In a recent petition with the United Nations, Myanmar claimed a certain portion of the Bay of Bengal, which lawfully belongs to Bangladesh, the Dhaka Tribune reported on 3 December.
The Union of Myanmar filed the petition with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on July 30, 2015.
But the “grabbing bid” was foiled by the Bangladesh government as the Bangladesh authorities filed a counter petition immediately, protesting the claim of Myanmar, the report said. (Courtesy of Mizzima)
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December 5, 2015
Interview: 'It Would be Good to Transfer Power as Soon as Possible'
Tin Oo, 88, co-founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD), spent almost seven years in prison and under house arrest under the military junta that ran the country before 2011, when military rule was replaced by a quasi-civilian government. In an interview with reporter Nay Rein Kyaw of RFA’s Myanmar Service, the retired general, former commander in chief of Myanmar's armed forces and trusted patron of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi discusses the NLD's effort to form a government after their landslide victory in Nov. 8 general elections.
RFA: What is your opinion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s meeting with the president and military chief?
Tin Oo: It is something we have to welcome. It is good that they said they will transfer the nation’s power peacefully and will collaborate with her in the future, but we have to wait and see whether they work as they said or not. We haven’t heard anything about power transferring yet.
RFA: People have two concerns: 1. They didn’t discuss how to solve problems in the country. 2. They didn’t state a time frame for the power transfer. What do you think of these issues?
Tin Oo: Yes, we have the same concern. They only said they agreed to collaborate and they are pleased for the meeting. That’s why I told you we have to wait and see. If they could discuss how to work together on solving the country’s problems, people will be very delighted.
RFA: What is your understanding for time frame of the power transfer process according to constitution?
Tin Oo: They have said they will transfer it within 90 days. It would be good to transfer the power as soon as possible. People voted willingly and they want to see the implementation of the election result that their votes produced. Actually, parliament shouldn’t be halted in the time between the two (outgoing and incoming) governments.
RFA: Do you think the NLD is ready to form a government?
Tin Oo: Aung San Suu Kyi and her group have plans, but they haven’t spoken out about it yet.
RFA: How will the NLD choose a vice-president and president?
Tin Oo: They will be chosen by the party central executive committee. (Courtesy of RFA)
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RFA: What is your opinion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s meeting with the president and military chief?
Tin Oo: It is something we have to welcome. It is good that they said they will transfer the nation’s power peacefully and will collaborate with her in the future, but we have to wait and see whether they work as they said or not. We haven’t heard anything about power transferring yet.
RFA: People have two concerns: 1. They didn’t discuss how to solve problems in the country. 2. They didn’t state a time frame for the power transfer. What do you think of these issues?
Tin Oo: Yes, we have the same concern. They only said they agreed to collaborate and they are pleased for the meeting. That’s why I told you we have to wait and see. If they could discuss how to work together on solving the country’s problems, people will be very delighted.
RFA: What is your understanding for time frame of the power transfer process according to constitution?
Tin Oo: They have said they will transfer it within 90 days. It would be good to transfer the power as soon as possible. People voted willingly and they want to see the implementation of the election result that their votes produced. Actually, parliament shouldn’t be halted in the time between the two (outgoing and incoming) governments.
RFA: Do you think the NLD is ready to form a government?
Tin Oo: Aung San Suu Kyi and her group have plans, but they haven’t spoken out about it yet.
RFA: How will the NLD choose a vice-president and president?
Tin Oo: They will be chosen by the party central executive committee. (Courtesy of RFA)
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Burma Army, Karen Rebels Visit Colombia
A joint delegation representing the Burma Army, ethnic Karen rebels and the government-affiliated Myanmar Peace Center arrived in Colombia this week to study the country’s peace process.
The delegation from Burma included senior Burmese military officials Lt-Gen Ye Aung and Maj-Gen Tun Tun Naug; Tu Tu Lay, an advisor for the Karen National Union (KNU); Maj. Paw Doh of the KNU; and Maj-Gen Saw Moses, second-in-command of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA).
At least one representative of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, a breakaway faction of the Karen minority’s dominant rebel group, as well as members of the MPC also joined the study mission, according to MPC official Hla Maung Shwe.
“It was the first time that Burma Army officials and armed ethnic groups have joined a delegation together. They will study the peace process and conflict resolution in Colombia,” Hla Maung Shwe said.
Asked why Burma’s other non-state armed groups were not represented in the delegation, the MPC official said the Karen groups had a closer relationship with the government and have made considerable progress on trust-building through regular bilateral conferences.
“Other ethnic rebels will have the chance to participate when the trust is stronger,” Hla Maung Shwe said.
The Burmese government achieved a landmark peace accord with eight non-state armed groups on Oct. 15, but fell short of its goal of securing a nationwide pact. Seven groups involved in the negotiations did not sign the agreement, some out of solidarity with armed groups that the government did not include. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
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The delegation from Burma included senior Burmese military officials Lt-Gen Ye Aung and Maj-Gen Tun Tun Naug; Tu Tu Lay, an advisor for the Karen National Union (KNU); Maj. Paw Doh of the KNU; and Maj-Gen Saw Moses, second-in-command of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA).
At least one representative of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, a breakaway faction of the Karen minority’s dominant rebel group, as well as members of the MPC also joined the study mission, according to MPC official Hla Maung Shwe.
“It was the first time that Burma Army officials and armed ethnic groups have joined a delegation together. They will study the peace process and conflict resolution in Colombia,” Hla Maung Shwe said.
Asked why Burma’s other non-state armed groups were not represented in the delegation, the MPC official said the Karen groups had a closer relationship with the government and have made considerable progress on trust-building through regular bilateral conferences.
“Other ethnic rebels will have the chance to participate when the trust is stronger,” Hla Maung Shwe said.
The Burmese government achieved a landmark peace accord with eight non-state armed groups on Oct. 15, but fell short of its goal of securing a nationwide pact. Seven groups involved in the negotiations did not sign the agreement, some out of solidarity with armed groups that the government did not include. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
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Yoma's Pun Seeks New Myanmar Stock Exchange's First Listing
First Myanmar Investment Co., a conglomerate controlled by businessman Serge Pun, is aiming to be the first publicly traded company on the Myanmar stock exchange.
Pun, who is also chairman of Singapore-listed developer Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd., said in an interview that First Myanmar doesn’t plan to sell any new shares. The company, which has businesses ranging from financial services and real estate to health care in Myanmar, submitted its application for a listing about four months ago, he said at the Bloomberg Asean Business Summit in Bangkok Friday.
"We are ready," said Pun, who returned to Myanmar as an investor more than two decades ago after fleeing the country in 1965 following a military coup. "We hope to be the catalyst for the exchange."
Foreign direct investment in Myanmar surged after the quasi-civilian government began opening the country to the outside world five years ago, and may accelerate further after an election victory last month by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. Positioned between India and China astride maritime trade routes between Europe and East Asia, Myanmar’s economy is set to expand about 8.3 percent this year and close to that in 2016, according to the Asian Development Bank.
While the bourse officially opens on Dec. 9, trading may not begin until toward the end of the first quarter. Shares are currently traded over-the-counter through the Myanmar Securities Exchange Co. Authorities in Myanmar have been working with Japanese brokerage Daiwa Securities Group Inc. to establish the exchange. (Courtesy of Bloomberg Business)
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Pun, who is also chairman of Singapore-listed developer Yoma Strategic Holdings Ltd., said in an interview that First Myanmar doesn’t plan to sell any new shares. The company, which has businesses ranging from financial services and real estate to health care in Myanmar, submitted its application for a listing about four months ago, he said at the Bloomberg Asean Business Summit in Bangkok Friday.
"We are ready," said Pun, who returned to Myanmar as an investor more than two decades ago after fleeing the country in 1965 following a military coup. "We hope to be the catalyst for the exchange."
Foreign direct investment in Myanmar surged after the quasi-civilian government began opening the country to the outside world five years ago, and may accelerate further after an election victory last month by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. Positioned between India and China astride maritime trade routes between Europe and East Asia, Myanmar’s economy is set to expand about 8.3 percent this year and close to that in 2016, according to the Asian Development Bank.
While the bourse officially opens on Dec. 9, trading may not begin until toward the end of the first quarter. Shares are currently traded over-the-counter through the Myanmar Securities Exchange Co. Authorities in Myanmar have been working with Japanese brokerage Daiwa Securities Group Inc. to establish the exchange. (Courtesy of Bloomberg Business)
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Govt Tables Kyaukphyu SEZ Plans in Parliament
Burma’s government is seeking parliamentary approval to begin the first phase of the Kyaukphyu special economic zone (SEZ) in Arakan State, lawmakers said on Friday.
Myint Thein, deputy minister for Rail Transportation and head of the Kyaukphyu SEZ management committee, outlined the long-mooted project, billed as the country’s western economic gateway, to Lower House lawmakers on Thursday.
MPs were told to register by Monday for debate on the project in Parliament next week, with the government seeking the legislature’s approval to use the land earmarked for the zone.
The Kyaukphyu SEZ would “be set up on 4,289 acres of land,” Myint Thein informed lawmakers, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. The project is slated to include an industrial zone, a housing estate and two deep sea ports, on Ramree and Maday islands respectively, according to the deputy minister.
Tender bids for development of the zone closed last November, with a total of 12 proposals submitted by one local and 11 international firms. However, the opaque tender and evaluation process has been beset by delays, with no successful bidder yet announced, despite official assurances that the process was nearing completion. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
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Myint Thein, deputy minister for Rail Transportation and head of the Kyaukphyu SEZ management committee, outlined the long-mooted project, billed as the country’s western economic gateway, to Lower House lawmakers on Thursday.
MPs were told to register by Monday for debate on the project in Parliament next week, with the government seeking the legislature’s approval to use the land earmarked for the zone.
The Kyaukphyu SEZ would “be set up on 4,289 acres of land,” Myint Thein informed lawmakers, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. The project is slated to include an industrial zone, a housing estate and two deep sea ports, on Ramree and Maday islands respectively, according to the deputy minister.
Tender bids for development of the zone closed last November, with a total of 12 proposals submitted by one local and 11 international firms. However, the opaque tender and evaluation process has been beset by delays, with no successful bidder yet announced, despite official assurances that the process was nearing completion. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
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Myanmar Now praised widely for election coverage
In the wake of Myanmar's 2015 general election, Myanmar Now, a fledgling media outlet born from collaboration between the Thomson Reuters Foundation and local Myanmar journalists, has garnered praise among leading journalists and diplomats for the exceptional quality of its election coverage.
In 2010, Myanmar embarked on political reforms leading towards a liberal democracy. These reforms resulted in a proliferation of new media outlets, but several problems - consolidation by owners, a spike in defamation cases and an overall lack of journalism skills - resulted in a shortage of objective news coverage about the reforms.
The lack of balanced reporting was particularly serious for ethnic groups, which are not only excluded from national press coverage and dialogue, but are also often the subject of inflammatory reporting that stokes violence.
Myanmar Now was proposed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Media Development team as a means of improving governance, accountability and inclusivity in the reform process and reducing inter-communal tension and violence. It began operations in July, shortly before the election season began.
In the following months, Myanmar Now published a wide range of content aimed at giving citizens trustworthy information about the election campaign. This included "fact sheets" with general information on various aspects of the election, and interviews with key candidates from opposing parties and representatives of marginalized ethnic minorities. (Courtesy of Trust.org)
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In 2010, Myanmar embarked on political reforms leading towards a liberal democracy. These reforms resulted in a proliferation of new media outlets, but several problems - consolidation by owners, a spike in defamation cases and an overall lack of journalism skills - resulted in a shortage of objective news coverage about the reforms.
The lack of balanced reporting was particularly serious for ethnic groups, which are not only excluded from national press coverage and dialogue, but are also often the subject of inflammatory reporting that stokes violence.
Myanmar Now was proposed by the Thomson Reuters Foundation's Media Development team as a means of improving governance, accountability and inclusivity in the reform process and reducing inter-communal tension and violence. It began operations in July, shortly before the election season began.
In the following months, Myanmar Now published a wide range of content aimed at giving citizens trustworthy information about the election campaign. This included "fact sheets" with general information on various aspects of the election, and interviews with key candidates from opposing parties and representatives of marginalized ethnic minorities. (Courtesy of Trust.org)
For more information - Visit here.
Podcast: Restructuring China’s military, will Suu Kyi ignore Rohingyas, Seoul protests, and more
What’s the significance of China restructuring its military? Seoul gets ready for what may be a massive anti-government rally this weekend. If Aung San Suu Kyi doesn’t help the Rohingyas in Myanmar, does that taint her victory? Plus one Japanese company is using trees to make noodles, attacks in Bangladesh continue, and more on the Dec 4 edition of Asia News Weekly.
WHAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHINA RESTRICTING ITS MILITARY?
With its nine-dash line, China has claimed virtually all of the South China Sea as their own. We've seen their slow and steady build-up of bases for more than a year now, and as the United States announces it will once more sail inside the 12 nautical miles Beijing likes to claim as its own around these features, China unveiled a restructuring of its military forces. To help understand why that may be, Mark Cozad, Senior International Defense Policy Analyst with the RAND Corporation returns to the podcast. (Courtesy of The Strait Times)
WHAT’S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHINA RESTRICTING ITS MILITARY?
With its nine-dash line, China has claimed virtually all of the South China Sea as their own. We've seen their slow and steady build-up of bases for more than a year now, and as the United States announces it will once more sail inside the 12 nautical miles Beijing likes to claim as its own around these features, China unveiled a restructuring of its military forces. To help understand why that may be, Mark Cozad, Senior International Defense Policy Analyst with the RAND Corporation returns to the podcast. (Courtesy of The Strait Times)
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