The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• This Week in Parliament
• Irrawaddy Business Roundup
• What’s Stopping Myanmar From Modernizing its Electricity Sector?

This Week in Parliament Posted: 22 May 2020 08:30 PM PDT The Irrawaddy briefs you on the week that was in the national legislature.

Irrawaddy Business Roundup Posted: 22 May 2020 07:30 PM PDT This week Myanmar saw major pledges from the World Bank and Alibaba as the government promised COVID-19 relief will reach businesses beyond Yangon.

What’s Stopping Myanmar From Modernizing its Electricity Sector? Posted: 22 May 2020 06:30 PM PDT The Irrawaddy talks with electrical engineer U Myint Zaw about the history of Myanmar's electricity sector and what it will take to modernize it.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar to Relocate Rohingya IDP Camp, Build Houses and Infrastructure
• KIA Says Myanmar Military Offers Supplies, but No Planning, to Fight COVID-19
• Wa State Hands Drug Suspect and Meth Bust to Myanmar Authorities
• Myanmar Parliament Approves US$50 M World Bank Loan for Health Care Systems
• Ex-Regional Chief Minister Jailed for 30 Years in Landmark Myanmar Corruption Case
• One Year on, Still No Justice in Myanmar’s ‘Victoria’ Toddler Rape Case
• Personal Histories Behind the Headlines of Modern Myanmar
• Death Toll From Cyclone Amphan Rises to 82 in India, Bangladesh as Tidal Surge Floods Lowlands
• Malaysia Confirms More Coronavirus Cases at Migrant Detention Center
• China Scraps GDP Target, Vows Spending as Virus Overshadows Parliament
• China Says 2020 Defense Spending to Rise 6.6% This Year

Myanmar to Relocate Rohingya IDP Camp, Build Houses and Infrastructure Posted: 22 May 2020 05:16 AM PDT Kyauktalone camp in Rakhine's Kyaukphyu houses Rohingya who were displaced following sectarian violence in 2012.

KIA Says Myanmar Military Offers Supplies, but No Planning, to Fight COVID-19 Posted: 22 May 2020 04:34 AM PDT A Tatmadaw delegation offered supplies and promises of help at a meeting with the KIA's COVID-19 response team, but no actual plans were discussed, the armed group said.

Wa State Hands Drug Suspect and Meth Bust to Myanmar Authorities Posted: 22 May 2020 04:07 AM PDT To counter major drug dealer claims, the UWSA has handed an alleged smuggler and 3.5 million methamphetamine pills to Myanmar's authorities.

Myanmar Parliament Approves US$50 M World Bank Loan for Health Care Systems Posted: 22 May 2020 03:45 AM PDT A US$50 million loan from the World Bank will be used to improve the country's health care systems and support the fight against COVID-19.

Ex-Regional Chief Minister Jailed for 30 Years in Landmark Myanmar Corruption Case Posted: 22 May 2020 01:26 AM PDT Ex-Tanintharyi chief minister Daw Lei Lei Maw has been jailed for 30 years for bribery; she is the highest official convicted of corruption so far during the NLD's term.

One Year on, Still No Justice in Myanmar’s ‘Victoria’ Toddler Rape Case Posted: 22 May 2020 01:23 AM PDT A year after the rape of a toddler at a Naypyitaw nursery, and months after the President's Office vowed to uncover the truth, no one has been brought to justice.

Personal Histories Behind the Headlines of Modern Myanmar Posted: 21 May 2020 11:30 PM PDT Thant Myint-U offers a unique perspective on developments in Myanmar in recent decades in a book that blends history with personal recollection.

Death Toll From Cyclone Amphan Rises to 82 in India, Bangladesh as Tidal Surge Floods Lowlands Posted: 21 May 2020 10:39 PM PDT Rescue teams continued to search for survivors on the Bay of Bengal coast of India and Bangladesh as the death toll from Cyclone Amphan rose to 82.

Malaysia Confirms More Coronavirus Cases at Migrant Detention Center Posted: 21 May 2020 10:34 PM PDT Malaysian health authorities confirmed 35 new COVID-19 cases at a detention center for illegal aliens, prompting criticism of its immigration crackdown amid the pandemic.

China Scraps GDP Target, Vows Spending as Virus Overshadows Parliament Posted: 21 May 2020 10:02 PM PDT The Chinese government has decided not to set an annual GDP growth target for this year, citing the economic uncertainty amid COVID-19.

China Says 2020 Defense Spending to Rise 6.6% This Year Posted: 21 May 2020 09:41 PM PDT China's defense spending is set to rise 6.6 percent from last year in 2020, amid a steep contraction in the country's economy due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar Finds 18 Imported COVID-19 Cases In a Week
• Myanmar’s Remote Naga SAZ Has Only Two Doctors for Its 130,000 Residents
• Myanmar’s Largest Ethnic Armed Group Invites Military Chief to Visit
• Xi Hopeful on Belt and Road Projects in Myanmar During COVID-19
• Myanmar Parliament Indefinitely Postpones Referendum on Charter Amendments
• Cyclone Kills 14 in India, Bangladesh Leaving Trail of Destruction
• Thailand Detains 15 Rohingya Migrants for Illegal Entry
• The Day the First British Missionary Entered Myanmar’s Buddhist Order
• Hotels to Slash Wages in Myanmar’s Capital Because of COVID-19 Closures
• MP Warns Australian-backed Mining in Myanmar’s Far North May Spark Protest
• Pastors Arrested for Holding Gatherings Amid Myanmar’s COVID-19 Restrictions
• Myanmar MP Denounces Govt’s Extension of Controversial Coal Power Plant Operation
• Myanmar Strips Imprisoned Veteran Rakhine Politician of MP Status
• Myanmar Doctor Arrested for Facebook Rant Against Monks Who Oppose Sex Education
• Bankruptcy Court to Oversee Restructuring of Thai Airways

Myanmar Finds 18 Imported COVID-19 Cases In a Week Posted: 21 May 2020 05:57 AM PDT Returning migrants from Malaysia and UAE have brought fresh coronavirus cases after a lull in new infections.

Myanmar’s Remote Naga SAZ Has Only Two Doctors for Its 130,000 Residents Posted: 21 May 2020 05:36 AM PDT The self-administered zone is among other least-developed areas in Myanmar facing a serious shortage of health care workers.

Myanmar’s Largest Ethnic Armed Group Invites Military Chief to Visit Posted: 21 May 2020 03:44 AM PDT It's the second time Wa State has invited Myanmar's military chief to visit the area controlled by the best-equipped ethnic rebels in Myanmar.

Xi Hopeful on Belt and Road Projects in Myanmar During COVID-19 Posted: 21 May 2020 03:26 AM PDT During a call on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar President U Win Myint discussed how to speed up cooperation on Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Myanmar Parliament Indefinitely Postpones Referendum on Charter Amendments Posted: 21 May 2020 01:18 AM PDT Myanmar lawmakers have approved a request by the Election Commission to indefinitely postpone a referendum on charter amendments, citing its estimated $10-million cost.

Cyclone Kills 14 in India, Bangladesh Leaving Trail of Destruction Posted: 20 May 2020 10:28 PM PDT At least 10 people in India's West Bengal state and four in Bangladesh were killed as Cyclone Amphan pounded the Bay of Bengal coast.

Thailand Detains 15 Rohingya Migrants for Illegal Entry Posted: 20 May 2020 10:14 PM PDT Thai police in Mae Sot have detained 15 Rohingya from Myanmar's Rakhine State for illegal entry; they are believed to have been heading for Malaysia.

The Day the First British Missionary Entered Myanmar’s Buddhist Order Posted: 20 May 2020 06:30 PM PDT On this day in 1902, Charles Henry Allan Bennett entered the Buddhist Order in Myanmar, becoming the first Buddhist missionary in Britain.

Hotels to Slash Wages in Myanmar’s Capital Because of COVID-19 Closures Posted: 20 May 2020 04:49 AM PDT Hotel bosses in Naypyitaw say they can no longer afford to pay full wages as income crashes amid coronavirus closures.

MP Warns Australian-backed Mining in Myanmar’s Far North May Spark Protest Posted: 20 May 2020 04:31 AM PDT A Kachin lawmaker says local communities object to an Australian-backed mining survey in Myanmar's northernmost township over possible impacts on their land and livelihoods.

Pastors Arrested for Holding Gatherings Amid Myanmar’s COVID-19 Restrictions Posted: 20 May 2020 04:19 AM PDT After completing their quarantine periods, two pastors appeared in court and were detained to face charges of violating Yangon's ban on public gatherings amid COVID-19.

Myanmar MP Denounces Govt’s Extension of Controversial Coal Power Plant Operation Posted: 20 May 2020 02:25 AM PDT A Shan State lawmaker spoke out against the continued approval of a coal plant in Tigyit despite its damage to local residents' health and environment.

Myanmar Strips Imprisoned Veteran Rakhine Politician of MP Status Posted: 20 May 2020 02:22 AM PDT The Election Commission has removed Arakan National Party founder Dr. Aye Maung from the list of MPs and barred him from future elections due to his treason conviction.

Myanmar Doctor Arrested for Facebook Rant Against Monks Who Oppose Sex Education Posted: 20 May 2020 02:03 AM PDT A doctor faces jail under a law against insulting religion after he posted a fiery attack on social media against Buddhist monks who oppose the teaching of sex education.

Bankruptcy Court to Oversee Restructuring of Thai Airways Posted: 19 May 2020 11:17 PM PDT The Thai government has approved a plan for COVID-19-hit Thai Airways' finances to be restructured under the supervision of a bankruptcy court.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar to Double Health Spending to Supply Free Medicines
• Thailand Allows Stranded Myanmar Migrants to Return
• Investigation of Nursing University Building Collapse Underway
• Almost 200 Homes Set Ablaze in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
• Myanmar Power Plants Delayed by COVID-19 to Start Operating in Coming Months
• Myanmar Police Make Asia’s Biggest-Ever Drugs Bust in Shan State
• Myanmar Court Releases Muslim Boys With Orders Not to Break COVID-19 Restrictions
• Scholar’s Account of Myanmar’s Intelligence Apparatus Lets Its Former Chief Off Lightly
• Progress in Myanmar Will Require Patience: Outgoing US Ambassador Marciel
• Trump Threatens Permanent Freeze in WHO Funding, Weighs US Membership
• India Coronavirus Infections Surge Past 100,000; Deaths Top 3,000
• Colonial Communications Hub Linked Myanmar with Outside World

Myanmar to Double Health Spending to Supply Free Medicines Posted: 19 May 2020 06:17 AM PDT The health ministry will spend 300 billion kyats (US$216 million) in the next fiscal year as the numbers seeking treatment at public hospitals has increased year by year.

Thailand Allows Stranded Myanmar Migrants to Return Posted: 19 May 2020 05:22 AM PDT Buses under police guard will bring migrants from Bangkok to Mae Sot each night as Thailand grants an exception to its travel bans to send migrants home.

Investigation of Nursing University Building Collapse Underway Posted: 19 May 2020 05:08 AM PDT The Myanmar Engineering Society is investigating the partial collapse of the Yangon Nursing University building on Sunday to determine the cause.

Almost 200 Homes Set Ablaze in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Posted: 19 May 2020 03:39 AM PDT Displaced residents of Lekka Village say the Myanmar military burned down over half of their homes, while the military blames the Arakan Army.

Myanmar Power Plants Delayed by COVID-19 to Start Operating in Coming Months Posted: 19 May 2020 03:31 AM PDT Five emergency power projects approved in the wake of outages last year but delayed by COVID-19 will be operating by September, the deputy electricity minister said.

Myanmar Police Make Asia’s Biggest-Ever Drugs Bust in Shan State Posted: 19 May 2020 02:12 AM PDT A massive drug bust in Shan State included a huge haul of liquid fentanyl—a sign that local drug syndicates are moving into the lucrative opioid business.

Myanmar Court Releases Muslim Boys With Orders Not to Break COVID-19 Restrictions Posted: 19 May 2020 02:05 AM PDT A Mandalay juvenile court ordered two Muslim boys not to violate restrictions again after they were arrested for attending a religious gathering in April.

Scholar’s Account of Myanmar’s Intelligence Apparatus Lets Its Former Chief Off Lightly Posted: 19 May 2020 01:55 AM PDT David Scott Mathieson reviews Andrew Selth's 2019 book 'Secrets and Power in Myanmar: Intelligence and the Fall of General Khin Nyunt'.

Progress in Myanmar Will Require Patience: Outgoing US Ambassador Marciel Posted: 18 May 2020 11:35 PM PDT US Ambassador Scot Marciel said the peace process faltered during his posting, but he leaves the country confident it has the human talent needed to reach its goals.

Trump Threatens Permanent Freeze in WHO Funding, Weighs US Membership Posted: 18 May 2020 11:33 PM PDT US President Trump said he would permanently cut off funding to the World Health Organization if it did not agree to 'substantive improvements' within 30 days.

India Coronavirus Infections Surge Past 100,000; Deaths Top 3,000 Posted: 18 May 2020 11:23 PM PDT India's coronavirus outbreak is continuing to spread rapidly, with infections now exceeding 100,000 and more than 3,000 deaths reported.

Colonial Communications Hub Linked Myanmar with Outside World Posted: 18 May 2020 08:00 PM PDT The Central Telegraph Office in Yangon was completed by the British in 1917 and continued to play an important communications role under the Japanese and junta.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Myanmar’s Return of Indian Rebels: Act of Friendship or Strategic Trade-Off?
• Myanmar Government Promises Cash to Families Hit by COVID-19
• Myanmar to Introduce Tougher Law to Control Communicable Diseases
• Myanmar Hands 22 Assam, Meitei Rebels Over to Indian Govt
• Myanmar Migrants Deported from Malaysia Test Positive for COVID-19
• Rakhine Court Frees Civilians, Says No Evidence in Terrorism Case
• Operator of China’s Alipay to Invest Over US$73 Million in Myanmar’s Wave Money
• Philippines Urges Coronavirus Vigilance as Shoppers Ignore Safety Protocols
• China Reports Seven New Coronavirus Infections
• Thai Economy Shrinks Most in Eight Years in Q1; Worse Yet to Come

Myanmar’s Return of Indian Rebels: Act of Friendship or Strategic Trade-Off? Posted: 18 May 2020 07:11 AM PDT Myanmar's recent repatriation of 22 captured Indian rebels suggests Naypyitaw's embrace of New Delhi as a counterweight to China is entering a more concrete phase.

Myanmar Government Promises Cash to Families Hit by COVID-19 Posted: 18 May 2020 06:07 AM PDT Cash delivered to struggling families through phone apps is more efficient than delivering food packages, the government says.

Myanmar to Introduce Tougher Law to Control Communicable Diseases Posted: 18 May 2020 05:54 AM PDT Parliament is set to debate a new law on communicable disease control that will create a central committee to tackle outbreaks and boost punishments for violators.

Myanmar Hands 22 Assam, Meitei Rebels Over to Indian Govt Posted: 18 May 2020 05:42 AM PDT The rebels were detained for over a year after a raid on a Naga nationalist base near the Indian border.

Myanmar Migrants Deported from Malaysia Test Positive for COVID-19 Posted: 18 May 2020 05:24 AM PDT Five Myanmar migrant workers out of hundreds deported from Malaysia in recent weeks have tested positive for COVID-19.

Rakhine Court Frees Civilians, Says No Evidence in Terrorism Case Posted: 18 May 2020 01:54 AM PDT A Rakhine court freed six civilians on Friday due to lack of evidence after they spent over a year in prison awaiting trial on terrorism charges.

Operator of China’s Alipay to Invest Over US$73 Million in Myanmar’s Wave Money Posted: 17 May 2020 11:25 PM PDT Alibaba's Ant Financial Services Group plans to invest US$73.5 million in Myanmar's Wave Money to upgrade the mobile payment company's technology and services.

Philippines Urges Coronavirus Vigilance as Shoppers Ignore Safety Protocols Posted: 17 May 2020 10:20 PM PDT As viral videos showed shoppers ignoring social distancing rules, the Philippine government reminded citizens of the need for continued vigilance against COVID-19.

China Reports Seven New Coronavirus Infections Posted: 17 May 2020 10:13 PM PDT China detected seven new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, including two in the northeastern province of Jilin.

Thai Economy Shrinks Most in Eight Years in Q1; Worse Yet to Come Posted: 17 May 2020 10:12 PM PDT Thailand's economy contracted by 1.8 percent in the first quarter and is predicted to shrink by 5-6 percent this year, as COVID-19 has decimated the tourism industry.

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