First Muslim Administrator Appointed Under Arakkha Rule

Article Translation

Global Arakan Network December 8, 2025

Deputy Township Administrator, La La Mya (photocrd)

A 59-year-old man with deep black eyes, brown skin, a somewhat short stature, and an ordinary appearance has now taken up the position of Deputy Township Administrator in Buthidaung Township, Maungdaw District, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA).

His name is U La La Mya. He is one of the first Muslim men to receive a senior administrative position in the new government restructured by the AA.

During previous successive governments, U La La Mya had wanted to become a government employee and school teacher, but that dream remained out of reach. The reason was that, under the 1982 Myanmar Citizenship Law, Muslims faced restrictions on being recognised as national races and on citizenship rights, so they were never legally allowed to hold government service positions.

However, as someone who deeply values education, U La La Mya—who studied up to the 10th standard—never gave up on life. Starting in 1985, at the age of 19, he stood on his own as a private tutor. For a total of 13 years, he taught in Far Waut Chaung village and Auk Phyu Ma village in Maungdaw Township, as well as in the basic education school (Nga/Khu Ra), contributing to the benefit of the community.

“I originally worked as a teacher. I started when I was 19 years old. Later on, I also took on responsibilities in village administration and community roles,” he said, reflecting on his past.

When fighting intensified between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military junta in Rakhine State around 2018, U La La Mya began participating in political activities. He joined the AA and became a leader who mobilised and encouraged Muslims in Buthidaung and Maungdaw areas to join the revolution.

After serving in the AA’s Muslim mobilisation team and later in village administration (jury) committees, in August 2025 the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government officially appointed him as the Second Township Administrator of Buthidaung Township.

“Under the military council’s rule, our people were never appointed to any positions—not in the education department nor in administration. We didn’t have citizenship rights either. In Buthidaung Township, a Muslim had never been able to serve in any official capacity. But now, the Army (AA) has appointed us,” U La La Mya said proudly.

In previous governments, only ethnic Rakhine were allowed to administer Muslim villages, but according to the Muslim community, the AA now places Muslims in administrative roles specifically in Muslim villages.

After the Arakan Army fully captured and gained control of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships in 2024, from 2025 onward it has been operating administrative mechanisms in the form of a new government. A notable change in this transition is that Muslims are now being given positions in the administrative sector.

Currently in Maungdaw District, it is reported that approximately 5,000 Muslim civil servants are serving from the village level up to the district level. They are working in various departments, including the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS), General Administration, and Intelligence.

“In the Arakan motherland, there are eight ethnic groups. Among them, people serve in civil service positions, armed forces, and administrative bodies. In both Buthidaung and Maungdaw, many Muslims are serving in sub-townships and townships. Muslims are also part of the intelligence units. We are serving in various departments,” said an 18-year-old Muslim youth currently working in DLEPS.

Previously, support from the Muslim community for the AA was only around 50%, but now, due to the non-discriminatory policies of the ULA/AA government, trust has significantly increased, according to U La La Mya’s assessment.

He believes that Rakhine State is a place where not only ethnic Rakhine but also other ethnic nationalities must live together, and everyone has a duty to protect and care for it.

“The goal is not for only Rakhine people to live in Rakhine. We will live here too. That’s why we also have responsibilities,” U La La Mya said with the awareness of a citizen’s duty.

This news article was written by Khin Thiri Phee Oo and published by Than Lwin Khet News Agency on December 6.