The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- AmCham Urges US Companies to Practice CSR in Burma
- SNLD Urges Govt Transparency on Salween Dam Projects
- Ministry to Restrict New Hotels
- Lawmaker Calls for MNHRC Members to be Replaced
- Mandalay Election Criticized for Unrestricted Campaign Spending
- Civilians Bear the Brunt of Ongoing Karen State Conflict
- Suu Kyi Speaks at UN General Assembly
| AmCham Urges US Companies to Practice CSR in Burma Posted: 22 Sep 2016 07:43 AM PDT  A factory worker inspects bottles on a conveyor belt in a new Coca-Cola plant in Rangoon in 2013. (Photo: Sean Havey / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON—The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Myanmar is currently surveying business practices in order to give annual awards recognizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by US companies in Burma. After AmCham Myanmar was founded in 2013, more than 140 US businesses and local Burmese partners joined the group. As numbers grew, the organization began surveying adherence to CSR principles and delegating honors to those who they deemed exemplary players in 2015. "We're doing a survey for the CSR recognition awards of 2016. The results will be out in November," said Clara Tang, Burma chapter coordinator for AmCham. In order to receive an award, programs must receive high marks regarding business objectives, societal needs and the creation of sustainable long-term economic and social gains. The first round of awards one year ago recognized the work of eight companies, including British American Tobacco (BAT), Chevron, Coca-Cola, General Electric (GE) and Procter and Gamble. Three awardees—BAT Myanmar, GE, and Coca-Cola—have shared information on their "best practices" and experiences with CSR initiatives with other companies already. "Another five companies will share their experiences in the coming months," Tang said. Daw Khine Wai Thwe, head of legal and external affairs at BAT Myanmar, said in a meeting on the topic on Thursday that BAT carried out CSR-related work in Mandalay Division's Natogyi Township in 2015. "There were no other local or international non-governmental organizations working for the local community in that area," she claimed. BAT Myanmar said they have spent around US$100,000 on outreach activities in five villages in the township and plan to expand their work to at least 12 villages this year. The tobacco company says that up to 6,000 people have benefited from their projects in Mandalay Division. International tobacco giant BAT has invested US$35 million in Burma since 2013. London and Lucky Strike brand cigarettes are distributed by the company. More US companies are expected to arrive in Burma, after the White House pledged to lift remaining economic sanctions on the country on Sept. 14, after meeting with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In 2015, US exports to Burma were valued at $227 million and imports at $144 million, according to DICA figures. Since 1988, total approved US investment in Burma has been $248 million. The post AmCham Urges US Companies to Practice CSR in Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| SNLD Urges Govt Transparency on Salween Dam Projects Posted: 22 Sep 2016 07:35 AM PDT  A boat travels along the Salween River in Shan State, the slated site of the Mongton hydroelectric dam. (Photo: Saw Yan Naing / The Irrawaddy) The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has urged the government to be transparent and to ensure accountability and responsibility regarding large hydropower dam projects proposed on the Salween River in eastern Burma. Six large hydropower dams are planned to be built along the river in Shan, Karenni and Karen states, which would collectively generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity—most of which would be exported to neighboring countries. The SNLD also backs the demands of Shan civil society organizations (CSOs) and environmentalists to halt the dam projects, because of the local authorities' non-transparent environmental and social impact assessment conducted last month without public consultation. On Tuesday, Nang Khin Htar Yee, a SNLD lawmaker from Shan State's Hsenwi Constituency, raised the issue of the Salween River dams in the Shan State Parliament. But Soe Nyunt Lwin, the Shan State minister of national planning and finance, said the regional government was only permitted to manage smaller dam projects, which generate less than 30 megawatts. The minister suggested lawmakers raise the issue at the Union level, as the projects were beyond their control. Sai Wan Hlaing Kham, an Upper House lawmaker from Lashio district, said SNLD parliamentarians were attempting to raise the issue in the Union Parliament, which is about to conclude its second session. Parliament will be unable to act on this issue until after its scheduled break. With a plan to export up to 90 percent of the electricity from the hydropower dams to China, environmentalists and CSOs have continually protested the projects since their initial proposals, citing the harm that could be inflicted on local environments and livelihoods. Locals worry that the halt of the Irrawaddy River's Myitsone Dam project will push the Salween Dams through in order to appease the Chinese companies invested in the project. "We will not accept the Salween Dams as a replacement for the Myitsone Dam," said SNLD spokesman Sai Leik. Sai Leik urged the government to focus on the potential which could be created by smaller hydropower dam projects on the Salween River. "We understand that our country needs electricity, but we should think about self-sufficient hydropower dams, which would have less impact on our natural environment but fill the local need for electric power," he said. He said the SNLD will continue to push the government on this issue—first in Parliament and then through national dialogue—before the next Union Peace Conference to be held around February. The post SNLD Urges Govt Transparency on Salween Dam Projects appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Ministry to Restrict New Hotels Posted: 22 Sep 2016 05:30 AM PDT  The press conference held by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in Rangoon on September 20. (Photo: May Soe San / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON – The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will impose restrictions on new hotel projects in several major tourist spots including Rangoon. The ministry has started negotiations with divisional and state governments in order to restrict new hotel projects in Rangoon and Mandalay as well as Taunggyi, Inle, Kalaw and Yawnghwe in Shan State, said Deputy Director General of the ministry U Hlaing Oo. "We have asked divisional and state governments to restrict future hotel projects in certain places with many hotels," said U Hlaing Oo. "High-rise hotels are being constructed in places like Inle Lake. While we can do nothing about existing projects, we ask governments to seriously consider new projects," said U Hlaing Oo. New hotels in those areas are unnecessary as occupancy rates in existing hotels are low, Hotels and Tourism minister U Ohn Maung said in a press conference on Tuesday in Rangoon. "We have made this decision through discussions with experts who have a lot of experience in the industry. At present, there are around five hotels that have more than seven stories in Yawnghwe. Those buildings do not complement the countryside," said U Ohn Maung. Since they came into power in 2012, Burma's previous government was liberal with permission for new hotel projects. As a result, the number of hotels exceeds the number of visitors coming into the country, which calls for a restriction of new hotel projects in the future. Minister U Ohn Maung also warned potential investors in the hotel industry not to be deceived by official tourist figures as foreign visitor numbers include those entering the country on other visas and for other reasons. "Next year, we will release the tourist figures in different groups," he said, promising to give more accurate tourist figures. "If people are convinced to invest in hotels based on those numbers, they are looking for trouble. Only banks will benefit from lending money to them," he added. According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, there have been 48 hotel projects with foreign investment amounting to over 9,000 rooms in Burma. Of the 48 projects, 34 are already in operation, 11 are under construction and three have not yet been started. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has approved a total of 17 hotel projects since April: Seven in Rangoon, one in Ngwe Saung Beach in Irrawaddy Division, two in Mon State's Moulmein, one in Arakan State's Gwa, one in Shan State's Kalaw, one in Chin State, and two in Karen State. Another five proposals are still being assessed, according to U Ohn Maung. Ministry statistics said there are 1,373 registered hotels with 53,783 rooms in Burma—346 hotels with 16,783 rooms in Rangoon, 184 rooms with 7,416 rooms in Mandalay, 88 hotels with 2,729 rooms in Inle, 32 hotels with 888 rooms in Taunggyi, and 38 hotels with 814 rooms in Kalaw. The occupancy rate of these hotels from April to July is 52 percent in Rangoon, 54 percent in Mandalay, 28 in Inle, 47 percent in Taunggyi, and 40 percent in Kalaw. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko The post Ministry to Restrict New Hotels appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Lawmaker Calls for MNHRC Members to be Replaced Posted: 22 Sep 2016 05:26 AM PDT  U Zaw Win, member of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission, pictured at a press conference in Rangoon on Sept. 21, 2016. (Photo: J Paing) RANGOON – A Lower House parliamentarian submitted an emergency proposal to the legislature calling for action to be taken against members of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) for their insufficient handling of a high-profile abuse case against two underage domestic workers. U Htay Win Aung, representing Rangoon Division's Daw Pone Township, criticized the MNHRC for recommending that the families of the young victims—aged 16 and 17—accept an informal cash settlement totaling US$4,000 from the accused abusers, instead of pushing for action prescribed by law. The girls, San Kay Khaing and Tha Zin, originally from Rangoon's Kawhmu Township—also known as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's constituency—escaped from the household of a prominent tailoring family earlier in September, after five years in domestic servitude. MP U Htay Win Aung accused the MNHRC members of ignoring existing laws in Burma, despite having worked in law enforcement. U Zaw Win, an ex-military member of the human rights commission, once served as the director general of the corrections department at Burma's notorious Insein Prison. "Why did the commission not try to treat this as a case of torture?" he said. "Did [Zaw Win] not know the articles [of the law] when he served in the corrections department?" "As times change, we need to change the people," U Htay Win Aung said in reference to the commission members. "That is the reasonable thing for lawmakers to do." With National League for Democracy lawmakers voicing support for the proposal, House Speaker U Win Myint gave a nod toward holding a debate session on the issue in Parliament. On Wednesday, the MNHRC held a press conference at its headquarters in Rangoon, where the commissioners defended their response in the case. Four members of the family accused of the abuse have been arrested and detained by the Rangoon police. Daw Tin Thuzar was arrested on Tuesday while Ko Tin Min Latt, Ma Su Mon Latt, and Lat U Ko Latt were arrested on Wednesday. The anti-human trafficking unit of the police force filed charges against the four offenders under Article 24, which states that anyone convicted human trafficking shall be penalized with one to 10 years imprisonment, or up to life imprisonment. On Thursday, Dr. Win Myat Aye of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement announced the ministry is currently taking care of the two victims. It will act as a plaintiff and file a case under Section 66(d) of Burma's 1993 Child Law, which states that willful mistreatment of a child can be punished with two years in prison and/or a 10,000-kyat fine. The post Lawmaker Calls for MNHRC Members to be Replaced appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Mandalay Election Criticized for Unrestricted Campaign Spending Posted: 22 Sep 2016 04:02 AM PDT  A municipal campaign in Mandalay. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy) Mandalay municipal elections have come under fire as candidates are allowed unrestricted campaign spending. Observers have pointed out that the election for seats on the Mandalay City Development Committee will not be fair, citing the unrestricted spending. U Maung Maung Oo, a member of a local environmental conservation organization in Mandalay who has been observing the municipal election, said, "I found that a candidate's spending has exceeded the salary he would earn as a municipal committee member. Suppose it is a gambling, he is already losing a lot. Candidates say they just want to serve the town, which is quite doubtful." Candidates have ramped up campaigning—often in decorated cars bearing vinyl self-portraits that blare slogans and songs, as the municipal poll is scheduled for Sunday. "It is disappointing that candidates are campaigning like that rather than showing the people what they can do," criticized U Maung Maung Oo. U Khin Maung Tun, a candidate running in Maha Aung Myay Township, has also criticized the campaign spending. "I have seen the personal competition between some candidates who have high spending power. I am concerned it will lead to bribery and voting irregularities," said U Khin Maung Tun. Thirty-five candidates vie for six seats on the committee, according to the municipal election commission. The ballots will be counted overnight and the results will be announced in newspapers the following day. U Zaw Tin Moe, secretary of the municipal election commission, told The Irrawaddy, "We are afraid that there will be more complaints about this year's election. If disputes arise about campaign expenses, we will file a report after the election." According to the regulations governing municipal elections, only the head of each household will be allowed to vote. Under the law, candidates must be at least 30, be born of parents who are both Burmese citizens, hold a bachelor's degree and have lived in the township in which they are standing for election for at least 10 years. The municipal election is estimated to cost 20 million kyat ($US16,000). There are 180,000 households that are eligible to vote, and there will be 232 polling stations and 2,000 polling station staff, according to the municipal election commission. The 11-member committee will have six elected representatives—one from each township—and five unelected members, who will be mostly technocrats, including engineers, doctors and lawyers, to be appointed by the regional government. The mayor of Mandalay will act as the chairman of the Mandalay municipality. This article was translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Mandalay Election Criticized for Unrestricted Campaign Spending appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Civilians Bear the Brunt of Ongoing Karen State Conflict Posted: 22 Sep 2016 03:48 AM PDT  Children take a nap at a shelter providing a temporary home for displaced persons in Myaing Gyi Ngu village. (Photo: Hsa Moo) CHIANG MAI, Thailand – "I feel sad when I see villagers fleeing for their lives; it reminds me of my childhood. Every time I see people displaced due to war, I remember when I fled my own home," said Hay Plah, a former refugee who recently visited a displaced persons shelter in Myaing Gyi Ngu village in Karen State. Fighting that broke out on Sept. 2 in Karen State between a splinter group of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) armed group and a joint force of the Burma Army and the Tatmadaw-backed Border Guard Force (BGF), has forced nearly 4,000 civilians to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere in the area. Many of the displaced are children and women. At a shelter known as Aye Lin Thar Yar field in Myaing Gyi Ngu, children were lying on the floor while women breastfed babies and talked idly with one another. "They seem full of fear, they daren't talk about the fighting," Hay Plah said. The conflict-torn Myaing Gyi Ngu and Mae Tha Waw area of Hlaingbwe Township in Karen State's Hpa-an District is partially controlled by different armed groups, including the Burma Army, the BGF, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and the DKBA as well as DKBA splinter groups. Last week, joint forces of the Burma Army and the BGF seized several military bases of one splinter group. In response, the faction said that it is now using guerrilla tactics to launch counter attacks against the Burma Army and the BGF. Maj. Saw San Aung of the group said "we are outnumbered so we don't keep permanent bases. We will lose soldiers if we keep defending them, as we are outnumbered. Now we will stay mobile." The recent fighting in Karen State, also known as Kayin State, began with a disagreement over a business deal that led to the death recently of former splinter group leader Maj. Na Ma Kyar. The conflict soon escalated, with the faction releasing a statement saying that it would be opening more frontline battles. As a result, thousands of civilians have fled their homes and abandoned their houses, farmland, and belongings. The fighting has caused the road connecting Mae Tha Waw and Myaing Gyi Ngu villages to be closed, affecting small-scale border trade businesses. Shopkeeper Ma Kyi who runs a store in the Thai border town of Thaw Leh Hta, about three hours' boat ride from Mae Tha Waw, said fighting has impacted her business. "It's very quiet these days, we are not selling much. Our customers haven't ordered any goods since the road closed," Ma Kyi told the Irrawaddy. Villagers in the conflict-torn area have previously accused the armed groups of extortion and coercion, for example collecting tolls or forcing villagers to carry supplies. In 2014, clashes between a DKBA splinter group and the BGF forced 200 villagers in Mae Tha Waw village to flee across the border to Thailand. Villagers said they were threatened, arrested, detained and forced to work for the armed groups. "I got arrested for carrying the group's passengers," said Pa Baut, a driver for a local transportation business. "The BGF threatened me at gunpoint, saying that they would spray my truck with bullets like rainfall if I carried those soldiers." "It is very hard to deny any group. They can do anything they like to us and we have no choice, all we want is to live in harmony." Sources close to the concerned armed groups said that the Burma Army might have other interests rather than simply attacking DKBA splinter group leaders such as Maj. Saw San Aung and Lt. Kyaw Thet who are on the Burma Army's wanted list. The fighting in Karen State has gained attention from the overseas Karen community. Members of the community have condemned the fighting and are angry at BGF soldiers, who are ethnic Karen, for doing the job of the Burma Army. Meanwhile, local residents are tired of conflict that affects their safety and disrupts their daily lives. The Mae Tha Waw area witnessed a huge military offensive by the Burma Army in 1995, forcing more than 70,000 villagers to flee. Many crossed the border to Thailand where they sought refuge in camps in Thailand's Tak Province. The offensive of 1995 led to the fall of the Karen National Union's headquarters at Manerplaw, less than one hour north of Mae Tha Waw. A Thai volunteer aid worker, Suwin, who delivered food and clothes to refugees who crossed the border into a Thai village in Tha Song Yang District, said that the refugees told him that the BGF forced young people to act as porters. "I heard gunfire when I visited the displaced villagers. They told me that they worried that if the fighting continued they would be arrested and used as porters," said Suwin. "Civilians are always the most vulnerable in war."
The post Civilians Bear the Brunt of Ongoing Karen State Conflict appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Suu Kyi Speaks at UN General Assembly Posted: 21 Sep 2016 10:43 PM PDT  Burma’s State Counselor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses the 71st United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, New York, United States on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters) NEW YORK, United States — Daw Aung San Suu Kyi made her first speech Wednesday at the UN General Assembly since forming a democratically elected government and called for international understanding as Burma grapples with sectarian tensions. She addressed concerns about the situation in troubled Rakhine State, where longstanding discrimination by majority Buddhists against Muslim Rohingya exploded into bloody violence in 2012. More than 100,000 people, mostly Rohingya, are still in displacement camps. Burma's State Counselor said the new government was "standing firm against the forces of prejudice and intolerance." She said that as a responsible nation, "we do not fear international scrutiny. We are committed to a sustainable solution that will lead to peace, stability and development for all communities within the state." Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been criticized by some human rights activists for not speaking out forcefully in support of the Rohingya, did not mention the group by name in her speech. It’s a contentious issue among Buddhists in Rakhine, who consider the Rohingya to be illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh and customarily call them "Bengali." The Nobel peace laureate said that through last year's election, the people of Burma exercised their right to fashion their dreams and aspirations for their country. She said national reconciliation in Burma is her government’s highest priority. Speaking later at the Asia Society, she said that Burma was only at the "beginning of the road" on its transition to democracy and to realize that goal required constitutional reform so that the military does not retain a quota of a quarter of parliamentary seats. She defended the recent appointment of a commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan as the government seeks to relieve communal tension and strife in Rakhine State. She said some political parties started protesting that "we were dragging a domestic issue onto the international stage but we explained that it had been on the international stage for some time and we had not been able to do anything about it." Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said the nine-member commission will address humanitarian, development, basic rights and security issues.
The post Suu Kyi Speaks at UN General Assembly appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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