As it takes the reins of government, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy faces a raft of ongoing and complex issues that will challenge the people’s sense of hope and expectations.
Myanmar will soon have a new government with greater legitimacy than any previous government in the country’s history, thanks to the popularity of the winning party in the 2015 elections – the National League for Democracy (NLD). It’s also thanks to the transparency of Myanmar’s whole electoral process.
While this dramatic election victory has been widely greeted as a triumph for democracy, and as the definitive end of authoritarian rule in Myanmar, it remains to be seen whether this is “a new dawn for old business.” Most of Myanmar’s problems will take time to resolve, and even making improvements may not happen quickly considering the complex issues immediately facing Aung San Suu Kyi’s government. What is striking is the extent of popular expectations of the NLD; Myanmar people hope the party can quickly resolve problems that have divided and set back Myanmar for generations. (Courtesy of asiapacific.anu.edu.au)
February 4, 2016
Village Admin Humiliates Rohingya Youth in Public
The administrator of ‘Pharung Chaung’ village in Buthidaung Township arbitrarily beat and humiliated a Rohingya youth in public on Sunday.
The village administrator was also said to have extorted money from the victim identified to be Mohammed Taher Sultan, 25, hails from ‘Dudan 1’ hamlet of Pharung Chaung’ village tract.
“The victim belongs to a poor family and sells bamboo in the stall set up in front of his home which opposite to a Rakhine residence at the other side of the road.
On January 11, the village administrator, a Rakhine extremist named Maung Than Htay, extorted Kyat 20,000 from him alleging him of illegally selling bamboos by the road. On January 31, he again demanded ransom from the victim on pretext of a complaint lodged against him by a Rakhine neighbour. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
The village administrator was also said to have extorted money from the victim identified to be Mohammed Taher Sultan, 25, hails from ‘Dudan 1’ hamlet of Pharung Chaung’ village tract.
“The victim belongs to a poor family and sells bamboo in the stall set up in front of his home which opposite to a Rakhine residence at the other side of the road.
On January 11, the village administrator, a Rakhine extremist named Maung Than Htay, extorted Kyat 20,000 from him alleging him of illegally selling bamboos by the road. On January 31, he again demanded ransom from the victim on pretext of a complaint lodged against him by a Rakhine neighbour. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
NLD leader ‘must be’ president: U Tin Oo
U Tin Oo, veteran patron of the National League for Democracy, declared yesterday that he had no desire to become president and that the post must be given to party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be the president. Why can’t she be a president? I am just a supporter for her. I never want to be president. I want to help her as much as I can,” the 88-year-old former defence minister and commander-in-chief said.
His comments to reporters, made after attending a training session with the NLD leader for state and region hluttaw MPs, fuelled speculation that no agreement had yet been reached with the military over the choice of Myanmar’s next president or how the party and the Tatmadaw would share power. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi must be the president. Why can’t she be a president? I am just a supporter for her. I never want to be president. I want to help her as much as I can,” the 88-year-old former defence minister and commander-in-chief said.
His comments to reporters, made after attending a training session with the NLD leader for state and region hluttaw MPs, fuelled speculation that no agreement had yet been reached with the military over the choice of Myanmar’s next president or how the party and the Tatmadaw would share power. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
What type of federal system is best?
The question of federalism is an important historical issue which unified and divided the country since before the country's independence in 1948. The idea of forming a Union government that would give equal status to all citizens brought together different ethnic groups at the Panglong conference in February 1947.
The same issue divided the country psychologically and emotionally when the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL), the first elected government after independence, failed to fulfill the political aspirations of the country's non-Burmese ethnic nationalities. (Courtesy of Bangkok Post:Opinion)
The same issue divided the country psychologically and emotionally when the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL), the first elected government after independence, failed to fulfill the political aspirations of the country's non-Burmese ethnic nationalities. (Courtesy of Bangkok Post:Opinion)
Detained students call on parliament to protect human rights
The detained students and activists from the democracy education boycott column appeared at the Thayawady Township court on February 2, where they called on the new NLD-dominated parliament to create new laws to protect human rights in Myanmar.
“The parliament is responsible for drawing laws and, therefore, it must amend or abolish laws hindering the progress of the country and endangering human rights. When the new government is formed, it must fulfil the people’s needs,” said student leader Phyo Phyo Aung. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
“The parliament is responsible for drawing laws and, therefore, it must amend or abolish laws hindering the progress of the country and endangering human rights. When the new government is formed, it must fulfil the people’s needs,” said student leader Phyo Phyo Aung. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Travel ban fuels talk of Myanmar constitutional challenge
The party of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has instructed its lawmakers not to leave the capital, rank-and-file members said, fueling speculation of a legal bid to sidestep a clause in the constitution barring the democracy champion from the presidency.
Eight new lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD) said the party’s top governing body, the 15-strong Central Executive Committee (CEC), had told them to stay in Naypyitaw, where the NLD-dominated parliament began its five-year term this week.
“We are not allowed to take any leave until the end of next week,” said a new NLD member who did not want to be identified. “One of the NLD CEC members said there may be some important matters or emergency bills coming up next week.”
The directive has intensified speculation among lawmakers that the party could table legislation to suspend the provision that prevents Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi from becoming president despite her thumping win in the historic election in November. (Courtesy of The Japan Times)
Eight new lawmakers from the National League for Democracy (NLD) said the party’s top governing body, the 15-strong Central Executive Committee (CEC), had told them to stay in Naypyitaw, where the NLD-dominated parliament began its five-year term this week.
“We are not allowed to take any leave until the end of next week,” said a new NLD member who did not want to be identified. “One of the NLD CEC members said there may be some important matters or emergency bills coming up next week.”
The directive has intensified speculation among lawmakers that the party could table legislation to suspend the provision that prevents Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi from becoming president despite her thumping win in the historic election in November. (Courtesy of The Japan Times)
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