Democratic Voice of Burma

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Land seized by crony companies to be returned to locals Posted: 25 Jun 2013 03:54 AM PDT Preparations are underway to return about 50 acres of land confiscated by the crony-connected Max Myanmar Group to local residents, according to Irrawaddy division's Land Records Department. Max Myanmar Group representatives notified the parliament-backed Land Grab Investigation Commission in April that it would return about 54 acres of property that had been confiscated and used to develop a shrimp farm near Chaungthar beach resort village in Irrawaddy division. Win Myint, the parliament's Lower House member in Irrawaddy capital Bassein, said the division's Land Record Department had not handed the property back to the farmers after the company submitted official paperwork to the Land Grab Investigation Commission and the local government's Chief Minister early last month. "The Max Myanmar company had already returned over 50 acres of land belonging to 21 locals –the Land Grab Investigation Commission's chairperson U Tin Htut handed the letter to the Regional Chief Minister before me on the [6 May] and also gave copies to the farmers – but they have still not acquired the land," said Win Myint. "I don't know what is going on, but I would like to suggest handing the land back to the farmers immediately before the rains start, while they still have time to prepare for farming this year." According to chairperson of the Irrawaddy division's Land Records Department Kyaw Htay, the process has been delayed because squatters who had settled on the disputed land had not been relocated. "We are working to hand over all of the land within a week to 10 days – we just need to follow up on some official procedures," said Kyaw Htay. Max Myanmar Group's notorious owner Zaw Zaw holds substantial investments in several of Burma's most lucrative economic sectors, including jade, construction, banking and the hospitality industry, and is frequently cited as one of the country's wealthiest and savviest tycoons. While Zaw Zaw is still under targeted sanctions by the US government for fostering close relations with the country's military rulers, the tycoon has used the reform period to revamp his image. The crony started his own non-profit foundation in 2010 and has openly lauded opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was once the enemy of the Zaw Zaw's patrons in the former military government. But as the quasi-civilian government enters its third year in power, officials have struggled to address mounting tensions surrounding land rights in Burma. In the Irrawaddy's Pathein district, the local government has also delayed returning land to locals seized by another business conglomerate. According to an earlier ruling by the Land Grab Investigation Commission, local farmers were set to receive approximately 2,000 acres confiscated by the Aya Shwe Wah company, but residents in the area claim divisional officials have yet to return their property. "The company has already returned the land but the township's administrator, instead of handing it back to the farmers, decided to allow tenant farmers who were previously working the land, under an agreement with the company, to continue using it," said 88 Generation Peace and Open Society member Soe Hlaing Oo. But according to the Irrawaddy division government's Secretary Aye Kyaw, authorities have not given the land back to the farmers because officials claim the property is still under dispute. "There have been disputes between those who claimed to be original owners of the land and those who have been working there after acquisition by the company in 1991," said Aye Kyaw. "There are a lot of issues surrounding land ownership in Irrawaddy division – [with] these plough wars and disputes between 'original' and 'current' owners of the land – and they are rather complicated to solve. We are trying to negotiate between the parties to prevent larger disputes." Aya Shwe Wah reportedly confiscated more than 40,000 acres of land in Irrawaddy division during military rule. In May, the division's Chief Minister pledged to return all the land confiscated by the military and businesses to their original owners.

Burma to reassess massive resource deals: Asia Society Posted: 24 Jun 2013 09:55 PM PDT The Burmese government plans to renegotiate billions of dollars of natural resource deals as it imposes tougher environmental standards and clamps down on corruption, according to a leading US think-tank. The country’s powerful military and Chinese firms could be most affected by the move as the government pursues a radical reform agenda, turning away from decades of junta rule, according to the Asia Society. Burma has huge reserves of resources – ranging from petroleum to tin, timber and precious gems – which have become notorious for corruption and crony capitalism. “Apparently, the government is preparing to renegotiate all previously agreed-upon projects to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place and to subject future projects to stricter social and environmental controls,” said a report by the society, which has worked closely with the old junta and new government. Chinese firms dominate the foreign presence in Burma and could suffer. “Contracts negotiated with the former government need to be reviewed as the new government enacts new policies and signs on to new international standards, so I don’t think anyone is immune to that approach,” Suzanne DiMaggio, an Asia Society vice-president and co-author of the report, told AFP on Monday. DiMaggio said the value of the deals was probably in the billions of dollars, an estimate agreed by other experts dealing with Burma. The halting of the Chinese-backed Myitsone Dam in Kachin state in 2011 was “the first bell indicating that the rules would be changing,” said DiMaggio. “Now with the development of new investment laws, we should expect that momentum to continue.” Burma is a candidate to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which seeks to set international standards in countries with major resource revenues. Since the dam was halted, the government has faced new controversy over a Chinese-backed copper mine development near Monywa in northern Burma where there were clashes between security forces and local people last year. The Asia Society said the government would have to work with local communities to make sure all share from the resource profits. It also said the government would have to take tougher action to reduce the military clout in the economy and political life. Despite the change of government to a nominally civilian administration, “large military companies maintain access to the lion’s share of the country’s resources and, along with a handful of crony businessmen, dominate the economy.” “Until the military can be removed from its economic domination of the country, both political reconciliation with minority nationalities and economic development are likely to remain elusive,” the report warned. The report, which set out 10 key obstacles faced by President Thein Sein’s reforming administration, also said that rooting out corruption would be essential. DiMaggio said the creation of a state anti-corruption committee was an important first step but it would take time to end the corruption and crony capitalism. “Breaking down those structures, it is not going to happen overnight and I think that is one of the reasons why investors are cautious,” she said. DiMaggio said there was still vital momentum behind the government reforms but that it was crucial that they start producing results for the vast majority of the 55 million population who still live in “abject poverty.”

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