The junta-appointed government in Mon State could not clearly answer questions raised in the Mon State Parliament regarding excessive money collection at checkpoints and whether effective action would be taken under the Anti-Corruption Law.
The issue arose during the Mon State parliamentary session on June 16 when U Thant Zaw, the representative for Constituency No. 2 in Kyaikmaraw Township, questioned the state government about measures to address widespread money collection at checkpoints across Mon State.
The lawmaker noted that excessive monetary demands at both illegal and officially established checkpoints contribute to rising commodity prices and increased livelihood difficulties for the public.
He said that while people already face economic hardship due to political instability and weak rule of law, personnel, inspection teams, and security forces at checkpoints along trade routes should refrain from imposing additional financial burdens by collecting excessive money.
"These payments collected at checkpoints don’t generate a single kyat in tax revenue for the state. Instead, they only benefit the individuals collecting money along transportation routes for their own interests," U Thant Zaw said.
Responding to the question, Nai Leyie Ta Ma, the junta-appointed Mon State Minister for Planning and Finance, stated that 40 checkpoints have been established across the state and that joint inspection teams comprising multiple departments are checking the transportation of illegal goods.
Citing a recent enforcement case, he said eight customs officials at the Mayanchaung checkpoint in Bilin Township were charged after allegedly accepting unauthorized payments in exchange for allowing the transport of goods without the required customs duties. The case was filed at Kyaikto Township's main police station on February 27, he added.
However, when U Thant Zaw followed up by asking what specific measures would be taken against excessive money collection at both legal and illegal checkpoints, Nai Leyie Ta Ma did not provide a direct answer during the session, saying he would submit a written response at a later date.
