After she was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday for insulting State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on social media, well-known USDP supporter Sandi Myint Aung posted a photo of herself on Facebook with the caption “Bye bye”.
Among the many comments she received was one from Kyu Kyu Hla – the wife of Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. In the comment, the Kyu Kyu Hla says: “Best of luck.”
Sandi Myint Aung replied “Thanks mom.”
After several people shared screenshots of the comment, Sandi Myint Aung’s post was deleted.
Many on social media interpreted Kyu Kyu Hla’s comment on the USDP supporter’s photo as her own display of support for Myanmar’s main opposition party.
Sandi Myint Aung, 20, was found guilty by a Bago Township court under the controversial Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law. The law has frequently been used to prosecute critics of the military or of the government.
She was initially arrested on November 29, 2016, after a suit was filed against her by Lin Lei Lei Hlaing – the daughter of an NLD press officer in Bago.
Sandi Myint Aung has attracted a large social media following for her public support of the Myanmar military and of the USDP – the military-affiliated political party that held a majority in parliament from 2011 to 2015.
Kyu Kyu Hla regularly accompanies her husband as a member of military delegations to foreign countries.
Though most of the duties of governance were transferred to civilian control in 2011, the military and three related government ministries remain autonomous and answer to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
As of last week, 60 lawsuits have been filed under Section 66(d) since the NLD took control of the government.
