Thursday, February 9, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Bangladesh Says it is Stopping Rohingya Militants, Allowing ‘Helpless’ Refugees

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 07:24 AM PST

Bangladesh will continue to allow women, children and the elderly to seek shelter there, a top government official says.

The post Bangladesh Says it is Stopping Rohingya Militants, Allowing 'Helpless' Refugees appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt to Speed Up NVC Issuing Process

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 06:06 AM PST

The govt forms a leading body to accelerate the process of issuing national verification cards to Rohingya waiting for citizenship.

The post Govt to Speed Up NVC Issuing Process appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The Unpublicized Summit in Naypyidaw

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 05:38 AM PST

Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reportedly asks to convene a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council as soon as possible.

The post The Unpublicized Summit in Naypyidaw appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakan State Govt Proposes Locations for Nine New Beach Resorts

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 04:55 AM PST

The state is awaiting approval from the Union government in order to officially announce the hotel zones in Gwa and Thandwe townships.

The post Arakan State Govt Proposes Locations for Nine New Beach Resorts appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

After Local Objections, Mon State Bridge Will Undergo Name Change

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 04:24 AM PST

The Mon State Chief Minister will reconsider naming a bridge for Burmese independence icon Gen Aung San.

The post After Local Objections, Mon State Bridge Will Undergo Name Change appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Education Ministry to Introduce New Exam System

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 01:33 AM PST

New system will determine if a student is qualified to graduate to higher grade based on overall performance throughout the academic year.

The post Education Ministry to Introduce New Exam System appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UN Officials Fear Arakan State Death Toll Underestimated

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:42 PM PST

Government says it 'will check figures on the ground' following UN agency officials' estimates that more than 1,000 may have been killed in crackdown.

The post UN Officials Fear Arakan State Death Toll Underestimated appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Statue of Slain KNU Leader to be Unveiled in Irrawaddy Delta

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:25 PM PST

Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, murdered by two gunmen on the afternoon of Feb. 14, 2008 at his home in Mae Sot, will be honored with memorial statue.

The post Statue of Slain KNU Leader to be Unveiled in Irrawaddy Delta appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt ‘Deeply Concerned’ by UN Report of Arakan State Human Rights Abuses

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 08:46 PM PST

Foreign ministry statement labels reports of widespread abuses 'very serious' and promises to take necessary measures where there is clear evidence.

The post Govt 'Deeply Concerned' by UN Report of Arakan State Human Rights Abuses appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Book Review: Caretaking Democratization

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 07:01 PM PST

T. F. Rhoden reviews Renaud Egreteau's new book on Burmese politics and the praetorian side of democratization.

The post Book Review: Caretaking Democratization appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Government cuts down foreign debt 

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 12:00 AM PST

Foreign debt was reduced to US$540 million during the first nine months of the NLD-led government, according to a Ministry of Planning and Finance presentation to the Hluttaw.

Parliament votes to dissolve MICA

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:55 PM PST

Amyotha Hluttaw approved a proposal to dissolve the Myanmar International Cooperation Agency (MICA) – a food security agency formed under the U Thein Sein government – during the Hluttaw session held on February 7.

CNF, ALP annoyed over dialogue delay

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:50 PM PST

The postponement of national-level dialogue between Chin National Front (CNF) and Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) in Chin and Rakhine states has angered both groups, who are accusing the peace secretariat of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government of discrimination and divisive actions.

Hluttaw calls for higher taxes as oil, gas revenues decline

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:45 PM PST

As oil and gas revenues are expected to decline, the government is urged to increase taxes from other industries in order to reach original tax targets for the year, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Public Accounts Joint Committee presented in their review on February 8.

Mon chief minister to face sanctions after MPs’ complaints

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:40 PM PST

The Union government will take action against Mon State Chief Minister U Min Min Oo after several Members of Parliament lodged complaints of misconduct against him, head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) investigation team U Nyan Win said.

Baluchaung No 2 Hydropower Plant rehabilitated

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:38 PM PST

Rehabilitation work on the 60- year-old Baluchaung No 2 Hydropower plant (also known as the Lawpita Hydropower Project) is almost completed.

Loikaw General Hospital gets US$17m upgrade, courtesy Japan

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:34 PM PST

Loikaw General Hospital in Kayah State has been upgraded with a US$17 million grant from the Japanese government, and now has two new buildings as well as new medical equipment.

Private investigating services are illegal, says police

Posted: 08 Feb 2017 11:32 PM PST

Myanmar's first private investigating services company is illegal, says Myanmar's police.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Record year for Myanmar stimulant seizures

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 08:11 AM PST


YANGON: Myanmar police made record seizures of synthetic drug tablets last year, data obtained by AFP showed Wednesday (Feb 1), underscoring the country's ongoing and pivotal role as a major global narcotics producer.

Police confiscated a record 98 million tablets, nearly double the 50 million seized in 2015, according to police data.

Myanmar is one of the world's top drug-producing nations, churning out huge quantities of methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs as well as heroin, opium and cannabis - much of it bound for consumers in Asia and beyond.

Most production takes place in remote border territories controlled by ethnic minority militias or rival armed groups allied to the powerful military.

While low-level smugglers are often arrested, few cartel leaders have ever been brought to justice over the last three decades.

Given the powerful vested interests involved, tackling the trade remains a major hurdle for the newly installed civilian administration of Aung San Suu Kyi.

In addition to the tablets, documents show some 759 kilogrammes of heroin, 945 kilogrammes of opium and 2,464 kilogrammes of pure methamphetamine - or "ice" - were seized last year.

Drug prosecutions jumped from some 8,800 in 2015 to 13,500.

Narcotics officers say the latest figures show policing is making inroads into the problem.

"But still trafficking is increasing," one senior officer told AFP, asking not to be named.

The officer said key hurdles include a lack of manpower and of high-quality detection technology, plus the difficulties of working in areas controlled by armed ethnic minority groups.

Neighbouring Thailand on Wednesday announced two major drug seizures made during raids last week.

In the southern province of Hat Yai police found 87 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 25 kilogrammes of cannabis.

They also confiscated 720,000 amphetamine tablets and arrested three local suspects in a raid in the northeastern province of Udon Thani.

Officers said the three men were part of a network run by Xaysana Keopimpha, a Laos national detained at Bangkok's main airport last month and described by Thai police as a regional drug kingpin.

Thailand, Myanmar and Laos share a porous, remote and largely mountainous zone dubbed "The Golden Triangle" which has long been a major drugs-producing region.

While seizures are fairly common, analysts say the overall battle is hampered by endemic official corruption and drug syndicates' ability to bounce back from raids with ramped-up production.

- AFP

Link story : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/record-year-for-myanmar-stimulant-seizures/3483652.html

Myanmar Community in Indianapolis to Commemorate Union Day of Burma

Posted: 09 Feb 2017 01:18 AM PST

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2017 — For the first time, Myanmar ethnic communities residing in Central Indiana will observe the 70th Anniversary of Union Day of Burma, celebrated on Feb 11 and honoring the signing of the Panglong Agreement on Feb 12, 1947. The event will be held at the University of Indianapolis on Saturday from 5-9 p.m.

Ambassador Hau Do Suan, Permanent Representative of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, will speak at the event designed to promote cultural understanding between Myanmar ethnic groups and community members in Central Indiana. Prior to his appointment in July 2016, Suan served as Myanmar's ambassador to Canada beginning in 2013.

The meeting of Myanmar ethnic groups led by Bogyoke Aung San in the town of Panglong after World War II led to independence from the British colony and the creation of the Union of Burma. Union Day is widely viewed by major ethnic groups of Myanmar as a day of unity based on the principles of federalist democracy and equality.

The Indianapolis event provides an opportunity for the Myanmar diaspora in the United States and their friends to show support for the new 21st Century Panglong Conference that was held in Myanmar in August 2016. Set to meet again later this month, the conference is aimed at reaching a nationwide ceasefire agreement between the military and ethnic armed organizations, initiating a framework for political dialogue and beginning national reconciliation for a country that has been ravaged by civil war and poverty for more than half a century.

"At this historic moment, we call upon all stakeholders in the country to honor and implement the democratic principles and spirits expressed in the Panglong Agreement by demonstrating their sincere political will and commitment to peace through equal and inclusive process led by Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," said Elaisa Vahnie, Director of the Burmese American Community Institute.

The event will feature ethnic dances, fashion, music and food representing eight main ethnic groups of Myanmar.

Myanmar: Burman, Chin, Kachin, Kayah (Karenni), Karen, Mon, Rakhaine and Shan. Performances and activities will take place in the university's Esch Hall and Ransburg Auditorium, 1400 E. Hanna Ave. in Indianapolis. The celebration is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Burmese American Community Institute at 317.731.5537 or info@baci-indy.org.

Media Contact:
Lian Sang, Programs Director
Burmese American Community Institute
317.731.5537
info@baci-indy.org
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