Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Bullet Points: 5 September 2014
• Dengue fever grips 10,000 children in Burma every year
• BUSINESS WEEKLY – 5 September 2014
• Base camp loses contact with Burmese mountaineers
• Karen State parliament closes with passage of two laws
• Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report
• Thousands protest against mines in Namhkam
• Arakan officials snub OIC offers of help

Bullet Points: 5 September 2014 Posted: 05 Sep 2014 05:23 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points: Miners march in Namhkam Health ministry cites dengue figures. Thein Sein in Switzerland. Mountaineers lose contact with base camp. You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news.

Dengue fever grips 10,000 children in Burma every year Posted: 05 Sep 2014 04:15 AM PDT Burma's Ministry of Health has announced that more than 10,000 children, aged between three and eight years, contract dengue every year. The news release by the ministry came across as a warning against the rise of the disease that claimed the lives of over 60 children in 2013. Earlier in August, an epidemic outbreak of dengue fever was reported across Rangoon According to the World Health Organization , dengue is among the most neglected diseases in the tropics, and has both spread geographically and increased significantly. The deputy director at the Ministry of Health said that the figure of 10,000 is an average aggregate of the past 4 years. He noted the necessity of educating people regarding preventive measures to ensure that mosquito breeding grounds are eradicated from the vicinity of household areas, and that repellents were used to keep mosquitoes at bay. Related Stories Education would help stop child labour, say experts Filthy water plumbed into Rangoon homes Possible Ebola patient has malaria Dr. Myint Oo from Rangoon pointed out the correlation between dengue fever and sanitation, pointing out that mosquitoes generally tend to breed in dark and muddy areas. "If infected mosquitoes bite children, they can spread dengue fever," he said. "Therefore the disease is related to the sanitation of one's surroundings." The ministry has requested people sanitise their surroundings, filter water, throw away stagnant water, and get tested if they suspect they might have dengue. Dengue affects both children and adults, and is common in rural and urban landscapes. Some of the most common symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, swollen glands, nausea and vomiting, joint aches and skin rashes. The symptoms last between two and seven days and if not treated may lead to a severe form of dengue hemorrhagic fever. It is the second most common mosquito-borne disease after malaria. WHO estimates that between 50 to 100 million people suffer from dengue fever every year. Within the Asia-Pacific region, Burma, Thailand and Indonesia have the highest dengue infection rate.

BUSINESS WEEKLY – 5 September 2014 Posted: 05 Sep 2014 04:10 AM PDT   Ups and downs Burma's currency strengthened very slightly this week; the Burmese kyat was selling on Friday at 971 to the US dollar, while buying at 968. The price of gold fell noticeably this week from 669,000 kyat per tical to 662,000. Fuel remains constant: petrol 820 kyat; diesel 950 kyat; and 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.   MPT launches 3G SIM cards Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has launched 3G SIM cards priced at 1,500 kyat (US$1.50), in retail shops across the country. Customers must submit an ID card and two passport photos to acquire a card. State provider MPT finds the new Burmese telecoms market a battleground with strong competition from international players Ooredoo and Telenor. Retail outlets Elite, Tamoenye, Chan-Thar and Asia Mega Link will be among those selling MPT SIM cards.   Indonesian firm finds cracks in cement deal Indonesian state-run cement producer Semen Indonesia (SMGR) may postpone plans to expand into Burma until next year due to difficulties in negotiating with its local partner, Jakarta Post reported on Monday, citing the firm's finance director Ahyanizzam. He did not disclose the name of the local partner, but said that SMGR proposed to have at least a 20 percent stake in the joint venture as well as the rights to be the operator and the distributor of the products.   Ten new markets to be built in Rangoon Ten new sites have been marked as marketplaces by Rangoon municipality: in North Dagon, Dagon Seikkan, Tharkayta, Daw Pon, Thingangyun, Hlaing Tharyar, Shwe Pyi Thar and Insein townships. The markets are to be built in the 2014-15 fiscal year with a budget of 1.3 billion kyat (US$1.3 million). There are currently 80 ordinary markets and 11 tax-free markets in the Rangoon city area.   Related Stories Burma's industrial relations at a crossroads 12 Foreign companies await results on Kyaukphyu SEZ BUSINESS WEEKLY – 24 August 2014 Dawei SEZ to resume in November The Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will resume in early November, state-backed New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday. London-based consultants Ernst & Young met with Burma's Ministry of Transport in Naypyidaw on Thursday to present a “final due diligence report”. The development has faced strong public opposition, and will include construction of a highway, sea port, industrial zone, power plant, housing, water supply and communications stations.   Cummins to provide hybrid power in Burma US-based Cummins Power Generation has announced that it has entered into a contract with Irrawaddy Green Towers (IGT) to provide hybrid power in Burma. It says it will provide solar and battery hybrid and diesel generator power solutions for over 750 cell towers in the country. With IGT operating the telecom towers for Telenor mobile networks in Burma, Cummins is expected to provide power solutions for the network. It is also the leading power supplier for the Ooredoo mobile network throughout Burma.   China's Exim to upgrade Kachin railway China's Exim Bank will provide loans to Burma for upgrades on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway in the country's north, according to an official from Myanmar Railways. The poorly-maintained tracks are prone to derailment and are in dire need of repair, the official said. China's Exim has also vowed to finance road upgrade projects in southeastern Burma and elsewhere.   Burma to open three new border trade stations Burma will open three new border trade stations to promote commerce with Thailand and India, an advisor to the trade minister said. Two stations will open on the Thai border: one at Maese, Karenni State; and another at Maw Taung in Tenasserim Division. The third will be at the Htantalan crossing from Chin State to India. Burma has a surplus in border trade this year, with an export value of US$2.9 billion and an import value of US$1 billion. There are now 15 official border trade stations in Burma, with Bangladesh, China, India and Thailand.   Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report Burma was ranked 134 among 148 countries in a Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, released by the World Economic Forum on 3 September. The report reviewed the competitiveness of countries based on the paradigms of education, governance, technology, institutions, market efficiency, infrastructure and innovation. It said some of the most "problematic factors" that hinder business growth in Burma are political instability, corruption, inadequate educated workforce and access to finance. Read more: http://www.dvb.no/uncategorized/burma-ranks-near-bottom-in-global-competitiveness-report-burma-myanmar/43876

Base camp loses contact with Burmese mountaineers Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:11 AM PDT Sponsors of the Burmese mountaineering team, which on Sunday conquered Hkakabo Razi, have lost communication with the expeditioners who are still on the icy Himalayan mountain in northern Kachin State. Pa PaSoe, the information officer of the Thabawa Khawthan (Nature's Call) Foundation, which has sponsored the historic hike to the summit of Southeast Asia's highest peak, confirmed that the foundation has had no contact with the eight-man team since they scaled the 5,881m (19,295ft) mountain on 31 August. He maintained that there is no reason to believe that the mountaineers have encountered danger, and said they were equipped with satellite phones and walkie-talkies, which may have run out of batteries. "It is quite possible that the batteries in their communication devices have stopped working," he told DVB on Friday. "We have no reason to believe they are in danger." Nonetheless, he said, an emergency meeting would be called for tomorrow [Saturday] if the Burmese mountaineers fail to contact Thabawa Khawthanor, the organising team at Hkakabo Razi base camp. The eight Burmese climbers, led by Aung Myint Myat, set off by foot for the summit on 31 July. They scaled the peak at 5pm on 31 August. DVB reported on Tuesday that the expeditioners had decided to leave the summit immediately as it was nearly dark when they arrived. They were expected to have descended the mountain to base camp by 8 September. Related Stories Burmese mountaineers scale Hkakabo Razi Burma prepares for ASEAN foreign ministers' summit Bullet Points: 24 July 2014

Karen State parliament closes with passage of two laws Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:07 AM PDT The ninth session of the Karen State parliament drew to a close on Thursday with the passage of two new laws, according to regional Transport Minister Saw Khin Maung Myint. The laws, one governing freshwater fisheries and one related to loading and unloading goods, were approved during the three-day session, which convened from 2-4 September. “The laws were proposed on the first day of the session, then three or four MPs discussed them. We approved them on the last day of our meeting," said Saw Khin Maung Myint. The southeastern coastal state's new fishery regulations include 40 articles, mostly pertaining to guidelines for acquiring operating licences. State MPs also raised several concerns during the session regarding disruptions to telecoms development in the region. About 20 telephone towers are slated for Karen State, which has remained geographically isolated and undeveloped throughout decades of civil war. Related Stories Ethnic bloc hopeful of KNU return Karen soldiers in stand-off with police over weapon seizure UNFC opens 2 top positions for KNU Karen civil society groups have long been at odds with the country's two new telecoms developers, Ooredoo and Telenor, over their lack of transparency about how they will quickly enhance service infrastructure in areas still subject to conflict and littered with unexploded ordnance. Some politicians inquired about one particular tower that remains unfinished in the Leiktho sub-township in the northwestern part of the state. The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union, prevented construction of the tower early this year because of a territorial discrepancy. "The tower construction was delayed because the KNLA stopped it. It was a land problem. A few parliamentarians and I negotiated with the group, which is under a ceasefire with the Burmese government, and the problem was resolved," Saw Khin Maung Myint said, adding that the tower is expected to be completed during the coming dry season.

Burma ranks near bottom in global competitiveness report Posted: 05 Sep 2014 01:23 AM PDT Burma was ranked 134 among 148 countries in a Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15, released by the World Economic Forum on 3 September. The report reviewed the competitiveness of countries based on the paradigms of education, governance, technology, institutions, market efficiency, infrastructure and innovation. Within these paradigms, Burma scored extremely low in harnessing the latest technological advances and the capacity to retain talent within the country. According to the report, some of the most "problematic factors" that hinder business growth in Burma are political instability, corruption, inadequate educated workforce and access to finance. Related Stories Sagaing students protest controversial Education Bill Mandalay students protest education bill Education would help stop child labour, say experts Despite President Thein Sein's proposal to increase health and education budget earlier in January this year, the list indicated a severely hit health sector, as well as diminished primary and higher education, contributing to an overall low ranking in global competitiveness. The only segments where the report showed Burma in positive rankings were primary education enrollment and the ratio of women in the labour force. Decades of military rule and a repressive political atmosphere led the country into a downward spiral in modern times. Despite a series of political and economic reforms enacted by a new civilian government since 2011, economic growth and balanced development are yet to gain traction in Burma. In 2013, Burma ranked 134 among 144 countries. Burma sits among a grouping of failed and impoverished African states on the chart, as well as Southeast Asian neighbours Cambodia and Timor Leste. In contrast, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong featured among the top 10 countries listed in the report.

Thousands protest against mines in Namhkam Posted: 05 Sep 2014 12:07 AM PDT Thousands gathered in Namhkam, Shan State, on Friday morning to protest against commercial mining operations. The locals said that large-scale silica mining projects have resulted in permanent damage to streams and farmlands, ultimately ruining the livelihoods of thousands of people in the township. Demonstrators convened at the Nam Seere bridge at around 8am, then marched to downtown Namhkam shouting slogans. Concomitant to the rally, seven local politicians submitted a formal complaint listing the demands of the local community to the township authorities. Sai Ye Tun, director of the Namhkam Township Farmers Group, spoke to DVB from the rally site. "There are more than 2,000 farmers. here in Namhkam. We have four demands, including compensation for farmers' losses," he said. The farmers’ demands include: an immediate moratorium on all mining operations in the area; repair of several streams and canals; full compensation for damaged farmlands; and restoration of land so that farming can resume. Locals said that metal byproducts from mines operated by the Ngwe Kabar Kyaw company has contaminated streams and ruined farmlands. Moreover, they said, in some areas the waste has built up and affected water flows, resulting in a drought. The damages are said to have affected at least seven villages so far: Ho Na, Kaung Paing, Mann Kham, Mann Naung, Pan Hto Lein, Se Hai and Waik Ho Sai. Related Stories Fighting breaks out between Pa-O and Shan armies Over 1,000 in Mandalay protest mining activities Shan villagers call for withdrawal of Burmese troops Two of Shan State's leading political parties, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), have both suggested that the villagers ask them directly for assistance. As per the advice of local politicians, the villagers sought and were granted permission for Friday's demonstration. "The villagers are upset because authorities haven't done anything about the destruction that has occurred as a result of these mines. That's why they are protesting. Both our White Tiger Party (SNDP) and the Tiger Head Party (SNLD) have vowed to help them. We told them they need to go about this in accordance with the law," said Sai Htun Hlaing, secretary of the SNDP. Permission was granted for 300 people to rally, but the actual turnout was estimated around 2,000. No arrests were reported. Mining projects began in Namhkam in 2013, the villagers said, when six companies entered the area and began extracting silica. Locals said that they have consistently opposed the projects because of early signs of pollution. Despite repeated pleas with local authorities, no effective action has yet been taken. Silica mining is common in several parts of Burma, typically in the form of large stone extraction. The extraction process, of which local people are largely unaware have difficulty describing, sometimes employs chemicals and results in byproducts that can lead to severe health problems like silicosis.

Arakan officials snub OIC offers of help Posted: 04 Sep 2014 09:27 PM PDT An eight-member delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), led by Malaysian former Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, wrapped up a two-day trip to Arakan State capital Sittwe on Thursday after visiting camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and meeting with local Arakanese officials and civil society groups. But local authorities have complained that they were not properly informed of the OIC's visit and again turned down the Islamic bloc's request to establish a presence in the state, which has suffered from deadly bouts of interreligious violence between Buddhists and Muslims for more than two years. The OIC has made no comment about the trip. Arakanese State officials have told DVB that they were told an informal group was due to visit the region, but had not been prepared for an official delegation from the 57-member state bloc. Related Stories Population shortfall forces rethink Bullet Points: 1 September 2014 Arakan govt moves to protect heritage sites "What we were told was that a group led by the former foreign minister of Malaysia was coming to meet with us," said State Information Officer Oo Oo Hla Thein. "They didn't tell us they were here on an official OIC mission – only that they were representatives who wanted to listen to local views about the OIC. The last time they came protests broke out, so I really don't know what they were thinking." Arakan State Chief Minister Maung Maung Ohn, who met with the delegation on Wednesday, said that the Arakanese people could not yet accept OIC's presence there. "The Chief Minister updated them on the situation in Rakhine [Arakan], and explained that we are not yet ready to accept OIC," said Oo Oo Hla Thein. "We are currently working on nationality verification. If that is successful, we will start working on IDP rehabilitation. "When we come to the issue of rehabilitation, we will seek opinions from the public," the Chief Minister said. "If they are willing to accept OIC assistance, then we will permit them to become involved." He said the OIC delegation did not discuss details, but listened to local opinions, including input from town elders, women's groups and a youth network. Radio Free Asia reported on Thursday that the OIC had offered to build a hospital and other facilities, but that the local government said the projects cannot be implemented until stability is restored following communal violence.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• ‘Burma’s Population Is Only 51 Million—We Lose in Geopolitics’
• Activist Racks Up 10 Years in Prison for Rangoon Protests
• Mud Volcano Eruption Damages Farmland in Kyaukphyu
• Top Govt Official Downplays al-Qaeda Threat to Burma
• Shan Model-Waitress A Draw for Thai Restaurant
• Indian States on Alert After al Qaeda Announces Local Wing
• Thai Cabinet Meets King; Doubt Grows Over Power Handover Schedule
• Apple Supplier in China Accused of Violations
• Chinese Tourists Flock to a ‘Pleasant Village’ of Gambling Dens in Burma

‘Burma’s Population Is Only 51 Million—We Lose in Geopolitics’ Posted: 05 Sep 2014 05:11 AM PDT Salai Isaac Khen, executive director of the Gender and Development Initiative Myanmar, joins a taping of Dateline Irrawaddy in Rangoon. (Photo: Nyein Chan / The Irrawaddy) Burma's first nationwide census in more than 30 years found that the population of the country is just 51.4 million, according to provisional data released last week. In the time since the last count, various organizations have taken guesses at just how much the population had grown, but the government's claim of 60 million was the most widely used estimate. The Burmese people and policymakers must now adjust to the reality of a country smaller than most thought. Salai Isaac Khen—an ethnic Chin activist and director of the Gender and Development Initiative Myanmar—is a member of National Technical Advisory Board for the census. Following the announcement of provisional results, he spoke to The Irrawaddy about what impacts the revision will have on development policy. Question: What do you think of the provisional results of the census from a civil society point of view? Answer: Actually, the census is done for good reasons: It's difficult to plan without census data. But, we've got a variety of ethnic nationalities and the coding of 135 ethnicities used in the census is wrong. There was no proper announcement about this to the public, which put people off. The provisional results were announced at first, without announcing how many Burmese, Kachin or Chin there are. The data collected included controversial things. Some people say the census data can be used for voter lists, so these provisional results have avoided sensitive issues. Q: How will the lower-than-expected population figure of 51.4 million impact upon development policy? A: There could be changes because a population gap of 10 million is a lot, especially in development planning. When the state budget is drawn for townships, it is calculated based on population. This means the previous budget was based on 60 million people. There are only 50 million now. Isn't the amount for those 10 million wasted? It is. Waste means corruption. We've never heard that the allocated budget has been sufficient for the existing population. We also need to think why there is a 10 million population gap. Do we have 10 million people living outside Burma? In Malaysia, the Chin population is in between 80,000 and 100,000, according to a count by ethnic community. Q: Overall, how would you judge the census, weighing up the benefits and weaknesses? A: In general, this is an exercise in collecting data. Some data cannot be collected. There were challenges and difficulties that will have to be considered in the next census. But we don't accept that the census was extremely well prepared. When the UNFPA [the UN Population Fund] or the Census Commission claimed the census questionnaire reached all people at the grassroots, it was not only because of their effort. It's also the effort of ethnic organizations worrying that their ethnic groups might be left out in the headcount. For example, the Chin used about US$10,000 for this. The census makes us realize that we have to be very careful in handling issues concerning ethnicity. The central government cannot do whatever they want, telling a person to be 'stone' or 'leaf,' for example. Even though it's said to be 30 years [since the last census], it's actually 60 years. Thirty years ago the data was collected during the socialist government. The administration was one-party rule and ethnic groups did not have freedom of expression or involvement in decisions. Then, it became 135 ethnicities. Whether it was true or not, [the late dictator Gen.] Ne Win liked the number nine, so he made it a multiple of nine. We can conclude that those who have decided there are 135 ethnic groups did so not because they are stupid, but because they were not allowed to speak the truth. The census is claimed to be technical. But technical is political. It can be used in future politics. Q: What will be the future consequences of these census results? A: Sometimes, data is political. Especially in geopolitics, population is one of the factors. Let's say Burma's population is only 51 million—we lose in geopolitics. How many people does China have? [1.35 billion]. What about India? [1.24 billion]? What about Bangladesh? 100 million. Thailand has got 60 million. We've got only 51 million. We lose. In a country, when you have less population with more space, people will come in. We haven't got educational, economic or technical power. The only thing we have is military power. Singapore has got economic and educational power. So, there will be the idea that military power is a more secure option than democracy. When the ethnic numbers are revealed, there will be strength and weakness according to geopolitics. It would be no problem if everybody was inclusive about the variety of ethnic groups. But this is not the case in Arakan State. How many people have been inclusively considered? In Arakan, not to mention Bengalis, there are Kaman, Thet, Chin, Kami and Maran. They were never treated as equal. So, when lining up how many Arakanese there are, as an major ethnicity, we might be creating 'segregation' mindsets in the future. Similarly with religions: How can we avoid this? Religion is a private matter. The post 'Burma's Population Is Only 51 Million—We Lose in Geopolitics' appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Activist Racks Up 10 Years in Prison for Rangoon Protests Posted: 05 Sep 2014 03:28 AM PDT Activist Htin Kyaw holds up a sign protesting Burma's government after his trial on Wednesday while supporters give a three-finger salute, a gesture adapted from anti-coup protestors in Thailand. (Photo: Sai Zaw / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Nearly a dozen separate courts in Rangoon have cumulatively sentenced democracy activist Htin Kyaw to a decade in prison with hard labor under controversial laws on peaceful assemblies and incitement. A court in Rangoon's South Okkalapa Township on Wednesday added eight months' imprisonment to the nine years and four months that the activist was already sentenced to for several demonstrations he has participated in this year. Htin Kyaw, a leader from the Movement for Democracy Current Force (MDCF), has staged a series of protests this year against President Thein Sein's government, most of them related to land rights in Rangoon. He has been behind bars since May and was sentenced or has charges pending in 11 different Rangoon jurisdictions, including the townships of South Okkalapa, North Okkalapa, North Dagon, Shwe Pyi Thar, Mayangone, Bahan and Kyauktada. All of the charges have been under the Penal Code's Section 505(b), on disturbing public order, or the Peaceful Assembly Law, which threatens prison terms to those who fail to gain government permission prior to staging a protest. "Actually, Ko Htin Kyaw is criticizing the government for their undemocratic ways, in which they treat the people unfairly. By sentencing Ko Htin Kyaw to that much, the government is showing that they do not want to be criticized and are not practicing democracy properly," said Thein Aung Myint, the MDCF's coordinator for Upper Burma. "Each sentence from the separate courts is not a big deal. But in total, they have become a lot and now Ko Htin Kyaw is facing more than nine years' imprisonment. Although the government is saying they are a democratic government, sentencing political activists to this much amounts to a defamation of themselves," he added. Htin Kyaw is not a newcomer to prison terms for political activism. He was a solo protester in 2007, urging the then military government to rethink a fuel price hike at the time, when he was arrested on the spot and sentenced to 12 years and six months' imprisonment. He was released early under one of several amnesties granted by the Thein Sein government, which took power in 2011. In 2013, he was arrested again and was sentenced to six months in prison after he led a land rights protest in Rangoon's Mayangone Township. He once again benefited from a presidential amnesty after serving two-thirds of that sentence. Htin Kyaw is currently being held at Rangoon's notorious Insein Prison. He is due to face three more trials at different courts in Rangoon, with the next one at a court in Shwe Pyi Thar Township on Sept. 11. He is facing a minimum of one additional year in prison if found guilty. The post Activist Racks Up 10 Years in Prison for Rangoon Protests appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Mud Volcano Eruption Damages Farmland in Kyaukphyu Posted: 05 Sep 2014 03:00 AM PDT A mud volcano in Kyaukphyu Township. (Photo: Myanmar Earthquake Committee) RANGOON — A mud volcano eruption in western Burma's Arakan State has damaged more than 200 acres of farmland in Kyaukphyu Township, according to locals. The mud volcano near Yaukchaung Village began spewing mud on Aug. 31, immediately inundating 30 acres of surrounding farmland. The mud has since flowed into another 170 acres of land, mostly rice paddy, said Aung Saw Thein, a local of Kyaukphyu, which is on Ramree Island. "We still don't know the exact acreage of farmland affected by the volcano eruption," said Aung Saw Thein. "The farms of 16 farmers were directly flooded by mud. Then the mud flew into other farms with the rain. Rice plants were planted two months ago there [and were destroyed]. But there was no damage to humans and animals," he said. On both Ramree Island and the adjacent Manaung Island, mud volcanoes are common, according to geologist Soe Thura Tun, who conducted research there two years ago. He said the mud volcanoes on the islands are different from those in other parts of Burma as they are shallower in depth and sometimes erupt in flames as they expel natural gas. Geological formations in the area suggest that mud volcanoes were once even more common there, he said. "Volcano eruptions here do not cause serious damage, and only farmland is destroyed by these volcano eruptions," said Soe Thura Tun. "They erupt once every two or three years, but there is no regularity to their eruption. Some volcanoes have already gone extinct, according to our research." Arakan State government officials visited Yaukchaung Village on Thursday and said they would arrange for replanting of the damaged crops. However, many more farms are being affected by the mud as continuing rain carries it farther afield, said resident Kyaw Win. "Not only Yaukchaung Village was affected. Farms and pasture in Simaw and Kyettel villages were also damaged by muddy water," he said. "Muddy water is still flowing into farms and the paddy in all those farms will be dead. We have three other mud volcanoes in the south west of the village." The post Mud Volcano Eruption Damages Farmland in Kyaukphyu appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Top Govt Official Downplays al-Qaeda Threat to Burma Posted: 05 Sep 2014 02:05 AM PDT Al-Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahri speaks from an unknown location in this still image taken from video uploaded on a social media website on June 8, 2011. (Photo: Reuters) RANGOON — The President's Office says there is no need to worry after al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri announced the formation of a new al-Qaeda branch in the Indian subcontinent to help persecuted Muslims in the region, listing Burma among the places that the group is setting its sights on. In a 55-minute video posted online, Zawahri described the formation of "Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent" as good news for oppressed Muslims "in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir." "We need to treat that news with caution as it can raise doubts and lead back to conflicts. I would like to ask [people] not to be too worried," said Zaw Htay, director of Burma's President's Office, on his Facebook page under the name Hmuu Zaw. The Burmese government for years has recognized Burma as a potential terrorist target, Zaw Htay continued, saying the country's security apparatus had put in place measures to safeguard Burma from such an occurrence. Those preparations are ongoing, he added. "Particularly, Burma has been cooperating in establishing an international early warning system to exchange and share the activities of terrorist organizations," read the Facebook post. Zawahri's announcement has brought speculation about the implications for the government of India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been accused of failing to stand up for the rights of Muslims in the Hindu-majority nation. India put several states on heightened alert on Thursday in the wake of Zawahri's video, which was posted online Wednesday. An al-Qaeda regional presence could also represent a challenge to the government of Burma's President Thein Sein, which has been condemned by human rights groups that allege systematic discrimination against Burma's Muslim minority. Rohingya Muslims in western Arakan State have been a particular focus of human rights groups and international media coverage, but the Burmese government has frequently downplayed the issue. "At this particular time, hate speech could lead to widespread bloodshed. I would like to seriously urge caution because I don't want to see violence here due to the words of Zawahri, who has fled for his life from US forces," read his post. Zawahri was the late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's deputy, and took over the organization's leadership following the United States' assassination of the latter in May 2011. Washington has offered a reward of up to US$25 million for information leading to the arrest of the al-Qaeda chief. The post Top Govt Official Downplays al-Qaeda Threat to Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Shan Model-Waitress A Draw for Thai Restaurant Posted: 05 Sep 2014 01:55 AM PDT Nang Nauk, 25, is an ethnic Shan model and waitress in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (Photo: Nyein Zaw / The Irrawaddy) CHIANG MAI, Thailand — As a young girl, Nang Nauk, an ethnic Shan migrant, hoped that one day she might become a famous model. Instead, after moving to this northern Thai city with her mother, the 25-year-old found construction, agriculture and domestic worker jobs until landing a waitressing gig five years ago at a local Thai restaurant, where she now works every day from 11 am until 9 pm. She had to earn a living, but that didn't discourage her from pursuing her dream. Three years ago she started posing for magazines and advertisements in her spare time, until eventually customers in the restaurant began recognizing her and asking to take photographs with her. Today, Lap Tom Yum restaurant near Meechok Plaza is known largely because Nang Nauk works there. "I did not expect to be this kind of model, although I had a dream in my childhood," she told The Irrawaddy recently. "If possible, I want to be a model in my country." Born in a village near Taunggyi, Shan State, she is the youngest daughter in an ordinary family of three children, and she was educated through high school. She moved to Thailand at the age of 17 to meet her mother, who was already living and working in the country. "My family used to have farmland [in Shan State], but the income from the farm was not enough to support me and my sister, so my mother went to work in Thailand and she sent money back to us. After I finished Grade 10, I joined my mother to help her," Nang Nauk said. "I faced many difficulties, such as the language barrier and differences with the transportation and food," she added of her early days in Thailand. She now speaks fluent Thai. Nang Nauk plans to continue working at Lap Tom Yum, despite offers from other restaurants who would like to hire her. At Lap Tom Yum, she has one day off every month and earns just 300 baht (US$9) per day. "I still want to help my employer, who has been good to me. I feel like this is not the right time yet to leave," she said.  "I am happy here and it's like my family. It's important to be happy with your job." She said she remains connected to the Shan community and participates in traditional Shan events in the city. "I will be singing in the Shan New Year's festival this year," she said. "I have never done this sort of entertainment for a Shan traditional festival in Chiang Mai before, since most of my time was spent working." The post Shan Model-Waitress A Draw for Thai Restaurant appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Indian States on Alert After al Qaeda Announces Local Wing Posted: 05 Sep 2014 01:13 AM PDT A Kashmiri vendor takes a nap as Indian policemen stand guard before funeral prayers for Osama bin Laden after Friday prayers in Srinagar on May 6, 2011. (Photo: Reuters) NEW DELHI — India put several provinces on heightened alert on Thursday after al Qaeda announced the formation of a wing of the militant group in India and its neighborhood, a senior government official said. In a video posted online, al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri promised to spread Islamic rule and "raise the flag of jihad" across the "Indian subcontinent." New Delhi regards the message as authentic and has warned local governments, said an official who attended a security briefing in which it was discussed with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is responsible for policing and internal security. "This matter has been taken very seriously," the official told Reuters. "An alert has been sounded." Indian security forces are usually on a state of alert for attacks by home-grown Islamist militants and by anti-India groups based in Pakistan. It was not immediately clear what additional steps were being taken. Until now there has been no evidence that al Qaeda, the group responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, airliner attacks on New York's World Trade Center, has a presence in India. The timing and content of the video suggests rivalry between al Qaeda and its more vigorous rival in Syria and Iraq, Islamic State, which anecdotal evidence suggests is gathering support in South Asia. According to media reports, Islamic State pamphlets have been distributed in Pakistan in recent days. "Al Qaeda has seen its authority eroded by the fact that it is no longer able to independently carry out large-scale attacks anywhere in the world, and by the emergence of rival factions," Omar Hamid, head of Asia analysis at security research firm IHS Country Risk, wrote in a report. Al Qaeda's establishment of a local branch seeks to take advantage of the planned withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan, which may lead to an influx of battle-hardened militants into India, Hamid added. The SITE monitoring service quoted AQIS spokesman Usama Mahmoud as saying the group's goals include "waging jihad against America and the 'system of global disbelief,' and uprooting it, in order to establish Sharia-based governance," according to an audio speech. It also sought to "revive the Caliphate on the prophetic methodology," SITE said, in a possible challenge to the Caliphate announced by the Islamic State. Modi Heartland Zawahri's announcement made two references to Gujarat, the home state of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist. Modi has long been a hate figure for Islamist groups because of religious riots in 2002 when he was chief minister of the state. More than 1,000 people, mainly Muslims, died in the spasm of violence. "In the wake of this al Qaeda video, we will be on a higher alert," S.K. Nanda, the senior bureaucrat in the home department of Gujarat, told Reuters. A high security alert in the state involves activating informer networks in sensitive areas. A senior police official said that Gujarat has been high on the list of militant organizations, including al Qaeda, since the 2002 riots. "It will be more so now because Narendra Modi is prime minister," the official said, requesting anonymity. Zawahri described the formation of "Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent" as glad tidings for Muslims "in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir" and said the new wing would rescue Muslims there from injustice and oppression. Ahmedabad is the main city in Gujarat state, which borders India's arch-rival, Pakistan. Assam is a state in India's far-flung northeast where religious tensions are high after massacres of Muslims by tribal populations in the past two years. A senior intelligence officer in the state said security forces there were "well prepared" to face any threats. Muslims make up 15 percent of the Indian population but, numbering an estimated 175 million, theirs is the third-largest Muslim population in the world. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent have grown since Pakistan was carved from Muslim-majority areas of India in 1947, a violent partition in which hundreds of thousands were killed. Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan, has long attracted foreign mujahideen fighters as well as home-grown separatist militants. In June, al Qaeda released a video urging young radicals in Kashmir to draw inspiration from militants in Syria and Iraq and join the "global jihad." The All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, an umbrella body of mainstream Muslim organizations, vowed to fight al Qaeda if it appeared in India. "Indian Muslims are loyal citizens of their country and they will fight al Qaeda if it ever tried to create a presence here," said the group's president Zafarul-Islam Khan. Intelligence sources in Indian-held Kashmir told Reuters on Thursday that they had so far detected no trace of al Qaeda in the Himalayan region that borders Pakistan and China. The appearance of Islamic State flags at recent protest rallies in Kashmir was the work of an individual and did not point to any involvement of the group there, one said. India has suffered several large-scale attacks by Islamist militants, most recently the 2008 Mumbai rampage by Pakistani fighters that left 166 people dead. Smaller domestic militant groups regularly detonate small bombs, but have so far failed to launch a major attack. Earlier this year, Indian intelligence agencies said a handful of Indian men had joined the militancy in the Levant, among the first known cases of Indians joining foreign jihad. Hindu nationalist groups sympathetic to Modi have stirred sectarian tension in recent weeks, claiming there is an Islamist conspiracy to seduce Hindu women and convert them to Islam. At one of the world's most influential Islamic seminaries, Darul Uloom Deoband, in northern India, an official said that extremist groups routinely try to recruit young, uneducated and poor Muslim boys as militants. "We inform our students about the dangers faced by Islam, and rising militancy is one of the key subjects discussed in the seminary," said Ashraf Usmani from the seminary, which is known for its conservative Muslim thought. "I can say this with confidence that no student from Deoband can be recruited by al Qaeda or any other terror groups." Additional reporting by Fayaz Bukhari in Srinagar and Biswajyoti Das in Guwahati. The post Indian States on Alert After al Qaeda Announces Local Wing appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Thai Cabinet Meets King; Doubt Grows Over Power Handover Schedule Posted: 04 Sep 2014 10:47 PM PDT From left to right, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula speak with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn during a photo session at the Government House in Bangkok on September 4, 2014. (Photo: Reuters) BANGKOK — Thailand's new military-stacked cabinet met King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok on Thursday, marking the formal start of an administration that will spend at least a year overhauling the political system before calling an election. The leader of a May 22 coup, army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is now prime minister, has said he wants a year of reforms to culminate in a late 2015 election. But observers say there are signs a power transfer could be delayed. "Prayuth has given himself several tasks to attend to while he is appointed prime minister," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs affiliated with Chiang Mai University. "These could likely legitimize a reason for him to extend his term as prime minister and thus consolidate the power of his military faction and himself." Dressed in a crisp, white military uniform, Prayuth, 60, led his cabinet to Bangkok's Siriraj hospital, where King Bhumibol, 86, has been staying while he undergoes a health check-up, the palace says. The army seized power after months of protests in Bangkok by supporters of the royalist establishment against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Analysts say the coup leaders want to end influence of Yingluck's brother, former telecoms tycoon and populist premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. He lives abroad to avoid a jail term for graft but retains huge support, to the anger of the establishment which sees him as a threat. The military-backed government installed after the 2006 coup re-wrote the constitution to try to curb Thaksin's sway. But that failed to derail his political juggernaut and Yingluck swept a 2011 election. "Rightly or wrongly, there is a feeling among the generals that the armed forces is the only institution in Thailand that is capable of revamping the political landscape and rooting out Thaksin's influence," Ambika Ahuja, a Southeast Asia specialist at Eurasia Group, a New York-based political risk consultancy, told Reuters in an email. Policy Misstep Since taking control Prayuth has rolled out a temporary constitution that grants the military absolute powers and hand-picked an interim parliament stacked with military figures that appointed him prime minister. The military government is striving to revive an economy that contracted in the first half of the year. There are signs of recovery but data on Friday suggested a broad-based recovery is some way off. The man overseeing the economy in the new cabinet is one of its few civilians, Pridiyathorn Devakula, 67, a former central bank governor who was finance minister in the government the military set up after the 2006 coup. During that government, he bungled an attempt to impose capital controls to prop up the currency, leading to a sharp fall in the stock market. His appointment has garnered mixed reactions. "I don't think he is a stand-out to foreign investors and any who have followed Thailand for a long time remember his capital controls mistake," Andrew Stotz, chief executive at A. Stotz Investment Research in Bangkok, told Reuters. Others welcome someone they say is respected in the international financial community who, as economics adviser to the junta, has helped ease foreign investor concerns about stability. But democracy, said Chambers, may have to wait. "Prayuth's promises to achieve multiple goals also gives them what they perhaps perceive as a mandate to remain in power until these objectives are reached," said Chambers. "Only one year until elections? I doubt it." Additional reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak and Orathai Sriring. The post Thai Cabinet Meets King; Doubt Grows Over Power Handover Schedule appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Apple Supplier in China Accused of Violations Posted: 04 Sep 2014 10:43 PM PDT Workers are seen inside a Foxconn factory in the township of Longhua in southern China's Guangdong Province May 26, 2010. (Photo: Reuters) BEIJING — An Apple supplier in China is violating safety and pay rules despite the computer giant's promises to improve conditions, two activist groups said Thursday, ahead of the expected release of the iPhone 6. The report by China Labor Watch and Green America adds to a string of complaints about wage, safety and environmental conditions at China's network of contractors that produce most of the world's personal computers and mobile phones. Global brands that rely on Chinese suppliers have responded by imposing wage and other standards and by carrying out regular inspections. Violations at Catcher Technology's facility in the eastern city of Suqian have worsened since they were pointed out to Apple in April 2013 by China Labor Watch, the report said. At the time, Apple promised to remedy the problems. The report said employees affected worked on parts for the latest version of Apple's iPad and were later transferred to a facility that produces the iPhone 6. Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, California, said it would send inspectors to investigate the latest report. It said the Suqian facility makes aluminum enclosures for MacBook and iPad computers. An undercover investigator who got a job at the facility found violations including mandatory overtime of up to 100 hours per month, in excess of the legal limit of 36 hours, and failure to pay some wages to its 20,000 employees, the report said. It said violations of Apple policies included failing to give out protective gear and locking fire exits and windows. An aluminum polishing workshop was filled with metal dust, a fire hazard, according to the report. It said supervisors talked about the need to reduce fire risk following an explosion at another company but no action was taken. In a statement, Apple said its inspectors examine the Catcher facility's aluminum polishing systems every month "and consistently find they exceed international safety standards." The statement said Apple conducted 451 audits of suppliers including Catcher last year. The latest audit of Catcher in May found "concrete areas" for improvement, the company said. It said as a result of fire safety inspections, the most recent last week, Catcher has repaired fire extinguishers, unblocked fire exits and added missing emergency exit signs. Apple said Catcher has averaged 95 percent compliance with its limit of 60 hours of work per week so far this year. The company has scheduled a product launch for Sept. 9 but has not said what will be released. People who follow the company believe it will be a larger iPhone or possibly a smart watch. In 2012, Apple promised to raise wages and reduce working hours at factories in China after an audit found violations by its biggest supplier, Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group. Companies including Nike Inc., Gap Inc. and The Walt Disney Co. also have set labor standards for Chinese factories that make shoes, clothing, toys and other goods sold under their brands. The post Apple Supplier in China Accused of Violations appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

Chinese Tourists Flock to a ‘Pleasant Village’ of Gambling Dens in Burma Posted: 04 Sep 2014 05:00 PM PDT One of the casinos of Wancho, near Mong La. (Photo: Nang Seng Nom / The Irrawaddy) SPECIAL REGION 4 — At 8am, the road out of Mong La gets busy. Many visitors to this border town in the far east of Burma's Shan State come to gamble—to do that, they must make the seven-mile journey to Wancho. Eleven years ago, the National Democratic Alliance Army that controls this enclave on the Burmese-Chinese border moved Mong La's casinos here, apparently responding to crackdown by the Chinese government after a Chinese official blew more than US$100,000 in a single visit. Wancho, not the original name for this place, means "pleasant village." "The village's name was Wanshow originally. But to make it a happy place, they changed it to Wancho when they built the casinos," said Aung Tun, a Mong La resident. About 400 expensive-looking cars take tourists to the gaming hub each day. Most are men and women from China, where, like in most of Burma, gambling is prohibited. They are not allowed to sleep in the casino village—although they can gamble 24 hours a day in the casinos—so many return to Mong La's hotels at night. The 15 or so casino buildings are topped with satellite dishes. Inside, many of the players wear headsets, communicating with high-rollers elsewhere for whom they serve as proxies. The guards seem to let anyone in, but taking photographs inside is prohibited. For many of the workers here, all dressed in black and white, the casinos one of the limited options for employment—outside of the sex industry and the illegal wildlife trade. But only 18-30 year olds are allowed to work, and those who reach 30 have to leave their jobs. Hailing from Shan State towns like Muse and Lashio, or Mong La and the town of Tangyan in the Wa region, workers from various local ethnic groups alternate day and night shifts and are shuttled back and forth to accommodation in Mong La. A local ethnic Shan ethnic woman, who has two daughters working in the casinos, told The Irrawaddy her daughters earn 3,000-4,000 yuan ($489-652) a month—a relatively high wage in the rest of Burma. "I rent an apartment here in Mong La and have to pay 1,200 yuan [$195]. The rent price has high because many people come to work in here," she said. "The town does not have much border trade, so there's not much work except for in the gambling industry. Most people here go to work in the casinos." The post Chinese Tourists Flock to a 'Pleasant Village' of Gambling Dens in Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy Magazine.

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The UNFC: A “Non-partisan” view Posted: 05 Sep 2014 06:28 AM PDT If what was published by SHAN on Wednesday, 3 September, voiced a pessimistic view on the 12 armed organizations' alliance, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and the article which followed on the next an optimistic one on it, what I'm going to write here offers a realistic once-over, according to a UNFC member who considers himself a non-partisan in the controversy that arose between the UNFC and the Karen National Union (KNU) that has suspended its membership in the 3 year old pact. The positive sides of the UNFC, he says, include: ·      The 11 parties remain at least arguably united despite the KNU's hopefully temporary parting ("Unity especially at this juncture is the key," he says) ·       The KNU still agrees to work in the 16 member Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) where UNFC members form the majority. Padoh Kwe Htoo Win, General Secretary of the KNU, is one of the two deputy leaders of the NCCT that is negotiating with the government's Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) ·      Khu Oo Reh, the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP)'s Vice President, who has been elected as the alliance's General Secretary, is seen as a leader acceptable to both UNFC and non-UNFC armed organizations ·      The alliance continues to enjoy moral and material support from the Nippon Foundation, whose head Yohei Sasakawa was appointed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as special representative to help achieve national reconciliation in Burma in February 2013.  "Nevertheless," the "non-partisan" argues, "the KNU, I believe, had not overreacted as some people believe." His arguments are: ·      The alliance operates not on consensus as desired by the KNU and others who collectively are in the minority but on majority decision ("The arrangement may be okay for small groups but not always for bigger organizations," he claims) ·      The KNU had proposed that a supervisory committee, made up UNFC and non- UNFC armed organizations, to give guidance to the NCCT's negotiations with the UPWC (The UPWC has the Union Peacemaking Central Committee, made up of cabinet, military and legislative members. "The UNFC, however, has 'hijacked' the NCCT," he charges) Note: Please see Statement of First United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) Congress (3 September 2014): #5. The Congress resolved that with respect to ceasefire, the NCCT is a working group formed of representatives of the UNFC member and associate organizations, and that working group is performing for achieving a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, in accordance with the principles and political laid down by the UNFC.      ·      At least two of the UNFC Executive Committee of the UNFC do not appear to meet the requirement of the UNFC Constitution that they must be on the central committee of their respective movements ("That is not quite an encouraging  precedent, " he says) The "non-partisan" is also concerned about the old way of thinking,that old solutions still apply to the new circumstances. "Forming an alliance to fight and forming one to make peace while preparing for the worst," he says "are quite different. For instance, the UNFC wants to represent the ethnic nationalities in the proposed Tripartite Dialogue (between the Government, Democratic Forces and Ethnic Nationalities as recommended by the UN in 1994). But the democratic forces as once represented by Aung San Suu Kyi is no more. And ethnic parties that were almost strangled to death under the military regime are now alive and kicking. But the UNFC had invited only chosen CSOs and parties to the Congress." Another concern of his is that there are elements both within and without the UNFC who are pushing for political dialogue instead of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) that the NCCT and UPWC are negotiating. "They are suggesting that the NCA be delayed until the post-2015 elections government is in place," he says. "If it is signed now, the West may lift all its sanctions and the USDP, riding the crest of its success, may be re-elected.They think the ethnic nationalities are going to get a better deal with a non-military affiliated party government." He is likewise troubled about the leadership. "There has been a lot of reports that in the UNFC nothing is agreed until the chairman agrees," he says. "I hope we will not witness any repetitions in his second term." The "non-partisan", meanwhile, is not without concern about the KNU. "I hope both factions are able to come to terms with each other," he hopes. "I also hope we don't see emergence of new DKBAs and new KPCs (groups that split away from the KNU)." The KNU has called a CEC meeting for the next month. So now that you've heard "your side", "my side" and even "neither side" of the story,, what do you think is the truth?

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