Six men have been charged over printing a 2016 calendar which used the term Rohingya, leading to condemnation from a prominent human rights organisation.
The calendar, printed in November of this year, referred to Rohingya as an ethnic group of Burma, and was printed in three languages – Burmese, English and Arabic. In all several hundred copies of the calendar were produced.
Following the publication of the calendar, Burmese authorities raided the home of one of the men and arrested five others with violating the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law.
Fortify Rights; a human rights organisation based in South East Asia said that the six men face up to two years in prison based on their current charges.
“These charges are absurd. This appears to be part of a campaign to strike the term ‘Rohingya’ from the country’s vocabulary,” Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights said in a statement to the press, “There is no justifiable reason to restrict the use of the term ‘Rohingya.’” (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
December 15, 2015
Does Wirathu Want idol-worship from us?
First of all, I would like to advise that don’t judge a religion by its followers but by its sacred book(s). If we judge Buddhism by Wirathu’s actions for example, it looks like mere terrorism. So, if you want to know Islam read the Holy Quran and the authentic Hadiths.
This is Wirathu the so-called defender of religion and race, renowned for his mischief-making in the society, who had muddied the purity of centuries old muslim-buddhist co-existence in Myanmar, making his utmost efforts to exterminate Muslim existence from the country or to defame Islam at least and had made millions of Muslim in Myanmar unrest.
Especially since a few years before his imprisonment in 2003, he had been attacking the Muslim rites one by one, instigating the Buddhists against Muslims, criticizing Muslim worships and cultures, abusing Muslims by dirty words, accusing them for every antisocial actions, writing against Islam and its sacred teachings, delivering hatred speeches against Muslims, defaming purity of Islam in various ways. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
This is Wirathu the so-called defender of religion and race, renowned for his mischief-making in the society, who had muddied the purity of centuries old muslim-buddhist co-existence in Myanmar, making his utmost efforts to exterminate Muslim existence from the country or to defame Islam at least and had made millions of Muslim in Myanmar unrest.
Especially since a few years before his imprisonment in 2003, he had been attacking the Muslim rites one by one, instigating the Buddhists against Muslims, criticizing Muslim worships and cultures, abusing Muslims by dirty words, accusing them for every antisocial actions, writing against Islam and its sacred teachings, delivering hatred speeches against Muslims, defaming purity of Islam in various ways. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Burmese Authorities Vandalize and Seize Islamic School
Maungdaw, Arakan State (Rohingya Vision) – The Burmese Buddhist Authorities vandalized and seized an Islamic Religious School in Maungdaw Township last Saturday morning, the eyewitnesses report.
The Basic Islamic Religious School also known as ‘Madrasa or Makhtab’ located at east ‘Pantaw Pyin (Nol Boinna)’ village in southern Maungdaw was partially damaged by the Komen Cyclone in July 2015. Hence, the religious committee (called GoPaKa) repaired the wall of the school structure/building and some other parts of it in early November.
Having the information of the servicing of the school building, the Border Guard Police (BGP) demanded Kyat 1.8 Million Fine from the village’s religious committee for the mending services though their (the BGP’s) henchmen/middlemen. Else, the Border Guard Police threatened that they would arrest and imprison the members of the religious committee. Thus, the school religious committee unwillingly gave the money to the middlemen to deliver to the Border Guard Police.
However, accusing that the BGP hadn’t received the money, a group of joint-authorities – comprising the head of the BGP from ‘Mangyi Chaung (Faatonza) No.12 Camp; Major Nyein Chan Aye, the commander of BGP from ‘Godusara Bridge Camp;’ the commander of BGP from Three-Mile Camp; along with other BGP Personnel; three staffs from the Township Administration; and a few staffs from the Religious Department — arrived at ‘Pantaw Pyin’ around 9:00AM on November 12. After that, they took the administrator of the village, U Furuk Ahmed, along with them and went to the place of the Religious School. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
The Basic Islamic Religious School also known as ‘Madrasa or Makhtab’ located at east ‘Pantaw Pyin (Nol Boinna)’ village in southern Maungdaw was partially damaged by the Komen Cyclone in July 2015. Hence, the religious committee (called GoPaKa) repaired the wall of the school structure/building and some other parts of it in early November.
Having the information of the servicing of the school building, the Border Guard Police (BGP) demanded Kyat 1.8 Million Fine from the village’s religious committee for the mending services though their (the BGP’s) henchmen/middlemen. Else, the Border Guard Police threatened that they would arrest and imprison the members of the religious committee. Thus, the school religious committee unwillingly gave the money to the middlemen to deliver to the Border Guard Police.
However, accusing that the BGP hadn’t received the money, a group of joint-authorities – comprising the head of the BGP from ‘Mangyi Chaung (Faatonza) No.12 Camp; Major Nyein Chan Aye, the commander of BGP from ‘Godusara Bridge Camp;’ the commander of BGP from Three-Mile Camp; along with other BGP Personnel; three staffs from the Township Administration; and a few staffs from the Religious Department — arrived at ‘Pantaw Pyin’ around 9:00AM on November 12. After that, they took the administrator of the village, U Furuk Ahmed, along with them and went to the place of the Religious School. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Northern Arakan as Rohingya’s Ancestral Land: G.H.Luce Citing the Stone Inscription from Ava Period
16 Dec 2015 –Rohinjas were NOT descendants of colonial era “farm coolies” from East Bengal as Myanmar government blatantly lies to the world.
Based on the 14th century stone inscriptions, Luce described them as “a fine type of devout and scholarly-minded Muslims.”
They have been indigenous to North Western Arakan since 1400 AD.
According to the late Gordon H. Luce, essentially the founder of modern historical studies of the ancient Myanmar or Burma and the mentor of Professor Than Tun, the presence of the Rohinjas in Burma was evidenced in the stone inscriptions from the Ava period (AD 1400).
Source: G. H. Luce (1985) Phases of Pre-Pagan Burma: Languages and History. Volume I. pages. X. Table of Contents & page. 95. (Courtesy of Transcend Media News)
Based on the 14th century stone inscriptions, Luce described them as “a fine type of devout and scholarly-minded Muslims.”
They have been indigenous to North Western Arakan since 1400 AD.
According to the late Gordon H. Luce, essentially the founder of modern historical studies of the ancient Myanmar or Burma and the mentor of Professor Than Tun, the presence of the Rohinjas in Burma was evidenced in the stone inscriptions from the Ava period (AD 1400).
Source: G. H. Luce (1985) Phases of Pre-Pagan Burma: Languages and History. Volume I. pages. X. Table of Contents & page. 95. (Courtesy of Transcend Media News)
ASEAN Regulatory Brief: Brunei’s New Finance Rules, Eased Export Restrictions for Myanmar, and a Fight Against Graft in Indonesia
In this edition of ASEAN Regulatory Brief, ASEAN Briefing takes a closer look at Brunei’s new finance regulations, the US’s eased export restrictions for Myanmar, and a fight against corruption in Indonesia.
Brunei: New financial reforms will provide more options for consumers, enterprises
The Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) recently announced new regulatory financial reforms. The changes will make a wider variety of financial products accessible to consumers. Meanwhile, the reforms will also ease the access to financing for entrepreneurs. The central bank amended several regulations to relax the conditions to obtain unsecured personal credit, financing and credit cards. In addition, the new regulations will include variable, rental and business income in the ‘gross monthly income,’ thus making it easier for financial institutions to access credit.
Local experts believe that the new changes will make the financial climate more conducive for businesses. Easier access to financing will allow businesses to expand their operations. In addition, easy availability of credit for consumers will ensure a robust domestic demand for goods and services, which will contribute to a healthier economic climate. The new regulatory reforms are a part of Brunei’s larger project of modernizing the financial market to bring it at par with other developed markets. (Courtesy of ASEAN Briefing)
Brunei: New financial reforms will provide more options for consumers, enterprises
The Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) recently announced new regulatory financial reforms. The changes will make a wider variety of financial products accessible to consumers. Meanwhile, the reforms will also ease the access to financing for entrepreneurs. The central bank amended several regulations to relax the conditions to obtain unsecured personal credit, financing and credit cards. In addition, the new regulations will include variable, rental and business income in the ‘gross monthly income,’ thus making it easier for financial institutions to access credit.
Local experts believe that the new changes will make the financial climate more conducive for businesses. Easier access to financing will allow businesses to expand their operations. In addition, easy availability of credit for consumers will ensure a robust domestic demand for goods and services, which will contribute to a healthier economic climate. The new regulatory reforms are a part of Brunei’s larger project of modernizing the financial market to bring it at par with other developed markets. (Courtesy of ASEAN Briefing)
Myanmar’s precarious political prospects
The overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar’s November 2015 parliamentary elections has fundamentally altered the political landscape. The NLD captured large seat majorities in both houses of the National Parliament and in all but two of the state and regional assemblies.
With such a landslide victory, there have been concerns about whether the military (which has a historical penchant for intervening to ensure their rule) would accept the results. But the leadership of the ruling Union and Solidarity Development Party (USDP), President Thein Sein, and the Commander in Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing have all congratulated NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi on her victory. They publicly offered their support to enact a smooth transition of power. The former junta leader Than Shwe has also apparently offered support to the new government.
Yet these conciliatory gestures are based on the political realities of the current system. The NLD, despite their definitive electoral victory, does not have a free hand to govern. (Courtesy of East Asia Forum)
With such a landslide victory, there have been concerns about whether the military (which has a historical penchant for intervening to ensure their rule) would accept the results. But the leadership of the ruling Union and Solidarity Development Party (USDP), President Thein Sein, and the Commander in Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing have all congratulated NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi on her victory. They publicly offered their support to enact a smooth transition of power. The former junta leader Than Shwe has also apparently offered support to the new government.
Yet these conciliatory gestures are based on the political realities of the current system. The NLD, despite their definitive electoral victory, does not have a free hand to govern. (Courtesy of East Asia Forum)
The Miracle in Myanmar: What’s Next?
When I first visited Burma back in 2003, there were ominous blood-red billboards posted throughout the country that said:
The People’s Desire
The People’s Desire
- Oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views
- Oppose those trying to jeopardize stability of the State and progress of the nation
- Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State
- Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy
Bangladeshi man shot dead by Myanmar’s border police
A Bangladeshi national was shot dead by Myanmar’s border police near Ashartali border in Bandarban yesterday morning.
Joynal Abedin went to the border area to work when Border Guard Police shot him around 9am.
He lived in Ashartali area of Naikkhangchhari upazila.
Two more Bangladeshi men were with Joynal when he went there, but they were unhurt.
Naikkhangchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Shafayet told the Dhaka Tribune Myanmar’s border security forces fired six rounds at Joynal. He said the border police also took away Joynal’s body. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
Joynal Abedin went to the border area to work when Border Guard Police shot him around 9am.
He lived in Ashartali area of Naikkhangchhari upazila.
Two more Bangladeshi men were with Joynal when he went there, but they were unhurt.
Naikkhangchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Shafayet told the Dhaka Tribune Myanmar’s border security forces fired six rounds at Joynal. He said the border police also took away Joynal’s body. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
Japan invests in Dawei
The deal was struck at the fifth Myanmar-Thailand Joint High-Level Committee Meeting that was attended by top officials from all three countries.
Japan's equity holding will be equal to Myanmar's and Thailand's.
The SPV currently has maximum registered capital of Bt100 million.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the Myanmar government had given top priority to the Dawei project since it would not only help Myanmar's economic expansion but also contribute to the prosperity of many other countries in the region, including Thailand.
Thailand is currently developing land-transport connectivity along the East-West Economic Corridors linking the country's Eastern Seaboard with the Dawei deep-sea port and industrial estates.
Previously, Myanmar was not sure if Japan would join the Dawei SEZ, so initial projects were small, such as a two-lane road, a power plant and an industrial park.
"With today's inclusion of Japan in the SPV, the Dawei projects will go ahead in full scale," Somkid said.
Construction of the first phase of the project will cost an estimated US$1.7 billion (Bt55 billion) and involve a 27-square-kilometre industrial estate and a 138km two-lane road between the SEZ in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region and the Phunumron checkpoint in Kanchanaburi. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Japan's equity holding will be equal to Myanmar's and Thailand's.
The SPV currently has maximum registered capital of Bt100 million.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the Myanmar government had given top priority to the Dawei project since it would not only help Myanmar's economic expansion but also contribute to the prosperity of many other countries in the region, including Thailand.
Thailand is currently developing land-transport connectivity along the East-West Economic Corridors linking the country's Eastern Seaboard with the Dawei deep-sea port and industrial estates.
Previously, Myanmar was not sure if Japan would join the Dawei SEZ, so initial projects were small, such as a two-lane road, a power plant and an industrial park.
"With today's inclusion of Japan in the SPV, the Dawei projects will go ahead in full scale," Somkid said.
Construction of the first phase of the project will cost an estimated US$1.7 billion (Bt55 billion) and involve a 27-square-kilometre industrial estate and a 138km two-lane road between the SEZ in Myanmar's Tanintharyi region and the Phunumron checkpoint in Kanchanaburi. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Hundreds of Myanmar Garment Workers Mark Seventh Day of Labor Strike
More than 200 garment workers in Myanmar’s commercial capital Yangon Monday marked the seventh day of a strike demanding full salary for November after the owner of the factory that employs them docked their pay for failing to meet production targets.
The workers, who comprise more than two-thirds of the labor force at the Hteik Tan Myanmar Garment Factory, have been protesting in front of the facility in Zone No. 4 of Yangon’s Hlaingthayar Industrial Park since Dec. 7 after only receiving half of their pay last month, representative Moe Sanda Myint said.
“The factory owner paid us for only 15 days in November, although we worked for the full month,” he told RFA’s Myanmar Service, adding that management had promised to hold talks with the workers but would not pay them their full salary.
“The owner’s representative … accused us of failing to work up to expectations. But as we worked for the entire month, we will continue our demand for full salary in discussions with the factory owner, the government and the Worker’s Union.”
According to Moe Sanda Myint a mediation group had scheduled a Monday meeting between worker representatives and Hteik Tan’s owner, but the latter never showed up. (Courtesy of RFA)
The workers, who comprise more than two-thirds of the labor force at the Hteik Tan Myanmar Garment Factory, have been protesting in front of the facility in Zone No. 4 of Yangon’s Hlaingthayar Industrial Park since Dec. 7 after only receiving half of their pay last month, representative Moe Sanda Myint said.
“The factory owner paid us for only 15 days in November, although we worked for the full month,” he told RFA’s Myanmar Service, adding that management had promised to hold talks with the workers but would not pay them their full salary.
“The owner’s representative … accused us of failing to work up to expectations. But as we worked for the entire month, we will continue our demand for full salary in discussions with the factory owner, the government and the Worker’s Union.”
According to Moe Sanda Myint a mediation group had scheduled a Monday meeting between worker representatives and Hteik Tan’s owner, but the latter never showed up. (Courtesy of RFA)
An Open Letter to Myanmar’s Leaders
Senior General (rtd.) Than Shwe
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
President Thein Sein
Commander-in-Chief SG Min Aung Hlaing
7 December 2015
Mingalaba (Greetings!)
As a Burmese I am heartened to hear the news of the four leaders working diligently to end half a century of authoritarian rule and usher in a democratic transition.
Both the public at home and the international media can be heard applauding your admirable efforts to prevent what could have been the latest in Burma’s bloody political tradition of the changing of the guard, whereby the usurper ‘ate’ the sitting one’s ‘head’ – as we say in Burmese. Like many Burmese I very much welcome the prospect of the Old Guard transferring power to the National League for Democracy (NLD) which unmistakably enjoys a broad mandate from the national electorate.
It is against this auspicious backdrop that I call to your attention the two major issues that concern our nation of multi-ethnic and multi-faith communities; first, the long-running civil war against non-Bamar or Myanmar peoples, and second, the slow genocide of the Rohingya.
This is in accord with the right of a citizen to express his or her concern and in keeping with our Burmese customs of speaking out on matters that warrant public discussion, however unpopular or unpalatable the subject may be.
First, my brief background.
In the last 27 years, I had supported, alternately, both the democratic opposition led by the NLD and the ruling State Peace and Development Council. I was very actively involved in making the NLD’s call for western sanctions and consumer boycott of Myanmar’s military government and all its western business associates and partners until 2004. When I was able to snap out of my initial naivety about the ‘pro-democracy’ policies and the motives of Western governments I broke ranks with the NLD-led opposition and openly advocated for the reconciliation and good-faith cooperation with the authoritarian rulers. I did so while having anticipated fully the extremely negative repercussions emanating out of my criticism of the sanctions orthodoxy – which I myself supported – held rigidly by the NLD and its supporters, both at home and worldwide. (Courtesy of Transcend Media Service)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
President Thein Sein
Commander-in-Chief SG Min Aung Hlaing
7 December 2015
Mingalaba (Greetings!)
As a Burmese I am heartened to hear the news of the four leaders working diligently to end half a century of authoritarian rule and usher in a democratic transition.
Both the public at home and the international media can be heard applauding your admirable efforts to prevent what could have been the latest in Burma’s bloody political tradition of the changing of the guard, whereby the usurper ‘ate’ the sitting one’s ‘head’ – as we say in Burmese. Like many Burmese I very much welcome the prospect of the Old Guard transferring power to the National League for Democracy (NLD) which unmistakably enjoys a broad mandate from the national electorate.
It is against this auspicious backdrop that I call to your attention the two major issues that concern our nation of multi-ethnic and multi-faith communities; first, the long-running civil war against non-Bamar or Myanmar peoples, and second, the slow genocide of the Rohingya.
This is in accord with the right of a citizen to express his or her concern and in keeping with our Burmese customs of speaking out on matters that warrant public discussion, however unpopular or unpalatable the subject may be.
First, my brief background.
In the last 27 years, I had supported, alternately, both the democratic opposition led by the NLD and the ruling State Peace and Development Council. I was very actively involved in making the NLD’s call for western sanctions and consumer boycott of Myanmar’s military government and all its western business associates and partners until 2004. When I was able to snap out of my initial naivety about the ‘pro-democracy’ policies and the motives of Western governments I broke ranks with the NLD-led opposition and openly advocated for the reconciliation and good-faith cooperation with the authoritarian rulers. I did so while having anticipated fully the extremely negative repercussions emanating out of my criticism of the sanctions orthodoxy – which I myself supported – held rigidly by the NLD and its supporters, both at home and worldwide. (Courtesy of Transcend Media Service)
NLD meets challenges to internal peace
Armed conflicts arose three months after we gained independence in 1948. At the root of the conflicts are political problems. However, political solutions have been elusive for nearly 70 years.
In the reign of President Thein Sein, the clashes broke out between the government army and the Kachin Independence Organisation/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) in June 2011. The government signed a ceasefire with the KIO/KIO in August 2011.
The government negotiated ceasefires with 14 ethnic armed organisations in August 2013, and the peace agreements reached the Union level. Ethnic armed organisations met in Laiza, the headquarters of the KIO/KIA at the end of October in 2013. The ethnic minority delegates and the government negotiators started negotiating the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in November 2013 and finalised it in October 2015.
Despite numerous negotiations, all ethnic armed organisations did not participate in the signing of the NCA. Only eight ethnic armed organisations agreed to sign the NCA on October 15, 2015. There are 21 ethnic armed organisations in the country. But the government recognised 14 ethnic armed organisations and held the state-level meeting with them to reduce the clashes in the country. The government thought the KIO/KIA to participate in the signing of the NCA. The government is still sticking to this principle.
“Our government wants a peace process acceptable for all ethnic armed organisations and it is the most importance issue for the country. Although all ethnic armed organisations did not participate in the signing of the NCA, we would continue moving it. We will try the remaining ethnic armed organisations to participate in the NCA signing,” President Thein Sein said at the NCA signing ceremony.
The clashes between the government army and Arakan Army broke out during the presidential tenure of Thein Sein. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
In the reign of President Thein Sein, the clashes broke out between the government army and the Kachin Independence Organisation/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) in June 2011. The government signed a ceasefire with the KIO/KIO in August 2011.
The government negotiated ceasefires with 14 ethnic armed organisations in August 2013, and the peace agreements reached the Union level. Ethnic armed organisations met in Laiza, the headquarters of the KIO/KIA at the end of October in 2013. The ethnic minority delegates and the government negotiators started negotiating the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in November 2013 and finalised it in October 2015.
Despite numerous negotiations, all ethnic armed organisations did not participate in the signing of the NCA. Only eight ethnic armed organisations agreed to sign the NCA on October 15, 2015. There are 21 ethnic armed organisations in the country. But the government recognised 14 ethnic armed organisations and held the state-level meeting with them to reduce the clashes in the country. The government thought the KIO/KIA to participate in the signing of the NCA. The government is still sticking to this principle.
“Our government wants a peace process acceptable for all ethnic armed organisations and it is the most importance issue for the country. Although all ethnic armed organisations did not participate in the signing of the NCA, we would continue moving it. We will try the remaining ethnic armed organisations to participate in the NCA signing,” President Thein Sein said at the NCA signing ceremony.
The clashes between the government army and Arakan Army broke out during the presidential tenure of Thein Sein. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Myanmar migrants begin new lives here
For five refugees from Myanmar who arrived in Winnipeg last month, recent elections that swept human rights hero Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party to power don't offer much hope.
"I don't think (it) will improve Rohingya lives," said Mohammed Tayab, who arrived Nov. 24 with four other Rohingya Muslims, including a couple and their baby.
Although they were born in Myanmar, Rohingya are not even considered second-class citizens, said Tayab. The Myanmar government claims Rohingya are illegal migrants from Bangladesh, despite hundreds of thousands of them having lived in the country's western Rakhine state for centuries. It has been accused by human rights groups of committing acts of genocide in its treatment of Rohingya.
Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has remained "silent" on the plight of the Rohingya even after her opposition party won recent elections in Myanmar, said Tayab, who doesn't expect anything to change in his lifetime.
Amnesty International says Myanmar's government in 1982 passed a law that denied citizenship to members of the persecuted ethnic and religious minority. The Rohingya's rights to a nationality, their freedom of movement and access to education and services were taken away, and the government allowed the arbitrary confiscation of their property. (Courtesy of Winnipeg Free Press)
"I don't think (it) will improve Rohingya lives," said Mohammed Tayab, who arrived Nov. 24 with four other Rohingya Muslims, including a couple and their baby.
Although they were born in Myanmar, Rohingya are not even considered second-class citizens, said Tayab. The Myanmar government claims Rohingya are illegal migrants from Bangladesh, despite hundreds of thousands of them having lived in the country's western Rakhine state for centuries. It has been accused by human rights groups of committing acts of genocide in its treatment of Rohingya.
Nobel laureate Suu Kyi has remained "silent" on the plight of the Rohingya even after her opposition party won recent elections in Myanmar, said Tayab, who doesn't expect anything to change in his lifetime.
Amnesty International says Myanmar's government in 1982 passed a law that denied citizenship to members of the persecuted ethnic and religious minority. The Rohingya's rights to a nationality, their freedom of movement and access to education and services were taken away, and the government allowed the arbitrary confiscation of their property. (Courtesy of Winnipeg Free Press)
Hitachi Established Hitachi Myanmar Laboratory at University of Information Technology, Yangon
Yangon, Myanmar, Dec 14, 2015 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") announced today that it has established Hitachi Myanmar Laboratory at the University of Information Technology, Yangon (UIT) (Rector: Saw Sanda Aye, Ph.D.) to develop Myanmar's next generation of IT leaders. In addition to sending engineers from Japan to offer IT courses for UIT professors and students, Hitachi will also donate the necessary IT platform such as servers for the courses.
Among the countries of Southeast Asia, Myanmar is maintaining high economic growth. In addition to investment in social infrastructure such as electricity, railroads, and communications, investment in other industries such as finance and tourism has also increased. As a result, the development of the country's IT infrastructure and skilled personnel to support these fields has become very important.
Myanmar's Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on the country's educational activities. In December 2012, the ministry designated the UIT as a Center of Excellence (COE) with the aim of developing skilled IT personnel who will be candidates for positions as government ministers and CIOs(1) in private companies.
Since 2013, Hitachi has been offering training programs by companies, governments, and universities, inviting UIT professors chosen by the COE to Japan. The establishment of the laboratory is expected to accelerate development of IT personnel. For the next five years, Hitachi is planning to offer two-week courses for UIT professors and graduate school students four times a year as well as the necessary IT platform.
The first-year course covers operational management of IT systems and data centers, and provides students with opportunities for hands-on experience with IT equipment. For subsequent years, the goal of the courses is to develop personnel who can use IT to resolve various social issues. The courses teach approaches to the social innovation business that are a focus for Hitachi, including applications for IoT (Internet of Things)(2) and big data in the social infrastructure fields. Hitachi will expand the contents of the courses and educate graduate students, considering furthermore work with them in our local business. (Courtesy of en.acnnewswire.com)
Among the countries of Southeast Asia, Myanmar is maintaining high economic growth. In addition to investment in social infrastructure such as electricity, railroads, and communications, investment in other industries such as finance and tourism has also increased. As a result, the development of the country's IT infrastructure and skilled personnel to support these fields has become very important.
Myanmar's Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on the country's educational activities. In December 2012, the ministry designated the UIT as a Center of Excellence (COE) with the aim of developing skilled IT personnel who will be candidates for positions as government ministers and CIOs(1) in private companies.
Since 2013, Hitachi has been offering training programs by companies, governments, and universities, inviting UIT professors chosen by the COE to Japan. The establishment of the laboratory is expected to accelerate development of IT personnel. For the next five years, Hitachi is planning to offer two-week courses for UIT professors and graduate school students four times a year as well as the necessary IT platform.
The first-year course covers operational management of IT systems and data centers, and provides students with opportunities for hands-on experience with IT equipment. For subsequent years, the goal of the courses is to develop personnel who can use IT to resolve various social issues. The courses teach approaches to the social innovation business that are a focus for Hitachi, including applications for IoT (Internet of Things)(2) and big data in the social infrastructure fields. Hitachi will expand the contents of the courses and educate graduate students, considering furthermore work with them in our local business. (Courtesy of en.acnnewswire.com)
Experts call for dam review to consider earthquake risks
If there is one place most ill-equipped for a mega hydropower dam holding back cascades of water, it might very well be along a fault line. Yet China’s Myitsone project is slated for such a quake-prone site not far from the Sagaing Fault.
In addition to concerns of environmental degradation and displacement, opponents of the Myitsone dam have noted that if the water storage bank were to rupture in an earthquake, the flooding would stretch so far as to inundate the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina, 27 miles away (43.4 kilometres).
U Chit Ko Ko, a geological engineer from Australia’s New South Wales University, said the earthquake risk alone should prompt a revaluation of the temporarily suspended project. The National League for Democracy government next year will be tasked with choosing to axe or continue the project, which is funded by a Chinese state-backed energy giant.
“We need to observe the potential risks and benefits of the project via a team of experts,” he said, adding that such a survey could not be rushed.
Envisioned as a Myanmar-based twin to the Three Gorges project, the US$3.6 billion Myitsone would be the 15th-largest dam in the world. Despite its massive size, few environmental studies were conducted before the contract for the 6000 megawatt project was signed. (Courtesy of MMTimes)
In addition to concerns of environmental degradation and displacement, opponents of the Myitsone dam have noted that if the water storage bank were to rupture in an earthquake, the flooding would stretch so far as to inundate the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina, 27 miles away (43.4 kilometres).
U Chit Ko Ko, a geological engineer from Australia’s New South Wales University, said the earthquake risk alone should prompt a revaluation of the temporarily suspended project. The National League for Democracy government next year will be tasked with choosing to axe or continue the project, which is funded by a Chinese state-backed energy giant.
“We need to observe the potential risks and benefits of the project via a team of experts,” he said, adding that such a survey could not be rushed.
Envisioned as a Myanmar-based twin to the Three Gorges project, the US$3.6 billion Myitsone would be the 15th-largest dam in the world. Despite its massive size, few environmental studies were conducted before the contract for the 6000 megawatt project was signed. (Courtesy of MMTimes)
Media Council members hope for more freedom
Myanmar's new Media Council has heard a call by President U Thein Sein for more responsible and ethical reporting, while journalists said they hoped the next government would give them more freedom despite recognising progress made under the outgoing administration.
The swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the quasi-autonomous council, which was partially elected in October, was held on December 11 in the Thabin Hall of the presidential palace.
A major theme of the president’s opening speech was the need for the Media Council to develop its complaints process.
Noting that the council was authorised to negotiate and take action, the president said it needed a complaints settlement process that would be transparent and credible. He observed that press councils outside Myanmar handled ethical problems, rather than the courts.
U Thein Sein said the council was there to help journalists “obtain their rights” and to encourage journalists to pursue their “responsibilities and ethics”. It should also ensure that it would protect the right of the public to access information, he said. (Courtesy of MMTimes)
The swearing-in ceremony to inaugurate the quasi-autonomous council, which was partially elected in October, was held on December 11 in the Thabin Hall of the presidential palace.
A major theme of the president’s opening speech was the need for the Media Council to develop its complaints process.
Noting that the council was authorised to negotiate and take action, the president said it needed a complaints settlement process that would be transparent and credible. He observed that press councils outside Myanmar handled ethical problems, rather than the courts.
U Thein Sein said the council was there to help journalists “obtain their rights” and to encourage journalists to pursue their “responsibilities and ethics”. It should also ensure that it would protect the right of the public to access information, he said. (Courtesy of MMTimes)
WHO supports extensive polio vaccination campaign in Myanmar
The first two rounds of polio immunizations are being provided this month in Myanmar, buttressed by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is supporting the country’s launch of a massive vaccination campaign targeting 1.4 million children ages 5 and under.
“The challenge will be to reach every eligible child with a polio vaccination, especially those living in hard-to-reach and remote areas,” Dr. Rajendra Bohara, lead technical officer of the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization, told Vaccine News Daily.
For instance, in northern Rakhine State and Chin State, there are “many accessibility problems, such as dirt roads or waterways, that require the use of boats,” Bohara said. “Good micro-planning will help in meeting these challenges and all partners in Rakhine have committed to support the campaign.”
The recent outbreak of the vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) was due to low routine polio vaccine coverage, Bohara said. (Courtesy of Vaccine News)
“The challenge will be to reach every eligible child with a polio vaccination, especially those living in hard-to-reach and remote areas,” Dr. Rajendra Bohara, lead technical officer of the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization, told Vaccine News Daily.
For instance, in northern Rakhine State and Chin State, there are “many accessibility problems, such as dirt roads or waterways, that require the use of boats,” Bohara said. “Good micro-planning will help in meeting these challenges and all partners in Rakhine have committed to support the campaign.”
The recent outbreak of the vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) was due to low routine polio vaccine coverage, Bohara said. (Courtesy of Vaccine News)
Myanmar police deny rumors of trafficking at mosque
YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar police have announced that rumors on social media that a mosque in Yangon was used in human trafficking were found to be groundless, according to local media Monday.
The Myanmar Times reported that police as saying their investigation had revealed that the establishment serves as a place for religious education for more than 40 students during the daytime and around 120 boarders –all of them from Myanmar.
The probe can been launched after a rumor had spread online that a ward administrator had inspected the mosque overnight for a month and discovered the presence of more than 100 Muslims without national registration cards.
According to the Post, the postings – which had been shared over 13,000 times as of Sunday – also claimed that the human trafficking networks were receiving funding for countries in the Arabian Gulf.
Police also told the newspaper Sunday that a probe into the social media posts is ongoing.
Since Internet access became more widespread in the formerly isolated country, many have warned of rampant anti-Muslim hate speech on social media. (Courtesy of Fulton News)
The Myanmar Times reported that police as saying their investigation had revealed that the establishment serves as a place for religious education for more than 40 students during the daytime and around 120 boarders –all of them from Myanmar.
The probe can been launched after a rumor had spread online that a ward administrator had inspected the mosque overnight for a month and discovered the presence of more than 100 Muslims without national registration cards.
According to the Post, the postings – which had been shared over 13,000 times as of Sunday – also claimed that the human trafficking networks were receiving funding for countries in the Arabian Gulf.
Police also told the newspaper Sunday that a probe into the social media posts is ongoing.
Since Internet access became more widespread in the formerly isolated country, many have warned of rampant anti-Muslim hate speech on social media. (Courtesy of Fulton News)
Documentary reveals Acehnese kindness toward Rohingya
To raise awareness of the refugee crisis in the region, a group of students of Singapore's well known university has made a documentary on the Rohingya refugees in Aceh and how the Acehnese welcomed the strangers to their land.
The students, from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, entitled their documentay Peumulia Jamee, which means 'Honoring Guests' in Acehnese. It looks at how the oppressed Rohingya Muslims found a place of refuge in Aceh. The documentary, which served as the students' final year project, also highlighted the unlikely friendships that sprang up between the Rohingyas and the Acehnese as the refugees settled in Indonesia's westernmost province.
The communications studies students who worked on the documentary are Goh Chiew Tong as director, Jade Han Hui Jing as producer and Clarissa Sih as social media manager. They represent the Snapback Pictures team. They started their project on Dec. 5 when they arrived in Aceh.
“Set in Aceh, Peumulia Jamee will not only uncover the hardship and uncertainty of the Rohingya Muslims, but will also shed light on the love the Acehnese have showered on these strangers who are aliens in their homeland,” Han said in a press statement sent to thejakartapost.com on Monday. (Courtesy of The Jakarta Post)
The students, from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, entitled their documentay Peumulia Jamee, which means 'Honoring Guests' in Acehnese. It looks at how the oppressed Rohingya Muslims found a place of refuge in Aceh. The documentary, which served as the students' final year project, also highlighted the unlikely friendships that sprang up between the Rohingyas and the Acehnese as the refugees settled in Indonesia's westernmost province.
The communications studies students who worked on the documentary are Goh Chiew Tong as director, Jade Han Hui Jing as producer and Clarissa Sih as social media manager. They represent the Snapback Pictures team. They started their project on Dec. 5 when they arrived in Aceh.
“Set in Aceh, Peumulia Jamee will not only uncover the hardship and uncertainty of the Rohingya Muslims, but will also shed light on the love the Acehnese have showered on these strangers who are aliens in their homeland,” Han said in a press statement sent to thejakartapost.com on Monday. (Courtesy of The Jakarta Post)
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