Jersey knit by Suu Kyi sells for $50k

2012-12-28 10:00

A hand-knit woollen sweater, made by Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu kyi, is displayed on the stage during an auction at a fundraising concert. (Khin Maung Win, AP)

Yangon - A hand-knit woollen jersey made by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has sold at an auction in Myanmar for almost $50 000.

A Myanmar-based radio station won a bidding war for the jersey during an auction on Thursday night held by Suu Kyi's opposition party. The bidding started at $6 000.

Suu Kyi has not yet commented on the sale of the sweater - a red, green and blue V-neck - or explained its background. It sold for 41 500 000 kyat, or $49 000.

The auction was part of a fundraising concert organised by the National League for Democracy party to raise money for education of poor children in the impoverished country.

Suu Kyi, a 67-year-old former political prisoner, has become Myanmar's biggest celebrity as the country transitions from a half-century of military rule.

- SAPA