Security checkpoints, inspection teams and security personnel across Mon State are demanding excessive payments from the public under the pretext of maintaining security, Mon State Hluttaw representative U Thant Zaw said during a parliamentary session.
U Thant Zaw, the representative for Kyaikmaraw Township Constituency No. 2, raised the issue while questioning the state government in the Mon State Hluttaw.
He said the number of security checkpoints operating across the state has increased beyond what is necessary, with some carrying out improper practices under the guise of security.
According to U Thant Zaw, some checkpoints stop vehicles and demand money from travelers by citing issues unrelated to security inspections.
He said the excessive payments collected at checkpoints have increased transportation costs, contributing to rising commodity prices and placing an even greater burden on people’s livelihoods.
At a time when people are already struggling because of political instability and weak rule of law, checkpoints, inspection teams and security personnel along trade routes should not be imposing excessive financial demands on the public, he said.
“There are far too many checkpoints, and the amount of money people have to pay is excessive. Transportation costs are added to the prices of goods, which is one of the reasons commodity prices continue to rise,” U Thant Zaw said.
He also argued that the money collected at the checkpoints generates no tax revenue for the state but instead benefits those operating them.
U Thant Zaw called on the state parliament to ensure that officials responsible for demanding excessive payments at checkpoints are prosecuted effectively under the Anti-Corruption Law.
Responding to his question, Nai Layi Tama, the military junta-appointed Mon State Minister for Planning, Economy and Finance, said joint inspection teams from multiple government departments are operating at 40 checkpoints across the state to inspect illegal goods.
However, the state military junta administration did not respond to U Thant Zaw’s request for effective action under the Anti-Corruption Law against officials accused of extorting money at security and inspection checkpoints.
