Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Bullet Points: 10 November 2014
• Parliament condemns US blacklisting of Aung Thaung
• 400 fishermen rescued after storm
• MP: Dhammazedi bell search a ‘national shenanigan’

Bullet Points: 10 November 2014 Posted: 10 Nov 2014 03:40 AM PST On tonight's edition: 400 fisherman rescued at sea Burma’s parliament denounces US blacklisting Security tight in capital ahead of East Asia Summit Dhammazedi bell search a feat of  'national shenanigans’ You can watch the English headlines every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news.

Parliament condemns US blacklisting of Aung Thaung Posted: 10 Nov 2014 03:00 AM PST Burma's lower house of parliament unanimously passed an emergency proposal on Monday denouncing the United States for blacklisting senior Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) member Aung Thaung, who was also a leading figure in Burma's previous military regime. Ba Shein, a lower-house MP and member of the Rakhine National Party, said the bill passed the lower house without any objections. "I think no one bothered to object because everyone knows it wouldn't make a difference [as the proposal would have passed anyways] considering the US has blacklisted one of the USDP's most prominent members," said Be Shein. "However, while it might be justifiable for the parliament to denounce the blacklisting if the US targeted [Aung Thaung] as a member of parliament, we believe the sanction is directed against Aung Thaung as an individual, so it's unnecessary for the legislature to get involved." Related Stories 400 fishermen rescued after storm MP: Dhammazedi bell search a 'national shenanigan' MOI serves Herald with summons The US Treasury Department on 31 October blacklisted Aung Thaung, who represents Mandalay's Taungtha Township, for attempting to undermine recent economic and political reforms in Burma and his involvement in attacks on democracy advocates. The proposal denouncing the US was put forward by an MP from the military-backed USDP, which controls both houses of parliament thanks to a constitutional provision which says that 25 percent of all seats must be held by military figures.

400 fishermen rescued after storm Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:47 AM PST The Burmese navy has rescued over 400 fishermen swept into the sea off the Irrawaddy coast last week by a storm in the Bay of Bengal. Some had been forced to cling to damaged boats and debris for three days adrift at sea before their rescue. "The storm brought heavy rain and wind to the coast and sent fishing rafts adrift into the sea. The Navy launched a rescue mission on 6 November," said Chun Hre, an official from Burma's Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. The Ministry had assisted the Navy in rescue efforts, which dragged 252 fishermen out of the bay on the 8th of November, and a further 175 the following day. "In total, 427 fishermen were rescued," Chun Hre confirmed. Related Stories Parliament condemns US blacklisting of Aung Thaung MP: Dhammazedi bell search a 'national shenanigan' MOI serves Herald with summons He said the rescued fishermen are primarily from from Irrawaddy, Rangoon and Pegu Divisions and were provided with relief items by the ministry as they were sent home. On Monday, the Burmese navy was continuing its search for an unknown number of fishermen still missing at sea.

MP: Dhammazedi bell search a ‘national shenanigan’ Posted: 10 Nov 2014 12:40 AM PST Politicians, legal experts and historians have said the highly publicised recovery attempt of the Dhammazedi Bell that ended fruitless was a national shenanigan and organisers should be charged with fraud. The National League for Democracy (NLD) party's lower house MP Khin San Hlaing said the public felt cheated by San Linn, describing the incident as a "national shenanigan." She said that San Linn had given the public false hope and even suggested that he should be charged with fraud. "The mission was endorsed by the [regional authorities] in hopes of recovering a national artefact and granted official assistance, including police security. The [organisers] then claimed they had found the bell, giving false hope to the public, who now feels cheated," said Khin San Hlaing. "As of today, the government has not taken any action on those who are responsible for the mission – as it was commissioned as a subject of national interest, it can be deemed as a national shenanigan." In August this year, retired decorated Burma Navy officer San Linn launched a mission to search for the fabled Great Bell of Dhammazedi which, according to legend, was lost in the Rangoon River in the early 17th century. The mission to recover the lost Dhammazedi bell, endorsed by Rangoon authorities and San Linn, brought together a team of experts including Buddhist monk Natsin Tayar Sayadaw, who is rumoured to have clairvoyant powers. The mission drew widespread public attention, attracting spectators and reporters to the search site at the confluence of the Rangoon and Pegu Rivers, where San Linn claimed the bell was being protected underwater by the mythical Nāgá dragon-like river spirit. Related Stories Parliament condemns US blacklisting of Aung Thaung 400 fishermen rescued after storm MOI serves Herald with summons On 26 August, San Linn announced that the bell—or at least, an object he assumed to be the bell—had been found on the riverbed. The public was thrilled with excitement but was soon left disappointed after it became apparent that nothing had been recovered. The mission was eventually called off in September after over a month of fruitless efforts. Legal experts said it was obvious that San Linn had intentionally lied to the public and that his actions could make him liable for "cheating" under Burma's Penal Code. "Making false, exaggerated claims and intentionally deceiving the public, if there is money involved, can be actionable as "cheating" under Penal Code Article 415, a crime which carries a maximum punishment of one year's imprisonment [plus a fine, or both]. He could also be charged with fraud under Article 420, which is a more serious type of "cheating" that carries a maximum punishment of seven years in prison [plus a possible fine]," said Kyee Myint, secretary of the Myanmar Lawyers Network. Historian Bhone Tint Kyaw urged Burma's Home Affairs Ministry to undertake effective legal action against San Linn for fabricating stories about the important historical and religious object. "The bell is a significant part of Burma's history and religion. The government has previously taken action against those who spread lies related to religion," said Bhone Tint Kyaw. "In order to prevent this kind of publicity stunt in the future, I think that government authorities should investigate the matter and see that effective legal action is taken." The Dhammazedi Bell is thought to have been cast in 1484 and was reputed to be the largest bell in the world, weighing 270 tons. According to legend, it was lost in the river when Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito—who had drawn the ire of Burmese forces after declaring himself ruler of the major port of Syriam—removed it from Shwe Dagon Pagoda and attempted to transport it across the river. Legend has it that de Brito intended to melt down the bell to make cannons in order to fend off a Burmese offensive in 1606. Syriam was a major port near present-day Rangoon. The port town's name was later changed to Thanlyin and today the area is being developed into the Thilawa Special Economic Zone and port.

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