In 2005, during the military administration, the Max Myanmar Company confiscated the lands in Shwe Yaung Pya, Laohkhe (Win Gyi), Kyatayaw (Zee Wun), and Kalawkhe (Kha Lauk Inn) to use as rubber plantations. At the time they did not fully compensate those who had been using the land.

The residents made their demands on 21 April. Naw Muu Dar from Zee Wun village told KIC that they were making their demands for justice now because there is transparency and stability in the region now.

She said: “When they [the company] took our plantation we had nothing to do. We had to work in their rubber plantation to earn money. Actually, it was our plantation but we couldn’t say anything back [to them] so we had to give it [to the company]. When they gave us money for compensation, it was under the market value. After giving us money, they made us sign to prevent us from making further disturbance. Now, it’s not easy to get our land back. If possible I want full compensation.”

When Max Myanmar first confiscated the land in 2010 it gave 20,000 kyats per acre to affected residents. Then the residents demanded proper compensation of 500,000 kyats per acre and eventually Max Myanmar offered 200,000 kyats compensation per acre in 2014 and 2015.

The Max Myanmar owner, U Zaw Zaw, had agreed to help regional development by promising to build roads, bridges and schools and to supply electricity if the business was successful.

Locals claim that the company, despite its promises, has only built a few schools.

The Shwe Yaung Pya Village Administrator Saw Aung Moe Tun said: “U Zaw Zaw told us that he would carry them [regional developments] out if the business is successful. Now that the rubber sap can be collected [from the rubber trees] they still haven’t carried them out. Also, they entered this area claiming this was vacant land owned by the Burmese government and did not negotiate with the local residents. Actually, local people have been working here and this is KNU-controlled territory. In the past, we couldn’t speak up so we had to settle when they [Max Myanmar] wanted to settle. Now, we can speak up so we will speak up.”

The KNU Thaton District Chairman, Pado Saw Min Thein said: “When the company confiscated many lands and gave out compensation some residents received it and some didn’t. Some are satisfied while some are dissatisfied. Actually, public awareness on land law and land policy should have been raised first. When they took over the place [land], the local residents lost their place.”

According to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) over 90 people have lost land because of Max Myanmar’s land confiscation. They said that some of those have received some compensation, while others have received no compensation.

During the previous military administration the Burma Army also forcibly confiscated 500 acres of land to the west of Kyatayaw (Zee Wun) Village near to the land confiscated by Max Myanmar. The army still has not returned the land.

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI