Democratic Voice of Burma |
- Parents of Koh Tao suspects prepare to visit their boys
- Bullet Points: 17 October 2014
- Former Min. of Religious Affairs sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment
- BUSINESS WEEKLY 17 OCTOBER 2014
- DVB’s Top 10 tips for visitors to Burma
- MoI modifies printing and publishing rules
- Burma’s pygmy people face extinction
- Burma, Japan and Thailand sign MoU to build Myeik power plant
- Kachin rebels, govt forces in standoff at Hpakant
| Parents of Koh Tao suspects prepare to visit their boys Posted: 17 Oct 2014 05:26 AM PDT The parents of two Burmese migrants suspected of murder on the Thai island of Koh Tao are preparing to visit their sons. They just need Thai visas, after being recently furnished with Burmese passports. The families from Arakan state in western Burma maintain that their sons are innocent. |
| Bullet Points: 17 October 2014 Posted: 17 Oct 2014 05:18 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points:
You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news. |
| Former Min. of Religious Affairs sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment Posted: 17 Oct 2014 05:18 AM PDT Former Religious Affairs Minister Hsan Hsint was found guilty of sedition and criminal breach of trust on Friday by a district court in Naypyidaw, where he was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment and a 100,000 kyat fine. Hsan Hsint's lawyer Tin Tun said his client was sentenced to three years for criminal breach of trust (Article 409 of the Penal Code) and 10 years plus a 100,000 kyat (US$100) fine for sedition (Article 124(a) of the Penal Code). The lawyer said the defence team paid the fine immediately after the verdict and that they are planning to appeal the jail sentences at Mandalay Division's high court next week. "Right now we are awaiting a court order permitting [Hsan Hsint] to grant power of attorney around Tuesday. We expect to file the appeal in Mandalay [Division's high court]" said Tin Tun. After the verdict, Hsan Hsint attempted to tell reporters something as he was being taken away from court by police officers, but he only managed to utter "The judicial and the executive sectors … " after which he was quickly pulled away from the crowd by his police escorts. Then, as he left scene, Hsan Hsint said that he will fight against the verdict in accordance with the law. The former religious affairs minister was charged with criminal breach of trust charge for misappropriating public funding, while the sedition charge was for reportedly saying that the military government ruling the country was "fake" and that only the next military government will be real. Hsan Hsint's lawyer slammed the verdict as unfair. "It's like they are still tying a rope around him, and whether they take it off or not is their decision alone. This is how the courts work, and if you ask me whether I'm happy with the verdict, I would say no," said Tin Tun. Related StoriesOn Thursday, Burma's parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann sent a petition to President Thein Sein containing signatures from over 50 MPs which urged the government to exercise leniency on Hsan Hsint. MP Khin Maung Yi, who collected signatures for the petition, said: "I view U Hsan Hsint, who was just sentenced, as an enthusiastic participant in our country's reforms. This sentence makes me wonder whether he was purged for his liberal ideas." Hsan Hsint was arrested on 19 June, stripped of his position, and accused of mishandling a raid on Mahasantisukha Monastery in Rangoon. The raid took place on 10 June and resulted in the detention of five monks—including prominent Buddhist leader Uttara—for their alleged involvement in a land dispute. The monks were subsequently disrobed and charged for insulting religion and inciting mutiny, a move widely denounced by the Burmese public and religious leaders. Shortly after his arrest, allegations emerged that Hsan Hsint had also misused up to US$10,000 in public funds. |
| BUSINESS WEEKLY 17 OCTOBER 2014 Posted: 17 Oct 2014 04:23 AM PDT
Ups and Downs Burma's currency remains stable: buying rate is 991 kyat to the US dollar, while selling at 996. Gold is up in value from 651,900 kyat per tical to 657,500 kyat. Fuel prices remain constant: petrol 820 kyat; diesel 950 kyat; octane 950 kyat per litre. High-quality Pawsanhmwe rice is still 1,300-1,700 kyat per basket, while low-quality Manawthukha rice is set at 900 kyat per basket at most Rangoon Markets.
3MDG to fund $11.5 million for tuberculosis research The Three Millennium Development Goal (3MDG) has signed a US$11.5 million agreement with the Burmese Ministry of Health to fund a pilot phase on research into Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The research, which focuses on developing a shorter drug therapy, is scheduled to begin in May 2015 and will be independently monitored by the WHO.
Master Sports auction fetches $300,000 A government auction of 13,133 movable goods inside the Master Sports factory fetched more than 289 million kyat. The money raised will be used to pay off the stalled salaries of 757 employees. After extracting the cost of maintenance and compensation, the remainder will be passed to the owner, a Korean national, who fled the country without clearing debts.
World Bank backs maternal & infant health care in Burma The World Bank will loan Burma US$100 million for the Myanmar Essential Health Services Access Project, which will cater to maternal and child health care. Earlier in January, the World Bank pledged to loan $2 billion to Burma for development across the health and energy sectors.
Hong Kong mining firm gets exploration license in Shan State Asia Pacific Mining Limited (APML), a Hong Kong-based mining company, has received permission from the Burmese government to begin mineral exploration in Shan State. APML, which has been present in Burma for 17 years, announced that it is the first mining development company in Burma to be awarded the AP-4 exploration license.
Japan to supply 3 new ferries for Rangoon An Inland Water Transportation Department official has announced that three new boats from Japan will replace the rickety river ferries transported 30,000-40,000 passengers daily between the town of Dala and Rangoon for over 50 years. The department official said boat fares will remain the same at 100 kyat (US$0.10) per crossing. He added that the Japanese vessels, built in Hiroshima, cost about $4 million each and construction of new piers at Pansodan and Dala jetties will accommodate the boats when they arrive at the end of October.
Russian satellite broadcaster coming to Burma The Russian satellite broadcasting firm, GS Group, has announced that it will soon begin broadcasting in Burma. The firm announced its initial plan at the Intergovernmental Russian-Myanmar Commission for trade and economic cooperation held in Naypyidaw.
Tourism in Karen and Mon hit hard by renewed conflict Tourism operators have warned that the renewed conflict in Karen and Mon states will scare off tourists who want to visit the region via the Myawaddy border checkpoint. Since the Burmese government opened up Karen and Mon states for tourism in 2010, several attractions such as Kyeikhtiyo, the Death Railway, Balu Island, the world's largest reclining Buddha statue and colonial architecture have proved popular among tourists.
IMF maintains 8.5 percent growth rate prediction The International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasized during a regional press briefing on Friday that Burma's projected growth rate will surpass eight percent for 2014-2015. Jerry Schiff, deputy director for the IMF's Asia Pacific branch predicted that, "growth will be more than eight percent this year and certainly to grow that rapidly over the medium term," reported The Global New Light of Myanmar.
Invitations for timber tenders announced Myanmar Timber Enterprise has invited open tenders for more than 1,000 tonnes of teak and hardwood logs to be sold on 21 October. The bid for tenders opened while MTE have set a target sale of 500,000 tonnes of teak, hardwood and sawed timber for domestic use in 2014-15. In April 2014, a ban on log timber exports was issued by the Burmese government to reduce teak wood extraction and deforestation.
Jade bidding begins at Nawpyidaw Jade traders have assembled at Maniyadana jade Hall in Naypyidaw for a sale of more than 7,000 gems and jade lots. The Myanmar Gems Emporium announced that the bidding will take place between 16 and 19 October. Around 341 companies are expected to sell an estimated 6,892 jade lots. |
| DVB’s Top 10 tips for visitors to Burma Posted: 17 Oct 2014 04:10 AM PDT You've been to the Golden Land: you got up at sunrise to photograph the first light of dawn on Shwedagon Pagoda; you coaxed an Inthwa boatman on Inle Lake into showing you how to paddle with your knee; you've flown over the ancient ruins of Bagan in a hot-air balloon. But this time, you'd like to discover something a wee bit different, to get off the "been there, done that" beaten track of Rangoon-Mandalay-Bagan-Inle-Ngapali. It's time to discover those precious historical sites and natural wonders that the tour groups don't see – the places that are still unspoilt. DVB brings you our Top 10 Tips for Visitors to Burma 2014. But plan to head there soon – we don't expect all these wonders to be on the list by next year.
Rih Lake, Chin State
Situated some 2,800 feet above sea level, the heart-shaped Rih Lake is a natural sanctuary of fresh mountain air and tranquility. The remote lake is shrouded in legend, with an old Mizo myth recounting how the spirits of the hills encounter the "Water of no more sorrow" spring and the "Flower of no return". To this day, you'll come across Indian and Chin pilgrims praying to the nats and souls of the lake. The best time to visit is in the cold, wintry months, when the lake turns a rusty colour due to the blood-red Taungzalat tree leaves that are shed into its waters. Orchid trees and terraced rice fields frame this picturesque scene. A handful of hotels have opened around the village of Reh Khaw Da, and local food here is said to be among Burma's finest. Rih is very close to the Indian border, located 120km from Hakha and 40km from Tiddim.
The Buddha Caves of Phowintaung
Saddar Cave, Hpa-an
Taung Kalat / Mount Popa
Like an enchanted castle in a Bavarian fairy tale, the Taung Kalat monastery sits mystically atop a volcanic plug next to Mount Popa in central Burma. A journey of 777 steps wind up to the Buddhist shrine, so the climb is not for the faint-hearted. The temple is renowned as home to spirits or "nats" and draws thousands of pilgrims every year who carry gifts in tribute to the top of the 737m volcanic promontory. The site is 50km southeast of Bagan, so not too far from the tourist trail, and easily done as a day trip from the ancient Bagan ruins.
Luxury cruise on the Irrawaddy For those who can stretch their budget a little, or who prefer to view the Golden Land while sipping cocktails on the upper deck of a ship, perhaps a two-week cruise along the Irrawaddy River would be more appealing. Smart teakwood state rooms, haute cuisine dining, day trips to Burmese cities along the river, and lots of laughs and sunsets with other passengers are all part of the package.
Straddle the Gokteik Gorge by train Get out of Mandalay for a couple of days by heading up to Hsipaw where a trek among the verdant tea plantations will fill your lungs with fresh mountain air and your tummy with the famous Burmese tea leaf salad, lah phet. And what better way to get there than to take a rickety old train along a colonial railway. Get a ticket for a few dollars at Pyin Oo Lwin and jump aboard. The slow uphill journey to Hsipaw takes about five hours, but the highlight is the viaduct over the Gokteik Gorge. Simply gorge-ous, some might say.
Loikaw  "Loikaw is spectacular and untouched," says Chris Smith, a Rangoon-based photographer. "Volcanic lakes with mysterious caves, mountain-top pagodas and ethnic tribes." Although it is the capital of Karenni State, Loikaw is a slow town, unaccustomed to visitors. It is a crossroads of nationalities, with ethnic Kayah the majority of the 140,000 people, but you might also spot some long-neck Kayan ladies at the market. Several churches sit alongside Buddhist temples, the highlight of which is the photogenic Shwe Let War Pagoda, which commands a stunning panoramic view over the Karenni landscape.
Kengtung
Andaman beaches & Mergui archipelago  Dreaming of a desert island? DVB intern Emma went exploring earlier this year with her fiancé. "It was incredible, we were the only ones on the beach!" she exclaimed. "Apart from passing boats of fishermen and sea gypsies we had the whole beach entirely to ourselves." What is not quite available just yet is the magnificent coral-laden Mergui Archipelago of 800 islands; you currently need a private cruise permit to visit. However, that will change one day, and when it does you'll want to be among the first to get your snorkel and fishing rod together and get into those aquamarine waters.
Hkakabo Razi At 5,881m, Hkakabo Razi is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Situated as the tri-border between Burma, China and India, it is a lower Himalayan glacier which boasts an unmatched biodiversity of flora and fauna in the region including pine forests and rainforest. It is also home to Burma's only "pygmy" tribe, the Taron.
Photo credits: COVER: Saddar Cave, Karen Butler Andaman: Evershed Mattingly Shwe Let War Pagoda, Loikaw: Chris Smith Gokteik gorge: Juan Baron
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| MoI modifies printing and publishing rules Posted: 17 Oct 2014 03:36 AM PDT The Ministry of Information announced new printing and publishing bylaws on 16 October, including a provision which extends the amount of time publications have to renew their operating licenses from one year to five years. "Previously, publications seeking permission to operate were granted a temporary license for a six-month evaluation period, and after that a [permanent license] that had to be extended every year," said Aung Kyaw Oo, director-general of the Ministry of Information's Copyright and Registration Department. "Under the new rules, the permanent license will be valid for five years." Aung Kyaw Oo also said that under the previous rules, printing shops seeking to acquire licenses were divided into different categories, each of which had a different application fee, but those categories have been removed under the new rules. "According to the old regulations, printing shop yearly application fees varied based on the category to which each shop belonged: 100,000 kyat (US$100) for category-1 printing shops; 60,000 kyat for category-2 printing shops; and 20,000 kyat for category-3 printing shops," he said. "Now the category system has been abolished, so everyone has to pay the same 50,000 kyat amount for a five-year license." Related StoriesThiha Saw, an editor at the Myanmar Times, said the new printing and publishing rules are more lenient than the previous ones. "It's clear that the government still wants to maintain control over licenses and registration, but the new rules are more convenient. Now publishers can register not only in Naypyidaw but also at district-level government offices and online," said Thiha Saw. "Although the bad part is that the government still has the power to easily revoke one's license, under the new rules we can now contest a license revocation in court. So while the new rules don't meet our expectations 100 percent, we can say they meet 60-70 percent of our expectations and are much more relaxed than the past rules." So far, 20 private newspapers, more than 360 weekly news journals and more than 290 magazines have been granted licenses for circulation, but no licenses have yet been granted to news agencies. |
| Burma’s pygmy people face extinction Posted: 17 Oct 2014 02:02 AM PDT Deputy Minister of Culture Than Shwe said this week that the ministry has no independent plan to protect the ethnic Taron – often referred to as the "pygmy" people of Kachin state's Putao – who are on the verge of extinction. According to a 2003 study by Rangoon University's Anthropology Department, only five pure blooded Taron people were still alive – four siblings and one elderly person aged over 100 years. They are all between 1.2 metres and 1.37 metres tall. The minister said the Taron people "need to be educated" that their self-imposed ban on procreation is "leading them into extinction". He said it would be implausible for the ministry alone to start a programme to preserve the Taron, and that any plans would require the cooperation and support of the Kachin regional government. In 1997, a US zoologist, Dr Alan Rabinowitz had a chance encounter with the last five remaining Taron in the forests around Putao, and spent some time with them. He said that the head of the clan, Dawi, age 39, explained that Taron babies were being born with increasingly severe birth defects, and that the Taron elders had decided that rather than risk any more misshapen children, they would let their race go extinct. The Taron are supposedly descended from an ethnic group concentrated in China known as Derung who migrated to Burma from Tibet in the 1880s. According to Rabinowitz, after the discovery of genetic similarities between the Taron and Derung people, Dawi announced he would travel to Tibet in order to search for a wife. Whether he did or not is unknown. See video: The Last “Pure” Pygmy and His Gift Related Stories
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| Burma, Japan and Thailand sign MoU to build Myeik power plant Posted: 17 Oct 2014 01:46 AM PDT The Burmese government and companies based in Burma, Japan and Thailand signed a MoU on 9 October to conduct a feasibility study and an environmental and social impact assessment study (EIA/SIA) for a coal power plant the consortium is planning to build in Tenasserim Division's Myeik City. The MoU was signed in Naypyidaw by: Burma's Ministry of Electric Power; Japan's Marubeni Corporation; Burma's company Ayar Hintha Company; and three Thai entities— privately-owned Sri Synergy Company, a member of Thailand's state-owned PTT group called Global Power Synergy, and another Thai government-owned entity called the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (commonly known as EGAT). The cost of building the 1,800-megawatt power plant is expected to be around US$ 3.5 billion . Ye Min Aung, managing director of the Ayar Hintha company, said: "Our aim is to generate electricity and sell it. As of now, there is barely any electricity demand in Burma, so just 100-200 megawatts should be enough for Tenasserim Division, but five to ten years in the future even 1,800 megawatts won't be enough," he said. "There will be a high demand for electricity after the national power grid is fully connected," he added. However, the project will only go forward if the EIA/SIA study finds no negative impacts on the environment or on the livelihoods of local people. Ye Min Aung said that regardless of whether the project is launched, the Ayar Hintha Company will still implement its plan to buy electricity and distribute it to the region at a low price within one year's time. "As we are building this plant in Burma, domestic users will have priority as to electricity generated by the plant, and only surplus electricity will be sold overseas," he said. "At the moment, the price of electricity in the Myeik area is over 400 kyat [$0.40] per unit and we have been looking for ways to make life more convenient for the locals. Our priorities include obtaining power from Thailand and distributing it here at low prices." Related StoriesYe Min Aung also said that a survey his company conducted among locals last year indicated that they are concerned about environmental damage and high electricity prices. The survey also revealed that local people want to have priority over electricity generated inside Burma rather than having all of the output sold to Thailand. In January, locals held a demonstration against the project, which they say was planned without any input from residents or civil society organizations. During the demonstration, protesters expressed concern that the power plant would adversely affect the local environment, which farmers and fishermen depend on for their livelihoods. Some protestors who spoke to DVB also said the plant wouldn't benefit the community; rather, they said it has the potential to harm local residents and noted that a power plant constructed further south on the Andaman coast in Kawthaung Township had reportedly caused respiratory problems. |
| Kachin rebels, govt forces in standoff at Hpakant Posted: 16 Oct 2014 11:24 PM PDT Amid a standoff with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the jade-mining town of Hpakant, the Burmese army has blocked access to a village close to rebel Kachin positions, raising fears among locals about a potential clash. Dashi Laseng, Hpakant Township chairman for the National League for Democracy (NLD), said the commander of the Burmese army's 66th Light Infantry Division (LID) earlier gave residents of nearby Aungbarlay village a deadline of 14 October to move out. Local community and church leaders, fearing potential clashes between government forces and KIA troops, requested that the commander order his troops to withdraw. However, on Wednesday, the 66th LID issued an order prohibiting access to and from the village and stationed more than 200 troops near a creek that runs adjacent to the village. Related StoriesGovernment forces recently began pressuring KIA troops stationed near Hpakant's jade mines to withdraw on the grounds that some jade mining companies had complained that Kachin troops were demanding taxes from them. However, a KIA official told DVB they have no plans to withdraw from their positions in Hpakant. The NLD's Dashi Lasang said blocking access to the village will lead to a shortage of basic commodities. Aungbarlay, located approximately 15 miles from Hpakant, has around 300 households, a school, a Buddhist monastery and a church. |
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