Mahn Johnny (Burmese: မန်းဂျော်နီ) is a Burmese politician, political prisoner and the former Chief Minister for Ayeyarwady Region. He is currently serving as a member of the Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw for Kyonpyaw Township Constituency No. 2.[1]
Early life and education
Johnny matriculated from high school in 1960 and studied at the Bassein Regional College.[2] From 1965 to 1986, he worked as a primary and secondary school teacher.[2] In 1980, he received a diploma in education from the Rangoon Institute of Education.[2] Johnny is an ethnic Karen and a Catholic.[3][4]
Political career
In the 1990 Burmese general election, he was elected as an Pyithu Hluttaw MP, winning a majority of 31,731 votes (73% of the votes), but was never allowed to assume his seat.[2]
In the 2012 Myanmar by-elections, he won a seat in the Pyithu Hluttaw, representing Myaungmya Township.[5]
In the 2015 Myanmar general election, Johnny won a seat in the Ayeyarwady Region Hluttaw, representing Kyonpyaw Township.[6]
Johnny resigned from his position as Chief Minister of Ayeyarwady Region on 9 January 2018, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by Hla Moe Aung.
2021 Anti-Coup Resistance
In late August, photos of Mahn Johny wearing army fatigues and a large loaded rifle were published and spread on Facebook.[7] The military junta was raided the following day, allegedly seizing property. In an interview with Myanmar Now, Johnny stated that he would continue fighting against the injustice of the coup.[8] Johnny's house would later be sealed and his sons and daughters-in-law ordered to leave the premises.[9][10]
References