Myanmar Gems and Jewellers’ Association says no trust in inquiry commission

04 June 2016
Myanmar Gems and Jewellers’ Association says no trust in inquiry commission
Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association member Kyaw Kyaw Oo speaks during a press meeting on Myanmar Gems Expo Committee's funds at Thiri Hall, Royal Rose Restaurant in Yangon on 2 June, 2016. Photo: Thura/Mizzima

Myanmar Gems and Jewellers’ Association Executive Committee member Kyaw Kyaw Oo said that they did not have trust in the inquiry commission which was investigating the alleged misappropriation of Euro 86 million from their fund because retired army officers had been included.
“The Director Generals in this commission are retired army colonels so their findings, in this case, will not be 100 percent true. This is our firm belief. So we sent an objection letter to them saying we cannot accept any findings of the commission. And we don’t have trust in it,” Kyaw Kyaw Oo said.
The Gems Association alleges the former government misappropriated Euro 86 million from the association’s fund which collects 1% sales tax from Association members.
Currently, this case is being investigated by a commission of inquiry led by Ministry of Mining, director general Win Htein. According to Kyaw Kyaw Oo, results of the investigation will be announced shortly.
The Gems and Jewellers’ Association said that they can only accept an inquiry commission constituted by representatives sent from House of Nationalities, House of Representatives, Attorney General Office, Auditor General Office, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Construction, and the Myanmar Gems and Jewellers’ Association.
Kyaw Kyaw Oo said that Euro 7 million was allegedly given to former President Thein Sein and Euro 5 million to former President Office Minister Soe Thein from the Euro 93 million fund and they would like to know on which projects the money was spent.
Former spokesman of the union government and former minister for the Ministry of Information Ye Htut said that the case may be politically motivated with the intention of smearing the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).