U Po Kyin: A corrupt and cunning ma

U Po Kyin: A corrupt and cunning magistrate who is hideously overweight but groomed perfectly and can afford anything. He is 56 and the “U” in his name is his title, which is honorific in the Burmese society. He feels he can commit whatever wicked acts he wants – cheat people of their money, jail the innocent, abuse young girls – because although, " According to Buddhist belief those who have done evil in their lives will spend the next incarnation in the shape of a rat , frog or some other low animal", he intends to provide against these sins by devoting the rest of his life to good works such as financing the building of pagodas, "and balance the scales of karmic justice."[13] He continues his plans to attack Dr. Veraswami, instigating a rebellion as part of the exercise, to make Dr. Veraswami look bad and eliminate him as a potential candidate of the club, so he can secure the membership for himself. He believes his status as a member of the club will cease the intrigues that are directed against him. He loses pre-eminence when Flory and Vereswami suppress the riot. After Flory dies, Kyin becomes a member of the European Club. Shortly after his admission into the club he dies, unredeemed, before the building of the pagodas. "U Po has advanced himself by thievery, bribery, blackmail and betrayal, and his corrupt career is a serious criticism of both the English rule that permits his success and his English superiors who so disastrously misjudge his character.