He was forced to retire in 2001, accused of corruption, together with Lieutenant General Win Myint, the fourth-highest officer and Secretary 3 of the State Peace and Development Council.

The purging of these two from power was believed to be an effort by Khin Nyunt the 9th Prime Minister of Burma (Myanmar) and his predecessor, Than Shwe.

Khin Nyunt later underwent house arrest and those falsely charged of various accusations were revealed to the public.

While some analysts think that the sacking of the two powerful figures was to improve the business climate, others think that it was a clean-out of hardliners unhappy with the possibility of comprises with Aung San Suu Kyi.

[3] Lt Gen Tin Hla, being a Defence Services Academy graduate, is considered as Maung Aye's man.