Singer Chaink K Ko, known by his stage name Banana, has been arrested for violating Covid-19 rules after singing at a child’s birthday party in Mandalay region.
The 26-year-old TikTok star has been charged under sections 25 and 30(a) of the Natural Disaster Management Law, which outlaw causing a disaster through wilful or negligent act and failing to comply with a government directive, carrying maximum three and one year prison terms.
“Since he has been charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law, there’s no bail to grant him and we will proceed to take him to the court,” a Myittha police officer told reporters on January 5.
Local resident Zaw Min Htike, who faces the same charges, hired Chaink K Ko to sing at his 10-year-old daughter’s birthday party at Min Wun village on December 3. He had sought permission from the ward administrator to hold an event for 50 people, according to media reports, but his application did not mention there would be entertainment with the singer and a band.
Chaink K Ko, whose whimsical videos set mostly in the Myanmar countryside have earned him a following of nearly 1 million on Facebook and Twitter, posted a clip of his performance, which was later removed by authorities.
Comedian Dane Daung claims to have convinced ‘Banana’ to give himself up to the police on January 4.
“I am glad he listened to me and surrendered himself,” Dane Daung told Myanmar Celebrity TV. “I will help him with whatever he needs in there.”
Chaink K Ko came to prominence through his 2018 Myanmar Idol audition, when long-time entertainer Myanmar Pyi Thein Than fed him a banana, hence the name (go to 2.38 of this video for the slightly unnerving episode).
