National News

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• Military protests but parliament passes State Counsellor bill
• Former president renounces civilian life, for five days
• China first through the door to meet Daw Suu
• Military requests more time to debate ‘state counsellor’ bill
• Daw Suu lowers limit on civil servant ‘gifts’
• Nationalists rally against both vice presidents
• Ex-civil servants dominate Yangon cabinet
• New Nay Pyi Taw Council chair meets staff
• New migrant policy mired in confusion, scepticism
• Opposition builds over ministers

Military protests but parliament passes State Counsellor bill Posted: 05 Apr 2016 09:29 AM PDT Military MPs rose to their feet in protest and boycotted the vote but it was all in vain as the NLD-dominated lower house today overwhelmingly approved the State Counsellor bill, creating a key new post for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Former president renounces civilian life, for five days Posted: 05 Apr 2016 06:18 AM PDT Former president U Thein Sein has swapped the paso and ditepone (longyi and jacket) of civilian life for the robes of a monk. State media today confirmed that he had joined the Sangha and will reside in a monastery in Pyin Oo Lwin for five days, to April 8.

China first through the door to meet Daw Suu Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:30 PM PDT Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be the first high-ranking foreign official to meet the new government when he holds talks with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw today.

Military requests more time to debate ‘state counsellor’ bill Posted: 04 Apr 2016 11:00 PM PDT Military-appointed MPs preparing for today's debate on a bill creating the post of state counsellor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have called for more time to discuss the draft law which they say they will only support if it is in accord with the constitution.

Daw Suu lowers limit on civil servant ‘gifts’ Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Civil servants may not accept gifts valued at more than K25,000 (US$21) under tougher anti-corruption guidelines issued yesterday by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that specifically bar offers of golf club membership.

Nationalists rally against both vice presidents Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Nationalist groups have staged a protest against the appointment of a Christian as vice president, calling for his removal from office because he is not Buddhist. Henry Van Thio, an ethnic Chin, was nominated as vice president by the upper house of parliament last month.

Ex-civil servants dominate Yangon cabinet Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Yangon's new chief minister is under attack again, this time from members of his own party who criticised his cabinet appointments.

New Nay Pyi Taw Council chair meets staff Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Newly appointed head of the Nay Pyi Taw Council U Myo Aung met with the territory's eight township heads yesterday.

New migrant policy mired in confusion, scepticism Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Workers in Thailand reluctant to shift from temporary passports to "pink cards" that give them fewer rights.

Opposition builds over ministers Posted: 04 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Against a backdrop of growing criticism, parliamentarians will today debate President U Htin Kyaw's nominations for two ministerial posts initially held by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

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