There is a growing recognition that the continued persecution of the Rohingya minority represents a serious threat not only to Myanmar but also all ASEAN countries. It must be addressed urgently by all Asean’s members and Malaysia, which is holding the ASEAN chairmanship this year has a special responsibility.
The increasing brutality of crimes and preplanned systematic state-sponsored violence against the Rohingya minority in Arakan State in Myanmar represents a direct threat to ASEAN nations.
ASEAN as a grouping as well as individual national leaders have the responsibility, both morally and under international law, to act to prevent atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity especially on Rohingya Muslim in Arakan State of Myanmar from taking place. Malaysia is in a particularly good position to act because it has had very good relations with Myanmar since Myanmar was welcomed into ASEAN.
The longstanding persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority in Myanmar has led to the huge numbers of refugees. Human rights violations against Rohingya have resulted in a regional human trafficking epidemic, and there have been further abuses against Rohingya upon their arrival in other Southeast Asian countries. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
February 2, 2016
Rohingya surprise seeing the religious places gates open in Maungdaw
Rohingya community become surprised after seeing the religious places gates had opened in the morning of the January 29 in Maungdaw, according to Halim. A human rights watchdog from Maungdaw.
The religious places – Maungdaw central Mosque (Jumma Mosque) in Maungdaw town, Maungdaw religious center (Marrcause) and Mosques from different areas under the Maungdaw municipal, Halim more said.
The Maungdaw district administration office and township administration office ordered to villages/ wards admin officers to open the gates of religious places. The gates are only outer one, not entry gates of religious places, said a caretaker of religious places who denied to be named.
“The villages/wards admin officer came to the care taker office, and told to open the gates of outside boundary only and didn’t give any reason about the opening of the gates,” The caretaker said. “The officer also said it is the order of high level officer from Maungdaw.” (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
The religious places – Maungdaw central Mosque (Jumma Mosque) in Maungdaw town, Maungdaw religious center (Marrcause) and Mosques from different areas under the Maungdaw municipal, Halim more said.
The Maungdaw district administration office and township administration office ordered to villages/ wards admin officers to open the gates of religious places. The gates are only outer one, not entry gates of religious places, said a caretaker of religious places who denied to be named.
“The villages/wards admin officer came to the care taker office, and told to open the gates of outside boundary only and didn’t give any reason about the opening of the gates,” The caretaker said. “The officer also said it is the order of high level officer from Maungdaw.” (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Student films documentary about Rohingya in Gunma Prefecture
University student Shiori Suzuki visited Myanmar in 2013 as a tourist. What she did not notice there was the plight of the Muslim minority Rohingya — and only learned about them and their situation from a newspaper article upon her return.
“What did I see in Myanmar?” the 22-year-old Keio University student recalls asking herself after reading the news piece about the persecution of Rohingya and the human trafficking they undergo to seek better conditions in other countries.
Suzuki decided to do something. She bought a secondhand video camera and began chronicling the lives of members of the ethnic group who have sought refuge in Japan.
She and her friends started making frequent visits to a community of Rohingya refugees in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Over the course of about 18 months they followed the lives of 50 out of some 200 residents there.
Suzuki made a 20-minute film, titled “Hikari” (Light), which focuses on everyday life for the migrants in Japan rather than what they have left behind.
She filmed children playing together as their fathers look on smiling. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
“What did I see in Myanmar?” the 22-year-old Keio University student recalls asking herself after reading the news piece about the persecution of Rohingya and the human trafficking they undergo to seek better conditions in other countries.
Suzuki decided to do something. She bought a secondhand video camera and began chronicling the lives of members of the ethnic group who have sought refuge in Japan.
She and her friends started making frequent visits to a community of Rohingya refugees in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Over the course of about 18 months they followed the lives of 50 out of some 200 residents there.
Suzuki made a 20-minute film, titled “Hikari” (Light), which focuses on everyday life for the migrants in Japan rather than what they have left behind.
She filmed children playing together as their fathers look on smiling. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
BGP increases harassments in Maungdaw south
Burmese Border Guard Police (BGP) are increasing harassments against the Rohingya people in Maungdaw south in Arakan State, Burma, Mohin from Maungdaw south said.
Recently, BGP personnel from Aley Than Kyaw BGP camp and Udaung BGP outpost under Mint Hlut village Tract are going to different villages and arresting Rohingya youths over the false allegations to extort money, he more said.
On January 29, a group of BGP personnel from Aley Than Kyaw went to Khonzabill village and arrested Shabu (18), son of Shafi Ullah over the alleging that he has been using Bangladeshi cell phone, said a relative on condition of anonymity.
After arrest, he was beaten severely in front of family members to extort money quickly. Later on, he was released after taking Kyat 200,000, the relative more added. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Recently, BGP personnel from Aley Than Kyaw BGP camp and Udaung BGP outpost under Mint Hlut village Tract are going to different villages and arresting Rohingya youths over the false allegations to extort money, he more said.
On January 29, a group of BGP personnel from Aley Than Kyaw went to Khonzabill village and arrested Shabu (18), son of Shafi Ullah over the alleging that he has been using Bangladeshi cell phone, said a relative on condition of anonymity.
After arrest, he was beaten severely in front of family members to extort money quickly. Later on, he was released after taking Kyat 200,000, the relative more added. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Myanmar nationals said to be among 39 drowned
A boat ferrying migrants and asylum seekers to Lesbos, Greece, sank just a few miles from Turkey’s Aegean coastline, according to the Turkish Coast Guard. A patrol leading the rescue effort saved 62 people, but at least 39 – including five children – drowned, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily reported. Many of the rescued were hospitalised for hypothermia.
As the search continues, the number of casualties is expected to grow. Among the deceased were nationals from Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar, the coast guard said.
The Myanmar government could not immediately confirm the report, but said it is investigating whether Myanmar citizens were involved in the accident. (Courtesy of Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
As the search continues, the number of casualties is expected to grow. Among the deceased were nationals from Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar, the coast guard said.
The Myanmar government could not immediately confirm the report, but said it is investigating whether Myanmar citizens were involved in the accident. (Courtesy of Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
China: BIG Neighbor, Big Money, Big Influence
The economic slowdown in China will not affect its position as Myanmar’s most important trade and investment partner, but there are challenges ahead.
While the rest of Southeast Asia has been reeling from China’s economic slowdown, Myanmar has remained relatively immune to the regional contagion with its economy likely to grow at least 8 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 31.
China has already accounted for a big share of foreign direct investment in fiscal 2015-16, with US$665.5 million by November, second only to Singapore’s $2.1 billion, show figures from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. China is still by far the single largest investor in Myanmar, with $15.4 billion since 1989, compared with Singapore’s $10.9 billion and Thailand’s $10.3 billion. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
While the rest of Southeast Asia has been reeling from China’s economic slowdown, Myanmar has remained relatively immune to the regional contagion with its economy likely to grow at least 8 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 31.
China has already accounted for a big share of foreign direct investment in fiscal 2015-16, with US$665.5 million by November, second only to Singapore’s $2.1 billion, show figures from the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration. China is still by far the single largest investor in Myanmar, with $15.4 billion since 1989, compared with Singapore’s $10.9 billion and Thailand’s $10.3 billion. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
New political era begins in Myanmar
In a modest dormitory in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, novice MP Tin Thit recites a poem he has penned called “No Retreat,” steeling himself to enter Myanmar’s parliament carrying the dreams of a nation left traumatised by army rule.
A poet, editor, activist — and now newly elected MP — he is among hundreds of political newcomers poised to take their seats on Monday in the country’s most democratic legislature in generations, following the huge November landslide win by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
“This is our era,” the newly minted NLD lawmaker told the reporter on Saturday as he prepared for a last-ditch round of parliamentary training organised by his party, brushing off concerns about his and his colleagues’ lack of experience. (Courtesy of gulftoday.ae)
A poet, editor, activist — and now newly elected MP — he is among hundreds of political newcomers poised to take their seats on Monday in the country’s most democratic legislature in generations, following the huge November landslide win by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
“This is our era,” the newly minted NLD lawmaker told the reporter on Saturday as he prepared for a last-ditch round of parliamentary training organised by his party, brushing off concerns about his and his colleagues’ lack of experience. (Courtesy of gulftoday.ae)
Mobile financial services promising in Myanmar
A BOOM in mobile financial services (MFS) is anticipated, thanks to the rapid increase in penetration rate and poor infrastructure in Myanmar, according to Takashi Shigeno, director of KDDI Summit Global Corporation.
He cited three main reasons for this.
"Firstly, more than 70 per cent of the population live in rural areas. Secondly, only 20-25 per cent of adults have bank accounts. Thirdly, Myanmar has a lot of infrastructure deficiencies. There are a lot of difficulties to access banking facilities and power shortages," Shigeno said at the Mobile Money & E-Commerce Summit 2016 last week.
The draft of mobile financial service regulations was completed recently with the support of Japan's Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), KDDI and its local partner Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT), who are cooperating with BTMU to provide mobile money services in Myanmar.
According to Shigeno, many products will soon be available and the market is likely to evolve quickly. (Courtesy of The Nation)
He cited three main reasons for this.
"Firstly, more than 70 per cent of the population live in rural areas. Secondly, only 20-25 per cent of adults have bank accounts. Thirdly, Myanmar has a lot of infrastructure deficiencies. There are a lot of difficulties to access banking facilities and power shortages," Shigeno said at the Mobile Money & E-Commerce Summit 2016 last week.
The draft of mobile financial service regulations was completed recently with the support of Japan's Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU), KDDI and its local partner Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT), who are cooperating with BTMU to provide mobile money services in Myanmar.
According to Shigeno, many products will soon be available and the market is likely to evolve quickly. (Courtesy of The Nation)
More robust debates, new political tone expected in Myanmar's new Parliament
Myanmar will see the opening of its new Parliament session on Monday (Feb 1), dominated for this first time by Members of Parliament (MPs) from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
The NLD won the November elections by a landslide, capturing 390 national parliamentary seats out of 664. The country’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will be stepping aside, having only won 42 national parliamentary seats in the elections.
Many expect more robust debates in a house dominated by the incoming NLD.
“In the past, in the previous Parliament (where the) USDP was the majority, people did not see (them as) a big difference from the military government,” said Saw Kapi, Director at the Salween Institute for Public Policy. “But with the new NLD, because there were some promises that were made by the party during the elections and prior to the elections, people have a lot more expectations.” (Courtesy of Channel NewAasia)
The NLD won the November elections by a landslide, capturing 390 national parliamentary seats out of 664. The country’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will be stepping aside, having only won 42 national parliamentary seats in the elections.
Many expect more robust debates in a house dominated by the incoming NLD.
“In the past, in the previous Parliament (where the) USDP was the majority, people did not see (them as) a big difference from the military government,” said Saw Kapi, Director at the Salween Institute for Public Policy. “But with the new NLD, because there were some promises that were made by the party during the elections and prior to the elections, people have a lot more expectations.” (Courtesy of Channel NewAasia)
Suu Kyi allies form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle
Hundreds of lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy were sworn into Myanmar's parliament on Monday, with enough seats to choose the country's first democratically elected government since the military took power in 1962.
The NLD won some 80 percent of elected seats in November's historic vote, catapulting it to power as Myanmar's ruling party after decades of struggle that saw many of its members imprisoned.
But the junta-drafted constitution means the party will have to share power with the army that for years suppressed, often brutally, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and her allies.
The first sitting of the NLD-dominated parliament is another step in Myanmar's drawn-out transition, which started with the election and will go on until the NLD government officially begins its term in April after parliament has picked a president.
"This is Myanmar's first parliament in years that was chosen by the people," said Pyon Cho, who is now a lawmaker and spent 20 years in jail as a member of the anti-junta group the 88 Generation Students. (Courtesy of Reuters)
The NLD won some 80 percent of elected seats in November's historic vote, catapulting it to power as Myanmar's ruling party after decades of struggle that saw many of its members imprisoned.
But the junta-drafted constitution means the party will have to share power with the army that for years suppressed, often brutally, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and her allies.
The first sitting of the NLD-dominated parliament is another step in Myanmar's drawn-out transition, which started with the election and will go on until the NLD government officially begins its term in April after parliament has picked a president.
"This is Myanmar's first parliament in years that was chosen by the people," said Pyon Cho, who is now a lawmaker and spent 20 years in jail as a member of the anti-junta group the 88 Generation Students. (Courtesy of Reuters)
A Historic Day in Burma
After more than 50 years of military rule, Burma has sworn in hundreds of lawmakers in the country’s first democratically elected parliament.
The inaugural session on Monday in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital, came three months after the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 80 percent of contested seats in the two-house parliament, defeating the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. The country, also known as Myanmar, has been under army control since 1962.
Old and new lawmakers marked the transition with dance, karaoke, and jokes in the parliament chambers Friday, reported EFE, the Spanish news agency. (Courtesy of The Atlantic)
The inaugural session on Monday in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital, came three months after the National League for Democracy (NLD), the party of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 80 percent of contested seats in the two-house parliament, defeating the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. The country, also known as Myanmar, has been under army control since 1962.
Old and new lawmakers marked the transition with dance, karaoke, and jokes in the parliament chambers Friday, reported EFE, the Spanish news agency. (Courtesy of The Atlantic)
Still no hope in Myanmar's Rakhine state, say parents of refugees
Mr Kyaw Hla Aung, 76, walked slowly and painfully around his house made of wood and rattan. ''Show this to my son,'' he said with a laugh as I filmed him.
The Rohingya Muslim leader, who has been in and out of jail for years, has seven children - five of them are abroad and they are not coming back.
His house is between a Rohingya village and a camp for internally displaced Rohingya, in a vast area outside Sittwe guarded by police checkpoints. Just up the road, the Thet Kay Pyin camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been home to around 5,000 Rohingya since 2012. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
The Rohingya Muslim leader, who has been in and out of jail for years, has seven children - five of them are abroad and they are not coming back.
His house is between a Rohingya village and a camp for internally displaced Rohingya, in a vast area outside Sittwe guarded by police checkpoints. Just up the road, the Thet Kay Pyin camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been home to around 5,000 Rohingya since 2012. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
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