National News

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• MPs from 1990 to form draft committee for new constitution
• Nationalists observe fourth anniversary of Rakhine woman’s death
• Government negotiators to lead overtures to non-signatory ethnic armed groups
• Anticipation of second Panglong Conference stirs mixed reactions
• No path to legalise smuggled cars
• Kyaukme residents protest TNLA presence
• Rakhine families displaced by fighting wary of returning home
• Monk says denigrating other religions is against Buddhism
• Nay Pyi Taw Hospital looks to boost hygiene, reception services
• Nationalists complain about hotel staff attire

MPs from 1990 to form draft committee for new constitution Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT More than 25 years on, MPs elected in the 1990 election that was set aside by the military regime are taking another crack at changing the constitution. The Members of Parliament Union 1990 want to make radical changes to the military-drafted 2008 charter.

Nationalists observe fourth anniversary of Rakhine woman’s death Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT About 60 self-described nationalists, including monks and laypeople, gathered at Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda on May 28 to commemorate the death of Ma Thidar Htwe. The 27-year-old was raped and murdered in Kyauk Ni Maw village, Rambre township, Rakhine State on May 28, 2012. Three Muslims suspects were blamed for the attacks, and arrested and sent to jail.

Government negotiators to lead overtures to non-signatory ethnic armed groups Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT Government peace negotiator U Tin Myo Win will meet with armed groups left out of last year's ceasefire accord within the next few days, according to the Panglong Conference preparation committee. The senior National League for Democracy official wiil seek collaborators for the administration's peace plan.

Anticipation of second Panglong Conference stirs mixed reactions Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT Ethnic armed groups are worried that the upcoming "21st-century Pang-long Conference" proposed by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will further complicate the peace process rather than solve it.

No path to legalise smuggled cars Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT The government does not intend to provide a route to legalise cars that have been imported to the country illegally, parliament was told on May 27.

Kyaukme residents protest TNLA presence Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT Thousands of Kyaukme township residents took to the streets on May 28 in protest against the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and in favour of its military rival, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army. Placards in the English, Myanmar and Shan languages denounced what they called the unlawful treatment of civil society and the need for an RCSS/SSA presence in northern Shan State.

Rakhine families displaced by fighting wary of returning home Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT The Rakhine State government has announced families displaced by fighting can return home, but civilians are reluctant to abandon temporary shelters without evidence of stability. Staying in the camps however means facing an ever-diminishing quantity of supplies and no chance for their children to enroll in the fast-approaching school year.

Monk says denigrating other religions is against Buddhism Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT A Senior monk has spoken out against fellow clerics who criticise other religions. U Sandi Marbhivamsa, secretary of the State Sangha Nayaka Committee, spoke to The Myanmar Times shortly after returning from an interfaith conference held in Indonesia.

Nay Pyi Taw Hospital looks to boost hygiene, reception services Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT Less than one-third of medical staff in the nation's flagship hospital wash their hands after treating patients, a medical superintendent revealed. Health officials have vowed to raise the rate to 52 percent over the next 100 days as part of the new government's drive to improve services.

Nationalists complain about hotel staff attire Posted: 29 May 2016 02:30 PM PDT Nationalist monks are taking issue with hotels that make their lobby staff dress in historic costumes.

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