung copper mine resumed operations last week, after it was shut down in December. Salingyi, located 27 miles (43 km) south of the region’s capital Monywa, is reportedly contested between the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and regime forces.
Around 500 workers have resumed operating the China-backed mine, according to a local politician. The military regained control of Tigyaing town, located 182 miles (292 km) northeast of Monywa, and the China-backed Tagaung nickel processing plant from the PDF on March 31.
YANGON—A source close to the regime’s Dagon Seikkan Township Police told DVB that they are seeking two unidentified men accused of robbery on Monday. The two allegedly stole nearly 20o million MMK ($48,076 USD) from the Asia Dragon factory in Industrial Zone 1 on Sunday.
Factory workers told DVB on the condition of anonymity that security allowed the two men to enter the factory during their lunch break, believing them to be inspectors. Police questioned factory workers following the robbery. The two men fled the scene by motorcycle. Police are investigating.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,140 MMK)
Read our latest DVB English News op-ed: Examining India’s support for the Myanmar military.
