Friday, May 23, 2014

Democratic Voice of Burma

Democratic Voice of Burma

ABFSU rallies in support of Thegon farmers

Posted: 23 May 2014 04:02 AM PDT

Members of the All-Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) gathered in Prome, Pegu Division, on 22 May to demand amnesty for a member who was beaten and charged for participating in an unauthorised protest.

On 14 May, Kaung Htet Kyaw and a group of villagers protested in Thegon's Aungon village to demand the return of confiscated farmlands. After the rally, the group alleges to have been assaulted by more than 60 police officers and about 100 plain-clothed thugs.

The mid-May incident was one of a long list of attempts by the villagers to reclaim 1,100 acres of land they say were confiscated by the Burmese military in 1997. After a previous event, five demonstrators were charged for defamation of the state after invoking a curse on the Burmese government.

At least four others face charges for violating Burma's controversial Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Processions Act.

"We demand the release of the farmers who are in detention, and that all charges against them and our member, Kaung Htet Kyaw, be dropped," said Min Thwe Thit, secretary of the ABSFU's central committee.

He said that the group also demanded a full investigation into the events of 14 May, and the immediate return of all wrongly acquired lands.

More than 100 people, including ABFSU members from Pegu, Irrawaddy, Sagaing, Mandalay and Rangoon divisions, joined locals in Prome for the march from the town's landmark statue of General Aung San to the regional government's office.

A solidarity march took place in Thegon on Thursday.

Kaung Htet Kyaw has been in hiding since police tried to arrest him in May. A local abbot negotiated his release with arresting officers and he was charged in absentia. His current whereabouts are unknown.

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Detained Shan leader charged with unlawful association

Posted: 23 May 2014 03:47 AM PDT

A leader of a major political party in Burma's eastern Shan State has been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act, the party says.

Sai Jan, a regional chairman for the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD), was arrested without warrant at his home on 5 May.

The chairman of the Nam Lin Mai branch office, in Kengtung, has been accused of associating with the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), an ethnic armed group that has been under a ceasefire agreement with the central government since 2011.

The SSA-S and its political wing, Restoration Council of Shan State, are not, however, members of the ethnic National Ceasefire Coordination Team.

One day after Sai Jan's arrest, Burmese police and military officials allegedly raided a liaison office of the SSA-S, also in Kengtung.

According to Sai Lon, the eastern-Salween regional chairman of the SNLD, Sai Jan was taken to Kentung Township Court on 22 May and formally charged under article 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act, which prohibits contact with an illegal organisation.

The article carries a minimum prison sentence of two years, with a maximum sentence of three.

Sai Jan "was brought to the court [on Thursday] morning and the hearing began around 2pm," said Sai Lon, adding that SNLD members and locals from Kengtung, Tachilek, Mongphyat and Talay came to show their support at the court.

The next court hearing for the case is set for 2 June.

Sai Lon said that Sai Jan has been suffering from fatigue and severe headaches while in detention. SNLD representatives plan to negotiate with Kengtung prison officials to provide medical assistance.

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The SNLD released a statement on 15 May alleging that local police had forced a confession from Sai Jan.

Sai Lek, an SNLD spokesperson, took issue with the government's deignation of the SSA-S as an unlawful association, fearing that the attitude could damage the peace process.

"Technically, the [SSA-S] are deemed an unlawful association and we are concerned that this may be detrimental to ceasefire and peace building work with the group. It could even have an impact on other ethnic armed organisations," he said.

BURMA BUSINESS WEEKLY

Posted: 23 May 2014 03:11 AM PDT

 

Ups and Downs

The Burmese currency remains stable, finishing with a buying rate of 963 kyat to the US dollar, compared to 959 last week. The selling rate remains at 966. The price of gold has stabilised in recent weeks and is currently valued at 662,700 kyat per tical. Fuel prices remain unchanged: petrol is 820 kyat per litre; diesel 950 kyat; and octane 920 kyat a litre. Rice also remains constant: high-quality Pawhsanmwe rice is selling at 1,300-1,600 kyat per basket while low-quality Manawthukha retails at 900 kyat per basket in most Rangoon marketplaces.

 

Sale of Thilawa leasehold rights begins

Leasehold rights for operations in Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) went on sale on Monday, available in 50-year terms with an optional extension of 25 years. Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development Ltd (MJTD), a joint venture made up of Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holding Corporation and a consortium of Japanese corporations, namely Mitsubishi, Marubeni and Sumimoto is responsible for the sale. The Japanese firms are also responsible for business support and infrastructure provision and maintenance at Thilawa— including port services and power generation. The MJTD is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

 

Telenor reaffirms Burma link with executive appointment

In a restructuring of its business executive, Norwegian telecommunications company Telenor have appointed former Norwegian ambassador to Burma, Katja Nordgaard, as head of their corporate affairs division. The move will strengthen the link between Telenor and Burma, where the company has pledged to invest US$1billion into telecommunications infrastructure. In 2013, Telenor won one of two highly sought-after licenses to provide telecommunications services in Burma. Ms Nordgaard served as Norwegian Ambassador to Burma between 2010 and 2013.

 

Kyaukphyu SEZ master plan near completion

The master plan for Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will be presented to the public next month, Myanmar Business Today has reported. The plan is currently being drafted by Creative Professional Groups, a Singaporean consortium that is providing a consultancy service for the Arakanese SEZ project. The release of the plan, which will set out operations at Kyaukphyu until 2050, will pave the way for an invitation for construction tenders for the zone. Garment factories, fishery productions and other small enterprises will reportedly be housed within the SEZ once completed.

 

Rangoon hotel market to continue record growth

2014 will be another record year for growth in the Rangoon hotel market, according to property research firm Jones Lang LaSalle. Rangoon's hoteliers were boosted by a 46 percent increase in international customers in 2013, up on 2012 figures. Jones Lang LaSalle expects that expansion to Rangoon's existing airport, as well as the construction of Hantharwaddy International Airport will again lift the figures as the tourism market is lifted in general. In their report, Jones Lang LaSalle noted that 4,518 rooms are expected to enter the market in the next five years.

 

Government seek international partner in jet fuel distribution

Myanma Petroleum Product Enterprise (MPPE) is looking for an international partner to join a joint-venture project to improve the delivery of jet fuel in Burma, Reuters has reported. Government-run newspapers ran an advertisement by the state-owned company on Sunday, appealing for partners in a scheme set to improve a distribution system which at this stage accounts for 127 million litres of fuel each year. MPPE currently operates at 11 national airports, including Rangoon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. The appeal comes as a host of international airlines have opened routes to Burma.

 

Staff shortage setback for Burma Stock Exchange

The Ministry of Finance is struggling to recruit suitable staff for the soon to be launched Burmese stock exchange, Kyoto News reported this week, citing an unwillingness for public sector employees to give up entitlements to join a private concern. The Burmese government had intended to create a securities and exchange commission in 2014 in the lead up to next year's stock exchange opening; however that plan has been derailed by the lack of suitable personnel.

Public ‘misinterpreted’ poverty statement, says Ye Htut

Posted: 23 May 2014 02:09 AM PDT

Burma's netizens went wild on Tuesday after Vice-President Nyan Tun was quoted in local media remarking that 2,000 kyat (US$2) per day was a liveable wage. The president's spokesperson, Ye Htut, quickly tried to fix the situation, suggesting that Nyan Tun's words were "misinterpreted".

"This is just people, as usual," Ye Htut told DVB by phone on Thursday, "misinterpreting the true meaning. The vice-president was actually referring to the poverty-line."

Nyan Tun, addressing a group of rickshaw drivers in Rangoon's Thuwanna Stadium on Monday, reportedly said that "Earning more than 2,000 kyat per day should be enough to survive, and a little bit more than that would be convenient."

The spokesperson explained that he didn't mean to imply that 2,000 kyat was enough income, but rather that it would put a worker above the international poverty line, which is $1.25 per day. This number, an estimate determined by the World Bank, reflects extreme poverty. Those who earn more than $2 per day are considered moderately impoverished.

Accurate and up-to-date statistics are not available, but an estimated 32 percent of Burma's estimated 60 million people live in poverty.

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The vice-president's comment, delivered during a meeting with attendees of a seminar promoting socio-economic development in rural areas, was published in a weekly Rangoon journal called People's Image. It instantly went viral on social media and became a popular target for comics and memes.

Ye Htut's personal Facebook page was shortly bombarded by angry insults.

The spokesperson, who is also the deputy-minister of information, has not had an easy week. He came under criticism on Tuesday for making inflammatory remarks about Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, during an interview with the BBC.

Suu Kyi, who has been rallying the nation to support constitutional change, has publicly stated a belief that Burmese President Thein Sein does not support amendment.

Without clarifying the president's position on this issue, Ye Htut told the BBC: "I'm afraid to say her remarks are just like angry words from a sulking child."

Thai military seizes power in bloodless coup

Posted: 22 May 2014 08:25 PM PDT

The [Thai] military seized power, dissolving the caretaker government, suspending the Constitution and ordering protesters to return home in a bloodless coup Thursday.

The power seizure took place after talks between the pro- and anti-government camps failed for a second day Thursday.

The army brought them together for talks to settle the country’s protracted political conflict, without success.

Military sources said the negotiations were brought to an end after the government insisted on holding on to power.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who chaired the talks, left the Army Auditorium, the venue of the talks, as soldiers moved in to detain all negotiators and whisked them away in passenger vans.

Representatives of the Senate and the Election Commission were later allowed to go free.

Radio and television stations were ordered to suspend their normal broadcasts. A curfew between 10pm– 5am was imposed and gatherings of more than five people banned.

All schools nationwide were ordered closed from Friday until Sunday.

In its first coup statement, the military cited the eruption of violence in Bangkok and other provinces which resulted in many deaths and injuries in the past months as the reasons behind the power seizure.

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Appearing on all television channels along with other armed forces leaders and the national police chief about 4.30pm, Gen Prayuth read the statement.

He said the violence in the country had been escalating to such an extent that it stood to undermine national security and public safety.

The coup would help restore normalcy and national unity, ensure reform of political, economic and social institutions, and ensure legitimacy to all sides, he added.

The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC), which comprises the armed forces and the Royal Thai Police, took control of national administration as of 4.30pm Thursday.

Gen Prayuth called on the public to remain calm and to carry on with their everyday lives, and for civil servants at all ministries and government agencies to continue with their normal duties.

As for military personnel, police, volunteers and state authorities who carry weapons, they must not move any personnel or weapons anywhere unless they receive an order allowing them to do so from the head of the NPOMC.

The council said Thailand’s relations with other countries and international organisations would remain intact.

The council would also remain steadfast in its allegiance to the royal institution.

The council later issued a second announcement imposing martial law nationwide.

A third announcement was issued imposing a nationwide curfew between 10pm and 5am, effective as of last night.

Citing sections 10 and 11 of the Martial Law Act, the council issued a fourth announcement ordering all state and private radio and television stations to halt broadcasts of their normal programmes and to relay broadcasts from the army’s radio station.

The council also issued an announcement suspending enforcement of the current Constitution temporarily, while keeping the Constitution’s chapters relating to the monarchy intact.

With the enforcement of the charter suspended, the caretaker cabinet vacates office while the Senate, the courts of justice and independent organisations under the Constitution continue to function normally, according to the announcement.

The council also issued an announcement appointing army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as the chief of the NPOMC and appointing four deputies – Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, navy chief Adm Narong Pipattanasa, air force chief ACM Prajin Janthong, and national police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew.

Deputy army chief Gen Udomdej Seetabutr was appointed as the council’s secretary-general.

Citing sections 8 and 11 of the Martial Law Act, the council also imposed a ban on political gatherings of more than five people.

The penalty for violating the order is a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

All 18 former members of the caretaker cabinet were also ordered to report to the NPOMC at the 1st Infantry Regiment immediately.

They include acting caretaker prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and other caretaker ministers Phongthep Thepkanchana, Chaturon Chaisaeng, Charupong Ruangsuwan, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and Yanyong Phuangrach.

Acting Senator Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai said the Senate no longer has the authority to appoint a prime minister.

Apart from those detained by the NPOMC, the whereabouts of most of the members of the now-defunct caretaker cabinet were not known.

Mr Niwattumrong was last seen leaving the Commerce Ministry about 4.10pm.

A source close to him said Mr Niwattumrong may have known about the coup and then rushed to a safe house.

After the meeting ended inconclusively, United Front for Defence of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leaders were reportedly whisked away in a van with soldiers carrying arms escorting them inside the vehicle

Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and other co-leaders such as Sathit Wongnongtoey and Akanat Promphan were also taken in another van with armed soldiers guarding them inside the vehicle.

They were reportedly taken to the 1st Infantry Regiment (King’s Guard) on Soi Phahon Yothin 8 in Phaya Thai district of Bangkok.

As the meeting began at 2pm, Gen Prayuth told participants in stern tones that he could not afford to let the political crisis plaguing the country drag on without a solution.

“I am ready to take responsibility, no matter whether it is right or wrong,” Gen Prayuth said, adding that he hoped all stakeholders will help the army improve the political situation.

The army chief said he was aware that many people had been worried about the declaration of martial law.

Mr Niwattumrong did not attend the meeting as he had other engagements.

Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri led other caretaker cabinet ministers to the meeting on Mr Niwattumrong’s behalf.

He said the government could have been accused of dereliction of duty if it had resigned.

His position was reaffirmed by the government’s representatives at the military-brokered meeting, prompting Gen Prayuth to order leaders of both the pro- and anti-government sides into a private room for a further meeting, said the source.

Gen Prayuth mediated the meeting in the beginning but later asked them to continue their talks on their own until they could come up with an agreement.

“If you cannot finish your talks, you can’t go home,” Gen Prayuth was quoted as telling both sides.

No one in the main meeting room could leave, while a large number of armed soldiers was standing guard, said the source.

The mobile phone signals of participants were jammed and all headsets banned from being brought into meeting rooms, said the source.

After about 45 minutes of meeting in the private room, the participants were led back to the main meeting room, said the source.

After that Gen Prayuth invited UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan and Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of PDRC, to another private meeting for about one minute.

After that Gen Prayuth returned to ask Mr Chaikasem who represented the caretaker government one last time whether the caretaker cabinet would resign and Mr Chaikasem’s answer was “no”.

“As such, from now on I decide to seize power,” Gen Prayuth was quoted as saying.

 

This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 23 May 2014.
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