The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) is planning to issue new bank notes bearing the image of the country’s late national hero, General Aung San, a top official has said.
Vice governor of the CBM, Daw Khin Saw Oo, told the parliament that Aung San’s image would be featured on the upcoming bank notes, in response to a proposal by member of the parliament Thein Nyunt, who said his proposal had been accepted due to changes in the political environment.
“The central bank will issue bank notes bearing the images of country’s prominent leaders, buildings, landscapes and emblems with the permission of the union government,” Khin Saw Oo said.
However, she didn’t clarify as to which prominent leaders will be featured on the new banknotes.
General Aung San was the founder of the modern Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) and widely considered to be the father of modern-day Myanmar. He was responsible for bringing Myanmar’s independence from British colonial rule, but was assassinated six months before independence.
Affectionately known as “Bogyoke” (General), Aung San is still widely admired by the Myanmar people, and his name is still invoked in Myanmar politics to this day. He is also the father of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
General Aung San’s image was first featured on Myanmar bank notes in 1958. The 1, 5, 10 and 100-kyats were introduced on “Union Day” February 12, 1958, and 20 and 50-kyats on August 21. However, over the tenure of the previous military government his image was removed from the bank notes.
