The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- ‘He Was a Tower of Strength for the Party’
- The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (April 25, 2015)
- Rescued Fishermen Stuck in Indonesia After Trafficking Ordeal
| ‘He Was a Tower of Strength for the Party’ Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:30 PM PDT
Kyaw Zwa Moe: Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of U Win Tin, a journalist, co-founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and a long-serving political prisoner. We will be discussing the activities and performance of U Win Tin in pro-democracy in Burma's movements. Ma Phyu Phyu Thin and Ko Moe Zaw Oo will join me for the discussion. Ma Phyu Phyu Thin worked with U Win Tin in the political field, and Ko Moe Zaw Oo is member of the NLD who spent four years in prison with U Win Tin. I'm Kyaw Zwa Moe, English editor of The Irrawaddy Magazine. Ma Phyu Phyu Thin, you worked continuously with U Win Tin, especially after his release, in politics. Myanmar [Burmese] people, especially those who love and fight for democracy, will never forget Uncle U Win Tin. Would you briefly tell us what type of person he was? Phyu Phyu Thin: I became close with Uncle [U Win Tin] after he was released from prison. He had no personal greed, but he yearned for democracy, the country and the people. He was always thinking of the interests of the country and people, and even while he was eating and sleeping he was always thinking about how to fight the military autocracy of the country. KZM: You joined Uncle U Win Tin in boycotting the 2010 election. Do you recall any memorable experiences working with him? PPT: In 2010, we were going through perhaps the hardest time in our country's politics. The people's leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was under house arrest and our party was lacking in leadership. We did not know whether or not to contest the 2010 election or to boycott it. Then Uncle U Win Tin was released, and under his leadership we opposed the election. Everyone knows why we opposed the election. We did it under the instructions of Uncle U Win Tin. KZM: Ko Moe Zaw, you served with Uncle U Win Tin in Insein Prison. Moe Zaw Oo: Yes, on the third floor of Insein Prison. KZM: When was that and what were his political views at that time? MZO: He was always politically active, and was always interested in politics. He tried to gather political news and information and have discussions based on collected facts, and he shared his views. Once imprisoned, political prisoners tend to feel downhearted, dejected and they waver. Uncle U Win Tin encouraged political prisoners to remain politically aware and active so that they wuoldn't feel so. He discussed political matters and helped commemorate anniversaries of political events. Amid troubles, he would recount the life of a political prisoner who died in prison. Political prisoners would sit together and hold discussions around him. Later, we coordinated a lot of activities in prison. Our best known activity was when we submitted a report on human rights violations in Burma's prisons to the United Nations Secretary General under the leadership of Uncle U Win Tin. MZO: We could get away with such activities. We could do so thanks to his mettle and leadership, and his ability to motivate others, all due to his devotion to politics. KZM: He was handed further penalties for submitting the report. How many years was he sentenced to prison in total? MZO: He was sentenced to 21 years in prison in total. KZM: Ma Phyu Phyu Thin, as I interviewed him [in late 2013], I noticed that he resolutely opposed those who oppress. He used harsh words to show his opposition against repressive regimes. For example, in talking about U Ne Win's government, he used words such as "highly poisonous" to describe the regime. In 2010, he boycotted the election, but then in 2012, he supported it when the NLD decided to contest the by-election. What made him change his mind? PPT: I remember that he totally objected to the NLD contesting the 2012 by-election. He did not want the NLD to contest the election. He expressed his objection in interviews with both local and international news agencies. Around that time, we formed a central committee to determine whether or not to contest the by-election. On the day the central committee was to make a decision, he still expressed his objection before entering the meeting room. He changed his views when the assembly decided to contest the 2012 by-election by general consensus, and he explained to us why he did so. He said that in a democracy, you can disagree and have a right to openly express your views. But when a decision is made by the majority, you have to follow that decision. Immediately after the meeting, he said that he would take the lead role in ensuring a victory for NLD. We, the younger members of the NLD, could learn a lot from this. He taught us that we should speak up openly. This is the legacy he had left behind for our democratic system. He set an example that we should speak up. We have learned a lot. KZM: Among pro-democracy forces and almost throughout the entire country, U Win Tin was second to none in the fight for democracy. He worked continuously with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. What are Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's views about him? PPT: After his death, his opinions were presented weekly in the D-Wave Journal. Most party members read them with great interest. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told us that she now had two responsibilities— her original responsibility and Uncle U Win Tin's responsibility. So this shows that he greatly contributed to our party and to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's views, and that he was a tower of strength for the party. KZM: When he was alive, he was outspoken on behalf of the entire country. During our interview, he was outspoken in criticizing the Myanmar government. He remarked that while we were still in the tunnel, we could see the light. He always told me that though the situation was a little bit better than in the time of military regime, we needed to break through. I no longer hear such words after his death. What has the country lost in politics along with the loss of U Win Tin? MZW: The significant thing about Uncle U Win Tin is that originally he was a journalist, and he switched to politics in 1988. He entered politics, having determined to take political responsibility. But in fact he had the characteristic traits of a journalist. He was outspoken in expressing his views. In journalism, there is a saying that facts are secret but opinion is free. It means that we can express our opinions freely, but facts can't be wrong. He was outspoken and never restrained by the thought that he might offend someone. He always spoke his mind and what he believed in. He did so in prison, for which he had to serve for even longer periods. He continued to speak after he was released. A politician has to practice restraint depending on the situation. He has to adjust his tone depending on the person to whom he is talking. KZM: Politicians have to take the political climate into consideration before they speak? MZW: He didn't care about those things. He spoke about what he saw and what he believed. I feel that we have lost someone who can outspokenly and rightly criticize problems and point out truths. KZM: What did you see from his interactions with others that were politically or socially insightful? PPT: Some say that his words were harsh. But then I hear, since his death, that those who said such things have begun to accept that he was right. He may be quite harsh, but I believe that his harsh words originated from his goodwill for the country. That's why authorities have acknowledged him after his death. His harsh words reflected his deep desire for the country to be on a par with others and to enjoy equal human rights. He was always thinking of politics even in his sleep and meal time. He never thought about himself, but always thinking about how to develop this country and how he could fight the regime to the best of his ability. He had goodwill and loving-kindness toward the country. He always advised that life is something about sharing and urged us, until his last breath, to try to share with others. We could learn a lot both politically and socially from him. KZM: He was quite a humane person. He had a policy called Suu-Parliament-Dialogue. Could you explain what this means? MZW: This policy came into reality in 1993, when US Congressman Bill Richardson came and visited Uncle U Win Tin. When asked about his political views, he spoke of this Suu-Parliament-Dialogue policy. He said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners must be released, then a Parliament must be convened with lawmakers who won in 1990 election, then national reconciliation talks must be held. He held this view throughout his prison life. I reckon that his view remains relevant now because there are still political prisoners. There should not be political prisoners now. The Parliament has been established but it has yet to become one that truly represents the people. And again we need a meaningful dialogue which can solve the problems of the country rather than the one which is just for making news in the media. So his views, which he expressed at that time and until his death, are still practical now, I think. KZM: Ma Phyi Phyu Thin, Ko Moe Zaw, we have to wait and see to what extent the policies and objectives of Uncle U Win Tin will be implemented, although we have not seen them so far. Thank you so much for your discussion. Editor’s note: The subtitles for this week’s Dateline Irrawaddy video contain an error of translation. The phrase “facts are secret but opinion is free” should read, “facts are sacred but opinion is free.” We apologize for any misunderstanding. The post 'He Was a Tower of Strength for the Party' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (April 25, 2015) Posted: 24 Apr 2015 05:00 PM PDT  A worker checks refined tin ahead of shipment in a warehouse owned by a private company in Indonesia's Bangka-Belitung province in 2012. (Photo: Reuters) Burmese Tin Production Knocks Global Price A dramatic increase in the amount of raw tin being exported from Burma to China is causing a global slump in the price of the commodity, leading Indonesia to reign in production in an attempt to drive up prices. According to ITRI Ltd., a UK-based tin industry group, Burma accounts for more than 97 percent of China's imports of tin ores and concentrates, which are refined at facilities inside China. In 2014, China's imports were estimated to contain some 28,000 tons of tin, an increase of 50 percent on the previous year, the group said. The increase has pushed the price of tin on the London Metal Exchange to its lowest level since 2009. "Tin's the worst performing industrial metal on the London Metal Exchange this year after sliding 20 percent amid rising supplies from Myanmar and China," a Bloomberg report said this week, adding that Indonesia, which is the world's largest exporter of refined tin, has responded by cutting back production. "Indonesian suppliers of the metal used in everything from cans to smartphones are seeking to stem the decline by restricting output while the government tightens export and trading rules to limit shipments." Tin is still mined at the massive colonial-era Heinda mine in southern Burma's Tenasserim Division, and is mined elsewhere in mountainous regions of Shan and Karenni states, including in areas not under central government control. ITRI said earlier this month that Burma's exports to China were continuing to surge, and had even gained strength this year, partly caused by "some panic selling" sparked by fighting between the government and Kokang rebels in northeastern Shan State. "Myanmar is expected to maintain the current high production in recent months for a little while, because production is highly seasonal and it is the dry season from November to May," the industry group said. "However, the fall in the tin price and the instability to the north of the Wa state tin mining district has adversely impacted new investment in local mining, so any production increase should be limited." French Construction Firm Begins Work to Build Next Phase of Rangoon's Star City A subsidiary of French industrial conglomerate Bouygues has started work on a project to build six residential tower blocks as part of the Star City suburb development project led by local tycoon Serge Pun, according to an industry report this month. Global Construction Review reported that the subsidiary, Dragages Singapore, and Serge Pun's SPA Project Management will design and build the next phase of the Star City development in Thanlyin, where five residential blocks have already been constructed by the same companies. "Work is now getting under way, Bouygues said, and will last approximately three years," according to the report. The companies signed a contract worth US$125 million in December to build the six towers—two reaching 28 stories and four at 25 stories, containing a total of 956 apartments. Global Construction Review said Bouygues would take a share of about $68.6 million "The contract also includes the construction of a two-story car park along with a local community building and the development of green spaces, a swimming pool and a leisure activity area," the report said. Thai Firms Plan 220MW Solar Plant in Magwe Division Bangkok-listed company Vintage Engineering has announced it will invest in a project to build a solar power plant in Magwe Division, according to a report. The website Deal Street Asia cited local media reports in Thailand saying the company would buy a stake in Green Earth Power (Thailand), which signed a deal last year with the Burmese government to build a 220-megawatt solar power plant in Minbu. Vintage Engineering will buy a 12 percent stake in Green Earth Power for $20.28 million, the report said. "The first phase of 50MW will start within 12 months, with revenue expected to flow in mid-2016," it said. "The total investment in the solar plant is $350 million." Green Earth Power has been touting the project publicly since at least 2013, and it is not the only solar power project to be announced in central Burma. In August last year, American private equity fund ACO Investment Group announced that it would fund a project to build two solar power plants in Mandalay Division, producing 150 MW each at a total cost of $480 million. Since the announcement—which was timed during the visit to Burma of a United States trade representative—no more information has been forthcoming about the project. Three Foreign Banks Open Doors in Rangoon Two banks from Japan and one from Singapore this week became the first foreign lenders to offer services in Burma following the granting of licenses in October. The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that major Japanese institutions Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, and Singapore's Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation all opened new branches in Rangoon on Thursday. According to an earlier state media report, April 23 was "Yat-Yar-Zar day, an auspicious day for starting a new businesses according to the Myanmar calendar." The three are the first of nine overseas banks named in October who have been granted licenses to set up branches in Burma, becoming the first foreign banks to operate in the country for more than 50 years. The nine banks—include others from Australia, China, Malaysia and Thailand—will initially be barred from offering retail banking, after local bankers raised concerns over unwelcome competition from abroad. Predicting Continuing Growth, World Bank Hints at Coming Gas Downturn The World Bank has said that Burma's economic growth is likely to remain strong, but warned that the global oil price slump could dampen the country's burgeoning natural gas boom. In its East Asia Pacific Update, April 2015, the World Bank said that gross domestic product growth—estimated at 8.5 percent for the 2014-15 fiscal year—would likely continue at about 8 percent. "This is driven largely by the ongoing construction-related boom, continued rebound in manufacturing output, and the resulting expansion in the service sector," the report's section on Burma said. However, it warned of growing "downside risks" from increased public spending and said problems may arise from the sustainability of the country's public debt if GDP growth does not meet expectations. "This risk is heightened by recent international commodity price developments," it said. "Although the effects of these have not yet transmitted through to Myanmar, there is a major risk that natural gas prices will follow the same trend as oil prices. A sustained downturn would adversely impact government revenues and export earnings, and may negatively affect future investments in the oil and gas sectors." The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (April 25, 2015) appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Rescued Fishermen Stuck in Indonesia After Trafficking Ordeal Posted: 24 Apr 2015 04:30 PM PDT  A fisherman falls in his wooden boat as it is hit by strong sea waves, and breaks, in water off the north coast of Jakarta March 10, 2014. (Photo: Reuters) PHNOM PENH — Hundreds of mainly Burmese and Cambodian fishermen rescued from traffickers almost three weeks ago are stuck in Indonesia because there are not enough funds to return them home, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Some of the men freed by the Indonesian government had spent between two and 10 years on commercial fishing boats, and were subjected to beatings and threats, according to Brett Dickson, program manager at IOM's mission in Cambodia. In total, 455 migrant fishermen from Burma, 94 from Cambodia and eight from Laos, were rescued this month after an investigation into human trafficking on fishing boats off the coast of Indonesia. "We're looking for money to return the fishermen home. Due to the large numbers of rescued men we don't have the funds to fly them home," Dickson told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Many of the rescued fishermen have described being beaten and forced to work up to 22 hours a day without pay. Others spoke of being locked up in cabins on the boats with little food and nothing to drink but dirty water. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people around the world are victims of forced labor. Desperate to support their families, many of them are lured by promises of a job. The IOM mission in Cambodia, which is in charge of organizing the repatriation of the men, needed US$50,000 to fly them home, Dickson said. A further $75,000 was needed to provide the men with psychological support and vocational training to help them rebuild their lives, he added. Dickson said the IOM in Indonesia was working on a larger appeal for up to $1 million. IOM staff had spoken to the Cambodian fishermen, most of them from the country's northern and western regions, and they were eager to return home, Dickson said. The post Rescued Fishermen Stuck in Indonesia After Trafficking Ordeal appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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