The military released over 7,700 prisoners to mark the Full Moon Day of Waso (Buddhist Lent). They also the five charges of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and mitigated two years of imprisonment from 12 years jail sentence of President U Win Myint. Likewise, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) stated about 100 political prisoners were released.

 

On 31 July before the statement of amnesty, the junta extended the country’s state of emergency for another six months in violation of the 2008 constitution. According to Article 425 of the military-backed Constitution, if the chief-in-commander cannot perform the assigned tasks, they can extend 6 months of emergency state for two times only. But the current junta has already extended the state of emergency for six times since they seized power in February 2021.

 

The National Defence and Security Council led by acting president U Myint Swe, said they assumed the current political situations in Myanmar are not stable yet. The spokesperson of US, Matthew Miller disclosed that it is a negligence of democracy by junta and it will worsen the political hardships the country is undergoing.

 

Military leader Min Aung Hlaing who is notorious for killing people held the consecration ceremony of Maravijaya Buddha Statue on 01 August. The statue is the duplication of Khutotaw Pagoda and 900 monks from 9 countries attended that ceremony. That stone was transferred by old dictator Than Shwe to the military. That Pagoda cost around 40 million dollars.

 

The infamous cronies including Maung Weik donated over 38 million dollars. On that day, the vice president of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Kyaukme Sayadaw preached the sermons that made Min Aung Hlaing failed to praise the sermon. Subsequently, the master of military, Thitagu Sayadaw's sermon of "Smiling Buddha" became a comic for Myanmar people.

 

A day after consecration ceremony, the junta dismissed a dozen of ministers including Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture, chief justice of Supreme Court U Htun Htun Oo, Minister of Electric Power, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Labour, former junta minister Maung Ko and Dr. Aung Kyaw Min.

 

Then, they announced a cabinet reshuffle. The Minister of Home affairs Lieutenant-General Soe Htut was replaced by Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae, Minister of Defence Gener​al Mya Htun Oo was assigned to   Ministry of Transport and Communications, Minister of Transport and Communications Tin Aung San was assigned to Defence ministry, Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Thet Thet Khine was assigned to Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. Moreover, the Auditor General, chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission, the chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission were removed from their positions.

 

The junta printed 20,000 MMK cash on 01 August as the remark of sculpting Buddha state and 1st birthday of white elephant

 

"According to the numbers on the 20,000 bills, they printed around 4 millions of sheets," some people alleged.

 

The price of foreign currency exchange and basic commodity increased enormously before and after printing of 20,000 bills.

 

The price of a bag of rice increased by 15000 MMK above the normal market price and some shops closed temporarily due to instability in the market prices. Moreover, one viss of edible oil increased to over 9,000 MMKs One US dollar is being exchanged at around 4,000 MMKs and gold price reached to 36 lakhs. The increasing prices was the worst since the junta two power over two years ago and the people are still facing with the continues rise in inflation.

 

 Burma Associated Pres