Daw Lei Lei Maw, the Tanintharyi Region Chief Minister, has been arrested on alleged corruption and bribery charges. According to a report in The Irrawaddy, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesperson U Kyaw Soe said the arrest came after a month-long investigation conducted in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region. Another three people, all businessmen, have also been arrested under the anti-corruption law, the article said. The commission said that Lei Lei Maw had misused her position as chief minister several times since becoming chief minister. The charges are related to awarding contracts for the construction of a pavilion for a New Year event in 2016. Additionally, an overpriced contract for the removal of bushes close to Dawei University and Dawei Airport were awarded. She is also accused of selling her house at multiple times the market value to a private company in exchange for awarding contracts for an electricity distribution project. The case against Lei Lei Maw was filed under Article 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law. It carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine, if found guilty.
