Narinjara, 23 May 2025 

A 30-year-old man who came back to his parents from work in Malaysia because of health issues was apprehended by the military council in Pyay, Bago Region. His family reported to Narinjara that he was later forced to join the military. 

The young man is Ko Saw Win Naing (b) Puasy (32), son of U Maung Tin Win and Daw Maen Ni, hailing from Ward No. 4, Ma Ee Town in Taungup Township. 

A family member of his stated, “He came back to Rakhine from Malaysia because of health issues. He was taken into custody in Pyay last Sunday, May 18. He was subsequently taken to the Thaton Military Recruitment Office.” 

He claimed that Ko Saw Win Naing was taken against his will to the Thaton training ground in Mon State. 

“He informed military officials that he was unwell, but he was unable to. The officials refused to acknowledge that his legs were swollen due to his declining health. However, he was forcibly taken to Thaton for military training“.

He mentioned that his family is especially concerned about the detention and military duty of someone so ill. 

It is reported that instances occur where young individuals from Rakhine traveling to Malaysia, along with numerous youths returning from Yangon to Rakhine, have been detained and forced to serve by the military council. 

The Military Council launched Civil Service Training Course No. (1) on April 8, 2024, and until the present No. (13) batch, hundreds of young Rakhine individuals have been detained and forced to serve