Rathedaung, Arakan State (Rohingya Vision) – The Burmese (Myanmar) Military have recently arrested a number of Rohingya farmers and banned their access to farming/harvesting in Rathedaung Township, the local sources report.
It has been learnt that the military at ‘551 Battalion’ in ‘Ku Taung’ village arrested 10 poor and young Rohingya villagers hail from ‘Anauk Pyin’ accusing them of stealing paddy/rice from a farm belong to a Rakhine on December 15. They were tortured for the whole night.
The next day, Captain Saing Aung Kyaw, the commander of the battalion, released them after extorting Kyat 30,000 from each of them.
On the same day (i.e. December 16), the Military Captain issued an order banning all the Rohingyas in ‘Anauk Pyin’ village from their access to farming/harvesting/livelihoods. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
December 29, 2015
Fighting Flares Between Arakan Army and Govt Troops
RANGOON — Fighting broke out on Sunday between the Arakan Army (AA) and government troops in Kyauktaw Township of northern Arakan State, according to the ethnic armed group, which released information on the skirmish on Monday.
The fighting took place near the Sittwe-Rangoon highway in Kyauktaw Township, around 6 km from the Mahamuni Pagoda, and continued on Monday morning when government troops called in reinforcements.
The Arakan Army claimed several Burma Army troops were wounded but said it was still assessing casualties.
Hla May, founder of the Kyauktaw Women’s Network, confirmed that fighting had broken out in a sparsely populated area near Ram Chaung tributary.
“Residents are worried about the conflict because in previous fighting, some villagers were detained and interrogated on accusations of being connected with an unlawful association,” Hla May said.
Burma Army troops clashed several times with Arakan Army forces in a number of areas in the western state beginning in late March. Following the fighting, at least 20 people were detained under Burma’s Unlawful Association Law for their alleged links to the armed faction.
According to Kyauktaw Township authorities, at least 18 Arakan Army soldiers were arrested following the fighting earlier this year. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
The fighting took place near the Sittwe-Rangoon highway in Kyauktaw Township, around 6 km from the Mahamuni Pagoda, and continued on Monday morning when government troops called in reinforcements.
The Arakan Army claimed several Burma Army troops were wounded but said it was still assessing casualties.
Hla May, founder of the Kyauktaw Women’s Network, confirmed that fighting had broken out in a sparsely populated area near Ram Chaung tributary.
“Residents are worried about the conflict because in previous fighting, some villagers were detained and interrogated on accusations of being connected with an unlawful association,” Hla May said.
Burma Army troops clashed several times with Arakan Army forces in a number of areas in the western state beginning in late March. Following the fighting, at least 20 people were detained under Burma’s Unlawful Association Law for their alleged links to the armed faction.
According to Kyauktaw Township authorities, at least 18 Arakan Army soldiers were arrested following the fighting earlier this year. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Informal education prepares Rohingya chidren for resettlement
Nur Kaidah, whose parents are Rohingya refugees who had fled Myanmar with their family to escape the persecution and strife they faced in their homeland, said she has been dreaming of having her own bakery ever since she tasted a piece of chocolate cake given to her by a friend.
"I know I have to do well in school first, then learn to make cakes and open a shop. Then, I can eat all the cake I want and earn some money for my family," said the bright-eyed teen, who was born in Malaysia.
Nur Kaidah is a student at the Muslim Aid Knowledge Centre (Pima), a school specially set up for Rohingya children in Kampung Ampang Tambahan in Ampang, and run by the Muslim Aid Malaysia Humanitarian Foundation.
Nur Kaidah, who has nine other siblings aged between three and 24, used to live in Terengganu before her family moved to Kuala Lumpur in search of a better life and education for the children.
Her classmate Amin Sharif Hasan Sharif, 12, is a big fan of Malaysian astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and intends to follow in his footsteps.
"I will study hard so that I too can become a national astronaut," said the youngster, who considers himself a Malaysian. (Courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)
"I know I have to do well in school first, then learn to make cakes and open a shop. Then, I can eat all the cake I want and earn some money for my family," said the bright-eyed teen, who was born in Malaysia.
Nur Kaidah is a student at the Muslim Aid Knowledge Centre (Pima), a school specially set up for Rohingya children in Kampung Ampang Tambahan in Ampang, and run by the Muslim Aid Malaysia Humanitarian Foundation.
Nur Kaidah, who has nine other siblings aged between three and 24, used to live in Terengganu before her family moved to Kuala Lumpur in search of a better life and education for the children.
Her classmate Amin Sharif Hasan Sharif, 12, is a big fan of Malaysian astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and intends to follow in his footsteps.
"I will study hard so that I too can become a national astronaut," said the youngster, who considers himself a Malaysian. (Courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)
Myanmar and California quake threats similar
The earthquake threat in California is little different from that posed by the Sagaing fault line that slices north to south through the middle of Myanmar.
Earthquakes hit California and Myanmar every day, but while most do not cause damage or loss of life, experts say the day will come when big quakes will cause major disasters and loss of life.
Governments must prepare for that day now.
The key to surviving an earthquake and reducing the risk of death or injury lies in identifying potential quake areas, establishing proper building code and putting in place comprehensive disaster response plans that involve families, schools, government agencies and the police and military.
Myanmar is well on its way to understanding the threat of earthquakes and preparing the people and the government to respond appropriately.
During a major earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually grows louder. You may feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a few seconds, grows violent, or you may first be jarred by a violent jolt. A second or two later, you may feel shaking and find it difficult to stand up or move from one room to another. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Earthquakes hit California and Myanmar every day, but while most do not cause damage or loss of life, experts say the day will come when big quakes will cause major disasters and loss of life.
Governments must prepare for that day now.
The key to surviving an earthquake and reducing the risk of death or injury lies in identifying potential quake areas, establishing proper building code and putting in place comprehensive disaster response plans that involve families, schools, government agencies and the police and military.
Myanmar is well on its way to understanding the threat of earthquakes and preparing the people and the government to respond appropriately.
During a major earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually grows louder. You may feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a few seconds, grows violent, or you may first be jarred by a violent jolt. A second or two later, you may feel shaking and find it difficult to stand up or move from one room to another. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Strongmen strike back in Myanmar, Venezuela
A quarter-century ago, Poland’s communist government supposed that it could allow a free election while rigging the legal structure around it, so that it would remain in power even if it lost. It was a fatal miscalculation. The subsequent vote for the opposition Solidarity movement was so overwhelming that it forced the regime to cede power despite the rules it had established. Poland had demonstrated the raw power of a decisive popular vote — and defined a conundrum that autocratic governments have struggled with ever since.
Two particularly noxious regimes now are confronted with what might be called the Polish communists’ dilemma. The military regime of Myanmar, the nation formerly known as Burma, and the self-styled “Bolivarian socialists” of Venezuela each staged elections this fall on the expectation that, even if they lost, the constitutional and political structures they created to guarantee their power would save them. Myanmar’s generals wrote constitutional provisions granting themselves a quarter of the parliament’s seats, as well as control of powerful ministries, regardless of the election results. In Caracas, the Chavista regime of Nicolas Maduro told itself that it would still have the presidency, the military and the courts on its side even if it lost its majority in the National Assembly. (Courtesy of Stripes.com)
Two particularly noxious regimes now are confronted with what might be called the Polish communists’ dilemma. The military regime of Myanmar, the nation formerly known as Burma, and the self-styled “Bolivarian socialists” of Venezuela each staged elections this fall on the expectation that, even if they lost, the constitutional and political structures they created to guarantee their power would save them. Myanmar’s generals wrote constitutional provisions granting themselves a quarter of the parliament’s seats, as well as control of powerful ministries, regardless of the election results. In Caracas, the Chavista regime of Nicolas Maduro told itself that it would still have the presidency, the military and the courts on its side even if it lost its majority in the National Assembly. (Courtesy of Stripes.com)
Hopeful Signs of Reconciliation in Myanmar’s Troubled Rakhine State
BANGKOK— In Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, inter-communal violence in 2012 caused a surge of killings, arson attacks and mob violence that led tens of thousands of mostly Muslim Rohingya to seek refuge in camps or flee the country by boat. Since then, the violence has ebbed, but thousands remain in squalid camps. There are now signs of hope that the community is starting to reconcile.
For three years, Rakhine has been synonymous with violence and human misery. Violence between communities largely broke down along sectarian and ethnic lines, with Buddhist villagers facing off against mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya. It led around 140,000 people to flee their homes for government controlled areas and camps backed by nongovernment organizations. (Courtesy of VOA News)
For three years, Rakhine has been synonymous with violence and human misery. Violence between communities largely broke down along sectarian and ethnic lines, with Buddhist villagers facing off against mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya. It led around 140,000 people to flee their homes for government controlled areas and camps backed by nongovernment organizations. (Courtesy of VOA News)
Anti-Thailand protests in Yangon enter fourth day
Several protests against the death sentence handed down by a Thai court to two Myanmar youths for murdering the two British backpackers on Koh Tao, Thailand, have been held in Yangon for the last four days.
The protest staged near the Thai embassy in Yangon entered its fourth day on December 27. More protesters have joined each day. Some 500 demonstrators joined the embassy protest at the junction of Pyay Road and Manawhari Road in Yangon, chanting ‘We want justice’ and ‘Save our brothers’. Security personnel blocked the road with barbed wire at the entrance of Manawhari Road. The demonstrators began arriving at the embassy at 9am on December 27.
The protesters demanded the immediate release of Zaw Lin (21) and Win Zaw Tun (23), who were controversially convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.
“We don’t want injustice. We want justice. We will continue staging protests until the two Myanmar youths have been released,” said one Rakhine protester.
Htet Htet, one of the protesters, wrote phrases with her blood demanding ‘Save the two Myanmar youth’ and ‘We plead with the Thai king to save the two Myanmar youths’.
“I illegally worked in Malaysia. I feel considerate toward the two Myanmar youths. Myanmar workers overseas have very little security. I have shown my blood by piercing my hand to demand the release of the two Myanmar youths,” Htet Htet said. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The protest staged near the Thai embassy in Yangon entered its fourth day on December 27. More protesters have joined each day. Some 500 demonstrators joined the embassy protest at the junction of Pyay Road and Manawhari Road in Yangon, chanting ‘We want justice’ and ‘Save our brothers’. Security personnel blocked the road with barbed wire at the entrance of Manawhari Road. The demonstrators began arriving at the embassy at 9am on December 27.
The protesters demanded the immediate release of Zaw Lin (21) and Win Zaw Tun (23), who were controversially convicted of the murder and sentenced to death.
“We don’t want injustice. We want justice. We will continue staging protests until the two Myanmar youths have been released,” said one Rakhine protester.
Htet Htet, one of the protesters, wrote phrases with her blood demanding ‘Save the two Myanmar youth’ and ‘We plead with the Thai king to save the two Myanmar youths’.
“I illegally worked in Malaysia. I feel considerate toward the two Myanmar youths. Myanmar workers overseas have very little security. I have shown my blood by piercing my hand to demand the release of the two Myanmar youths,” Htet Htet said. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
In Myanmar, a young Rohingya dreams of leaving despite foiled boat journey
He was small for his age — still a boy, really, with spiked hair and pimples speckled across his cheeks. He looked even smaller in a pair of oversize flip-flops, curling his toes so they didn't slip off.
School was never his thing. Back before his home was bulldozed and he was displaced in his own country, Mohammed Ayuf spent most of his time in the market where his family owned a grocery, frying up samosas to sell for pennies apiece.
At this camp, his days assumed a routine: wake up, pray at the mosque, return to his family's hut. Most nights he slept outdoors on the hard earth, swatting hopelessly at flies.
The 16-year-old began talking about leaving, like his older brother two years before and tens of thousands of other ethnic Rohingya Muslims who have braved a perilous sea crossing to escape crushing oppression in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar.
In phone conversations from Malaysia, his brother admonished Ayuf not to try to join him. (Courtesy of LA Times)
School was never his thing. Back before his home was bulldozed and he was displaced in his own country, Mohammed Ayuf spent most of his time in the market where his family owned a grocery, frying up samosas to sell for pennies apiece.
At this camp, his days assumed a routine: wake up, pray at the mosque, return to his family's hut. Most nights he slept outdoors on the hard earth, swatting hopelessly at flies.
The 16-year-old began talking about leaving, like his older brother two years before and tens of thousands of other ethnic Rohingya Muslims who have braved a perilous sea crossing to escape crushing oppression in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar.
In phone conversations from Malaysia, his brother admonished Ayuf not to try to join him. (Courtesy of LA Times)
Thailand asks Myanmar to contain protests
The Foreign Ministry has asked the Myanmar government to contain protests against the death sentence in the Koh Tao murder trial as demonstrators again gathered at a border crossing into Kanchanaburi province on Monday.
The ministry sent the request through the Myanmar ambassador to Thailand and the Myanmar foreign ministry, asking Myanmar to contain protests which were spreading beyond Yangon, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Monday morning.
Asked to comment on the request by Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing that Thailand review the death sentence passed on two Myanmar citizens, Mr Don said it would have no effect. No country would halt the justice process midway through.
The case could still go to the appellate court, the foreign minister said.
Mr Don also said that with large numbers of people now demonstrating, it was impossible to identify the intentions of all of them. However, some demonstrations appeared to be unusually organised.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said on Monday an appeal was possible.
Thailand had its laws and Myanmar had asked that the case to be handled strictly in accordance with the justice system, he said. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The ministry sent the request through the Myanmar ambassador to Thailand and the Myanmar foreign ministry, asking Myanmar to contain protests which were spreading beyond Yangon, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Monday morning.
Asked to comment on the request by Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing that Thailand review the death sentence passed on two Myanmar citizens, Mr Don said it would have no effect. No country would halt the justice process midway through.
The case could still go to the appellate court, the foreign minister said.
Mr Don also said that with large numbers of people now demonstrating, it was impossible to identify the intentions of all of them. However, some demonstrations appeared to be unusually organised.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said on Monday an appeal was possible.
Thailand had its laws and Myanmar had asked that the case to be handled strictly in accordance with the justice system, he said. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
How will Myanmar’s airlines prepare for competition in the ASEAN market?
Q: The ASEAN economic community will be implemented next year and there will be many investors coming to Myanmar, what is Air Kanbawza doing to compete in the ASEAN market?
A: We are closely monitoring the number of passengers and we will increase our fleet to meet the demands of the market. We are engaged in capacity building of our staff and are constantly giving them training. We are giving training to all of our staff at the airline - pilot training, aircraft maintenance training, ground crew training, cabin crew training, admin, marketing, and logistics support staff training etc. So these are our preparations for competing in the ASEAN economic community.
Q: As you know, in our country, economists say staff generally in Myanmar badly need capacity building. So what preparations are needed for those who are seeking jobs in your airline and how do you select and recruit staff for your airline and with what criteria?
A: The main thing is English language. We recruit and select them based on their language skills and educational qualifications such as graduation etc. And then we also look at their motivation and interests. These are important in our business as it needs teamwork. This job is exhausting and demanding. They also must be interested, otherwise they will not be happy in this work. So we recruit and select them based on language skills, hobbies, interests, and motivation. After recruiting them, we train them to suit our needs. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
A: We are closely monitoring the number of passengers and we will increase our fleet to meet the demands of the market. We are engaged in capacity building of our staff and are constantly giving them training. We are giving training to all of our staff at the airline - pilot training, aircraft maintenance training, ground crew training, cabin crew training, admin, marketing, and logistics support staff training etc. So these are our preparations for competing in the ASEAN economic community.
Q: As you know, in our country, economists say staff generally in Myanmar badly need capacity building. So what preparations are needed for those who are seeking jobs in your airline and how do you select and recruit staff for your airline and with what criteria?
A: The main thing is English language. We recruit and select them based on their language skills and educational qualifications such as graduation etc. And then we also look at their motivation and interests. These are important in our business as it needs teamwork. This job is exhausting and demanding. They also must be interested, otherwise they will not be happy in this work. So we recruit and select them based on language skills, hobbies, interests, and motivation. After recruiting them, we train them to suit our needs. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Human trafficking suspect handed over to Myanmar
Thailand on Monday handed over to Myanmar a Myanmar national wanted in his home country for alleged involvement in human trafficking.
Ranong Governor Suriyan Kanjanasil presided over the hand over. Myanmar was represented by immigration officials of Koh Song province opposite Ranong.
The suspect was identified only as Zhi who the governor said was a prime suspect and wanted in Myanmar, where he was accused of being a front man in a forced labour racket in the fishery industry.
Some 300 Myanmar citizens filed complaints with Myanmar authorities, saying that they paid fees to Zhi who promised them construction and general work only to be forced to work in fishing vessels. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Ranong Governor Suriyan Kanjanasil presided over the hand over. Myanmar was represented by immigration officials of Koh Song province opposite Ranong.
The suspect was identified only as Zhi who the governor said was a prime suspect and wanted in Myanmar, where he was accused of being a front man in a forced labour racket in the fishery industry.
Some 300 Myanmar citizens filed complaints with Myanmar authorities, saying that they paid fees to Zhi who promised them construction and general work only to be forced to work in fishing vessels. (Courtesy of The Nation)
Prayut lashes out at Myanmar Koh Tao protestors
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lashed out on Monday at protesters who took to the streets of Yangon on the weekend after the Koh Samui Court sentenced two Myanmar migrant workers to death for murdering two British tourists.
Gen Prayut said critics should respect the verdict and that Thailand's justice system would not bow to public pressure.
"They have the right to appeal, right? Laws all over the world have this. Or should Thai law not have this? Is it the case that we should release all people when pressured?," a visibly angry general told reporters before boarding a plane to Surat Thani province.
Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 22, were found guilty on Thursday of killing Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, whose battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern holiday island of Koh Tao in 2014.
The verdicts sparked anger in Myanmar where thousands have held daily protests outside the Thai embassy in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, calling for the two to be released. (Courtesy of Bangkokpost Post: News)
Gen Prayut said critics should respect the verdict and that Thailand's justice system would not bow to public pressure.
"They have the right to appeal, right? Laws all over the world have this. Or should Thai law not have this? Is it the case that we should release all people when pressured?," a visibly angry general told reporters before boarding a plane to Surat Thani province.
Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 22, were found guilty on Thursday of killing Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, whose battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern holiday island of Koh Tao in 2014.
The verdicts sparked anger in Myanmar where thousands have held daily protests outside the Thai embassy in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, calling for the two to be released. (Courtesy of Bangkokpost Post: News)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)