Rakhine state government officials are moving to demolish more than 3,000 allegedly illegal buildings, including a dozen mosques and more than 30 other religious buildings, in the Maungdaw District, RFA’s Myanmar Service has learned.
During a meeting in the state capital of Sittwe, a committee of village elders was convened to take stock of illegal buildings that need to be razed, Rakhine State Security and Border Affairs Minister Col. Htein Lin told RFA.
Those buildings include 12 mosques, 35 religious school buildings and more than 2,500 houses and other structures that were constructed over the years without permission from the authorities, he said.
Maungdaw area village chiefs were notified of the decision on Sept. 18, he said. It was unclear exactly when the demolitions would occur, or precisely how the buildings were chosen.
Tensions between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims in various parts of the country flare up from time to time over the building of religious structures. (Courtesy of rfa.org)
September 21, 2016
September 20, 2016
Political parties rail against Rakhine State commission
Further buttressing complaints about the Rakhine State Advisory Commission, 11 political parties put out a joint statement calling for the disbanding of the “illegitimate” new body.
On September 16, the political parties – including the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party and the Arakan National Party – met in Yangon to discuss objections to the newly formed commission.
Eleven of the 13 parties present at the meeting agreed to support the Rakhine State parliament’s vote to reject the committee, a symbolic decision made last week.
The commission was formed by the state counsellor last month as an impartial body with a mandate to propose concrete measures for improving the welfare of all people in Rakhine State. The crux of opposition to the nine-member commission, amplified by nationalist protests, has hinged on its inclusion of three foreigners, including former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
On September 16, the political parties – including the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party and the Arakan National Party – met in Yangon to discuss objections to the newly formed commission.
Eleven of the 13 parties present at the meeting agreed to support the Rakhine State parliament’s vote to reject the committee, a symbolic decision made last week.
The commission was formed by the state counsellor last month as an impartial body with a mandate to propose concrete measures for improving the welfare of all people in Rakhine State. The crux of opposition to the nine-member commission, amplified by nationalist protests, has hinged on its inclusion of three foreigners, including former UN secretary general Kofi Annan. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Deadly clashes in Myanmar threaten rebel peace bid
At least eight people have been killed and thousands displaced by clashes in southeast Myanmar, rebels and border forces said Monday, violence that threatens to undercut the new government's push for peace.
Fighting broke out this month between government troops and an ethnic rebel splinter group known as the DKBA in Karen state, near the border with Thailand.
More than 4,000 people have fled the violence so far.
Video footage sent to AFP showed dozens of women and children packed into a monastery, some handing out food packages from aid groups while others rifled through piles of donated clothing.
The clashes come just weeks after Aung San Suu Kyi's government held a landmark summit aimed at ending almost seven decades of ethnic insurgencies. (Courtesy of au.news.yahoo.com)
Fighting broke out this month between government troops and an ethnic rebel splinter group known as the DKBA in Karen state, near the border with Thailand.
More than 4,000 people have fled the violence so far.
Video footage sent to AFP showed dozens of women and children packed into a monastery, some handing out food packages from aid groups while others rifled through piles of donated clothing.
The clashes come just weeks after Aung San Suu Kyi's government held a landmark summit aimed at ending almost seven decades of ethnic insurgencies. (Courtesy of au.news.yahoo.com)
Chinese paper calls opposition to Myanmar dams ‘extreme’
Opposition to Chinese-invested hydropower schemes in Myanmar is being orchestrated by “extreme” groups in the country and has been extremely damaging to joint investment projects, an influential Chinese newspaper wrote on Monday.
The suspension in 2011 of the $3.6-billion Myitsone megadam project by former president Thein Sein remains a sore point between the two countries.
Myanmar suspended the project citing environmental worries, but the decision was also seen as an attempt to distance itself from Beijing. Uncertainties arising from that controversy have held back other Chinese investment plans.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party swept to power Myanmar’s first free national vote in 25 years last November, said on a visit to China last month that her new government was willing to look for a resolution that suits both countries. (Courtesy of oann.com)
The suspension in 2011 of the $3.6-billion Myitsone megadam project by former president Thein Sein remains a sore point between the two countries.
Myanmar suspended the project citing environmental worries, but the decision was also seen as an attempt to distance itself from Beijing. Uncertainties arising from that controversy have held back other Chinese investment plans.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party swept to power Myanmar’s first free national vote in 25 years last November, said on a visit to China last month that her new government was willing to look for a resolution that suits both countries. (Courtesy of oann.com)
September 19, 2016
Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi Receives Award As Students Protest
The Harvard Foundation named Nobel laureate and Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi its 2016 Humanitarian of the Year in a ceremony Saturday, while students from the Harvard Islamic Society stood outside to protest what they consider her silence toward the country’s persecuted Muslim minority.
Suu Kyi, elected head of Myanmar’s government in April, was placed under house arrest in 1989 for protesting against the country’s dictatorship and served 15 years in detention. During her early years, Suu Kyi was held in solitary confinement and could not see her husband Michael V. Aris—at the time a visiting professor at Harvard—or her two sons. In 1991, Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her "non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights." (Courtesy of thecrimson.com)
Suu Kyi, elected head of Myanmar’s government in April, was placed under house arrest in 1989 for protesting against the country’s dictatorship and served 15 years in detention. During her early years, Suu Kyi was held in solitary confinement and could not see her husband Michael V. Aris—at the time a visiting professor at Harvard—or her two sons. In 1991, Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her "non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights." (Courtesy of thecrimson.com)
Chup… why does Malaysia want to build a wall along the border of Thailand?
If you’ve been following the US Presidential Election, you would have heard that Donald Trump announced that if he were to become president, he would build a wall between the borders of the USA and Mexico, and make Mexico pay for it. It’s still a hot topic of conversation in the US, but it doesn’t seem very relevant to us here in Malaysia doesn’t it?
Well how about this then, Malaysia may soon be replicating what Trump proposed, by building a wall along the border of Malaysia and Thailand! (Courtesy of cilisos.my)
Well how about this then, Malaysia may soon be replicating what Trump proposed, by building a wall along the border of Malaysia and Thailand! (Courtesy of cilisos.my)
A wounded USDP looks to the future
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party recently
held its first conference since losing power following the National
League for Democracy’s landslide victory in last November’s elections.
The conference, from August 22 to 24, did not produce any changes in the USDP’s policies but was notable for a sweeping reshuffle at the top of the party that saw many members of its powerful central executive committee replaced by newcomers.
The changes have significant implications for the party, but the key question is whether the new leadership can achieve success at the ballot box.
Some background is necessary to understand why the USDP made the difficult decision to replace almost its entire leadership. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
The conference, from August 22 to 24, did not produce any changes in the USDP’s policies but was notable for a sweeping reshuffle at the top of the party that saw many members of its powerful central executive committee replaced by newcomers.
The changes have significant implications for the party, but the key question is whether the new leadership can achieve success at the ballot box.
Some background is necessary to understand why the USDP made the difficult decision to replace almost its entire leadership. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Myanmar military tightens security in Kokang capital
Myanmar military has tightened security measures in Laukkai, capital of Kokang region in northern Shan state, following an explosion in a house in the town, official media reported Sunday.
The house belongs to the former leader of the Kokang self-administered zone.
A search of the damaged house in Thursday blast led to discovery of five pieces of a propelled explosive round, the report said.
Further investigation revealed that the projectile had been launched from a hill, 1.6 kilometers northwest of Laukkai and the pieces belonged to a 107mm rocket launcher.
The security forces also found suspicious package comprising night-vision binoculars, 107mm rocket launchers and grenades around a hill, 3.2 kilometers northwest of Laukkai, the report added. (Courtesy of globaltimes.cn)
The house belongs to the former leader of the Kokang self-administered zone.
A search of the damaged house in Thursday blast led to discovery of five pieces of a propelled explosive round, the report said.
Further investigation revealed that the projectile had been launched from a hill, 1.6 kilometers northwest of Laukkai and the pieces belonged to a 107mm rocket launcher.
The security forces also found suspicious package comprising night-vision binoculars, 107mm rocket launchers and grenades around a hill, 3.2 kilometers northwest of Laukkai, the report added. (Courtesy of globaltimes.cn)
September 17, 2016
Dalai Lama criticises Aung San Suu Kyi over Rohingya silence at EU meeting
The Dalai Lama has condemned attacks against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar, describing them as acts of "some mischievous individuals who do not represent Buddhism," accordingto the Kuwait News Agency on 15 September.
The Tibetan Buddhist leader was speaking to the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Strasbourg. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
The Tibetan Buddhist leader was speaking to the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in Strasbourg. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
September 15, 2016
As Suu Kyi visits, US announces lifting of Myanmar sanctions
President Barack Obama said Wednesday the U.S. is lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Myanmar as he met with Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner who is now the nation's de facto leader.
Obama hailed a "remarkable" transformation in the country also known as Burma, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule. Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administration's support for Myanmar's shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.
The U.S. has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago and Obama has visited the country twice. But the U.S. has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. U.S. companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asia's last untapped markets. (Courtesy of crossroadstoday.com)
Obama hailed a "remarkable" transformation in the country also known as Burma, which spent five decades under oppressive military rule. Suu Kyi's party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administration's support for Myanmar's shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.
The U.S. has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago and Obama has visited the country twice. But the U.S. has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and officials and associates of the former ruling junta. U.S. companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asia's last untapped markets. (Courtesy of crossroadstoday.com)
September 7, 2016
NLD Rejects ANP Proposal to Remove Intl Reps from Arakan Advisory Commission
An urgent proposal put forward by Arakanese National Party (ANP) lawmaker Aung Kyaw San—calling for international members of the Arakan State Advisory Commission to be replaced with local academics—failed to earn parliamentary approval on Tuesday.
All military appointees to the legislature and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) MPs, as well as many of the ethnic political parties’ representatives—totalling 148 parliamentarians—voted in support of the ANP’s proposal, but 250 lawmakers from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) objected to it. One MP abstained from the vote.
The nine-member Arakan State Advisory Commission—whose formation was announced on Aug. 24—aims to explore the roots of Buddhist-Muslim tension in Arakan State, and to make recommendations toward “lasting solutions” to conflict. Since the outbreak of anti-Muslim violence in 2012, leading to the displacement of 140,000, the region has received international attention.
Formed by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the commission has three representatives from the international community, including chair and former UN chief Kofi Annan, two government representatives, two Buddhist Arakanese members, and two Muslim members. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
All military appointees to the legislature and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) MPs, as well as many of the ethnic political parties’ representatives—totalling 148 parliamentarians—voted in support of the ANP’s proposal, but 250 lawmakers from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) objected to it. One MP abstained from the vote.
The nine-member Arakan State Advisory Commission—whose formation was announced on Aug. 24—aims to explore the roots of Buddhist-Muslim tension in Arakan State, and to make recommendations toward “lasting solutions” to conflict. Since the outbreak of anti-Muslim violence in 2012, leading to the displacement of 140,000, the region has received international attention.
Formed by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the commission has three representatives from the international community, including chair and former UN chief Kofi Annan, two government representatives, two Buddhist Arakanese members, and two Muslim members. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
September 6, 2016
Hundreds protest in Myanmar over Suu Kyi's panel on Rohingya Muslims
Hundreds in Myanmar rallied on Tuesday against an advisory commission led by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan to find solutions to the conflict between the country's Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims, which has cast a pall over democratic reforms.
The plight of the Rohingya has raised questions about Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's commitment to human rights and represents a politically sensitive issue for her National League for Democracy, which won a landslide election victory last year.
Local residents and Buddhist monks joined the protest overseen by dozens of police, despite rain in the northwestern Rakhine State, challenging what they perceived as "foreigners' biased intervention" from the nine-member panel.
Jeers and chants denouncing the panel intensified upon the arrival of Annan's plane. The crowd soon followed the convoy into town, where Annan delivered a speech and met with members of both the Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine communities during his two-day visit to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
The plight of the Rohingya has raised questions about Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi's commitment to human rights and represents a politically sensitive issue for her National League for Democracy, which won a landslide election victory last year.
Local residents and Buddhist monks joined the protest overseen by dozens of police, despite rain in the northwestern Rakhine State, challenging what they perceived as "foreigners' biased intervention" from the nine-member panel.
Jeers and chants denouncing the panel intensified upon the arrival of Annan's plane. The crowd soon followed the convoy into town, where Annan delivered a speech and met with members of both the Rohingya and Buddhist Rakhine communities during his two-day visit to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
September 2, 2016
UN Secretary General Receives Mixed Messages in Stakeholder Meetings
United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon met with an interfaith panel and civil society representatives at two different events with two contrasting messages in Naypyidaw on Wednesday.
During the meeting with the interfaith group, well-known Buddhist monk Ashin Nyanisara, also known as Sitagu Sayadaw, attributed a “lack of understanding of the essence of one’s own faith” to “one of the causes of conflict” in Burma.
Only through understanding this “essence,” the monk explained, can mutual understanding and friendship be fostered. Government schools, Ashin Nyanisara added, should develop a religious education syllabus “to help students understand every religion in the country.” (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Correction: Myanmar-Kofi Annan story
In a story Aug. 30 about a Facebook post criticizing former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha was responsible for the post. A Ma Ba Tha leader says it was not responsible and that the post and the Facebook page on which it appeared are fake.
A corrected version of the story is below:
Myanmar Buddhist group says post insulting Kofi Annan was fake
Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar says Facebook post in which it appeared to criticize former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was fake
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar says a Facebook post in which it appeared to criticize former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was fake. (Courtesy of startribune.com)
A corrected version of the story is below:
Myanmar Buddhist group says post insulting Kofi Annan was fake
Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar says Facebook post in which it appeared to criticize former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was fake
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A Buddhist nationalist group in Myanmar says a Facebook post in which it appeared to criticize former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was fake. (Courtesy of startribune.com)
Myanmar looks to new rice agreement with Jakarta
The governments of Indonesia and Myanmar will sign a memorandum of understanding next month on continued rice exports, but the two commerce ministers then face an unresolved issue over payment for a previous shipment that failed to comply with Indonesian regulations.
Commerce Minister U Than Myint will travel to Indonesia on September 13 for an MoU signing ceremony, after which he and his Indonesian counterpart will discuss the terms of a new export agreement, the ministry has confirmed.
The new contract for rice exports will involve private sector exporters and buyers, thus officials from the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and MAPCO will be involved in discussion about exactly how much rice Myanmar will export and at what price.
The original government-to-government agreement with Indonesia was signed by Myanmar’s previous government in April 2013. But Indonesia only approached Myanmar for rice imports in 2015. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Commerce Minister U Than Myint will travel to Indonesia on September 13 for an MoU signing ceremony, after which he and his Indonesian counterpart will discuss the terms of a new export agreement, the ministry has confirmed.
The new contract for rice exports will involve private sector exporters and buyers, thus officials from the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and MAPCO will be involved in discussion about exactly how much rice Myanmar will export and at what price.
The original government-to-government agreement with Indonesia was signed by Myanmar’s previous government in April 2013. But Indonesia only approached Myanmar for rice imports in 2015. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)
Kofi Annan to visit Myanmar amid demand to abolish advisory commission
Former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan, who was recently appointed to head the Rakhine State Advisory Commission, will pay a visit to Myanmar next week even as nationalists demanding to abolish the commission led by him.
“It may be on September 6, but a fixed date for when he will come here is unsure,” the Myanmar Times quoted, U Tin Maung Swe, Secretary of the Rakhine State Government, as saying. U Zaw Htay, Deputy Director General for the President’s Office, also confirmed that plans were in the works for the former UN chief to visit, but said dates and a detailed itinerary had yet to be planned.
The Annan lead nine-member Rakhine State Advisory Commission has been tasked with finding conflict-prevention measures, ensuring humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, establishing basic infrastructure, and promoting development long-term plans in the restive state. The commission has been given one year to conduct research and submit a report on its findings. (Courtesy of indianexpress.com)
“It may be on September 6, but a fixed date for when he will come here is unsure,” the Myanmar Times quoted, U Tin Maung Swe, Secretary of the Rakhine State Government, as saying. U Zaw Htay, Deputy Director General for the President’s Office, also confirmed that plans were in the works for the former UN chief to visit, but said dates and a detailed itinerary had yet to be planned.
The Annan lead nine-member Rakhine State Advisory Commission has been tasked with finding conflict-prevention measures, ensuring humanitarian assistance, rights and reconciliation, establishing basic infrastructure, and promoting development long-term plans in the restive state. The commission has been given one year to conduct research and submit a report on its findings. (Courtesy of indianexpress.com)
Myanmar grants e-visa at three border crossings with Thailand
Myanmar has granted e-visa for tourists and business visitors at three border crossings with Thailand starting from Thursday.
The authorities began e-visa services for tourists entering the country through Yangon International Airport on September 1, 2014 from a total of 100 countries and the service was extended to Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw on November 9 the same year, Xinhua news agency reported.
Moreover, the authorities also offered e-visa for business visitors from 51 countries at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports on July 1, 2015. (Courtesy of business-standard.com)
The authorities began e-visa services for tourists entering the country through Yangon International Airport on September 1, 2014 from a total of 100 countries and the service was extended to Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw on November 9 the same year, Xinhua news agency reported.
Moreover, the authorities also offered e-visa for business visitors from 51 countries at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports on July 1, 2015. (Courtesy of business-standard.com)
September 1, 2016
Kofi Annan to Visit Arakan State Next Week
Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan will arrive in Burma on Sunday and visit Arakan State on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, to introduce his role as chair of the new Arakan State Advisory Commission to local Buddhist and Muslim stakeholders, according to Arakan State government secretary U Tin Maung Swe.
Kofi Annan is expected to meet the Arakan National Party (ANP), the largest party in Arakan State, which represents the interests of the Buddhist majority and has taken a hard line against the largely stateless Rohingya Muslim community, which suffered from anti-Muslim violence in 2012 and 2013 and remains largely segregated from Buddhist communities in the state, with restrictions placed on their movement.
However, ANP general-secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw, who is currently attending the Union Peace Conference in Naypyidaw, told The Irrawaddy over the phone that the party had not yet received a formal request for a meeting with the new commission. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Kofi Annan is expected to meet the Arakan National Party (ANP), the largest party in Arakan State, which represents the interests of the Buddhist majority and has taken a hard line against the largely stateless Rohingya Muslim community, which suffered from anti-Muslim violence in 2012 and 2013 and remains largely segregated from Buddhist communities in the state, with restrictions placed on their movement.
However, ANP general-secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw, who is currently attending the Union Peace Conference in Naypyidaw, told The Irrawaddy over the phone that the party had not yet received a formal request for a meeting with the new commission. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Ban Ki-moon Opens 21st Century Panglong Conference in Myanmar
Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon opened today the 21st Century Panglong Conference in Myanmar, which seeks a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in that country.
Before nearly 800,000 participants, he described the summit as a breakthrough for peace in that country and reiterated the UN support for the process, said the Vietnamese news agency VNA.
Known as the Federal Peace Conference, the summit brings together representatives of the Government and the national army, as well as the armed opposition groups, made up of ethnic minorities.
Members of political parties and international organizations also participate in the summit, said VNA. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
Before nearly 800,000 participants, he described the summit as a breakthrough for peace in that country and reiterated the UN support for the process, said the Vietnamese news agency VNA.
Known as the Federal Peace Conference, the summit brings together representatives of the Government and the national army, as well as the armed opposition groups, made up of ethnic minorities.
Members of political parties and international organizations also participate in the summit, said VNA. (Courtesy of plenglish.com)
Rights group calls on Myanmar to investigate Rohingya woman's death
Human rights advocates have called on Myanmar to investigate the death of a young woman from the country's persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, who died this month after being found naked and unconscious near a military base.
The woman, identified as Raysuana, 25, was found by a road next to an army compound in Sittwe, the capital of the conflict-torn Rakhine State in western Myanmar, residents and rights group Amnesty International said.
She had gone missing while walking in an area where more than 100,000 Rohingya have been living in camps since Sittwe was roiled by communal violence in 2012, Amnesty said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Most of the displaced are Rohingya Muslims, a group that many in Buddhist-majority Myanmar regard as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The stateless Rohingya are prevented from moving freely and their access to healthcare and education is restricted. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
The woman, identified as Raysuana, 25, was found by a road next to an army compound in Sittwe, the capital of the conflict-torn Rakhine State in western Myanmar, residents and rights group Amnesty International said.
She had gone missing while walking in an area where more than 100,000 Rohingya have been living in camps since Sittwe was roiled by communal violence in 2012, Amnesty said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Most of the displaced are Rohingya Muslims, a group that many in Buddhist-majority Myanmar regard as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The stateless Rohingya are prevented from moving freely and their access to healthcare and education is restricted. (Courtesy of reuters.com)
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