Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Arakan State Parliament Forms Commission to Investigate Maungdaw Attacks

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 09:11 AM PDT

RANGOON – The Arakan State parliament has formed an investigation commission with 11 regional legislators of different political parties on Monday in order to address the recent Maungdaw Township border police post attacks on October 9.

Six commission members are from the Arakan National Party (ANP), two are from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and one is from the National League for Democracy. There is also a military appointee present and the legal advisor for the regional parliament.

One of the purposes of the commission, according to member U Tun Hla Sein of the USDP, is "to help the indigenous people who fled from the clashes."

The ANP has in the past used the term "indigenous" to refer to the Arakanese Buddhists in the region, excluding the Muslim population, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya and are labeled as interlopers from Bangladesh, despite also claiming roots in the area.

The Irrawaddy reported that Buddhist Arakanese civilians have fled rural areas of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, taking shelter in towns and the state capital of Sittwe; the government has been providing them with food relief. Muslim Rohingya, who have also been reported to be fleeing their homes, have not been able to take advantage of this aid, and have been restricted from entering regional towns—a community leader told The Irrawaddy that they have instead sought refuge in jungle areas.

U Tun Hla Sein said that the commission also aims to "present the real scenes of the attacks" on the police outposts. These skirmishes, along with the manhunt that followed, led to the death of nine police officers, five soldiers, and 32 alleged attackers. As of Monday, 51 suspects had been arrested.

The commission will deliver its initial report to the state parliament within two weeks and the tenure of commission is regarded as ending on December 31. When the state parliament has completed its discussion of the report, it will encourage further engagement at the Union level, said ANP lawmaker U Kyaw Zaw Oo.

The commission is not related to the Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission formed by Burma's State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to explore the root causes of interreligious tension and episodes of violence in the region.

The post Arakan State Parliament Forms Commission to Investigate Maungdaw Attacks appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Government Fixes Price for Massive Jade Stone at US$6 Million

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 07:14 AM PDT

RANGOON — The price of a massive unearthed giant jade stone in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, has now been fixed by the government's Myanmar Gems Enterprise as worth around 7 billion kyats (around US$6 million).

The 210-ton stone was discovered on Oct. 10 at Yadanar Taung Tann Gems Company's mine, which is operating in a joint venture with the ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation in Sate Mu village, Hpakant Township.

Measuring 19 feet long, 15 feet wide and 14 feet high, it is the biggest stone found in secondary deposits, according to U Min Thu, deputy director of Myanmar Gems Enterprise.

"The government fixed this jade stone's estimated price at around 7 billion kyats at first sight. They will levy a tax of 20 percent from the miner," he said.

Yet the assessment is not finished, he explained.

"We will look at this jade later after moving it to Naypyidaw. After cutting and displaying it in the Gems Emporium, we can see its real market price. At that time, the government will take another sale tax from miner," U Min Thu said.

The initial tax is a pre-sales tax. After the stone is cut and sold, the government will issue another 20 percent sales tax by the customs department, a five percent commercial tax and a three percent service fee for the Myanmar Gems Enterprise.

"Every miner must pay 20 percent tax as soon as [the stone is] uncovered, but this time, this jade stone is massive and I think the miner will pay this tax monthly," he said.

However, criticism has been raised within the jade industry that the government's fixed price for the jade stone is too low: some international observers expect it may be worth as much as US$170 million.

U Aung Thein, Mandalay-based jade trader and secretary of the Mandalay Gems Traders Association is one such believer. He told The Irrawaddy that it is not possible to set the true worth of jade and gems after the first impression. The price can only be accurately measured after the cutting process, and through the transformation from a raw product, leading him to suggest that that the price for the stone could be higher.

"I can say this 7 billion kyat [price] is too low, from the point of view of a jade trader. You can see that it could earn at least US$12,000 for a one kilo jade bracelet if the jade quality is really fine," he said.

"So after this jade stone has been cut and made into jewelry, how much they can earn? It's so massive," he said.

According to the director general U Win Htein of the Ministry, a 3,000-ton piece was found in Kachin State in 2000 but was not uncovered, making this current stone the largest piece of jade unearthed in Burma.

A report published in October 2015 by Global Witness, a London-based NGO, revealed that vast revenues from Burma's trade in jade continue to reach high-ranking military officials and well-connected crony firms.

Entitled "Jade: Myanmar's 'Big State Secret,'" estimated that Burma's jade industry was valued as high as US $31 billion in 2014.

In August, the NLD government announced that all remaining jade mining licenses will expire in 2018, and licenses will only be considered for renewal after the completion of an environmental management plan for jade mining areas of Kachin State.

The post Government Fixes Price for Massive Jade Stone at US$6 Million appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD Tribunal Starts Investigating Controversial Shan State Purge

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 07:09 AM PDT

NAYPYIDAW — The National League for Democracy (NLD), Burma's ruling party, began hearings on Monday in Naypyidaw for an ad hoc tribunal charged with investigating the dismissal and demotion of leading members of the NLD's Shan State chapter by U Win Htein, a leading party member known for his abrasive style.

U Win Htein, who sits on the NLD's central executive committee (CEC) and frequently acts as a party spokesman, expelled the NLD Taunggyi District chairperson U Tin Maung Toe in a verbal order and demoted Shan State NLD chairperson Daw Khin Moe Moe and two others during his visit to Shan State in September.

The expelled and demoted members were accused of disloyalty to the party—for instance by failing to campaign adequately for the NLD during the 2015 general election—and of violating party regulations. They subsequently filed an appeal, prompting the party's CEC to launch an internal investigation.

After hearings from both sides in each case are completed, the three-member tribunal—consisting of NLD auxiliary CEC member U Kyaw Ho, Mandalay Division NLD chairperson U Tin Htut Oo and CEC member Daw Lei Lei—will submit their verdicts to the party's CEC for approval.

On Monday and Tuesday, tribunal hearings—with the participation of U Win Htein—were held for the case concerning Shan State NLD chairperson Daw Khine Moe Moe, and then for the joint case concerning members Daw Mee Mee and Daw Yuumi Zaw.

Monday's session took place at the Unison restaurant in Naypyidaw, and Tuesday's was held in a private home in Naypyidaw's Zabuthiri Township.

Hearings for the case concerning NLD Taunggyi District chairperson U Tin Maung Toe will begin on Friday. Testimonies from the disputing parties will be followed by witness testimonies in later sessions.

Witnesses to be presented by U Win Htein include lawmakers in the Upper and Lower houses of the Union Parliament representing Shan State, and a former candidate for the Shan State parliament. U Tin Maung Toe told reporters that these witnesses are all new members of the party, holding junior internal positions.

After Tuesday's session concluded, the appealing NLD members told reporters that U Win Htein had acted alone in ordering their dismissals and demotions, without the approval of the party's CEC.

"When we asked for proof of whether he was acting in line with a CEC decision, he said there wasn't any [proof]," said Daw Khin Moe Moe.

She told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that U Win Htein "refused to answer" a question as to whether State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi—who still leads the party—allowed him to use her name when dismissing and demoting the members. According to these members, he had claimed to be acting under her permission at the time.

U Win Htein was circumspect while talking to reporters on Tuesday, saying, "The NLD works in accordance with its rules and regulations, which we are now demonstrating."

He said, "I believe the tribunal will decide without prejudice, therefore I answered honestly."

Daw Khin Moe Moe claimed that U Win Htein's actions against them were aimed at smoothing the way for "opportunists" to get more senior positions within the party.

If any of the disputants are unhappy about the verdicts reached by the tribunal, they can appeal them at a national-level party conference, according to tribunal head U Kyaw Ho, who is also a practicing lawyer.

The post NLD Tribunal Starts Investigating Controversial Shan State Purge appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Listed in Top Ten 2017 Travel Destinations

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 06:49 AM PDT

RANGOON — Burma has been listed in the top ten countries to visit in 2017 by renowned travel guide the Lonely Planet.

The country ranked ninth in the 'Top Countries' category of the Best in Travel 2017 list.

Canada was named the best country to visit in 2017, followed by Colombia, Finland, Dominica, Nepal, Bermuda, Mongolia and Oman. Ethiopia ranked tenth.

Lonely Planet states that Burma's "election of the first civilian government in half a century has all eyes on the future … Southeast Asia's most secretive country is poised to receive an influx of travelers."

Burma was ruled by a military junta for half a century, isolating the country from the international community and transforming one of Asia's most prosperous nations into one of its poorest.

The country's first fully elected government took office in March this year and the tourism sector is expected to boom.

Tourist arrivals have surged since a quasi-civilian government took power in 2011, from 800,000 in 2011 to 4.68 million in 2015, according to official statistics.

The ministry of hotels and tourism is reportedly predicting 6 million tourist arrivals for 2016.

"Visiting [Burma] comes with its challenges, where the difficulties of travel are part of the appeal, and where life moves to the timeless rhythm of chanting monks and monastery bells," Lonely Planet said on its website.

Ma May Myat Mon Win, chairwoman of Myanmar Tourism Marketing Committee, said that there are many beautiful tourist attractions and unique destinations in the country but that some places lack infrastructure to meet the travel needs of tourists.

She said the country's major tourist destinations—Bagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, and Rangoon—would still be popular sites and that river cruises would also gain popularity in the coming year.

"As we are entering the tourism market last in the region, we need to learn from neighboring countries and ensure that tourism does not have a negative impact on locals" she said.

She mentioned that education and awareness programs will need to be offered in areas expecting an influx of foreign tourists and that other risks associated with increased tourism must be addressed.

The post Burma Listed in Top Ten 2017 Travel Destinations appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Comedy Group Defend State Counselor Joke

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 04:57 AM PDT

Footage of a comedy skit criticizing Burma's de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has gone viral and prompted the group responsible to defend the performance as "not an insult" but a bridge between the government and the people.

Local comedy group Har Style's performance at a pagoda festival in Mandalay Divison's Kyaukse Township depicts Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as caring more about international travel than the concerns of everyday Burmese citizens.

It has been both celebrated and denounced online.

"It is normal that jokes draw criticism," Ko Kaung Htet, one of the group's four members told the Irrawaddy, adding that Burmese comedians, including the renowned Zarganar, often made satirical jokes under previous governments.

Ko Kaung Htet said it is a comedian's job to criticize the government's shortfalls and that they had no intention of making a personal attack. "We just want to reflect the country's happenings," he said.

This is the first well-publicized instance of a comedy group explicitly criticizing the National League for Democracy (NLD) government since it came to power in April after winning last November's general election by a landslide.

The video footage shows a comedian dressed like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi answering questions from other comedians in the troupe playing the part of civilians. The skit presents the State Counselor as having no regard for the difficulties civilians are facing, and only concerned with visiting foreign countries.

Despite the controversy, Ko Kaung Htet said that state broadcaster Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) had invited them to perform on one of their TV channels.

Zarganar, a well-known comedian who was subjected to frequent imprisonment for his criticism of previous military regimes, said the group did nothing wrong.

"Comedians will criticize," Zarganar told The Irrawaddy. "The government needs to perform well if they don't like criticism," Zarganar said.

He said that the most striking feature of comedians in successive periods of Burmese history was their freedom of expression.

"Even in the time of monarchy, comedians could criticize the monarchs and were exempt from punishment," he said. "No comedian was arrested under British rule," he added.

Chit Sayar, a well-known Mandalay-based comedian who has made jokes critical of previous governments, said that the new government was doing a difficult job.

"This government was elected by us," he said. "What the government is handling now is the legacy of the previous government."

Chit Sayar accused Har Style of "poor political awareness." He added that he himself would criticize the government if he found faults.

Former Information Minister U Ye Htut shared a post about the joke on Facebook. Blindly supporting a leader or a government in spite of its actions harms a government, he argued.

The post Comedy Group Defend State Counselor Joke appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Singing Contest Introduced in Campaign to Stop Violence Against Women

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 04:36 AM PDT

RANGOON – In preparation for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, women's rights organizations are hosting a singing contest to raise community awareness about the issue.

The singing contest, titled "Forever White Ribbon," is a part of the public awareness campaign conducted by the network during 16 days of activism to stop violence against women. The campaign has been held annually in Burma from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 since 2011.

"We wear white ribbon, which shows the pledge for no violence against women," said May Sabe Phyu, the director of the Gender Equality Network (GEN). "We want the youth to widely know about the campaign, so we will host a singing contest under the name 'forever white ribbon,'" she told The Irrawaddy.

The singing competition has no limitations based on age, race, gender, or ability—participants must simply be interested in music. Contestants must submit their applications and music CD no later than Nov. 4, according to announcement on its Facebook page.

Promotion for the “Forever White Ribbon” singing contest in Burmese. (Photo: White Ribbon Myanmar / Facebook)
Promotion for the "Forever White Ribbon" singing contest in Burmese. (Photo: White Ribbon Myanmar / Facebook)

Well-known Burmese songwriters and singers will act as judges and will test the contestants throughout the four-step competition.

The winner of the first prize will be awarded 5 millions kyats and can later sign on to complete an awareness-raising album, which will be used for the campaign.

Daw Nang Htwe from the Rangoon-based Ahkara women's rights group said the campaign "puts forth effort to stop violent acts against women and vulnerable children, as it has been an increasing concern worldwide."

GEN director May Sabe Phyu stressed that as long as the public is aware that violence against women is a crime, it can become a force for them to speak out about abuses. This development, she added, stemmed from the efforts of women's rights organizations.

The post Singing Contest Introduced in Campaign to Stop Violence Against Women appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Game Centers Awash with Illegal Gambling

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 04:19 AM PDT

RANGOON – The previous Union Solidarity Development Party-led government officially oversaw 34 "game centers" opening in Rangoon for the recreation of the city's residents.

However, many game centers are in fact home to organized gambling—illegal in Burma under the Gambling Act. Overlooked by the Rangoon government, what were established as places for locals to relax and blow off steam have now become havens for unlawful gambling.

In 2013, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) gave the green light for game centers—also known as amusement arcades—to provide entertainment in the form of video games, arcade games, small rides, dance machines, and shooting galleries.

Well-known Rangoon establishments include Aladdin Recreation Centre, Alibaba Amusement Center, Robot Game Center, and Fantasy World.

At Rangoon Parliament's session on Tuesday two National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers asked Rangoon government ministers whether the YCDC would address unlawful gambling at the city's game centers.

Member of Parliament U Nay Phone Latt said that at a game center in AKK Shopping Mall in his constituency both adults and students were losing a lot of money gambling on a fish catching group video game, known as the "Shark Game" locally.

"Game centers have moved beyond their specified purpose and into gambling, which harms social life," he said.

"Will [the Rangoon government] remove such illegal game centers in line with national laws or not?" he questioned.

Another NLD lawmaker U Yan Shin said that many students in his Mayangone Township 1 constituency were gambling at game centers when they should be at school, making them fail exams. He also said that young men were stealing to fund gambling habits.

Security and Border Affairs Minister for Rangoon Division Col. Tin Aung Tun replied that they have arrested gambling business owners and gamblers since 2013 for failing to follow the rules and regulations of the YCDC.

Unregistered and Corrupt

The 1899 Gambling Act of Burma forbids "advancing or furnishing money for the purpose of gaming" and "using the instruments of gaming for the profit or gain of the person owning".

A person partaking in gambling can be punished with at least six months in prison if found guilty. A business owner allowing gambling can receive one year in prison and have their business license revoked.

Rangoon police made 48 gambling arrests in 2013-2014, 136 gambling arrests in 2015 and 135 gambling arrests in the first nine months of 2016, including both owners and participants of gambling. It is not known how many game centers were involved in these arrests.

According to Col. Tin Aung Tun, there are 43 YCDC-licensed game centers in Rangoon Division. The minister admitted that among these are the game centers accused of malpractice by U Nay Phone Latt, but said that according to official reports there is nothing unlawful about them.

Col. Tin Aung Tun encouraged lawmakers to contact the relevant police officials to take immediate action if they believed game centers were acting illegally in their constituencies. He said he had informed the police chiefs of Rangoon's 44 townships not to have any links with gambling or to take bribes from such illicit businesses.

U Yan Shin asked if Col. Tin Aung Tun planned to crack down on illegal game centers but the minister replied that no such plan was in place.

During a recess from Parliament, U Nay Phone Latt told The Irrawaddy that although he had concrete evidence that he had presented to parliament, he was contradicted by police reports.

He said "I think that [game centers] are being informed of impending inspections by corrupt government informants."

U Nay Phone Latt also said that the actual number of game centers is higher than Col. Tin Aung Tun declared. He said that even in his constituency there are dozens of unregistered game centers.

Downtown Gambling

The Irrawaddy spoke with staff at a game center on Anawrahta Road, Pazundaung Township. At the time we visited, about eight men and women were playing the "Shark Game", placing 1000 and 5,000 kyats bank notes on the game machine as wagers.

An employee of the game center, Ko Latt, has been working at the game center as a mechanic since 2013. He said that they have an official game center permit from YCDC.

Ko Latt revealed, however, that with the help of corrupt government officials they run as a gambling center despite the appearance of the property with cartoons outside.

"Almost all game centers run the same way as we do, except for four or five famous ones," he said.

He said that in order to avoid inspection or trouble from the authorities they pay bribes to police and local authorities of between 10,000 to 100,000 kyats every month. Game center owners are informed of any government inspections and "hide out" for a while.

When The Irrawaddy asked Ko Latt whether the establishment fully understood the Gambling Act of Burma, he answered yes but could not answer why the business was registered as a game center but ran as a gambling business.

One gambler at the game center, who asked not to be named, said that if gambling terms are agreed by both parties there is no problem and that the government should make gambling legal.

He said that someone spending ten thousand kyats at a gambling table was not a big problem. He said the government should be more concerned with money laundering, drugs, and tax evasion in the city.

In Parliament Tuesday, Col. Tin Aung Tun promised the NLD lawmakers that if they discovered game centers acting illegally they would take action against the owners whether they have a YCDC business permit or not.

He added that after April 2017, the YCDC would carefully check new applications and reconsider whether existing permits should be extended or halted. He claimed that Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein would personally supervise the license approval process.

"Call me immediately if officials fail to arrest [unlawful game center owners], I will deal with it directly," the minister told legislators.

The post Rangoon Game Centers Awash with Illegal Gambling appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Repatriated Refugees Have Mixed Feelings: UNHCR 


Posted: 26 Oct 2016 03:39 AM PDT

Thailand has begun the process of repatriating Burmese refugees who have been living on its soil for more than two decades. With the help of the United Nations' refugee agency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as the International Organization for Migration, an initial group of 68 refugees were returned to their homes in Karen State and Tenasserim Division on Tuesday, on an ostensibly voluntary basis.

 Irrawaddy senior reporter Saw Yan Naing interviewed Vivian Tan, the UNHCR's spokesperson in Asia, about the returnees—including their hopes and their fears.

 Since this is the first official repatriation, what are your thoughts?

This is an important first step that we hope can pave the way for further returns, eventually ending one of Asia's longest-running refugee situations. It was the refugees who first approached the UNHCR to seek support to return, prompting both governments [Thai and Burmese] to organize this movement. The process will continue to be driven by the wishes of the refugees and the prevailing environment to support safe and dignified voluntary return.

Are the refugees content with the process?

Understandably, they have mixed feelings after spending so many years away. Most say they are happy and excited to go back to the country where they were born. Some are naturally worried about the unknown, though they feel reassured that they have family waiting to receive them in Myanmar.

Why do these refugees want to return home?

I've spoken to a number of the refugees returning home from Nu Po camp [near the Thai-Burmese border]. Some say they are returning because they feel confident in the reforms in Myanmar. Others say they don't want to be refugees forever, and think they will have a better future back home.

Where will the returnees be placed in Burma?

They are voluntarily returning to places including Yangon, Bago, Kayin and Tanintharyi [divisions and states].

Who will be providing them with food, shelter and security?

As with any refugee return operation, the country of origin—in this case Myanmar—must assume full responsibility for protecting the rights of returning citizens and helping them rebuild their lives. We hope that the peace process will gain strength and we remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure that refugees can return home in safety and dignity.

Where we have access, the UNHCR will also provide support in the areas of return, supporting local communities in coordination with the government, non-state actors, and humanitarian and development partners.

For food, the UN World Food Programme will provide three months of food assistance in cash value, in addition to return and reintegration assistance from the Myanmar government, the UNHCR and others.

The post Repatriated Refugees Have Mixed Feelings: UNHCR 
 appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Triple Oscar Winner Meryl Streep Kicks off Tokyo International Film Festival

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 03:02 AM PDT

TOKYO, Japan — American actress and triple Oscar winner Meryl Streep kicked off the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), one of Asia's major competitive film festivals and Japan's biggest, along with Asian cinema stars on Tuesday.

The star of the TIFF's opening film, Florence Foster Jenkins—a comedy-drama about "the world's worst opera singer" set in America between the 1920s and 40s—was the most prominent face at the event.

Asian film celebrities included Yesung, a member of Korean pop music outfit Super Junior, promoting his Japanese film debut My Korean Teacher in Japan, and Berlinale Silver Bear award-winning actress Haru Kuroki. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also attended the festival's opening ceremony.

The festival runs till Nov. 3, showcasing some 200 films. Of these, 16 will compete for the festival's top prize, the Tokyo Grand Prix. This year's event seeks to celebrate the world's geographical and social diversity, as captured in international cinema. Among the modern social issues spotlighted in this year's film crop are gender discrimination in India, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

However, critics said that—the appearance of Meryl Streep notwithstanding—there is a conspicuous lack of international star power relative to previous years.

While no Burmese films are being showing at this year's TIFF, the festival is no stranger to Burma. The Burmese Harp—a Japanese color remake of the 1956 film of the same name, about a Japanese soldier in Burma during World Word II—was the closing film at the festival's first edition in 1985.

In 2014, the TIFF screened Burmese director Maung Wunna's 1972 black-and-white Tender are the Feet—a love story about a Burmese drummer and a dancer in a traditional Burmese traveling theatre group—in its World Focus section.

The post Triple Oscar Winner Meryl Streep Kicks off Tokyo International Film Festival appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Business Community Casts Optimistic Eye to the Future

Posted: 26 Oct 2016 01:02 AM PDT

RANGOON — If the government follows through with its promise of economic reform, Burma's business community says, there is hope to be had that the economy will be primed for growth.

At a meeting in Naypyidaw on Oct. 22 between State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and 158 of the country's top-listed tax payers, the de facto leader addressed concerns over what would happen to "cronies." In a move that will surely find favor among Burma's tycoons, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that, looking ahead, past behavior can be forgiven.

"I welcome what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, that they won't look back, only forward. However, in the future, there should be no more cronies in this country," U Thein Tun, chairman of the Tun Foundation Bank and MGS Distribution, told The Irrawaddy.

He added that the government should also favor Burma's local business community and give it a chance to succeed in an ever-globalizing world.

"There shouldn't be any opportunists under the new government. If the government doesn't follow the reforms it said it would, the gap between rich and poor will only grow," he said.

In the meeting, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she is not against some citizens being rich, as long as they become so "fairly." When it came to tycoons who struck it rich by exploiting links with Burma's repressive military rulers—helping to line their pockets in turn—she said, "We can't mend the past. But I would like to request that they act fairly at present."

U Myat Thin Aung, chairman of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, told The Irrawaddy that he can see a new, rejuvenated business atmosphere for the country if the government can persuade skittish cronies to trust in and follow the new government's economic policies.

"There are two types of cronies. The first just takes risks with no forethought. The other also takes a chance but has the wherewithal to create more. If the second type of crony can do business the right way, Burma's economy will only get stronger," U Myat Thin Aung said.

"If not, some cronies will ruin this opportunity for growth by engaging in money laundering and playing the market. The government must know how to handle this situation," he added.

Indeed, Burma has a history of cronies manipulating the market—in sectors including banking, government infrastructure, and real estate—for their own gain. An anonymous businessman told The Irrawaddy that the ex-military junta allocated special projects to some 10 to 20 cronies while the new capital of Naypyidaw was being built, pointing out that many of those same cronies are approaching the new government as they did the old one.

U Ye Htut, former minister of information, echoed these sentiments, adding that while some former cronies have withdrawn from business, they have merely been replaced by family members.

"I see it as a rebranding of cronies," U Ye Htut said.

Many of Burma's top tycoons have been succeeded by their sons and daughters. Tay Za's son Pyae Phyo Tay Za, KBZ's U Aung Ko Win's daughter Nang Lai Kham, U Aik Htun's son and daughters, as well as former junta supremo Than Shwe's grandson Nay Shwe Thway Aung, were among who attended the meeting in Naypyidaw.

"I'm curious whether they [cronies] really want to use their money for Burma's development, especially if their money was acquired through money laundering," U Ye Htut said.

"I think that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi welcomes them because she wants to use them for economic development. They've already made large investments. But Burma has a history of money laundering, so the government ought to check this money carefully."

The post Business Community Casts Optimistic Eye to the Future appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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