The military junta has intensified the use of the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS), a digital surveillance technology, to monitor travelers more strictly, leading to more arrests and extortion at checkpoints across Mon State, according to local sources.
Officials have expanded the use of PSMS scanners at city entry and exit gates, road checkpoints, bridges, and vehicle inspection points, citing election security measures. The system allows authorities to quickly verify identities through smart cards or national registration numbers, but residents say it has made travel increasingly difficult.
A young man from Mawlamyine who was recently checked under the PSMS system said, “I try not to go out unless necessary. Last week, when I left Mawlamyine, the soldiers took my NRC number and checked it on their phones. Luckily, nothing happened.”
Since October 22, the system has reportedly been upgraded to identify more individuals listed as suspects, following leaked documents that circulated on social media instructing officials to expand their data collection.
During a recent Union government meeting, Chief Minister U Nyo Saw said security must be further tightened during the pre-election and election periods. In response, resistance forces have urged the public and travelers staying in guesthouses or hotels to remain cautious about surveillance and inspections.
Sources said not only travelers but also guests staying in hotels and lodging houses are being monitored through guest registration lists, with some suspected individuals detained.
A driver who regularly travels between Mawlamyine and Ye said, “now just having an NRC isn’t enough. They ask for smart cards and even recommendation letters. Last month, a teacher traveling with me was nearly arrested after soldiers checked her phone at the Mawlamyine checkpoint. She had to pay some money to get released.”
The PSMS software, reportedly supplied by Huawei, integrates AI, facial recognition, CCTV surveillance, and access to individuals’ smart card data, NRC numbers, phone numbers, bank accounts, and social media activity.
Although the military junta claims PSMS is used for security purposes, local sources say it primarily targets political activists, Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) participants, and military or police deserters.
