Thursday, December 15, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Pilot Project Introduces Digital ID Cards

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 08:00 AM PST

The project, in which paper National Registration Cards are replaced with 'smarter' identification cards, is being tested in Naypyidaw and Mandalay.

The post Govt Pilot Project Introduces Digital ID Cards appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma’s Parliament Ratifies Asean Anti-Trafficking Convention

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 06:14 AM PST

The Union Parliament approves ratification of the Asean Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP).

The post Burma's Parliament Ratifies Asean Anti-Trafficking Convention appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Militancy in Arakan State

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 05:33 AM PST

This could be the beginning of a new Islamic-inspired insurgency in Burma, which could impact peace and stability in other countries in the region.

The post Militancy in Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Two Killed in Mine Blast in Northern Shan State

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 05:26 AM PST

A Burma Army captain and a civilian truck driver are killed in an explosion on the road in Hsenwi Township, according to local police.

The post Two Killed in Mine Blast in Northern Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rape and Murder of 5-Year-Old Stirs Outrage

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 04:08 AM PST

The suspect 'confessed his wrongdoings to the investigator. We transferred him to Thandwe prison,' says Thandwe police officer.

The post Rape and Murder of 5-Year-Old Stirs Outrage appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Report: Burma Army Postponed Meetings with Counterparts in Bangladesh

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 04:02 AM PST

Security discussions were scheduled to take place days after border posts attacked in northern Arakan State.

The post Report: Burma Army Postponed Meetings with Counterparts in Bangladesh appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rebels Kill Two Indian Policemen near Border with Burma

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 02:58 AM PST

Another five officers are wounded in the attack in Lokchao area in Manipur state close to India's border with Burma.

The post Rebels Kill Two Indian Policemen near Border with Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakan Attacks Linked to Group in Saudi Arabia

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 01:01 AM PST

'This new armed group is overseen by a committee of Rohingya émigrés based in Mecca,' says report from International Crisis Group.

The post Arakan Attacks Linked to Group in Saudi Arabia appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

China Military Tells Burma to Ensure Border Stability

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:33 AM PST

'China is concerned at the armed clashes in northern Burma injuring Chinese border residents,' says China's defense ministry.

The post China Military Tells Burma to Ensure Border Stability appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Leon de Riedmatten: ‘You Cannot Talk About Nationwide Ceasefire if You Don’t Include Everyone’

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 06:27 PM PST

In this interview with The Irrawaddy's founding editor-in-chief Aung Zaw, Leon de Riedmatten talks about prospects for genuine peace in the country going forward.

The post Leon de Riedmatten: 'You Cannot Talk About Nationwide Ceasefire if You Don't Include Everyone' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

His death was retribution, says murdered journalist’s bereft wife

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:11 AM PST

The recently widowed wife of a murdered journalist strongly suspects he was killed in retaliation for his work.

Chin State civilians flee Arakan Army, Tatmadaw fighting

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:09 AM PST

Renewed clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army have kicked off in upper Paletwa township, Chin State, with some 200 people displaced on December 12.

Defence takes biggest slice of greenlit supplementary budget

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:45 PM PST

With relatively minor trims applied to a swathe of ministries, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has approved the supplementary budget requested by the Union Government to cover the remaining five months of the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Hate speech law in the 2017 pipeline

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:40 PM PST

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture expects that a law to combat hate speech will be put before MPs sometime next year, with the ministry planning to reach out to foreign countries and the international community for input.

Workers pre-approved for jobs in Malaysia permitted despite ban

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:38 PM PST

While the government upholds a moratorium on sending Myanmar workers to Malaysia, as many as 50 overseas employment agencies are poised to send workers already in line for jobs in that country. But first they will have to sign a waiver assuming responsibility for the workers' safety, says the labour ministry.

Deputy minister notes ‘worrisome’ rise in child rape cases

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

An apparent increase in the number of sexual abuse cases involving children is cause for concern, say politicians, amid a push to raise penalties for offenders.

Locals concerned over water safety after tailings dump

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

Thousands of Magwe residents are concerned mining slag heaps recently deposited in streams near the Tout Tat mountain could have harmful environmental side effects.

MP banned for crimes against hluttaw fashion

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

Parliament's uniform code is strictly enforced, a lawmaker learned yesterday after he was booted from the lower house for not adhering to the fashion standards.

CSOs say no to big coal and hydropower projects

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

More than 400 CSOs have released a joint statement calling on the government to abandon large-scale coal and hydro-electricity projects opposed by the local population.

Lending leader calls for arming bank security guards

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:34 PM PST

A banking magnate has called for arming bank security guards in order to increase protection of the nation's financial institutions.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Mongpan villager collapses, dies after land seizure dispute

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 01:20 AM PST

A 74-year-old villager in southern Shan State's Mongpan Township reportedly collapsed and died yesterday after a construction company refused to pay compensation for land it had seized from him.


 According to the village-tract headman, who asked to remain anonymous, the fatality happened after a meeting at the local administration office between representatives of the Aung Myint Mo Company and 16 villagers whose lands had allegedly been used and damaged by the firm when they installed electricity transmission poles in the area.

"The farmers had previously insisted that no utility poles be built on their farmland," he said. "In the past, some of the farmers' lands were used for road construction, and they did not want their property used like this again."

The headman said that the representatives of Aung Myint Mo Co disregarded the farmers' request, and also refused to negotiate over any claims for compensation.

"They [the company executives] told the famers that they would not pay compensation," he said. "Then they got up and left the meeting."

Immediately afterwards, a 74-old year-old farmer named Loong Thin Ngwe collapsed. He died on the way to hospital, said the village-tract headman.

Erection of transmission poles in Mongpan began some three months ago as part of a project to connect the area to Mongton Township where a 7,000-megawatt hydropower project is slated to be built on the Salween River.

"We do not know how many acres of our farmland will be destroyed," said Sai Lum, a Mongpan resident. "But they really do not care about our losses. They just do whatever they want. Their construction equipment is scattered all over our farmlands. More than 50 farmers have filed complaints about this."

Representatives of Aung Myint Mo Company have so far made no comment about the death of Loong Thin Ngwe, nor the compensation claims.

According to Sai Wei Lin, the Mongpan administration officer, the problems came about because the construction firm neglected to inform the public about their operations.

Land confiscation has long been a major grievance among farmers and landowners in rural parts of Burma, with Shan State particularly affected. Many lands were seized during the era of the military junta; however some villagers have complained that little has changed under the elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to Nang Kaysi of the Ethnic Peace and Resources Project (EPRP), an organization that works to support the peace process in Burma, a total of about 11,000 acres of farmland have been seized within 18 townships across Shan State.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Investigation Committee Concludes Maungdaw Trip

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 07:58 AM PST

Conflicting statements from local and government sources follow the Vice President U Myint Swe-led delegation's visit to northern Arakan State.

The post Govt Investigation Committee Concludes Maungdaw Trip appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UNFC Criticizes Government for Bashing Ethnic Groups, Not Pushing for Peace

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 05:50 AM PST

'It is not only petty-minded, but also responding to the problem one-sidedly, and it lacks an understanding of the plight of the people,' says UNFC.

The post UNFC Criticizes Government for Bashing Ethnic Groups, Not Pushing for Peace appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

FDA Releases List of Tainted Chili Powder, Several Well-Known Brands

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 04:18 AM PST

A number of chili powder brands popular among consumers are found contaminated with a potent carcinogen, according to the Rangoon branch of the FDA.

The post FDA Releases List of Tainted Chili Powder, Several Well-Known Brands appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Environmental Advocates Push for More Renewable Energy in Burma

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 04:12 AM PST

Civil society organizations demand cleaner alternatives to planned coal and hydropower plants, which have been objected to by locals.

The post Environmental Advocates Push for More Renewable Energy in Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Government Sets Spending Priorities for Foreign Aid Money

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 03:53 AM PST

'It should be spent in the least developed areas, especially border areas where people are suffering from internal conflicts,' says former lawmaker.

The post Government Sets Spending Priorities for Foreign Aid Money appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KNU Criticized for Lack of Transparency in Development Projects

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 03:06 AM PST

'Investment in large-scale infrastructure projects must not come before sustainable peace and political dialogue,' say civil society organizations.

The post KNU Criticized for Lack of Transparency in Development Projects appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Defense Ministry Gets Lion’s Share of Supplementary Budget

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 02:58 AM PST

The Union Parliament approves an increased budget proposed by the Ministry of Defense for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The post Defense Ministry Gets Lion's Share of Supplementary Budget appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Women Migrant Numbers High in Thai Construction 

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:22 PM PST

'Employers think of hiring women migrant workers as a package with their husbands,' says International Labor Organization.

The post Women Migrant Numbers High in Thai Construction  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Parliamentary commission calls for new water law

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:45 PM PST

Already feeling the combined stresses of climate change and an increasing population, Myanmar's clean water needs to be protected by a national water policy, parliament was told yesterday.

Nearly half of Mong Koe residents return: Defence Ministry

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:44 PM PST

The Office of the Defence Ministry announced yesterday that more than 3900 residents from 1043 households in Mong Koe have returned in the days since the military wrested control of the town from the Northern Alliance-Burma. Tatmadaw and police personnel have been joined by township authorities in scrutinising the returnees before they are allowed back to their homes.

Monywa-based Eleven Media reporter found beaten to death

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:40 PM PST

The body of a reporter for Eleven Media was discovered on the side of the road yesterday morning, with police believing he was beaten to death. The 35-year-old journalist was working on a story about illegal logging at the time of his murder, according to an editor for Eleven.

YCDC checks uncover formalin at street food stalls in Yangon

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:39 PM PST

Formalin has been found in bean curd and rice noodles sold at a number of Yangon's ubiquitous street food stalls as Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) looks to crack down on use of the toxic preservative.

Yangon Region to get second special economic zone

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:27 PM PST

Plans are afoot for a second special economic zone (SEZ) in Yangon Region, which include a new international airport and access to a deep-sea port, according to regional government officials.

Ethnic armed groups lash out at government, Tatmadaw after ‘terrorist’ designation levelled at Northern Alliance

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:24 PM PST

Ethnic armed groups fired off two strongly worded statements aimed at the government and the Tatmadaw yesterday, with the first accusing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of breaking promises and rushing the peace process, and the second accusing the military of fanning the flames of animosity.

During training, prison wardens focus on practicalities of improving the system

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:21 PM PST

What comes first when trying to reform Myanmar's notorious and long-languishing prison system? How can the correctional facilities be brought into line with international human rights standards? These and other practicalities were among the subjects of a two-day human rights workshop that trained 50 senior prison officials.

Myanmar calls on Thailand to stop harassment of migrants

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:14 PM PST

Myanmar police have presented six demands to their Thai counterparts, calling for a crackdown on corrupt and abusive Thai officials who prey on Myanmar workers in Thailand.

Illegal stone mining puts riverbank at risk of collapse: residents

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:59 PM PST

Illegal gem diggers mining the riverbed for precious stones could cause riverbank collapse, or put river traffic at risk, local residents warn. They say many miners in the stretch of the Ayeyarwady River between Myingyan and Nyaung-U districts, Mandalay Region, are operating without a licence.

Labour Exchange Offices opened

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:43 PM PST

Would-be migrant workers can now access information about overseas opportunities and the kinds of jobs available from labour centres newly opened throughout the country, Upper House MPs have heard. Deputy foreign minister U Kyaw Tint told Amyotha Hluttaw on December 12 that 78 labour exchange offices have opened.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

SNLD members still held by TNLA, says spokesman

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 03:16 AM PST

Five members of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), who were allegedly arrested by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Saturday, have still not been released, according to an SNLD executive member and spokesperson.
Sai Lek, the spokesman for the SNLD, told Shan Herald that his party had no information about the five members who were detained by the Ta'ang rebels in the village of Pang Kwan in Kyaukme Township.
"Our five party members have not yet been released," he said. "Some detainees from the villages of Mong Tat and Mong Mauk in Namtu Township were freed, but not the Pang Kwan people. However, I believe this is not a big issue, and that we can resolve the matter. After all, we are brothers who live together in Shan State."
He added: "Right now, we should all be working for Shan State unity. If Shan State is destroyed, the union will also be destroyed."
Two days after the alleged arrest, the SNLD released a statement demanding the TNLA release all its members and other detained civilians.
The statement said that the TNLA had arrested a total of 36 people, including 24 villagers from Pang Kwan who were detained on December 10. Another 12 villagers – eleven from Mong Tat and one from Wan Nar – were allegedly arrested in Namtu Township last month.
On December 13, the TNLA News and Information Department published on its website a report saying that 11 men had already been released in Namtu Township. However, it said that these men were all from Mong Kark village, and had b                                            een arrested amid fighting between TNLA troops and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA). 
According to a statement by Burma's State Counselor Information Committee on Monday, the TNLA had recruited 21 villagers from Pang Kwan.
"We have a new military recruitment policy for our party," Col. Tar Phong Kyaw, a TNLA spokesperson, told The Irrawaddynews agency this week. "However, we only recruit soldiers from amongst our Ta'ang [Palaung] people. We do not recruit from the ethnic Shan villages. We are checking at the ground level to ascertain the status of those arrested in Kyaukme. If they are Shan, we will release them."
TNLA is a member of the newly formed Northern Alliance, alongside the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The coalition has conducted synchronized offensives against the Burmese armed forces in northern Shan State since November 20.
On December 7, the Shan State regional assembly voted narrowly to classify the four militias as "terrorist organizations".  
However, according to Khuensai, the managing director of the Pyidaungsu Institute for Peace and Dialogue (PI), this issue will have no impact as the state or region assembly has no power to create law on terrorism matter.

"The state government has no power to make laws regarding terrorism," he told Shan Herald on December 8, a day of the approval. "Just as it has no authority over home affairs, foreign affairs and legislature. Therefore, even though the Shan State government approved a motion describing the four armed groups as terrorists, it will not be mandated by law."
By Shan Herald Agency for News (SNLD)
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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Japanese ANA Airline to Invest in Burma’s Air Industry

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 07:10 AM PST

ANA will reportedly be working with a local partner, the Shwe Thanlwin Co., which operates transportation, banking and broadcast media in Burma.

The post Japanese ANA Airline to Invest in Burma's Air Industry appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Analysis: Debate on Terrorism Raises Questions about USDP and Army Attitudes

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 07:05 AM PST

'This could cause delays or a complete stop to the peace process that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is pushing for,' says Lower House lawmaker.

The post Analysis: Debate on Terrorism Raises Questions about USDP and Army Attitudes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Reporter Killed in Sagaing Division

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:39 AM PST

Police confirm that local reporter Ko Soe Moe Tun of Eleven Media Group was beaten to death in Monywa, where he was based.

The post Reporter Killed in Sagaing Division appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

TNLA Frees 11 People Suspected of Being RCSS Militiamen

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 05:34 AM PST

'The SNLD said they were civilians, but we caught them last month at the Mongbaw battlefield when we raided the RCSS camps,' says a TNLA spokesman.

The post TNLA Frees 11 People Suspected of Being RCSS Militiamen appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Investigation Commission Concludes First Trip to Arakan State

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:50 AM PST

The delegation wraps up its first visit to Maungdaw amid doubts from rights groups that its investigation into abuses will be thorough and impartial.

The post Govt Investigation Commission Concludes First Trip to Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor Calls Asean Ministerial Meeting

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 03:53 AM PST

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi hosts an Asean ministerial meeting to share details of development and the conflict in Arakan State with Asean counterparts.

The post State Counselor Calls Asean Ministerial Meeting appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Proposes Locations for National-Level Political Dialogue

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 03:19 AM PST

The first round of national-level political dialogue sessions has been proposed for Karen State, Tenasserim Division and Naypyidaw.

The post Govt Proposes Locations for National-Level Political Dialogue appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakan Army Says 10 Government Soldiers Killed in Renewed Clashes

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 01:46 AM PST

Burma Army spokesman Maj-Gen Aung Ye Win declines to answer questions about military operations in Arakan State.

The post Arakan Army Says 10 Government Soldiers Killed in Renewed Clashes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

President Appoints Two Deputy Ministers

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:46 AM PST

Burma's President U Htin Kyaw appoints deputy ministers to the President's Office and the Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation.

The post President Appoints Two Deputy Ministers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rights Groups Call on Thailand to Ease Prosecution of Activists

Posted: 12 Dec 2016 09:39 PM PST

More than 100 rights groups send an open letter to Thailand's Prime Minister calling on the country to ease the prosecution of human rights defenders.

The post Rights Groups Call on Thailand to Ease Prosecution of Activists appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week

Posted: 12 Dec 2016 07:00 PM PST

A DJ fueled group run, the symphony orchestra, a gospel music festival, Latin Christmas, and several art exhibitions.

The post Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Police suspect murder after Eleven Media reporter found dead

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 04:22 AM PST

A reporter for Eleven Media was found dead on the side of the road early this morning near a Monywa golf course, police have confirmed.

State counsellor calls ASEAN foreign ministers meeting

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:58 AM PST

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called fellow ASEAN foreign ministers to a briefing over the ongoing crackdown in Rakhine State amid mounting international pressure and public spats with some neighbouring countries.

Shan political party calls for release of members, villagers allegedly held by TNLA

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:54 AM PST

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy has called for the release of five party members together with more than 30 other detainees allegedly abducted by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

Investigation commission conducts Maungdaw field visit

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:50 AM PST

The investigative commission established to probe allegations of rights abuses in northern Rakhine State is wrapping up its three-day trip to the state after the delegation visited Maungdaw district yesterday.

Filipino photographer’s pagoda shoot prompts Facebook fury

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:49 AM PST

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is investigating a Filipino photographer after complaints surfaced online that a recent Myanmar photo shoot was an affront to Buddhism.

State counsellor’s edict set to shake up City Hall

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:25 AM PST

Yangon City Development Committee is in line for a shake-up, with the regional government looking to implement a top-level order to decentralise power and minimise duplication of efforts.

‘Diplomatic zone’ land disputes under scrutiny

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:15 AM PST

Land now occupied by diplomats accredited to the nation's capital was once owned by farmers, many of whom are demanding compensation for property seized during military rule. The Nay Pyi Taw City Development Committee is putting together teams of government officials to help resolve confusion over who owned what, and how much they should be paid for it, according to committee representative U Min Thu.

Explosive materials discovered at Mandalay monastery

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:14 AM PST

Explosive detonators and bomb-making ingredients were discovered during a police raid on a monastery in Mandalay's Maha Aung Myay township, after a public tip-off.

Police make major narcotics seizures over the weekend

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:09 AM PST

Police seized about 17.5 million tablets of methamphetamine along with nearly 700 grams of heroin over the weekend in two major busts, one of which involved three foreign nationals.

No changes to Malaysia’s maligned visa application centre

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 12:07 AM PST

Dashing hopes that the government will pressure Malaysia into dropping a pricey visa system adopted at the beginning of this year, Amyotha Hluttaw MPs were told yesterday that there is no plan to scrap the sole application processing agency or to force its hand on pricing.
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