The sources at the MAS, which was formerly known as Military Intelligence, said the transformation plan is being overseen by Aung Thaung, a leader of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and former minister of Industry-1.
“This week, senior officers held a meeting over matters such as who oversees the organization and under which department,” said an MAS official, adding that the plan would include measures to crack down on dissidents and any potential uprisings.
Swan Arr Shin (literally “Masters of Force” in English) became infamous after several violent incidents, most notably when they were involved in a mass attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy in Depayin in 2003, and nationwide monk-led demonstrations in 2007.
Swan Arr Shin was created in the early 2000s by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), the predecessor of the ruling party in Burma's new government, the USDP, and quickly became synonymous with organized crime.
MAS sources said that the USDP leadership is divided over the Swan Arr Shin issue, with those in favor of supporting the gang advocating the need for deterring dissident movements.
Meanwhile, Burma's Commander in Chief of Defense Services Gen Min Aung Hlaing is reportedly assuming responsibility for forming the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) which was abolished following former spy chief Gen Khin Nyunt’s removal.
The new NIB will be formed with at least three ministries: the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Border Affairs, sources said. The three ministries are headed by Maj-Gen Hla Min, Lt-Gen Ko Ko and Maj-Gen Thein Htay respectively.
Source: http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21186
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