Friday, November 18, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Zaykabar Group’s U Khin Shwe to Open Private Museum

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 07:54 AM PST

The museum in Rangoon's Mingaladon Township will showcase a collection of antiques, art and natural history artifacts.

The post Zaykabar Group's U Khin Shwe to Open Private Museum appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parliamentary Committee Introduces Changes to Controversial Article 66(d)

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 07:26 AM PST

Parliament does not plan to scrap Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law but will introduce changes, according to a parliamentary committee.

The post Parliamentary Committee Introduces Changes to Controversial Article 66(d) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Analysis: Dealing With Defamation

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 06:47 AM PST

Lawyers and members of the media respond to calls to amend or abolish Burma's controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.

The post Analysis: Dealing With Defamation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Alleges Rohingya Detainees Underwent ‘Terrorist Training’

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 05:57 AM PST

The govt alleges that people involved in a series of deadly attacks in northern Arakan State last month were forced to undergo terrorist training.

The post Govt Alleges Rohingya Detainees Underwent 'Terrorist Training' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Irrawaddy Dolphin Victim of Electric Shock Fishing

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 05:52 AM PST

The third river dolphin to be found dead this year highlights problem of electric shock fishing on the Irrawaddy River.

The post Irrawaddy Dolphin Victim of Electric Shock Fishing appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Quick Meals, Lasting Effects     

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 03:29 AM PST

Statistics show that the everyday food found on Rangoon streets contributes to a growing number of health problems.

The post Quick Meals, Lasting Effects      appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ma Ba Tha’s U Wirathu: Trump ‘Similar to Me’

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 03:19 AM PST

High-profile leader of nationalist Buddhist organization suggests cooperating with nationalist groups in the US.

The post Ma Ba Tha's U Wirathu: Trump 'Similar to Me' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Motorcycle Ban to Continue in Rangoon

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 03:13 AM PST

The transportation ministry says a motorcycle ban will remain in Rangoon's 'populous suburban townships.'

The post Motorcycle Ban to Continue in Rangoon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thailand’s Queen in Hospital

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 09:27 PM PST

Queen Sirikit is being treated with antibiotics for a high fever and lung infection but is able to 'breathe well and eat.'

The post Thailand's Queen in Hospital appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parliament to Discuss Legal Protection for Domestic Workers

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 07:16 PM PST

NLD Lower House lawmaker Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo proposes a motion urging the Union government to intervene in cases of forced labor and abuse.

The post Parliament to Discuss Legal Protection for Domestic Workers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


NLD researcher formally charged with defamation over Facebook critique

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:35 AM PST

National League for Democracy member U Myo Yan Naung Thein was formally arraigned on a Telecommunications Law defamation charge at the Kamaryut Township Court yesterday, having twice previously been remanded into custody without official prosecutorial proceedings commencing.

Child in Yangon tested for suspected Zika

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:31 AM PST

Test results are expected today or tomorrow on a suspected Zika virus case, according to the Department of Public Health.

China continues to court on Myitsone project ahead of commission presser

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:29 AM PST

As the commission tasked with reviewing hydropower projects along the upper reaches of the Ayeyarwady River submitted its first report to the president this past week, Chinese state media has assured its nation of the ongoing "friendly and cooperative" Sino-Myanmar relationship.

USDP MP kicked from seat following election complaint

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:25 AM PST

A prominent member of the former ruling party has been ousted from his parliamentary seat after the election commission ruled against him in a campaign-related dispute, according to the Joint Hluttaw Rights Committee.

Security boosted at Shwedagon amid pagoda trustees shake-up

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:15 PM PST

Security has been boosted at Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, with the Ministry of Religious Affairs saying extra precautions are being taken to prevent terrorist attacks.

Photographer barred from entering Myanmar

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:08 PM PST

An award-winning Canadian-American photographer appears to have been denied entry into Myanmar as his name was included on a "blacklist".

In Myanmar, ‘right to know’ legislation left lagging

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:05 PM PST

Access to information remains a key issue in Myanmar, media figures say, despite the developments in the sector over the past few years.

Mother describes mental, physical abuse at Ava trial

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:04 PM PST

The mother of one of the child maids allegedly enslaved by the Ava Tailoring shop testified in court that her daughter continues to suffer the consequences of mental and physical abuse at the hands of the shop owners.

Motorcycles still banned on Yangon outskirts: deputy minister

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:03 PM PST

A proposal to allow motorcycles on the commercial capital's outskirts has been knocked out of the running by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, a deputy minister told the Pyithu Hluttaw yesterday.

Five trucks in Shan State being checked for illegal trade

Posted: 17 Nov 2016 11:02 PM PST

Five trucks carrying goods from China into Shan State are currently being examined by authorities, as they seek to determine whether or not they were engaged in illegal trade.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


To Hopeland and Back: The 23rd trip

Posted: 18 Nov 2016 12:48 AM PST

Understanding is much deeper than trust.

Anonymous

Photo: indoess.org)
My latest trip is about three things:

·         To attend the drug policy dialogue in Naypyitaw
·         To attend the meeting on Joint Coordination body (JCB) for peace funding
·         To deliver a presentation on current peace process to foreign friends

Plus a few others, which I will report as my journal proceeds.

Day One. Sunday, 5 November 2016

I loved when Bush came out and said, "We are losing the war against drugs."

Bill Hicks (1961-1994)

American stand-up comedian, satirist and social critic
My trip coincides with the report by Lahu National Development Organization (LNDO)'s Naypyitaw's Drug Addiction, which came out on 27 October.

The findings aren't much different from what I had reported from 2003 ("Show Business") to 2012 ("Show Drug Watch 2012"). The significance is that everything seems to have been changing for the worst:
·         Despite peace talks, there are reports of military buildup on both sides
Photo: indoess.org)

·         Involvement of Tatmadaw supported People's Milia Forces (PMFs) in the drug business
·         Increase in drug addiction among youth
·         Token drug programs that don't appear to be working
·         Burma Army units still being paid off by farmers and investors
·         Trade off with farmers in order to win elections

The LNDO, headed by Japhet Jagui, a former PMF leader, recommends that political resolutions must come before termination of the drug problem in Burma.

Actually, it is almost the same message given by Naypyitaw's Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) during this year's ceremony on 26 June marking the international day against drugs. "Drug control and peace are interrelated," said Police Colonel Zaw Lin Tun, head of planning at the Burma Police anti-drug squad.

So the first thing I do when I leave the airport is to visit an old friend, whom I had often sought counsel more than 20 years ago. At his explicit request, his identity will be kept under wraps for the time being.

Despite being media shy, I found him forthright with his comments:

·         The standard government policy has always been blaming the rebels. But in reality it's not like regular criminal activities. You catch the guilty person or the gang involved, and it's over. However, drugs involve the whole society from the top to the bottom. Only by reaching a political resolution among its key stakeholders, will we be able to settle the problem. For this, the government needs to be broadminded. Talking about unity while pursuing a 'divide-and-rule' policy is not the way. 

·         The royal project in Thailand is a success, because there is peace and because the people trusted the king and his staff. (Here is an excerpt from Ronald D. Renaud's Opium Reduction in Thailand, 1970-2000: A Thirty-Year journey:

The leadership of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, strong political will, national unity, together with the sound investment of the international community and the Thai government, were major factors.

Sai Naw Kham
(Photo: china.org.cm)
On my way to the hotel, the driver, who is a Shan from Mongyai tells me he is a relative by marriage to the late "druglord" Naw Kham, who was executed by Chinese authorities in 2013.


He confirms to me that Naw Kham came from a princeling family. His father Khun Zeun was a minor prince of Mongpart in the now defunct princedom of Mongyai. Married to Nang Mya Oo, they had 5 children:

·         Nang Nyunt Aye
·         Sai La Harn (deceased)
·         Sai Naw Kham (deceased)
·         Sai Oong Kya
·         Nang Kham Hawm
·         Sai Lao Fa


I hope I have time to write about him before it's time for me to go, as the car pulls up in front of one of the hotels near the Shwe Dagon Pagoda.