The police chief has set up an inquiry into Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin's claims he received threats to his life from "influential people" while chief investigator of the high-profile Rohingya human trafficking case.
Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijida said the ad hoc panel will find out if there are grounds to Pol Maj Gen Paween's claims, and whether any other investigators on his team had received similar threats, particularly those working in areas under the Region 8 and Region 9 provincial police bureaus.
Pol Gen Chakthip gave no further details, but said he expected to see the first results from the investigation this week. (Courtesy of Bangkok Post News)
December 13, 2015
Rohingya refugees vanish from Indonesia
JAKARTA, 14 décembre 2015 (IRIN) - Hundreds of Rohingya refugees have vanished from camps in the northern reaches of the Indonesian island of Sumatra in recent months, raising concerns that they are once again turning to dangerous smuggling rings in a bid to reach Malaysia.
“We get very worried about how safe they are,” said Thomas Vargas, the Indonesia representative for the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR.
“Lets face it, smugglers have shown how ruthless they can be,” he told IRIN. “They have already shown how completely they can disregard human life. So, obviously, we are very concerned when we see that this type of thing can happen again.”
Nearly 1,000 Rohingya refugees were rescued last May after human smugglers and traffickers abandoned boats at sea when Thailand and Malaysia launched a crackdown on their networks. Nearly eight months later, less than 400 Rohingya refugees remain in the temporary centres set up in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, according to UNHCR.
Most of the missing refugees are either in Malaysia or somewhere in coastal North Sumatra, waiting to board smugglers' boats, according to aid organisations. The situation highlights the difficulties aid organisations face when trying to discourage refugees from working with people-smuggling rings. (Courtesy of IRIN Asia)
“We get very worried about how safe they are,” said Thomas Vargas, the Indonesia representative for the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR.
“Lets face it, smugglers have shown how ruthless they can be,” he told IRIN. “They have already shown how completely they can disregard human life. So, obviously, we are very concerned when we see that this type of thing can happen again.”
Nearly 1,000 Rohingya refugees were rescued last May after human smugglers and traffickers abandoned boats at sea when Thailand and Malaysia launched a crackdown on their networks. Nearly eight months later, less than 400 Rohingya refugees remain in the temporary centres set up in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces, according to UNHCR.
Most of the missing refugees are either in Malaysia or somewhere in coastal North Sumatra, waiting to board smugglers' boats, according to aid organisations. The situation highlights the difficulties aid organisations face when trying to discourage refugees from working with people-smuggling rings. (Courtesy of IRIN Asia)
Border Guard Police Rob Rohingya Man
Maungdaw, Arakan State (Rohingya Vision) – A group of Myanmar’s Border Guard Police (BGP) has been robbing the local Rohingyas in northern Maungdaw for several months and accusing them with false charges for ransom, according to the reliable sources.
The gang of the money-extorting police consist of Corporal U Khin Hlaing and Staff Officers: U Zaw Zaw Aung and U Aung Kyaw Min from ‘Kyein Chaung (Boli Bazaar)’ Border Guard Police station.
Of them, U Zaw Zaw Aung preyed a Rohingya from Buthidaung Township around 9:30AM on December 7 as his latest victim of robbery.
“U Ata Ullah Mohammed Hussein, 35, is a local of ‘Chaung Taung’ village in northern Buthidaung. On December morning, he was coming to ‘Boli Bazaar’ village market to buy some food stuffs across the mountain valley. As he reached the junction nearby ‘Kyaik Chaung’ hamlet of ‘Londoong’ village tract in northern Maungdaw, three BGP personnel including Zaw Zaw Aung stopped him.
They accused him of illegally travelling to Bangladesh, beat him and robbed Kyat 50,000 out of Kyat 650,000 he had with him. The poor man robbed by the BGP had to go back crying,” said an eyewitness. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
The gang of the money-extorting police consist of Corporal U Khin Hlaing and Staff Officers: U Zaw Zaw Aung and U Aung Kyaw Min from ‘Kyein Chaung (Boli Bazaar)’ Border Guard Police station.
Of them, U Zaw Zaw Aung preyed a Rohingya from Buthidaung Township around 9:30AM on December 7 as his latest victim of robbery.
“U Ata Ullah Mohammed Hussein, 35, is a local of ‘Chaung Taung’ village in northern Buthidaung. On December morning, he was coming to ‘Boli Bazaar’ village market to buy some food stuffs across the mountain valley. As he reached the junction nearby ‘Kyaik Chaung’ hamlet of ‘Londoong’ village tract in northern Maungdaw, three BGP personnel including Zaw Zaw Aung stopped him.
They accused him of illegally travelling to Bangladesh, beat him and robbed Kyat 50,000 out of Kyat 650,000 he had with him. The poor man robbed by the BGP had to go back crying,” said an eyewitness. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
U Tin Oo joins ambassadors to celebrate the Jewish holiday
Candles were lit jointly by ambassadors from the United States, Israel, Canada, leaders from National League of Democracy (NLD) and Parliament in Myanmar’s only synagogue to celebrating the Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.
“Today we have a powerful message to convey-- the importance of religious freedom and tolerance for all minorities,” said Rabbi Eliot J. Baskin from Denver, the US, hosting the ceremony on December 12, marking the end of the eight-day celebration period.
Those attending included U Tin Oo, Vice Chairman of the NLD, and U Sein Tin Win, Speaker of Yangon Region Parliament who stood side by side, together with Daniel Zonshine, Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, US Ambassador to Myanmar, and Mark McDowell, Canadian Ambassador to Myanmar. They each kindled a candle on the menorah and sang the hymn Ma’oz Tzur while holding hands.
Museah Yeshua Synagogue was filled with about 150 people. The celebration gathered the local Jewish community of about 20 people, and non-Jewish guests from embassies, the government and other religious leaders including Baha’i, Hindu, Muslim and Buddhism.
This wa the fifth year when Hanukkah was celebrated as an open event in Yangon for Sammy Samuel, the organizer and this generation’s preserver of the synagogue. After Myanmar saw the transition from a military junta to a quasi-civilian government, Moses Samuel, late father of Sammy, decided to celebrate Hanukkah by engaging more communities as this festival allows non-Jewish people to take part, wrote Sammy Samuel in “Hanikkan with Spirit in Yangon.” (Courtesy of Mizzima)
“Today we have a powerful message to convey-- the importance of religious freedom and tolerance for all minorities,” said Rabbi Eliot J. Baskin from Denver, the US, hosting the ceremony on December 12, marking the end of the eight-day celebration period.
Those attending included U Tin Oo, Vice Chairman of the NLD, and U Sein Tin Win, Speaker of Yangon Region Parliament who stood side by side, together with Daniel Zonshine, Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, US Ambassador to Myanmar, and Mark McDowell, Canadian Ambassador to Myanmar. They each kindled a candle on the menorah and sang the hymn Ma’oz Tzur while holding hands.
Museah Yeshua Synagogue was filled with about 150 people. The celebration gathered the local Jewish community of about 20 people, and non-Jewish guests from embassies, the government and other religious leaders including Baha’i, Hindu, Muslim and Buddhism.
This wa the fifth year when Hanukkah was celebrated as an open event in Yangon for Sammy Samuel, the organizer and this generation’s preserver of the synagogue. After Myanmar saw the transition from a military junta to a quasi-civilian government, Moses Samuel, late father of Sammy, decided to celebrate Hanukkah by engaging more communities as this festival allows non-Jewish people to take part, wrote Sammy Samuel in “Hanikkan with Spirit in Yangon.” (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Myanmar Parliament gets mixed scores for performance near end of term
YANGON (Myanmar Now) — When Myanmar’s current Parliament first convened in 2011 following a flawed general election, most observers and opposition members expected it to be a rubber stamp for the army and the newly installed civilian government of ex-generals.
As with so much of Myanmar’s democratic transition, its performance has been a surprise.
Lawmakers quickly began to actively debate, amend and pass numerous laws. When several dozen National League for Democracy (NLD) MPs, including Aung San Suu Kyi, joined parliament following by-elections in mid-2012, debate was further enlivened.
As Parliament enters its last two months in office, we asked lawmakers and political activists to weigh the legacy of its 2011-2016 term. Most said great strides had been taken in reforming and replacing junta-era laws governing economics, business and labour rights, along with a range of other issues.
Critics said, however, that some important new legislation, around land rights and education reform, falls short, while repressive laws remain on the books.
The passage of four nationalist “race and religion” laws, they added, remains a dark stain on the parliament’s record. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
As with so much of Myanmar’s democratic transition, its performance has been a surprise.
Lawmakers quickly began to actively debate, amend and pass numerous laws. When several dozen National League for Democracy (NLD) MPs, including Aung San Suu Kyi, joined parliament following by-elections in mid-2012, debate was further enlivened.
As Parliament enters its last two months in office, we asked lawmakers and political activists to weigh the legacy of its 2011-2016 term. Most said great strides had been taken in reforming and replacing junta-era laws governing economics, business and labour rights, along with a range of other issues.
Critics said, however, that some important new legislation, around land rights and education reform, falls short, while repressive laws remain on the books.
The passage of four nationalist “race and religion” laws, they added, remains a dark stain on the parliament’s record. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
A Challenge for Aung San Suu Kyi: Resolving Myanmar’s Ethnic Conflicts
More than a week after Myanmar went to the polls in a historic general election in early November, ballots were still trickling in from the Himalayan foothills in the country’s northern Kachin state—areas so secluded the trip could be made only by foot.
The fact these votes were cast and counted was a sign of progress in Myanmar, but it does not mean that all is well in parts of the country that have endured warlike conditions for much of the last six decades. Fierce fighting between the country’s military and an array of ethnic armed groups, determined to retain arms, territory and a degree of autonomy, has left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more displaced and disenfranchised. (These conflicts are one reason why Myanmar, also known as Burma, is among the largest sources of refugees to the United States.)
Living amidst the towering mountains of Myanmar’s eastern Shan State, Father Mario Mardu, a local Catholic priest who works near the border with China, has little patience for talk of elections and peace. “I don’t think the elections will change things here,” he said a few months before the poll. “The [outgoing] government will surely lose, so they will create a problem, one way or another.” (Courtesy of newsweek.com)
The fact these votes were cast and counted was a sign of progress in Myanmar, but it does not mean that all is well in parts of the country that have endured warlike conditions for much of the last six decades. Fierce fighting between the country’s military and an array of ethnic armed groups, determined to retain arms, territory and a degree of autonomy, has left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands more displaced and disenfranchised. (These conflicts are one reason why Myanmar, also known as Burma, is among the largest sources of refugees to the United States.)
Living amidst the towering mountains of Myanmar’s eastern Shan State, Father Mario Mardu, a local Catholic priest who works near the border with China, has little patience for talk of elections and peace. “I don’t think the elections will change things here,” he said a few months before the poll. “The [outgoing] government will surely lose, so they will create a problem, one way or another.” (Courtesy of newsweek.com)
One kg gold seized at Kolkata airport from Myanmar national
One kg gold was seized from a Myanmar national at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here today, the airport authorities said.
The authorities said Kyaw Min Tun was intercepted at the airport on his arrival from Yangon on an Air India flight and the gold in ring form was seized from him. (Courtesy of Business Standard News)
The authorities said Kyaw Min Tun was intercepted at the airport on his arrival from Yangon on an Air India flight and the gold in ring form was seized from him. (Courtesy of Business Standard News)
Six Myanmar men nabbed over Bangladeshi murders
BENTONG: Greed led to a group of Myanmar men to abduct two Bangladeshi workers whose bodies were found in a jungle near Genting Highlands.
OCPD Supt Mansor Mohd Nor said the workers were abducted over a debt amounting to RM4,000 but the suspects demanded for more money.
"One of the victims was a construction site supervisor. His family had paid a total of RM 27,000 for his release but the suspects had asked for RM50,000.
"The two men were killed, thrown in a ravine and the bodies covered with leaves," Supt Mansor said.
Six Myanmars, aged between 22 and 34, have been remanded to assist in the investigations.
Supt Mansor said a friend to the victims, aged 20 and 29, had lodged a missing person's report on Nov 29 after they did not return from work.
"Following the report, police found one of the suspects' motorcycle and cap in a jungle near Genting Highlands some 30m down the hill from the main road," he added. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
OCPD Supt Mansor Mohd Nor said the workers were abducted over a debt amounting to RM4,000 but the suspects demanded for more money.
"One of the victims was a construction site supervisor. His family had paid a total of RM 27,000 for his release but the suspects had asked for RM50,000.
"The two men were killed, thrown in a ravine and the bodies covered with leaves," Supt Mansor said.
Six Myanmars, aged between 22 and 34, have been remanded to assist in the investigations.
Supt Mansor said a friend to the victims, aged 20 and 29, had lodged a missing person's report on Nov 29 after they did not return from work.
"Following the report, police found one of the suspects' motorcycle and cap in a jungle near Genting Highlands some 30m down the hill from the main road," he added. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Beware of political opportunism
Political opportunism refers to the attempt to maintain support, or increase influence, in a way which disregards ethical or political principles.
The political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli as described in The Prince is often regarded as a classic manual of opportunist scheming, and indeed a "Machiavellian" is nowadays defined as "a cunning, amoral and opportunist person, especially a politician".
Political opportunism is interpreted in different ways, but usually refers to one or more of the following:
1) A political style of aiming to increase one's influence at almost any price or a style that involves seizing every opportunity to extend influence, whenever such opportunities arise.
2) The practice of abandoning or compromising in reality some important principles that were previously held, in the process of trying to increase one's power and influence.
3) A trend of thought, or a tendency, seeking to make political capital out of situations with the main aim being that of gaining more influence, prestige or support, instead of truly winning people over to a principled position or improving their understanding. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli as described in The Prince is often regarded as a classic manual of opportunist scheming, and indeed a "Machiavellian" is nowadays defined as "a cunning, amoral and opportunist person, especially a politician".
Political opportunism is interpreted in different ways, but usually refers to one or more of the following:
1) A political style of aiming to increase one's influence at almost any price or a style that involves seizing every opportunity to extend influence, whenever such opportunities arise.
2) The practice of abandoning or compromising in reality some important principles that were previously held, in the process of trying to increase one's power and influence.
3) A trend of thought, or a tendency, seeking to make political capital out of situations with the main aim being that of gaining more influence, prestige or support, instead of truly winning people over to a principled position or improving their understanding. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Suu Kyi meets Myanmar's outgoing president
The talks between the leader of Myanmar's democracy movement, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, and the commander-in-chief of the military, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, were the first face-to-face foray in what will surely be complex negotiations over how they will share power. "We will establish this tradition without fail", he added.
The brief meeting between the Nobel Peace Prize-winner and the outgoing president took place at the presidential residence in the capital, Naypyidaw.
Immediately after her party's win Suu Kyi, who is blocked from the presidency by the army-written constitution, appealed for "national reconciliation" talks with President Thein Sein and the powerful army chief.
The NLD had swept the previous election in 1990, but the then-ruling military regime ignored the results and placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for more than a decade.
The president's office and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) have both confirmed the meetings, but declined to provide details of the talks, which will be closed to media.
However, Myanmar's constitution is likely to be a bone of contention between the NLD and the military.
Ye Htut told the BBC that Suu Kyi did not broach the subject Wednesday of changing the constitution to allow her to become president, and there was no discussion regarding who the next president may be. (Courtesy of telegraphvoice.com)
The brief meeting between the Nobel Peace Prize-winner and the outgoing president took place at the presidential residence in the capital, Naypyidaw.
Immediately after her party's win Suu Kyi, who is blocked from the presidency by the army-written constitution, appealed for "national reconciliation" talks with President Thein Sein and the powerful army chief.
The NLD had swept the previous election in 1990, but the then-ruling military regime ignored the results and placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest for more than a decade.
The president's office and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) have both confirmed the meetings, but declined to provide details of the talks, which will be closed to media.
However, Myanmar's constitution is likely to be a bone of contention between the NLD and the military.
Ye Htut told the BBC that Suu Kyi did not broach the subject Wednesday of changing the constitution to allow her to become president, and there was no discussion regarding who the next president may be. (Courtesy of telegraphvoice.com)
Police arrest Bulgarian over fake cards
Police arrested a Bulgarian man who stole money from two ATMs using fake credit cards on December 11, according to Police Lt. Col. Kyaw Htut, head of the Western District.
He was arrested at the City Star Hotel in Kyauktada Township with Ks49.2 million.
“We inquired about him at the airports and other police stations. The culprit was arrested on December 11,” said Sub-Inspector Thein Han.
“We are interrogating him for further thefts. We have remanded him in custody,” said the sub-inspector.
A member of staff from the ATM department of the Kanbawza Bank found two TKMAXX cards in front of Hledan Seingayhar Supermarket and Hledan Centre on December 10 and informed his manager.
The bank officials examined the cards and found data of a Visa card on them, according to police records. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
He was arrested at the City Star Hotel in Kyauktada Township with Ks49.2 million.
“We inquired about him at the airports and other police stations. The culprit was arrested on December 11,” said Sub-Inspector Thein Han.
“We are interrogating him for further thefts. We have remanded him in custody,” said the sub-inspector.
A member of staff from the ATM department of the Kanbawza Bank found two TKMAXX cards in front of Hledan Seingayhar Supermarket and Hledan Centre on December 10 and informed his manager.
The bank officials examined the cards and found data of a Visa card on them, according to police records. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
About 600 candidates in Yangon submit election expenses
About 600 candidates who competed in the November 8 election have submitted their election expenses in Yangon, according to Khin Zaw Tun, Yangon Region election sub-commission officer.
“As much as 300 candidates have yet to submit their electoral expenses. Yangon Region had 809 candidates. Some candidates may fail to submit it as the deadline is different. The submission of electoral expenses is up to them,” Khin Zaw Tun added.
A total of 117 out of 147 candidates who ran for parliamentary seats in Yangon south district had submitted their expenses, said Than Zaw Htway, officer of the Yangon south district election sub-commission.
Myint Htay, chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Yangon Region, said: “A total of 149 candidates from the NLD ran for seats in Yangon Region. Almost all candidates have submitted their documents. Only a few candidates have yet to submit them. But now they are ready to submit.” (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
“As much as 300 candidates have yet to submit their electoral expenses. Yangon Region had 809 candidates. Some candidates may fail to submit it as the deadline is different. The submission of electoral expenses is up to them,” Khin Zaw Tun added.
A total of 117 out of 147 candidates who ran for parliamentary seats in Yangon south district had submitted their expenses, said Than Zaw Htway, officer of the Yangon south district election sub-commission.
Myint Htay, chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Yangon Region, said: “A total of 149 candidates from the NLD ran for seats in Yangon Region. Almost all candidates have submitted their documents. Only a few candidates have yet to submit them. But now they are ready to submit.” (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Myanmar’s Democratic Transition: Who Will Be President? – Analysis
Aung San Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory in Myanmar’s recent general elections. Speculation is rife on who will become the next president.
By Naoko Kumada and Kyaw San Wai*
The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in historic elections on 8 November 2015. It is seen as ushering the end of half a century of military-dominated governments and another step in Myanmar’s arduous transition.
Despite its image as the main obstacle to democracy, Myanmar’s reform process could not have happened without the tacit support of the military leadership, particularly former strongman Senior General Than Shwe. He precipitated the country’s transition to “disciplined democracy” under President Thein Sein’s stewardship. The process has proceeded according to some kind of transition plan backed by the senior military leadership. This plan was driven by two factors: a genuine realisation among the ruling elite that Myanmar needs to catch up with its neighbours; and to secure an ‘exit strategy’ for Than Shwe and his family. The elections also conferred more trust and legitimacy to the reform process.
A smooth transition of power?
While the military and the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) were surprised by the scale of the NLD’s electoral victory, they had set the election in motion with full knowledge that Suu Kyi could win. The NLD, which had won 80% of seats and 59% of the popular vote in the 1990 Constitutional Assembly, and bagged 43 out of 44 seats in the 2012 by-elections, garnered 78% of seats and 57% of the popular vote in 2015. (Courtesy of Eurasia Review)
By Naoko Kumada and Kyaw San Wai*
The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory in historic elections on 8 November 2015. It is seen as ushering the end of half a century of military-dominated governments and another step in Myanmar’s arduous transition.
Despite its image as the main obstacle to democracy, Myanmar’s reform process could not have happened without the tacit support of the military leadership, particularly former strongman Senior General Than Shwe. He precipitated the country’s transition to “disciplined democracy” under President Thein Sein’s stewardship. The process has proceeded according to some kind of transition plan backed by the senior military leadership. This plan was driven by two factors: a genuine realisation among the ruling elite that Myanmar needs to catch up with its neighbours; and to secure an ‘exit strategy’ for Than Shwe and his family. The elections also conferred more trust and legitimacy to the reform process.
A smooth transition of power?
While the military and the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) were surprised by the scale of the NLD’s electoral victory, they had set the election in motion with full knowledge that Suu Kyi could win. The NLD, which had won 80% of seats and 59% of the popular vote in the 1990 Constitutional Assembly, and bagged 43 out of 44 seats in the 2012 by-elections, garnered 78% of seats and 57% of the popular vote in 2015. (Courtesy of Eurasia Review)
Child trafficking cases record high in Myanmar
YANGON, Dec. 12 (Xinhua)-- Myanmar police are investigating human trafficking cases involving 93 child victims in November alone, a record number compared to that of previous months, according to Myanmar's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division on Saturday.
The authorities saved more than 500 out of 617 victims including about 100 children this year.
During the past 11 months, a total of 120 cases were exposed and 226 of 355 traffickers were arrested in the country, of which Shan state topped the list with 36 cases, followed by Mandalay and Yangon with 17 cases each and Kachin 13 cases. (Courtesy of Xinhua English News)
The authorities saved more than 500 out of 617 victims including about 100 children this year.
During the past 11 months, a total of 120 cases were exposed and 226 of 355 traffickers were arrested in the country, of which Shan state topped the list with 36 cases, followed by Mandalay and Yangon with 17 cases each and Kachin 13 cases. (Courtesy of Xinhua English News)
Myanmar's first UNESCO biosphere reserve launched
Nay Pyi Taw: Myanmar has launched the country's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - Inle Lake in Shan state, opening a new chapter in its commitment to bio-diversity and eco-system conservation.
Inle Lake was designated as Myanmar's first biosphere reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Bioshpere (MAB) programme in Paris in June this year.
UNESCO official highlighted the need for innovative technical and eco-technological solution which are key for preserving the lake along with education and research activities through an inclusive management framework for the lake. (Courtesy of english.manoramaonline.com)
Inle Lake was designated as Myanmar's first biosphere reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Bioshpere (MAB) programme in Paris in June this year.
UNESCO official highlighted the need for innovative technical and eco-technological solution which are key for preserving the lake along with education and research activities through an inclusive management framework for the lake. (Courtesy of english.manoramaonline.com)
Myanmar: the challenges of power
On 4 December, the leader of Myanmar’s opposition, Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the previous month’s general election, had a two-and-a-half hour meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, the leader of the military junta that had kept her under house arrest for 15 of the 21 years after 1989. The meeting provided grounds for optimism that there could be a peaceful transfer of power early in 2016 from Myanmar’s present military-supported government to one led by the massively popular Suu Kyi.
Though Than Shwe nominally retired in 2011, he is widely believed to exert considerable influence over the Tatmadaw (the country’s armed forces, which were founded by Suu Kyi’s father, General Aung San, during the independence struggle against the British in the 1940s) and, by extension, the current government. Details of the meeting are unknown, but in a Facebook post Than Shwe’s grandson, Nay Shwe Thway Aung, quoted the general as saying of Suu Kyi: ‘It is the truth that she will become the future leader of the country’ and ‘I will support her with all my efforts’. (Courtesy of iiss.org)
Though Than Shwe nominally retired in 2011, he is widely believed to exert considerable influence over the Tatmadaw (the country’s armed forces, which were founded by Suu Kyi’s father, General Aung San, during the independence struggle against the British in the 1940s) and, by extension, the current government. Details of the meeting are unknown, but in a Facebook post Than Shwe’s grandson, Nay Shwe Thway Aung, quoted the general as saying of Suu Kyi: ‘It is the truth that she will become the future leader of the country’ and ‘I will support her with all my efforts’. (Courtesy of iiss.org)
Asylum row highlights Thai human trafficking
Police weigh defamation case against investigator who fled to Australia and has implicated senior security officials.
Thai police say they are considering a defamation case against a police officer who fled to Australia and is claiming political asylum.
Police Major-General Paween Ponsirin was the most senior police official entrusted with the investigation into human trafficking after mass graves were discovered in southern Thailand in May.
Only weeks before a human trafficking trial was due to begin in Thailand, Paween said that his investigation had implicated senior military and police officials in the racket.
He told Australian media on Thursday that he now fears for his life.
Jakthip Chaijinda, the Royal Thai police chief, said an investigation would now decide whether Praween's comments were defamatory.
"I don't know the reason why he had to go and speak about this issue but he should not talk about this because it could damage the country," Jakthip said. (Courtesy of mwcnews.net)
Thai police say they are considering a defamation case against a police officer who fled to Australia and is claiming political asylum.
Police Major-General Paween Ponsirin was the most senior police official entrusted with the investigation into human trafficking after mass graves were discovered in southern Thailand in May.
Only weeks before a human trafficking trial was due to begin in Thailand, Paween said that his investigation had implicated senior military and police officials in the racket.
He told Australian media on Thursday that he now fears for his life.
Jakthip Chaijinda, the Royal Thai police chief, said an investigation would now decide whether Praween's comments were defamatory.
"I don't know the reason why he had to go and speak about this issue but he should not talk about this because it could damage the country," Jakthip said. (Courtesy of mwcnews.net)
Gambia's president declares Islamic statehood
Gambia's president has declared the West African country an Islamic republic saying the decision was made because Islam is the religion of most citizens and the nation must break away from its colonial past.
President Yahya Jammeh made the declaration at the end of a political rally held on Friday at the coastal village Brufut, about 15km west of the capital Banjul.
"In line with the country's religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," the Gambian leader said.
About 90 percent of Gambia's 1.8 million people are Muslim. The country gained independence from Britain in 1965.
"Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy," Jammeh said. (Courtesy of Yahoo Maktoob News)
President Yahya Jammeh made the declaration at the end of a political rally held on Friday at the coastal village Brufut, about 15km west of the capital Banjul.
"In line with the country's religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state," the Gambian leader said.
About 90 percent of Gambia's 1.8 million people are Muslim. The country gained independence from Britain in 1965.
"Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy," Jammeh said. (Courtesy of Yahoo Maktoob News)
Adrift with the boat people: Photographs reveal shocking realities about the Rohingya
One of the most disturbing photographs taken by Saiful Huq Omi is of a baby. Kept in a net, like a fish, which dangles from a hook high above a bed. On the bed, cloth bundles are pushed to its edges, a belt snakes through the centre and, unnoticed at first glance, a revolver rests on a pillow. The baby has turned over on his stomach, his face pressed against the net; he is bawling. “This is a Rohingya child, born in Malaysia, and an illegal immigrant like his parents. When the parents go to work, the children are kept in these swing cradles for safety,” says Omi.
His image of dawn appears to be a refreshing contrast. Behind the clouds and over the ragged earth, the sun rises with the promise of a new day. A man stands silhouetted on the horizon, pointing far away. Omi’s images reveal their meanings in instalments and a viewer staring at this beautiful landscape for a few moments finds it turning darker. The eye is drawn to upturned and neglected boats in the foreground and the thick black clouds that swoop over the frame. Nature seems to have clawed through the soil. The photograph now evokes loneliness and fear. The man at the centre is a Rohingya refugee from a camp in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh; he is pointing toward his home on the other side of the river Naf, which divides Burma and Bangladesh. During the shoot, he told Omi: “Just across the river Naf is my home. It is two miles but, for me, a refugee without a passport, it is like two million miles. My mother is there. How do you feel when you know your mother is 30 minutes away from where you are standing, and you will never be able to see her again?” (Courtesy of The Indian Express)
His image of dawn appears to be a refreshing contrast. Behind the clouds and over the ragged earth, the sun rises with the promise of a new day. A man stands silhouetted on the horizon, pointing far away. Omi’s images reveal their meanings in instalments and a viewer staring at this beautiful landscape for a few moments finds it turning darker. The eye is drawn to upturned and neglected boats in the foreground and the thick black clouds that swoop over the frame. Nature seems to have clawed through the soil. The photograph now evokes loneliness and fear. The man at the centre is a Rohingya refugee from a camp in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh; he is pointing toward his home on the other side of the river Naf, which divides Burma and Bangladesh. During the shoot, he told Omi: “Just across the river Naf is my home. It is two miles but, for me, a refugee without a passport, it is like two million miles. My mother is there. How do you feel when you know your mother is 30 minutes away from where you are standing, and you will never be able to see her again?” (Courtesy of The Indian Express)
Imaginary homeland
Dec 12, 2015- Hassan Hassan, a resident of Konchi village in Burma’s Rakhine’s state, returned home on May 20, 2012 from Maungdaw to find that his house had been reduced to cinders. His parents, little sister and four younger brothers were missing. The conflict between the Rohingya Muslims and the Buddhists in the Rakhine had set his village ablaze. The 19-year-old had been working in Maungdaw as a plumber when he heard the communal riots had spilled across the state. But he arrived home too late, he says.
In 2012, at least 80 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced as the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar’s Rakhine state attacked each other. (Courtesy of Kathmandu Post)
In 2012, at least 80 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced as the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar’s Rakhine state attacked each other. (Courtesy of Kathmandu Post)
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