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Monday, August 1, 2016

Shan Herald Agency for News

Mai Ja Yang EAOs' Plenary Meeting: Successful but need time to iron out common positions

Posted: 31 Jul 2016 05:43 PM PDT

The controversial and much talked about Ethnic Armed Organizations' (EAOs) Plenary Meeting in Mai Ja Yang, Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) controlled town near Chinese border, took place from 26 to 30 July, extending a full day more than that was originally planned date of 29 July, due to the need to cover all the agendas previously agreed upon.

The meeting was attended by 17 EAOs, minus the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Kokang or Myanmar National Democratic Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang (NSCN-K), making it the most comprehensive and exclusive meeting to determine the common position of the EAOs. Also attending were representatives from two umbrella, alliance organizations of ethnic nationalities political parties; United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and National Brotherhood Federation (NBF), including the Women League of Burma (WLB), UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser Vijay Nambiar and Sun Guoxiang, Special Envoy of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

This was the fifth EAOs gathering that followed the earlier four meetings, twice in Laiza, KIO controlled largest town, and twice in Law Khee Lar, the Karen National Union (KNU) administered area, during the last couple of years since the former President Thein Sein started the peace process in 2011.

During the five‐day summit, delegates discussed on the issues of approving the Panglong Handbook prepared by the Kachin, Shan and Chin EAOs as the original signatories of the Panglong Agreement in 1947 with the Burmese Interim Government; basic principles for the constitution of a future federal democratic union; basic principles for security and defence; and the amendment, fine-tuning of Framework for Political Dialogue (FPD).

While the Mai Ja Yang meeting was endorsed by the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) that would help and enable the EAOs to achieve a common position, complementing and supporting the upcoming 21^st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC) as preferred by Aung San Suu Kyi or Union Peace Conference (UPC) dubbed by the previous regime, the military (Tatmadaw) was against it saying that it could divide the EAOs more than forging unity. But it also didn't hide its worry that they could use the occasion to form military alliance among themselves and expand their territorial control.

Whatever the case, let us look at the outcomes on what has been discussed at the meeting.

Panglong Handbook

The EAOs Panglong Handbook endorsement was in order, which emphasized the core principles of rights of self-determination, equality and democracy to be applicable in all their political bargaining process. Accordingly, only a final touch on some wordings were needed.

The Panglong Handbook is a compilation of historical facts, principles and guidelines for the Panglong agreement, with the explanation of its spirit and pledges, which have failed to materialize after nearly 70 years of its signing in 1947, in Panglong town of Shan State. The treaty was signed between the then Burmese interim government, represented by Aung San – the late father of Aung San Suu Kyi – and three ethnic nationalities, the Chin, Kachin and Shan.

The Burmese interim government, which was then known as Burma Proper or Ministerial Burma included all the territories inhabited by the Karen, Mon and Arakan among others, while the Karenni state was then considered by the British as an independent territory.

Federal Constitution

The meeting agreed on the 8 point principles in drafting a federal union constitution, which included sovereignty, equality, rights of self-determination, genuine federalism, protecting the rights of minorities, democratic rights, universal human rights and gender equality, and multi-party system-based secular form of governance.

The EAOs' guidelines were based on federal union constitution that was drafted in 2008 by Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee (FCDCC) and added proposals made by the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) in 2015.

The most outstanding point of discussion in federal form of governance was the alteration proposal of "national" state and "nationalities" state formation, rather than just accepting and going along with the 14 States and Regions configuration under the present military-drafted constitution. Hypothetically, for example, a Bamar State could be carved out from Mandalay, Magway and Bago Regions, while Yangon (Rangoon), Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Tanintharyi (Tenasserim) and Sagaing Regions could become nationalities states, for they are populated with various other ethnic groups, besides Bamar ethnic.

Security and defence

The security sector reform (SSR) deliberations the EAOs mainly focused on the formation of a federal union army, which should be under the defence ministry and subordinated to the civilian government, emphasizing that the country's president would be the Commander-in-Chief of the military.

The military has tried all along to push for the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR), which entertains only the surrender of the EAOs without question or coming under the wings of the Bamar-dominated Tatmadaw, while the EAOs were for the SSR that harbours more on integration into the security apparatus either in form of state security units, like state defence or border patrol police force, of their concerned state, plus becoming part of the federal union army within a given prescribed quota.

The Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Laing has time and again said that the military is striving to become a standard army, which could be construed as either trying to build a professional or union army, leaving politics to the civilian government. But Min Aung Hlaing's professed timeline of some 15 years for the military to go back to the barracks starkly contrasted with the vague commitment of withdrawing from political arena, which he is inclined to dole out publicly occasionally.

Framework for Political Dialogue

The amendment of the FPD that has been drawn by the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), without the UNFC, centred around the participation quota, which was agreed by all attending EAOs to be a tripartite one endorsed by the United Nations for decades. The recent FPD under the NCA setting now has seven groups, which the EAOs thought could not lead to equitable and fair participation of the ethnic nationalities.

The EAOs' proposed tripartite includes the government, the parliament and the military as one party; the EAOs as another; and the other, all the registered political parties nationwide.

Common position still need to be ironed out

With the end of the EAOs Plenary Meeting coming to an end on 30 July, a statement issued said that the common position on a variety of issues still have to be ironed out. Reportedly, there were a number of open questions that needed further discussion.

General N'Ban La, vice chairman of the KIO and UNFC chairman urged the meeting participants that it would be good to form a single negotiation group together between the signatory and non-signatory EAOs, under the UNFC, to talk to the government.

N'Ban La who was in an upbeat mood said: "The ethnic nationalities' political rights discussion has enable us to achieve a common position for future political negotiation process, which has shown our most invaluable unity. I want to thank all the ethnic leaders and make a record (on this)."

The meeting further resolved to form a working group, to compile all the agreed points and discuss the remaining outstanding issues. It is said that the Coordinating Team (CT) of the 8 signatory EAOs and the UNFC's Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) would find ways to achieve common positions and bridge the gap on outstanding issues.

According to Mizzima, Colonel Sai Hla from the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) summed up the situation recently as follows: "We got a draft from the four negotiation issues. It was agreed that in order to confirm it, our top leaders will hold another meeting and make decision."

The positive outcome was said to be that the two groups have resolved to bargain as one party in the peace negotiation process and the agreed upon the understanding to ask for postponement of the August scheduled 21 CPC from the government, to either September or November, as they needed more time to work out common positions among themselves.

The meeting was said to be successful according to Khu Oo Reh, who is the convening Chairman of the Mai Ja Yang meeting. "While we cannot say that we have one hundred percent agreement (on all issues discussed), it is almost close to it," he said.

But Sai Kyaw Nyunt representative of the UNA has a different opinion and said that only about fifty percent agreement has been reached. He particularly pointed out the lack of concrete agreement, especially on the issue of national state and nationalities state formation criterion. He explained: "We discussed about the formation of a Bamar State and other nationalities states, with no concrete count of how many states it should be there. But in building a federal union with equality, representation (of each ethnic state) is anyhow needed."

Outlook and perspective

The purpose of the meeting participants attending the Mai Ja Yang summit, along with civil society organisations and political parties was to prepare for the 21CPC and to find common ground for a future federal union. In this respect, it could be said that the objectives are fulfilled, although one could argue to what degree of achievement the meeting has made.

Khu Oo Reh said that it was successful and was nearly a hundred percent achievement of the meeting's objective, while some ethnic political alliance representatives put it as some fifty percent success rate. However, some of the crucial hurdles still left and remain to be resolved are the much debated controversial issue of all-inclusiveness and real ceasefire implementation on the ground, in order to even participate in the amending of FPD, recently being opened

by the government to the EAOs that have not yet signed the NCA.

During the course of meeting in Mai Ja Yang, Vice-Chairman of UNFC Nai Han Thar and UNFC Chairman General N'Ban La reportedly reiterated their commitment of all-inclusiveness participation in the peace process – meaning that the excluded three EAOs that the military refused to let in must be included – and the implementation of a genuine ceasefire implementation on the ground, either through unilateral ceasefire from the government part or simultaneous ceasefire declaration, both by the military and the EAOs.

Only after the above mentioned conditions are being satisfactorily resolved, the participation of the FPD amendment discussion could take place, which again would lead to another hurdle of implementing a "tripartite dialogue" mode of participation.

The UPDJC has now accepted seven parties to participate in the UPC, to thrash out a political settlement that include a total of 700 delegates comprising 75 from the Government, 75 from the Hluttaw, 150 from the Tatmadaw, 150 from EAOs, 150 from registered political parties, 50 from ethnic representatives and 50 from others who should participate.

And finally, provided that the tripartite participation mode is agreed, the signing of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) would follow, leading to the participation of the UPC or 21CPC.

One day after the EAOs' Plenary Meeting, responding to a question on what he thought about the tripartite position of the EAOs, Zaw Htay spokesperson of the Presidential Office replied to the BBC, that he welcomed it, as it is exactly the same with the UPDJC setup, where the government, parliament and the military, the EAOs and the political parties, all three have an equal representation of 16 members each.

Nevertheless, it is a tall order by any standard and all would have to go through the negotiation phase whether they like it or not.

For the time being, the EAOs will be burdened with ironing out the outstanding issues collected from the Mai Ja Yang meeting and working on the concrete common set of position among themselves for the UPC, while the NLD and the military would have to scrutinize the proposals and demands of the EAOs and consider to what extend they are ready to compromise and accommodate them. Equally, the EAOs would also need to adjust and soothe down the adversaries' worries, such as secession issue and angst of having to become equal partner with the other ethnic nationalities, falsely believing as a degradation from their racial supremacy position.

In sum, there is hardly any other way, rather than to accommodate and understand each others aspirations through give-and-take, if we are to break this deadlock of decades-old ethnic conflict that has consumed the largest amount of our human and natural resources all these years.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (July 30, 2016)

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 08:16 PM PDT

The logo of telecommunications firm Ooredoo is seen at the company's head office in Doha, Qatar. (Photo: Reuters)

ADB Has Tips on Transportation Improvements

As much as US$60 billion of investment is required by 2030 if Burma is to address shortfalls in transportation infrastructure that risk holding the country back from economic growth and reducing poverty, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said.

The Manila-based multilateral financial institution has just published a lengthy "policy note" on the transport sector, comprising nine separate reports that include one on "how to reform transport institutions," others looking at Burma's river transport, urban transport and truck roads, and a guide on "how to improve road user charges"—the latter dealing with the thorny issue of tolls.

The reports derive from reviews on which the ADB assisted the Burmese government in 2014-15.

A press release accompanying the publication cited Bambang Susantono, ADB's vice-president for knowledge management and sustainable development, saying the country's "future is full of great potential."

"The new government is ready to make use of its abundant and innate resources to eradicate poverty and ensure growth for everyone," he said. "This includes providing access to a modern and safe transport system for all."

Detailing some of the findings, it said that some 20 million people in Burma currently live in villages without road access during all seasons.

"The report notes that $45 to $60 billion is required in transport investments by 2030, and these should be coupled with streamlining institutions and strengthening cross-ministerial collaboration," it added.

Ooredoo Turns a Profit

Qatar-based telecommunications firm Ooredoo has begun making profits on its operation in Burma, it announced, after more than doubling its subscriber base in a year.

In half-year results announced this week, the company said it now had more than 8 million customers in the country, and said its data network was already available in locations where more than 85 percent of the population lives.

The results say Ooredoo Myanmar made a profit almost $22 million in the first half of 2016, compared to losses of about $83 million in the first half of 2015.

Despite the growth in subscribers, Ooredoo is still behind rival private telceommunications firm Telenor of Norway, which has raced to 16.9 million subscribers, according to quarterly results published this month. Telenor made $72.3 million in the second quarter of 2016, between April and June.

But Ooredoo last year vowed to turn its fortunes around with a more mass market approach. Revenues grew by 41 percent year to year, according to the latest results. The company also said it had become the first operator to launch 4G mobile services in May, "confirming its data leadership in Myanmar."

New South Korea-Backed Think Tank Takes Shape

The Myanmar Development Institute, a new think tank set up in Naypyidaw with funding from South Korea's international aid agency, has picked its first director, according to a report.

The institute was officially launched in January with the intention of creating a "national think tank" to advise the government on socioeconomic issues and policy. The Korean International Cooperation Agency has committed $20 million of funding for the project over five years.

A report from Korean business publication Pulse this week cited an announcement from the Korea Development Institute naming the first director as Burmese national and World Bank economist Min Ye Paing Hein.

The new director—who will assume office in December, according to the report—has a doctorate in social science and political economy from the University of Wisconsin, and speaks Chinese, as well as English and Burmese, it said.

In a sign of what the new institute's priorities might be, Min Ye Paing Hein has served as a poverty specialist at the World Bank, and is the author of a slideshow published online about landlessness in Burma.

At the time of its launch, a state media report said the Myanmar Development Institute's working committee was chaired by Zaw Oo, then an economic advisor to former President Thein Sein.

Japanese Firm to Launch Crop Insurance

Japan's Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance has signed a memorandum of understanding with the leading association of rice producers to offer insurance covering crop losses due to bad weather, according to state media.

The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Friday that the Japanese company and the Myanmar Rice Federation signed the agreement on Tuesday in Rangoon to work together on launching an insurance system in Upper Burma. It will cover crop losses due to torrential rains, the report said.

"We will provide technical assistance without gaining any profit," Keiji Okada, general manager at Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance was quoted saying. "Since Myanmar has difficulty in collecting weather data we will apply satellite technology to measure rainfall and weather conditions using photos sent by the satellite."

The report cited Tun Win, deputy minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation saying that the country is among those in the world most adversely affected by "erratic weather," making the implementation of an insurance system difficult.

Private Equity Fund Raises $20M for Burma Projects

Singapore-registered private equity fund Golden Rock Capital has raised $20 million and has begun investing in business in Burma, according to dealstreetasia.com.

The website reported that the fund is targeting $100 million in total funding to make individual investments of ideally between $7 million and $10 million in the country.

It has already put money into Myanmar Personal Care, a Singapore-registered entity trading in perfumes, the report said.

Dealstreetasia.com this week cited Marvin Yeo, founder of the fund, which has offices in Rangoon and Singapore, saying that $20 million had so far been raised.

Originating partner Thura Soe Paing told the website that investments would mean firms get management help from the fund.

"We are more than a provision of capital, we would like to help the businesses grow through the contacts and connections that we have," he was quoted saying.

"The most important thing is when we come as investors and advisors, we believe in the long term potential of the country we are not here just to make a quick buck."

The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (July 30, 2016) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

This Week in Parliament (July 25-29)

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 08:11 PM PDT

Members of Parliament arrive for a meeting in Naypyidaw on March 10, 2016. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

July 25 (Monday)

The second regular session of Parliament resumed on Monday. The Union Parliament put on record President Htin Kyaw's attendance at the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit to mark the 20^th anniversary of the Asean-Russia dialogue partnership; the declaration of bylaws related to electricity and chemicals; the appointment of a State Counselor's Office deputy minister, a Naypyidaw council member and the chairman of the Danu Self-Administered Zone in Shan state, and the resignation of a member of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission.

The deputy minister of planning and finance, Kyaw Win, explained the amended Union budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year and the draft law to amend the Union budget law.

The chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission explained the commission's 2015 annual report.

The Lower House approved the draft law to revoke the Rangoon and Mandalay municipal laws.

In the Upper House, Sai Wan Hline Kham of Shan State Constituency-3 submitted a proposal urging the government to take a tough stance on drug production and distribution across northern Shan State, conduct an awareness campaign and implement rehabilitation policies. The Upper House approved his proposal.

July 26 (Tuesday)

In the Lower House, lawmakers debated a proposal previously submitted by Aye Zin Latt, a National League for Democracy lawmaker from Shwebo Township in Sagaing Division. His proposal urged the health ministry to expand its rural care service and address the shortage of doctors and medicines at hospitals. The health minister replied that his ministry was implementing a five-year health plan that would upgrade all 25-bed hospitals to 50-bed ones and within two months hire 2,000 new doctors and medical staff.

In the Upper House, Okkar Min from Tenasserim Division asked about plans to protect migrant workers' rights. Labor, Immigration and Population Minister Thein Swe replied that his ministry was holding multilateral talks with Asean members to ensure safe workplaces free from discrimination and exploitation. His ministry is also trying to bring back Burmese migrant workers who have been detained in Malaysia and Thailand.

Zaw Min Latt from Shan State Constituency-1 asked if the ministry had a plan to improve the minimum wage—3,600 kyats for an eight-hour day, or 450 kyats per hour. Thein Swe replied that his ministry currently had no such plan but would monitor the overall situation and consider it in the future.

Regarding a question by Khin Ma Gyi from Kachin State Constituency-8 about foreign workers in Burma, the minister replied that taxes are levied on them according to related laws, bylaws, visas and bilateral agreements. The ministry is drafting a law to enforce regulations on foreign workers employed in Burma.

July 27 (Wednesday)

Twelve lawmakers debated Aye Zin Latt's proposal to expand the public health department. Health Minister Myint Htwe responded to the discussion and Parliament agreed to monitor the department's performance.

In the Upper House, Than Soe from Rangoon Constituency-4 asked if Burma's Agriculture and Rural Development Bank would release its annual financial statement for 2015-16, and agriculture minister Aung Thu said work was underway to release the financial statement.

In Burma, the government confiscates lottery prizes that are not claimed within a year. Htein Win from Irrawaddy Division Constituency-4 asked if the government had a plan to increase the prizes instead of confiscating them. National Planning and Finance Deputy Minister Maung Maung Win said his ministry was drafting the State Lottery Law, under which the government would use unclaimed lottery money toward public spending.

Aung Myo from Sagaing Division Constituency-2 asked what the government does with the vehicles it confiscates in connection with criminal and civil cases. Maung Maung Win replied that these vehicles were sold to buyers under an open tender system as instructed by the Union government and vehicles beyond repair were transferred to the National Planning and Finance Ministry as state property.

July 28 (Thursday)

In the Union Parliament, lawmakers debated the joint public accounts committee's report of its review and remarked on the Union government's targeted taxation goals and actual taxation amounts for the second half of the 2015-16 fiscal year. The Union Parliament approved the report.

Sixteen lawmakers discussed the 2015 annual report of the National Human Rights Commission and the commission chairman responded. The Union Parliament put the discussions on record.

July 29 (Friday)

Ten lawmakers debated a proposal by Yin Min Hlaing from Gangaw Township of Magwe Division that urged the Union government to address deforestation and environmental degradation in western Magwe Division. Resources and Environmental Conservation Minister Ohn Win responded to the discussion and the Parliament approved monitoring of the situation.

The post This Week in Parliament (July 25-29) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Friday, July 29, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Suu Kyi Discusses Language, Education With Wa and Mongla Representatives
Govt Releases Economic Policy Outlines, Deferring Detail
KIA, Burma Army Clash Amid Ongoing Ethnic Summit
Securities Commission Says Foreigners Cannot Buy Shares This Year
Wa Pledge Not to Split From Union
China Envoy Expects ‘All Armed Groups’ to Attend Union Peace Conference
National Human Rights Commission Strongly Criticized by Lawmakers
Stakeholders Discuss Refugee Repatriation on Thai-Burma Border

Suu Kyi Discusses Language, Education With Wa and Mongla Representatives

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 07:10 AM PDT

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi speaks with representatives from Wa and Mongla communities in Naypidaw on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

NAYPYIDAW — State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi briefly met over 100 members of the Wa and Mongla public on Friday afternoon in Naypidaw.

Suu Kyi delivered a speech and hosted a question and answer session with community members, in which she emphasized the importance of developing the education and healthcare sectors across the nation, including in the remote regions of ethnic states.

The 20-minute event, which followed an earlier meeting with leaders of the United Wa State Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army—also known as the Mongla Group, had to be conducted through an interpreter, from Burmese into Wa. Chinese, rather than Burmese, serves as a lingua franca in the Wa self-administered zone in Shan State, which also borders China.

Addressing the language barrier at the event in the context of educational development, Suu Kyi told the audience that the country still lacked the capacity to provide textbooks for schools in the country's many ethnic languages.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi answers questions from representatives from Wa and Mongla communities during a brief meeting in Naypidaw on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

"We need more teachers for our ethnic regions; having enough teachers is more important than having more school buildings," she said. To this end, the State Counselor suggested training more teachers who are able to speak the languages of Burma's ethnic minorities, so that they can better communicate with students and thereby give them "a more effective education."

She also cautioned the Wa and Mongla community to keep in mind "the practicality in using the Bamar [Burmese] language for official use."

"If we have many official languages—more than two or three—it is difficult to work in the administrative sector," she added.

"I recognize that the education level is far worse [in remote ethnic areas] than the central part of the country, but the central region also does not have such a good situation," Suu Kyi said. Stressing a need to work beyond the curriculum, Suu Kyi told the participants, "We have to try many ways to have equality…to achieve unity, equality and respect among us, I invite all of you to give input and suggestions."

In response to a question from a participant from the Mongla region, she urged parents to consider the importance of encouraging knowledge acquisition in their children, and investing in vocational skills training to support their livelihoods.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi poses for a photo with women from Wa and Mongla communities during a brief meeting in Naypidaw on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

Suu Kyi also highlighted the importance of youth and women's participation in building peace.

"As I see many youth and women here, whatever we do, it is crucial to use the power of these people who make up more than half of the population," Suu Kyi said.

She encouraged youth to build a network, describing young people as "key" in creating a strong Union; her comment comes as organizers from across Burma hosted an ethnic youth conference this week in Panglong, Shan State, with the aim of forming a "collective youth voice."

The post Suu Kyi Discusses Language, Education With Wa and Mongla Representatives appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Releases Economic Policy Outlines, Deferring Detail

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 06:41 AM PDT

Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the launch of the government's economic policy at the Myanmar International Convention Centre in Naypyidaw. (Photo: Aung Htet)

NAYPYIDAW — The launch of the National League for Democracy (NLD) government's five-year, 12-part economic policy in Naypyidaw on Friday contained only broad outlines, leaving some industry leaders frustrated at the lack of detail.

Speaking at the launch event, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said that, although the information released was "general," "detailed policy" would be unveiled later, including for local and international investors.

Several of Burma's well-known tycoons were present alongside foreign diplomats, government officials, and members of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Suu Kyi acknowledged that "many foreign investors and diplomats" had asked the NLD government about their economic policy, which has yet to be spelled out in any detail in the four months since they assumed office.

Minister of National Planning and Finance Kyaw Win said that the 12-part policy would be "people-centered" and would involve a "fair" distribution of natural resources between the states and divisions of Burma, in support of "national reconciliation" and the building of a "federal democratic country."

The latter points suggest a tentative link to the peace process with ethnic armed groups. A Union Peace Conference scheduled for late August is hoped to achieve a deal on a federal restructuring of the state, in order to resolve half a century of civil conflict.

Other outlines delivered at the launch included better opportunities for youth, support for small and medium businesses, jobs for Burmese returning from residence abroad, support for both agricultural and industrial exports, environmental protection, a stronger tax system, and expanding economic relations with countries both within and beyond Asean.

Suu Kyi also stressed infrastructural investment as a means of increasing investment in Burma and speeding up development.

Zaw Zaw, a prominent tycoon and chairman of the Max Group of Companies, spoke at the event about the need for better statistics in Burma, including for job, unemployment, birth and morality rates, as an aid to engineering economic growth.

Chit Khine, chairman of Eden Group, one of Burma's largest conglomerates, told The Irrawaddy after attending the ceremony of the importance of devising a "detailed investment policy."

He said that policy so far had been "very general" but expressed faith that greater detail would be forthcoming, and that "better economic policies" would be implemented under the new government—although this would "take time," given the need for reform in so many sectors.

"There should be no rush," he said, "but they should tell us what sorts of businesses would be prioritized."

Other industry leaders present stressed a more urgent need for policy detail, given the high expectations held by many towards the NLD government.

Tun Foundation Bank Chairman Thein Tun—best known for bringing Pepsi to Burma in 1991 through his Myanmar Golden Star company—told the Irrawaddy that the government should develop a "detailed master plan" for economic development, one that included "annual implementation plans."

Taking a more overtly critical line, he said, "This is not like the time before the election. We [business leaders] should know exactly what needs to done."

"These economic policies are too general," he said. "If ministers cannot help the country's economic development, they should resign."

Fifty journalists from both Burmese and international news agencies had turned up to cover the event at the Myanmar International Convention Center 2 in Naypyidaw, but were held up at the security gate.

Security guards said they had been told that members of the media were not to be allowed in without "access cards" provided by the Ministry of Information. Only two journalists, bearing these cards, were allowed in, and later shared their coverage with others.

The Irrawaddy reporter was not among those permitted inside.

Several of the barred journalists expressed their frustration at what they felt was poor event management on behalf of the Ministry of National Planning and Finance.

BBC correspondent Nay Myo Lin said he had "woken up early" to report on the economic policy launch but had "wasted his time."

The post Govt Releases Economic Policy Outlines, Deferring Detail appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KIA, Burma Army Clash Amid Ongoing Ethnic Summit

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 05:47 AM PDT

KIA officials from Brigade 3 in Mai Ja Yang, Kachin State on Thursday. (Photo: Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy)

MAI JA YANG, Kachin State — As ethnic armed groups gathered in Kachin State's Mai Ja Yang to search for common ground toward federalism in Burma, clashes broke out twice on Thursday between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)—the armed wing of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

Battalion No. 2 under KIA Brigade No. 6 and battalions under the Burma Army's 10th Military Operations Commands (MOC-10) clashed twice at Hopong Mountain in northern Shan State's Kutkai Township, said Lt Col Naw Bu, a KIO information officer.

"[Our troops] said three military columns from the Burma Army surrounded them. At first, they attacked with small arms, but later there was artillery support," Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.

The casualties incurred on both sides were not immediately clear. The KIA also claimed that the Burma Army was conducting military activities near Battalion No. 14 under KIA Brigade No. 2 in Tanai Township.

The Burma Army could not be reached for confirmation of the clashes or military activity, nor did they release a statement.

The ethnic summit in KIA-controlled Mai Ja Yang began on Tuesday and ends Saturday.

When asked about the recent clashes, Lt Col Naw Bu said, "We are not sure if the military really supports peace. Drawing a conclusion from their actions, it seems they want to cause a disturbance."

The KIA is a part of the nine-member ethnic alliance, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), which opted out of signing a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the previous government in 2015.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post KIA, Burma Army Clash Amid Ongoing Ethnic Summit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Securities Commission Says Foreigners Cannot Buy Shares This Year

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 05:41 AM PDT

People wait at the Yangon Stock Exchange in Rangoon on March 25, 2016. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun)

NAYPYIDAW — The Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar (SECM) will not allow foreigners to buy shares on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) this year, said Maung Maung Win, deputy minister of the Ministry of National Planning and Finance.

Only two companies have listed on the YSX to date—First Myanmar Investment (FMI) and Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings Public Ltd.—with four more expected to list later this year. Since trading began in March, industry sources said foreign investors have indicated interest in investing, but the SECM has not allowed it.

"There are a lot of things to consider when thinking of allowing foreign investors, which is why it won't happen this year. We've been looking at other countries' practices as well," said Maung Maung Win.

He added that the Myanmar Companies Act must be amended before foreigners can buy shares from local companies. Enacted in 1914, some of the clauses are ill-suited for present-day Burma, but have yet to be updated by Parliament.

Khin Maung Nyo, economist and columnist, said if the government allows foreigners to legally purchase shares, it would have to limit what percentage they could purchase in order to maintain control of the market. He said he was concerned that local investors would be kicked out if foreigners could play the market, and that perhaps foreigners were already buying stock shares indirectly.

Industry sources said some foreigners have shown an interest in investing in FMI shares through local colleagues.

FMI opened in March at about 26,000 kyats (about US$22) per share, peaked at 41,000 kyats in April and later stabilized at about 30,000 kyat last month.

The post Securities Commission Says Foreigners Cannot Buy Shares This Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Wa Pledge Not to Split From Union

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 04:44 AM PDT

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi meets with leaders of the Wa and Mongla non-state armed groups in Naypyidaw on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy)

NAYPYIDAW – During their first meeting with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, an ethnic Wa delegation pledged to remain within the Union of Burma, rather than opting to split from the country.

Suu Kyi held a closed door meeting with top leaders from the United Wa State Army (UWSA), led by Pao Yu Yi, and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)—better known as the Mongla Group—led by Sai Leun, for two hours in Burma's capital.

As chair of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) and the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), Suu Kyi has been holding a series of meetings with Burma's many ethnic armed groups since June.

"Today's meeting furthered relations and mutual understanding between the stakeholders. Both sides—the Wa and the State Counselor—openly discussed policies," said Zaw Htay, the President's Office spokesperson and member of the sub-committee tasked with reaching out to NCA non-signatories regarding the upcoming Union Peace Conference slated to be held in late August.

"The Wa pledged to stay in the Myanmar Union, and they said they won't split from the country," Zaw Htay told the press, adding that there had been no discussion about a separate Wa State, which has been a pressing issue in recent years. The Wa currently have a self-administered zone in Shan State, but have also pushed for an autonomous state of their own.

Wa and Mongla leaders also met the Burma Army chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, in the afternoon.

Government peace negotiator Dr. Tin Myo Win will hold further meetings with the groups on Saturday, in which they will discuss technical issues, added Zaw Htay.

The post Wa Pledge Not to Split From Union appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China Envoy Expects ‘All Armed Groups’ to Attend Union Peace Conference

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 03:52 AM PDT

China's Special Envoy on Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang addresses the Mai Ja Yang summit of ethnic armed groups in Kachin State. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy)

MAI JA YANG, Kachin State — China's Special Envoy on Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang, who has attended the Mai Ja Yang summit of ethnic armed groups in Kachin State as an observer, said that China backed "all the forces that support internal peace in Burma."

"We expect that all ethnic armed groups will join the 21st Century Panglong Conference," he told The Irrawaddy on Friday, when asked about China's stance on "inclusion" at the Union Peace Conference scheduled for late August, where a deal on federalism is hoped for to resolve half a century of civil conflict in Burma.

"There may be different views about internal peace, but this is quite natural," he said.

"It is crucial for Burma to achieve internal peace," he said, citing the "payoff" the country would receive. "We hope all the stakeholders will continue to strive for peace."

He did not address The Irrawaddy's question on what Beijing would do to persuade armed groups to attend the Union Peace Conference—particularly those groups based along the China-Burma border.

These groups include the United Wa State Army (UWSA), acknowledged as the largest non-state armed group in Burma; the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), generally reckoned as the second largest; the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N); the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA); the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA); and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), better known as the Mongla Group.

None of these groups were party to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement reached between the previous government and eight ethnic armed groups in October last year, and the Burma Army has been in active conflict over the past 18 months with all but the UWSA and the NDAA.

The special envoy left the five-day Mai Ja Yang summit on Friday for China, having attended the first four days, starting on Monday.

The post China Envoy Expects 'All Armed Groups' to Attend Union Peace Conference appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National Human Rights Commission Strongly Criticized by Lawmakers

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 02:52 AM PDT

Police crack down on student protesters in Letpadan, Pegu Division on March 10, 2015. (Photo: J Paing / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — Lawmakers in a joint-session of the Union Parliament directed heavy criticism at the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) for its poor record on securing and monitoring the compliance of government ministries with their recommendations.

Lawmakers also highlighted what they considered to be weak collaboration from the commission with civil society, weak promotion of prisoners' rights—including access to adequate healthcare—and a reluctance to investigate alleged human abuses on their own initiative.

During the session on Thursday, 16 lawmakers from the Upper and Lower houses of Parliament were debating the human rights commission's annual report for 2015, which had been presented by the commission's chairman to the Union Parliament on Monday.

The commission was formed under the orders of former President Thein Sein in September 2011, and was reformed in 2014 with tougher requirements for ministries to report on their implementation of the commission's recommendations within 30 days.

The commission currently has 11 members (reduced from 15), comprised of retired civil servants, military officers, professors and ambassadors.

The commission has delivered human rights workshops to government and military officers, conducted community outreach, monitored standards in prisons, and undertaken investigations on receipt of reports of rights abuses—although critics in civil society have claimed that the majority of submitted cases have gone unaddressed.

"We know the [commission] received 1,287 complaints in 2015. But we know from reports across the country, including in ethnic minority areas, that there were more human rights abuses than that," said Lower House lawmaker Ma Thandar, an award-winning human rights defender and the widow of a journalist who died in military custody in Mon State in October 2014.

Two soldiers said to be implicated in the death of her husband, known as Par Gyi, were brought before a military tribunal but were acquitted in May 2015. Former President Thein Sein ordered an investigation from the national human rights commission, which released its findings in a report that Ma Thandar slammed as "fabricated."

Ma Thandar told the Thursday session of parliament that the commission was weak in following up with ministries regarding their recommendations.

She mentioned that 19 recommendations from separate investigations by the commission in 2014 had been directed at ministries including Defense and Home Affairs, but the commission had failed to publish which ministries had failed to transparently respond to them.

She said she had not seen the commission applying the necessary pressure on government ministries, calling into serious doubt their claims to be independent and transparent.

Upper House lawmaker Ye Htut from Sagaing Division mentioned several high-profile cases where justice had not been delivered: including the killing of the journalist Par Gyi; the shooting dead by police of Khin Win, a woman protesting land grabs linked to the Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Division, in 2014; and the rape and murder of two ethnic Kachin schoolteachers in northern Shan State in early 2015, blamed on Burma Army soldiers.

He called for an end to such impunity: "we need to make sure that no one is above the law."

Lawmakers also recommended that the commission include more people who "understand human rights" and "stand with the people"—an expression of distrust with the current membership, comprised largely of former government servants.

During the parliamentary session, commission chairman Win Mra vowed to take the lawmakers' suggestions seriously and present a more comprehensive report next year at the Union Parliament.

The chairman also stressed the limitations of their current mandate, to account for the spotty compliance of government ministries with their recommendations.

"The government prescribes laws related to human rights protection and implements them," he said, saying the commission's role was only "consultative."

"When we receive complaints, we investigate and present [our findings] to relevant government departments. We pressure them if they don't respond within 30 days, although we didn't mention this in the report," the chairman said.

He admitted that cooperation from ministries had been weak, citing that only 23 percent of their recommendations had received responses within 30 days. Of the remainder, 32 percent had received responses within 90 days. More than 100 letters had received no response at all.

The chairman expressed his gladness at the discussion in parliament, despite the strong criticism, stating that it would help "strengthen our commission for the future."

Upper House lawmaker Khin Maung Myint from Kachin State urged the commission to investigate recent cases in Kachin State and hold the perpetrators accountable.

This included the gunning down by three men of Nandar Hlaing, a village tract administrator in Hpakant Township's Sai Taung Village, in May; the fatal shooting by a Burma Army soldier of ethnic Kachin student Gum Seng Awng in the state capital Myitkyina in June; and the killing of dozens of small-scale minors and local residents in landslides in the jade mines of Hpakant.

The post National Human Rights Commission Strongly Criticized by Lawmakers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Stakeholders Discuss Refugee Repatriation on Thai-Burma Border

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 02:29 AM PDT

Refugees who fled Burma walk at the Mae La refugee camp, near the Burma border in Thailand's Mae Sot District, Tak Province, July 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Stakeholders including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and community-based organizations (CBOs) discussed preparations for refugee repatriation in the Mae La camp on the Thai-Burma border.

Concerned parties deliberated how best to provide assistance and ensure the safety of refugees who wanted to return to Burma.

Iain Hall, UNHCR senior field coordinator, told The Irrawaddy that the meeting was one of a series in which non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provided updates on health, education, livelihood, food and nutrition activities held to prepare refugees for their return.

During Wednesday's meeting, the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) and the Karenni Refugee Committee (KnRC) outlined their current operational guidelines for voluntary repatriation. The UNHCR also briefed groups about its meetings, workshops and consultations with the Burmese and Thai governments, NGOs and CBOs.

Iain Hall said that the UNHCR was not promoting return but was prepared to support and facilitate any individual return once it was assured of its voluntary nature, safety and dignity.

"We discussed the type of support we could provide—like cash and transportation. There is no start date to any return plan or movement. That is decided by individual refugees," Hall told The Irrawaddy.

NGOs also reiterated a recent statement made in Thailand by Burma's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in which she said the government would welcome refugees who chose to return.

"We are not knocking on doors and asking people to go home. But refugees can come to the UNHCR and and can assist them. We have been approached by refugees in several camps expressing their desire to return," said Hall.

He added that both governments want the voluntary returns to be sustainable and have strongly advocated compliance with international standards.

There are over 120,000 registered Burmese refugees living in nine refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border. The majority are ethnic Karen who fled during conflicts between the Burma Army and ethnic armed organizations.

The Thai government raised the issue of repatriation under the previous administration, after ethnic armed groups, including the Karen National Union (KNU), signed a ceasefire agreement in 2012. Preparations have been ongoing since then.

However, many refugees still do not feel safe returning to their homes. The Burma Army still occupies territory near Karen villages and there is no concrete plan for demining areas littered with landmines placed by both sides in the conflict.

The post Stakeholders Discuss Refugee Repatriation on Thai-Burma Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

Govt confirms Daw Suu Kyi's Washington visit
Sagaing residents displaced as Chindwin, Ayeyarwady swell
Mai Ja Yang summit extended as ethnic armed groups discuss defence, security
MPs and human rights commission spar
Wa, Mongla groups to meet with commander-in-chief
District court rejects activists’ appeal
Law behind ‘midnight inspections’ reviewed
Unusable state-confiscated vehicles to be melted down
Ma Ba Tha releases video from Sangha conference
Taunggyi University launches tourism BA

Govt confirms Daw Suu Kyi's Washington visit

Posted: 29 Jul 2016 02:30 AM PDT

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will visit Washington, D.C. this coming September to conicide withthe 71st UN General Assembly session, spokesperson U Zaw Htay told The Myanmar Times

Sagaing residents displaced as Chindwin, Ayeyarwady swell

Posted: 28 Jul 2016 11:58 PM PDT

More than 17,000 people have been impacted by rising Chindwin River waters across five townships in Sagaing Region, with floodwaters in Hkamti township forcing 748 households to evacuate this week.