A local company teamed up with a Singapore-based land transportation management company to implement an electronic ticketing service for Rangoon’s public transportation system, according to the companies’ representatives.
The local company, Integrated Smart Solutions Co. Ltd (ISS), and MSI Global Pte Ltd—a subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, announced the partnership at their formal signing ceremony held on Sunday, where they introduced “anypay”—a new e-ticketing system for buses in Burma’s most populated city. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
August 2, 2016
Refugee Return Centers to Be Opened on Thai-Burma Border
Service centers providing support for Burmese refugees returning home voluntarily are to be established in all nine Burmese refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border later this month.
Refugees can declare their intention to return home at these “Voluntary Repatriation Centers,” where they can also receive advice, counseling and provisions for their return, and be formally processed in coordination with the Thai authorities.
The establishment of these centers is part of a refugee repatriation process being prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Refugees can declare their intention to return home at these “Voluntary Repatriation Centers,” where they can also receive advice, counseling and provisions for their return, and be formally processed in coordination with the Thai authorities.
The establishment of these centers is part of a refugee repatriation process being prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Aung Htoo: ‘Equality’ and the Demand For a Federal Union
Ethnic delegates discussed the draft constitution produced in 2008 by the Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordination Committee (FCDCC). That draft envisages that the country would have eight states, instead of the current seven, with the addition being a Bamar (Myanmar) ethnic state incorporating some of the existing divisions. For many ethnic people, this is a question of equality. What is your view?
My view is that it is a necessity. Over the course of history, ethnic nationalities have lived independently in this country. Powerful Myanmar kings established Myanmar empires during some historical periods, but basically, other ethnic nationalities lived independently until the British colonized the country.
We need to consider the historical background of our country. The 40-year war between Mon and Myanmar [from 1384 to 1424] is a significant chapter in this. Arakanese people formerly lived independently. So did Kachin and Shan people. The British could not even colonize the Karenni. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
My view is that it is a necessity. Over the course of history, ethnic nationalities have lived independently in this country. Powerful Myanmar kings established Myanmar empires during some historical periods, but basically, other ethnic nationalities lived independently until the British colonized the country.
We need to consider the historical background of our country. The 40-year war between Mon and Myanmar [from 1384 to 1424] is a significant chapter in this. Arakanese people formerly lived independently. So did Kachin and Shan people. The British could not even colonize the Karenni. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
UNFC Will Not Sign Ceasefire Unless All Members Included
The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a nine-member ethnic alliance that opted out of signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the previous government, said it would not sign the agreement unless all of the member groups were permitted to join.
UNFC leaders reiterated their all-inclusive policy on Friday, the fourth day of the Mai Ja Yang ethnic summit in Kachin State.
“We have adopted a stance that UNFC members will only sign the NCA if all groups can sign,” said Nai Hong Sar, vice chair of the UNFC.
Ethnic leaders said on Friday they were not yet clear on whether the new government wanted them to sign the NCA before or after the upcoming Union Peace Conference.
Burma’s military has officially stated that it would not allow the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), or the Arakan Army (AA) to sign the agreement unless the three groups officially released a statement saying that they would disarm. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
UNFC leaders reiterated their all-inclusive policy on Friday, the fourth day of the Mai Ja Yang ethnic summit in Kachin State.
“We have adopted a stance that UNFC members will only sign the NCA if all groups can sign,” said Nai Hong Sar, vice chair of the UNFC.
Ethnic leaders said on Friday they were not yet clear on whether the new government wanted them to sign the NCA before or after the upcoming Union Peace Conference.
Burma’s military has officially stated that it would not allow the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), or the Arakan Army (AA) to sign the agreement unless the three groups officially released a statement saying that they would disarm. (Courtesy of irrawaddy.com)
Canada must pressure Burma to end abuse of Muslim minority
“They are trying to transform Myanmar into a Muslim state,” says Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist monk dubbed by Time as the “The Face of Buddhist Terror.” Human rights activists claim Wirathu and his group, called 969, are the main forces behind riots that have killed scores and displaced thousands of Rohingya (a million strong ethnic Muslim minority living among more than 50 million Buddhists) since 2012.
Disturbingly, evidence suggests his hate movement has significant support in the country and even the acquiescence of the government. In fact, decades before Wirathu, described by some as the “Buddhist Bin Laden,” came on the scene, various state policies existed singling out the Rohingya.
The Canadian government may be finally forced to take a serious look. (Courtesy of thestar.com)
Disturbingly, evidence suggests his hate movement has significant support in the country and even the acquiescence of the government. In fact, decades before Wirathu, described by some as the “Buddhist Bin Laden,” came on the scene, various state policies existed singling out the Rohingya.
The Canadian government may be finally forced to take a serious look. (Courtesy of thestar.com)
Wa, Mongla armies hopeful after meeting with state counsellor
Two powerful ethnic armed groups from the Wa and Mongla special regions are optimistic that the government’s much-touted 21st-century Panglong Conference late this month can begin the process of healing decades-old ethnic divisions, according to U Zaw Htay, deputy director general for the President’s Office.
“They hold out much hope for the 21st-century Panglong Conference regarding the peace-making process and collaboration with the Union government,” the deputy director general said after he and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with representatives from the two groups on July 29.
Both groups are non-signatories to the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement and enjoy administrative autonomy over the regions they control along the border with China in Shan State. The Wa Special Region is run by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the country’s largest non-state armed groups, with estimates putting its troop strength at 20,000 to 30,000. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“They hold out much hope for the 21st-century Panglong Conference regarding the peace-making process and collaboration with the Union government,” the deputy director general said after he and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with representatives from the two groups on July 29.
Both groups are non-signatories to the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement and enjoy administrative autonomy over the regions they control along the border with China in Shan State. The Wa Special Region is run by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the country’s largest non-state armed groups, with estimates putting its troop strength at 20,000 to 30,000. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
Yangon heritage building to become national library
The books will be moved from their current location on Thiri Mingalar Yeikthar Road in Yankin township to the former Burma Oil Company headquarters on Merchant Street, after the building has been renovated by YHT.
“This will be a great step forward for the rejuvenation of the old downtown. The library will also be far more accessible to the general public,” wrote YHT chair U Thant Myint-U on the group’s Facebook page.
He thanked U Thant Thaw Kaung, chief librarian at Yangon University Central Library.
The Ministry of Energy tendered the building late last year for long-term rent. Daw Shwe Yin Mar Oo, public relations manager for YHT said she could not yet provide additional details. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
“This will be a great step forward for the rejuvenation of the old downtown. The library will also be far more accessible to the general public,” wrote YHT chair U Thant Myint-U on the group’s Facebook page.
He thanked U Thant Thaw Kaung, chief librarian at Yangon University Central Library.
The Ministry of Energy tendered the building late last year for long-term rent. Daw Shwe Yin Mar Oo, public relations manager for YHT said she could not yet provide additional details. (Courtesy of mmtimes.com)
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