Two Myanmar political party leaders narrowly escape death

In what is suspected to have been an assassination attempt, two Myanmar political party leaders narrowly escaped death when a motorcycle pillion rider fired several shots in their direction in Bukit Bintang, two days ago.

Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) chairman, Dr Aye Maung, and Arakan League for Democracy party chairman, Aye Thor Aung, together with two other Myanmar nationals were in a BMW car in Jalan Alor when the shots were fired about 11.30pm.

As the shots went wide, the gunman escaped from the scene in the motorcycle ridden by an accomplice.

Initial police investigations have not ruled out that the duo could be Myanmar nationals.

According to a source, the leaders had just left a shopping centre (Plaza Low Yat) when their vehicle was attacked by the two men.

"Following the shooting, the car with Aye Maung sped to a hotel in the capital before a police report was lodged.

"No one was injured in the incident," the source told Bernama, Friday.

Criminal Investigation Department deputy chief, ACP Khairi Ahrasa confirmed the incident.

He said investigations were underway to determine the motive for the attempted murder.

Aye Maung is chairman of a commission established by the Myanmar Government to investigate ethnic riots in Rakhine, Myanmar.