NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: A lakeside mansion in Myanmar, where Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi spent years under house arrest, was put up for auction with a minimum price of $150 million but failed to attract any bids, officials revealed.
The two-storey house, along with 1.9 acres of land, was listed for sale following a prolonged dispute between Suu Kyi and her brother over the property, amidst her detention following the 2021 military coup.
Before the auction commenced, a small gathering, mostly comprising journalists, assembled outside the colonial-era house on University Avenue. The auction opened by striking a bell three times by the officials.
Despite the advertised price of 315 billion kyats (equivalent to $150 million based on the official exchange rate), the auctioneer, clad in a sarong-like longyi, received no bids, prompting the closure of the auction.
Suu Kyi spent approximately 15 years confined within the mansion’s walls by the military, engaging in activities such as playing the piano, reading novels, and meditating, while her stature as a democracy leader grew amidst regular gatherings of supporters outside.
Released in 2010, Suu Kyi continued to reside at the villa, hosting various dignitaries, journalists, and diplomats until she was detained again following the military coup in 2021, leading to her imprisonment on contested charges.
Despite her diminished international image due to her association with the military, Suu Kyi remains popular in Myanmar, where her principles of non-violence are challenged by those now advocating armed resistance against military dominance.
Recently, Suu Kyi’s son received a letter from her, indicating that she remains in “strong spirits” amid her continued detention since the coup three years ago.
