Saturday, July 22, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘Development of a Country Depends Greatly on Leadership’

Posted: 21 Jul 2017 09:23 PM PDT

Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! July 19 is Myanmar's historic Martyrs' Day and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the day when nine martyrs including independence hero Gen Aung San were assassinated. It is said that Gen Aung San chose his cabinet and colleagues based on their capacity, capability, expertise, experience and virtue. On the occasion of Martyrs' Day, I've invited two grandsons of martyrs U Ba Win and U Razak to discuss how exemplary those leaders were. Ko Khaing Win, the grandson of U Ba Win, who was the elder brother of Gen Aung San, and Dr. Myat Htoo Razak, the grandson of U Razak, join me for this discussion. I'm Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe.

Ko Khaing Win, it is said that those leaders of the past had vision and capability. But before talking about their characteristics, can you tell me about your childhood memories and the relations between Gen Aung San and your grandfather, according to your elders?

Khaing Win: What I remember is my grandfather teaching Gen Aung San. My grandfather was 14 years older than him, so he was like a big brother or father figure to him.

He taught his two brothers, Gen Aung San and U Aung Than, in Yenangyaung Township, where he was a schoolteacher at the time. Although they were brothers, my grandfather was a strict teacher. He taught them English and asked them to read English newspapers and write down what they read every morning.

KZM: Ko Myat Htoo, we heard that Gen Aung San chose U Razak [as a cabinet member] on his merit. He was a local leader in Mandalay and had a range of experience, including serving as the headmaster of National High School. What impression did he leave you with?

Myat Htoo: As his grandson, I've known him largely through his books and speeches. My grandmother didn't talk much about him because it made her sad. But I can imagine how much he was respected, especially when I go to Mandalay. I came to understand more about my grandfather after I read the book Students' Account of Their Teacher U Razak by the Mandalay Association. He was a strong patriot and decided to fight for independence and to improve the country by promoting education and patriotism. He told his students that weapons alone would not defeat the British and that independence must be claimed in meeting rooms. Like Saya U Ba Win, he was a teacher who promoted patriotism. At the same time, he not only taught from school textbooks but also about social and moral obligations. Looking at the actions of his students, I can imagine the kind of teacher my grandfather was. I respect him as a leader in the country rather than as my grandfather.

KZM: It is notable that both U Ba Win and U Razak were teachers. U Ba Win also served as the trade minister and one of his biographies said that as businessmen approached ministers to get permits, U Ba Win never looked at the names of the applicants seeking business licenses. He was concerned that he would be biased in favor of his friends. It seems like honesty was an important virtue at that time. What more do you know about your grandfather?

KW: Yes, as Ko Kyaw Zwa has said, my grandmother told me that merchants approached him after he became the trade minister. But before that, he told his wife not to interfere with his job and made it clear that he would not receive any of his students if they came to visit him for business purposes. My grandmother told me that one of his students, who was a businessman, came with our family when we moved from Yenangyaung to Yangon, despite my grandfather's refusal. He was a regular guest at our house in Yenangyaung and my grandmother and family members didn't want to upset him, so they let him go along. My grandfather was in the front car and realized that he had joined them after they were already on the way. He railed at him and bluntly told him to go back to Yenangyaung. He was a leader who was not afraid to offend, and who did not take personal ties into consideration when it came to the interests of the country.

KZM: They were very disciplined. It seems like all of the ex-ministers from previous eras could learn from them regarding corruption. Ko Myat Htoo, Gen Aung San didn't accept religious meddling in politics. Society was largely secular and there were no radical religious views. U Razak was a Muslim, but he was portrayed as a leader in the community and the country. There were also Christians among the assassinated martyrs. What is your assessment of those leaders in that regard, as we are witnessing radical religious movements 70 years after their assassination? What should we take from them?

MH: They focused on independence and the development of the country. In the nation-building process, they chose people who could benefit the country regardless of race, religion or faith. They, especially U Razak, had close ties with Buddhist monks in Mandalay. He learned Pali and taught the monks as well. At the same time, he maintained friendly ties with Muslims and Christians without discrimination. His mother, Daw Nyein Hla, was a Buddhist and all of his siblings were Buddhists. He said he believed in Islam because his Islamic father asked him to do so, and he wanted Muslims to be united. But according to his books, he viewed state affairs as the top priority before religion. He was a visionary leader in that regard. Now, religious extremism is high not only in Myanmar but around the world. Considering this, it is clear that U Razak was a man who could focus on state affairs rather than religion. My personal view is that if those leaders were alive today, they would certainly find ways to prevent extremism.

KZM: It is fair to say that Myanmar's strong and visionary leadership was lost after their assassination. So, people always long for them. There is talk that Myanmar's history would have been different if they had not been assassinated. We have undergone many dark eras. Ko Khaing Win, what do you think Myanmar would be like today if those leaders had not died?

KW: Many have imagined how Myanmar would be doing if they were alive. They wonder if Myanmar would be like Singapore. Some compare Gen Aung San with Lee Kuan Yew, saying that he was a brave, decisive, and selfless leader, and that his colleagues were also far-sighted. Development of a country depends greatly on leadership. It is critical. When a country is rich, it might not need good leadership, but for developing countries, good leadership is necessary.

KZM: Yes, it is especially true for a country that is at a crossroads. Please continue.

KW: It is critical that those holding political power have vision. I believe the country will improve when it has many leaders who consider the future of the country from various aspects rather than focusing on their electoral victories.

KZM: Yes, it will also depend on how good their economic and foreign policies are, aside from the separation of religion and politics. It is important that they have the right policies as they navigate the 50 million people on the ship that is Myanmar. Ko Myat Htoo, what should leaders, including military leaders—as Gen Aung San founded the military—learn from the martyrs for the sake of the people and the country?

MH: Leaders need to consider the interests of the people and the future of the country. When we say the vision of the leaders, it is not only about their vision. The whole country needs to share that vision. When we talk about martyrs, we usually refer to those nine martyrs, but more than 30 million people made sacrifices [to regain independence]. The people recognize those nine martyrs among many others. There were other leaders like Pyawbwe U Mya who didn't die, although they were at the cabinet meeting, and therefore, were not recognized as martyrs. In rebuilding the state, there are many leaders who go unrecognized. In the military, there may be military leaders who are not popular, but who want to transform the army into people's army. I want leaders in the economic, education, legislation, health and development sectors to work together to find ways to improve the country.

KZM: Ko Khaing Win, Ko Myat Htoo, thank you for sharing!

The post Dateline Irrawaddy: 'Development of a Country Depends Greatly on Leadership' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

This Week in Parliament (July 17-21)

Posted: 21 Jul 2017 09:06 PM PDT

There was no parliamentary session on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thursday (July 20)

The Lower House approved the draft law to amend the anti-corruption law. The draft law has also been approved by the Upper House, and will be put forward to the Union Parliament for enactment. The law enacted in 2013 under U Thein Sein government has been amended twice so far.

In the Upper House, Union minister for resources and forestry U Ohn Win, in response to a question by lawmaker U Bwe Khem of Chin State (3), said that the government would undertake a 10-year national afforestation plan, which would contribute to the revival of forests in Chin State.

Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win put forward a draft of the new Myanmar Companies Law to the Upper House. The draft law combines elements of the Myanmar Companies Act of 1914 and the Special Companies Act of 1950, reworked in hopes of attracting foreign investment, he said.

Friday (July 21)

President U Htin Kyaw has put forward a list of nominees to the Union Parliament on Friday for three vice governor positions and five director positions in the Central Bank of Myanmar, which will soon be vacant when existing terms expire.

The post This Week in Parliament (July 17-21) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (July 22)

Posted: 21 Jul 2017 08:53 PM PDT

Myeik Islands to Offer More Hotel Rooms

Nine local and foreign companies with permission to build hotel accommodation on twelve islands of the Myeik Archipelago will be in a position to offer rooms to visitors in the coming high season, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

The archipelago has more than 800 islands and is an area of world-class outstanding natural beauty that was little visited during the decades when Myanmar was under military rule.

The permissions were granted by the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC). Businesses setting up in the region need permission from the MIC and also from relevant ministries, according to U Hsan Myint, deputy director-general of the MIC.

The new hotels will be ready before the coming high season on Nyaung Oo Phee Island, Wa Ale Island, Hlainggu Island, Ngakhinnyogyi Island, 115 Island, Phoni Island, Balar Island and Thahtay Island, according to U Hlwan Moe of the Kawthaung District Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.

A total of some 200 rooms will be available, he said.

Plans for Myeik Archipelago are being developed in collaboration with the Tanintharyi Region Development Committee and include a provision that "only one kind of business" will be allowed on each island, to protect the natural environment, said U Ohn Myint, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

The majority of visitors to the region are currently from Thailand, according to U Hlwan Moe. Of 300,000 foreigners who visited the region last year, 250,000 were from Thailand, he told the paper.

Logistics Firm Opens Base in Thilawa

Japanese firm Yusen Logistics has opened a 68,000 square-foot logistics center in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone with an eye to contribute to cross-border trade between Myanmar and Thailand.

The base features temperature-controlled storage areas and an assembled vehicle storage yard, and it offers pre-delivery inspections and customs procedures, according to the American Shipper website.

"This logistics center will be a cornerstone of our logistics business in Myanmar and an important part of our global network, including the connection to surrounding countries," said Kenji Mizushima, president of Yusen Logistics.

Yusen Logistics operates around the globe with services in air, sea and land transportation networks.

The announcement follows the opening of another logistics facility at the Thilawa SEZ in June by Nittsu Logistics Myanmar.

Micro-lenders to Receive Cash Boost

A Luxembourg-based provider of financial services to social businesses will extend loans to three microfinance operations in Myanmar, a trade website reported.

The Grameen Credit Agricole Microfinance Foundation (GCAMF) will provide loans on a phased basis over three years to Proximity Finance (US$2.9 million), BRAC Myanmar ($1.6 million) and VisionFund Myanmar ($1.3 million).

Proximity Finance is a microfinance program of Proximity Designs, a nonprofit that works to reduce poverty. As of December 2015, Proximity Finance reported a total of approximately 48,000 rural customers and a loan portfolio of $8.4 million, according to the report.

BRAC Myanmar is an affiliate of Bangladesh-based Building Resources Across Communities (BRAC), while VisionFund Myanmar is a unit of the US-based non-governmental organization World Vision, with operations reportedly in almost 100 countries.

GCAMF was founded in Luxembourg in 2008 by Credit Agricole SA, a French retail bank, and Grameen Trust, a nonprofit microfinance organization affiliated with the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. The fund is active in countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Myanmar Rice to Help Ease Shortage in Sri Lanka

A shortage of rice in Sri Lanka due to drought followed by floods will be eased by a deal to import rice from Myanmar and Pakistan, according to a news report.

A total of 55,000 MT of rice will be made quickly available to Sri Lanka after a government team visited Myanmar and Pakistan earlier this month.

"After the successful tour, it is clear there will be no more rice shortages in the domestic markets—or even any likelihood of it," Sri Lanka's industry and commerce minister Rishad Bathiudeen said. The minister added that "some elements" were trying to create an artificial shortage in the Sri Lankan market, according to the report.

Myanmar was ready to supply 30,000 MT immediately and Pakistan had agreed to provide 25,000 MT without delay, the report stated. The rice samples tested in Pakistan were already milled and in good quality. Myanmar rice was of good quality also but needed to be milled before shipping, the report added.

Sri Lanka has also entered deals to secure rice from Thailand and India, according to another report, but some imports from Thailand might be held back because of higher prices quoted there.

A severe drought followed by floods has slashed agricultural production in Sri Lanka this year, leaving some 900,000 people facing food insecurity, the United Nations said in June.

Production of rice, the country's staple food, was forecast to drop almost 40 percent to 2.7 million tons in 2017, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) said, according to Reuters. Outputs of other crops such as pulses, chilies and onions, were also expected to be hit.

KBZ Expands Capacity on Satellites

The KBZ group of companies has expanded its capacity on two satellites, the AsiaSat 4 and AsiaSat 7, to meet growing demand from clients in its banking, finance and oil and gas sectors for faster and more efficient broadband services, AsiaSat reported.

The Myanmar conglomerate and bank launched services on AsiaSat in 2016, and has since expanded its high-speed broadband network which connects 300 remote sites across its bank branch network and ATM services, and also serves communications for remote oil and gas exploration sites.

With the expanded capacity, KBZ will be offering advanced broadband services, enabling it to expand into the hospitality sector, according to AsiaSat.

It added that the new AsiaSat 9 is being planned and will enable further improved services by KBZ for broadband services across the country.

Japan Invests in Myanmar Human Resources

Employees of telecoms operator Myanmar Posts & Telecommunications (MPT) will start long-term skills training with the Japanese firm KDDI, which, along with Sumitumo, is a partner with MPT.

Initially, four MPT employees (two working in business management and two in a technical field) will join KDDI for one year starting this month.

The training will include three months of Japanese language study and basic lectures, and technical trainees will undergo practical training in network design and development, maintenance and operations, and information systems.

Business management trainees will study in the sales, marketing and new services planning departments. After completing the program, the trainees will return to Myanmar and use the techniques, know-how, and business skills acquired in Japan.

In a separate human resources initiative, the Tokyo-based Japan Productivity Center and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) have launched a project to establish a National Productivity Organization to promote enhanced productivity in Myanmar.

The project will seek to introduce Japanese practical Kaizen methods (these translate roughly into a philosophy of constant, continual improvement) into Myanmar businesses.

Senior project staff are currently being sought and more information is available on the UMFCCI website.

The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (July 22) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UN Envoy ‘Strongly Urges’ Myanmar to Accept Fact-Finding Mission

Posted: 21 Jul 2017 08:08 PM PDT

RANGOON – UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee told reporters on Friday that she would "strongly urge the government" to allow an international independent body to investigate allegations of rights abuses particularly in Rakhine State, and in conflict regions in Myanmar at large.

The comment was made during a press conference in Yangon after Lee wrapped up a 12-day visit to Myanmar. She went to Yangon and Naypyitaw and toured conflict-torn Rakhine State, but noted that in Shan State, she was only allowed to visit the northern city of Lashio, and the capital of Hpa-an in Karen State. On her trip, Lee met with internally displaced people as well as with civil society organizations, but noted that many of the places she had proposed visiting were denied access to her by the authorities.

"I regret Myanmar's decision to refuse the fact-finding mission," Lee said in reference to the UN body appointed by the Human Rights Council to investigate rights violations in conflict areas in Myanmar, the participants of which have seen their applications for visas refused. Reporters raised questions about why Lee felt the mission was necessary.

She noted that her own mandate—extended for one year—is separate from that of the fact-finding mission. But she pointed to evidence that requires an "independent international mechanism" in order to be verified, and the need "to collect data and just know…what really happened."

Of particular concern to the fact-finding mission are clearance operations carried out by security forces in northern Rakhine State in response to militant attacks on police outposts in October 2016; during this time, tens of thousands of self-identifying Rohingya Muslims were displaced to Bangladesh.

Lee expressed dismay that her visit was marked by many restrictions, with authorities providing "the excuse of short notice" in denying her access to sites, and her sources reportedly facing intimidation by special branch police officers.

Those who met with her, Lee said, were "photographed, questioned before and after meetings, and in one case, even followed." This, she added, was "unacceptable."

"I am disappointed to see the tactics applied by the previous government still being used," the Special Rapporteur said.

She acknowledged that the "general situation for the Rohingya has hardly improved" since her last visit in January, and that she continues to receive reports alleging violations by security forces. Lee lamented that she has also learned that some Rohingya who had collaborated with the authorities have been harmed or killed by unknown assailants.

During her visit to Rakhine State, Lee faced protests in Buthidaung Township, and in the capital Sittwe, as local Buddhist Rakhine said they felt she stood for the rights of the Rohingya community but portrayed the Rakhine as villains on the international stage. In her statement, she explained that members of the Rakhine community emphasized to her "that the Rakhine community as a whole should not be judged for the action of its most extreme members."

"I am here to report what I see and what I can clarify myself for the all people, not just one side," she said.

Reporters attend a press conference by Yanghee Lee on Friday. (Photo: Thet Htun Naing / The Irrawaddy)

Lee said her delegation had planned to meet with community members in northern Shan State, as well as three journalists currently detained in Hsipaw prison, accused by the Myanmar Army of violating the Unlawful Associations Act for gathering news by contacting the ethnic armed group the Ta'ang National Liberation Army. The authorities did not allow her to visit Hsipaw, she said, although it is a known tourist destination.

During her time in Myanmar, Lee met with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and officials from several Union ministries, but was unable to meet Tatmadaw commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, or the ministers of defense, home affairs, transportation and communication, or religion and culture. She did not comment on the content or outcomes of these meetings.

The State Counselor's Office issued an official response to Yanghee Lee's statement on Friday defending its "disassociation" with the Human Rights Council's resolution to appoint a fact-finding mission, and expressed "disappointment" with Lee's conclusions, claiming that her remarks contained "sweeping allegations and a number of factual errors." The Office stated that during meetings with Lee, representatives had explained to her "the steps that the government has taken to promote development and communal harmony."

On Tuesday, Myanmar National Security Advisor U Than Tun and Union Minister U Kyaw Tint Swe of the State Counselor's Office held a press conference at the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, inviting dozens of foreign counterparts from Yangon-based embassies, including US Ambassador Scot Marciel. But the advisor declined to take questions from reporters and requested to leave the conference room before a discussion began between diplomats.

In his opening remark, U Thaung Tun said that the UN's fact-finding mission "would only aggravate" tension between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine State and described it as "less than constructive."

Yanghee Lee is scheduled to submit a report on the human rights situation in Myanmar to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in October.

The post UN Envoy 'Strongly Urges' Myanmar to Accept Fact-Finding Mission appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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