Saturday, March 12, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Remembering Win Tin Amid Burma’s Democratic Ascendance

Posted: 11 Mar 2016 10:28 PM PST

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RANGOON — If he were still alive, Win Tin would have turned 86 on Saturday. The former journalist, who died in 2014 at the age of 84, was a cofounder of the National League for Democracy (NLD), along with party chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, and was also highly respected for his relentless activism against Burma's former military regime.

Win Tin was one of Burma's longest serving political prisoners. Starting in 1989, he spent almost two decades behind bars for cofounding the NLD and later for attempting to inform the United Nations about human rights violations in the country's prisons. When he was finally released, he was 78 years old.

Despite his criticism of Suu Kyi in recent years for her rapprochement with the military, which he deemed too conciliatory, his loyalty to Suu Kyi and the NLD was unshakeable. As the NLD readies to take the reins of government in just a few weeks' time, there is little doubt that were he alive to see the day, the longtime people-power advocate would agree, at the very least, that it's been a long time coming for Burma's pro-democracy movement.

The post Remembering Win Tin Amid Burma's Democratic Ascendance appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (March 12, 2016)

Posted: 11 Mar 2016 07:13 PM PST

An employee of Ajinomoto checks packaging boxes of its Hon-Dashi, or bonito base seasoning, before packing into carton boxes at the company's Kawasaki factory in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, on June 29, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

An employee of Ajinomoto checks packaging boxes of its Hon-Dashi, or bonito base seasoning, before packing into carton boxes at the company's Kawasaki factory in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, on June 29, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

Dramatic Redevelopment of Rangoon Railway Station Moves Forward

The state agency Myanma Railways wants to push rapidly ahead with an ambitious plan to redevelop Rangoon's Central Railway Station, state media reports.

The Global New Light of Myanmar on Wednesday reported an announcement from Myanma Railways saying it had received expressions of interest from more than a dozen companies, including two joint ventures with American investors, in a tender to develop the station.

The agency's general manager for Lower Burma, Tun Aung Thin, was cited saying that the winners of the tender would be selected in May this year. The project will "launch" in May 2017, the report said.

"Fifteen companies including five from Myanmar, two from Singapore, two joint-venture companies with the US, two from Korea and three from China sent Expression of Interest [EoI] for the project when MR invited the tender for the second time in July last year," the report said.

Myanma Railways wants total investment in the railway station in the city's downtown, to reach more than $2 billion, presumably coming from the tender winner.

An illustration published with the report showed two tall towers, and five shorter blocks, sticking out of a new station in the spot where the existing rail yard sits. Perhaps ominously for defenders of Rangoon's skyline and architectural heritage, the state newspaper also cited "sources" saying that the area of the station set to be developed does not fall within areas authorities have set aside for building height restrictions.

It also suggested that locals might be moved from their homes to make way for the development. "So far, the Resettlement Action Plan and the Conceptual Plan for the project have already been drawn, according to MR sources," the report said.

Environmental Campaign Group Reports Break in Logging Trade

The trade of logs across northern Burma's border with China has fallen dramatically, according to a group that exposed military and ethnic armed groups' involvement in the timber business. But the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) warned that previous lulls in the unauthorized exports of timber had proven temporary.

The government has long banned the export of logs across the border, and timber could only be taken out of Burma legitimately through Rangoon's port. But the trade went on illegally, and at an unsustainable pace, with the vast profits escaping state taxation. A total ban on the export of unprocessed logs was imposed in April 2014, but still wood worth an estimated almost half a billion dollars was exported in that year, according to the EIA's September 2015 report, Organized Chaos.

In an update this week, EIA said it had recorded "a sharp downturn in the volume of illegal timber being smuggled between the two countries during the past six months." That came after the publication of the previous report, and the high-profile case of 155 Chinese nationals arrested by the Burma Army for logging, who were ultimately released in an amnesty after pressure from the Chinese government.

"Field observations by EIA since the report launch indicate that the flow of timber across the border has fallen dramatically," the update said. "One year ago, EIA documented long lines of trucks queuing to carry valuable logs across the border. This year only small amounts of precious woods are being smuggled via backroads on motorbikes or passenger vehicles."

The group said a Chinese government crackdown could have caused the hiatus. But it may simply be due to an oversupply in luxury timber like rosewood, the price of which has dropped recently. The demand side may also have been impacted by a recent downturn in the Chinese economy and a broad government crackdown there on official corruption, the proceeds of which are often spent on high-value items like hardwood furniture.

However, EIA warned, "previous reductions in timber flows have proved temporary."

"Without formal measures to permanently halt timber trade across the border it could quickly resume once the log piles on the Chinese side of the border dwindle and timber prices rise again due to scarcity," the group said. "One Chinese timber businessman, based in Pianma, has told the media he expected the local government to lift controls on timber imports in March."

Thai Lion Air Plans to Add to Rangoon-Bangkok Flights

Thai-Indonesian airline Thai Lion Air is planning to add flights between Rangoon International Airport and Bangkok's Don Mueang next month, according to a report from the CAPA Centre for Aviation.

In an analysis of the low-cost carrier's plans around the region, citing Thai Lion managing director Capt.Darsito Hendroseputro, the aviation intelligence service said flights would begin in April.

Competition on the route is already intense, with budget airlines Nok Air, Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia all connecting Rangoon with the Thai capital city. Burmese domestic carriers Myanmar National Airlines and Myanmar Airways International also both offer flights from Rangoon to Bangkok.

CAPA Centre for Aviation analysis of Burmese government data shows that Thai AirAsia's flights are on average only 73 percent full.

"However Bangkok-Yangon is a large and growing route, particularly at the budget end," the report said. "Thai Lion may be strategically compelled to serve Myanmar as it strives to become a significant player in Thailand's international market."

Thai Lion Air is an associate company of Indonesia's Lion Air, but has Thai ownership.

German Retail Giant Weighing Burma Move: Report

German company Metro, which runs large-scale cash and carry stores, is considering expanding into Burma, according to comments from the company's CEO picked up by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The newswire said Metro chief executive Olaf Koch was interviewed by German weekly magazine Wirtschafts Woche about the firm's plans, which include looking at Burma as well as Iran.

AFP said Metro was preparing to expand its international cash and carry business, which already operates in 30 countries in Europe and Asia.

"Myanmar is benefitting from opening up politically and has high growth potential," Koch was quoted saying. "We'll decide by the end of the year which way our journey is headed."

MSG-Maker Ajinomoto Plans to Relaunch Burma Production

Japanese seasoning producer Ajinomoto is reportedly set to invest $10.6 million in Burma and open a new factory in the country, after previously ceasing its operations in the country in 2000.

The Tokyo-based company was the first to sell the compound aji no moto ("essence of taste," in Japanese), which is better known as MSG, or monosodium glutamate.

According to a report from Japanese media outlet Nikkei, Ajinomoto wants to relaunch in the country next year in hopes of tapping into rising consumer demand. The firm has already set up a new local company, and plans to open a 5,000-square-meter factory in the Japanese-backed Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) just outside of Rangoon.

"The plant will import monosodium glutamate, or MSG, from Thailand and package it for the Myanmar market," the report said.

"The operation is expected to start with 100 or so personnel, including salespeople. The Aji-no-moto seasoning will be sold in just Yangon and Mandalay initially. After expanding sales nationwide, the company aims to generate 3 billion yen ($26 million) in annual sales by fiscal 2020."

The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (March 12, 2016) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘We Desperately Need an Ethnic Affairs Ministry’

Posted: 11 Mar 2016 06:27 PM PST

On this week's panel, The Irrawaddy's English edition editor Kyaw Zwa Moe speaks with ethnic affairs minister No Than Kap and Khin Zaw Win of the Tampadipa Institute.

On this week's panel, The Irrawaddy's English edition editor Kyaw Zwa Moe speaks with ethnic affairs minister No Than Kap and Khin Zaw Win of the Tampadipa Institute.

Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy. This week, we'll discuss how the National League for Democracy [NLD], which won the November election, is forming the parliamentary affairs committees; how parliamentary speakers are elected; and how the NLD will form the cabinet based on its ethnic affairs policies. The chairman of the Chin Progressive Party and Chin ethnic affairs minister for Sagaing Division, U No Than Kap, and the director of Tampadipa Institute, Dr. Khin Zaw Win, will join the discussion. I'm Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe.

U No Than Kap, over the past three or four months, we've seen the NLD's ethnic policies. The NLD's election declaration or, in other words, its manifesto, declares publicly that its top priorities are ethnic affairs and internal peace. What is the NLD-dominated parliament's policy on ethnic groups? What is your assessment of it?

No Than Kap: I prefer to use the word 'ethnic minorities.' We were very glad to see the speaker of the Union Parliament sitting at his seat in the traditional Karen attire. Ethnic people have been given other positions aside from the Upper House speaker position, as well. We are satisfied that the NLD also included many members of other political and ethnic parties in parliamentary committees instead of high-handedly forming those committees with their members alone. If this trend continues, it would mean they are making good on their word to build national unity.

KZM: What differences did you see in the outgoing U Thein Sein government regarding these issues?

NHK: As everyone has seen, there were no ethnic speakers or deputy speakers at the Union level [under the USDP government]. There were only one or two ethnic lawmakers in the parliamentary affairs committees. Compared to the situation now, to be frank, the situation in the past was not reassuring. This is, however, just the assessment from the ethnic point of view.

If the NLD continues as they have when forming the cabinet, this would mean taking practical steps toward national unity. We are not interested in what they say, but are only interested in what they do. Mainly, we want to achieve self-determination. But currently at the Union level, ethnicities like Chin or Karen do not enjoy equality with Burmans, even if they have the same capacity. We'll be satisfied if ethnicities can work on equal terms with Burmans, for example, in legislation. We don't know yet how the new government will be formed, but if it is formed like the parliamentary committees were formed, half of the work toward building national unity will be done, I think.

KZM: U Khin Zaw Win, the list of presidential nominees will be submitted to the Parliament within a few days, and the NLD will form the government. There are 36 ministries at the time of the outgoing government and the NLD has said it would cut the number to 20 or 21. What should the ratio be if the NLD is going to form a government that considers ethnic minorities or, in other words, a government of national reconciliation? The NLD has continuously said it would form a government of national reconciliation. U Win Htein of the NLD recently said that the NLD would only take 30 or 40 percent of the cabinet positions. So what do you think is the appropriate ratio?

Khin Zaw Win: Just after the election, I said that the NLD had won by a landslide, but difficulties and challenges facing the country are gigantic, and therefore it needs to form an inclusive government. I said this three or four months ago. The NLD had the same thought. So, the question is how large a proportion of ethnic minorities the NLD will include in the government.

Taking a look at the outgoing Parliament, setting aside the Parliament, there are hardly any ethnic people in the government. The outgoing government appointed four or five women to the cabinet. But, as far as I know, the deputy hotels and tourism minister is the only ethnic person appointed by them. They did not appoint ethnic people. But things are quite different now. I hope the cabinet will be formed as we expect. If the NLD will only take 30 to 40 percent of the government positions, I hope ethnicities will be included. It would contribute a lot to rebuilding a situation that has been bad since 1962.

KZM: Now, speculation is rife as to who will become the president. There have been wild guesses. But there is interesting talk that an ethnic person will be offered the vice presidency. U Sai Mauk Kham was appointed vice president in the outgoing U Thein Sein government. So, there is speculation if a Shan or Chin may be a vice president this time. Will the NLD make a different move than the previous government in selecting presidential nominees?

NHK: In the outgoing government, one of the vice presidents is an ethnic Shan. But he is from the Union Solidarity and Development Party [USDP]. In the US, [the president] chooses capable people for the cabinet even if they are from different parties and have different views. In my view, if the NLD appoints an ethnic person, it should choose a capable person, but not someone from its [alliance] parties.

KZM: What particular policies should the NLD government adopt toward ethnic groups? Suppose the NLD reduces the number of ministries to 20: Which ministries are more appropriate for ethnic people or is an Ethnic Affairs Ministry needed to be established for ethnic groups in order to obtain self-determination?

NHK: The Constitution provides provisions about national unity. But according to my experience, we have a lot of difficulty handling ethnic issues because there is neither a Union-level Ethnic Affairs Ministry nor an ethnic affairs minister.

Yes, some ministers have accountability. But sometimes, ethnic issues arise that need to be dealt with at the Union level—for example social, literature and other issues. You may say we can talk directly to the president, but he is quite busy and we need to contact him through the President's Office Minister U Hla Tun. But in reality, everyone knows that it is quite difficult. It is not convenient.

So, to build national unity, a Union Ethnic Affairs Ministry should be established and an ethnic affairs minister should be appointed from capable ethnic people if possible. It would mean effectively implementing the manifesto of the NLD. In my view, we desperately need an Ethnic Affairs Ministry.

KZM: There are division/state governments apart from the Union government. What measures should the NLD take in ethnic regions like Chin State, where there will be nine ministries? What do you think?

KZW: That issue is even more delicate. Anyway, we are heading toward federalism now. When I meet my ethnic friends, I tell them that it is not enough to focus on the relationship between the mainland and the highlands. There are various ethnicities in their region, and they need to work in cooperation with them. Sometimes, this fact seems to be neglected. Chin people constitute the largest majority of the population in Chin State. But there are many ethnicities in Kachin and Shan states. So, to exercise federalism, ethnic leaders should also be included in the nine-member cabinet. Not only personalities from political parties; ethnic leaders should also be included.

KZM: Recently, rumors went around that NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military leadership had negotiated the appointment of 14 division/state chief minister positions. And the latest talk was that the NLD would appoint only its own party members to chief minister positions. Constitutionally, does the president have a mandate to appoint chief ministers. What is your view about the chief ministers being appointed by the NLD and nine minister positions of the state? Will there be problems?

NHK: As far as I am concerned, I don't think there is strong partisanship in states. The NLD has the mandate as it has won the election, and the president will be elected from the NLD. So, the question is whether the person appointed by the NLD as the chief minister is a reliable person. The NLD is working in conformity with the Constitution now. We can't say what the NLD is doing is illegitimate until the NLD's president intervenes in the process of appointing chief ministers after the Constitution is changed for parliaments to elect the chief ministers of their own regions. At present, what the NLD is doing is legal. Whether or not the NLD's appointment creates a problem will depend on whom they appoint. If he is capable, there will not be a big problem. The most important thing is that we have a capable person as the chief minister in our state.

KZM: [Issue] No. 3 of the NLD's manifesto says it will work toward ensuring liberty, equity, self-determination and a complete and genuine federal democratic Union. What clear policies will the NLD need to establish a federal democratic Union?

KZW: The top one is about finance. A sufficient budget must be allotted to bring about proper development in a state. Currently, the central government grants a budget, but later it should be considered depending on the request of the state government. Again, there should not be discrimination on the grounds of race in appointing government staff. I want to stress the importance of that; it is particularly more important that there is [existing] discrimination in the military. There should not be discrimination on the grounds of race in the military against officers or rankers. It is important. Again, most of the states lag behind and priority should be given to the education and health sectors there.

KZM: Here, resource-sharing is critically important.

KZW: Yes, that is also extremely important.

KZM: Again, I am afraid that the new next government will not be able to exert much influence on the military.

KZW: It needs to be done step by step.

KZM: U No Htan, can you share your point of view as a Chin ethnic person and leader of the current trends on behalf of the majority of ethnic minorities?

NHK: In my view, 'federal Union' is just about terminology. In my view, 'federal' and 'Union' are the same. I mean, if a country is a Union, it is already a federal Union. If it is a single Union, it is a unitary. This is about terminology. Let it be. We want the right to self-determination and I think that only the state parliament should have the mandate to appoint the top position of the state—chief minister. At present, Article 261 is still not amended and we can't oppose it when what the NLD is doing conforms to the Constitution. However, that article should be amended as soon as possible. It is part of a genuine federal Union. If the NLD keeps on doing what it is they are already doing, there will no longer be ethnic armed groups.

KZM: We have to wait and watch the actions of the NLD to see how much it will consider different ethnic groups when adopting its policies. Thank you for your contribution.

Editor's Note: This edition of Dateline Irrawaddy was taped on March 8, ahead of the NLD's selection of vice presidential nominees on Thursday.

The post Dateline Irrawaddy: 'We Desperately Need an Ethnic Affairs Ministry' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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