Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

KNU Chairman Meets KIO Central Committee in Laiza

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 07:39 AM PST

Representatives from the two groups release a statement pledging 'collaboration to achieve peace; by seeking the best and necessary approaches.'

The post KNU Chairman Meets KIO Central Committee in Laiza appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Stakeholders Fight for Conflicting Visions of Ngapali Shoreline

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 06:54 AM PST

Guesthouse owners want taller buildings to cope with an influx of visitors, but tourists want to keep current height limits; Parliament will decide.

The post Stakeholders Fight for Conflicting Visions of Ngapali Shoreline appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Chinese Farmers Trespass on Burmese Soil, Lawmaker Claims

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 04:36 AM PST

The Lower House lawmaker asked the government to take action, saying that Chinese farmers had encroached on about 10 acres of Burmese land.

The post Chinese Farmers Trespass on Burmese Soil, Lawmaker Claims appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Who is Aung Win Khaing?

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 04:28 AM PST

A President's Office statement named retired Lt-Col Aung Win Khaing as a suspect in the death of NLD lawyer U Ko Ni.

The post Who is Aung Win Khaing? appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

International Partners Pledge Support for Bagan Renovations

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:22 AM PST

During a conference in Bagan, international experts and UNESCO representatives share assessments and findings of the post-earthquake restoration work.

The post International Partners Pledge Support for Bagan Renovations appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Govt Issuing Smart ID Cards to Squatters

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:13 AM PST

The divisional government is surveying the population of squatters across 13 townships in Rangoon and printing identity documents.

The post Rangoon Govt Issuing Smart ID Cards to Squatters appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Displaced Persons Ordered to Leave Kachin Camp

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 03:02 AM PST

Militia leaders in Kachin State Special Region-1 threaten to burn down IDP camp if it is not vacated as soon as possible.

The post Displaced Persons Ordered to Leave Kachin Camp appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Man Found Dead on Boat Drifting off Arakan Coast

Posted: 16 Feb 2017 12:09 AM PST

Body sent to Gwa Township hospital for post-mortem examination as investigators suspect the man died from starvation.

The post Man Found Dead on Boat Drifting off Arakan Coast appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Says Security Operation in Troubled Arakan Has Ended

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:16 PM PST

The crackdown underway since early October sparked widespread allegations of serious human rights abuses.

The post Burma Says Security Operation in Troubled Arakan Has Ended appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Authorities Block Kachin National Conference

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 09:55 PM PST

Around 100 police gather at Myitkyina's Manaw Park after government rejects a request by the Kachin National Consultative Assembly to use Majoi Hall.

The post Authorities Block Kachin National Conference appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Businesses-to-population ratio Myanmar lowest in region

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:47 PM PST

The ratio of private businesses-to-population of Myanmar is about three times lower than that of the least-developed countries in the region, according to the Myanmar Business Survey (MBS).

Restoration of Alaungtaw Katthapa National Park

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:23 PM PST

A 10-year habitat restoration program is being drafted for Alaungtaw Katthapa National Park in Sagaing Region, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

Land owners face prosecution over illegal timber, says Yangon Forest Department

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:20 PM PST

Owners of timber yards will be prosecuted if illegal timber is found stored on their land, warned the Yangon Forest Department.

More Chinese funds for quake-hit Bagan pagodas

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:15 PM PST

More than US$1 million has been received from domestic and international donors to repair earthquake-hit Bagan pagodas and religious buildings, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko said.

Transfer of teachers based on skills rejected

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:08 PM PST

Civil society groups and teacher unions in Myanmar have decried the government's decision to transfer teachers based on their skills as unfair and said it is likely to have serious consequences on the education system.

Myanmar and Israeli eye surgeons conduct free surgery

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:07 PM PST

Myanmar eye surgeons along with their fellow doctors from a voluntary organisation from Israel named 'Eye from Zion' will be giving free oculoplastic surgery for patients with eye problems and glaucoma over a period of three days this month.

Drastic drop in malaria cases in Mandalay Region

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:06 PM PST

Malaria cases have dropped by more than 50 percent in Mandalay Region, thanks to increased awareness and improved public health care services, said Dr Tint Wai from the Regional Department of Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases through Insect Carriers.

Ex-army man believed to be mastermind of NLD lawyer U Ko Ni’s murder

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:03 PM PST

A former military officer has been identified as the alleged mastermind of the murder of prominent lawyer U Ko Ni, according to a statement from the President's Office.

NLD approves appointment of Shan branch vacant seats

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 11:00 PM PST

The ruling party, National League for Democracy (NLD), has approved the appointment of vacant seats for the executive party members of its Shan State branch, even though the state's ruling party members have objected to the appointment by the NLD headquarters.

21st Century Panglong Conference postponed to mid-March

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:56 PM PST

The second batch of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference will be held on an unspecified date in the middle of March, though it was earlier scheduled to commence on February 28.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

SNLD kicks off by-election campaign in Shan State

Posted: 15 Feb 2017 10:59 PM PST

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) on Wednesday launched its campaign for April's by-election, with candidates running in all seven constituencies where polls will be held in Shan State.

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) campaign during the 2015 general election.

Speaking to Shan Herald on Thursday, SNLD spokesperson Sai Lek said that party members kicked off the campaign in Kehsi, Monghsu and Kengtung townships on February 15. He explained that the candidates' main task will be to explain the party's policies to the electorate.

"We have started campaigning in all seven constituencies: three in Kehsi, another three in Monghsu, and one in Kengtung township," he said. "We are laying out our policies and helping voters understand how to cast their ballots.

Polling in Kehsi and Monghsu tonwships was cancelled during the general election in November 2015 because of fighting between the Tatmadaw [Burmese government forces] and the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA).

"We will not be forcing people to vote for us," Sai Lek added. "We will explain to them that they can vote freely and for whomever they wish. We are taking time to explain the voting process.

"During the general elections in 1990, 2010 and 2015, many people in Shan State did not understand the responsibilities of voting. To this day, many still don't truly understand the process, and that's why we are explaining it to them. This is the main issue we are addressing.

"We will contest all seven seats," Sai Lek said. "If the public supports us, we believe we will win them all."

In the 2015 election, the SNLD, commonly known as the 'Tiger Head Party,' won a total of 40 seats, making it the second strongest party in Shan State, next to the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
Its main rival, the Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP), won only one constituency in the last general election; that was a State Assembly seat in Mong Pan Township. The SNDP will also contest all available seats in the April 1 by-election.

However, the newly formed Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party (ESSDDP) has announced that it will not contest any seats at the upcoming by-election unless its sister parties, the SNLD and SNDP, cooperate with them.

According to a Union Election Commission (UEC) announcement on October 1, a total of 18 vacant seats will be up for grabs in both Union and regional parliaments on April 1.

Constituencies under the control of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) – namely Panghsang, Narpan, Pangwai and Mongmaw – as well as Mongla Township, which is the headquarters of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), have not announced whether they will hold polling for the by-election.


By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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