Film director whose grandson is studying abroad says forced conscription is something to be proud of

Ayeyarwaddy Times September 15 Director Pan Chi Soe Moe's statement that conscription is something to be proud of, in relation to the military government's forced conscription of young people, has drawn severe criticism on social media. At the premiere of the military's conscription propaganda film held at Myawaddy Center in Yangon on September 11, Director Pan Chi Soe Moe stated that people are being incited to fear conscription, and that conscription for the country is something to be proud of. "Conscription is not something to be afraid of. People are only afraid because they are being incited to fear it. In reality, it is something to be proud of," said Director Pan Chi Soe Moe. However, Pan Chi Soe Moe has sent his grandchildren, including his grandson Hein Kyaw Soe Moe, abroad for education. Pan Chi Soe Moe is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Film from the military junta in 2024. While urging other people's children to enlist, his act of sending his own grandchildren abroad for education has been criticized by the public. Criticisms have emerged stating that if conscription is truly something to be proud of, he should call back his grandchildren living abroad and make them enlist first. "Film is an art form that reaches the public most widely and quickly. It is frightening that people in the film industry are now helping the military and spreading propaganda. It will be like leeching blood, advancing little by little. If the public accepts it, it will have an effect," a citizen told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Director Pan Chi Soe Moe, who is supporting the military in one way or another with the film "Kyet Sin Maw Kun," is spreading propaganda that the conscription, which involves arresting young people and sending them to the front lines, is good and something to be proud of. The military has opened up to the 28th batch of conscripts, recruiting approximately 5,000 new soldiers per batch. Using the Conscription Law as an excuse, military officers, Pyu Saw Htee (pro-military militia) under the military, and village/ward administrative bodies have been arresting and forcibly conscripting young people. Even in major cities like Yangon, young people face danger when going out for work, and they are facing situations where reporting missing persons does not improve the situation. The post Film director whose grandson is studying abroad says forced conscription is something to be proud of appeared first on Ayeyarwaddy Times.