Friday, February 24, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Former Student Activist Calls Out State Media for Use of Demeaning Name

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 08:15 AM PST

U Hla Shwe, a 1960s student activist, claims a state-run newspaper failed to explain the use of the term 'kjat,' slang for 'chicken,' to describe him.

The post Former Student Activist Calls Out State Media for Use of Demeaning Name appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thilawa SEZ Commences Second Phase of Project

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 06:46 AM PST

Rangoon's Thilawa Special Economic Zone management committee says they expect to complete Zone B in mid-2018.

The post Thilawa SEZ Commences Second Phase of Project appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Jails Maungdaw Border Guard Police for Negligence

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 06:35 AM PST

A police court sentences border guard police colonels to one to three years in prison.

The post Govt Jails Maungdaw Border Guard Police for Negligence appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

New Report Outlines Potential Framework for Resource Revenue Sharing

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 06:27 AM PST

Research by the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center describes how natural resource revenue could be shared between Burma's central and state govts.

The post New Report Outlines Potential Framework for Resource Revenue Sharing appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

USDP Urges Fixes to the Rangoon Bus Network

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 06:09 AM PST

'Now that the new system is underway, we will suggest ways to make it more efficient for commuters,' says USDP spokesperson Dr. Nanda Hla Myint.

The post USDP Urges Fixes to the Rangoon Bus Network appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Yangon Art Heritage Festival Kicks Off

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 05:45 AM PST

Two-week art festival brings public art installations to Burma's commercial hub with the theme 'Memories, Objects and Spaces.'

The post Yangon Art Heritage Festival Kicks Off appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Joint Coordinating Body Approves Peace Process Budget Proposals

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 04:53 AM PST

The JCB for peace process funding, chaired by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, approves budget proposals of the peace process implementing bodies.

The post Joint Coordinating Body Approves Peace Process Budget Proposals appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Police Seize 450 Kilos of Cocaine From Shipping Containers

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 03:17 AM PST

The cocaine, which arrives in Burma in sugar containers, would be valued around 21 billion kyats (US$15.3 million) at market prices.

The post Police Seize 450 Kilos of Cocaine From Shipping Containers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt Announces Plan to Protect Burma’s Oceans

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 02:12 AM PST

The ocean space management plan aims to maintain livelihoods that rely on the sea and protect Burma's dolphins, sea turtles, and other species.

The post Govt Announces Plan to Protect Burma's Oceans appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UWSP Criticizes the Government Peace Process at Ethnic Summit

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:24 PM PST

Delegates to the Panghsang summit call government peace efforts 'confusing and unproductive,' and say Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not really in charge.

The post UWSP Criticizes the Government Peace Process at Ethnic Summit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma’s National Education Plan Focuses on Lifelong Learning

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 10:45 PM PST

Burma officially launches a national education plan that sets strategic directions for educational reform over the next five years.

The post Burma's National Education Plan Focuses on Lifelong Learning appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

U Wirathu Leads Protest in Solidarity with Dhammakaya Temple

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 08:40 PM PST

'We condemn the government of Thailand for this ugly action against Buddhism,' says Ma Ba Tha leader

The post U Wirathu Leads Protest in Solidarity with Dhammakaya Temple appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Water experts: Myanmar needs to prepare for climate change

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:59 PM PST

With the threat of climate change and population growth, Myanmar – a nation rich in water resources – has to put in place proper measures to ensure water security for the future, experts said.

Government to clamp down on sale of fake cooking oils

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:51 PM PST

The government will take legal action against those found to be selling fake cooking oils from March, said U Kyaw Win, Union Minister for Planning and Finance.

K9.1b new housing units for health staff

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:45 PM PST

To address the shortage of housing for Ministry of Health staff in the states and regions, over 5000 new houses at a cost of K9.1 billion will be built under the 2017-18 budget, its Minister Dr Myint Htwe said at the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw yesterday.

Activist faces suit over FB comment

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:39 PM PST

An activist from Mandalay, Daw Amar Ni, is facing a defamation suit after she posted remarks on Facebook against the National League for Democracy's (NLD) Mandalay district vice-chair U Ko Ko Lay.

President accepts Mon Chief Minister’s resignation

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:37 PM PST

President U Htin Kyaw has accepted the resignation of U Min Min Oo as Mon Chief Minister.

Myanmar workers in Thailand go on strike for labour rights

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:29 PM PST

A total of 300 Myanmar migrants working at INDEX, a motorcycle helmet factory in Bangkok, went on strike to demand better working conditions and rights, said Thai-based migrants rights organisation Aid Alliance Committee (AAC) yesterday.

CSO peace forum begins today

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 11:23 PM PST

The civil society organisations peace forum should last as long as the peace process in Myanmar, said a member of the forum's steering committee.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan National Conference blocked by Tatmadaw

Posted: 24 Feb 2017 07:29 AM PST

Burma's military has intervened in plans for Shan National Conference (SNC), insisting that state capital Taunggyi cannot be used as a venue for the forum and instead directing organizers to smaller townships.


According to Col. Sai La, an official with the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), which is hosting the event, his group met with Tatmadaw [Burmese military] representatives at talks mediated by the government-led Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) on February 15. He said that the Tatmadaw offered only a restricted shortlist of options for holding the SNC, which is the last forum where ethnic Shans may gather to express opinions and make decisions ahead of the national peace talks known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference (21CPC, which is slated to be held in mid-March.

"The Tatmadaw said we could hold the conference in Mongpan, Mongtaw or Nam Pan Kun townships," he told Shan Herald on Friday.

The three towns are each underdeveloped and inconvenient in terms of travel, accommodation and hospitality, he said.

"We requested permission to hold the SNC in Taunggyi," said Sai La. "They responded by saying that only the Tatmadaw could stage official meetings in the state capital. Other than the three towns put to us, they would not budge in discussing the matter further."

The RCSS spokesman said that, the following day, the Shan armed group sent a letter to Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo, a Tatmadaw representative at the UPDJC. However, he replied saying that he could not interfere in what the military had ordered.

Sai La said he then wrote to State Counselor and head of the UPDJC Aung San Suu Kyi on February 19. Her office responded the next day, advising the RCSS to take up the matter again with the relevant military officials. Suu Kyi's office further said that it could not intervene in the situation.

"Again, this time on February 23, we sent another letter to Aung San Suu Kyi in her capacity as both State Counselor and chairperson of the UPDJC," Sai La said. "We told her it would be impossible to host the SNC in those towns because they were not equipped to accommodate at least 400 or 500 persons.

"We again requested permission to hold the event in either Taunggyi or Panglong Township."

He said that if they could not successfully hold a Shan national conference how could the people's voice be presented at the second round of the 21CPC in a few weeks' time.

"This national conference is not only for us [RCSS/SSA]," Sai La added. "It is for all Shan people. We will have to listen to their voices to reach a consensus."

He reiterated: "Taunggyi is the state capital, and Panglong is a historical city. They should allow us to hold it in either of those places."


The RCSS/SSA was one of eight ethnic armies that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the President Thein Sein government in October 2015.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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Thursday, February 23, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

President Accepts Resignation of Mon State Chief Minister

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 07:03 AM PST

U Htin Kyaw allows U Min Min Oo to resign from his positions as chief minister and state minister for municipal development and construction.

The post President Accepts Resignation of Mon State Chief Minister appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Complaints Filed Against Nearly 150 NLD Lawmakers in Parliament’s First Year

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 06:31 AM PST

Most of the current complaints are reportedly related to the management of 100 million kyat regional development funds.

The post Complaints Filed Against Nearly 150 NLD Lawmakers in Parliament's First Year appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakanese Politicians Threaten to Boycott Panglong Peace Conference

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 06:19 AM PST

'Arakan State is still not permitted to hold the national-level dialogue, and the government has given no concrete reason why,' says ANP official.

The post Arakanese Politicians Threaten to Boycott Panglong Peace Conference appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pa-O Political Dialogue Calls for a Secular State

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 04:04 AM PST

The Pa-O ethnic people decide during their political dialogue to present the idea of a secular state at the upcoming 21st Century Panglong conference.

The post Pa-O Political Dialogue Calls for a Secular State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Locals Say Armed Groups ‘Disappear’ Civilians Caught in Northern Shan Conflict

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 02:52 AM PST

In November, the TNLA detained 11 ethnic Shan civilians, and the RCSS arrested 11 Palaung people, local leaders told The Irrawaddy.

The post Locals Say Armed Groups 'Disappear' Civilians Caught in Northern Shan Conflict appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

St. Joseph Cotto Legnos Leprosy Colony in Southern Shan State

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 01:17 AM PST

The shelter's residents tend to farmland and rear livestock, but their produce is shunned at local markets due to stigma around the disease.

The post St. Joseph Cotto Legnos Leprosy Colony in Southern Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

State Counselor to Attend U Ko Ni Memorial Service

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:59 PM PST

National League for Democracy sources say Daw Aung San Suu Kyi feels remiss over silence following renowned legal advisor's assassination.

The post State Counselor to Attend U Ko Ni Memorial Service appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Fundraiser for children with leukemia

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:43 PM PST

As the number of children with leukemia increases, the Myat Parami non-profit organisation, hospital staff and private donors have joined hands to set up a fundraising committee to help the young patients.

Breweries shut down for flouting guidelines

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:37 PM PST

Two breweries in the Mandalay industrial zone were temporarily shut down after they were found to have exceeded the specified wastewater disposal rate, said U Thant Zin Tun, assistant director of the Mandalay regional environmental conservation department.

Skilled labour shortage still a problem

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:35 PM PST

As Myanmar attracts more investments, the country is struggling to provide skilled labour for the construction, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Minimum wage committee reformed

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:31 PM PST

Myanmar has formed a national committee on minimum wage again, to improve wages in the country.

No plans to suspend Criminal Act 144 in Minbu oil refineries

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:27 PM PST

The imposition of Criminal Act 144 in Minbu district, Minbu township Mann oil refinery and oil refineries from Tauksharpin-Kanniyay, Magwe Region will not be suspended pending the enactment of other laws to safeguard the areas, said Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Major General Aung Soe.

By-election campaigns launched in Monywa

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:24 PM PST

The race for the Monywa seat in Sagaing Region is on as candidates from various parties launch their by-election campaigns.

Hluttaw to discuss proposal to reassess projects

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:20 PM PST

An MP from Paung township in Mon State has proposed a review on all long-term projects approved by the government but opposed by the public.

Rights group to check detention cells

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:14 PM PST

The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) will conduct checks on the detention cells of police stations, the courts and hospitals in the Yangon Region to determine if they comply with international human rights standards, said U Yu Lwin Aung, the organisation's commissioner.

Representation key to effective dialogue in Rakhine

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:12 PM PST

The participation of all organisations, including insurgent groups, at the Rakhine national level political dialogue will be beneficial to the welfare of Rakhine State, said Arakan National Party general secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw.

Committee to be formed to rebuild student union building

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 11:10 PM PST

A committee will be officially set up at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) to oversee the rebuilding of the student union building.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Kutkai men arrested on suspicion of links to rebels

Posted: 23 Feb 2017 05:59 AM PST

Two men in northern Shan State's Kutkai Township have reportedly been arrested by the Burmese military on suspicion of association with a rebel armed group.


 According to Sai Jing Lu, an MP from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) representing Hsenwi Township Constituency No.2, the two villagers, Sai Aung Ba, 32, and Sai Kang, 22, were arrested in Karleng tract in Kutkai Township on February 3 by Burmese soldiers from Light Infantry Division 99 based in Kutkai.

"The Burmese troops arrested them because they suspected they were linked to the SSPP [Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army], he said. "The Tatmadaw [Burmese army] said that if they could prove they were not associated with the SSPP they would release them."

These two men are residents of That Fah village in Kengmon tract in Kutkai Township, Shan State Assembly lawmaker Sai Jing Lu explained. "On the day of their arrest, they were returning home from selling their buffalos in Kutkai," he said. "Their car broke down in Karleng, so they went into the town to borrow a friend's motorbike to buy the equipment to fix their car. After buying the equipment they were driving back to the car on the motorbike when they were stopped by Burmese soldiers from Division 99. They were questioned but they don't speak any Burmese. The soldiers then arrested them."

The SNLD MP said he received a report of their arrest on February 15. He then contacted the Kutkai Township's governor, Kyaw Winn.

On February 17, the parents of both men requested a meeting with their sons, he said, and were able to see them that afternoon. Meanwhile, Sai Jing Lu said, he contacted local authorities in Kutkai and asked them to process the case.  

He said the men were told they would be released if they had nothing to do with the Shan rebels. However, at the time of press the pair was still in detention.

Clashes have been reported regularly between the Tatmadaw and SSPP/SSA, which is a member of the ethnic bloc United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC). The SSPPSSA declined to sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government in October 2015. However, it did sign state-level and union-level ceasefire accords with the then Thein Sein government. On January 25, Shan Herald reported that clashes broke out between two groups in southern Shan State's Mong Hsu Township.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Meeting Minutes Reveal Insights Into Chinese Approach to Burma’s Peace Process

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 06:48 AM PST

China will not 'sit as a judge' regarding armed conflicts between the Burma Army and ethnic armed groups, Sun Guoxiang has said.

The post Meeting Minutes Reveal Insights Into Chinese Approach to Burma's Peace Process appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Lower House Agrees to Discuss Review of Controversial Development Projects

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 05:01 AM PST

Mi Kon Chan, a National League for Democracy lawmaker from Mon State, submitted the proposal urging the Union government to review the projects.

The post Lower House Agrees to Discuss Review of Controversial Development Projects appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pa-O Delegates Walk Out of Civil Society Forum

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 04:54 AM PST

Ethnic Pa-O participants complain of discrimination while leaving the Taunggyi CSO forum, but organizers blame the walkout on 'a misunderstanding.'

The post Pa-O Delegates Walk Out of Civil Society Forum appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Local Protesters Block Road to Letpadaung Copper Mine

Posted: 22 Feb 2017 04:31 AM PST

Sagaing Division chief minister is likely to visit the controversial Letpadaung copper mine as local farmers prevent copper from leaving the compound.

The post Local Protesters Block Road to Letpadaung Copper Mine appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Two Invited Ethnic Parties Do Not Join Panghsang Summit

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 10:57 PM PST

The Karenni National Progressive Party and the New Mon State Party will not join the third summit of ethnic armed organizations.

The post Two Invited Ethnic Parties Do Not Join Panghsang Summit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Burma Probing Police ‘Cover-up’ of Prisoner Deaths in Arakan State

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 10:45 PM PST

Authorities confirm an investigation into the deaths of two prisoners in police custody, and say it is not the only such case being looked into.

The post Burma Probing Police 'Cover-up' of Prisoner Deaths in Arakan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Heal: Do Not Wound

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 10:02 PM PST

'Let us continue the pilgrimage to peace—not return to war.' His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo makes a plea for peace and an end to conflict in Myanmar.

The post Heal: Do Not Wound appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Fence up vacant plots: MCDC

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:53 PM PST

The Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) has reminded landowners to fence up their vacant plots or apply for construction permits, or risk losing their lands.

Sein Talone mangoes going places

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:48 PM PST

Efforts are in the pipeline to export the Sein Talone mangoes (one common mango variety in Myanmar) to the international market, the Mandalay Region Mango Group chair Daw Than Than Swe announced on February 19.

Ayeyarwady in danger of losing its birds

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:43 PM PST

The population of various species of water birds, between Myitkyina (Kachin State)  and Sinbo (Mandalay Region) along the Ayeyarwady River, has dwindled by at least half in the past 14 years due to habitat loss, gold panning and poaching, a survey has showed.

Two model wards for garbage disposal selected

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:41 PM PST

Mandalay Region's Ministry of City Development will select two model wards from the cities of Nyaung-U and Meiktila where residents will be guided on the proper methods of disposing trash, said its director U Min Aung Myint Soe on February 20.

Mrauk-U hoteliers want directive scrapped

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:36 PM PST

Hoteliers in Mrauk U – an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State – want a government directive, prohibiting hotels from accepting tourists without official permission, scrapped.

Reserved fire fighters to support government fire brigade

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:27 PM PST

MoreE than 17,000 members of a reserved fire brigade under Myanmar's Ministry of Home Affairs Fire Services Department have been deployed to put out fires at factories and markets, said Deputy Minister Maj-Gen Aung Soe on February 21.

Myanmar to issue pink card holders passports, identity cards

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:22 PM PST

Myanmar will issue passports and certificate of identity (CI) cards to all its citizens who hold the pink card issued by the Thai government, according to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population.

First China-Myanmar tourism forum next week

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:18 PM PST

Myanmar, which is seeing a drop in tourist numbers, is having its first tourism forum with China next week.

69th Chin National Day celebrations

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:10 PM PST

President U Htin Kyaw and First Lady Daw Su Su Lwin attended the 69th Chin National Day celebrations in Falam on February 19. In his address, the President remarked about the improvements made in Chin State. He urged all ethnic national races and citizens residing in the state to join together and work for the success and fulfillment of the Union goals.

Low voter interest in 2017 by-election

Posted: 21 Feb 2017 11:01 PM PST

Electoral watchdogs have said that voters are showing a lack of interest in the coming April 1 by-election.
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