Tuesday, February 6, 2018

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Preps Policy to Cope with Falling Population Growth

Posted: 06 Feb 2018 04:56 AM PST

YANGON — Myanmar will develop and implement a national population policy in a bid to manage the country's aging populace and declining growth rate, Minister of Labor, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe said on Monday.

The minister said the country needed a plan to prepare for the consequences of the demographic changes. He was replying to a question from Lower House lawmaker U San Shwe Win, Irrawaddy Region (Yegyi Township), about whether the government had plans to adopt a population policy.

U San Shwe Win said Myanmar's population will eventually start shrinking according to the results of the last national census in 2014, the country's first since 1983.

Until preliminary results from the 2014 census were released that August, the country's official population had long stood at about 60 million. However, the census put the number at just 51.4 million, nearly 17 percent less.

According to successive reports the ministry has released based on the 2014 census, the country's population growth rate has been declining steadily in recent years and is now among the lowest in Southeast Asia. They say a falling crude birth rate, measuring live births, was the main reason for the decline and predict a population of 65 million by 2050.

Yet Myanmar still maintains a relatively high fertility rate of 2.5 births per woman compared to its neighbors in the region.

U Thein Swe said the ministry would use the reports to draft the national population policy, taking into consideration the country's population growth rate, life expectancy, birth rate, mortality rate and population distribution.

He added that the ministry would also consider the country's optimum population size based on its natural resources, economy, geography, culture and military needs.

The first step will be to form a National Population and Development Commission.

"We have already asked the union government, and if it is allowed to be formed the commission will lead the process of drafting the population policy in collaboration with other ministries," U Thein Swe said.

According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which provided technical and financial support for the 2014 census project, many countries are moving away from general population policies because the demographic data a national census provides is so vast and broad. It says sector-specific policies are proving more useful.

The UNFPA country office said the 2014 census results highlighted many of the priorities the government should be addressing to improve people's quality of life including inequalities in education and access to health care, high levels of childhood and maternal mortality, access to safe water and sanitation, and the need for more housing. It stressed the value of developing sector-specific plans to tackle them.

For example, according to the census reports, 2,800 women die each year from mostly preventable causes related to childbirth and pregnancy; the number of people 60 and older will almost triple in the next 30 years; and half a million young people cannot read or write primarily because of low school attendance rates.

"Young people represent a huge source of potential for Myanmar's development. Government policy needs to focus on improving the standard of education, as well as on increasing school attendance and youth literacy," said UNFPA country representative Janet Jackson.

At the same time, she urged the government to pay attention to the country's growing elderly population and its needs.

She said Myanmar could also significantly bring down its maternal mortality rate if women were given the choice to give birth to fewer children with the help of better family planning.

The post Govt Preps Policy to Cope with Falling Population Growth appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KIA Attacks Tatmadaw Outposts in Mogaung, Myitkyina

Posted: 06 Feb 2018 04:43 AM PST

The Kachin Independence Army has launched attacks on Myanmar Army (Tatmadaw) outposts in Mogaung and Myitkyina townships in Kachin State in an operation aimed at disrupting the latter's ongoing offensive against it, a spokesman for the armed group said.

"They attacked the headquarters of [KIA] Battalion 11, so we have launched counterattacks to slow their operation. They are conducting an offensive, so we have had to take up defensive positions," KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.

In a statement on Feb. 3, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services accused the KIA of abandoning peace efforts by attacking Tatmadaw headquarters, posts and patrols in Myitkyina and Mogaung townships with heavy and light weapons on Jan. 31 and Feb. 3.

The KIA said it had attacked minor Tatmadaw outposts in an attempt to reduce the intensity of the Tatmadaw's offensives against it. The armed group denied attacking Tatmadaw command centers.

"We did not attack Mogaung and Myitkyina headquarters. We attacked only frontline posts in areas controlled by [the Tatmadaw] in the two townships," Col. Naw Bu said.

Fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA in Sumprabum and Tanai townships in January. A number of local residents were killed or injured and many were forced to flee their homes.

"Clashes will continue to erupt until [a lasting] peace cannot be restored in the state," Kachin State Chief Minister Dr. Khet Aung said.

The fighting in Tanai trapped about 2,000 local residents in the conflict zone. More than 700 people in Sumprabum have been forced to take refuge in the jungle, according to a rescue committee for internally displaced persons.

The post KIA Attacks Tatmadaw Outposts in Mogaung, Myitkyina appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Unchecked Conflict Could Lead to Disintegration of Rakhine State, Lawmaker Warns 

Posted: 06 Feb 2018 04:07 AM PST

NAYPYITAW — Violent conflicts stemming from racial and religious prejudice in northern Rakhine could result in the disintegration of the western state, U Tin Aye, a Lower House lawmaker from the Union Solidarity and Development Party, warned the Lower House on Monday.

"Violent conflicts stemming from racial and religious prejudice have been going on in Rakhine State for a long time. If the terrorist acts of Bengalis — or self-identifying Rohingyas — in Rakhine cannot be checked in their early stages and are allowed to spread like a cancer, Rakhine State could disintegrate,” said U Tin Aye, a former major-general.

The previous U Thein Sein government used the term 'Bengali' to refer to the Rohingya, as does military chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing.

U Tin Aye made the remarks while asking the government to clarify how it planned to communicate to the people of Myanmar and the international community that there is no such ethnic group as the Rohingya in Myanmar.

"This could lead to disintegration or even result in a failed state. If they dominate our country, we would be forced to leave. I raise the question because I am worried about this," the Lower House representative from Matman Township in Shan State told reporters after the session.

U Tin Aye retired from the army with the rank of major-general in 2015. In the general election that year he ran successfully as an independent candidate for the Lower House seat representing Matman Township near the Wa Self-administered Zone in Shan State (East). He later joined the USDP.

He said the incumbent government had been silent on the existence of the Rohingya as an ethnic group in Myanmar, despite frequent statements from former President U Thein Sein and Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the commander-in-chief of the Defense Services, that there had never been such an ethnic group as Rohingya in Myanmar. He said it was unacceptable to create a new ethnic group for political reasons.

"Without an explicit denial of the existence of the Rohingya as an ethnic group in Myanmar, it would be very difficult for our country to resist the pressure of powerful organizations like the UN and the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], as silence is an act of complicity," he told the Lower House session.

Union Minister for Labor, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe replied that the government was handling the issue of Rakhine State in the long-term interests of all ethnic groups in Myanmar through farsightedness and correct measures.

"The government, with an emphasis on wisdom and rationality, has been handling the situation in accordance with laws, rules and regulations in a dignified manner without resorting to emotion," U Thein Swe said.

He said the term 'Rohingya' was not found in any population census, adding that it was well known that heads of state had refrained from using it. Myanmar diplomats around the world had also avoided using such terminology and had even protested when representatives from the international community used the word at official meetings, he said.

The government currently recognizes 135 ethnic groups, but discussions are under way to expand this list to reflect the population census conducted in 2014.

U Maung Maung Soe, an observer of Rakhine issues, said the state's problems could not be solved simply by issuing a statement, adding they should be handled in a way acceptable to the international community based on the assessments of experts. Although the government was considering granting citizenship to 'Bengalis' to solve the Rakhine issue, he said, the Rohingya were demanding recognition and full rights as an ethnic group. He pointed out that it was first necessary to properly address the problem.

Making "forceful demands on Rakhine issues will lead to crises in the future," U Maung Maung Soe said. "If they say they belong to the place and they have the right to live there and the international community thinks this is true, there will be an enormous crisis in Rakhine State," he said.

Lawmaker U Tin Aye pointed out during the Lower House session that UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Yanghee Lee said in 2016 that Rohingya had the right to self-identification in accordance with the International Human Rights Law approved by the international community. She urged Myanmar to recognize them as an ethnic group.

"It cannot be denied that international pressure cannot be ignored in solving the issues in Rakhine State, but [the government] should be careful not to make the mistake of paying too much attention to this pressure. The situation is very sensitive and will be aggravated if it is not handled properly, due to its sensitivity," he said.

According to international organizations and news reports, more than 600,000 refugees have crossed the border into Bangladesh since violent attacks by Arakan Rohingya State Army militants against security officials on Aug. 25 prompted a military crackdown. Myanmar is preparing to repatriate the refugees, but none has returned so far.

The post Unchecked Conflict Could Lead to Disintegration of Rakhine State, Lawmaker Warns  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KIO Marks Kachin Revolution Day

Posted: 06 Feb 2018 03:54 AM PST

The current Panglong peace conference caters to the Myanmar Army and not ethnic people's wishes, said the new chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

Gen N'Ban La, the KIO chairman, spoke at the 58th anniversary of Kachin Revolution Day on Monday to more than 1,000 ceremony attendees.

"Our elders were involved in writing the Panglong Agreement. But this agreement has been forgotten. We need to be careful how we handle this going forward," said Gen N'Ban La.

The current Panglong conference is not how ethnic people want it to be, he added.

The KIO mark their revolution day on Feb. 5, the day that they began a rebellion against the Myanmar government in 1961. During the ceremony, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) honored men who had served in the military for more than 10 years with certificates and medals.

Kachin State is rich with natural resources including jade, gold and amber. But there has been unrest in the region since a 17-year ceasefire agreement broke down in 2011. The Myanmar Army has carried out ongoing attacks in the area and seized land.

Fighting recently escalated when the Myanmar Army launched military offensives in the mining areas in Tanai and other KIA-controlled areas.  Thousands of people have been blocked from leaving the area, pending military checks.

Gen N'Ban La said in his speech that the KIO has tried to solve political conflict through peaceful dialogue. The organization does not believe the conflict can be solved through fighting, he added.

The KIA does not hate Bamar people; but it attacks a group of people who want to tighten their grip on power in the country, he said.

Ethnic Kachin people need to cooperate with Bamar people in order to create a federal system. They also need to respect other ethnicities that live in Kachin, he added.

The Myanmar government planned to hold the third Panglong peace conference this month in Naypyitaw, but the date has not yet been set after being pushed back.

The KIO will attend the conference when it is based on a federal principle that allows all ethnic people and political parties to participate, he said.

The KIO is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which has not signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). The KIO says that it will join when all members of the FPNCC can participate in political dialogue. For now, the Myanmar Army has not agreed to let the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army to participate in the peace conference.

The post KIO Marks Kachin Revolution Day appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Swiss Punk Band Brings the Noise to Yangon at JAM It

Posted: 06 Feb 2018 01:07 AM PST

Swiss Punk Band Überyou played Myanmar for the first time on Saturday on their Southeast Asian tour in collaboration with JAM it, a regular concert series featuring local punk, indie rock and hip-hop artists.

The concert was supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Myanmar and held at Pouk Kan Food Court in the People's Park compound.

"I liked every band tonight. They nailed it," said audience member Banyar Wunna Zaw, 25.

The show started at 7 p.m., two hours later than announced, but the young audience didn't seem to mind.

Many in the audience sported all black, and there were plenty of mohawks in the crowd. Some wore Thanakha, because the local Rebel Riots punk band wears it while they perform.

The opening band was Mooni, an indie/pop rock band with a female vocalist. The music didn't mobilize the crowd but they performed full out.

Tu & The Loft band performed last Saturday night at JAM it. / Chanson

They were followed by indie rock band Tu & the Loft. Tu's vocals filled the area in front of the stage and the crowd started to follow along with her melodies. The group performed a few songs including a tribute to Dolores O'Riordan, the lead singer of The Cranberries who recently died.

After that, The Reasonabilists performed and the crowd got livelier. They performed their tune Flowerbed and then a Burmese song called Sway.

Vocal and guitarist Kyaw Kyaw from Rebel Riots. / Chanson

Well-known band General Tiger Gun was the last indie rock band to perform for the night, and some in the audience were waiting for them to play. Many in the audience sang along to their lyrics, which are easy to remember.

As it got dark, it was time to make some noise. The audience was ready to headbang and Rebel Riots took the stage with loud drums and fast guitar riffs. The crowd formed mosh pits and lead vocalist Kyaw Kyaw pulled off a stage dive.

Stage dive during the Rebel Riots performance. / Chanson

No U Turn took the stage and the energy at the concert reached a peak, while a small altercation broke out in the crowd, but was quickly resolved by security.

Swiss Punk Band Überyou onstage./Chan Son/ The Irrawaddy

This was followed by Wareru, a well-known hip-hop artist and the only one to perform at this show.

Unfortunately, Never Reverse didn't appear, despite being scheduled. Überyou was the last to take the stage, in a strong performance in front of an unfamiliar audience. They performed five songs and finished the concert around 10 p.m. Myanmar was the first stop on their tour, which will continue in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

It was a night of great acts. Audiences were engaged despite some unknown acts and a mediocre sound system. This was the first JAM it of 2018, with another show scheduled Feb. 10 in Mandalay. All of the shows in the series can be found on the Facebook page JAM it.

The post Swiss Punk Band Brings the Noise to Yangon at JAM It appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Police Accuse Arakan Army of Murder of Former Mrauk-U Official

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 11:20 PM PST

YANGON — The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday accused the Arakan Army (AA) of the Jan. 30 murder of a former township official in Rakhine State in retaliation for his role in blocking events to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Arakan kingdom some 200 years ago.

Bo Bo Min Theik, a former official of Mrauk-U Township, was stabbed to death in Rakhine's Ponnagyun Township while returning to the state capital Sittwe from Mrauk-U, where he had been summoned for questioning over a police crackdown on a Jan. 16 protest there that left seven civilians dead. He was serving in Mrauk-U at the time of the protest, which was sparked by the government's decision to block the anniversary events, but transferred to Sittwe a few days later over concern for his safety.

On Jan. 31, police arrested four suspect — U Kyaw Myint and his son Ko Min Than Htay, wife Daw Kyi Kyi Win, and daughter-in-law Ma Khin Zar Hlaing — in Yangon and opened a case against them for homicide, abetting and causing grievous harm.

Police were led to the family by the number plate on the car in which Bo Bo Min Theik's body was found. They say the plate had previously been on a car belonging to U Kyaw Myint, a former administrator of Rakhine State's Tain Nyo village. Two vehicles belonging to the family and 75 million kyats ($56,476) were also confiscated.

In a statement released late Monday, the Home Affairs Ministry said U Kyaw Myint had confessed to conspiring in the official's murder. It said he had discussed plans to kill Bo Bo Min Theik with AA recruiter Ko Latt and three others — Sapaing, Zaw Myo Aung and Myo Chit Aung — on Jan. 25 in retaliation for the blocked anniversary events.

The next day, U Kyaw Myint called Bo Bo Min Theik, whom he had known for many years, to offer him a ride from Mrauk-U back to Sittwe. Bo Bo Min Theik accepted. On Jan. 27, however, U Kyaw Myint called him back to say he would be travelling to Yangon the next day and that Myo Chit Aung would drive him to Sittwe instead. Sapaing and Zaw Myo would join them to help carry his belongings, including his luggage and documents.

While U Kyaw Myint was driving to Yangon with his wife, Ko Latt reportedly called to tell him the car they would be using had no number plate. U Kyaw Myint suggested they use the plate on an unregistered car he owned in Tain Nyo village, which they did.

On Jan. 30, as Bo Bo Min Theik was heading back to Sittwe with the three men, they tried to seize his mobile phone and the vehicle overturned in the ensuing struggle. According to the ministry statement, Sapaing and Zaw Myo Aung then stabbed Bo Bo Min Theik to death.

The three men remain at large.

The statement also said that U Kyaw Myint and his son had been moving illicit drugs from Shan State to Rakhine for several years. It said they smuggled 4.4 million methamphetamine pills into Rakhine's Maungdaw District in 2016 and 2017 at a profit of almost 400 million kyats ($299,000) and confessed to buying M-16 assault rifle and pistols and several magazines and rounds to supply the AA. It added that U Kyaw Myint had kept one of the pistols.

When The Irrawaddy visited the police station Monday evening in Thanlyin Township, where U Kyaw Myint and his wife and daughter-in-law were arrested at a local Arakanese Buddhist nunnery, a police constable confirmed that a case had been opened against the father and son for the unlawful possession of a handgun.

A 9mm pistol seized by police at a Yangon nunnery on Wednesday. / Soe Naing Oo / Facebook

The constable, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case had not yet reached court, said police found the Italian-made 9mm pistol on Feb. 1 at the nunnery, where the suspects said they had hidden it. He said the wife and daughter-in-law had been released.

Residents of the nunnery, on the outskirts of Thamalone village, told The Irrawaddy that authorities had instructed them not to speak to journalists. One of the nuns, who asked to remain anonymous, said U Kyaw Myint arrived at the nunnery on Jan. 30 with his wife and daughter-in-law at about 3 p.m. and that several dozen police raided the facility a few hours later.

"We were very scared of them because we had never experienced something like that before," she said.

On Friday, Rakhine State Secretary U Tin Maung Swe said the government provides civil servants with a car but Bo Bo Min Theik had decided to accept a ride from his friend.

"Mrauk-U is not a war-torn zone like Maungdaw region and it was his personal choice to take the ride," he said.

AA officials could not be reached for comment on the group's alleged involvement in the murder.

Following the police crackdown in Mrauk-U, the AA issued a statement threatening to take "serious retaliatory measures against the culprits" including Rakhine State government officials and members of the security forces involved in the killings.

The post Police Accuse Arakan Army of Murder of Former Mrauk-U Official appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 08:33 PM PST

Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra | Feb. 9

The Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra, as part of its Concerts 2018 program, will perform accompanied by Japanese musicians.

Feb. 9, 6.30 p.m. National Theatre, Myoma Kyaung Street. Free admission.

Yangon Waterboom Night Market Show | Feb. 10-14

Celebrated vocalists and dance troupes will perform songs and Chinese dragon dances.

Feb. 10-14. Yangon Waterboom Night Market, Yamona Road, Dawbon Tsp.

Inspiring Myanmar Arts & Crafts Show | Feb. 11-13

This show organized by Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust will feature exhibition booths set up by ethnic groups, performances of traditional dances, and traditional handicrafts and food.

Feb. 11-13. Seinn Lann So Pyay Garden, Inya Road. Free admission.

Benefit for Blind Violin Students | Feb. 8

The Concert in Aid of the Violin Study Program for Blind Children will support music education for blind children from the poorest sectors of society who attend the Kyeemindine School for the Blind in Yangon. The program uses music to offer educational opportunities to children, and as a tool for building their skills and confidence, and to create profile-raising opportunities for the children and the school.

Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Yangon Gallery, People's Park.

Myanmar International Furniture Expo | Feb. 8-11

Furniture will be sold at discounted prices through a lucky draw system.

Feb. 8-11. Tatmadaw Hall, U Wisara Road.

Guitar Solo Contest | Feb. 12

Visitors will have a chance to enjoy the contestants' original music.

Feb. 12. Hledan Centre, Pyay Road.

Water Color 2018 Art Exhibition | Feb. 10-14

Works by six foreign and local water-color artists will be on display.

Feb. 10-14. Gallery 65, Yawmingyi Street

Night Memo Art Exhibition | Feb. 9-11

Artist Lu Maw Han's night-themed paintings will be on display.

Feb. 9-11. Studio Square, Naha Bandoola Park Road, Kyaiktada Tsp.

Beauty of Myanmar Art Exhibition | Feb. 6-10

Artist Lapyae's works draw on Myanmar traditions and culture.

Feb. 6-10. Tawwin Gallery, Bogyoke Market.

The Third Arrow Art Exhibition | Feb. 10-14

Paintings in various media by a number of artists will be on display at this show organized by Art Hobbyists Community.

Feb. 10-14. Moon Art Gallery, 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp.

The post Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Court Hands Vietnam Oil Official Another Life Sentence for Corruption

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 08:15 PM PST

HANOI — A high-profile former Vietnamese oil executive was sentenced to life in jail for embezzlement on Monday, two weeks after was also imprisoned for life on similar charges in a separate case, state media reported.

Trinh Xuan Thanh, a former official whom Germany said was kidnapped by Vietnamese agents in a Berlin park in scenes reminiscent of the Cold War, was jailed for life for embezzling assets form Petroleum Power Property JSC (PV Power Land), the state-run Voice of Vietnam news website reported.

Thanh was a former chairman of PetroVietnam Construction. Both companies are units of Vietnam's state oil and gas group PetroVietnam, among the biggest firms in the Southeast Asian nation.

PetroVietnam is at the heart of Vietnam's widespread corruption crackdown initiated by the ruling Communist Party.

Thanh was also sentenced to life in prison two weeks ago for violating state regulations and embezzlement in another corruption case that also involved Dinh La Thang, Vietnam’s highest-ranking politician charged in decades and also a former PetroVietnam chairman. Thang was jailed for 13 years.

Judges in the Hanoi court also sentenced another energy official, Dinh Manh Thang, to nine years in jail for embezzlement. He is Dinh La Thang’s brother.

Six others were also sentenced to jail terms of between 10 years and life, Voice of Vietnam reported.

The post Court Hands Vietnam Oil Official Another Life Sentence for Corruption appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Tick, Tock; Calls Grow for Thai Deputy PM to Quit Over Watch Scandal

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 08:05 PM PST

BANGKOK — A petition calling for the resignation of Thailand's deputy prime minister attracted thousands of signatures on Monday, heaping pressure on the junta's second-in-command to step aside amid a scandal over a luxury watch and undeclared assets.

The scandal has revealed growing signs of disgruntlement among the Thai public, and added to uncertainty over whether the junta will call an election later this year that is supposed to move the Southeast Asian nation back toward democracy.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) placed Prawit Wongsuwan, 72, a former army chief who is also defense minister, under investigation after his appearance in a photograph of the cabinet wearing a diamond ring and a luxury watch in December sparked an avalanche of criticism on social media.

Thai netizens have since identified 25 expensive luxury watches that the former general has worn but not declared to the anti-graft body.

Prawit has said that he borrowed the timepieces from friends, but would resign if that was the public’s wish.

According to Thailand's anti-corruption act, all political office holders must fully disclose all of their assets.

On Monday, a Change.org petition calling for Prawit's resignation had more than 61,200 signatures.

The minister was attending a defense conference in Singapore on Monday, and a spokesman said he was in "good health," without specifically addressing the watch issue.

"I would like to confirm that General Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and defense minister … is in good health and is ready to dedicate himself to looking after the country's security," Defense Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich, told reporters.

The scandal is a sore point for the junta, whose promise to rid Thailand’s politics of corruption was central to its premise for staging a 2014 coup.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has said a general election will take place in November, last week asked for more time in office to prepare the country for the vote.

Signs of growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in a steady stream of protests calling for a quick return to democracy and in defiance of a junta crackdown on freedom of assembly.

On Saturday, students at a football match wheeled out parade floats poking fun at Prawit while a Bangkok street artist who depicted Prawit's face in an alarm clock said in a Facebook post that he was facing police intimidation.

Reuters was unable to immediately contact police for comment.

The NACC has said it will conclude its probe this month.

The post Tick, Tock; Calls Grow for Thai Deputy PM to Quit Over Watch Scandal appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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