February 15, 2016

Myanmar Gas exploration activities underway

There have been a total of 51 offshore blocks reserved for gas exploration tender.
In addition, there are also 53 onshore blocks designated for such undertaking.

According to statistics, 17 companies are currently performing offshore natural gas drilling, while 19 other companies have been permitted to carry out similar activities on onshore blocks.

Oil companies are set to carry out oil and gas exploration along Myanmar’s coastline of Rakhine state and Tanintharyi region as well as the offshore region of Mottama. (Courtesy of newsghana.com.gh)

NLD, ANP and military face off over Rakhine chief minister post

The chief ministers of the states and regions, as well as their cabinets, are to be nominated directly by the president of the Union to be elected by parliament next month. March 17 has been set as the deadline for nominations for the presidency and the two vice-presidential posts.

Whatever the eventual choice, the issue is likely to be contentious in a state still gripped by poverty and ethnic and religious tensions, as well as armed clashes in the north.

According to some sources, the nominee will be Sittwe’s National League for Democracy leader, U Nyi Pu. Others point to the return of the former chief minister, U Maung Maung Ohn, who has a military background. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)

Suu Kyi secretly held power talks with ethnic leaders

Khun Tun Oo, the chairman of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), was invited to Nay Pyi Taw in January at the invitation of Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD), it has only just been revealed.

A photo of the meeting was posted on the parliamentary Facebook page on February 13.

“The SNLD chairman was invited by the NLD. The report did not mention whom Khun Tun Oo met and what he discussed in Parliament,” said Sai Thiha Kyaw, Lower House MP for Mongral, Shan State.

Aye Tha Aung of the Arakan National Party also visited Suu Kyi in January before he was nominated as Deputy Speaker for the Upper House. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)

ANP takes aim at militarised ministries

The Arakan National Party is taking issue with the profusion of retired military officials embedded within ministry ranks.

Last year, the health, education and judiciary sectors all launched ribbon campaigns against a perceived “militarisation” effect. The professionals said the military appointees were preventing civil servants from career advancement, with non-military officials unable to attain appointments above the former officers, many of whom were under-qualified.

The movement against military personnel being installed in government and judicial positions quickly spread into other sectors as well, with a rainbow ribbon protest launched shortly before the election. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)