Rakhine Military ignores urgent request for cataract surgery from former Rakhine PM U Nyi Pu

Narinjara News, January 30, 2023

Former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu, who was sentenced to hard labor and long-term prison terms under various sections, requested permission from the Sittwe Prison jailer to undergo cataract surgery on one of his eyes but he has still not received any reply for more than five months.

Former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu, who is currently serving a long-term sentence in Sittwe prison, has cataracts in his left eye and blurred vision, and his family members said he needs surgery.

Ma Kyi Kyi Oo, U Nyi Pu’s eldest daughter, told Narinjara.” We wrote to the Jailer and asked for permission. It’s been a long time. It’s been five or six months.. One of his eyes is definitely blurry. It’s getting worse without treatment. I don’t know what other issues are going on, because I can’t talk to him directly.”

Former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu was sentenced to 2 years under Article 130(A) for voter fraud, and 9 years under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law with a 2-year jail term with hard labor under Section 505 (B) of the Penal Code - a total of 13 years in prison.

Since his arrest, his family members have not been allowed to meet him, nor have they been allowed to see him in prison when he requested permission to see him, his family members said.

The cases of Former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu and Cabinet Ministers were handled and sentenced by the Sittwe Prison Special Court.

The Military Council reduced the sentence of former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu and former State municipal minister U Min Aung by one-sixth of the punishment they are serving under Section 505 to commemorate the 75th Diamond Jubilee Independence Day on January 4.

Former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu and U Min Aung have been sentenced to long prison terms under Section 505 (B) as well as Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law and Article 130 (A) for voter fraud, respectively.

All five former cabinet ministers, including former Rakhine State Prime Minister U Nyi Pu, have been detained in Sittwe Prison since their arrest, and have not been allowed to meet their family members.