Monday, December 5, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Kofi Annan Reportedly ‘Unsettled’ By Lack of Arakanese Cooperation

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 08:31 AM PST

Attendees at a Naypyidaw meeting say the chairman is dissatisfied with the level of Arakanese collaboration with the Arakan State Advisory Commission

The post Kofi Annan Reportedly 'Unsettled' By Lack of Arakanese Cooperation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Refugee Returnees, Govt Reach Housing Agreement

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 06:55 AM PST

Four repatriated families will pay down payments of 1-4 million kyats for apartments in Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar Township. 

The post Refugee Returnees, Govt Reach Housing Agreement appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Special Branch Police Detain Ta’ang Civilians

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 05:24 AM PST

Civil society and legal representatives have reportedly been unable to meet four remaining detainees, who authorities allege have ties to the TNLA.

The post Special Branch Police Detain Ta'ang Civilians appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Police Publish Photos of Two Robbery Suspects

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 05:19 AM PST

Ko Shan, the owner of the money exchange shop, says he lost 'about 50 million kyats.'

The post Rangoon Police Publish Photos of Two Robbery Suspects appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Malaysia, Don’t Use Burma to Distract from Disquiet at Home

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 05:14 AM PST

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak is using Burma's Rohingya issue to deflect attention from a growing corruption scandal, argues Aung Zaw.

The post Malaysia, Don't Use Burma to Distract from Disquiet at Home appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Government Plans Monthly Meetings to Respond to Business Leaders

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 03:50 AM PST

'Government officials listened to our problems, and they said they would try to solve them.' says Dr. Maung Maung Lay.

The post Government Plans Monthly Meetings to Respond to Business Leaders appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lawmakers Call for Better Use of International Loans

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 03:44 AM PST

NLD lawmakers call for effective use of international loans that have been provided in support of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and democratic reform in Burma.

The post Lawmakers Call for Better Use of International Loans appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

History Behind Arakan State Conflict

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 03:30 AM PST

The Irrawaddy revisits this interview with Arakan history expert Dr. Jacques P Leider about the ongoing strife between ethnic groups in the region. 

The post History Behind Arakan State Conflict appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ethnic Armed Groups Withdraw from Mong Ko to Protect Civilians

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 12:32 AM PST

'We don't want any more of Mong Ko to be burned down.' says TNLA spokesman. 'So we made the decision not to control the town any longer.'

The post Ethnic Armed Groups Withdraw from Mong Ko to Protect Civilians appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Locals Protest Kofi Annan’s Maungdaw Visit

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:01 PM PST

Protests accusing 'interference' greet the commission's first trip to northern Arakan State.

The post Locals Protest Kofi Annan's Maungdaw Visit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma’s President’s Office Expresses Disappointment with Malaysian Leader

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 09:46 PM PST

'We are really disappointed by his actions. It seems like he was using religion as a stepping stone to garner popular support,' says U Zaw Htay.

The post Burma's President's Office Expresses Disappointment with Malaysian Leader appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Malaysian PM leads protest against ‘genocide’ in Arakan

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 08:49 PM PST

Malaysia has also summoned the Burma ambassador over the issue, and withdrew from two scheduled friendly football matches against Burma this month

The post Malaysian PM leads protest against ‘genocide’ in Arakan appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

An Engineer, a Doctor, or a Monk

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 08:14 PM PST

A reflection on the possibilities available to Burmese youth, and the future openings and lingering limits they represent.

The post An Engineer, a Doctor, or a Monk appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

IDP count rises to 600 in Namtu, Nawngcho townships

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 12:29 AM PST

About 600 civilians are now sheltering in Namtu and Nawngcho townships after Shan State clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army forced some among the group to abandon their homes late last week.

Duelling protests as tensions rise between Myanmar and Malaysia

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 12:29 AM PST

As Malaysia's prime minister followed through on a pledge to join a demonstration yesterday against treatment of Muslim Rohingya, Myanmar doubled down on its criticism of the "interference" while nationalists protested in Yangon.

Bank staffers accused of swindling K2 billion

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 12:25 AM PST

Yoma Bank's board of directors has dismissed two senior officers and is bringing legal action against the pair, alleging that they embezzled some K2 billion (US$1.53 million) from customers, according to a press conference held by the lender over the weekend.

‘Terrorist’ label for alliance voted down

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 12:23 AM PST

The National League for Democracy majority in parliament shot down an urgent proposal to classify the groups fighting in northern Shan State as "terrorist organisations". The proposal was submitted to the Pyithu Hluttaw by MP U Maung Thin (USDP; Meiktila).

China eyes high speed railway as part of One Belt, One Road strategy

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:48 PM PST

A superfast railway will connect Myanmar's cities, cutting the journey time from Muse, Shan State, to Yangon to one hour. That was the claim made by China's consul general in a recent meeting in Mandalay.

Minister suggests ‘sharing plan’ could help lift Myanmar from LDC status

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:44 PM PST

A Union minister has said he was misunderstood after his suggestion that the nation forgo tea drinking and contribute the pocket money to infrastructure development sparked controversy last week.

Mogok eyes Bernard Village as potential tourist destination

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:42 PM PST

Mandalay officials want to incorporate a 120-year-old former British base situated in the heart of ruby land into the Mogok municipal area. The move is anticipated to bolster tourism to Mandalay region's mountainous north-eastern frontier.

Refugees repatriated from Thailand counter offer on low-cost housing in Yangon

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:39 PM PST

Seventeen Myanmar refugees who have been left homeless since their recent repatriation from Thailand may soon be able to purchase low-cost housing thanks to an agreement negotiated by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the Yangon Region government.

Deputy minister promises changes to Myanmar’s National Education Law

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

The Ministry of Education has announced that steps are underway to reform the country's National Education Law in accordance with students' concerns. But the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), the umbrella organisation for all student unions in the country, says the committee tasked with revising the law has yet to directly contact unions or students for input.

Hot springs near Nay Pyi Taw reopen for high season visits

Posted: 04 Dec 2016 10:44 PM PST

In the latest bid to boost Nay Pyi Taw tourism, local hoteliers are promoting hot springs in the area.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Anti-Buddhist Media and Myanmar: Complex Regional and Historical Dynamics

Posted: 05 Dec 2016 04:10 AM PST

The mass media in both the West and Islamic world needs to find space in order to simplify hatred. It matters not if turning a blind eye to Sunni Takfiri massacres in Syria and the nations that are endorsing this, nor that in Myanmar's recent history more Christians than any other non-Buddhist faith group have been killed based on ethnic and religious tensions. Instead, the simple version – while negating the Christian angle – is that Muslims are killed and targeted by radical Buddhists.


Ironically, the latest chain of events began after Muslims killed nine police officers in Rakhine state. International Crisis Group reports, "The attacks were carried out by Muslims, according to both government statements and local sources. An unverified video of the attackers, filmed in the wake of the attacks, has been circulating on social networks and seems legitimate. In it, one of the group calls on "all Rohingya around the world to prepare for jihad and join them". This, the need for local knowledge to carry out the assaults, and the difficulty of moving large numbers of people around this area are all suggestive of local Muslim involvement – possibly organized with some outside support. However, many details of who exactly organized this and how remain unclear."

Myanmar is blighted by many internal rebellions and is struggling on the path to democracy. Indeed, while the mass media is focused on the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state, you have other continuing convulsions that are well outside Buddhist-Muslim issues. For example, Myanmar News reports,"About 3,000 Myanmar citizens fled across the border after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) staged a coordinated attack on military outposts, police stations, and a trade center in Muse and Kutkai townships. Ten people were killed and 33 others were injured during fighting on Nov. 20-22."

Free Burma Rangers equally highlights the recent conflict between central authorities and different ethnic groups – many who are mainly Christian. In this incidence, the Free Burma Rangers reports, "In the last month sporadic fighting in two separate incidents was reported in Central Shan State between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S). The clashes were deliberate actions by the Burma military and corresponded with the deployment and rotation of two separate Burma Army infantry battalions in the region. The attacks came within the first anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), which was signed October 15th, 2015… The attacks caused thousands of people in the region to flee, with rangers reporting over 2,000 people displaced and living in nearby IDP camps."

UCA News reported last month, "At least 30,000 people from different faiths and ethnic groups were estimated to have taken part in a demonstration in Myanmar's northern Kachin State on Oct. 22 where they demanded an end to military operations in the region… Protestors, including Catholic priests and nuns, held placards that read, "stop civil war" and "may there be peace in Myanmar" on the streets in Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin State."

UCA News continues, "The fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Myanmar military in Kachin and Shan states is considered the most severe of the country's four ongoing conflicts."

In other words, countless issues are underreported because it doesn't suit the simplistic anti-Buddhist agenda in relation to the Rohingya Muslim crisis. Myanmar is clearly faced with countless ethnic and religious issues – alongside the road to democracy, countering poverty, narcotics, and the legacy of history. Despite this, the media is fixated on a one-dimensional approach – just like the mass media response to the crisis in Syria based on utterly biased reporting.

In a regional context it is abundantly clear that certain Buddhist clerics are disillusioned and aghast at the cleansing of Buddhists in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, countless terrorist attacks by Islamists against Buddhists in Southern Thailand, the destruction of holy Buddhist places in Afghanistan by Sunni Takfiris, endless Han migration to Tibet in order to dilute the influence of Tibetan Buddhism, and other issues, for example Buddhism is illegal in nations like Saudi Arabia (the same Sunni Islamist nation is intent on spreading Salafi Islam into the heart of Buddhism). Therefore, from the point of view of Buddhist clerics in Myanmar who support the protection of Buddhism internationally, then regional and historical realities are being neglected by a simplified Western and Islamic media bias.

Internationally, Sunni Takfiri Islamists are killing various non-Muslim faith groups and minority Muslim sects, including the endless butchering of Shia Muslims in many nations. Similarly, while Hinduism is in free fall in Bangladesh and Pakistan, the opposite can't be stated for Islam in India. In other words, the endless one-way civilization war equally applies to the Indian subcontinent. Not surprisingly, and with Buddhists being cleansed in neighboring nations, then militancy within Buddhist circles in Myanmar is deemed to be self-defensive. After all, historically, Buddhists understand full well that Islamic invading armies destroyed countless numbers of holy Buddhist monasteries and places of learning over many centuries. Indeed, while Christian and Muslim slavery of black Africans is a historical reality, with Muslim slavery starting first on a major scale in Africa and ending last (still issues of slavery in Mauritania and in the recent history of Sudan), then the Buddhist view in certain circles in Myanmar is based on self-preservation, the need for an alternative voice to be heard, and to tackle mass distortions.

Media outlets that condemn Buddhists in Myanmar are neglecting the reality of what Sharia Islamic law means to faith groups including Buddhists and Hindus. Are these religious minorities equal in Islamic Sharia states? Can Buddhist males freely marry Muslim females in nations like Saudi Arabia? The answers are obvious because non-Abrahamic faiths have been treated brutally under Islamic Sharia law throughout history. Likewise, in modern day Saudi Arabia if a Buddhist male fell in love with a Muslim Saudi female then he would face prison – or death in accordance with the tenets of Islamic Sharia. Yet, you don't see major Western and Islamic media outlets stressing "Islamic fascism" and so forth but similar labels are aimed at Buddhist clerics in Myanmar.

Similarly, in Myanmar – and nobody is negating that massacres have taken place against Muslims in this nation – the simple reality is that more Christians belonging to various ethnic groups, for example, the Chin, Karen, and Kachin, have been killed than any other non-Buddhist faith group. Despite this, over the many decades you never had the same outpouring of "good" against "evil," or headlines stressing "Christian genocide" to anything like the degree of the Muslim focus in modern day Myanmar. In other words, an agenda by the Western and Islamic media is at hand whereby Sunni Takfiris will manipulate a biased media – just like the endless rhetoric against Syria – in order to propagate more Sunni Islamist militancy in nations like Bangladesh.

Massacres and intimidation have happened on both sides in Myanmar but like Kosovo, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, you have a favorable Western and Sunni Muslim media joint angle opposed to the brutal one-sided other. Similarly, the Christian angle of alienation and persecution in Myanmar is being reduced to a completely different way of reporting. Once more the mass media is stoking fires based on the usual one-sided agenda. Therefore, Sunni Islamists in Bangladesh who are killing secularists, writers, and persecuting religious minorities, will gain from one-sided distortions. The same equally applies to the Sunni Islamist Takfiri agenda including ISIS (Islamic State – IS), al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and a plethora of other sectarian and terrorist groups – and to certain nations including Saudi Arabia that bans all non-Muslim holy places throughout the entire nation.

Myanmar needs honest brokers to help this nation overcome decades of complex issues. Sabre rattling by the media and United Nations will only lead to further bloodshed because sooner or later international jihadists will enter the fray.

Michiyo Tanabe and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

http://www.myanmarnews.net/index.php/sid/249646815

https://crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/myanmar-border-attacks-fuel-tensions-rohingya-muslim-minority

http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2016/11/08/shan-state-update-the-national-ceasefire-accord-violated-as-clashes-between-burma-army-and-rcss-troops-echo-in-central-shan-state/

http://www.ucanews.com/news/protestors-plead-for-end-to-civil-war-in-myanmars-north/77446
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Saturday, December 3, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (November 3)

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 09:33 PM PST

Japan expands portion of Thilawa Zone, Filipino agribusiness looks to invest in Burma, Burma-Singapore ties to increase, and Bagan earthquake relief.

The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (November 3) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Female Artists’ Exhibition Opens in Rangoon

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 07:35 PM PST

More than 500 works of art by Burmese women will be on display in the Myanmar Ladies Art Exhibition at the Yangon Gallery.

The post Female Artists' Exhibition Opens in Rangoon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Dateline Irrawaddy: ‘If the Death Penalty is Introduced, Some Child Rape Cases Will Go Unreported’

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 06:32 PM PST

The Irrawaddy's Kyaw Kha discusses with rights advocates what actions should be taken in cases of child rape now in the spotlight in Burma.

The post Dateline Irrawaddy: 'If the Death Penalty is Introduced, Some Child Rape Cases Will Go Unreported' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

LABELING UNFC AND NA-B TERRORIST: Ethnic offensive blame game might lead to further conflict polarization

Posted: 03 Dec 2016 05:40 AM PST

The Burma Army or Tatmadaw hard-line stance vis a vis the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) has never been in doubt. But as the Defense Minister proposed that all the organizations that made up the Northern Alliance-Burma (NA-B) be determined as terrorist establishments and their leaders be considered officially terrorist, the Tatmadaw has gone an extra mile to heighten the conflict and buttress its all-out war of attrition, politically and militarily.

On 2 December, Defense Minister Lt‐Gen Sein Win proposed to the Lower House that the Parliament should consider labeling the NA-B that launched offensives in Shan State as a coalition of "terrorist organizations."

He said: "Because the offensives are causing senseless death and injuries to the innocent civilians, destroying non-military targets like buildings, motor vehicles and economy of the people, (I) proposed that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA) should be considered as terrorist organizations by the Parliament."

The Defense Minister further stressed and urged the Parliament that the help of NGOs and INGOs under the heading of humanitarian aids should also be curtailed.

Buttressing the Tatmadaw's hard-line stance, the military MP Col Than Aung said that tough actions should be taken against the main perpetrators including United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) chairman N'Ban La, KIA leader Gam Shawng, TNLA leader Tar Aik Bong, MNDAA leaders Peng Jiasheng and U Peng Daxun and the AA's commander Tun Myat Naing, in line with existing statutes,  according to the anti‐terrorism law.

However, the Tatmadaw's motion, including twelve lawmakers' debate were recorded without any decision made. Thus the debate over an urgent proposal by Dr. Maung Thin of Meiktila Constituency on NA-B's offensive issue, which was said to have caused death, injuries and displacement of civilians and affected national sovereignty, rule of law, stability and the country's peace process, was decided only to be recorded by 244 against 141 votes.

The NLD and ethnic parliamentary representatives were said to have discussed the issue and opted for speedy negotiation around the table.

UNFC response

Understandably, the UNFC has responded by saying that the Tatmadaw MP's  fervent insistence within the Parliament to label head of the UNFC N'Ban La, whose organization has constantly been in touch with the government regarding the ongoing peace negotiation, reflected the Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing's opinion on the UNFC, said Tun Zaw one of its spokesperson.

He further elaborated that the KIA, through the UNFC's good office, has time and again requested the Tatmadaw for talks to stop the offensives and deescalate the armed conflict, but were only met with a deafening silence.

He stressed that the UNFC is still for peaceful negotiation to end the conflict and it now depends solely upon the attitude of the government and the Tatmadaw, whether they would be ready to come around to the negotiation table.

Accordingly, there has been a widespread believe that the government is not in a position to say or discuss anything regarding the Tatmadaw's military undertakings.

Aung San Suu Kyi
During the State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's recent visit to Singapore, on 1 December, about 7,000 Burmese people attended the event at the Big Box Event Hall in Singapore's Jurong East neighborhood, where she touched on selected questions posed by the community.

From all the questions posed, two of them are quite relevant as it concerns the issues of rape and the impact of the NA-B offensives on the 21st Century Panglong Conference.

Regarding the series of high‐profile child rape cases over the past few months, "It is also a social issue," she said. "We have to analyze why there are so many rape cases against minors and what kind of weak points our society has."

"We need to analyze these cases from a social perspective, and then we will decide how we should resolve these cases in every possible way," she stressed.

But surprisingly enough she had not made any mentioning on the Tatmadaw's long employment of "rape as a weapon of war" against the ethnic population, which were so widespread and well documented, in connection with the rape issue discussed. The high profile rape case of the two Kachin teachers by the Burma Army troops, in northern Shan State in January last year, is still a fresh reminder for many of the ethnic women that still have to live with the constant fear and worry within the conflict zones.

Concerning the recent clashes in northern Shan State, which have pointed a spotlight on the importance of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, she said: "Some don't have the courage to achieve peace, when the mistrust [between communities] is bigger than the desire for peace."

However, Suu Kyi is quite vague in addressing the root cause of "mistrust" and what could be done to achieve "trust" that has been depleted. She clearly failed to mention the month-long Tatmadaw offensives in Kachin and Shan States that have contributed to the depletion of the little trust that the ethnic might have ever accumulated on the government.

Chinese mediation

Meanwhile, the Chinese planned mediation between representatives of the Northern Alliance and officials from Burma's National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) on 1 December in Kunming, China to discuss a possible end to the two-week-old conflict fell apart, as the opposing sides could not agree on the basic format of the meeting, according to ethnic armed group leaders.

According to Radio Free Aisa, one Northern Alliance negotiator, Col Tar Phone Kyaw of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said: "We, members of the NA-B all four, wanted to meet as one group together, but Dr. Tin Myo Win's group (NRPC) wants to meet separately; first with TNLA, later Kokang and AA only. As we can't agree, we're going back."

Remarkably, the NRPC made no mention of wanting to meet the KIA.
Frustrated, Col Tar Phone Kyaw said "Now let's go back to our territory and launch this war again,"   after the talks failed to materialize, reported The Irrawaddy.
On 29 November, Mr. Wang Wei, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office, met the Myanmar media delegation in Kunming World Trade Center was interviewed.

When asked what would be China's position on accusation that the Chinese government had provided help to the ethnic armed groups after some of their members entered China following the conflict that broke out,  replied: "If any injured people come into China, the Chinese authorities will provide medical treatment to them in the first place. At such a critical moment, we don't have any time to investigate the identity of the injured. But what I want to stress is the stance of the Chinese government, which is no action by anyone is acceptable to undermine the peace and stability in the border area, and no one is acceptable to rely on China to fight others.The Chinese government hopes that Myanmar would restore peace via political means. We think such information carried by foreign media is inaccurate. We hope that the Myanmar media may obtain detailed and accurate information via this field investigation."

The point to be noted here is that China is not going to take sides, but humanitarian aids would go on, where necessary.

Perspective

Looking at the recent development, the future outlook of the peace process looks dim. Suu Kyi is unable to rein in on the military to stop its offensives in Kachin and Shan States; the two-tier administration seems to become the order of the day, with the military making and implementing its own policy in ethnic areas, while the NLD rules over in areas where wars are absent; the polarization of positions between the Tatmadaw and the NA-B, which also indirectly involves the UNFC; and the Tatmadaw's commitment to carry on the war of attrition rather than a negotiated settlement.

Besides, the Tatmadaw's attitude on the ethnic population within the conflict zone is worrying, which is unreasonable  and outright inhumane, as curtailing humanitarian aids would mean starvation and slow death for the people caught in the war between two warring groups.

As such, pessimism has taken over the political landscape and in particular, the much promoted 21 Century Panglong Conference and peace process achievement are now really in doubt.

But there is still a glimmer of hope for not all has gone down the drain yet, when Home Minister General Kyaw Swe said that even though the four EAOs that formed the NA-B could now be announced as terrorist organizations,  in order not to affect the government's peace process, they were abstaining from doing it.

This considerate stance, in contrast to the Defense Minister urging to label the NA-B as terrorist groups, has at least leave the door of negotiation open for now.

But the immediate task of the warring parties has now being tested militarily in Mong Ko area, given the intense firefights with the NA-B trying to route out the Tatmadaw's hill top garrison to take control of the whole area and subsequent, while retaliation and bombarding of the Tatmadaw, using combat aircraft from above are said to be also hitting civilian targets, would be the defining moment, if the protracted war could be capped and negotiation would resume.


It is now up to the warring parties, if they wanted to be reasonable or whether to make or break the peace process. For neither Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also in no position to influence the Tatmadaw, nor the Chinese, who could only persuade the warring parties to be logical, could stop the ongoing armed conflict, as only the people involved in it would have to decide for themselves. One could only hope that rational sense would prevail and the war could be stopped, at least, for the benefit of the suffering people, if not for anybody.
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Friday, December 2, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Rangoon University Students’ Union Building to be Rebuilt Next Year

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 07:14 AM PST

'We have a plan to allocate a budget for the student union building in the next fiscal year,' the deputy education minister tells the Lower House.

The post Rangoon University Students' Union Building to be Rebuilt Next Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Army Proposes Branding of Northern Alliance as ‘Terrorist Organizations’

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 07:08 AM PST

The defense minister encourages Parliament to urge a halt to aid, relief, and medical treatment in areas controlled by the KIA, MNDAA, TNLA and AA.

The post Burma Army Proposes Branding of Northern Alliance as 'Terrorist Organizations' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor Discusses Peace Process, Corruption, and Sexual Assault Cases in Singapore

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 05:00 AM PST

'Some don't have the courage to achieve peace, when mistrust [between communities] is bigger than the desire for peace,' says Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The post State Counselor Discusses Peace Process, Corruption, and Sexual Assault Cases in Singapore appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State-Level Arakan Investigation Commission Formed

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 04:52 AM PST

A commission to investigate attacks in Arakan State is formed, nearly two months after clashes broke out between government troops and militants.

The post State-Level Arakan Investigation Commission Formed appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakanese Civil Society Groups Refuse to Meet Kofi Annan-Led Commission

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 04:38 AM PST

As the delegation begins a second regional visit, local organizations say they will not meet them unless they refrain from using the term 'Rohingya.'

The post Arakanese Civil Society Groups Refuse to Meet Kofi Annan-Led Commission appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

A Lesson from Singapore

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 03:32 AM PST

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's remarks about her country overtaking Singapore economically in the next 20 years draw laughter and criticism.

The post A Lesson from Singapore appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Shan State Peace Talks Fall Apart

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 01:05 AM PST

'Now let's go back to our territory and launch this war again,' says TNLA Col Tar Phone Kyaw, as talks fail to materialize.

The post Shan State Peace Talks Fall Apart appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Crown Prince Formally Becomes Thailand’s New King

Posted: 01 Dec 2016 08:37 PM PST

Thailand has a new king, with the country's crown prince formally taking the throne to succeed his much-revered late father, who reigned for 70 years.

The post Crown Prince Formally Becomes Thailand's New King appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Young Gay Men at the Frontline of AIDS Prevention in China

Posted: 01 Dec 2016 08:29 PM PST

Young gay men are at the frontline of AIDS prevention in China, with new cases occurring at one of the fastest rates of any segment of the population.

The post Young Gay Men at the Frontline of AIDS Prevention in China appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Free Speech Must be Defended

Posted: 01 Dec 2016 06:19 PM PST

The 250th anniversary of the Freedom of the Press Act in Sweden reminds the Swedish Ambassador to Burma of the long road to promote free expression.

The post Free Speech Must be Defended appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Thousands of pregnant women left without healthcare in Rakhine

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 03:56 AM PST

An estimated 7600 pregnant women have been left without access to basic or primary healthcare services for almost two months in the northern Rakhine townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung since the outbreak of violent conflict in early October.

Interview: ‘Social inequality is big in Ayeyarwady Region’: minister

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 01:03 AM PST

U BA Hein, 72, is the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources for Ayeyarwady Region. He joined the National League for Democracy (NLD) as an agricultural advisor after retiring from his position as deputy manager at the Agricultural and Irrigation Department of Yangon Region after 28 years of service.

Minimum wage law still not cutting it for garment workers: report

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:47 AM PST

A New report on the state of the garment industry from Progressive Voice found that last year's minimum wage law is causing negative workplace impacts for a majority of labourers and, for many, is still not resulting in a living wage.

Ahead of national-level talks, Karen armed groups to meet

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:31 AM PST

Three Karen armed groups that are signatories to the nationwide ceasefire agreement will hold upcoming national-level political dialogues jointly. The groups will begin a three-day meeting today to prepare for the talks, which they are anticipating will commence later this month.

Tea touted as solution to budgetary woes

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:29 AM PST

As the government has found itself without enough cash to complete development projects scheduled in the current fiscal year, one cabinet member has aired an unusual proposal for financing the shortfall: tea money.

Myanmar tells Malaysia not to interfere in internal issues

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:26 AM PST

Myanmar has warned its ASEAN counterpart Malaysia to respect the principle of non-interference after the leader of the Muslim-majority nation reportedly agreed to attend a protest condemning the ongoing military operations in Rakhine State.

Adolescents with HIV struggle with drug regimens, stigma

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:24 AM PST

Young people with HIV are facing unique challenges, according to a recent report from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Myanmar released ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1.

Government increases visa fees starting this month

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:19 AM PST

Visa prices have increased, in some cases by 100 percent, as of December 1, the immigration ministry announced. Permanent secretary U Myint Kyaing said Myanmar embassies overseas have already been notified of the tariff changes.

Government opens hotline to fight child sex abuse

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:14 AM PST

In response to increasing levels of reported sexual abuse and violence against children, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has announced the opening of a special government hotline dedicated to these crimes.

Scaling up the charm offensive, China extends invitation to ANP

Posted: 02 Dec 2016 12:12 AM PST

China is continuing the outreach program it launched after last year's election by inviting the Arakan National Party to send a delegation, the party has announced. Five members set off for China on November 28 for a 10-day visit, said party secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw. State hluttaw MP U Kyaw Zaw Oo (Independent; Sittwe 2), the party's former secretary, and Amyotha Hluttaw MP U Kyaw Than (ANP; Rakhine 10) are also taking part.
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