The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- Burma’s Imports Continue to Outpace Exports in Q1
- Minimum Wage Gathers Support From Abroad
- Interfaith Activist Detained for Unlawful Association
- Massive Haul of Precursor Drugs Found Abandoned in Shan State
- Zipporah Sein: ‘We Don’t Accept the Constitution’
- Burmese Diplomat: ‘I Have Taken Up Tough Duties’
- No Hanky Panky: SEAsia Apps Woo Investors with Local Expertise
- Separatist Yearning of Hong Kong Youth Spurs Mainland Bridge-Building
- Coal Mine Collapses in Central Philippines, 3 Dead, 6 Missing
| Burma’s Imports Continue to Outpace Exports in Q1 Posted: 17 Jul 2015 06:38 AM PDT  Workers chat near a ship at Asia World cargo port in Rangoon. (Photo: Reuters) RANGOON — Burma's export volume rose slightly in the first quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal year compared with the same period last year, but failed to keep pace with increasing imports in an indication that the weakening of the country's currency in recent months has failed to curtail a growing trade deficit. In the quarter from April 1 to June 30, exports totaled US$2.7 billion, compared with $2.5 billion over the same period in 2014-15, Ministry of Commerce data show. "It has increased about $220 million this year compare to last year same period," said Win Myint, director of the Ministry of Commerce's Trade Promotion Department. But the country's imports have continued to outpace exports, rising to $4.6 billion in the first quarter compared with $4.1 billion over the same period last year. Win Myint said that with Burma benefitting from growing foreign and local investment, the trade deficit is likely to persist as raw materials are shipped in from abroad. "As there is more investment, [there will be] more imported items, but we also expect to export more natural gas, not only to Thailand but also to China, and garments and some value-added manufacturing products," he said, adding that the government expects exports to total $7.3 billion in the current fiscal year. Maung Aung, senior economist at the Ministry of Commerce, said the government is trying to promote exports to keep pace with the rising import volume. "Because the US dollar exchange rate is increasing these days, export items have more potential in the market. For example, rice, beans and pulses and corn are major [export] items at the moment," he said. "We won't limit imported items, even though it is gradually increasing. We're expecting that the import volume will keep increasing because as many special economic zones are operating now, they will need more imported material for development," Maung Aung said. He added that the government expects total trade volume to increase this year to about $29 billion, up from about $28 billion in 2014-15. Burma's main imports are electronics, agriculture-based equipment, automobiles, refined oil products, processed foods and machinery, while the country's biggest exports are commodities like rice, timber, jade and gems, oil and gas, and beans and pulses. The major export items from Burma are typically natural gas, rice and other agricultural and maritime products. The post Burma's Imports Continue to Outpace Exports in Q1 appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Minimum Wage Gathers Support From Abroad Posted: 17 Jul 2015 06:18 AM PDT  Employees of the Tai Ye Shoe Factory camp out in Rangoon's Hlaing Thar Yar Township demanding higher wages on Feb. 19, 2015. (Photo: Sai Zaw / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — International labor groups and multinational companies this week urged the government and recalcitrant garment manufacturers in Burma to accept a daily minimum wage of 3,600 kyats (US$3.20), a proposal put forward by the National Minimum Wage Committee late last month. The US-based Fair Labor Association (FLA), a coalition of labor rights groups around the world and 17 affiliated companies, including global apparel provider Adidas Group and shoe manufacturer New Balance, sent a letter to the Ministry of Labor this week urging garment factory owners in Burma to drop their demand that the industry be exempted from the pay regulation. The statement advised the Ministry of Labor not to heed warnings made by trade associations that a minimum wage for Burma's garment workers of 3,600 kyats would discourage international investment, and that rather "brands committed to paying living wages in their supply chain would be encouraged to source from Myanmar, rather than deterred." "Our concern is that any exemption negotiated for the garment industry would lead to hundreds of thousands of garment workers not having a wage that meets their basic needs," the letter reads. The grouping of more than 80 international firms including H&M and Gap Inc. warned that exempting the country's garment manufacturers from a baseline wage requirement could lead to employee strikes and industrial unrest, which the initiative said were "conditions that are far more likely to see international brands reconsider their investment in Myanmar than payment of a national minimum wage." "We urge Myanmar's government to take a firm stance to help improve conditions—it is vital to ensure that the first ever minimum wage level doesn't lock workers from one sector into poverty," ETI Director Peter McAllister was quoted as saying. ETI said some of its members were currently sourcing from Burma or considering investment in the country and as such, want to see growth in the garment sector underpinned by a living wage for its workers. Myo Myo Aye, an advisor for the Myanmar Trade Union Federation (MTUF), told The Irrawaddy that the absence of a reasonable minimum wage at present was the source of the frequent work stoppages in Rangoon that have made headlines in recent years. She said garment manufacturers were unlikely to cut and run if the minimum wage is approved, but acknowledged that low-skilled labor would be most vulnerable to any employee cuts that might be justified by the added labor costs for firms. "The owner will not close their industry very easily when the minimum wage is approved, but the owner will assess the work that is worth 3,600 kyats, so unskilled laborers could face losing their jobs," Myo Myo Aye said. The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association could not be reached for comment on Friday. Burma's National Minimum Wage Committee proposed the 3,600 kyats minimum wage for an eight-hour day on June 30. Organizations and individuals were encouraged to submit feedback within two weeks of that date. With the window for feedback closed, state- and division-level minimum wage committee members have been instructed to review the public input and submit it to the national committee within 30 days. The national wage committee is then tasked with discussing the proposal with government, industry, labor unions and other stakeholders to reach a final decision on what to set the wage at within 60 days. The post Minimum Wage Gathers Support From Abroad appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Interfaith Activist Detained for Unlawful Association Posted: 17 Jul 2015 06:04 AM PDT  Interfaith activist and NLD member Zaw Zaw Latt holding a rifle. (Photo: Facebook) MANDALAY — A Muslim interfaith activist and member of Burma's main opposition party was apprehended in Mandalay this week on charges of unlawful association, possibly in relation to photos he shared on social media picturing himself holding an assault rifle. Zaw Zaw Latt, who is in his early 30s, was arrested on Tuesday at a teashop after being questioned by police and local authorities, according to his colleague, who said the photographs in question were taken during a charity trip to war-torn Kachin State in 2013. "The police called him to meet at the tea shop to ask about the photos, which he posted on his Facebook a long time ago," Pwint Phu Latt, who worked with the accused at the Mandalay Interfaith Social Volunteer Youth Group, told The Irrawaddy. "After talking for some time, the police pulled him and said he was under arrest, and they took him away." Pwint Phu Latt said she was present at the tea shop and witnessed the arrest. Zaw Zaw Latt's family said that investigators came to search their home on Thursday night, taking with them his camera, a few CDs and his memory cards. Police confirmed that Zaw Zaw Latt remains in custody, and that he faces charges under Article 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, a controversial law that critics claim is susceptible to abuse by authorities who wish to stifle dissent. The provision contains vague language that outlaws meetings or membership with any organization deemed as an "unlawful association," including multiple non-state armed groups. Mandalay's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) declined to comment on the case. It is unclear which unlawful organization he has been accused of associating with, though speculation abounds on social media. "He didn't do anything wrong and we feel that there's someone behind this, trying to stir up problems among the interfaith community," Pwint Phyu Latt said, remarking on Internet rumors claiming that her colleague belonged to an armed Muslim group that many credible researchers believe does not exist. "He is the one who always tried to clear away the rumors that try to destabilize our city, and we feel like he became a target for people who don't like the truth and want to spread hate speech," she said. Zaw Zaw Latt was also an information officer for a youth department of the National League for Democracy (NLD), the country's main opposition party chaired by Aung San Suu Kyi, leading the CID to question several other members of the local chapter. The party's information office confirmed that several members had been questioned in relation to the arrest, but declined to comment further. In July of last year, riots erupted in Mandalay, Burma's second largest city, between Muslims and Buddhists after false rape allegations went viral on social media. Two men—one Buddhist and one Muslim—were killed during the chaotic unrest. The post Interfaith Activist Detained for Unlawful Association appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Massive Haul of Precursor Drugs Found Abandoned in Shan State Posted: 17 Jul 2015 05:27 AM PDT  Seized drugs piled up at the Kyaukme Township Police Station. (Photo: Myawady) CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Authorities in Shan State's Kyaukme Township discovered a batch of abandoned precursor drugs outside a monastery earlier this week, in one of the largest such hauls ever in the eastern state known as a narcotics hub. Police said the materials were likely discarded by members of a non-state armed group while transporting them to nearby Hsipaw, though an investigation is still ongoing. Speaking to The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity, a Kyaukme police officer said locals tipped off authorities after sighting more than a dozen mysterious sacks near the Chaung Kyauk monastery. Police arrived at the scene on Monday accompanied by Burma Army soldiers, finding a total of 682.5 kilograms of pseudoephedrine in both tablet and powder form. Pseudoephedrine is an amphetamine commonly used in nasal decongestants, and a preferred chemical precursor for the production of methamphetamines. A military-owned newspaper, Myawaddy, reported that the load of pills and powder carried an estimated value of US$2.4 million dollars, though this could not be independently verified. The anonymous police officer told The Irrawaddy that an eyewitness account pointed to involvement of armed soldiers, though the army to which they belonged was indiscernible. The witness said he saw two uniformed men throw the sacks out of a car, the officer said. "[The witness] said they were in military uniforms. We are still investigating to find out which [armed] group they belonged to. As far as we know, [the drugs] were being carried to Hsipaw Township. It is possible that they threw them near the monastery as they found it uneasy to carry," the officer said. The production and use of methamphetamines has risen sharply in eastern Burma over recent years as anti-narcotics efforts targeting the region's expansive opiate trade have taken hold. According to a May 2015 report on synthetic drugs in Southeast Asia by the UNODC, Burma "is perceived to be the main country of origin for methamphetamine tablets seized throughout the Mekong sub-region and to some other parts of East and South-East Asia." A Lower House lawmaker from Hsipaw, Ye Htun told The Irrawaddy that seizures of trafficked narcotics and other materials are frequent in the area, and that the local government is making efforts to combat the problem. He said the ethnic armed groups active in the region—which include the Shan State Army-North, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and a number of militias—often have people on both sides of the drug war. "In those regions, there are two groups: the ones that produce the drugs and the ones that crack down on them. Generally speaking, armed groups are also divided into those two categories—those that supply and those that eliminate," Ye Htun said. Locals claim, however, that government officials are also involved in the illicit production and trade of narcotics in both Hsipaw and Kyaukme townships. The post Massive Haul of Precursor Drugs Found Abandoned in Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Zipporah Sein: ‘We Don’t Accept the Constitution’ Posted: 17 Jul 2015 04:58 AM PDT  Naw Zipporah Sein is vice chair of the Karen National Union and the leader of an ethnic peace negotiating bloc. (Photo: Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy) Negotiations toward reaching a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in Burma saw setbacks last month, as the nation's ethnic negotiating bloc was reconstituted with what is viewed as a more critical constitution. The Ethnic Armed Groups Senior Delegation, which replaced the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) as a central party to the talks, has since met several times with the government to get the peace process back on track, and talks will resume in Rangoon next week. Naw Zipporah Sein,vice chairperson of the Karen National Union, is at the helm of the new ethnic delegation. Tasked with finalizing a draft of the NCA that would be acceptable to Burma's ethnic groups, she had much to tell The Irrawaddy during a recent interview in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with staff reporters Nyein Nyein and Kyaw Kha. As the leader of the ethnic armed groups Senior Delegation, what are your main concerns while dealing with the government over the NCA draft, and how were those concerns addressed during your discussion with Union Minister Aung Min [the government's chief peace negotiator] earlier this month? Our concern is whether there may be difficulties in discussing our needs, particularly the ethnic leaders' principles, when we hold talks with the government. We have tried to find a solution, in our aim of reaching a ceasefire. We are working to reach the political dialogue [which will commence shortly after an accord is signed] and for genuine peace in the country after the NCA. We, both sides, must try to find a possible approach that is acceptable. The delegation initially proposed 15 amendments to the existing draft, which has now been reduced to 12. Did you have to compromise on some of those demands to return to the negotiating table? At first, we discussed arranging a meeting between [the Special Delegation] and the government. When they came to meet us, the government also had this question in mind, about whether the formation of the delegation would delay the peace process. They have that concern. But we were able to explain our aims and why we formed a new group, as our leaders think that amendments need to be made on the NCA draft text [which was agreed upon in late March by both parties]. Our aim is to make the NCA a firm and strong text. The government responded to the creation of the delegation with reluctance at first. How did you interpret that, and what do you make of the claim—made by some observers—that the government had trouble accepting the new bloc in part because it is led by a woman? I think the government could have that kind of thinking about female leadership of the new bloc. It's obvious that they initially had doubt and did not want to meet with us; they were uncertain about our intentions. We have committed to move forward, which we explained to the minister [Aung Min] when we met. Of course, when we heard [they did not want to meet us at first], it was sad news. How did you manage to keep negotiations moving despite this lack of trust? I uphold our ethnic groups' commitment to move forward for genuine peace and a strong NCA text, and I tried to negotiate for further meetings. We sent a letter to the government requesting a formal meeting, and last week the minister came to meet with us [in Chiang Mai]. There are 16 members of the NCCT, which have all been involved in the peace negotiations thus far. What would you do to guarantee inclusiveness if the government only accepts the 14 armed groups [that have already signed bilateral agreements], plus the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)? This has to be part of our ongoing discussion. Fourteen and one or 14 and two is [a question] from the government perspective. From our perspective, we uphold the NCCT's 16 member principle as it is, this is all inclusive of our ethnic groups. We all committed to it and they should also be involved in the process. We see ethnic unity as a platform. When we meet with the government we will both have to find a way to deal with it. Would you sign the NCA without the amendments recommended at the Law Khee Lar summit? We have heard that some of the changes will be made as appendices. We have no policy for signing the draft without first amending the text. It shouldn't be [signed without the changes]; that would be ignoring the ethnics' desires that we agreed upon in our summit last month. We will continue our discussion, whether some of the amendments are to be included in the appendix or not. How do you plan to proceed with political dialogue as the current 2008 Constitution is still in place? How will you approach issues like federalism with this charter as your framework? When we hold the political dialogue, these issues will be included. Negotiations on the issue of power sharing has to go step by step. We don't accept the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, as it goes against democratic standards. Only after it is amended can reforms in the country become visible. If not, it will hinder efforts to establish federalism and fulfill the transition to democracy. The Tatmadaw [Burmese Armed Forces] did not welcome the new delegation. Since it was formed, clashes have occurred in Karen, Kachin and Shan States. Do you perceive that as a signal to the ethnic groups to accept the current draft of the NCA? We are concerned about this, as we have witnessed these ongoing military operations. During the past three years, since we began the talks, the military has not ceased its operations on the ground. The Tatmadaw and the government have a responsibility to uphold their part in ceasefire. They should act with sincerity. The Karen National Union (KNU) is a key voice among Burma's ethnic armed groups, and it also enjoys a good relationship with the government. There have been splits, however, among the KNU's leadership. How have you worked to resolve those differences? We didn't split, but we have different views on common goals. The KNU's priority is to find a way to solve the country's problems through political means. Our country's political and military affairs must be solved this way. When we do so, the ethnic side cannot do it alone. The military and the government are also responsible; for genuine peace, all must participate. Having a good relationship with the KNU is not enough for this peace process, as we stand with all of our fellow ethnic minorities and their desire for genuine peace. Some observers speculate that some actors in the peace process are opportunists who are receiving financial benefits. What does the KNU or related individuals stand to gain from this process? Since the beginning, we have told the government that economic development was not our first goal in bilateral ceasefire talks. Our agreement was to move toward a political solution. When peace is not guaranteed, this doesn't help our demands of autonomy and equal rights, even if there is economic development at first. The government might have tried to influence us. What is the KNU doing to resolve the conflict between the government's border guard force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) that has recently flared along the Asia Highway? We made an agreement among Karen armed groups [DKBA, KNLA Peace Council and the BGF] not to attack each other, during our 15th congress [in December 2012]. Although we are different groups, we share similar goals about our national cause. As for the BGF, they operate under the Burma Army, the Ministry of Defense, and they have to follow their commander-in-chief. We, the KNU, help to communicate with the military to ease the conflict and to meet with the DKBA for talks. We think it could be due to the fact that we don't have a code of conduct to follow after we signed a bilateral agreement at the state level. Many groups do not have a CoC with the government, so the clashes renew over and over. The KNU proposed a CoC [in 2012], after the bilateral agreement, but it was postponed because we are now focusing n the nationwide agreement. The government said discussions about the CoC will continue within a month of signing the NCA. What is your relationship to Aung San Suu Kyi, and what are your views about her? We meet when we go inside the country. Sometimes we contact her. I respect her for being a democratic leader, a woman leader and I acknowledge her efforts to bring about democratic changes in the country. The post Zipporah Sein: 'We Don't Accept the Constitution' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Burmese Diplomat: ‘I Have Taken Up Tough Duties’ Posted: 17 Jul 2015 12:00 AM PDT  Daw Yin Yin Myint serves as Burma's Ambassador to Germany, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland and Poland. (Photo: Aung Naing Soe ) BERLIN, Germany — The first woman to be appointed as an Ambassador of Burma in five decades, Daw Yin Yin Myint represents the country in Germany, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland and Poland. The wife of the late General Aung San, Daw Khin Kyi, was her only true predecessor as a politically appointed ambassador to India in the 1960s. During a recent visit to Germany, The Irrawaddy sat down with Yin Yin Myint for to discuss Burma' diplomatic relations with Europe and her experience as a female diplomat. Now 59 years old, Yin Yin Myint has been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) since 1983, when she joined as third secretary. She served as director general of the Training, Research and Foreign Language Department until her appointment as Ambassador to Germany in April of this year. Previously, she served as Burma's Ambassador to Brunei, taking the post in October 2012. Looking back over the past two and a half years, what major difficulties have you faced since you were appointed as an ambassador, and which countries have you served in? I have spent more than 30 years in a diplomat career, and before I was appointed as an ambassador I also served as a charge d'affairs at the Burmese Embassy in Washington, DC. At that time, the relationship between Myanmar and the United States was not that good. There was no ambassador at the Burmese Embassy in the US, and I served as deputy chief of mission. As I have served for a long time with the MoFA, I did not have particular difficulties in discharging those duties. In line with traditions of MoFA, we have to discharge our duties for three years, alternating inside and outside the country. My first foreign trip was to Hawaii University to study as a scholar from 1985 to 1987. In MoFA, there are two types of diplomatic corps—embassy and missions, like the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Permanent Mission to New York and Permanent Mission to Asean Secretariat. I served as second and first secretary at the Burmese Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Then I came back to Myanmar. After that I served as deputy chief of mission in Rome, Italy. There are UN agencies in Rome like FAO and WFP. I also served as second permanent secretary there. From 2001 to 2005, I served as a director of East Asia and the Pacific Department of MoFA and then as deputy chief of mission of the Burmese Embassy in Washington, DC, for three years. I returned to Myanmar and served as director-general until 2012. Then I was appointed as the first Burmese Ambassador to Brunei. Though I am based in Germany now, I am also concurrently appointed as Burmese Ambassador to Poland, the Czech Republic, Finland and Estonia. I am responsible for [diplomatic relations] with those countries. Previously, only men were appointed as ambassadors. Do you think that the government's appointment of a woman to such a high position signals a shift in the role of women in Burmese society? I did not face discrimination on the basis of gender while I was serving as the most junior diplomat and rose through the ranks to director general. I was even assigned to perform the daunting duty of the charge d'affaires in Washington, DC, without an ambassador. I was trusted to serve as a charge d'affairs in a country which did not have very a good relationship with Myanmar. There are a number of reasons why female ambassadors are appointed just now. The government offers women positions up to director general. As for me, I have taken up tough duties. One of the factors is age, when appointing ambassadors. Usually, we are appointed as ambassadors three or four years before the retirement age [set at 60 in Burma]. It is unusual for someone approaching the retirement age to be appointed as an ambassador. So age is one of the factors and is a limit. I found that U Thein Sein's government has consistently focused on assigning big duties to women. In the time of the current government, there have been female ministers, deputy ministers and ambassadors. Are you able to make decisions independently as a female ambassador? Have you ever been discriminated against while making decisions? In the MoFA, the ambassador is the highest echelon of an embassy. Now there is no discrimination against me, as I hold the highest position now. But because we are responsible for carrying out foreign policies adopted by the government, we have to follow the instructions of the ministry and the government, regarding pursuing their policies. We have to report what we need when we carry out the policy based on our experiences. Mostly, our mother department and the government agree with our suggestions. There is no gender-based discrimination in pursuing policy. If a male [ambassador] makes a mistake in pursuing the policy, then the ministry will give him instructions [the same as it would for a woman]. You said you are also responsible for four other countries. What are the major issues you face in dealing with those countries? Myanmar embassies are understaffed. Every staff member has to take on extra duties. At the Burmese Embassy in Germany, there are seven staff under me, and five of them are women. The ambassador is responsible for all political, trade and international relations. The charge d'affaires also has to help me. The counselor is kept busy with issuing visas for travelers to Myanmar. We are also responsible for the interests of Burmese people in the country we are assigned to, and promoting political and diplomatic relations with that country. Germany holds a central position in the European Union. It provides both financial and technical assistance to developing countries. We therefore are responsible for boosting our relationship with Germany. We are working for Myanmar students to get scholarships and learn in Germany. Again, German travelers were ranked third on the list of foreign travelers to Myanmar last year when Myanmar received 3.5 million foreign visitors. So we are simplifying the visa application process. Again, in the economy, Germany seems to be more interested in investing in Myanmar than [some] other counties. But German companies are later than others in entering Myanmar. If they have decided to make investments, they mean it for the long-term. Now the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry is already taking steps [to facilitate] business between the two countries. Do you think Germany will become significantly more interested in investing in Myanmar? Have any German election observers contacted your embassy to oversee the coming election? The government of Burma is committed to making sure the coming election is free and fair and it is also preparing for that end. It said it would invite international observers. I carried a message from President U Thein Sein when I was assigned to Germany, that [the Burmese government] would invite international observers, that [Germany] could come and observe, and that the current government will peacefully transfer power to the next government. Challenges are inevitable and we are trying to make forthcoming election a success. The EU will be invited to observe the election, and German [monitors] will also go to Myanmar. What measures have you taken to ensure that Burmese citizens living in Germany and elsewhere will be able to vote? We are planning for Burmese citizens in Germany to be able to cast votes. We will inform them who will contest in the election and enable them to cast a vote at our embassy. The voter list is set to be released by August 27. The date for casting the vote has not been set yet. What measures are you to promote relations between the European Union, particularly Germany, and Myanmar? Working in Germany is relatively simple because Ambassadors are given access to high ranking officials in the Ministries as well as the Parliament. It helps if you speak German in communicating with smaller agencies. Again, it is very convenient communicating with government ministries. Sadly, I heard about the migrant crisis in Southeast Asia shortly after I arrived in Germany. There are rumors that [people] are running away from Myanmar because of bad policies. The Bengal region is a very vast region. Boat people were found in the sea and they were labeled as Rohingya [a stateless Muslim minority] who fled persecution in Myanmar. [Reporters and international agencies] need to confirm it if they say a country is persecuting [a people]. They need to verify whether the boat really came from Myanmar and that those aboard are from Myanmar. Myanmar shares a border with India and there has long been a Hindu society in the country. Since the colonial period, Muslims have also lived in the country. Such is also the case for China. But there is no such issue at the India and China borders. In the case of Bangladesh, the Nat River at the border is narrow. In Europe, even as the Mediterranean Sea separates the countries, the migrant worker issue still can't be handled. It is very difficult to handle this issue in our country. As an ambassador to Germany, I have to explain this situation. If the boat people are from Myanmar, then there is a question of why they are leaving. There is no serious problem in Rakhine State so far. Why do they leave? There are many international organizations in Sittwe. If they left Myanmar because they are persecuted, there is no reason those international organizations would not know about it. I am responsible for explaining the situation to Germany. If there were religious persecution against Muslims, it would have a negative impact on other Muslim communities in the country and strain the relations between Myanmar and other Muslim countries. So we are responsible for explaining the situation to them. How has the situation impacted Myanmar's relationship with the EU, and how do you explain it to them? Before I arrived here, I explained the situation clearly to the UNHCR and foreign embassies. Mainly, I explained it to the foreign ministry of Germany. I told them that Myanmar would handle the issue in cooperation with its neighbors. The post Burmese Diplomat: 'I Have Taken Up Tough Duties' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| No Hanky Panky: SEAsia Apps Woo Investors with Local Expertise Posted: 16 Jul 2015 10:52 PM PDT  Developers of smartphone dating app Paktor log in to their accounts to show their Paktor profiles at their office in Singapore July 16, 2015. (Photo: Reuters) SINGAPORE — Manila office worker Catherine Anunciacion, 28, wanted new friends so she joined Peekawoo, a dating app made for women that emphasizes fun and companionship—and nothing more. Peekawoo is one of several dating apps set up by Southeast Asian start-ups to cater to the millions of tech-savvy, time-poor millenials living in largely conservative societies where dating too often is frowned upon and casual sex is taboo. Investors are also attracted to the apps' potential in a region where consultancy KPMG says 60 percent of the population is aged below 35, and where incomes are rising. Funding details are scarce, but Vertex Venture, a unit of Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings, participated in two funding rounds worth a total US$12.5 million for app Paktor, while Peekawoo has raised $100,000 from investors including Kickstart Ventures, a unit of Philippines' Globe Telecom. "Dating websites, like real estate and job portals, touch on a fundamental need," said Justin Hall, principal at Golden Gate Ventures, which invested an undisclosed amount in Thai dating app Noonswoon. "In Southeast Asia, there is massive potential." Homegrown apps hope their understanding of local cultural norms will give them a leg up over global rivals such as US-based Tinder, which has millions more users but which is seen as a conduit for finding sexual partners, as well as friends. To allay female members' concerns about unwanted advances at face-to-face meetings, Peekawoo initially offered chaperones on request and Singapore-based LunchClick makes checks to ensure its local users are really single. "Our members have to know that this is no hook-up app and there is no hanky-panky," said Zuraimie Ismail, the founder of Mat & Minah, an app for Muslims seeking to find a potential spouse on their own, and not through family matchmakers. The apps' moderators remove photos that are considered inappropriate, such as women in bikinis. But, like most apps, making money out of a service that is initially offered for free is a challenge. Many apps are linked to user Facebook profiles, which makes it possible to roll out targeted advertising. Some, like Paktor, the region's most popular app with some 5 million registered users, offer in-app purchases: Members can buy virtual gifts to potential sweethearts, as well as tickets to singles' events organized by the start-up behind the app. Mat & Minah users pay to see who liked their profile while LunchClick offers a "love assistant" who, for a fee, will hand-pick potential dates. It is also looking into striking deals with restaurant booking apps. "The dating business has never had an issue with making money," said Singapore entrepreneur Joseph Phua, who set up Paktor more than two years ago to cope with his own heartbreak. For many users, like Manila resident Catherine Anunciacion, the main appeal of these apps is their relative wholesomeness. "Peekawoo doesn't have the kind of vibe that attracts individuals who are looking for a hook-up," said Anunciacion, who works for an international freight firm. "Interactions have been comfortable so far: no creep encounters!" The post No Hanky Panky: SEAsia Apps Woo Investors with Local Expertise appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Separatist Yearning of Hong Kong Youth Spurs Mainland Bridge-Building Posted: 16 Jul 2015 09:55 PM PDT  Pro-democracy protesters march to demand that lawmakers reject a Beijing-vetted electoral reform package for the city's first direct chief executive election in Hong Kong, China June 14, 2015. (Photo: Reuters) HONG KONG — On a recent Sunday night in the working class Hong Kong district of Mong Kok, a group of young, radical activists swore through loud-hailers and gestured rudely as they denounced mainland Chinese as "prostitutes" and "barbarians." The youngsters are members of a new front that is using increasingly aggressive tactics to demand an independent Hong Kong free from mainland China's grip. Their separatist yearnings have alarmed Beijing and the pro-Beijing Hong Kong government which are fighting back to win hearts-and-minds and forge a spirit of "love China, love Hong Kong" with multi-million dollar information drives and exchanges. The animosity on display in Mong Kok was virtually unheard of until recently, despite resentment toward mainlanders flooding into Hong Kong, and follows unsuccessful protests to demand full democracy in the city late last year. "I never call myself Chinese at school because it is a shame to be Chinese," said 16-year-old "Gorilla" Chan, who, unbeknownst to his parents, founded a radical group with a 14-year-old friend. He said violence was almost inevitable. "That day will come sooner or later if Hong Kong remains like this," Chan said. Beijing sees national unity as sacrosanct and has ruled Hong Kong under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing broad autonomy, since the city returned from British rule in 1997. But Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, spearheaded by fresh-faced youngsters, has shaken the assumption of cozy accommodation between the mainland's communists and the capitalist enclave. The protesters demanded full democracy in a 2017 election for the city's leader. But Beijing insists the leader will be chosen from a list of candidates it approves. The anti-China radicals were galvanized by the democracy protests and gained traction later during protests against mainland shoppers swamping Hong Kong and buying up various items, including formula milk, and pushing up prices. Hong Kong's leader has warned of a student-led separatist movement. In response, the Hong Kong government has announced a record HK$124.5 million ($16 million) to bolster civic education and youth trips to the mainland. In February, it earmarked another HK$205 million over three years for exchanges and internships and said more than 19,000 youngsters would participate this year. "Hong Kong students don't have enough knowledge about the mainland," Xie Ling, the director-general of a mainland exchange organization, told Reuters. Some of the programs offer military-style physical education and some include meetings with senior Communist Party officials. "They will find that the mainland authorities are not as closed and conservative as they thought," Xie said. One young man who went to summer camp run by Hong Kong and mainland authorities to build "national consciousness" said he felt caught between the two sides. "It can be hard sometimes," said Thomas Chan, 20. "A friend broke off relations with me because I didn't want to join Occupy," he said, referring to the pro-democracy movement. Bombs or Bridges? At their height, last year's protests drew more than 100,000 people and though rowdy at times, there was no serious violence. But hopes for peace in the business hub took a knock last month when police arrested 10 people on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives. Police said some of the suspects belonged to a radical group but declined to elaborate. No one knows how many radicals there are in Hong Kong but hundreds of people have turned up for some of their actions. One group member said he believed a lot of activists were keeping a low profile, for now. The People's Liberation Army is trying to help bridge the divide, recently holding an open-day at its Hong Kong garrison with ice cream, a marching band and displays. It also invited residents to watch a live-fire exercise. China's top government advisory body has been "strengthening youth work in Hong Kong and Macau" while Guangdong province—adjacent to Hong Kong—aims to bring in 40,000 youths from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan for mass exchanges. Chinese technology company the Alibaba Group has set up internships and offered HK$1 billion for Hong Kong youth to build businesses to "serve as a bridge." Despite such efforts, more than half of Hong Kong people under 30 identify as "Hongkongers," while less than 4 percent consider themselves "Chinese," according to a Hong Kong University poll. Student activist Ho Kwan, 21, said violence was no-one's objective but might be unavoidable. "If we have reached a stage where we are being hurt, we have no choice but to use violence to fight back." The post Separatist Yearning of Hong Kong Youth Spurs Mainland Bridge-Building appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Coal Mine Collapses in Central Philippines, 3 Dead, 6 Missing Posted: 16 Jul 2015 09:39 PM PDT  Rescuers search for landslide victims from an earlier incident in Compostela Valley on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in January 5, 2012. (Photo: Reuters) MANILA — Three people were killed and six others were still unaccounted for when an open pit coal mine in the central Philippines collapsed on Friday due to heavy monsoon rain, a local government official said. Antique provincial governor Rhodora Cadiao told radio station dzBB that she had asked mine operator Semirara Mining and the Power Corporation to suspend operations until the buried workers were found. "Three workers were found and brought to a hospital but they were declared dead on arrival," Cadiao said, adding rescue teams are using heavy equipment to recover the six people buried by the collapsed coal mine. She said it was raining heavily for days on the mine site, on an island off the main island of Panay in the central Philippines. "The accident happened around 3 am while the workers were working on a water system," said Cadiao. There were only nine workers at the site when the accident happened, said Isidro Consunji, CEO of Semirara Mining & Power Corp, confirming they were buried alive by the landslide. "Three bodies have been recovered as of this time and digging continues to look for six others," he said. "That's as far as I know. Some of our mining equipment has also been damaged. We don't have the complete details yet." Semirara, a unit of Philippine conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc, is the country's largest coal miner. The company may issue a statement later. In 2013, five people died and five others were missing in a landslide in the coal mine on Semirara Island. The post Coal Mine Collapses in Central Philippines, 3 Dead, 6 Missing appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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