By Hafizur Rahman
Maungdaw, 15 August 2025 — Rohingya shop owners in Maungdaw town have accused the Arakan Army/United League of Arakan (AA/ULA) Tax Department of extortion, corruption, and abusive behaviour, saying the group is imposing heavy and unjust taxes on their businesses despite the town’s already collapsing economy.
Shops Looted, Then Taxed
During the recent conflict, nearly all Rohingya-owned shops in Maungdaw were looted, with locals estimating that about three-quarters of their goods were stolen. At the time, residents say, only AA forces were present in the town, occupying key areas.
After the fighting, the AA allowed Rakhine and Hindu residents to return first. Two months later, Rohingya residents were also permitted to come back. It has now been almost four months since that return.
Many shop owners reopened with whatever they could salvage — selling family gold to buy new goods, borrowing from relatives, or starting with small inventories. But instead of being able to rebuild, they say they are now under constant pressure from the AA/ULA Tax Department.
“They tell us we must pay the amount they set, and if we refuse, they will close our shops,” one Rohingya shop owner told Rohingya Khobor. “They speak to us harshly, threaten us, and make us feel unsafe.”
A Burden Not Seen Before
Under the previous Myanmar government, small businesses such as barbershops, motorcycle repair shops, and betel nut sellers were not taxed at all. “In the past, we never paid tax for our type of shop,” another shop owner said. “Now AA is collecting money every six months, and they even want the payment in advance.”
Locals say the town’s economy is in free fall. The marketplace is nearly empty, with few buyers and sellers. Prices for fish and essential goods remain high, squeezing both business owners and customers. “We are just selling what little we have left, but customers are almost gone,” one resident said.
The New Tax Rates
According to information gathered by Rohingya Khobor, the AA/ULA Tax Department is charging fixed six-month tax rates based on shop type:
- General goods shops, pharmacies, and electronics shops — 150,000 kyats each
- Betel nut shops and barbershops — 60,000 kyats
- Motorcycle/car repair, jewelry, and tire shops — 100,000 kyats
- Auto parts shops — 200,000 kyats
- Gold shops — 250,000 kyats
On top of these charges, every shop is required to pay an additional 10,000 kyats as a “license fee.”
A Community Under Strain
Shop owners and residents say these tax demands are making survival almost impossible. With limited customers, high prices, and ongoing harassment, many fear their businesses — and their only means of livelihood — will not last.
“This is not just about money,” one business owner said. “It is about whether we can live here at all.”
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