When the National League for Democracy (NLD) and its iconic leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, swept to power at the 2015 elections, the international community roared in approval. Now, some 100 days after the NLD took power, many foreign pundits are becoming more critical.
There were expectations that The Lady would be a beacon for human rights in the region and for progress on the issue of Muslims in the Rakhine state. Foreign investors hoped that the NLD government would speed up the opening of this frontier economy started by the preceding administration.
So far, there does not seem to be progress on either front. From the outside, the new government appears uncertain and hesitant. (Courtesy of themalaymailonline.com)
July 24, 2016
EU steps up with new strategy to support Myanmar's transition
European Union Ambassador Roland Kobia is upbeat about prospects of stepped up engagement between the EU and Myanmar following the new Myanmar government coming to power.
In the following interview conducted recently with Mizzima Editor-in-Chief SoeMyint, EU Ambassador Kobia talks about engagement, trade and investment, the peace process, and the development of Myanmar.
The 28 European Union foreign ministers recently adopted a new strategy for the EU relations with Myanmar. Can you tell us more about this new EU strategy on Myanmar? What are the changes or what are the key areas? (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
In the following interview conducted recently with Mizzima Editor-in-Chief SoeMyint, EU Ambassador Kobia talks about engagement, trade and investment, the peace process, and the development of Myanmar.
The 28 European Union foreign ministers recently adopted a new strategy for the EU relations with Myanmar. Can you tell us more about this new EU strategy on Myanmar? What are the changes or what are the key areas? (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Buddhism still dominant in Myanmar
Buddhism still rules in Myanmar despite the increasing popularity of other religious faiths.
According to a report, Muslim population constitutes 4.3 per cent with the addition of an estimated 1.09 million Muslims in Rakhine State, compared to 3.9 per cent in the census conducted in 1973 and 1983.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s report on religion was released subsequently to the 2014 census. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
According to a report, Muslim population constitutes 4.3 per cent with the addition of an estimated 1.09 million Muslims in Rakhine State, compared to 3.9 per cent in the census conducted in 1973 and 1983.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s report on religion was released subsequently to the 2014 census. (Courtesy of nationmultimedia.com)
German ambassador congratulates journalism graduates
This week the German Ambassador to Myanmar congratulated graduates of the Myanmar Journalism Institute saying they had chosen a noble profession.
Speaking at the event on July 21 at the institute German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch said the foreign partners of Myanmar Journalism Institute, including the German Embassy, are proud of their commitment and success.
“You have chosen a noble guild. After all, it makes a difference whether one sells news or nuts,” he said. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Speaking at the event on July 21 at the institute German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch said the foreign partners of Myanmar Journalism Institute, including the German Embassy, are proud of their commitment and success.
“You have chosen a noble guild. After all, it makes a difference whether one sells news or nuts,” he said. (Courtesy of mizzima.com)
Hindu numbers constant in Myanmar over 40 years
The proportion of Hindus in Myanmar has remained constant at around
0.5 per cent over the forty year period, according to Myanmar Census
2014 Report on Religion released this month.
In Myanmar’s enumerated population, there were 252,763 (0.5%) Hindus. Largest number of Hindus, 100,166 (2.0% of Region’s enumerated population), were in Bago Region (southern-central part of the country); while smallest number of Hindus, only 106, were in Chin State (least developed area of the country) in western Myanmar.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, urged Myanmar Hindus to continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc.; and keep on contributing to the progress of Myanmar. (Courtesy of oyetimes.com)
In Myanmar’s enumerated population, there were 252,763 (0.5%) Hindus. Largest number of Hindus, 100,166 (2.0% of Region’s enumerated population), were in Bago Region (southern-central part of the country); while smallest number of Hindus, only 106, were in Chin State (least developed area of the country) in western Myanmar.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, urged Myanmar Hindus to continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc.; and keep on contributing to the progress of Myanmar. (Courtesy of oyetimes.com)
July 23, 2016
Malaysian activists call on Aung San Suu Kyi to meet Rohingya refugees
Aung San Suu Kyi is set to visit Malaysia in August and a local activist group, the Tenaganita movement is calling on her as the Burmese Foreign Minister to meet with a group of Rohingya refugees, the Muslim minority persecuted in Myanmar.
Reached by Free Malaysia Today Aegile Fernandez, co-director of Tenaganita, points out that the NGO is available to arrange a face-to-face meeting between the Nobel Peace Laureate and a group of Rohingya refugees. "It would be wonderful - she added - because they could tell their side of the story".
In the past, Aung San Suu Kyi, icon of human rights and democracy in Myanmar, has been heavily criticized for failing to come to the defense of the Muslim minority. Recently, during a meeting with the UN special representative on human rights, the NLD leaders said they did not want to even use the term "Rohingya" because it is considered a source of controversy in the Asian country. (Courtesy of heraldmalaysia.com)
Reached by Free Malaysia Today Aegile Fernandez, co-director of Tenaganita, points out that the NGO is available to arrange a face-to-face meeting between the Nobel Peace Laureate and a group of Rohingya refugees. "It would be wonderful - she added - because they could tell their side of the story".
In the past, Aung San Suu Kyi, icon of human rights and democracy in Myanmar, has been heavily criticized for failing to come to the defense of the Muslim minority. Recently, during a meeting with the UN special representative on human rights, the NLD leaders said they did not want to even use the term "Rohingya" because it is considered a source of controversy in the Asian country. (Courtesy of heraldmalaysia.com)
India, Bangladesh, Myanmar work together on quake prediction
Efforts are on by Indian seismologists and geologists to jointly carry out studies with Bangladesh and Myanmar and form a common geodetic network to verify fresh data and sort out discrepancies over earthquake-related research in the region.
In a recent paper in Nature Geoscience, a group of scientists published new evidence of the increasing strain building beneath Bangladesh, where two tectonic plates underlie the vast delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
They estimate that at least 140 million people in the region could be affected if the boundary ruptures. (Courtesy of daijiworld.com)
In a recent paper in Nature Geoscience, a group of scientists published new evidence of the increasing strain building beneath Bangladesh, where two tectonic plates underlie the vast delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
They estimate that at least 140 million people in the region could be affected if the boundary ruptures. (Courtesy of daijiworld.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)