The Irrawaddy Magazine

---

• Chief Minister Proposes Youth Committee to Address Rangoon’s Challenges
• Border Guard Police Under Investigation for Keeping Methamphetamines
• Lawmakers Press Govt on Tax Reform
• ‘No Project Enjoys Special Privileges’: Deputy Minister of National Planning and Finance
• Burma Removes Hundreds of Names from Blacklist
• Hospital Upgrades Planned
• New Food Delivery System for Refugee Camps on Thai Border

Chief Minister Proposes Youth Committee to Address Rangoon’s Challenges Posted: 28 Jul 2016 06:19 AM PDT Students ask questions during a Q and A segment of a talk by Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein at the National Management Degree College on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. (Photo: Moe Myint) RANGOON — To solve current challenges in the commercial capital, the Rangoon divisional government will form a coordination committee with young entrepreneurs, said Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein. Phyo Min Thein visited his alma mater, the National Management Degree College, on Wednesday afternoon and convened a two-hour meeting with students. He said that the first meeting with young businesspeople will take place on August 14, but did not mention a location for the event. Once the committee is successfully formed, the Rangoon divisional government will supervise it. Committee members, Phyo Min Thein said, should have practical experience in the business sector and extensive knowledge of economics. The chief minister admitted that the regional government is unable to solve every problem in Rangoon, identifying some of the most pressing issues as traffic congestion, growing squatter communities and poor rail transport. "The Rangoon divisional government is formed of nine ministers, but to solve all these problems with just nine people is not possible," said Phyo Min Thein "We will share these duties with the younger generation, especially those who have practical business experience and knowledge. We will invite them to take on duties [depending on] how they can serve." He continued, describing Rangoon as an attractive place for foreign business prospects, pointing out that while investors are interested in pursuing projects in the city, many complain of delayed trade flow and high daily expenses due to a lack of road infrastructure. Students are pictured during a talk by Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein at the National Management Degree College on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. (Photo: Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy) "The logistical cost is about 30 percent of the goods' value," he said of the high price of road transport. Originally, the Rangoon divisional government decided to construct a new highway on the outskirts of the city, connecting the Hanthawaddy International Airport in Pegu Division—currently under construction—with Rangoon's Thilawa Special Economic Zone. Now, the new government is also looking to upgrade water transport and rail options. Phyo Min Thein said that better utilizing inland water transport could serve as a cheaper alternative to roads. To accelerate the country's economy, the chief minister said that special economic zones could play an important role, even though the private industrial projects are accompanied by several challenges, including hosting a growing number of squatters who migrate to Rangoon seeking work. With comparably more infrastructure than many other states and divisions in Burma, job opportunities are perceived as more plentiful in the commercial capital. Yet housing in Rangoon is limited and can be expensive, leading many workers to set up makeshift shelters near factories where they work. "This is the right time to change current situation," Phyo Min Thein said. "To relocate these people systematically, we will coordinate with the youth to solve this," he continued, referring again to the young entrepreneurs' committee, adding that he hoped their coordinated action would make it possible for those now living as squatters to "become valuable human beings." The post Chief Minister Proposes Youth Committee to Address Rangoon's Challenges appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Border Guard Police Under Investigation for Keeping Methamphetamines Posted: 28 Jul 2016 06:08 AM PDT The entrance sign to Maungdaw Township. (Photo: Narinjara) Seven border guard policemen from a post on the Burma-Bangladesh border in Arakan State's Maungdaw Township are under investigation for not turning over nearly 300,000 yaba pills, or methamphetamines. Among the seven detainees is the head of the border police post. Acting on a tip, a team of police led by Lt Col Tint Zaw Oo, head of the Maungdaw Township Border Guard Police Force No. 2, made the arrest on Tuesday, according to a local police officer. The officer confirmed the drug seizure and the detention of seven border guard policemen who are currently under investigation. According to the officer, the methamphetamines were buried under the police post's mess hall. Almost 300,000 pink-colored pills were seized, worth an estimated US$500,000. The officer added that during the investigation, Lance Corporal Maung Maung Lay, head of the local border police post, said that he and two of his subordinates brought a bag stuffed with pills back to their post after finding it on the nearby Maungdaw-Angu Maw highway. It remains unclear why the drugs were found buried under the mess hall. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Border Guard Police Under Investigation for Keeping Methamphetamines appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lawmakers Press Govt on Tax Reform Posted: 28 Jul 2016 05:27 AM PDT Stacks of Burmese kyat await counting in Rangoon. (Photo: Jpaing / The Irrawaddy) NAYPYIDAW — Lawmakers at the Union Parliament have pushed the government to reform the tax system, so as to plug shortfalls—in income, commercial, customs, telecoms, and oil and gas tax revenue—and allocate the tax burden more fairly. There were calls from several lawmakers to initiate a more progressive tax system, both at an individual level—with significantly higher rates for higher earners—and at a geographic level—with poorer states and regions given tax breaks and allowances. At a parliamentary session on Thursday, which included both houses, Lower House lawmaker Thet Thet Khine of Rangoon's Dagon Township mentioned that Burma had the lowest tax base among Asean countries. She suggested that the government "consider collecting more tax from higher income people" and enforce greater compliance. Thet Thet Khine also encouraged the government to consider implementing different tax rates in different states and divisions of Burma, considering that some, such as Chin State, are considerably underdeveloped compared to others, such as Rangoon Division. Upper House lawmaker Myat Nyar Na Soe said that, although the government had hit their overall tax collection target over the last fiscal year, ending in April, it was more important to increase tax revenue as a ratio of the country's wealth. He recommended a recalibration of commercial tax rates: products harmful to public health such as tobacco and alcohol should be taxed more—as well as "natural resource-based" products such as oil, gas, gems and jade—while "locally manufactured goods" should be taxed less with an eye to increasing exports. Myat Nyar Na Soe added that taking the lead of other countries with more transparent tax systems, the government should clearly outline the rates for different taxpayers at least a year before any tax is due, and aim to keep these rates stable, allowing individuals and businesses to plan accordingly. According to the government's latest tax report, targets for income, commercial, customs, telecoms, and oil and gas tax revenue were not reached in the 2015-16 fiscal year. Lower House Lawmaker Khin San Hlaing, representing Pale Township in Sagaing Division, said the government should clearly explain why. She added that the government should move away from a reliance on tax revenue derived from natural resource extraction and significantly expand the tax base, because these natural resources would be "gone one day." In recent years, as a means of encouraging tax compliance among the population, the Ministry of National Planning and Finance has been publishing instructions on paying tax in state-run newspapers, as well as lists of "top taxpayers." Maung Maung Win, deputy minister of National Planning and Finance, said in the parliamentary session that revenue targets for 11 tax categories had been reached during the 2015-16 fiscal year, while targets for seven other tax categories had been missed. He said, "Although income tax revenue for the first six months was higher than in the last six months of last [fiscal] year, total income tax revenue fell below the target by a small amount"—netting 2.327 trillion kyats (US$1.97 billion) against a target of 2.335 billion kyats ($1.976 billion). He attributed the failure to meet the income tax target to a tax exemption scheme on property sales approved in 2014—property tax being included in Burma under "income tax," among six other categories. Tax revenue from the oil and gas sector netted 259.2 billion kyats ($219 million) during the 2015-16 fiscal year, significantly less than the 495.3 billion kyats ($419 million) netted during the 2014-15 fiscal year. The dip was attributed to the dramatic global drop in oil prices as well as new regulations from the Myanmar Investment Commission. The post Lawmakers Press Govt on Tax Reform appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

‘No Project Enjoys Special Privileges’: Deputy Minister of National Planning and Finance Posted: 28 Jul 2016 05:05 AM PDT Deputy Minister Maung Maung Win pictured during an interview with The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. (Photo: Kyaw Hsu Mon / The Irrawaddy) Recently, there has been a lot of criticism over the failures of the new government to make considerable changes in the economic sector, as well as the stagnation of businesses during the first three months of its term. Amidst such criticisms, what has the ministry done successfully? It is difficult for a ministry to adopt new policies and make progress quickly. However, some tasks were completed during the first 100 days, and there are also some tasks to be continued after these 100 days. Tasks to be carried out within the period were announced in newspapers and they were implemented accordingly. As two ministries were merged, the number of departments has increased. Many of them are departments that have to deal with the public, and we will continue working to fulfill the public's needs. Are there problems caused by the merging the two ministries and their staff members? The main problem is the lack of time available. There is only one minister for the two ministries. It is very difficult to manage time as there are daily reports, and reports from other departments and meetings. The minister also has to deal with foreign guests and travel abroad, as this is important. As other functions are run by respective departments, there is no problem there. Has recent budget allocation caused any headache for the ministry? There are complaints over budgets in Burma's states and regions. How is the ministry handling these complaints? Budgets are allocated in line with the [2008] Constitution. States and regions are allowed to collect some taxes according to the law and add the tax money into its fund and spend it. Similarly, the Union government will also do the same with taxes it is allowed to collect by law. Although there was only one budget in the past, at present, we have the Union budget as well as state and regional budgets. So there are Union funds and state and regional funds. Under Section 230 [of the Constitution], the Union budget has to provide funds if states and regions do not have enough. Moreover, the Union government can also provide funds for special projects or issue low-interest loans to state and regional governments. This means that the Union government is responsible for providing funds when they need it and determines how much will be provided to each state or region. We study how other countries are handling such issues. Everything has to be taken into consideration so that the budget is allocated without bias and in a fair manner.  How do you know how much to give to each state or region? No matter how much they ask for, we provide them with what they should receive. It seems that Yangon [Division] receives only a small budget but it has collected a large sum from taxes, which the regional government can spend. The Union government also provides funds to the region. Chin State also receives a small budget. The Union government provides them with what it should receive. They can work for development. States and regions that are underdeveloped have to try to make progress like the others. Developed ones can do more. The Union government wants to provide more funds to them. It has been trying to allocate budgets in a fair manner, as well as it can. The Rangoon Chief Minister said that he found it difficult to do what he wanted for the region due to an insufficient budget. How would you respond to that? As I have just said, the Union government does not consider the region alone. It has to take all 14 states and regions into consideration. Others also have things they want to do for their states or regions. They also need development as much as Yangon [Division] does. As Yangon receives more money from taxes, it is necessary for the regional government to decide which projects should be prioritized based on its earnings. Although the Union government wants to provide more funds to everyone, it cannot afford to do that. First priority is given to what is most important, and second priorities are something that cannot be done because there are just not enough funds. It was said during a parliamentary session that there are differences in tax collection. How does the ministry manage this? Tax collection varies year by year. In budgets, there are 18 types of tax with their own targets. The targets depend on the amount collected in the previous year. It is also necessary to estimate the amount for the upcoming year. According to the upcoming year's tax law, tax rates and exemptions are set. Based on these, the relevant departments estimate the targets. Some targets are met while others are not; this is a phenomenon that occurs every year. Therefore, 11 tax items went beyond their targets while seven failed to meet their targets during the 2015-16 fiscal year. During the term of the previous government, special projects required approval by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. There were accusations that those who were close to the government got approvals easily. How will the current government grant approvals without bias? How is the ministry handling this issue? This will be done in accordance with the planning law. There are planning laws for each year. The Union government as well as state and regional governments have their own responsibilities, known as the sectoral and the regional plans. Sectoral plans are implemented by the Union government, while regional plans are materialized by state or regional governments. There are also township plans. There is no project that enjoys special privileges. These are the issues that should be settled at the planning commission. The post 'No Project Enjoys Special Privileges': Deputy Minister of National Planning and Finance appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Removes Hundreds of Names from Blacklist Posted: 28 Jul 2016 03:43 AM PDT Myanmar nationals hold up their passports outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Singapore in 2008 as they waited for their turn to vote in the country’s constitutional referendum. (Photo: Vivek Prakash / REUTERS) RANGOON — The names of some 600 foreign and Burmese nationals were removed from Burma's blacklist, the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. A move that was pledged by Union minister Thein Swe as part of his ministry's 100-day plan, led to the removal of 607 names—more than 200 Burmese and 300 foreigners—from the blacklist, according to the ministry. The recent list of names constitutes only about 7.5 percent of a previously existing blacklist of more than 8,000, and according to local newspaper 7Day Daily's report on Monday, the recent list excluded those who were wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The ministry's department of immigration and population told The Irrawaddy that the ministry has handed the list over to other concerned ministries, such as home affairs and foreign affairs, and it would continue to remove the names of those who "serve for the good merit of the country." The department refused to provide further details regarding the list of removals. Burma's then-ruling military junta and quasi-civilian government previously blacklisted people who were deemed political threats to the country's stability and national security. Former President Thein Sein's administration removed more than 2,000 names from a blacklist of more than 6,000 in 2012—a year into his quasi-civilian rule. The names included many exiled pro-democracy activists, foreign journalists and political critics. Actress Michelle Yeoh, who played the role of Burma's then opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the film The Lady; Suu Kyi's two sons; and Benedict Rogers, author of the book "Unmasking Burma's Tyrant"—the biography of military dictator Than Shwe, were also removed. Dr. Sein Win, former chairman of Burma's "government in exile"; Aung Din of the US Campaign for Burma; Zipporah Sein, secretary of the Karen National Union; Dr. Cynthia Maung, founder and director of the Mae Tao Clinic; Bo Kyi, Tate Naing and other members of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP); Aung Moe Zaw of the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS); and Moe Thee Zun and Dr. Naing Aung, former leaders of the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), an armed group formed in the wake of the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 1988, were also removed from the list during Thein Sein's administration. Despite the reforms, some names were added again to the blacklist by the former government, according to Aung Moe Zaw of the DPNS. Although he is optimistic about the moves undertaken by the current government—led by the President Htin Kyaw and de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi—he said the government should welcome all exiled activists back during this critical period, when they can contribute to the country's democratic transition. "The government should remove all names of those who were put on the blacklist due to their political or dissident beliefs, unconditionally," he told The Irrawaddy. Nearly 60 representatives from some 40 civil society organizations (CSOs) based on Burma's borders sent an open letter to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday, requesting the disclosure of the names of activists who remain on the blacklist and that necessary guidelines be set to restore their original citizenship and allow them to take part in the country's transition process. Thwel Zin Toe, a steering committee member of the Women's League of Burma, one of the signatory CSOs, said in the letter that the activists could support and strengthen the national reconciliation process, peace building and the transition to democracy. The department of immigration and population said that those who want to restore their original citizenship must abandon any other current citizenship first because Burma doesn't allow dual-citizenship. The post Burma Removes Hundreds of Names from Blacklist appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Hospital Upgrades Planned Posted: 28 Jul 2016 02:17 AM PDT A 550-bed children's hospital in Mandalay. (Photo: Poe Sanchaung / The Irrawaddy) NAYPYIDAW — Burma's new five-year plan for the health sector includes upgrading all 25-bed hospitals across the country into 50-bed ones, according to Dr. Myint Htwe, minister of health. The minister announced the plan in response to lawmakers' questions in Parliament's Lower House on Tuesday about hospital upgrades, rural dispensaries and insufficient medical staff. "We plan to upgrade all 25-bed hospitals into 50-bed facilities and employ 2,000 new doctors within two months," he told Parliament. However, the minister did not specify a timeline for the upgrades. Lawmakers stated that even the 25-bed hospitals currently lack sufficient beds and staff. "In my township, the '25-bed' hospital is supposed to have four doctors according to the standard organizational structure. But, it only has 16 beds and two doctors. Employees are overstretched. Most locals are 'grassroots people' and can't afford to go to special clinics," said Aye Naing, a Lower House lawmaker representing Rangoon's South Dagon Township, who also proposed building a 100-bed hospital in his constituency. According to the health minister, the previous government had monitored the rate of hospitalization at government-run hospitals and found it to have gradually increased between 2011 and 2015. The proposed bed upgrades will also mean a workforce increase from 55 to 156 employees at each facility. Myint Htwe explained that the ministry will not go further and upgrade the 25-bed hospitals into 100-bed ones because the smaller hospitals receive only about 13 inpatients and 49 outpatients each day on average. He added that the public does not often complain about the lack of beds, but more often about a shortage of doctors. The minister said the 50-bed hospitals will include pathology, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatric, osteoporosis, emergency, dental and anesthetic units and his ministry will ensure they are accessible to all. On Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 lawmakers seconded the proposal submitted in the Lower House by Dr. A Zin Latt, which urged the health ministry to expand the public health department. The minister noted the discussion and Parliament decided to monitor department works. According to the Ministry of Health, there are a total of 1,190 hospitals in Burma as of February 2016. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Hospital Upgrades Planned appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

New Food Delivery System for Refugee Camps on Thai Border Posted: 28 Jul 2016 01:44 AM PDT Ethnic Karen refugees in Tham Hin camp, Ratchaburi province in 2006. (Photo: Reuters) CHIANG MAI, Thailand — A collective of humanitarian agencies, The Border Consortium (TBC), will introduce a new system of food provision, using electronic cards, at the end of this month for Burmese refugees living on Thai-Burma border. While it is currently common for refugees to queue for hours to receive food rations at designated stores at certain times, the new scheme envisages refugees being able to shop for food at their own chosen time, using cards pre-loaded with credit. With one card to be issued per household, the amount of credit will vary according to household size. Small shops selling a range of goods can already be found within and nearby the refugee camps along the border. Under the scheme, shopkeepers would be given electronic devices, allowing them to receive credit from the new cards. Saw Tu Tu, a spokesperson for the Karen Refugee Committee's branch office in Mae Sariang, northern Thailand spoke to The Irrawaddy, commending the new system for providing for greater convenience for refugees. "They can buy meat, fish, eggs, vegetables or whatever they want within the credit limit. It is an improvement because people won't need to queue for a long time to receive food rations," said Saw Tu Tu. He said the card system would first be implemented in two refugee camps—Nu Po in Tak Province and Tham Hin in Ratchaburi Province—from the end of this month, before being rolled out to the other refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border in 2017. Both shoppers and sellers will be trained in using the cards. The cards, which will be disbursed to all heads of household, will be red in color and feature the logos of TBC, the Karen Refugee Committee and the Karenni Refugee Committee, who are all involved in the provision of basic needs to refugees along the Thai-Burma border. Saw Tuu Tu also believed that the card system would save the annual cost of transporting stockpiles of food and other supply rations and preserving them in stores within the camps over long periods. There are currently nine camps along Thai-Burma border hosting over 120,000 refugees from Burma. Refugees have formally received rations of rice, cooking oil, salt, beans and fish paste at certain scheduled times. Under the new card system, some basic supplies, including charcoal, would be still delivered via the old system. TBC comprises 10 international non-governmental organizations from eight, mostly European, countries, and has been providing food, shelter and other services for refugees escaping conflict in Burma since 1984. The post New Food Delivery System for Refugee Camps on Thai Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

You are subscribed to email updates from The Irrawaddy. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

National News

---

• Structure of federal Union debated on second day of Mai Ja Yang summit
• Appeal verdict due today in mining company vs activists case
• President appoints new permanent UN representative
• Proactive measures failing to stem cholera outbreak in Pyay
• Ministry looks to expand early childhood care
• Two health departments slow service, but no plans to combine them: minister
• State counsellor invited to visit North Korea
• Anti-trafficking agenda workshopped in capital
• 15 migrant workers suspected of murder deemed innocent, released in Malaysia
• Embassy says repatriation cancelled, while labour minister to welcome thousands home

Structure of federal Union debated on second day of Mai Ja Yang summit Posted: 27 Jul 2016 10:59 PM PDT Hypothesised state divisions that should make up the federal Union yesterday dominated discussions at the second day of the Mai Ja Yang summit, a major gathering of ethnic armed groups in Kachin State.

Appeal verdict due today in mining company vs activists case Posted: 27 Jul 2016 10:56 PM PDT A Sagaing Region court is expected today to rule on an appeal filing from three activists charged by a mining company with trespassing, intimidation and obstructing.

President appoints new permanent UN representative Posted: 27 Jul 2016 10:56 PM PDT President U Htin Kyaw yesterday appointed a former regime defender to the diplomatic corps, selecting U Htin Lynn as Myanmar's permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Proactive measures failing to stem cholera outbreak in Pyay Posted: 27 Jul 2016 10:30 PM PDT Officials are trying to control an outbreak of cholera in Pyay township, Bago Region.

Ministry looks to expand early childhood care Posted: 27 Jul 2016 10:27 PM PDT To help combat malnutrition in children, the government will strengthen early childhood care and development services. U Aung Kyaw Moe, director of the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told The Myanmar Times on July 26 that a training program had been developed for that purpose.

Two health departments slow service, but no plans to combine them: minister Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:30 PM PDT The creation of a Department of Public Health and a Department of Medical Care under the U Thein Sein government has delayed service at the township level, said Union Minister for Health and Sport U Myint Htwe.

State counsellor invited to visit North Korea Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:30 PM PDT State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been invited to visit North Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday.

Anti-trafficking agenda workshopped in capital Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:30 PM PDT Tatmadaw officers and civilian brokers who recruit or otherwise procure child soldiers in violation of international law should face imprisonment, a United States government report has recommended. Instead, they say, it is the children themselves who can face jail for "deserting" from their forced service.

15 migrant workers suspected of murder deemed innocent, released in Malaysia Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:30 PM PDT Police in Malaysia have released 15 Myanmar migrant workers who were detained earlier this month as suspects in the grisly murder of four of their compatriots in Penang during an apparent botched robbery attempt, according to a statement from the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Embassy says repatriation cancelled, while labour minister to welcome thousands home Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:30 PM PDT A plan to repatriate over 700 additional Myanmar workers from Malaysia has been cancelled due to lack of funding, according to an embassy statement.

You are subscribed to email updates from National News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

The Irrawaddy Magazine

---

• Rangoon Parliamentary Committee Lets Halted High-Rise Projects Off the Hook
• Ethnic Armed Group Leaders Discuss Formation of a Burman State
• Trade Troubles on the Chinese Border
• Lawmaker and Real Estate Developer Condemns Suspended High-Rise Construction
• After One Casualty, Cholera ‘Under Control’ in Pyay
• ALP Officer Arrested for Accusing Burma Army of War Crimes
• Four Ethnic Armed Groups Absent From Mai Ja Yang Summit
• All Remaining Jade Mining Licenses to Expire in 2018
• Burma Appoints New Permanent Representative to the UN

Rangoon Parliamentary Committee Lets Halted High-Rise Projects Off the Hook Posted: 27 Jul 2016 07:03 AM PDT A high rise under construction in Rangoon. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — A Rangoon Division parliamentary committee has recommended that the divisional government rescind modification orders delivered earlier this month to eight high-rise construction projects, after the developers petitioned the committee for a review. A high-rise review committee formed by the executive branch of the Rangoon Division government has reviewed more than 200 high-rise building projects in the city since June, to assess their adherence to newly enforced urban planning and safety regulations. Following their recommendations, the Rangoon government ordered 12 buildings now under construction to reduce their heights, upgrade their parking facilities and improve their safety standards. Developers from eight out of the 12 affected projects complained to the Rangoon Division parliament's Finance, Planning and Economic Committee, claiming that the modification order stood to cause them grave financial harm, and that they had followed all the official procedures. "We have carried out ground-inspections for every project linked to the complaint, and found them to be in line with Yangon City Development Council regulations established under the previous government," said Kyaw Zeya, the secretary of the parliamentary committee. "So, we submitted our report to the divisional government last week recommending that action should not be taken against them," he added. Kyaw Zeya said he understood that the Rangoon Division government is trying to tame unruly urban development in the city, but "the new policy for high-rise [buildings] should be directed at new projects and not at old ones that have already received permission." Asked how decisive they think their recommendation would prove, the lawmaker said, "If we don't see any results, we will submit a proposal at the upcoming term of parliament to implement the recommendation." The Rangoon Division Parliament is currently in recess and will recommence next month. Ye Min Oo, the spokesperson for the high-rise review committee that suggested the initial modification orders, said he had no comment to offer on the new recommendation, stating that it was a matter to be resolved between the divisional government and the parliamentary committee. "Because our committee was formed by the divisional government, we are only accountable to it. If the government orders us to review their recommendation, we can do so." The post Rangoon Parliamentary Committee Lets Halted High-Rise Projects Off the Hook appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ethnic Armed Group Leaders Discuss Formation of a Burman State Posted: 27 Jul 2016 06:46 AM PDT The Mai Ja Yang ethnic armed groups summit, pictured on its second day, Wednesday, July 27, 2016. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy) MAI JA YANG, Kachin State — On the second day of a summit in Mai Ja Yang, Kachin State, ethnic armed group leaders discussed a draft constitution which proposes a single Burman state within a federal union. Currently, Burma is made up of seven ethnic states—named for the Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Mon and Shan—and seven divisions. The proposed change is to combine three of these divisions—in which the majority population in most regions is thought to be Burman—to form a single Burman state. Ethnic minority leaders believe that this will foster more equitable political representation and sharing of resources. While data from the 2014 census on the size of Burma's ethnic populations has yet to be released, Burmans, or "Bamar," have long been considered to comprise around 60 percent of the national population. Nai Hong Sar, vice chairman of the ethnic armed group coalition United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), explained that ethnic minority leaders have difficulty accepting the current constitutional allowance for Burmans to retain political "control" over seven regions in the country and be allocated what he says are a larger share of resources. "They [the Burmans] get seven kyats, but our ethnic group has only one state and we will get only one kyat. Therefore, we cannot accept their constitution," Nai Hong Sar said, explaining how he feels the country's controversial 2008 Constitution marginalizes ethnic minorities. "Based on our current draft, Mandalay, Magwe and Pegu [divisions] will become a state for Burmans," he said, adding that, "We all should all be equal." Ethnic armed group leaders adopted a draft federal constitution in Feb. 2008, after forming the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee (FCDCC). Burma's current constitution—also ratified in 2008—was written by the country's former military government and ratified by a nationwide referendum widely considered fraudulent. The constitution has been extensively criticized for entrenching the armed forces' presence in the legislature, for barring now-State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency, and for granting little autonomy to ethnic states. Burma's seven divisions are listed in the 2008 Constitution as Rangoon, Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay, Irrawaddy, Pegu and Tenasserim. The FCDCC recommends that Rangoon, Sagaing, Tenasserim and Irrawaddy divisions—which have large ethnic minority populations—instead become what they term as "nationalities states." Nai Soe Myint, a senior leader from Mon National Party agreed with the proposed change. "For example, the ethnic Chin nationality lives [also] in Sagaing Division. The division does not only have Burman people. This is why we will call Sagaing a 'nationalities state,'" he said. Gen Bee Htoo, chief of the Karenni National Progressive Party and a senior UNFC leader, said that a federal system "based on nationalities" would solve many of the country's problems stemming from what has long been perceived as Burman domination of political affairs, institutions and culture. Not all were in agreement, however. The Restoration Council of Shan State—whose armed wing is known as the Shan State Army-South, and claims defend ethnic Shan interests—objected to the idea of Shan State being called a "nationalities state." Shan State covers a large area of exceptional pluralism—in addition to the Shan it is home to considerable numbers of ethnic Palaung (Ta'ang), Pa-O, Wa and Kachin, among many other groups, and a significant population of Chinese descent. Three groups absent from the meeting were the United Wa State Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army—all of which are active in Shan State, leading some ethnic delegates, including Bee Htoo, to recommend further discussion for a future "nationalities state" in the region. Other ethnic leaders present at the summit have suggested centering future talks around a "federal Shan State" instead, but clarified that such discussions remain in the early stages. Naw Zipporah Sein, the vice chairperson of the Karen National Union (KNU), said that additional changes have been made to the FCDCC's alternative draft constitution up through 2015. "We will discuss and analyze the draft today. Then, if we need to, we could add more to it and approve it at this meeting," she said on Tuesday at the Mai Ja Yang summit. She added that the representatives from 17 groups present at the event would focus on discussing how to most effectively participate in the upcoming Union Peace Conference—slated to be held in late August in Naypyidaw. "It is important for us to establish common ground," Zipporah Sein said. "One group alone cannot build a federal union, or peace. We will only succeed in reaching our goal when all groups are included: political parties, democratic forces, and our armed forces," she said. The UNFC's Nai Hong Sar said that current events have forced the Burma Army, which has long opposed the political aspirations of ethnic nationalities, to be more open to their demands. "In the past, the Burma Army was opposed to federalism, but not anymore—they accept it now. They are worried that our ethnic groups will secede from the country. But no one is asking to secede—we just ask for our future federal system to have democracy, equal rights and self-determination. We just ask for this," he said. The post Ethnic Armed Group Leaders Discuss Formation of a Burman State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Trade Troubles on the Chinese Border Posted: 27 Jul 2016 06:28 AM PDT A sign outside the Shan State border town of Muse greets entrants. (Photo: New Myanmar Blog) RANGOON — Due to heavy rains in northern Shan State and increased scrutiny from Chinese officials, Burmese traders who typically sell unsanctioned goods in China have been stuck in the border town of Muse, unable to offload their products, sources said. Weeks of rain have raised the Ruili River, which divides Burma and China, to a dangerous level. Rice, bean, sugar and corn exporters—who have transported their goods illegally via truck to China in the past—are now attempting river crossings, said Muse-based fruit exporter Sai Khin Maung. According to Min Ko Oo, the secretary of the Myanmar Beans and Pulses Traders Association, the Chinese government has recently undertaken harsher scrutiny of exporters, causing illegal traders to ship their goods via ferry—a dicey method due to the intense rains. Rice, corn, bean and sugar traders are hesitant to travel to Muse because of uncertainty on the Chinese side, but people who export legal products are still making the trip, traders said. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Burma has 16 border trading posts. More than 1,500 trucks cross the Muse border into China  daily during normal trading periods; however, due to the rains and the stricter control measures, that number has been significantly reduced. According to sources on Muse's 105-mile border trade gate, fewer than 500 trucks now cross each day. "Traders are waiting to see what happens before going to Muse. Because major export item trading is almost at a standstill now in China, the trade volume will be lower than usual this month," a Muse border gate source said. He added that the resurgence of trade would depend on weather conditions and control measures on the Chinese side. According to the Ministry of Commerce, trade volume in Muse this year is down US$81 million from last year's volume for the April to July fiscal quarter. The post Trade Troubles on the Chinese Border appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lawmaker and Real Estate Developer Condemns Suspended High-Rise Construction Posted: 27 Jul 2016 06:23 AM PDT Thet Thet Khine, Lower House parliamentarian and real estate developer, pictured at a women's forum in 2013. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — A Lower House lawmaker behind a Rangoon high-rise project has criticized the division's chief minister for a decision to suspend the construction of more than 200 buildings in the commercial capital. During an interview with Radio Free Asia on Saturday, Thet Thet Khine, a businesswoman who is also a National League for Democracy (NLD) MP from Rangoon's Dagon Constituency, said that Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein's decision—made in May—has negatively affected job opportunities for local workers on sites where construction was halted. "The government can change policies if they dislike them. It is for this that the people elected us. But their way of making changes needs to be right," she said. In May, the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) announced a halt to the construction of more than 200 buildings in Rangoon that were to be nine or more stories high, declaring that resumption would be permitted only after on-the-ground investigations were conducted to determine whether those projects had followed construction regulations. A review committee was then formed in June to perform these assessments. The move has since been criticized by developers who say that the YCDC's action has had serious consequences: labor issues, complaints from buyers of unfinished apartments, delays on repaying bank loans, cash flow problems and a lack of business for construction suppliers. The YCDC acknowledges that the previous Rangoon divisional government and municipal council had given "initial approval" for proposals to build more than 200 high-rises from 2013 until March 31 of this year. "[Their projects] were in line with the previous government's regulations. Now, they are changing them," said Thet Thet Khine, who is planning the construction of a high-profile condominium building housing 68 residences. The project is slated to be built on the corner of Kabar Aye Pagoda and Saya San roads, near the country's landmark Shwedagon Pagoda. Thet Thet Khine highlighted NLD-party head Aung San Suu Kyi's promise during the 2015 general election campaign period that a new government would hold no grudge against the previous administration. What the Rangoon Division leadership is doing now, Thet Thet Khine alleges, is backsliding into an attitude of "just follow my orders." "What I want to say is that they can make a new policy, but before that, they should listen and discuss the voices of those who will need to follow that policy. They should consider the impacts, and the pros and cons [of the policy change]," Thet Thet Khine added. The Irrawaddy tried to contact Thet Thet Khine by phone on Wednesday but were not able to reach her at the time of publication. The suspension of the projects comes at a time when Burmese urban specialists, who contend that Rangoon is under threat due to the lack of proper urban planning and controls, have been calling on the government to take "urgent action" to rein in unruly projects. They have also called for the formation of a committee of experts on sustainable urban management. The post Lawmaker and Real Estate Developer Condemns Suspended High-Rise Construction appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

After One Casualty, Cholera ‘Under Control’ in Pyay Posted: 27 Jul 2016 05:12 AM PDT Pegu Division Chief Minister Win Thein inspects the cholera-affected area in Pyay on July 26, 2016. (Photo: Kaung Myat Min / The Irrawaddy) PYAY, Pegu Division — A recent cholera outbreak in Pyay District of Pegu Division is now under control, according to Pegu Division Chief Minister Win Thein. The July 11 outbreak led to the hospitalization of around 140 people and resulted in one death, according to Pyay General Hospital in Pyay Township, where cholera patients were treated. According to the hospital, almost half of their patients were suffering from cholera and the rest were being treated for diarrhea. The hospital received the last two diarrhea patients on Monday, July 25, and treated six diarrhea patients on Tuesday, according to Dr. Tin Shun, the medical superintendent of the hospital. As he inspected preventative measures against cholera in Pyay's Na Win ward, which was hardest hit by the disease, the Pegu Division chief minister told reporters on Tuesday evening that the epidemic had been successfully dealt with. "According to the report from the Health Department, it can be said that the disease is under control. The disease did not spread and is affecting less and less people," said Win Thein. The chief minister also added that his divisional government is planning to establish a lab in Pyay town, to better protect against and test for such diseases in the future. "We have dispatched health staff to affected areas, and asked the Food and Drug Administration to test food and water sources there. But there is no lab here and we have to send the samples to the lab in Yangon. We have a plan to set up labs in western Pegu," he said. The post After One Casualty, Cholera 'Under Control' in Pyay appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

ALP Officer Arrested for Accusing Burma Army of War Crimes Posted: 27 Jul 2016 05:08 AM PDT More than 50 Sittwe residents wait outside the court in Sittwe on Wednesday, where ALP communications officer Khine Myo Htun is being tried under incitement charges. (Photo: Photo: Marayu/ Sittwe) RANGOON — The communications officer of the Arakan Liberation Party, Khine Myo Htun, was detained on Monday in Sittwe, the Arakan State capital, where he is facing incitement charges for accusing the Burma Army of committing war crimes in the state. According to local sources, he had received bail after initial charges were made, but had not shown for two consecutive court hearings, after which the judge ordered his arrest. During a court hearing on Wednesday, more than 50 Sittwe residents stood for several hours outside, reportedly eager to enquire about Khine Myo Htun's status. The Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)—whose armed wing, the Arakan Liberation Army, is estimated to have minimal fighting capacity—was among eight non-state ethnic armed groups that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the previous government in October last year. On April 24, Khine Myo Htun released a statement on behalf of the ALP that made multiple allegations against the Burma Army of committing war crimes and breaching the Geneva Convention by forcing local civilians to porter for their battalions, using them as human shields, and torturing them for information during campaigns against the Arakan Army (another ethnic Arakanese armed group) in Kyauktaw Township of Arakan State. Quickly after, the Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Col Htein Lin—a military appointee—summoned Khine Myo Htun and demanded "concrete evidence" for the accusations, threatening him with arrest if no proof was given. In early May, Khine Myo Htun delivered 15 audio and visual files to Col Htein Lin as evidence. However, the military responded by charging Khine Myo Htun under Article 505 of the Burmese penal code, which covers broad "incitement" provisions and carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. A central committee member of the Arakan National Party, Khin Pyay Soe, confirmed that Khine Myo Htun had been sued by the military but had since been released on bail. A junior officer of the ALP, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Khine Myo Htun was arrested on Monday because of the April statement and was escorted by police to the Sittwe courthouse on Wednesday morning. Nyo Aye, who sits on the board of directors for the Arakan Natural Resources and Environmental Network and has worked with Khine Myo Htun, told The Irrawaddy that they were preparing to meet with the security and border affairs minister to discuss Khine Myo Htun's case, and were making urgent moves to hire a lawyer. Nyo Aye explained that Khine Myo Htun had been absent from two previous court hearings, prompting his arrest on Monday, because he had been "away from Sittwe." The Irrawaddy phoned the ALP's joint general-secretary Khine Aung Soe Than but he could not be reached for comment because he was en route to attend the Mai Ja Yang summit of ethnic armed groups, hosted by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State. The post ALP Officer Arrested for Accusing Burma Army of War Crimes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Four Ethnic Armed Groups Absent From Mai Ja Yang Summit Posted: 27 Jul 2016 04:03 AM PDT Mai Ja Yang Summit in Kachin State. (Photo: Thaw Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy) MAI JA YANG, Kachin State — Four ethnic armed groups, including the United Wa State Army (UWSA)—the largest non-state armed group in Burma–were noticeably absent from an ongoing ethnic armed group summit in Kachin State's Mai Ja Yang. Leaders representing 17 ethnic armed groups gathered in Mai Ja Yang on Tuesday to seek common ground in working toward federalism. Among the other absentees were the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K). "Even before the Wa group received the [summit] invitation from us, they had set up a time and venue for talks with the government. They might have had difficulties choosing a delegation of leaders to attend the summit," said Khu Oo Reh, chairman of the summit organizing committee. Despite the fact that the UWSA did not attend the event, its ally—the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), better known as Mongla Group—joined the summit as an observer. Also, the Arakan Army (AA)—a TNLA and MNDAA ally—was present. "The TNLA and MNDAA wanted to attend but there were difficulties for the time being. Please forgive their absence. They will be present and cooperate in the next stages," said Khu Oo Reh, who is also secretary of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). The AA, TNLA and MNDAA are all members of the UNFC—a coalition of nine ethnic armed groups who opted out of signing a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the previous government in 2015. The UNFC has stuck to its all-inclusive policy regarding a ceasefire with the government, and opted out of signing the NCA because the former administration had not included the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA in the peace process. The TNLA stated that it chose not to attend the summit because of concerns that its presence might affect other ethnic armed groups, citing previous demands issued by the Burma Army for participation in peace process. The military demanded that the TNLA, MNDAA and AA disarm in order to join the process, said TNLA general secretary Tar Bone Kyaw. "We are ready to participate in the peace process if the National League for Democracy government and the Burma Army allow us to join like other ethnic [armed] groups in line with the ceasefire policy. But the Burma Army has insisted that we lay down our arms before joining the peace process," he told The Irrawaddy. Regarding the inclusion of the MNDAA and the TNLA in the peace process, Khu Oo Reh told reporters, "Our view is that we will continue discussions with the government. But, we think the concerned groups and the government should answer for themselves rather than us answering on their behalf." The NSCN-K is based on the India-Burma border and is an independent group with no alliance to other ethnic armed groups. The group has said that it will not attend the Union Peace Conference, which is scheduled for the end of August. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Four Ethnic Armed Groups Absent From Mai Ja Yang Summit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

All Remaining Jade Mining Licenses to Expire in 2018 Posted: 27 Jul 2016 02:48 AM PDT A vast wasteland of denuded hills and mountains has been created by jade mining around the once-verdant hinterland of Hpakant. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — The government has announced that all remaining jade mining licenses will expire in 2018, and licenses will only be considered for renewal after the completion of an environmental management plan for jade mining areas of Kachin State. With the government's decision not to renew jade mining licenses, 310 mining companies operating in Kachin State will have to stop by the end of the month, as listed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. However, the existing licenses of several hundred other companies remain valid until the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year, according to Myanmar Gems Enterprise director Min Thu. Seven hundred companies are currently operating in the jade mining areas of Hpakant, Lone Khin and Mohnyin in Kachin State. The National League for Democracy (NLD) government has also been restricting the import of machines and vehicles used for jade mining in Kachin State, after a reported upsurge in jade extraction, and the smuggling of machinery from China, prior to the formation of the NLD government at the end of March. "This is part of the new government's policy to protect the environment in the area," said Min Thu, who added, "I’m not worried about the jade market because we still have enough raw jade waiting to be sold." He said the government would still be able to hold its biannual Gems Emporium in Naypyidaw, with current raw jade stocks sufficing for at least the next three years. Mandalay Gems Traders Association secretary Aung Thein criticized the government's policy, saying they should take action against individuals who have broken the law and harmed the environment, rather than put licenses for all companies on hold. He added that the government "should listen to the voices" of those outside of companies who are illegally handpicking jade for their livelihoods in the Kachin State mines, who are "abused" by the companies and made vulnerable by reckless large-scale mining—including through the ever-present threat of landslides, which have killed hundreds. "The government should go and see what is happening there," he said. "We are appealing to the Lower House of Parliament on this issue." Aung Thein added that the jade market has suffered in recent months, due largely to a slowdown in demand from China, where most of Burma's jade is destined, alongside over-extraction. Prices have been falling and unsold raw jade has been piling up at the Chinese border at Muse in Shan State. The post All Remaining Jade Mining Licenses to Expire in 2018 appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Appoints New Permanent Representative to the UN Posted: 27 Jul 2016 01:27 AM PDT Htin Lynn speaks during the opening ceremony of the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, May 29, 2015. (Photo: Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters) RANGOON — Burma has appointed Htin Lynn as the permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, according to a statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday. Previously acting as a director-general of the ministry's international organizations and economic department and deputy permanent representative to the UN, he has served with the ministry for more than three decades, Aye Aye Soe, ministry spokesperson and member of the consular and legal affairs department, told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. In May of last year, he joined the Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean, in Bangkok, Thailand, as Burma's special representative. At the meeting, he rejected Burma being "singled out" by the UN when addressing the issue of thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants attempting to reach Malaysia and Indonesia by boat. Htin Lynn has been recognized as a staunch defender of the previous administration's stance on the Rohingya. According to a report issued by the state-run daily Global New Light of Myanmar last January, he said that Burma's 1982 Citizenship Law would decide their citizenship eligibility. He has denied accusations of discriminatory policies in the country toward the Rohingya, while recognizing that some ethnic groups were left behind due to geographical difficulties and poor infrastructural development. Recently, he represented Burma at the World Humanitarian Summit, which was held in Istanbul on March 24. The post Burma Appoints New Permanent Representative to the UN appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

You are subscribed to email updates from The Irrawaddy. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States