Thursday, January 19, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Two Years On, Investigation Into Double Murder of Kachin Teachers Has Stalled

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 06:59 AM PST

Ongoing conflict in northern Shan State's Kutkai Township, where the crime occurred, is the main obstacle in processing the case, says one lawyer.

The post Two Years On, Investigation Into Double Murder of Kachin Teachers Has Stalled appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Parliamentary Committee to Submit Report on Judicial Reform

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 06:17 AM PST

The Judicial and Legal Affairs Complaints and Grievances Investigation Committee will submit its findings in an upcoming regional legislative session.

The post Rangoon Parliamentary Committee to Submit Report on Judicial Reform appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD Forms Performance Assessment Group

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:53 AM PST

Burma's ruling National League for Democracy party forms a supervisory group to assess the performance of government officials and lawmakers.

The post NLD Forms Performance Assessment Group appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon to Reduce Taxis to Address Traffic Congestion

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:44 AM PST

The Rangoon divisional govt will survey the number of taxis operating in the city after solving issues with the recently reformed Yangon Bus Service.

The post Rangoon to Reduce Taxis to Address Traffic Congestion appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt to Import 1,000 Buses to Address Shortage

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 04:05 AM PST

As a pledge to address the shortage of buses under the new system, the Yangon Region Transport Authority says the govt will import 1,000 buses.

The post Govt to Import 1,000 Buses to Address Shortage appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

YSX’s Newest Trading Company Announces Base Share Price

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 03:41 AM PST

First Private Bank will begin trading on the Yangon Stock Exchange on Jan. 20.

The post YSX's Newest Trading Company Announces Base Share Price appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Tensions Rise between Burma Army and SSA-N over Mong Hsu Road Project

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 03:35 AM PST

'They threatened to attack us if we refused to withdraw from our base. They ordered us to withdraw by noon today,' says Col Sai Su of the SSA-N.

The post Tensions Rise between Burma Army and SSA-N over Mong Hsu Road Project appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Actress Sues Model Over Facebook Posts Under Article 66(d)

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 02:02 AM PST

The arrest of model Myo Ko Ko San marks an expansion of the controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law into the entertainment sector.

The post Actress Sues Model Over Facebook Posts Under Article 66(d) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Malaysian PM tells Burma to ‘Stop the Killing’ in Arakan State

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 01:46 AM PST

Najib Razak calls on Burma to provide unimpeded access for humanitarian aid at meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The post Malaysian PM tells Burma to 'Stop the Killing' in Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Four Inmates Punished for Rioting in Pathein Prison

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 09:43 PM PST

Month-long court hearing ends with extended sentences for four inmates who broke out of jail cell and attacked a prison officer last year.

The post Four Inmates Punished for Rioting in Pathein Prison appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Malaysian ‘Food Flotilla’ to Arakan State Set to Go Ahead

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 08:31 PM PST

Organizers of the shipment to deliver aid to Arakan State say they have received 'verbal clearance' to dock in Rangoon.

The post Malaysian 'Food Flotilla' to Arakan State Set to Go Ahead appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD Government Needs to Shut Down Ma Ba Tha Affiliates

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 06:15 PM PST

The government was quick to take action against nationalists disrupting Muslim ceremonies, but more needs to be done so Ma Ba Tha is not resurrected.

The post NLD Government Needs to Shut Down Ma Ba Tha Affiliates appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
Posted by at No comments:

National News

National News

CSOs call for independent Rakhine investigation to alleviate intl pressure

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:41 PM PST

Over 40 Myanmar civil society groups are calling on the government to allow a "truly independent investigation" into the renewed violence in Rakhine State in order to avoid the situation overshadowing or stymieing development in the rest of the country.

Vendors demand meetings over Yangon street stall ban

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:40 PM PST

Furious over the city's efforts to sweep them from the streets, and feeling they have little other recourse, dozens of vendors ousted from their curbside perches yesterday staged a protest march.

China denies blocking Kachin IDPs at the border

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:38 PM PST

The Chinese embassy in Myanmar has rejected claims that its security forces on the border barred entry to thousands of displaced civilians who were fleeing heaving fighting in Kachin State last week.

Elderly pension payments to continue at reduced rate

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:37 PM PST

The government is set to continue a social pension plan for the elderly in the next financial year, with monthly payments allotted to senior citizens 90-years-old and up. But the payments have decreased from the K18,000 awarded in 2016, to a planned K10,000 per month through 2018, according to U Win Myat Aye, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

Vaccination program targets 193 townships

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:36 PM PST

The Department of Public Health has announced an elephantiasis vaccination campaign which will cover a large swath of the country from January 20 to 29.

Sticker campaign raises awareness about wildlife trade

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:33 PM PST

The Forest Department is hoping a new sticker campaign will help bolster public support for ending wildlife trafficking.

Myanmar to launch elephant conservation project

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 11:31 PM PST

Amid a dramatic rise in elephant poaching, the government is stepping up efforts to protect the tusked mammals with a new conservation project expected to be unveiled later this week.
Posted by at No comments:

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Burma army orders SSPP/SSA to withdraw from Monghsu

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 05:59 AM PST

The Burmese military today ordered the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) to immediately withdraw its troops from Monghsu Township in southern Shan State, while many civilians in the area have also been requested to move out.

Photo by SHAN- A military checkpoint in Khojom village, Monghsu Township
Speaking to Shan Heraldtoday, a local source in Mong Hsu who wished to remain anonymous said, "Villagers here were informed that the Tatmadaw [Burmese army] had ordered the SSPP/SSA forces to withdraw from their Nam Nab Base near Khojom village in Monghsu by this afternoon. Now, many local villagers have abandoned their homes and gone to seek shelter in Monghsu town."


On January 10, SSPP/SSA representatives met with Brig-Gen Htet Htun, the head of Central Eastern Command, which is based in Kholam Township, Shan State, to discuss plans for road construction in SSPP/SSA territory. The Burmese commander told SSPP/SSA representatives that he would reinforce his troop strength in the area whether the Shan militia approved or not.

According to an official from the SSPP/SSA's News and Information Department, who spoke to Shan Heraldunder condition of anonymity, the Tatmadaw ordered the Shan army to withdraw from the area before January 20 because they will bring reinforcements in.

"Because of this [troop reinforcements], they ordered us and the local villagers to move out," said the official. "This could lead to an outbreak of hostilities.

"Apart from the Burmese military presence under Kholam command which is active in the area, more troops from Namsang Battalion No. 151, Kali Battalion 150, and Kunheng Battalion 524, as well as two security battalions have now been brought in," he said.

The SSPP/SSA representative said that the Burmese military had also beefed up its troop strength in Tangyan Township, Lashio District, near the SSPP/SSA base at Loi Je, a strategic mountain outpost.
"We do not wish armed conflict," said a representative of the SSPP/SSA who was due to meet with government peace negotiator Thein Zaw today in Yangon. "We have requested the Tatmadaw not deploy soldiers to build the road. Instead, they should employ civilians. But they did not agree.

"We also requested a meeting with Gen. Yar Pyae in Naypyidaw but it didn't happen, so we proposed a meeting with U Thein Zaw today," he added. "We want to solve the problem by political means."
He re-emphasized: "We need to solve this problem immediately. Otherwise, fighting will break out and people will suffer."

The Burmese armed forces launched heavy offensives against the SSPP/SSA, including assaults on its Wan Hai Headquarters in Kesi Township, during the general election last year.


SSPP/SSA is a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council which has to date declined to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement, or NCA. The Shan militia previously approved state-level and union-level ceasefire accords with the former Burmese government administration headed by President Thein Sein. 

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)