Mya Tun Oo

Mya Tun Oo (; ; born 5 May 1961) is a Burmese politician and retired military officer who concurrently serves as Union Minister for Transport and Union Minister for Digital Development and Communications since April 2026. He was elected as a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw in 2025-26 general election.

From 2021 to 2026, he served as Union Minister for Transport and Communications of Myanmar, Union Minister of Defence and member of the State Administration Council (SAC) from 2021-2025. He was also a deputy prime minister from February 2023 to July 2025.

Early life and education Mya Tun Oo was born on 5 May 1961 in Seikgyi Village, Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma). He graduated from the 25th Cadet Course at the Defence Services Academy in 1980.

Military career Mya Tun Oo's rapid rise through the armed forces was noted by political observers, known for his professional record in both field combat and staff roles. By 2010, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, serving as the rector of the Defence Services Academy, his alma mater. From 2011 to 2012, he served as the commander of the Eastern Central Command, which encompasses central Shan State. In 2012, he was promoted to the rank of major general, serving as the army's chief of staff, chief of military security affairs, and chief of the Bureau of Special Operations 6. From 2015 to 2017, he headed the Bureau of Operations - 5, which includes the Naypyidaw and Western Commands. On 26 August 2016, he was promoted to the rank of general, and made the chief of general staff for the army, navy, and air force. After years of speculation, he was appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services as the Minister for Defence on 1 February 2021. On the following day (2 February 2021), he was appointed a member of the State Administration Council by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services.

Political career Mya Tun Oo ran and was elected as the Union Solidarity and Development Party candidate for Pyithu Hluttaw in Pyinoolwin Township, Mandalay Region, in the 2025–26 Myanmar general election, considered a sham process by independent observers.

Sanctions The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Mya Tun Oo since 11 February 2021, pursuant to Executive Order 14014, in response to the Burmese military's coup against the democratically elected civilian government of Burma. The US sanctions include a freezing of any assets in the US and a ban on transactions with US individuals.

The Government of Canada has also imposed sanctions on him since 18 February 2021, pursuant to Special Economic Measures Act and Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, in response to the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Canadian sanctions include freezing potential assets in Canada and a ban on transactions with Canadian individuals.

HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of United Kingdom have also imposed sanctions on him since 18 February 2021, for his responsibility for serious human rights violations in Burma. The UK sanctions include freezing potential assets held in the UK and a ban on traveling or transiting to the UK.

Furthermore, the Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on him since 22 March 2021, pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2021/479 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/480 which amended Council Regulation (EU) No 401/2013, for his responsibility for the military coup and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators. The EU sanctions include freezing of assets under member countries of the EU and ban on traveling or transiting to the countries.

Personal life Mya Tun Oo is married to Thet Thet Aung.