Friday, December 16, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Select Journalists to be Granted Access to Maungdaw—Accompanied by Govt Officials

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 07:36 AM PST

Thirteen reporters from local and intl media outlets will be invited by the Ministry of Information on a trip to Arakan State's conflict zone.

The post Select Journalists to be Granted Access to Maungdaw—Accompanied by Govt Officials appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Man Files Defamation Case After Activists Accuse Him of Land Grabbing

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 04:54 AM PST

A Mon State man accused of land grabbing in a 2015 report has filed a defamation case against members of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society.

The post Man Files Defamation Case After Activists Accuse Him of Land Grabbing appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Members of Parliament to Study Chinese Language

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 04:10 AM PST

'It is not a bad idea to learn Chinese since China is our neighbor and also a superpower,' says Dr. Kyaw Than Tun.

The post Members of Parliament to Study Chinese Language appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KBZ Bank, Army-Owned Companies are Tops on Highest Taxpayer List

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 03:25 AM PST

KBZ Bank pays at least 20 billion kyats (US$14.7 million) in income tax, while Denko Trading tops list of commercial taxpayers.

The post KBZ Bank, Army-Owned Companies are Tops on Highest Taxpayer List appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Israel Urged to Suspend Military Shipment to Burma

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 01:11 AM PST

Activists urge the Israeli defense ministry to cancel a military shipment ordered by the Burma Army, citing continued human rights abuses.

The post Israel Urged to Suspend Military Shipment to Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

US Special Ambassador on Human Trafficking Visits Burma

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:21 PM PST

Susan Coppedge meets officials and discusses challenges after Burma slipped in the global anti-trafficking ranking.

The post US Special Ambassador on Human Trafficking Visits Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Telenor CEO Looks Ahead to Company’s Burma Business Strategy

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 09:08 PM PST

The Irrawaddy speaks with Telenor's Burma CEO to gain some insight into the industry's current state and Telenor's plans for next year.

The post Telenor CEO Looks Ahead to Company's Burma Business Strategy appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
Posted by at No comments:

National News

National News

Insein Prison doctor a no-show at Eleven Media trial hearing

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 12:45 AM PST

Despite being summoned by the Tarmwe Township Court, the doctor from Insein Prison's hospital has failed to appear at the latest hearing in the trial of the CEO and editor-in-chief of Eleven Media Group, who are facing defamation charges brought by the Yangon Region government under the controversial section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.

Commission probing Rakhine says ‘rule of law’ being observed

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:29 PM PST

Myanmar's military clearance operations in northern Rakhine State are being carried out "lawfully", the investigation commission led by Vice President Myint Swe concluded after wrapping up a three-day field visit to Maundgaw. The announcement comes as Human Rights Watch released a report accusing the military of complicity in the burning of villages, an accusation the commission denies.

When selling is more lucrative than protecting: Myanma Timber Enterprise and the deforestation crisis

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:18 PM PST

For years, Myanmar's state-owned timber giant has been subject to accusations of corruption and shadowy closed-door dealings. Environmental advocacy groups have long blamed Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) for operating its industry monopoly without transparency. On November 15, their allegations appeared to gain newfound teeth, substantiated by a landmark overseas lawsuit that has established a new industry precedent.

Facing the challenges of ensuring digital rights

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:08 PM PST

Digital rights are human rights, participants in a nationwide forum were told this week. The Myanmar Digital Rights Forum discussed the issues raised by the increasing access, in recent years, of large numbers of Myanmar citizens to the internet, social media and mobile phones.

CSOs call for greater transparency in Tanintharyi developments

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:04 PM PST

A Coalition of local residents has criticised two Myanmar companies and a Chinese firm for announcing plans for a number of development projects in Tanintharyi Region. In a statement issued on December 14, the residents also attacked the local ethnic armed group, the Karen National Union, for its apparent participation in the projects.

Eleven abducted Shan villagers released

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:01 PM PST

Eleven of 12 villagers detained in Namtu township, northern Shan State, by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were released this week, according to a local organisation that claims to have helped negotiate their rescue.

Child workers, labour rights violations alleged at brickyard

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:59 PM PST

The Ministry of Labour is planning to press charges against the owners of a Mon State brickyard, following an investigation into allegations of child labour and the subsequent rescue of 13 workers.

States, regions anxiously await budget allocations

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:57 PM PST

As the nation's 14 states and regions scramble to submit their budgets to the Union government for approval, the two poorest parts of the country are especially anxious to know how much they will be granted.

Economic growth could see LDC list removal by 2025: report

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:53 PM PST

Myanmar could shake its Least Developed Countries status by 2025, a report from United Nations' Conference on Trade and Development has predicted.

End in sight for Panda textile factory protesters

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:50 PM PST

After more than six months of protracted industrial action, striking workers at Mandalay's Panda Textile Factory are set to return to work after an agreement was reached this week with their employer.
Posted by at No comments:

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Villagers flee homes to avoid TNLA recruitment drive

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:52 PM PST

Hundreds of civilians in northern Shan State's Kyaukme Township have reportedly fled their homes as Ta'ang rebels step up a program of forced recruitment in the area.

Photo SHAN- Women and children pictured at Marnsu monastery in Lashio Township on December 10 due to clashes between TNLA and Burma Army.

Sai Tun Ngan, a Kyaukme MP from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), told Shan Herald that villagers from Pang Kwan had been evacuating their homes since December 11, a day after 24 men from the village had been arrested and detained by the by Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

"People are afraid because the TNLA is conscripting new soldiers," he said. "Many from Pang Kwan have left to stay with relatives in other villages, while about 150 have sought shelter at a temple in Kyaukme town."

The SNLD MP added: "They are still too afraid to return home."

Situated in Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State, Pang Kwan has a population of over 600, living in some 170 households.

Col. Tar Phong Kyaw, a TNLA spokesperson, told The Irrawaddy news agency this week that his group has launched a new policy of recruiting soldiers into its ranks.

"We have a new military recruitment policy for our party," he said. "However, we only recruit soldiers from amongst our Ta'ang [Palaung] people. We do not recruit from the ethnic Shan villages."

Shan Heraldreported on December 1 that some 200 villagers from Mantong and Mong Maw in Kyaukme Township had fled their homes due to hostilities between the TNLA and Burmese government forces.

The TNLA is a member of the newly formed Northern Alliance, alongside the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The coalition conducted synchronized offensives against Burmese military positions around the Chinese border in northern Shan State on November 20, and clashes between the sides have since intensified.


Thousands of people have been displaced in the region due to the recent conflict. It is estimated that more than 4,000 are still unable to return to their villages. 

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, December 15, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Pilot Project Introduces Digital ID Cards

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 08:00 AM PST

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

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

Burma’s Parliament Ratifies Asean Anti-Trafficking Convention

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 06:14 AM PST

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

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

Militancy in Arakan State

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 05:33 AM PST

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

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

Two Killed in Mine Blast in Northern Shan State

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 05:26 AM PST

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

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

Rape and Murder of 5-Year-Old Stirs Outrage

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 04:08 AM PST

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

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

Report: Burma Army Postponed Meetings with Counterparts in Bangladesh

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 04:02 AM PST

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

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

Rebels Kill Two Indian Policemen near Border with Burma

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 02:58 AM PST

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

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

Arakan Attacks Linked to Group in Saudi Arabia

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 01:01 AM PST

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

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

China Military Tells Burma to Ensure Border Stability

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:33 AM PST

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

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

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

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 06:27 PM PST

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

The post Leon de Riedmatten: 'You Cannot Talk About Nationwide Ceasefire if You Don't Include Everyone' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
Posted by at No comments:

National News

National News

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

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:11 AM PST

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

Chin State civilians flee Arakan Army, Tatmadaw fighting

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 12:09 AM PST

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

Defence takes biggest slice of greenlit supplementary budget

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:45 PM PST

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

Hate speech law in the 2017 pipeline

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:40 PM PST

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

Workers pre-approved for jobs in Malaysia permitted despite ban

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:38 PM PST

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

Deputy minister notes ‘worrisome’ rise in child rape cases

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

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

Locals concerned over water safety after tailings dump

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

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

MP banned for crimes against hluttaw fashion

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

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

CSOs say no to big coal and hydropower projects

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:35 PM PST

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

Lending leader calls for arming bank security guards

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 11:34 PM PST

A banking magnate has called for arming bank security guards in order to increase protection of the nation's financial institutions.
Posted by at No comments:

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Mongpan villager collapses, dies after land seizure dispute

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 01:20 AM PST

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Govt Investigation Committee Concludes Maungdaw Trip

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 07:58 AM PST

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

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

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

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 05:50 AM PST

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

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

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

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 04:18 AM PST

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

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

Environmental Advocates Push for More Renewable Energy in Burma

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 04:12 AM PST

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

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

Government Sets Spending Priorities for Foreign Aid Money

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 03:53 AM PST

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

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

KNU Criticized for Lack of Transparency in Development Projects

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 03:06 AM PST

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

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

Defense Ministry Gets Lion’s Share of Supplementary Budget

Posted: 14 Dec 2016 02:58 AM PST

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

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

Women Migrant Numbers High in Thai Construction 

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:22 PM PST

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

The post Women Migrant Numbers High in Thai Construction  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
Posted by at No comments:

National News

National News

Parliamentary commission calls for new water law

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:45 PM PST

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

Nearly half of Mong Koe residents return: Defence Ministry

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:44 PM PST

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

Monywa-based Eleven Media reporter found beaten to death

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:40 PM PST

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

YCDC checks uncover formalin at street food stalls in Yangon

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:39 PM PST

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

Yangon Region to get second special economic zone

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:27 PM PST

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

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

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:24 PM PST

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

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

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:21 PM PST

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

Myanmar calls on Thailand to stop harassment of migrants

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 11:14 PM PST

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

Illegal stone mining puts riverbank at risk of collapse: residents

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:59 PM PST

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

Labour Exchange Offices opened

Posted: 13 Dec 2016 10:43 PM PST

Would-be migrant workers can now access information about overseas opportunities and the kinds of jobs available from labour centres newly opened throughout the country, Upper House MPs have heard. Deputy foreign minister U Kyaw Tint told Amyotha Hluttaw on December 12 that 78 labour exchange offices have opened.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)