Sasa

Sasa (; ; ; also known as Salai Maung Taing San ), known honorifically as Dr Sasa, is a Chin medical doctor, philanthropist and civil society activist who served as the Minister of International Cooperation in the cabinet of National Unity Government. He previously served as the Special Envoy of Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) to the United Nations. He is the founder of Health and Hope, Sasa has been recognised as one of the "Tearfund's Inspired Individuals" for his contributions in Myanmar.

Early life and education Sasa was born circa 1980s in Lailenpi Town, Matupi District, Chin State. His name, Sasa, was given by his grandmother which means 'higher and higher' in Chin tradition. After he completed his secondary education from a high school in Yangon where he had to walk for two weeks to attend, he volunteered to improve education in his hometown.

Career Humanitarian work In 2007 his final year as a medical student, Sasa brought medical help and treated over 3,500 patients in towns where famine struck, including his hometown. When he graduated in 2009, Sasa started teaching primary healthcare to villagers, and founded Health and Hope Christian organization. The organization counts Charles III among its patrons.

Politics In 2020, Sasa became a leading member of the Chin State NLD's election committee for the general election.

At midnight on 1 February 2021, he was together with Aung San Suu Kyi before the coup. He fled across the border to India and evaded the arrest of the military, pretending to be a taxi driver. It was a three-day journey to get to safety.

On 22 February 2021, he was appointed as CRPH's Special Envoy to the United Nations. A few days later, on 4 March 2021, he submitted a letter to the United Nations Security Council requesting the international body to honour its Responsibility to Protect (R2P) commitments with reference to the 2021 Myanmar protests and the violent military response to them.

On 16 April 2021, he was appointed as the Minister of International Cooperation in the cabinet of the newly formed National Unity Government by the members of CRPH.

Lawsuit

Sasa was arrested by the Myanmar Police Force in 2021. The Dekkhina District Court issued an arrest warrant on 15 March. He was charged under Section 122 (2) of the Criminal Code for high treason as he had accepted the appointment of Myanmar Representative to the United Nations by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).