Yangon District Court Set For Historical Auction
The family home of Myanmar’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is poised for auction. The colonial villa holds historical and political importance in Myanmar and is set to start bidding at an estimated $90 million. The auction, decided to hold on March 20, is a result of the Supreme Court granting Aung San Suu Kyi’s estranged brother, Aung San Oo, half ownership of the property, based on news from the source of Reader Wall.
Saga of a Historic Estate
The property, spread over 1.923 acres, was given to Suu Kyi’s mother following the assassination of her husband, General Aung San, a national hero behind Myanmar’s independence, in the year 1947. The house later became a symbol of Suu Kyi’s political struggle and turned into an informal base for her political party, the National League for Democracy.
The same property also served as Suu Kyi’s prison when she was held under house arrest for 15 years. Currently, she is undergoing a 27-year sentence on contentious charges after the military seized power in February 2021, a move that has been condemned worldwide.
A Lengthy Legal Battle
The property dispute, which Aung San Oo kick-started in the year 2000, was unresolved for years. However, following the military coup, the Supreme Court expedited the case resulting in a decision favouring the auction. This judgement, according to Suu Kyi’s supporters, is unfair since she has not been given any opportunity to respond due to her imprisonment.
Controversy Over the Auction
The planned auction has led to a stir and opposition within the nation. The National Unity Government, which refuses to acknowledge the military rule, has declared the property a cultural heritage site, thereby prohibiting its sale or demolition. This has set the scene for potential dispute over the court’s judgement. Despite the nearing date of the auction, the future of this symbolic property remains uncertain, leaving Myanmar’s political scene in a state of flux.
The fate of this historical property, as the auction draws near, continues to be uncertain and may have a significant impact on an already volatile political environment in Myanmar. These details have been sourced from Reader Wall.
