A hard-line Buddhist party in Myanmar is demanding that one of its members be appointed as chief minister of religiously and racially divided Rakhine state when the national election winning National League for Democracy picks the country's new president.
The Arakan National Party (ANP) is opposing a plan by the NLD to have its own ethnic minority members appointed as state chief ministers, including Rakhine state.
After winning an overwhelming majority party in the national parliament the NLD will get to pick Myanmar's next president — almost certainly from within its own ranks — who in turn will pick the chief minister for each of the country's 14 states.
The ANP, which represents Rakhine state's ethnic and mostly Buddhist majority, said it won a majority 22 seats in the state parliament following Nov. 8 local and national elections, which gave it the right to have one of their members as chief minister and to form a state government. The NLD only won nine seats in the poll. (Courtesy of ucanews.com)
January 30, 2016
Laughter marks Myanmar MPs' departure as country awaits Suu Kyi's new government
With jokes and hugs, karaoke and congratulations across Myanmar's often bitter divides, lawmakers yesterday marked the last day of Parliament, as the country eagerly awaits a new Parliament led by the National League for Democracy (NLD).
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election.
The mood among the outgoing lawmakers was jovial and sentimental in the chambers of the Hluttaw - the Houses of Parliament in the sprawling, opulent government quarters of Naypyitaw, the capital built under the now-retired dictator, Senior General Than Shwe. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election.
The mood among the outgoing lawmakers was jovial and sentimental in the chambers of the Hluttaw - the Houses of Parliament in the sprawling, opulent government quarters of Naypyitaw, the capital built under the now-retired dictator, Senior General Than Shwe. (Courtesy of The Star Online)
Myanmar's Rohingya minority sceptical about Suu Kyi, new government
A new opposition-led government augurs hope for many in Myanmar after decades of military dictatorship, but a stateless ethnic minority has seen no signs of change in their situation.
Sittwe, Myanmar (dpa) - Adu Lakim says he has nothing to do these days but to while away the time sitting outside his shack in an internment camp Myanmar's Rakhine state.
The recent national elections meant nothing to 61-year-old member of the stateless Rohingya ethnic minority, who has been denied citizenship and confined to the camp after his house was torched during sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in 2012.
"We don't know about the NLD or other parties, because we don't believe in them," said Lakim, referring to the National League for Democracy led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi that won November's national elections by a landslide. (Courtesy of dpa-international.com)
Sittwe, Myanmar (dpa) - Adu Lakim says he has nothing to do these days but to while away the time sitting outside his shack in an internment camp Myanmar's Rakhine state.
The recent national elections meant nothing to 61-year-old member of the stateless Rohingya ethnic minority, who has been denied citizenship and confined to the camp after his house was torched during sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in 2012.
"We don't know about the NLD or other parties, because we don't believe in them," said Lakim, referring to the National League for Democracy led by Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi that won November's national elections by a landslide. (Courtesy of dpa-international.com)
Controversial ex-presidential security bill approved
MPs have approved the controversial Former Presidents' Security Bill days before the Parliament is disbanded.
The Joint Bill Committee yesterday submitted a report to Parliament about disagreements between the Lower and Upper houses over the bill. Parliament approved all 11 points of disagreement between the two houses.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is to take responsibility for ex-presidential security. The original text of the bill said this duty would be shared with the Ministry of Defence. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The Joint Bill Committee yesterday submitted a report to Parliament about disagreements between the Lower and Upper houses over the bill. Parliament approved all 11 points of disagreement between the two houses.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is to take responsibility for ex-presidential security. The original text of the bill said this duty would be shared with the Ministry of Defence. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Aung San Suu Kyi applauds military MPs as Myanmar's parliament ends on celebratory note
The members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party will take their seats for the first time on Monday.
In an address to parliament on Friday, Ms Suu Kyi congratulated her political opponents on "opening the road" for her party, which won a landslide in November elections.
"I believe we can all cooperate for our country and people, whether it is outside or inside the parliament," said Ms Suu Kyi, who was held captive for more than 15 years by the army.
Celebrating the transition and the end of the first term of parliament, the outgoing and incoming politicians from all parties, as well as a military bloc, performed traditional dances, shared food and took pictures in an emotional ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw. (Courtesy of ABC News)
In an address to parliament on Friday, Ms Suu Kyi congratulated her political opponents on "opening the road" for her party, which won a landslide in November elections.
"I believe we can all cooperate for our country and people, whether it is outside or inside the parliament," said Ms Suu Kyi, who was held captive for more than 15 years by the army.
Celebrating the transition and the end of the first term of parliament, the outgoing and incoming politicians from all parties, as well as a military bloc, performed traditional dances, shared food and took pictures in an emotional ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw. (Courtesy of ABC News)
Myanmar's army-led Parliament calls it a day
With jokes and hugs, karaoke and congratulations across Myanmar's often bitter divides, lawmakers yesterday marked the last day of Parliament, as the country eagerly awaits a new Parliament led by the National League for Democracy (NLD).
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi readies for power as her party comes to parliament
They are doctors, poets, teachers, farmers, fishermen. Many are new to politics, and had to receive intensive instruction in law and constitutional matters at the request of democracy champion and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This has been a historic day for the new Burmese MPs – a day the National League for Democracy has been waiting 25 years for.
On Thursday, President Thein Sein, elected five years ago in an contest branded a “farce” by the opposition and the West, said goodbye to the deputies but he’ll remain in office until March.
Although he was appointed by the now dissolved military junta, President Thein Sein, semi-civilian government was the opening of the country. A change that allowed the holding of the historic elections in November last year, the first free elections in the country after half a century of dictatorship. (Courtesy of Euro News)
On Thursday, President Thein Sein, elected five years ago in an contest branded a “farce” by the opposition and the West, said goodbye to the deputies but he’ll remain in office until March.
Although he was appointed by the now dissolved military junta, President Thein Sein, semi-civilian government was the opening of the country. A change that allowed the holding of the historic elections in November last year, the first free elections in the country after half a century of dictatorship. (Courtesy of Euro News)
The Military Readies for Burma’s New Politics
The tenor of President Thein Sein’s farewell speech to the nation did not come as a big surprise.
As expected, the outgoing head of state took credit for setting the country’s democratic transition in motion, for building peace with ethnic armed groups and, of course, for the violence-free and credible general election last November.
The speech appeared to be well-received by the public. Indeed, to many, the sight of the country’s president signing off was a relief; further proof that the transfer of power to an elected National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government remained on track.
The former general who is in his early 70s continues to lead the defeated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), but he won’t stay long. By all reports, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
As expected, the outgoing head of state took credit for setting the country’s democratic transition in motion, for building peace with ethnic armed groups and, of course, for the violence-free and credible general election last November.
The speech appeared to be well-received by the public. Indeed, to many, the sight of the country’s president signing off was a relief; further proof that the transfer of power to an elected National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government remained on track.
The former general who is in his early 70s continues to lead the defeated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), but he won’t stay long. By all reports, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
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