Israel continues to provide further support to Myanmar’s agricultural sector by bringing Dr.Avri Bar Zur, an Agronomist from ABZagri-International Agriculture Projects, to research agricultural strategy in Daik U Township, Bago region.
Dr.Avri Bar Zur is joined here by H.E. Mr. Daniel Zonshine the ambassador of Israel to Myanmar and Member of Parliament upper house Daw Shwe Shwe Sein Latt. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
May 9, 2016
New Bodies Formed on Land Disputes, Other Pressing Matters
Burma’s President Htin Kyaw has formed nine new committees and commissions, including a National Planning Commission, over which he will preside, and a committee to oversee the country’s protracted land disputes, chaired by the ethnic Chin Vice President Henry Van Thio.
According to a statement from the President’s Office, the National Planning Commission was formed on Thursday to scrutinize state projects and joint ventures with the private sector, assessing project feasibility, implementation and the prevention of budgetary waste. It can also make suggestions and issue approvals or rejections on projects proposed by ministries and local governments.
Chaired by the president, the commission includes Burma’s two vice presidents, all 20 Union-level ministers, the attorney-general, accountant-general, and the chief ministers of all 14 states and divisions. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
According to a statement from the President’s Office, the National Planning Commission was formed on Thursday to scrutinize state projects and joint ventures with the private sector, assessing project feasibility, implementation and the prevention of budgetary waste. It can also make suggestions and issue approvals or rejections on projects proposed by ministries and local governments.
Chaired by the president, the commission includes Burma’s two vice presidents, all 20 Union-level ministers, the attorney-general, accountant-general, and the chief ministers of all 14 states and divisions. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Christians being pushed out of their own church by Buddhist monks in Myanmar
Christians in Myanmar—the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma—are methodically being pushed out of their own church property by a powerful Buddhist monk and his followers.
Despite the provocative action, the Christian leaders in that country are graciously enduring the Buddhist campaign so as not to inflame religious and ethnic conflicts in a country where a newly-elected democratic government is striving for national reconciliation, the Morning Star News reports.
The Christian community initially raised an outcry in media when U Thuzana, a powerful monk better known as Myaing Kyee Ngu Sayadaw, called on his supporters to build a Buddhist pagoda on Anglican church property in southeastern Karen state on Monday. It would be the third Buddhist temple to be built on church lands in Myanmar. (Courtesy of christiantoday.com)
Despite the provocative action, the Christian leaders in that country are graciously enduring the Buddhist campaign so as not to inflame religious and ethnic conflicts in a country where a newly-elected democratic government is striving for national reconciliation, the Morning Star News reports.
The Christian community initially raised an outcry in media when U Thuzana, a powerful monk better known as Myaing Kyee Ngu Sayadaw, called on his supporters to build a Buddhist pagoda on Anglican church property in southeastern Karen state on Monday. It would be the third Buddhist temple to be built on church lands in Myanmar. (Courtesy of christiantoday.com)
Burmese refugee mothers building a new life for their children
The children of Yin Yin Tun and Laldin Liana may never know the hardships their mothers have endured to provide them with safety, comfort, health and a good education.
Liana has two children, ages 5 and 6, and said the memories are too painful to share with them.
“If I share, they are heartbroken,” she said.
Tun may share the story of her long, arduous journey with her children — now 13, 11 and 9 — when they are older.
“For now I tell them to try so hard,” Tun said. “In Burma and Thailand they don’t have opportunity like here. We feel very safe here and have opportunity to learn.” (Courtesy of wcfcourier.com)
Liana has two children, ages 5 and 6, and said the memories are too painful to share with them.
“If I share, they are heartbroken,” she said.
Tun may share the story of her long, arduous journey with her children — now 13, 11 and 9 — when they are older.
“For now I tell them to try so hard,” Tun said. “In Burma and Thailand they don’t have opportunity like here. We feel very safe here and have opportunity to learn.” (Courtesy of wcfcourier.com)
Why Burma Is Trying to Stop People From Using the Name of Its Persecuted Muslim Minority
Despite international calls to help the country's Rohingya people, indications are that Burma's new government is trying to scrub the very term Rohingya from use
Burma’s newly installed government is trying to get foreign diplomats to refrain from using the name Rohingya, in the latest blow to the country’s heavily persecuted Muslim group. The move is an apparent bow to pressure from a small but influential ultra-nationalist movement that refuses to recognize the rights of the Rohingya people to belong in Burma.
A spokeswoman for Burma’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aye Aye Soe, told TIME that the government was “not objecting [to] the term [Rohingya] but requesting not to use it.” The suggestion was made during private “courtesy calls” between Aung San Suu Kyi — in her role as Minister of Foreign Affairs — and the U.S. Ambassador to Burma Scot Marciel, after the embassy had been targeted by Burmese over its use of the word. Protesters see the term — which means a person of Rohang, the old Muslim term for what is now Arakan state in western Burma — as conferring historical legitimacy on the Muslim presence in the country. (Courtesy of TIME)
Burma’s newly installed government is trying to get foreign diplomats to refrain from using the name Rohingya, in the latest blow to the country’s heavily persecuted Muslim group. The move is an apparent bow to pressure from a small but influential ultra-nationalist movement that refuses to recognize the rights of the Rohingya people to belong in Burma.
A spokeswoman for Burma’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aye Aye Soe, told TIME that the government was “not objecting [to] the term [Rohingya] but requesting not to use it.” The suggestion was made during private “courtesy calls” between Aung San Suu Kyi — in her role as Minister of Foreign Affairs — and the U.S. Ambassador to Burma Scot Marciel, after the embassy had been targeted by Burmese over its use of the word. Protesters see the term — which means a person of Rohang, the old Muslim term for what is now Arakan state in western Burma — as conferring historical legitimacy on the Muslim presence in the country. (Courtesy of TIME)
Lacking faith in the NLD, ethnic parties unite
Ethnic parties are disenchanted with the National League for Democracy and must forge their own agenda going forward with the peace process, according to the leader of one of the largest ethnic alliances.
U Khun Tun Oo, head of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and chair of the Shan National League for Democracy, said ethnic people cannot count on the ruling party.
“Ethnic people have only the UNA or the NBF [National Brotherhood Federation] or the current ethnic representatives of parliament to rely on for ethnic affairs. Ethnic people can no longer rely on the NLD,” he said during an opening speech at a UNA meeting on May 7. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
U Khun Tun Oo, head of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) and chair of the Shan National League for Democracy, said ethnic people cannot count on the ruling party.
“Ethnic people have only the UNA or the NBF [National Brotherhood Federation] or the current ethnic representatives of parliament to rely on for ethnic affairs. Ethnic people can no longer rely on the NLD,” he said during an opening speech at a UNA meeting on May 7. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
After Myanmar protests, China says companies should respect laws
China has consistently demanded its companies operating abroad respect local laws, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday after hundreds of villagers in Myanmar protested against the resumption of operations at a Chinese-backed copper mine.
The protests have gathered momentum since last Wednesday when some people broke through police barriers protecting the mine, operated by Myanmar Wanbao, a unit of a Chinese weapons maker, in one of the first tests for the new government's ability to deal with public anger.
Myanmar Wanbao runs the Letpadaung mine in a joint venture with a conglomerate controlled by the Myanmar military, Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. Villagers say their land has been unlawfully confiscated to expand the mine. (Courtesy of Reuters)
The protests have gathered momentum since last Wednesday when some people broke through police barriers protecting the mine, operated by Myanmar Wanbao, a unit of a Chinese weapons maker, in one of the first tests for the new government's ability to deal with public anger.
Myanmar Wanbao runs the Letpadaung mine in a joint venture with a conglomerate controlled by the Myanmar military, Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. Villagers say their land has been unlawfully confiscated to expand the mine. (Courtesy of Reuters)
Myanmar and its new President
The election of U Htin Kyaw as Myanmar’s President would make its most democratic administration since military seized power in 1962. During this period, the generals ran a draconian rule that denied the people even basic demo (cratic rights and isolated the country internationally. The nation became an independent republic on 4 January 1948. Unlike most other former British colonies and overseas territories, Burma did not become a member of the Commonwealth. A bicameral parliament was formed and multi-party elections were held in 1951–1952, 1956 and 1960.
On 2nd March 1962, the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma. Since then Myanmar has been under the general’s austerity which denied people even basic democratic rights. It is a mixed moment of joy and sorrow for the Myanmarese, because finally a legitimate democratic government is in place but there is immense disappointment as Aung San Suu Kyi, could not become the President. According to a provision in the military-era Constitution she cannot assume the highest position as her children are foreign citizens. While there is another equally important trouble the government would face: the ethnic nationalist groups struggling for autonomy. Ethnic nationalities are the dominant populations in at least half of the territory now referred to as Burma, and make up over thirty percent of the country’s total population. The ethnic nationalities have sought political arrangements reflecting their independent identities. (Courtesy of New Delhi Times)
On 2nd March 1962, the military led by General Ne Win took control of Burma. Since then Myanmar has been under the general’s austerity which denied people even basic democratic rights. It is a mixed moment of joy and sorrow for the Myanmarese, because finally a legitimate democratic government is in place but there is immense disappointment as Aung San Suu Kyi, could not become the President. According to a provision in the military-era Constitution she cannot assume the highest position as her children are foreign citizens. While there is another equally important trouble the government would face: the ethnic nationalist groups struggling for autonomy. Ethnic nationalities are the dominant populations in at least half of the territory now referred to as Burma, and make up over thirty percent of the country’s total population. The ethnic nationalities have sought political arrangements reflecting their independent identities. (Courtesy of New Delhi Times)
Economic hurdles ahead despite growth
Rising gas production and investment were the main factors behind the positive outlook, U Kyaw Win said at the May 5 meeting, adding that the country’s current account deficit is projected to remain “broadly stable” and larger flows of foreign capital will help increase the Central Bank’s international reserves.
The ADB projects a current account deficit of 8.3 percent of GDP for Myanmar in 2016, falling to 7.7pc in 2017, according to its economic outlook released in March. The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) approved US$9.4 billion in foreign investment for 2015-16, although it struggles to track how much approved FDI actually enters the country. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The ADB projects a current account deficit of 8.3 percent of GDP for Myanmar in 2016, falling to 7.7pc in 2017, according to its economic outlook released in March. The Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) approved US$9.4 billion in foreign investment for 2015-16, although it struggles to track how much approved FDI actually enters the country. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Opium Farmers’ Forum calls for end to eradication until alternative found
The following is a statement of the 4th Myanmar Opium Farmers’ Forum held in Loikaw, Kayah State on 9 May 2016.
“We, opium farmers and representatives of Kayah, Kayan, Shan, Pa-O, Lahu, Ta-ang (Palaung) and Kachin opium farming communities from Kayah State, Southern, Eastern and Northern Shan State, and Kachin State, came together in Loikaw, in Kayah State in Myanmar, to discuss the challenges we face in our lives, and to share experiences and find ways to solve our problems.
We would like to make the following recommendations to the new government of Myanmar:
We grow opium because we are poor and do not have other livelihood opportunities to feed our families and send our children to school, as well as for medicinal and traditional uses. We are not involved in the drug trade, we are not criminals, and we are not commercial farmers. Some of us also grow it for traditional and medicinal uses. It is important to differentiate between small-holder farmers like us, and those people who grow opium commercially and/or who invest in it. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
“We, opium farmers and representatives of Kayah, Kayan, Shan, Pa-O, Lahu, Ta-ang (Palaung) and Kachin opium farming communities from Kayah State, Southern, Eastern and Northern Shan State, and Kachin State, came together in Loikaw, in Kayah State in Myanmar, to discuss the challenges we face in our lives, and to share experiences and find ways to solve our problems.
We would like to make the following recommendations to the new government of Myanmar:
We grow opium because we are poor and do not have other livelihood opportunities to feed our families and send our children to school, as well as for medicinal and traditional uses. We are not involved in the drug trade, we are not criminals, and we are not commercial farmers. Some of us also grow it for traditional and medicinal uses. It is important to differentiate between small-holder farmers like us, and those people who grow opium commercially and/or who invest in it. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
Fighting in two states leads to more IDPs
An upsurge in fighting between two ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State has displaced as many as 2500 villagers over the past week, while clashes in Rakhine State have added to the wave of IDPs in the west of Myanmar, according to aid workers.
Mong Myo Aung, general secretary of the Ta’ang Student and Youth Organisation, said yesterday that nearly 2500 IDPs had fled fighting in several places, including the townships of Namkham, Mong Ton, Hsipaw, Namsan and Kyaukme.
On the other side of Myanmar, United Nations workers said 300 more villagers had fled recent clashes between the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, and the Tatmadaw, bringing the total of IDPs from that conflict since last month to about 1400. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Mong Myo Aung, general secretary of the Ta’ang Student and Youth Organisation, said yesterday that nearly 2500 IDPs had fled fighting in several places, including the townships of Namkham, Mong Ton, Hsipaw, Namsan and Kyaukme.
On the other side of Myanmar, United Nations workers said 300 more villagers had fled recent clashes between the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group, and the Tatmadaw, bringing the total of IDPs from that conflict since last month to about 1400. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
MOTHERS OF THE ROAD: YANGON'S FEMALE TAXI DRIVERS
If ever she is assaulted by a client while driving her taxi at night, Ma Su Mon Kyaw has a plan: Ram her cab straight into the nearest car. “Like that!” she said, smacking her own palm. “To draw attention for help.”
Fortunately, Su Mon Kyaw has not had to enact her contingency plan in her four years as one of Yangon’s only female taxi drivers, but if she has to, she isn’t afraid. Her trade might be a man’s job, but the city, she said, belongs to her. “I know every street, every township,” she boasts. “I am not afraid.”
When Su Mon Kyaw started, there were almost no other females in the traditionally, or stereotypically, male trade. Their ranks have swelled with the general increase in the number of cars on the road, but not by much. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Fortunately, Su Mon Kyaw has not had to enact her contingency plan in her four years as one of Yangon’s only female taxi drivers, but if she has to, she isn’t afraid. Her trade might be a man’s job, but the city, she said, belongs to her. “I know every street, every township,” she boasts. “I am not afraid.”
When Su Mon Kyaw started, there were almost no other females in the traditionally, or stereotypically, male trade. Their ranks have swelled with the general increase in the number of cars on the road, but not by much. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Myanmar visitor numbers up, further rise expected
More people from Myanmar are coming to Singapore for their vacations and their numbers are expected to grow as the Republic's tourism authority boosts efforts to attract them.
Visitor arrivals from Myanmar grew by almost 35 per cent from 2010, to 105, 452 last year.
Although these numbers are small, compared with visitor arrivals from other countries, industry experts are excited about the potential of this new market.
The visitors' spending grew by about 18 per cent to $196 million between 2010 and 2014, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
A typical traveller from Myanmar comes with a tour group and stays for three to four nights here, said industry players. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Visitor arrivals from Myanmar grew by almost 35 per cent from 2010, to 105, 452 last year.
Although these numbers are small, compared with visitor arrivals from other countries, industry experts are excited about the potential of this new market.
The visitors' spending grew by about 18 per cent to $196 million between 2010 and 2014, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
A typical traveller from Myanmar comes with a tour group and stays for three to four nights here, said industry players. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
CNN INTERNATIONAL AND SKYNET MYANMAR ANNOUNCE HISTORIC COLLABORATION
CNN International Commercial today announced a historic news affiliate and consultation agreement between Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., the distributor of CNN International in the Asia Pacific region, and Shwe Than Lwin Media Co., Ltd., (known as ‘SkyNet Myanmar’) to help the company launch the country’s first 24-hour local language news network, Channel One.
As part of this multi-year agreement, SkyNet will receive detailed consultation and comprehensive training from CNN on all aspects of launching a news channel, including newsgathering and production, digital and technical operations, program development and best-practice management. Once Channel One launches, SkyNet will continue to receive on-going training from CNN at CNN’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, its global U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, and on-site in Yangon.
As part of the agreement, Channel One will also broadcast CNN content and programming in local Burmese language, another first for the country. The alliance also includes supporting SkyNet in its development of a complementary Channel One news website. (Courtesy of Turner)
As part of this multi-year agreement, SkyNet will receive detailed consultation and comprehensive training from CNN on all aspects of launching a news channel, including newsgathering and production, digital and technical operations, program development and best-practice management. Once Channel One launches, SkyNet will continue to receive on-going training from CNN at CNN’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, its global U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, and on-site in Yangon.
As part of the agreement, Channel One will also broadcast CNN content and programming in local Burmese language, another first for the country. The alliance also includes supporting SkyNet in its development of a complementary Channel One news website. (Courtesy of Turner)
Rakhine Buddhists and Muslims form an unlikely alliance
On a sweltering May day in an impoverished village in Rakhine State, sitting on the front porch of a house boasting several plastic chairs and, somewhat incongruously, a smart set of golf clubs, two men discuss local religious tensions surrounded by a bevy of curious neighbours.
“I only heard these names Rohingya or Bengali after 2012,” says U Ka Lu, the retired leader of the Muslim village of Sin Tet Maw. “The people here all just use the name Muslim.”
His old friend U Tun Aye Thein, who is leader of the nearby Buddhist ethnic Rakhine village of Sin Ai, nods in apparent agreement.
Sin Tet Maw and the surrounding Buddhist fishing villages in Pauktaw township are very remote. With mountains on one side and sea on the other, interaction with the outside world requires a boat. Buddhist and Muslim neighbours have long relied on each other for trade and assistance. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
“I only heard these names Rohingya or Bengali after 2012,” says U Ka Lu, the retired leader of the Muslim village of Sin Tet Maw. “The people here all just use the name Muslim.”
His old friend U Tun Aye Thein, who is leader of the nearby Buddhist ethnic Rakhine village of Sin Ai, nods in apparent agreement.
Sin Tet Maw and the surrounding Buddhist fishing villages in Pauktaw township are very remote. With mountains on one side and sea on the other, interaction with the outside world requires a boat. Buddhist and Muslim neighbours have long relied on each other for trade and assistance. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Government urged to tackle citizenship issue
Daw Khin Saw Wai, a Pyithu Hluttaw representative from Rathedaung township, submitted a proposal on May 6 calling on the government to address the citizenship status of Muslims living mainly in Rakhine State whom she referred to as “Bengali”, but who self-identify as Rohingya.
“Bengalis, who are not a national race of Myanmar and come from the Myanmar-Bangladesh area, have illegally entered the country and that causes unrests in the state,” she said. The MP added that she thought it was time to re-start the citizenship scrutinising process that has been on hiatus since the former government revoked temporary white-cards. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
“Bengalis, who are not a national race of Myanmar and come from the Myanmar-Bangladesh area, have illegally entered the country and that causes unrests in the state,” she said. The MP added that she thought it was time to re-start the citizenship scrutinising process that has been on hiatus since the former government revoked temporary white-cards. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The Rohingya and Suu Kyi’s Myanmar
Her party won a major victory last year. Will it help a beleaguered minority?
The ballot held in Myanmar last November brought the first fair and peaceful transition of power seen by the country since the military seized power in 1962. Wracked by numerous insurgencies waged by separatists, social problems resulting from the large domestic drug trade, and anti-Muslim pogroms in the west staged by ultranationalist Buddhist monks, the victory of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is one of the few positive developments Myanmar has seen in recent decades.
The previous three elections held in Myanmar since the NLD’s founding, in 1990, 2010 and 2012, saw it either excluded from participation or its victories reversed by the military, leaving many in Myanmar and the international community with little hope of seeing a clear and uninterrupted transfer of power in the country. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
The ballot held in Myanmar last November brought the first fair and peaceful transition of power seen by the country since the military seized power in 1962. Wracked by numerous insurgencies waged by separatists, social problems resulting from the large domestic drug trade, and anti-Muslim pogroms in the west staged by ultranationalist Buddhist monks, the victory of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) is one of the few positive developments Myanmar has seen in recent decades.
The previous three elections held in Myanmar since the NLD’s founding, in 1990, 2010 and 2012, saw it either excluded from participation or its victories reversed by the military, leaving many in Myanmar and the international community with little hope of seeing a clear and uninterrupted transfer of power in the country. (Courtesy of Dhaka Tribune)
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