Rumors Shut Down : YGN Chief Denies Bribery Accusations, Sues Eleven Media

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein is suing Eleven Media Group and its CEO U Than Htut Aung, after the news agency allegedly suggested he took bribes for wearing an expensive watch.

The chief minister was accused of accepting a gift of a 100,000 USD Patek Philippe watch. 

At a press conference held yesterday, the Chief Minister said he has been wearing the watch long ago before he was assigned as Chief Minister of Yangon.

He added that a complaint letter has been sent to the Press Council.

Chief Minister, Yangon Region Government, Phyo Min Thein: We have assessed that it was defamation on me and the regional government. So, we will sue him in accordance with the Telecommunication Law. This is the initial step of taking action on the defamation stories posted on social media. We will also take necessary measures on the issues described on the print media in line with the law. We will also complaint to International Asia News Network for describing such kind of news without any concrete evidence. 

The Chief Minister also said that the new Government has been making effort for achieving transparency and anti-corruption. He stressed the needs of cooperation from the media sector in nation’s reform process.