The newly formed Mon State government is largely composed of representatives from the military and the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). This dominance extends from the Chief Minister down to the Ethnic Affairs Ministers.
On April 6, during the first regular session of the third Mon State Hluttaw, Major General Aung Win Than was unanimously confirmed as the Mon State Chief Minister.
The following day, April 7, the Hluttaw continued its session to appoint seven ministers and three Ethnic Affairs Ministers across the state government’s departments. Among the appointees, seven representatives are from the military and the USDP, two are from the Mon Unity Party (MUP), and one is from the Pa-O National Development Party (PNDP). All appointments were confirmed by the Hluttaw without objection, following the lists submitted by military leader Min Aung Hlaing.
New Mon State Government Leadership:
- Chief Minister: Major General Aung Win Than (Military Representative)
- Security and Border Affairs Minister: Colonel Kyaw Swar Myint (Military Representative)
- Planning and Finance Minister: Nai Layi Tamah (MUP Representative)
- Social Affairs Minister: Tint Zaw Htun (USDP Representative)
- Electricity, Energy, Industry, and Transportation Minister: U Min Zeya Oo (USDP Representative)
- Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Minister: U Min Myint Maung Lay (USDP Representative)
- Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Minister: Mi Lawi Han (MUP Representative)
- Municipal Affairs Minister: Dr. Aung Myat Kyaw Sein (USDP Representative)
- Pa-O Ethnic Affairs Minister: U Chit Thein (PNDP Representative)
- Karen Ethnic Affairs Minister: U Saw Aung Kyaw Thein (USDP Representative)
- Bamar Ethnic Affairs Minister: U Myo Min Hlaing (USDP Representative)
Nai Layi Tamah, appointed as the Planning, Finance, and Economic Minister, previously served as a member of the Mon State Military Council following the military takeover and continues to hold the economic portfolio. He was also recently awarded the “Wunna Kyaw Htin” title by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Mi Lawi Han, appointed as the Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Minister, was elected from the Ye Township constituency in the military-organized election.
Since the military takeover, the Mon Unity Party (MUP) has been included in the administration. In this new state government, the party has been granted additional positions. While MUP participation theoretically allows them to protect certain Mon community interests, analysts note that with the military and its affiliates dominating the government, the party’s actual influence may be minimal.
A young political observer commented, “Even though the MUP is in the government, the real authority remains with the military. They have no real voice. Just look at Nai Layi Tamah—what can he really do? It will likely continue like this.”
It remains to be seen whether the Mon Unity Party can genuinely safeguard the security and local interests of the Mon people within a state government dominated by the military, or if their role will remain largely symbolic.
