June 26, 2016

Thai PM orders transfer of Samut Sakhon governor after allegations of Rohingya trafficking

The governor of Samut Sakhon and 22 other officials including law enforcement officers of the province and elsewhere were abruptly transferred and they face investigation for alleged abuse of labour, ill-treatment of the Rohingya and human trafficking.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued the transfer order in his capacity as the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order. (Courtesy of news.asiaone.com)

Amnesty calls for an investigation into the destruction of mosque buildings

The Myanmar authorities must undertake a prompt, independent, thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the violent destruction of buildings in a mosque compound on Thursday in Bago Region in central Myanmar, said Amnesty International in a statement on June 24.

“The authorities must take swift action to show that it is treating such incidents against Muslims and other religious minorities seriously. This incident must be immediately and independently investigated and those suspected of involvement must be brought to justice and victims receive effective remedies including reparations,” said Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International’s Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.(Courtesy of mizzima.com)

KACHIN MILITIA LEADER EXPELLED FROM UNION PARLIAMENT

A Union Election Commission tribunal has ordered Kachin militia leader Zahkung Ting Ying to vacate his Amyotha Hluttaw seat after a ruling in the commission’s Nay Pyi Taw headquarters.

According to the tribunal’s verdict on Friday, there was obvious evidence that Ting Ying had broken numerous election laws while campaigning, including the physical intimidation of rival candidates.

Ting Ying successfully recontested his seat for Kachin’s 5th constituency as an independent last November, a seat he first won during the 2010 election. He is the leader of the New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K), a pro-government militia that was constituted as a Border Guard Force in 2009. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)

Govt unveils 5-year trade strategy

The government's second five-year National Development Plan, running to 2020-21, aims to boost exports with market-friendly legislation, increase competition and help for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The plan also prepares to provide loans, cooperate with international organisations, offer human resource development, consumer protection, boost production of value-added goods, the services sector and information technology. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)

More illegal migrants caught in Tak

Another 41 illegal Myanmar migrant workers were arrested on Saturday during a raid on living quarters in Mae Sot district as authorities stepped up cracking down on illegal migrant workers living in this northern border province.

Col Sophon Nanthawuan, chief of the 4th infantry unit, on Saturday led a combined team of soldiers, border patrol police and immigration officials to the temporary living quarters at the Wat Luang community in Mae Sot municipal area following information that there were many illegal migrant workers living there. (Courtesy of bangkokpost.com)

Thailand reaffirms Dawei plans, but does Myanmar?

“The governments of Thailand and Myanmar reaffirmed that the Dawei megaproject will create thousands of jobs and improve the livelihoods of people along the border,” according to Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Prayuth was speaking at a joint press conference in Bangkok on Friday. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi also addressed reporters, but made no mention of her administration’s commitment to the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or other mutual business or trade interests. The pair also declined to take questions after the press briefing. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)