Maungdaw, Arakan State: Rohingya businessmen in Maungdaw are finding it difficult to process their annual tax returns, according to a local businessman.

The businessman said Rohingya businessmen have always processed their annual tax through the local income tax office to operate legally.

The businessman said problems started occurring when a former military officer was appointed income tax officer to Maungdaw.

The new tax official, Myint Aung, previously worked as a township administrator. Myint Aung had a reputation among local business people for extorting money from the Rohingya community. His reputation was confirmed by an aide from the new tax official’s former office.

“He was put on trial when he was the administrator in Maungdaw and was transferred to central Burma because of his illegal activities. Now, he’s back to harass the Rohingya community. Maungdaw is a place where [corrupt] officers earn easy money by taking advantage of their position.”

The aide accused Myint Aung of demanding double the amount of tax for last year but only giving a receipt for half the amount to Rohingya businessmen.

A small rural rice mill operator said the income tax officer forced him to pay Kyat 50,000 as tax this year but the officer only gave him a receipt for Kyat 25,000.

He only extorts money from the Rohingya community in terms of more tax but other groups such as the Rakhine ethnic are left alone.

Meanwhile a local Maungdaw student said the military regime’s proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is making big election promises during campaign.

“The junta backed political party, USDP is mobilizing and wooing the Rohingya community promising many benefits, but it is just a sham.”