Statues of Gen Aung San Disappear as Myanmar Junta Gears for Election

The military regime removed a statue of Myanmar’s late independence hero General Aung San—the father of jailed civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi—in downtown Bago at midnight on Friday, residents told The Irrawaddy.

Residents said they were not informed in advance about the removal, suggesting that the move was either politically motivated or done as yadaya—Burmese magic rituals to avert misfortune and bring good luck—which Myanmar’s military leaders are openly obsessed with.

One Bago resident said the action stemmed from current military chief Min Aung Hlaing’s jealously of Gen. Aung San—the founder the Myanmar’s modern armed forces.