One test for this dream of Community is whether the lives of ordinary citizens will improve and one hard issue will be the ongoing tragedy of trafficking in people.
Last year, mass graves were discovered along the border of Thailand and Malaysia, containing the remains of more than 200 people.
The cases are still under investigation, but most fear the victims were from the Rakhine State in Myanmar – called the Rohingya by some – and had been kidnapped or illegally trafficked before being abandoned and killed. (Courtesy of The Malaysian Insider)
January 24, 2016
Myanmar’s Annual Rohingya Exodus Placed on Hold
It is “sailing season” in Myanmar, a time when thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims have typically taken to the seas in pursuit of better lives abroad.
But this year is different. Government crackdowns on human traffickers and a historic election have many people cautiously optimistic that the situation for the Rohingya may finally improve.
In recent years, thousands of ostracized Rohingya Muslims have fled from beaches at Sittwe, capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state, on dangerous trips abroad. Some have fallen prey to traffickers.
Despite the risks, many have chosen to flee rather than endure life in Myanmar, in restrictive camps, with little education, substandard medical care and mass unemployment. Many are despondent. (Courtesy of VOA)
But this year is different. Government crackdowns on human traffickers and a historic election have many people cautiously optimistic that the situation for the Rohingya may finally improve.
In recent years, thousands of ostracized Rohingya Muslims have fled from beaches at Sittwe, capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state, on dangerous trips abroad. Some have fallen prey to traffickers.
Despite the risks, many have chosen to flee rather than endure life in Myanmar, in restrictive camps, with little education, substandard medical care and mass unemployment. Many are despondent. (Courtesy of VOA)
Suu Kyi's party stays mum on choice for president
The son-in-law of former Myanmar strongman Than Shwe is among the military appointees named to state legislatures and the country's new Parliament, which will convene on Feb 1. Brigadier-General Thein Naing has been appointed to the Yangon legislature.
Under Myanmar's junta-era 2008 Constitution, 25 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament and state and regional legislatures are reserved for the military - a footprint that in effect allows it to veto any amendment to the Constitution.
But with a Nov 8 landslide electoral win, the National League for Democracy (NLD) controls both Houses - and now all eyes are on who will be the country's next president. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Under Myanmar's junta-era 2008 Constitution, 25 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament and state and regional legislatures are reserved for the military - a footprint that in effect allows it to veto any amendment to the Constitution.
But with a Nov 8 landslide electoral win, the National League for Democracy (NLD) controls both Houses - and now all eyes are on who will be the country's next president. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Prisoner amnesty: too little, too late
The outgoing government has released 102 prisoners across the country, announced Zaw Htay, director of the President's Office, on Facebook. The list does not include students who are still on trial after their arrest around March 10 last year.
The students were not prisoners but were under investigation in the courts and they were engaged in the legal process, he said.
Under the leadership of the All Burma Federation Student Unions, the students demanded reform of the National Education Law.
In Letpadan, Bago Region, there was a large crackdown on them and Phyoe Phyoe Aung, Nanda Sit Aung, Min Thway Thit and other supporters were detained at Thayawady Prison. Their trials continue. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The students were not prisoners but were under investigation in the courts and they were engaged in the legal process, he said.
Under the leadership of the All Burma Federation Student Unions, the students demanded reform of the National Education Law.
In Letpadan, Bago Region, there was a large crackdown on them and Phyoe Phyoe Aung, Nanda Sit Aung, Min Thway Thit and other supporters were detained at Thayawady Prison. Their trials continue. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Rights groups upset over jailing of activist for Facebook post
A prisoner amnesty in Myanmar on Friday does not go nearly far enough as scores of peaceful activists remain behind bars, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said.
The government announced on January 22 the release of 102 prisoners, including at least 16 prisoners of conscience who Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had campaigned for.
Those released include three convicted of religious defamation in late 2014 for allegedly insulting an image of a Buddha in a bar advertisement. New Zealand citizen Philip Blackwood and his Myanmar business partners Ko Tun Thurein and Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin were sentenced to two and half years hard labour. Other political prisoners released include land rights activists involved in protests at the Letpadaung copper mine and in Yangon. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
The government announced on January 22 the release of 102 prisoners, including at least 16 prisoners of conscience who Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had campaigned for.
Those released include three convicted of religious defamation in late 2014 for allegedly insulting an image of a Buddha in a bar advertisement. New Zealand citizen Philip Blackwood and his Myanmar business partners Ko Tun Thurein and Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin were sentenced to two and half years hard labour. Other political prisoners released include land rights activists involved in protests at the Letpadaung copper mine and in Yangon. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Cops step up ops over market shootings
The police have stepped up their operation over the Selayang market incident, with 53 more suspects rounded up.
This brings to 176 the total number of suspects nabbed since the incident, in which a two-year-old boy was shot and wounded.
Police have enlisted the help of City Hall, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Immigration Department, Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), National Anti-drugs Agency (AADK) and JPJ in their all out “war” against those involved. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Foreigners allowed to purchase condominium apartment in Myanmar
Foreigners have been allowed to purchase not over 40 percent of condominium apartment in Myanmar in accordance with the approved Condominium Law beginning this year, official sources said Saturday.
The Condominium Law is applied to high-rise residential building having minimum six floors and it should be built on an area of 20,000 square feet or over. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
The Condominium Law is applied to high-rise residential building having minimum six floors and it should be built on an area of 20,000 square feet or over. (Courtesy of Shanghai Daily)
Numerous AA suspects arrested
The security agency known as the Sa Ya Pha has reportedly detained three young militants in Rakhine State.
The three were apparently arrested at their homes in Leikamaw village, Kyaukpyu Township, for possible connection with the Arakan Army (AA).
“They have been detained as they’re suspected of links with the AA. But I’m not sure about that. My brother Maung Aye was taken by force from his home on January 21. There is growing concern about them among their families and other villagers. Such an aggressive act shouldn’t have happened in this democratic era,” said Maung Daung, brother of Maung Aye.
The other two detained were named as Thar Tun Phyu and Zaw Win Maung. (Courtesy of Eleven Media)
The three were apparently arrested at their homes in Leikamaw village, Kyaukpyu Township, for possible connection with the Arakan Army (AA).
“They have been detained as they’re suspected of links with the AA. But I’m not sure about that. My brother Maung Aye was taken by force from his home on January 21. There is growing concern about them among their families and other villagers. Such an aggressive act shouldn’t have happened in this democratic era,” said Maung Daung, brother of Maung Aye.
The other two detained were named as Thar Tun Phyu and Zaw Win Maung. (Courtesy of Eleven Media)
Govt must realise that it needs the media
The media should play the role of watchdog but it can also be manipulated to reflect the agenda of a powerful owner. The authorities need to be proactive, strategic and professional in their relationship with the news media. Willingly or not, it has long been recognised that the police and media can become locked into a complex loop of interdependence.
The media depends on the police for the constant release of “crime and crash” information as the lifeblood of their news stories and the police depend on media coverage for help in crime prevention and detection, and also in the promotion of a positive image for policing work.
The effective management and use of information has an important role to play in crime prevention, reduction and investigation strategies, and the amount of information that police officers encounter in the course of their work is considerable.
Depending on how transparent a news article is, one can determine its reliability and make assumptions or draw one’s own conclusions from the findings. Media transparency brings up issues concerning freedom of speech since governments may censor what information is conveyed in order to sway public opinion. Corruption has been a major issue in areas of the world where there is a lack of media transparency. (Courtesy of Eleven Media)
The media depends on the police for the constant release of “crime and crash” information as the lifeblood of their news stories and the police depend on media coverage for help in crime prevention and detection, and also in the promotion of a positive image for policing work.
The effective management and use of information has an important role to play in crime prevention, reduction and investigation strategies, and the amount of information that police officers encounter in the course of their work is considerable.
Depending on how transparent a news article is, one can determine its reliability and make assumptions or draw one’s own conclusions from the findings. Media transparency brings up issues concerning freedom of speech since governments may censor what information is conveyed in order to sway public opinion. Corruption has been a major issue in areas of the world where there is a lack of media transparency. (Courtesy of Eleven Media)
Challenges Abound for Suu Kyi and Peace Process
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, told an Independence Day event at NLD headquarters on January 4 that the first priority of an NLD government would be building internal peace.
She will lead the peace process launched by President U Thein Sein’s administration after her government takes office on April 1. I would like to discuss the challenges the NLD government may face in achieving peace.
The former military government made no attempt to hold a political dialogue with armed ethnic groups and even though it reached bilateral ceasefire agreements with many of them, it stopped short of discussing a national truce. It also tried to coerce armed ethnic groups into forming border guard forces that would be under Tatmadaw command. Resistance to forming the BGFs lead to tension and fighting erupted with some armed ethnic groups. After President U Thein Sein’s government took office in 2011, peace talks began as part of a concerted attempt to reach a ceasefire accord. Months of negotiations resulted in an agreement being reached on a draft text for a national ceasefire agreement on March 31, 2015. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
She will lead the peace process launched by President U Thein Sein’s administration after her government takes office on April 1. I would like to discuss the challenges the NLD government may face in achieving peace.
The former military government made no attempt to hold a political dialogue with armed ethnic groups and even though it reached bilateral ceasefire agreements with many of them, it stopped short of discussing a national truce. It also tried to coerce armed ethnic groups into forming border guard forces that would be under Tatmadaw command. Resistance to forming the BGFs lead to tension and fighting erupted with some armed ethnic groups. After President U Thein Sein’s government took office in 2011, peace talks began as part of a concerted attempt to reach a ceasefire accord. Months of negotiations resulted in an agreement being reached on a draft text for a national ceasefire agreement on March 31, 2015. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Myanmar frees prisoners before change of govt
Myanmar began releasing the first of about 100 prisoners yesterday, government officials said, days before a Parliament dominated by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi's party sits for the first time after an election victory in November.
The freeing of prisoners by the outgoing administration of President Thein Sein comes after US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Myanmar to release all political prisoners during a visit on Monday. (Courtesy of The Traits Times)
The freeing of prisoners by the outgoing administration of President Thein Sein comes after US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Myanmar to release all political prisoners during a visit on Monday. (Courtesy of The Traits Times)
Matthews Asia: Myanmar, The Last Frontier
For me, Myanmar is the last of Asia’s frontier countries, and it represents an enormous investment opportunity. I first visited Yangon, one of Myanmar’s largest cities, with my colleague in June 2013 when global consumer companies were racing to set up there before their competitors arrived. I remember seeing Coca Cola’s CEO at the airport celebrating with his employees after the firm resumed bottling operations in the country for the first time in six decades. Obtaining a hotel reservation in Myanmar those days was difficult. Even as the country was beginning to open up to foreign investment, some essential infrastructure, like banking and modern telecommunications, was totally absent.
Development in the country was notoriously stifled for some 50 years under the thumb of socialist and military dictatorship until 2011. Today, Myanmar’s economy is still based on agriculture, just as it was decades ago, and the country is one of the poorest in the world. In fact, agriculture’s share of GDP rose to 44% in 2010 from 35% in 1965—quite unique in Asia where the average share of agriculture to GDP was 12% in 2010, according to a McKinsey study. Myanmar’s GDP last year was just US$64 billion—even less than that of Sri Lanka despite having double the population size. (Courtesy of valuewalk.com)
Development in the country was notoriously stifled for some 50 years under the thumb of socialist and military dictatorship until 2011. Today, Myanmar’s economy is still based on agriculture, just as it was decades ago, and the country is one of the poorest in the world. In fact, agriculture’s share of GDP rose to 44% in 2010 from 35% in 1965—quite unique in Asia where the average share of agriculture to GDP was 12% in 2010, according to a McKinsey study. Myanmar’s GDP last year was just US$64 billion—even less than that of Sri Lanka despite having double the population size. (Courtesy of valuewalk.com)
Can Suu Kyi Break Myanmar’s Ceasefire Deadlock?
Last week, Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party will control Myanmar’s next parliament, participated for the first time in the government’s ongoing peace negotiations with ethnic minority insurgencies. As the Associated Press reported, Suu Kyi declared that she would push for a complete peace accord, one that includes the insurgent groups that did not sign an initial peace framework last autumn.
The National League for Democracy (NLD)’s leader’s participation in the peace negotiations has raised hopes that the government can reach a final, permanent resolution with the holdout militias. Some of the holdout insurgent groups may trust Suu Kyi and the NLD more than the previous government, which was dominated by former military men, including some who had led firefights against the ethnic armies. (Courtesy of The Diplomat)
The National League for Democracy (NLD)’s leader’s participation in the peace negotiations has raised hopes that the government can reach a final, permanent resolution with the holdout militias. Some of the holdout insurgent groups may trust Suu Kyi and the NLD more than the previous government, which was dominated by former military men, including some who had led firefights against the ethnic armies. (Courtesy of The Diplomat)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)