The government has accepted to take back the management of Nay Pyi Taw International Airport from Asia World Company, the current contractor, which cited financial losses for the contract termination.
The airport handover contract will be made next week.
Since 2013, Pioneer Aerodrome Services Co Ltd, under Asia World, has looked to terminate the contract because so few airlines use the airport. A deputy director from the Department for Civil Aviation in November 2013 said the issue was still under discussion.
The decision to scrap the contract was reached on December 28.
Despite the airport handover, Pioneer Aerodrome will make a new contract to continue to provide services at the airport. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
January 1, 2016
Cartoonists celebrate 100 years of satire
The Myanmar cartoon industry started in 1915 and is planning to mark its centenary anniversary.
Ba Kalay, or Shwe Talay to use his cartoon name, drew a cartoon that was published in an English-language college magazine. It was about the college students who were dreaming about becoming the city administrator.
Famous cartoonists named Hein Sun, Ba Gyan, Kyaw San, Pe Thein and Ba Htwe followed, playing an important role in the fight for independence.
Activists claimed insightful political cartoons gave them courage. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Ba Kalay, or Shwe Talay to use his cartoon name, drew a cartoon that was published in an English-language college magazine. It was about the college students who were dreaming about becoming the city administrator.
Famous cartoonists named Hein Sun, Ba Gyan, Kyaw San, Pe Thein and Ba Htwe followed, playing an important role in the fight for independence.
Activists claimed insightful political cartoons gave them courage. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
MPs warn of money-laundering loophole
The joint committee on the 2016 tax bill has stated that the taxation of incomes that cannot show sources needs to be abolished since it can encourage money laundering.
MP Dr Myat Nyana Soe, the joint secretary of the committee, said: "Paragraph 24 of the bill says to tax the incomes that cannot show sources. We should think about it from multiple angles. It cannot be related to the money laundering, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Law. But institutions need to review whether this paragraph should be included in the tax bill. Paragraph 24 could support the money launderers, so institutions need to think this through again.”
He added that the 3-per-cent taxation on Ks100 million (US$76,900) incomes that cannot show sources was a very small amount for the money launderers, and the taxation on incomes without sources ought to be removed. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
MP Dr Myat Nyana Soe, the joint secretary of the committee, said: "Paragraph 24 of the bill says to tax the incomes that cannot show sources. We should think about it from multiple angles. It cannot be related to the money laundering, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Law. But institutions need to review whether this paragraph should be included in the tax bill. Paragraph 24 could support the money launderers, so institutions need to think this through again.”
He added that the 3-per-cent taxation on Ks100 million (US$76,900) incomes that cannot show sources was a very small amount for the money launderers, and the taxation on incomes without sources ought to be removed. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
NLD asks about govt projects
The victorious National League for Democracy has asked for the government’s supporting committee for the handover of the president’s power to explain ongoing projects, policies and staff strength of all government ministries, according to Win Htein, a leader of the NLD’s transitional team.
The first meeting in November focused on the proposals to hold the handing over ceremony at the presidential residence and the systematic transfer of the ministries’ duties.
Win Htein said: “We urged the government side to explain the work being undertaken by its ministries after the first meeting. For instance, it includes policies, staff strength, budget, current projects, laws and directives of ministries. We always have contact with them via the phone. Now the ministries start working on it. But I have not heard yet if they are ready.” (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
The first meeting in November focused on the proposals to hold the handing over ceremony at the presidential residence and the systematic transfer of the ministries’ duties.
Win Htein said: “We urged the government side to explain the work being undertaken by its ministries after the first meeting. For instance, it includes policies, staff strength, budget, current projects, laws and directives of ministries. We always have contact with them via the phone. Now the ministries start working on it. But I have not heard yet if they are ready.” (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
US Renews Support for Myanmar's Reforms as Country Turns to China
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States renewed its support for Myanmar’s reforming rulers in a message to celebrate the country’s Independence Day, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement released on Thursday.
"On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to convey my best wishes to the people of Myanmar on your independence day this January 4," Kerry stated.
The US secretary of state also congratulated Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, on holding successful parliamentary elections on November 8. (Courtesy of sputniknews.com)
"On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I would like to convey my best wishes to the people of Myanmar on your independence day this January 4," Kerry stated.
The US secretary of state also congratulated Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, on holding successful parliamentary elections on November 8. (Courtesy of sputniknews.com)
Koh Tao murders: Thai Law Society talks possible appeal with Myanmar envoy
Myanmar's ambassador to Thailand, U Win Maung, yesterday met with Law Society president Dej-Udom Krairit to discuss an appeal in the Koh Tao double-murder case. Two workers from Myanmar were sentenced to death last week for the murder two British tourists on the island last year. Dej-Udom said the Law Society had set up a committee to scrutinise the court's verdict, but the association might not be able to file an appeal within 30 days after the sentence was handed down. The lawyers might seek the court's permission to extend the time frame in order to help them understand the verdict, he said.
Thousands of Myanmar people staged rallies in their homeland after the Samui Provincial Court handed the death penalty to Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun for the killing of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23.
Key officials in the Thai government - notably Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan - have said they believe the protests in Myanmar and other countries such as Sri Lanka and Malaysia were manipulated by Thai people who dislike this country's military-led regime and its junta. (Courtesy of AsiaOne Asia News)
Thousands of Myanmar people staged rallies in their homeland after the Samui Provincial Court handed the death penalty to Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun for the killing of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23.
Key officials in the Thai government - notably Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan - have said they believe the protests in Myanmar and other countries such as Sri Lanka and Malaysia were manipulated by Thai people who dislike this country's military-led regime and its junta. (Courtesy of AsiaOne Asia News)
Koh Tao debacle: Shoddy work from beginning to end
Thailand’s ludicrous official response to the outcry at the verdict
The investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao was, from the very start, a muddled affair. Yet, despite public revelations of mishandling of the case by the police and widespread doubt about the guilt of the accused, the authorities were caught by surprise at the international outcry that greeted last week's court ruling.
The sentencing to death of the accused, two Myanmar migrant workers, provoked a raucous street protest in Yangon and grumbling in Nay Pyi Taw. Irked government officials claimed the reaction was all a conspiracy to discredit the Royal Thai Police. It would be wonderful if it could be so easily imagined away.
The inescapable fact is that the controversy surrounding the Koh Tao case is only the latest global outcry directed at the Thai police force, whose reputation and credibility now seem irrevocably tainted in the eyes of most outsiders and indeed many citizens.
The Koh Tao investigation was compromised from the beginning, when police failed to properly seal off the crime scene. A rumour that the attack was carried out by someone linked to influential figures on the island was summarily dismissed and investigators quickly focused on the migrant community, refusing to even contemplate the possibility that Thais might have been involved. The police gave no explanation for this shift in focus, which saw Myanmar migrants Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun arrested and charged with the despicable crime. (Courtesy of The Nation)
The investigation into the murder of two British backpackers on Koh Tao was, from the very start, a muddled affair. Yet, despite public revelations of mishandling of the case by the police and widespread doubt about the guilt of the accused, the authorities were caught by surprise at the international outcry that greeted last week's court ruling.
The sentencing to death of the accused, two Myanmar migrant workers, provoked a raucous street protest in Yangon and grumbling in Nay Pyi Taw. Irked government officials claimed the reaction was all a conspiracy to discredit the Royal Thai Police. It would be wonderful if it could be so easily imagined away.
The inescapable fact is that the controversy surrounding the Koh Tao case is only the latest global outcry directed at the Thai police force, whose reputation and credibility now seem irrevocably tainted in the eyes of most outsiders and indeed many citizens.
The Koh Tao investigation was compromised from the beginning, when police failed to properly seal off the crime scene. A rumour that the attack was carried out by someone linked to influential figures on the island was summarily dismissed and investigators quickly focused on the migrant community, refusing to even contemplate the possibility that Thais might have been involved. The police gave no explanation for this shift in focus, which saw Myanmar migrants Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun arrested and charged with the despicable crime. (Courtesy of The Nation)
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