Chaungzon township state Senator Dr. Aung Naing Oo first reported the corruption charges to state government officials last week, claiming the administrators in question advertised the sale of phone cards at market prices to raise funds for a national singing and dancing competition. Out of the 4,700,000 Kyat (US $4,712) generated from sales, less than a fourth was donated to the competition. The remainder was pocketed by the administrators to be loaned out with interest to undisclosed recipients, claimed Aung Naing.

Originally limited quantities of the government-subsidized phone cards were issued to each of Myanmar’s state divisions. They were to be distributed to township officials tasked with selling them to residents at reduced rates after winning them in lotteries. But once they were received by Chaungzon Township administrators they reportedly stole one card for every 45 given, claimed the state senator.

The accusations will be heard before a state-level jury. If a resolution isn't achieved, the case will be addressed on the Union level, Aung Naing Oo said.

This case will serve as a “moral test” of the three year old nominally civilian government, Dr. Aung Naing Oo said, adding that he hopes that Myanmar’s ambitions to become a real democracy have led to a government more capable of addressing corruption charges like these.