July 7 marked the 100th day in office for Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government. The cabinet, led by State Counsellor, foreign minister and de facto leader of the nation Aung San Suu Kyi, has focused largely on trying to end armed conflicts in Myanmar and establishing a stronger rule of law.
However some political watchers Channel NewsAsia spoke to noted that the government has paid less attention to other important issues such as transport, social welfare and religious affairs. They also criticised the new administration for not addressing problems such as fresh communal violence and frequent power outages.
Khin Maung Zaw, a political analyst, said the administration could have made better use of its first months in office to articulate a clear direction for the country. “The first 100 days are important for a new government to give people the impression of how confident and reliable they are to lead and govern our country for the next five years. At that point, in my opinion, they lost that opportunity.” (Courtesy of channelnewsasia.com)
July 9, 2016
Students mark 54 years since massacre
Commemorative ceremonies have been held across the country to mark the 54th anniversary of the July 7, 1962, student massacre at the hands of the military.
Such ceremonies were banned in the past. Former and present student leaders and MPs attended.
A ceremony was held on the lawn of the student union building on Adipati Road at Yangon University.
The ceremony led by the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) displayed wreaths and flags.
No police were present. Previous governments had prohibited previous ceremonies. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Such ceremonies were banned in the past. Former and present student leaders and MPs attended.
A ceremony was held on the lawn of the student union building on Adipati Road at Yangon University.
The ceremony led by the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) displayed wreaths and flags.
No police were present. Previous governments had prohibited previous ceremonies. (Courtesy of elevenmyanmar.com)
Ma Ba Tha threatens ‘nationwide’ campaign against Yangon chief minister
Senior Ma Ba Tha members have demanded a total apology from the government’s two most senior leaders over comments made by the Yangon Region chief minister, in the latest fracas between the Buddhist nationalist movement and the National League for Democracy.
At an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the Insein Ywama Monastery, Ma Ba Tha’s Yangon headquarters, the association’s leaders said they would seek an apology from State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Htin Kyaw for comments made by Phyo Min Thein during a trip to Singapore.
Phyo Min Thein had told an audience of expatriate Myanmar nationals over the weekend that groups such as Ma Ba Tha were “not necessary” as the government-backed State Sangha Mahayanaka Committee already administered Buddhist orders in Myanmar, comments he repeated at Yangon Airport on Wednesday after his return home. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
At an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the Insein Ywama Monastery, Ma Ba Tha’s Yangon headquarters, the association’s leaders said they would seek an apology from State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Htin Kyaw for comments made by Phyo Min Thein during a trip to Singapore.
Phyo Min Thein had told an audience of expatriate Myanmar nationals over the weekend that groups such as Ma Ba Tha were “not necessary” as the government-backed State Sangha Mahayanaka Committee already administered Buddhist orders in Myanmar, comments he repeated at Yangon Airport on Wednesday after his return home. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Telenor goes 4G in Nay Pyi Taw
The move follows Ooredoo’s upgrade to 4G earlier this year, with the Qatari telco’s services now available in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, according to the company.
While Telenor’s 4G network is on in Nay Pyi Taw, the company targets reaching other cities “gradually”, according to CEO Petter Furberg.
The Norwegian telco had run 4G tests across the capital, as well as Yangon, Mandalay, Myawady and Muse, as previously reported by The Myanmar Times. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
While Telenor’s 4G network is on in Nay Pyi Taw, the company targets reaching other cities “gradually”, according to CEO Petter Furberg.
The Norwegian telco had run 4G tests across the capital, as well as Yangon, Mandalay, Myawady and Muse, as previously reported by The Myanmar Times. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Myanmar Muslims in Malaysia praise ambassador
Myanmar’s ambassador to Malaysia has been praised for joining Myanmar Muslims at an evening meal during the recent fasting month of Ramadan, Malaysian media reported.
U Zaw Myint joined about 80 members of the Myanmar Muslim Association of Malaysia at an iftar meal to break the daily fast at a restaurant near Kuala Lumpur on July 1, the Star Online reported on July 7.
It quoted association member and former Mandalay resident U Hatte Abdul Razak as hailing the occasion as a milestone. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
U Zaw Myint joined about 80 members of the Myanmar Muslim Association of Malaysia at an iftar meal to break the daily fast at a restaurant near Kuala Lumpur on July 1, the Star Online reported on July 7.
It quoted association member and former Mandalay resident U Hatte Abdul Razak as hailing the occasion as a milestone. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
From Myanmar's Rohingyas to Pakistan's Ahmadis, how nations change names to oppress minority groups
There was much hope associated with Aung San Suu Kyi. A mild looking woman taking on the Myanmarese military establishment, determined to restore democracy in her country. With her emphasis on non-violent political philosophy she was seen as a reincarnation of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Gandhi. But then she came to power and the idealism constructed around her began to evaporate.
In October 2013 when she was pressed on her silence on the Rohingya issue in Myanmar by the BBC journalist Mishal Husain, she is believed to have muttered off-air, “No one told me I was going to be interviewed by a Muslim.” She caused another controversy a few weeks ago when the Foreign Ministry of Myanmar, of which she is in-charge, requested the international community to not refer to the persecuted Muslim minority of the country as Rohingya. (Courtesy of scroll.in)
In October 2013 when she was pressed on her silence on the Rohingya issue in Myanmar by the BBC journalist Mishal Husain, she is believed to have muttered off-air, “No one told me I was going to be interviewed by a Muslim.” She caused another controversy a few weeks ago when the Foreign Ministry of Myanmar, of which she is in-charge, requested the international community to not refer to the persecuted Muslim minority of the country as Rohingya. (Courtesy of scroll.in)
'Now is best time for the military to build trust'
THE TAGAUNG Institute of Political Studies was established in 2014 by nine former activists, including founding members of the Yangon School of Political Science. The institute closely monitors the Myanmar Armed Forces, and has released several papers about the Tatmadaw and the National Defence and Security Council, which is responsible for security and defence affairs in Myanmar.
Ko Ye Myo Hein, executive director of TIPS, spoke to Frontier about the relationship between the government and the military and how Myanmar can achieve lasting peace.
Why is it important to monitor the Tatmadaw, especially at this time?
As Myanmar is transitioning from a military junta to a civilian-led democracy, military affairs is a very important issue.
The transition can be impacted by what the military does. If we are not knowledgeable about military matters, then it makes the democratic transition difficult to understand. This is why we think it is important to study the civilian-military relationship.
We conduct international case studies and share our knowledge. And we also study the domestic military-related situations and contact key people involved in their own transitions [in other countries] and ask for their feedback. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Ko Ye Myo Hein, executive director of TIPS, spoke to Frontier about the relationship between the government and the military and how Myanmar can achieve lasting peace.
Why is it important to monitor the Tatmadaw, especially at this time?
As Myanmar is transitioning from a military junta to a civilian-led democracy, military affairs is a very important issue.
The transition can be impacted by what the military does. If we are not knowledgeable about military matters, then it makes the democratic transition difficult to understand. This is why we think it is important to study the civilian-military relationship.
We conduct international case studies and share our knowledge. And we also study the domestic military-related situations and contact key people involved in their own transitions [in other countries] and ask for their feedback. (Courtesy of frontiermyanmar.net)
Experts call for stronger property laws in Myanmar
At the "Property Report Congress Myanmar 2016", developers and bankers urged the government to improve infrastructure and regulatory reforms.
Tony Picon, managing director of Colliers International Myanmar, said the country needed to control property prices and concentrate on affordable housing.
"An apartment worth US$30,000 [Bt1 million] in Thailand covers around 30 square metres, but at the same price in Myanmar it covers about 15 square metres. We have to look at the actual price that we can afford - whether it is 20, 30 or 40 thousand dollars - and that has to change," he said. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
Tony Picon, managing director of Colliers International Myanmar, said the country needed to control property prices and concentrate on affordable housing.
"An apartment worth US$30,000 [Bt1 million] in Thailand covers around 30 square metres, but at the same price in Myanmar it covers about 15 square metres. We have to look at the actual price that we can afford - whether it is 20, 30 or 40 thousand dollars - and that has to change," he said. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
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