YMBA confers religious titles on junta-appointed Arakan State chief minister, monks

By Admin 03 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

3 November 2025, Sittwe

The Young Men's Buddhist Association (Central) has conferred religious titles on four prominent Buddhist monks from Sittwe, Arakan State, and three individuals, including the junta-appointed Arakan State chief minister, for their contributions to national and religious affairs.

The abbots of Shwe Cedi Monastery and Abaya Rakkhita Monastery in Sittwe were conferred with the Agga Maha Mingala Jotikadaja titles, while the abbots of Thelchaung Monastery and Shwetaung Monastery received the Maha Mingala Jotikadaja titles, according to the junta-controlled Ministry of Information.

Junta-appointed Arakan State Chief Minister U Htein Lin was conferred with the Maha Mingala Jotikadaja title. Chairman of the Rakkhita Swan Arr Parahita Association U Win Maung Maung received the Mingala Jotikadaja title, and Secretary of the Arakan State YMBA U Maung Thein Khaing received the Mingala Dhamma Jotikadaja title.

The title conferring ceremony was held on November 2 at the Arakan State Government Office in Sittwe and was attended by YMBA (Central) Chairman U Ye Tun, the state chief minister, the Western Regional Commander, departmental staff, and Buddhist monks.

"I see it as the military using devout Arakanese Buddhist monks to exploit the local people. Using religion is a routine practice that the military rulers rely on in every political move," said a local man from Sittwe.

Myanmar's military regime has been accused of using the YMBA to politically exploit popular Buddhist monks by awarding them religious titles in an effort to hold elections and mobilize the Arakanese public.

The YMBA frequently awards titles such as the Agga Maha Mingala Dhamma Jotikadaja to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the state and religion, and the Maha Mingala Dhamma Jotikadaja to those recognized for religious and social service.

Founded around 1907, the YMBA has engaged in ethnic, religious, Buddhist, social, and patriotic activities.

"These groups were once leaders in Myanmar's independence struggle and were truly historic organizations. But in later years, they changed their stance and became a group used by the military," said an Arakanese man living in Yangon.

Though the YMBA was once recognized as a key organization in the Burmese independence movement, it has faced criticism for the political stance of some of its leaders since independence.

The YMBA also awarded junta chief Min Aung Hlaing the Mingala Dhamma Jotikadaja title and named him a permanent patron of the association in October 2019. He received another title, Thadoe Thiri Agga Maha Mingala Jotikadaja, in December 2020.

Despite awarding religious titles, organizing national ceremonies, and providing charitable and educational support, YMBA leadership has been criticized by pro-democracy activists for aligning itself with the military.