850,000 migrants register in Thailand: ministry
by Claire Truscott – Thu Mar 4, 12:11 pm ET
BANGKOK (AFP) – Around 850,000 migrant workers in Thailand have met a deadline to start a registration process, the labour ministry said Thursday, as rights groups made renewed calls for a halt to the policy.
Thailand had ordered 1.3 million eligible citizens from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos to begin the process of registering and verifying their nationality by Sunday or risk deportation.
To enter the process migrants must pay registration and medical fees of 3,800 baht (116 dollars) -- a large sum for people who mostly have low-paid jobs in the manufacturing, agricultural and domestic sectors.
The full registration process takes two years to complete and will eventually entitle the migrants to claim temporary work permits.
"Some 850,000 migrant workers met the deadline" said Supat Gukun, a labour ministry official.
The 1.3 million are eligible because they registered for different one-year work permits last year.
Thai authorities estimate there are up to another 1.2 million unregistered migrants in the country who will not be eligible for the new process.
Human Rights Watch said the registration system left migrants open to abuse.
Unscrupulous officials and employers will now be able to threaten unregistered migrants with deportation in order to extort money, said the group's Thailand expert Phil Robertson.
"The abuses against migrant workers will more than likely increase as a result of more migrant workers becoming undocumented and therefore vulnerable," Robertson said.
The New York-based rights group released a report last week that documented a pattern of systemic abuse against migrant workers, from extrajudicial killings to torture, arbitrary arrest and extortion.
Myanmar citizens are particularly fearful, rights activists said, as a deal between Thailand and its military-ruled neighbour means they must return home to register, where the workers say they could face persecution.
Thailand's government said a task force would be dispatched to deport unregistered workers but has not yet announced any firm plans to do so.
"Immigration police and labour officials will check at every factory, and if they hire migrant workers without a permit then those people must be repatriated," said another labour ministry official, Thanich Numnoi.
Thailand's economy relies on migrant workers from its poorer neighbours, but in recent months the country has become tougher on immigration at its borders.
"This process doesn't acknowledge the benefit or importance of these people for the economy," said Andy Hall, a rights activist with the Bangkok-based Human Rights and Development Foundation.
"They need these people but they are not willing to give them their rights."
Thailand, which is seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, has been heavily criticised in recent months for its crackdowns on migrants from neighbouring Laos and Myanmar.
In December Bangkok sparked outrage when it defied global criticism and used troops to repatriate about 4,500 ethnic Hmong from camps on the border with communist Laos, including 158 recognised as refugees by the United Nations.
Earlier last year hundreds of ethnic Rohingya migrants from Myanmar were rescued in Indian and Indonesian waters after being pushed out to sea in rickety boats by the Thai military.
by Claire Truscott – Thu Mar 4, 12:11 pm ET
BANGKOK (AFP) – Around 850,000 migrant workers in Thailand have met a deadline to start a registration process, the labour ministry said Thursday, as rights groups made renewed calls for a halt to the policy.
Thailand had ordered 1.3 million eligible citizens from neighbouring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos to begin the process of registering and verifying their nationality by Sunday or risk deportation.
To enter the process migrants must pay registration and medical fees of 3,800 baht (116 dollars) -- a large sum for people who mostly have low-paid jobs in the manufacturing, agricultural and domestic sectors.
The full registration process takes two years to complete and will eventually entitle the migrants to claim temporary work permits.
"Some 850,000 migrant workers met the deadline" said Supat Gukun, a labour ministry official.
The 1.3 million are eligible because they registered for different one-year work permits last year.
Thai authorities estimate there are up to another 1.2 million unregistered migrants in the country who will not be eligible for the new process.
Human Rights Watch said the registration system left migrants open to abuse.
Unscrupulous officials and employers will now be able to threaten unregistered migrants with deportation in order to extort money, said the group's Thailand expert Phil Robertson.
"The abuses against migrant workers will more than likely increase as a result of more migrant workers becoming undocumented and therefore vulnerable," Robertson said.
The New York-based rights group released a report last week that documented a pattern of systemic abuse against migrant workers, from extrajudicial killings to torture, arbitrary arrest and extortion.
Myanmar citizens are particularly fearful, rights activists said, as a deal between Thailand and its military-ruled neighbour means they must return home to register, where the workers say they could face persecution.
Thailand's government said a task force would be dispatched to deport unregistered workers but has not yet announced any firm plans to do so.
"Immigration police and labour officials will check at every factory, and if they hire migrant workers without a permit then those people must be repatriated," said another labour ministry official, Thanich Numnoi.
Thailand's economy relies on migrant workers from its poorer neighbours, but in recent months the country has become tougher on immigration at its borders.
"This process doesn't acknowledge the benefit or importance of these people for the economy," said Andy Hall, a rights activist with the Bangkok-based Human Rights and Development Foundation.
"They need these people but they are not willing to give them their rights."
Thailand, which is seeking a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, has been heavily criticised in recent months for its crackdowns on migrants from neighbouring Laos and Myanmar.
In December Bangkok sparked outrage when it defied global criticism and used troops to repatriate about 4,500 ethnic Hmong from camps on the border with communist Laos, including 158 recognised as refugees by the United Nations.
Earlier last year hundreds of ethnic Rohingya migrants from Myanmar were rescued in Indian and Indonesian waters after being pushed out to sea in rickety boats by the Thai military.
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05 Mac, 2010 12:52 PM
International Organisation Helps Myanmar Reduce Child Death Rate
YANGON, March 5 (Bernama) -- An international organisation "Save the Children" has vowed to help Myanmar reduce the death rate of under-five children caused by curable diseases by stepping up healtcare activities across the country in cooperation with organisations concerned.
In Myanmar, about 92,000 children across country died of such curable diseases annually as diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria and 87 percent of the victims were from the rural areas, China's Xinhua news agency cited the organisation as saying.
Volunteers from the organisation are now giving training and educative talks in villages as part of the preventive measures against the occurrence of the diseases.
The non-governmental organisation has been implementing the healtcare and nutrition project in areas of central Myanmar such as Pakkoku, Minbu, Magway, Pwint Phyu since 2006 and expanded its project to cyclone-hard hit villages of Kungyangong in Yangon division and Laputta and Mawlamyainggyun in Ayeyawaddy division in the post cyclone period in late 2008.
Myanmar is striving to cut the number of deaths caused by malaria by half this year in the wake of official report that about 700,000 people in the country are infected with the disease yearly.
To realize the target, the health authorities are calling for preventive measures against the fatal disease with the participation of the entire people and also with a high level of health awareness.
The preventive measures are outlined as imparting knowledge to the people, using mosquito nets treated with insecticide, cultivating the habit of visiting hospitals and receiving proper treatment.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government had provided earlier US$3.1 million more assistance to Myanmar in fighting malaria under its grassroot grant assistance scheme.
Medicines for effective treatment, medical care and prevention against the disease as well as mosquito nets were distributed to malaria-sensitive divisions and state of Bago, Magway and Rakhine under the Japanese grant aid in 2007 and 2008.
In March-April 2009, diarrhoea broke out in some five townships in Yangon, namely Thakayta, Dopon, Pazaungdaung, North Okkalapa and Hlaingtharya, killing at least four people.
The cause of diarrhoea was blamed for having unclean drinking water, blocking of drains with rubbish and absence of fly-proof latrine.
As preventive measure against diarrhoea, a total of 5,440 people in the North Okkalapa township, one of the diarrhoea-hit townships, have been given oral vaccination.
The authorities warned people in the townships to avoid taking contaminated food which easily causes diarrhoea and carried out sterilisation on every household's kitchenwares, opening provisional dispensaries and offering free treatment on people who were infected with the disease as part of the preventive measures.
Diarrhoea mostly occurs in summer from March to April and pre- monsoon period from April to May.
International Organisation Helps Myanmar Reduce Child Death Rate
YANGON, March 5 (Bernama) -- An international organisation "Save the Children" has vowed to help Myanmar reduce the death rate of under-five children caused by curable diseases by stepping up healtcare activities across the country in cooperation with organisations concerned.
In Myanmar, about 92,000 children across country died of such curable diseases annually as diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria and 87 percent of the victims were from the rural areas, China's Xinhua news agency cited the organisation as saying.
Volunteers from the organisation are now giving training and educative talks in villages as part of the preventive measures against the occurrence of the diseases.
The non-governmental organisation has been implementing the healtcare and nutrition project in areas of central Myanmar such as Pakkoku, Minbu, Magway, Pwint Phyu since 2006 and expanded its project to cyclone-hard hit villages of Kungyangong in Yangon division and Laputta and Mawlamyainggyun in Ayeyawaddy division in the post cyclone period in late 2008.
Myanmar is striving to cut the number of deaths caused by malaria by half this year in the wake of official report that about 700,000 people in the country are infected with the disease yearly.
To realize the target, the health authorities are calling for preventive measures against the fatal disease with the participation of the entire people and also with a high level of health awareness.
The preventive measures are outlined as imparting knowledge to the people, using mosquito nets treated with insecticide, cultivating the habit of visiting hospitals and receiving proper treatment.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government had provided earlier US$3.1 million more assistance to Myanmar in fighting malaria under its grassroot grant assistance scheme.
Medicines for effective treatment, medical care and prevention against the disease as well as mosquito nets were distributed to malaria-sensitive divisions and state of Bago, Magway and Rakhine under the Japanese grant aid in 2007 and 2008.
In March-April 2009, diarrhoea broke out in some five townships in Yangon, namely Thakayta, Dopon, Pazaungdaung, North Okkalapa and Hlaingtharya, killing at least four people.
The cause of diarrhoea was blamed for having unclean drinking water, blocking of drains with rubbish and absence of fly-proof latrine.
As preventive measure against diarrhoea, a total of 5,440 people in the North Okkalapa township, one of the diarrhoea-hit townships, have been given oral vaccination.
The authorities warned people in the townships to avoid taking contaminated food which easily causes diarrhoea and carried out sterilisation on every household's kitchenwares, opening provisional dispensaries and offering free treatment on people who were infected with the disease as part of the preventive measures.
Diarrhoea mostly occurs in summer from March to April and pre- monsoon period from April to May.
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Thai-ASEAN News Network
TAN Network - Ranong Fishermen Complain on Oil Robbery by Myanmar's Coast Guards
UPDATE : 5 March 2010
Ranong fishing boat operators have filed a complaint with the authorities after many of them have been robbed of fuel and money by coast guards from Myanmar.
A group of fishing boat operators led by Chairman of the Ranong Fisheries Association, Tawee Boonying, has called on the government to take action against off-shore robberies by coast guards from Myanmar, both in uniform and street wear.
According to Tawee, three Thai fishing companies have been granted a valid permit to trawl in the Burmese sea.
However, he said many Thai fishermen reportedly have been extorted for fuel and cash by the patrols from Myanmar.
It is estimated that up to ten thousand litres or 200,000 baht's worth of oil are extorted each month.
Tawee noted that his association will hold a meeting of local fishing boat operators to find solutions to the problem, one of which may involve businesses being shut down.
He added that the group will also seek assistance from the Department of Fisheries and the Foreign Ministry.
TAN Network - Ranong Fishermen Complain on Oil Robbery by Myanmar's Coast Guards
UPDATE : 5 March 2010
Ranong fishing boat operators have filed a complaint with the authorities after many of them have been robbed of fuel and money by coast guards from Myanmar.
A group of fishing boat operators led by Chairman of the Ranong Fisheries Association, Tawee Boonying, has called on the government to take action against off-shore robberies by coast guards from Myanmar, both in uniform and street wear.
According to Tawee, three Thai fishing companies have been granted a valid permit to trawl in the Burmese sea.
However, he said many Thai fishermen reportedly have been extorted for fuel and cash by the patrols from Myanmar.
It is estimated that up to ten thousand litres or 200,000 baht's worth of oil are extorted each month.
Tawee noted that his association will hold a meeting of local fishing boat operators to find solutions to the problem, one of which may involve businesses being shut down.
He added that the group will also seek assistance from the Department of Fisheries and the Foreign Ministry.
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Thai-ASEAN News Network
TAN Network - Never Has the Mekong River Ever Been This Dry
UPDATE : 5 March 2010
Having spent a significant amount of time filming the documentary “Mekong: the Untamed”, and experiencing firsthand the lives of people along the Mekong, I could very well feel their anxieties when the bad news hit.
Many have blamed the drying-up of the Mekong River on several large dams built on the tributaries in China.
A dam is a man-made construction designed to control a river flow. The opening and closing of the dam gates by upstream countries is typically detrimental to others down the river.
China has been turning a deaf ear to the grievances of downstream countries such as Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, which call on the great power to have some empathy and respect.
The water levels in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district went as low as 37 centimeters according to the latest measurement two weeks ago... the lowest in generations. Riparian villagers are now awed by the revelation of craggy riverbeds previously unseen in the aftermath of the precipitous drop in the Mekong water levels, while the elderly say the river has never been this dry.
Note that it is only the start of the dry season. Imagine what the Mekong would appear like in April, when the drought peaks.
Tourist cruises between Chiang Roong in southern China and the Golden Triangle, which interconnects Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, have been halted for weeks because of the unprecedented shallowness of the Mekong.
Meanwhile, Chinese sources reported that the southern Chinese province of Yunnan has been hit by the worst drought in decades, prompting the Beijing government to speed up the construction of more dams in order to conserve water.
The water scarcity will negatively affect only fisheries and farming on both sides of the river, but also electricity production.
If the Chinese government does not start talks with the five downstream countries now, the issue could escalate to international conflicts, for it is widely believed that the water crisis is directly attributable to China’s dam building.
China, which is emerging as a new economic giant and regarded as Asia’s Big Brother, cannot avoid the responsibility and must show its neighbors down the Mekong River its sincerity and commitment in solving the problem if it wants to earn respect from the global community.
And this is for nothing but the livelihood of people in the six countries along the river that is regarded as the lifeline to the Southeast Asia.
Taken from Ka Fae Dum column, Krungthep Thurakij, March 4th, page 2
Translated and edited by Wacharapol Isaranont
TAN Network - Never Has the Mekong River Ever Been This Dry
UPDATE : 5 March 2010
Having spent a significant amount of time filming the documentary “Mekong: the Untamed”, and experiencing firsthand the lives of people along the Mekong, I could very well feel their anxieties when the bad news hit.
Many have blamed the drying-up of the Mekong River on several large dams built on the tributaries in China.
A dam is a man-made construction designed to control a river flow. The opening and closing of the dam gates by upstream countries is typically detrimental to others down the river.
China has been turning a deaf ear to the grievances of downstream countries such as Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, which call on the great power to have some empathy and respect.
The water levels in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district went as low as 37 centimeters according to the latest measurement two weeks ago... the lowest in generations. Riparian villagers are now awed by the revelation of craggy riverbeds previously unseen in the aftermath of the precipitous drop in the Mekong water levels, while the elderly say the river has never been this dry.
Note that it is only the start of the dry season. Imagine what the Mekong would appear like in April, when the drought peaks.
Tourist cruises between Chiang Roong in southern China and the Golden Triangle, which interconnects Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, have been halted for weeks because of the unprecedented shallowness of the Mekong.
Meanwhile, Chinese sources reported that the southern Chinese province of Yunnan has been hit by the worst drought in decades, prompting the Beijing government to speed up the construction of more dams in order to conserve water.
The water scarcity will negatively affect only fisheries and farming on both sides of the river, but also electricity production.
If the Chinese government does not start talks with the five downstream countries now, the issue could escalate to international conflicts, for it is widely believed that the water crisis is directly attributable to China’s dam building.
China, which is emerging as a new economic giant and regarded as Asia’s Big Brother, cannot avoid the responsibility and must show its neighbors down the Mekong River its sincerity and commitment in solving the problem if it wants to earn respect from the global community.
And this is for nothing but the livelihood of people in the six countries along the river that is regarded as the lifeline to the Southeast Asia.
Taken from Ka Fae Dum column, Krungthep Thurakij, March 4th, page 2
Translated and edited by Wacharapol Isaranont
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ASEAN held itself together despite challenges in 2009: George Yeo
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 March 2010 1730 hrs
SINGAPORE: Despite severe challenges last year during Thailand's chairmanship, ASEAN has held itself together and continued to make progress, although not as much as Singapore would have hoped for.
Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo gave this assessment in Parliament during the debate on the Budget estimates for his ministry.
He pointed to concrete results such as the implementation of the ASEAN Charter - a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with China, and the historic meeting between US President Barrack Obama and all ten ASEAN economies in Singapore.
Mr Yeo said "relative peace in the region and the enlargement of our economic space have made possible Singapore's continuing economic development". It is to this end that Singapore actively participates in international forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting (APEC) and the G20 process.
Turning to relations with Southeast Asian neighbours, Mr Yeo said ties with Malaysia are "very good". He said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will meet his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in May to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Mr Yeo is also hopeful of a win-win outcome with regards to the Points of Agreement on railway land, following ongoing talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.
Both sides have been discussing further cooperation in Iskandar Malaysia, including Singapore's investment in an iconic project and the possibility of linking the two urban rail systems.
Mr Yeo said: "Support of the Johor ground is a necessary pre-condition. When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew visited Johor Bahru to pay his final respects to the late Sultan of Johor, the new Sultan, Sultan Ibrahim, expressed clearly his wish for stronger relations between Johor and Singapore. Our new consulate in Johor Bahru is already busy with work."
Relations are also good with Indonesia and Myanmar.
On Myanmar, Mr Yeo stressed the importance of fair and legitimate elections in the country this year.
He said: "This will be a critical year for Myanmar. At long last, elections will be held under a new Constitution that guarantees a continuing strong role for the military in Myanmar's politics.
"We know that there are ongoing discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals, and hope that both sides will show flexibility and compromise."
Mr Yeo said if there is no reconciliation and the elections outcome is not seen as legitimate, especially by Myanmar's neighbours, "then ASEAN will have a problem."
Going beyond the region, Mr Yeo said relations with China and US are good. He said despite other preoccupations, the US has made efforts to reengage ASEAN.
With China, Singapore is planning a series of joint commemorative activities this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Mr Yeo said: "Although there are many challenges in the international and regional environment, we can find in them new ways to make a living. This is the new context in which we seek to restructure the Singapore economy.
"We need sensitive antennas to detect new trends and comprehensive responses to threats and opportunities. The mission of the Foreign Ministry is to expand the external political and economic space for Singapore's continuing development."
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 March 2010 1730 hrs
SINGAPORE: Despite severe challenges last year during Thailand's chairmanship, ASEAN has held itself together and continued to make progress, although not as much as Singapore would have hoped for.
Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo gave this assessment in Parliament during the debate on the Budget estimates for his ministry.
He pointed to concrete results such as the implementation of the ASEAN Charter - a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with China, and the historic meeting between US President Barrack Obama and all ten ASEAN economies in Singapore.
Mr Yeo said "relative peace in the region and the enlargement of our economic space have made possible Singapore's continuing economic development". It is to this end that Singapore actively participates in international forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meeting (APEC) and the G20 process.
Turning to relations with Southeast Asian neighbours, Mr Yeo said ties with Malaysia are "very good". He said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will meet his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in May to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Mr Yeo is also hopeful of a win-win outcome with regards to the Points of Agreement on railway land, following ongoing talks with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.
Both sides have been discussing further cooperation in Iskandar Malaysia, including Singapore's investment in an iconic project and the possibility of linking the two urban rail systems.
Mr Yeo said: "Support of the Johor ground is a necessary pre-condition. When Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew visited Johor Bahru to pay his final respects to the late Sultan of Johor, the new Sultan, Sultan Ibrahim, expressed clearly his wish for stronger relations between Johor and Singapore. Our new consulate in Johor Bahru is already busy with work."
Relations are also good with Indonesia and Myanmar.
On Myanmar, Mr Yeo stressed the importance of fair and legitimate elections in the country this year.
He said: "This will be a critical year for Myanmar. At long last, elections will be held under a new Constitution that guarantees a continuing strong role for the military in Myanmar's politics.
"We know that there are ongoing discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals, and hope that both sides will show flexibility and compromise."
Mr Yeo said if there is no reconciliation and the elections outcome is not seen as legitimate, especially by Myanmar's neighbours, "then ASEAN will have a problem."
Going beyond the region, Mr Yeo said relations with China and US are good. He said despite other preoccupations, the US has made efforts to reengage ASEAN.
With China, Singapore is planning a series of joint commemorative activities this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Mr Yeo said: "Although there are many challenges in the international and regional environment, we can find in them new ways to make a living. This is the new context in which we seek to restructure the Singapore economy.
"We need sensitive antennas to detect new trends and comprehensive responses to threats and opportunities. The mission of the Foreign Ministry is to expand the external political and economic space for Singapore's continuing development."
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Interconnectionworld - Japan to inject investment in Myanmar IT, economic sectors
YANGON, March. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japanese businessmen are planning to inject investment in Myanmar's information and technology (IT) sector and some economic-related sectors this year, the local weekly Yangon Time reported Thursday.
Meeting with its counterparts from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) recently, businessmen of Japan's Shizouka proposed to invest in such sectors as IT, advertisement, human resource development, super markets, pig breeding and sausage making businesses, the report said.
Meanwhile, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will also inject investment in Myanmar's industrial sector as the first Japan-Mekong investment business mission, earlier report said.
The Japanese organization's investment in Myanmar will cover motor car spare parts manufacturing, food, garment and agricultural production.
According to official statistics, total foreign contracted investment in Myanmar hit 15.788 billion dollars in 22 years up to the end of November last year since the country opened to such investment in late 1988.
Of which, Japan's investment in the country so far amounted to 216.76 million U.S. dollars in 23 projects, accounting for 1.37 percent of the total foreign investment in Myanmar and ranking the 12th.
The bilateral trade between Myanmar and Japan stood at 341.8 million dollars in the 2008-09 fiscal year, of which Myanmar's export to Japan amounted to 179.6 million dollars with Japan ranking the 6th in Myanmar's exporting countries line-up. Myanmar' s import from Japan took 162.2 million dollars.
YANGON, March. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japanese businessmen are planning to inject investment in Myanmar's information and technology (IT) sector and some economic-related sectors this year, the local weekly Yangon Time reported Thursday.
Meeting with its counterparts from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) recently, businessmen of Japan's Shizouka proposed to invest in such sectors as IT, advertisement, human resource development, super markets, pig breeding and sausage making businesses, the report said.
Meanwhile, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will also inject investment in Myanmar's industrial sector as the first Japan-Mekong investment business mission, earlier report said.
The Japanese organization's investment in Myanmar will cover motor car spare parts manufacturing, food, garment and agricultural production.
According to official statistics, total foreign contracted investment in Myanmar hit 15.788 billion dollars in 22 years up to the end of November last year since the country opened to such investment in late 1988.
Of which, Japan's investment in the country so far amounted to 216.76 million U.S. dollars in 23 projects, accounting for 1.37 percent of the total foreign investment in Myanmar and ranking the 12th.
The bilateral trade between Myanmar and Japan stood at 341.8 million dollars in the 2008-09 fiscal year, of which Myanmar's export to Japan amounted to 179.6 million dollars with Japan ranking the 6th in Myanmar's exporting countries line-up. Myanmar' s import from Japan took 162.2 million dollars.
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The New Straits Times - Foreigners the main culprits in most cases
2010/03/05
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners were involved in a majority of commercial crime cases reported last year.
These foreigners enter the country legally but many will go on to trick people into parting with their money.
Many African nationals who were apprehended last year had entered Malaysia on student visas while China nationals used social visit visas to gain entry.
A significant number of Indonesians were apprehended last year for cheating cases, including the short message service scam. On the other hand, many Myanmar and China nationals were nabbed for selling optical pirated discs and pornographic material.
African nationals are involved in the usual scams -- black money, counterfeit money and Internet scams. It is interesting to note that more and more cases now involved the Internet.
"Commercial crimes, especially those committed by foreigners, is becoming more widespread, sophisticated and complex.
"More specialists are required in order to solve these cases," said a police spokesman.
"For example, of the 94 Nigerians arrested last year, the majority were involved in cheating cases such as black money or Internet job scams."
A total of 47 foreigners were also nabbed with counterfeit currencies, including one who displayed a US$1 million note.
The spokesman said the foreigners chose to come to Malaysia because the people here were not only warm and friendly, but "greedy and gullible as well".
"They easily fall for a scam despite the numerous warnings issued by police."
He said the foreigners were also taking advantage of the country's relaxed entry rules.
Among those nabbed by the commercial crime department were three Britons who were involved in the distribution of pornographic DVDs and cheating cases.
2010/03/05
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners were involved in a majority of commercial crime cases reported last year.
These foreigners enter the country legally but many will go on to trick people into parting with their money.
Many African nationals who were apprehended last year had entered Malaysia on student visas while China nationals used social visit visas to gain entry.
A significant number of Indonesians were apprehended last year for cheating cases, including the short message service scam. On the other hand, many Myanmar and China nationals were nabbed for selling optical pirated discs and pornographic material.
African nationals are involved in the usual scams -- black money, counterfeit money and Internet scams. It is interesting to note that more and more cases now involved the Internet.
"Commercial crimes, especially those committed by foreigners, is becoming more widespread, sophisticated and complex.
"More specialists are required in order to solve these cases," said a police spokesman.
"For example, of the 94 Nigerians arrested last year, the majority were involved in cheating cases such as black money or Internet job scams."
A total of 47 foreigners were also nabbed with counterfeit currencies, including one who displayed a US$1 million note.
The spokesman said the foreigners chose to come to Malaysia because the people here were not only warm and friendly, but "greedy and gullible as well".
"They easily fall for a scam despite the numerous warnings issued by police."
He said the foreigners were also taking advantage of the country's relaxed entry rules.
Among those nabbed by the commercial crime department were three Britons who were involved in the distribution of pornographic DVDs and cheating cases.
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The Nation - Opinion: American policy on burma needs sharper teeth
Published on March 6, 2010
Apart from urging the junta to hold free, fair elections, the world should also keep it away from North Korea
After the initial four high-level contacts with the Burmese junta since last August, the US administration has been trying hard to engage the junta for two major reasons.
The first is to convince Burma that it would be in the country's as well as the regime's interest to hold an all-inclusive, free and fair election this year. The second, and an equally important, reason is to create a distance between the Burmese and North Korean regimes in terms of the sale of weapons and nuclear arms proliferation.
Washington believed its enthusiastic, softer approach would convince the junta that the planned elections should be carried out in a manner that is internationally acceptable and one that would help the regime join the global community.
So far, the regime has not yet set a date for the elections or given the world a peek at any electoral laws. It is clear that the enthusiasm for the elections is quickly evaporating, if not disappearing, within the administration. The junta has its own roadmap to follow and will certainly not pay attention to the guidelines being suggested by well-wishers in other capitals.
The irony of it all is that the junta is managing to successfully buy time to maximise on the outcome of its grand political strategy - staying in power at all costs without ever giving in. Most importantly, the junta leaders want to keep opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi away from all political activities prior to the elections. Her party won the elections in May 1990 by a landslide, but the regime annulled the victory and took over.
Therefore, it is commendable that women like Nobel Peace laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams, along with other well-known human rights activists, are working to highlight the extreme violence being inflicted on women living in Burma. Their call to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court should be supported because in the past two decades, the Burmese junta has committed lots of crimes against humanity, not to mention innocent people being raped and tortured. In fact, the junta is known for using rape as a weapon of war against minorities. Thus, the international community should join hands and work towards the noble aim of ensuring safety and freedom for all people.
As for the second objective, Washington also has so far been unable to distance the two rogue states that have not only normalised their relations, but have over the past few years intensified their cooperation on military hardware.
The Burmese junta wants the kind of lethal weapons from North Korea that will allow it to project its military might on neighbouring countries. The reports on Rangoon's efforts to become nuclear capable should be taken seriously, though at this moment it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for Burma to develop such capacity.
However, in say 10 to 15 years, Burma can very easily build up its nuclear capacity with assistance from other rogue states that are willing to sell their technology and know-how. Like many other new, nuclear-ready states, such as Iran, the governments in power know exactly how to hide their burgeoning nuclear facilities. The world, especially Thailand, should watch out and not be fooled by the junta.
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell will be in Thailand next week, and might drop by in Burma if his planned itinerary is approved. If given the go-ahead, perhaps he will use this visit as an opportunity to tell the junta that time is running out and that it should stop dragging its feet in opening the door to democracy.
Published on March 6, 2010
Apart from urging the junta to hold free, fair elections, the world should also keep it away from North Korea
After the initial four high-level contacts with the Burmese junta since last August, the US administration has been trying hard to engage the junta for two major reasons.
The first is to convince Burma that it would be in the country's as well as the regime's interest to hold an all-inclusive, free and fair election this year. The second, and an equally important, reason is to create a distance between the Burmese and North Korean regimes in terms of the sale of weapons and nuclear arms proliferation.
Washington believed its enthusiastic, softer approach would convince the junta that the planned elections should be carried out in a manner that is internationally acceptable and one that would help the regime join the global community.
So far, the regime has not yet set a date for the elections or given the world a peek at any electoral laws. It is clear that the enthusiasm for the elections is quickly evaporating, if not disappearing, within the administration. The junta has its own roadmap to follow and will certainly not pay attention to the guidelines being suggested by well-wishers in other capitals.
The irony of it all is that the junta is managing to successfully buy time to maximise on the outcome of its grand political strategy - staying in power at all costs without ever giving in. Most importantly, the junta leaders want to keep opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi away from all political activities prior to the elections. Her party won the elections in May 1990 by a landslide, but the regime annulled the victory and took over.
Therefore, it is commendable that women like Nobel Peace laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams, along with other well-known human rights activists, are working to highlight the extreme violence being inflicted on women living in Burma. Their call to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court should be supported because in the past two decades, the Burmese junta has committed lots of crimes against humanity, not to mention innocent people being raped and tortured. In fact, the junta is known for using rape as a weapon of war against minorities. Thus, the international community should join hands and work towards the noble aim of ensuring safety and freedom for all people.
As for the second objective, Washington also has so far been unable to distance the two rogue states that have not only normalised their relations, but have over the past few years intensified their cooperation on military hardware.
The Burmese junta wants the kind of lethal weapons from North Korea that will allow it to project its military might on neighbouring countries. The reports on Rangoon's efforts to become nuclear capable should be taken seriously, though at this moment it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for Burma to develop such capacity.
However, in say 10 to 15 years, Burma can very easily build up its nuclear capacity with assistance from other rogue states that are willing to sell their technology and know-how. Like many other new, nuclear-ready states, such as Iran, the governments in power know exactly how to hide their burgeoning nuclear facilities. The world, especially Thailand, should watch out and not be fooled by the junta.
US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell will be in Thailand next week, and might drop by in Burma if his planned itinerary is approved. If given the go-ahead, perhaps he will use this visit as an opportunity to tell the junta that time is running out and that it should stop dragging its feet in opening the door to democracy.
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The Nation - No losses from Burma loan: Exim Bank chief
Published on March 6, 2010
Export-Import Bank of Thailand president Apichai Boontherawara maintains that the bank has not suffered any losses from its Bt4-billion loan to Burma.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the loan extension caused financial damage to Thailand.
At a press conference in Vientiane on Thursday evening, Apichai said the bank was studying the court's ruling and would determine next week if the loan had caused any damage to the state-owned bank.
"For now, we can't determine if the loan caused any damage. But I can say that we have shouldered no loss from the loan," Apichai told reporters.
He said that all the bank staff had complied with the law and government policy in handling the loan.
Burma has been disbursed Bt3.95 billion since the loan was approved in 2004, and it has repaid Bt795 million as interest and principal. The bank has also got a Bt338-million compensation from the government for the loans as the interest rates were lower than the funding cost. Due to better cost management, it expects to ask for less compensation during the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.
Exim Bank approved the loan to the Burmese Foreign Trade Bank, with Burma's ministry of finance as the guarantor. The loan was meant to finance Burma's purchases of Thai goods, and was considered to be within the bank's power. As the loan amount was high compared to the bank's capital fund and the interest charge was lower than the bank's funding cost, the Cabinet endorsed compensation on the rate differential.
Published on March 6, 2010
Export-Import Bank of Thailand president Apichai Boontherawara maintains that the bank has not suffered any losses from its Bt4-billion loan to Burma.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the loan extension caused financial damage to Thailand.
At a press conference in Vientiane on Thursday evening, Apichai said the bank was studying the court's ruling and would determine next week if the loan had caused any damage to the state-owned bank.
"For now, we can't determine if the loan caused any damage. But I can say that we have shouldered no loss from the loan," Apichai told reporters.
He said that all the bank staff had complied with the law and government policy in handling the loan.
Burma has been disbursed Bt3.95 billion since the loan was approved in 2004, and it has repaid Bt795 million as interest and principal. The bank has also got a Bt338-million compensation from the government for the loans as the interest rates were lower than the funding cost. Due to better cost management, it expects to ask for less compensation during the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.
Exim Bank approved the loan to the Burmese Foreign Trade Bank, with Burma's ministry of finance as the guarantor. The loan was meant to finance Burma's purchases of Thai goods, and was considered to be within the bank's power. As the loan amount was high compared to the bank's capital fund and the interest charge was lower than the bank's funding cost, the Cabinet endorsed compensation on the rate differential.
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THE NATION - PDP to cut dependence on natural gas
By WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
Published on March 6, 2010
The Power Development Plan for 2010-2030 will enable the country to reduce its dependence on natural gas for electricity generation to 40 per cent over the next 20 years from the current level of 70 per cent, Energy Ministry deputy permanent secretary Norkun Sittipong said yesterday.
The ministry will hold the last public hearing on the PDP 2010-2030 draft on Monday.
The plan also creates a balance between the country's dependence on different sources of fuel.
Of the power to be produced during the period of the plan, 40 per cent will be generated by natural gas, 20 per cent by neighbouring countries, 5 per cent by renewable energy and 10 per cent by nuclear power. The remaining 25 per cent will come from coal and other sources.
The country will also set up four small power plants, which will be activated only during summer months when demand reaches its peak. The plants - each with a capacity of 250 megawatts - will provide a reserve source of power supply.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, which will finance the plants' construction, is conducting a feasibility study to select appropriate locations.
In a separate matter, yesterday's meeting of Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) energy ministers in Bangkok agreed to set up a Centre for Energy Cooperation in India.
The move is part of a plan to speed up the development of renewable energy and the connection of the power grid in the region.
Energy ministers will sign a memorandum of agreement in the next three months in Burma. The centre is expected to be completed within two years.
Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said the centre would also promote technology exchange, basic infrastructure development, reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, and investment in energy among the seven member countries: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.
He added that Thailand would set up a regional biofuel centre as part of the plan to promote Thailand as a future biofuel hub within Bimstec.
By WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG
Published on March 6, 2010
The Power Development Plan for 2010-2030 will enable the country to reduce its dependence on natural gas for electricity generation to 40 per cent over the next 20 years from the current level of 70 per cent, Energy Ministry deputy permanent secretary Norkun Sittipong said yesterday.
The ministry will hold the last public hearing on the PDP 2010-2030 draft on Monday.
The plan also creates a balance between the country's dependence on different sources of fuel.
Of the power to be produced during the period of the plan, 40 per cent will be generated by natural gas, 20 per cent by neighbouring countries, 5 per cent by renewable energy and 10 per cent by nuclear power. The remaining 25 per cent will come from coal and other sources.
The country will also set up four small power plants, which will be activated only during summer months when demand reaches its peak. The plants - each with a capacity of 250 megawatts - will provide a reserve source of power supply.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, which will finance the plants' construction, is conducting a feasibility study to select appropriate locations.
In a separate matter, yesterday's meeting of Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) energy ministers in Bangkok agreed to set up a Centre for Energy Cooperation in India.
The move is part of a plan to speed up the development of renewable energy and the connection of the power grid in the region.
Energy ministers will sign a memorandum of agreement in the next three months in Burma. The centre is expected to be completed within two years.
Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said the centre would also promote technology exchange, basic infrastructure development, reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, and investment in energy among the seven member countries: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Nepal and Bhutan.
He added that Thailand would set up a regional biofuel centre as part of the plan to promote Thailand as a future biofuel hub within Bimstec.
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Bangkok Post - Exim Bank reassesses loan to Burma
Published: 5/03/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand will open talks with the government on whether its four billion baht low inteerst loan to the Burmese government should be reviewed, Deputy Finance Minister Pruektichai Damrongrut says.
Mr Pruektichai would consult Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Exim Bank's legal team this week.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Friday ruled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had abused his authority with the Exim Bank loan to Burma.
Mr Pruektichai did not say how the bank would review the contract.
Exim Bank president Apichai Boontherawara said the bank would also assess the possible damage resulting from the contract before forwarding it to the finance minister. But he insisted the Burmese government was a good client which made regular repayments.
Exim Bank's soft loan to the Burmese government was one of five cases in which the Supreme Court ruled Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister.
The bank lent 4 billion baht to the Burmese government for 12 years at 3% interest, which is below its operating costs.
The Supreme Court said lending at an interest rate which was below the bank's operating cost was not an objective of the bank's establishment. The court estimated that lending at 3% over 12 years would cost the bank 670 million baht in damages.
Mr Apichai insisted the bank did not lose money from the lending, but said it would have to study the ruling thoroughly.
The court also ruled that Shin Satellite, a company in which members of the Shinawatra family were majority shareholders, benefited from the loan.
Burma spent it on buying telecommunications equipment and satellite services from Shin Satellite, better known now as Thaicom.
The court found the bank approved the 4 billion baht loan to Burma following an instruction by the Thaksin government.
Initially, it had opened a credit line of 3 billion baht for Burma, but Thaksin asked the bank to increase the credit line by one billion baht. After that, the interest rate on the loan was cut from 5.5% to 3%.
Published: 5/03/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand will open talks with the government on whether its four billion baht low inteerst loan to the Burmese government should be reviewed, Deputy Finance Minister Pruektichai Damrongrut says.
Mr Pruektichai would consult Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Exim Bank's legal team this week.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Friday ruled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had abused his authority with the Exim Bank loan to Burma.
Mr Pruektichai did not say how the bank would review the contract.
Exim Bank president Apichai Boontherawara said the bank would also assess the possible damage resulting from the contract before forwarding it to the finance minister. But he insisted the Burmese government was a good client which made regular repayments.
Exim Bank's soft loan to the Burmese government was one of five cases in which the Supreme Court ruled Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister.
The bank lent 4 billion baht to the Burmese government for 12 years at 3% interest, which is below its operating costs.
The Supreme Court said lending at an interest rate which was below the bank's operating cost was not an objective of the bank's establishment. The court estimated that lending at 3% over 12 years would cost the bank 670 million baht in damages.
Mr Apichai insisted the bank did not lose money from the lending, but said it would have to study the ruling thoroughly.
The court also ruled that Shin Satellite, a company in which members of the Shinawatra family were majority shareholders, benefited from the loan.
Burma spent it on buying telecommunications equipment and satellite services from Shin Satellite, better known now as Thaicom.
The court found the bank approved the 4 billion baht loan to Burma following an instruction by the Thaksin government.
Initially, it had opened a credit line of 3 billion baht for Burma, but Thaksin asked the bank to increase the credit line by one billion baht. After that, the interest rate on the loan was cut from 5.5% to 3%.
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GroundReport - Selling Chicken Prohibited at Pyay and Mingaladon in Myanmar
by Dr. Khin Myint Oo March 04, 2010
After killing of 176 chicken, selling chicken has been srtictly prohibited by government at Min-ga-la-don, Yangon division within these days.
Avian influenza was found in February this year, at Mayangon,Yangon division. Selling eggs and chicken and also duck have been prohibited at these townships of Yangon.
Various flus enjoyed Myanmar for insufficient sanitation and low knowledge about health among people.
Ministry of Health can do only junta's order. People can get information when junts allow.
Too much censorship can cause more widespread of wrong figure.
In Pyay, Bago dicision, there are more than 100,00 amounts of avian. Most of avian died of fatal neuralgia in January. So government ordered not to sell avian in markets of Pyay.
Pyay, formally called Prome , is a beautiflulcountry situated at middle of Myanmar. It is also populated and good divisional town.
by Dr. Khin Myint Oo March 04, 2010
After killing of 176 chicken, selling chicken has been srtictly prohibited by government at Min-ga-la-don, Yangon division within these days.
Avian influenza was found in February this year, at Mayangon,Yangon division. Selling eggs and chicken and also duck have been prohibited at these townships of Yangon.
Various flus enjoyed Myanmar for insufficient sanitation and low knowledge about health among people.
Ministry of Health can do only junta's order. People can get information when junts allow.
Too much censorship can cause more widespread of wrong figure.
In Pyay, Bago dicision, there are more than 100,00 amounts of avian. Most of avian died of fatal neuralgia in January. So government ordered not to sell avian in markets of Pyay.
Pyay, formally called Prome , is a beautiflulcountry situated at middle of Myanmar. It is also populated and good divisional town.
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Radio Australia - Journalists promise 'free and fearless' Burma coverage
Last Updated: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:42:00 +1100 Sen Lam
A regional media network, the Democratic Voice of Burma says it will provide free and fearless coverage of upcoming elections in Burma, despite the repressive regime.
DVB uses a network of over 30 local journalists in Burma, to secretly file reports and footage.
Its bureau chief Toe Zaw Latt, has told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program the reporters' safety is the most important consideration.
"We don't want them to know each other, in order to avoid unnecessary danger," he said.
"Security reasons. It is first of all, our concern. We always tell our VJs, our journalists, makes sure it's security first. If you don't get the footage, don't really push it. We will try other way."
A documentary on reporting in Burma, 'Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country' is among the nominees for this weekend's Academy Awards.
Toe Zaw Latt says while the documentary is a recognition of the situation and risks facing journalists, citizens and monks who try to get stories out, he does not believe it will lead to a change in attitude, or a renewed crackdown, from the Burmese government.
"It's already there, nobody safe in Burma, but there is security," he said.
"There is no private television in Burma, so [if] people with video come out, [it] is always targetted, and on top of that people with media equipment like MP3 recorders and hand phones, they hey are always constant watch.
"But of course nobody has said that, especailly those journalists, but it is a military domain information flowed, so they make sure that there is no such things. They want to try their best to block the flow of information."
The Democratic Voice of Burma is based in neighbouring Thailand.
Toe Zaw Latt says the Thai government generally sees the mutual benefit in having information coming out of Burma.
"Burma shares a long border line with Thailand, and off course there are around one million migrant workers, refugees and border trades and drugs and other information too," he said.
"Of course we are not I mean openly operating, but I don't think there is immediate pressure us to stop our operation, but that is always ongoing present pressure from Burmese Government to Thai Government there are some media group using Thailand as platform originally.
"That is a known fact and I don't think we'll be kicked out immediately, especially when Thailand is also mutual benefit by receiving that information."
Last Updated: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 13:42:00 +1100 Sen Lam
A regional media network, the Democratic Voice of Burma says it will provide free and fearless coverage of upcoming elections in Burma, despite the repressive regime.
DVB uses a network of over 30 local journalists in Burma, to secretly file reports and footage.
Its bureau chief Toe Zaw Latt, has told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program the reporters' safety is the most important consideration.
"We don't want them to know each other, in order to avoid unnecessary danger," he said.
"Security reasons. It is first of all, our concern. We always tell our VJs, our journalists, makes sure it's security first. If you don't get the footage, don't really push it. We will try other way."
A documentary on reporting in Burma, 'Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country' is among the nominees for this weekend's Academy Awards.
Toe Zaw Latt says while the documentary is a recognition of the situation and risks facing journalists, citizens and monks who try to get stories out, he does not believe it will lead to a change in attitude, or a renewed crackdown, from the Burmese government.
"It's already there, nobody safe in Burma, but there is security," he said.
"There is no private television in Burma, so [if] people with video come out, [it] is always targetted, and on top of that people with media equipment like MP3 recorders and hand phones, they hey are always constant watch.
"But of course nobody has said that, especailly those journalists, but it is a military domain information flowed, so they make sure that there is no such things. They want to try their best to block the flow of information."
The Democratic Voice of Burma is based in neighbouring Thailand.
Toe Zaw Latt says the Thai government generally sees the mutual benefit in having information coming out of Burma.
"Burma shares a long border line with Thailand, and off course there are around one million migrant workers, refugees and border trades and drugs and other information too," he said.
"Of course we are not I mean openly operating, but I don't think there is immediate pressure us to stop our operation, but that is always ongoing present pressure from Burmese Government to Thai Government there are some media group using Thailand as platform originally.
"That is a known fact and I don't think we'll be kicked out immediately, especially when Thailand is also mutual benefit by receiving that information."
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Narinjara News - 45 Burmese Prisoners Handed Over During Flag Meeting
3/5/2010
Teknaf : Bangladesh authorities handed over 45 Burmese prisoners to Burma's border security force Nasaka at a commander-level flag meeting that was held on Thursday at the Bangladesh border town of Teknaf, according to an official report.
The flag meeting was held at a government building located at the foot of Naff Taung Mountain in Teknaf Township at 10 am, and 15 delegates each from Bangladesh and Burma attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Bangladesh authorities handed over the 45 Burmese prisoners to the Nasaka delegation after they had been released from Cox's Bazar prison, where 636 Burmese prisoners are being detained by Bangladesh authorities.
The report stated that in Cox's Bazar prison there are 89 Burmese prisoners who have completed their terms, but only 45 were returned to Burmese authorities. According to a local source, Burmese authorities refused to accept all 89 prisoners who are due for release, leaving the remainder to languish in detention.
The flag meeting was held from 10 am to 1 pm, and the two delegations discussed many bilateral issues such as cross-border smuggling, human trafficking, and robberies on the Naff River. A few robberies took place recently on ferry boats crossing the Naff River, and the issue was a priority for discussion at the meeting.
The Burmese delegation was led by Major Nay Oo, who is in charge of Nasaka Area No. 6, while the Bangladesh delegation was led by Mozammel Hossain, commander of Bangladesh Rifles Battalion 42 based in Teknaf.
3/5/2010
Teknaf : Bangladesh authorities handed over 45 Burmese prisoners to Burma's border security force Nasaka at a commander-level flag meeting that was held on Thursday at the Bangladesh border town of Teknaf, according to an official report.
The flag meeting was held at a government building located at the foot of Naff Taung Mountain in Teknaf Township at 10 am, and 15 delegates each from Bangladesh and Burma attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Bangladesh authorities handed over the 45 Burmese prisoners to the Nasaka delegation after they had been released from Cox's Bazar prison, where 636 Burmese prisoners are being detained by Bangladesh authorities.
The report stated that in Cox's Bazar prison there are 89 Burmese prisoners who have completed their terms, but only 45 were returned to Burmese authorities. According to a local source, Burmese authorities refused to accept all 89 prisoners who are due for release, leaving the remainder to languish in detention.
The flag meeting was held from 10 am to 1 pm, and the two delegations discussed many bilateral issues such as cross-border smuggling, human trafficking, and robberies on the Naff River. A few robberies took place recently on ferry boats crossing the Naff River, and the issue was a priority for discussion at the meeting.
The Burmese delegation was led by Major Nay Oo, who is in charge of Nasaka Area No. 6, while the Bangladesh delegation was led by Mozammel Hossain, commander of Bangladesh Rifles Battalion 42 based in Teknaf.
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The Irrawaddy - What is Important Now: Free and Fair Elections
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tomas Ojea Quintana was appointed UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Myanmar [Burma] in May 2008. His task is “to examine, monitor, advise and publicly report on human rights situations” in Burma, one of eight countries that the Council focuses on. He is the fourth person to hold this position, and since his appointment has conducted three visits to the country. He concluded his most recent trip, from Feb. 15 to 19, with the assessment that a free and fair election could not be held in the country under current conditions. Simon Roughneen spoke with him in the aftermath of the visit to find out more about the trip and what comes next.
Question: You expressed disappointment at not meeting Aung San Suu Kyi during your recent visit to Burma. Can you tell us why you felt it was so important to meet her at this time?
Answer: Firstly, on my two previous visits I was denied the opportunity to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under arbitrary detention for a long time now, and her human rights have been violated. Given the fact that the government has said it will hold elections this year, it was important that I get to meet with the leader of one of the most important political parties in the country.
Q: Are you aware that the government banned coverage of your visit, particularly your remarks at the the press conference you gave in Rangoon when concluding your visit? What is your reaction to this?
A: I read some news stories to that effect, and it is disappointing. If this is the case, then we have to take this as an indication of the willingness of the Myanmar government to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and with the United Nations. The government is a member state of the UN and in that regard should respect any UN statements.
Q: As was the case when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited last year, the head of government, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, did not meet with another visiting UN official. Were you surprised or disappointed by this?
A: I did not make any special effort to meet with the government leadership. At this time, with elections due to be held sometime this year, and with so many prisoners of conscience being held under arbitrary detention across Burma, it was more important that I try to meet with members of the opposition, and leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi. However, I met with officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and with the Home Affairs Minister. I discussed the detention of political prisoners with him, I asked about the election—when it will be held, when the legal framework will be published. I told him that without sufficient advance notice of the election date and the election laws, it will not be possible for free and fair elections to be held. However, the minister was unable to tell me anything of note about these issues, including that of prisoners of conscience.
Q: You met with Tin Oo, the vice-chair of the National League for Democracy, who was released from his house arrest just days before your arrival in Burma. How was that meeting?
A: Tin Oo has spent many years under arbitrary arrest, and he was clear to me in his views about how human rights can be protected in Myanmar. He said that the 2008 Constitution must be revised, political prisoners must be released, and he said that the opposition leadership wants to meet with Snr-Gen Than Shwe to discuss these issues and to discuss how to bring about reconciliation in the country.
Q: You traveled to various parts of Burma during your five-day trip, including regions such as Arakan State, which you had been previously denied access to. Can you give The Irrawaddy an account of the conditions that you saw?
A: I met prisoners of conscience—in Sittwe jail, for example—who are suffering extreme conditions of detention. Food is scarce and of poor quality, health and hygiene is a concern, medical treatment is limited.
These jails are harsh places. However, despite this, they maintain their commitment to peaceful reconciliation with the government.
In northern Rakhine [Arakan] State I went to assess the condition of the Muslim people there known as the Rohingya. There is a real situation of systematic discrimination against the Rohingya. The government is not willing to recognize their rights, there are many laws that restrict their basic human rights, and many are held in harsh conditions after being arrested arbitrarily.
Q: Opposition figures and former political prisoners have welcomed your visit, and in general many believe that the presence of a figure such as yourself brings some temporary improvement for some prisoners in Burma. However, UN envoys have come and gone, and even the secretary-general was snubbed when he visited in 2009. Many in the Burmese opposition and exile groups feel that UN visits typically achieve little or nothing. What do you say to counter negative reviews?
A: Firstly, it is important not to expect too much from these visits, but I understand the feelings among those who suffer human rights violations by the government and of those who want the situation in the country to change for the better. I have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as an independent expert and I use my visits to raise my voice on behalf of those who cannot speak out for themselves. There are a number of UN agencies working in Myanmar, and I speak on behalf of all of those as well, and I say what needs to be said. What is important now is that the government holds free and fair elections, based on the release of all prisoners of conscience and the other requirements discussed previously. I have said this to the government, and have repeated this to the media and others.
Q: After your visit, what comes next? Will you go back to Burma anytime soon?
A: I will report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 15. The report will first be presented to the member states before it is published. I will include the items mentioned and discussed during this interview, and more besides, but I do not want to prejudice the report in advance.
I have requested another visit to Myanmar, to take place sometime this year, and I hope that the government will agree. As for timing, I have no date in mind. It is difficult to arrange this right now as we do not know when the election will take place. My visit would be timed around that, but whether before or after, I cannot anticipate right now.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tomas Ojea Quintana was appointed UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Myanmar [Burma] in May 2008. His task is “to examine, monitor, advise and publicly report on human rights situations” in Burma, one of eight countries that the Council focuses on. He is the fourth person to hold this position, and since his appointment has conducted three visits to the country. He concluded his most recent trip, from Feb. 15 to 19, with the assessment that a free and fair election could not be held in the country under current conditions. Simon Roughneen spoke with him in the aftermath of the visit to find out more about the trip and what comes next.
Question: You expressed disappointment at not meeting Aung San Suu Kyi during your recent visit to Burma. Can you tell us why you felt it was so important to meet her at this time?
Answer: Firstly, on my two previous visits I was denied the opportunity to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under arbitrary detention for a long time now, and her human rights have been violated. Given the fact that the government has said it will hold elections this year, it was important that I get to meet with the leader of one of the most important political parties in the country.
Q: Are you aware that the government banned coverage of your visit, particularly your remarks at the the press conference you gave in Rangoon when concluding your visit? What is your reaction to this?
A: I read some news stories to that effect, and it is disappointing. If this is the case, then we have to take this as an indication of the willingness of the Myanmar government to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and with the United Nations. The government is a member state of the UN and in that regard should respect any UN statements.
Q: As was the case when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited last year, the head of government, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, did not meet with another visiting UN official. Were you surprised or disappointed by this?
A: I did not make any special effort to meet with the government leadership. At this time, with elections due to be held sometime this year, and with so many prisoners of conscience being held under arbitrary detention across Burma, it was more important that I try to meet with members of the opposition, and leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi. However, I met with officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and with the Home Affairs Minister. I discussed the detention of political prisoners with him, I asked about the election—when it will be held, when the legal framework will be published. I told him that without sufficient advance notice of the election date and the election laws, it will not be possible for free and fair elections to be held. However, the minister was unable to tell me anything of note about these issues, including that of prisoners of conscience.
Q: You met with Tin Oo, the vice-chair of the National League for Democracy, who was released from his house arrest just days before your arrival in Burma. How was that meeting?
A: Tin Oo has spent many years under arbitrary arrest, and he was clear to me in his views about how human rights can be protected in Myanmar. He said that the 2008 Constitution must be revised, political prisoners must be released, and he said that the opposition leadership wants to meet with Snr-Gen Than Shwe to discuss these issues and to discuss how to bring about reconciliation in the country.
Q: You traveled to various parts of Burma during your five-day trip, including regions such as Arakan State, which you had been previously denied access to. Can you give The Irrawaddy an account of the conditions that you saw?
A: I met prisoners of conscience—in Sittwe jail, for example—who are suffering extreme conditions of detention. Food is scarce and of poor quality, health and hygiene is a concern, medical treatment is limited.
These jails are harsh places. However, despite this, they maintain their commitment to peaceful reconciliation with the government.
In northern Rakhine [Arakan] State I went to assess the condition of the Muslim people there known as the Rohingya. There is a real situation of systematic discrimination against the Rohingya. The government is not willing to recognize their rights, there are many laws that restrict their basic human rights, and many are held in harsh conditions after being arrested arbitrarily.
Q: Opposition figures and former political prisoners have welcomed your visit, and in general many believe that the presence of a figure such as yourself brings some temporary improvement for some prisoners in Burma. However, UN envoys have come and gone, and even the secretary-general was snubbed when he visited in 2009. Many in the Burmese opposition and exile groups feel that UN visits typically achieve little or nothing. What do you say to counter negative reviews?
A: Firstly, it is important not to expect too much from these visits, but I understand the feelings among those who suffer human rights violations by the government and of those who want the situation in the country to change for the better. I have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as an independent expert and I use my visits to raise my voice on behalf of those who cannot speak out for themselves. There are a number of UN agencies working in Myanmar, and I speak on behalf of all of those as well, and I say what needs to be said. What is important now is that the government holds free and fair elections, based on the release of all prisoners of conscience and the other requirements discussed previously. I have said this to the government, and have repeated this to the media and others.
Q: After your visit, what comes next? Will you go back to Burma anytime soon?
A: I will report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 15. The report will first be presented to the member states before it is published. I will include the items mentioned and discussed during this interview, and more besides, but I do not want to prejudice the report in advance.
I have requested another visit to Myanmar, to take place sometime this year, and I hope that the government will agree. As for timing, I have no date in mind. It is difficult to arrange this right now as we do not know when the election will take place. My visit would be timed around that, but whether before or after, I cannot anticipate right now.
********************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Regime May Outlaw UWSA
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Burmese military junta is reportedly considering the option of outlawing the country's largest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its political wing the United Wa State Party (UWSP), if they fail soon to agree to the regime's demand to join the planned Border Guard Force (BGF).
Sources close to ethnic groups and Chinese officials who have contacts with Naypyidaw say Burmese military officials recently told their Chinese counterparts that they will try to hold another meeting with the UWSA leadership before March 10, in a bid to resolve the BGF issue.
If the UWSA continues to reject the BGF plan, the junta could declare the group and its political wing “illegal organizations,” the regime has reportedly told Beijing.
Burmese officials are said to have appealed to China to help persuade the Wa to accept the BGF plan.
If the Wa are officially outlawed the way is open to military action against the UWSA, which has an estimated 30,000 men under arms in Shan State.
In the face of rising tension along the Sino-Burmese border, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has alerted its troops to monitor the situation closely, according to official sources.
When Burmese government forces recently attacked the Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in the border region, the Naypyidaw regime first of all declared the armed group an unlawful organization.
The offensive shook the Kokang region, disrupting business and sending thousands of refugees into China.
A new flood of refugees into China is to be expected if Burmese government forces launch an offensive against the UWSA. Experts say it would be no short confrontation, but a war prolonged by guerrilla tactics.
One important consideration in the current standoff is the approaching end of the dry season. The annual monsoons, when heavy rain makes military action especially difficult, are less than two months away.
UWSA officials were not available for comment on Friday.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Burmese military junta is reportedly considering the option of outlawing the country's largest ethnic armed group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and its political wing the United Wa State Party (UWSP), if they fail soon to agree to the regime's demand to join the planned Border Guard Force (BGF).
Sources close to ethnic groups and Chinese officials who have contacts with Naypyidaw say Burmese military officials recently told their Chinese counterparts that they will try to hold another meeting with the UWSA leadership before March 10, in a bid to resolve the BGF issue.
If the UWSA continues to reject the BGF plan, the junta could declare the group and its political wing “illegal organizations,” the regime has reportedly told Beijing.
Burmese officials are said to have appealed to China to help persuade the Wa to accept the BGF plan.
If the Wa are officially outlawed the way is open to military action against the UWSA, which has an estimated 30,000 men under arms in Shan State.
In the face of rising tension along the Sino-Burmese border, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has alerted its troops to monitor the situation closely, according to official sources.
When Burmese government forces recently attacked the Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in the border region, the Naypyidaw regime first of all declared the armed group an unlawful organization.
The offensive shook the Kokang region, disrupting business and sending thousands of refugees into China.
A new flood of refugees into China is to be expected if Burmese government forces launch an offensive against the UWSA. Experts say it would be no short confrontation, but a war prolonged by guerrilla tactics.
One important consideration in the current standoff is the approaching end of the dry season. The annual monsoons, when heavy rain makes military action especially difficult, are less than two months away.
UWSA officials were not available for comment on Friday.
********************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Chinese Officials Visit Naypyidaw
By WAI MOE - Friday, March 5, 2010
RUILI, China—A high ranking official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Naypyidaw on Thursday, meeting with Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein.
Wang Jairui, the head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC’s Central Committee, met with Thein Sein, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. Chinese TV stations aired video on the meeting on Thursday evening.
Maj-Gen Htay Oo, the general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), also attended the meeting.
Thein Sein reportedly told his Chinese counterpart that China and Burma have cooperated on energy projects involving hydroelectric power and natural gas and that such projects will play a major role in the development of the Burmese economy.
Like junta head Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Wang Jairui worked in the postal department during the past. He also served as mayor of Qingdao City until 2000.
Burma’s state-run-newspapers published articles about the meeting on the front page on Friday. The New Light of Myanmar reported that Chan Nyein, the minister of education, and Maung Myint, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, also attended at the meeting. The newspaper did not highlight their ministerial post, but identified them as USDA executive members.
Neither Burmese nor Chinese media mentioned anything about potential instability along the Sino-Burmese border between ethnic armed forces and the Burmese regime over transformation of ethnic armies into a border guard force.
However, analysts said Wang Jairui likely discussed Beijing’s perspective on ethnic issues and border stability when he met with Thein Sein.
“Perhaps Wang Jiarui would discuss the situation on the Sino-Myanmar [Burmese] border with the leaders of Myanmar [Burma],” said a Chinese expert on Burma based in Yunnan Province who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But I think Wang Jiarui's trip was a normal visit and has no special implications.”
Meanwhile, another delegation of Chinese officials traveled to Tangyan near the area controlled by the ethnic United Wa State Army, accompanied by Wa leader Bao Youxiang, to meet with Lt-Gen Ye Myint, who is the regime's top negotiator and the chief of Military Affairs Security (MAS). No information about the meeting was available.
In recent weeks, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly deployed troops on the sino-Burmese border. A Chinese observer told The Irrawaddy that PLA troops have routinely been deployed near the border since 2003.
The Burmese junta has recently tightened security in the area, according to Burmese traders on the border.
Meanwhile, the USDA’s Htay Oo, who is also minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, met with several foreign delegations and diplomats this week.
On March 1, he met with Larry Dinger, the chargé d’affaires of the United States Mission in Rangoon. On the same day, he met with British Ambassador Andrew Heyn. Both Western diplomats were expected to raise domestic political issues, including tensions with various ethnic groups, said observers.
China, the US and the European Union have all called for a national reconciliation process to resolve ethnic issues on the Sino-Burmese border.
By WAI MOE - Friday, March 5, 2010
RUILI, China—A high ranking official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Naypyidaw on Thursday, meeting with Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein.
Wang Jairui, the head of the International Liaison Department of the CPC’s Central Committee, met with Thein Sein, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. Chinese TV stations aired video on the meeting on Thursday evening.
Maj-Gen Htay Oo, the general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), also attended the meeting.
Thein Sein reportedly told his Chinese counterpart that China and Burma have cooperated on energy projects involving hydroelectric power and natural gas and that such projects will play a major role in the development of the Burmese economy.
Like junta head Snr-Gen Than Shwe, Wang Jairui worked in the postal department during the past. He also served as mayor of Qingdao City until 2000.
Burma’s state-run-newspapers published articles about the meeting on the front page on Friday. The New Light of Myanmar reported that Chan Nyein, the minister of education, and Maung Myint, the deputy minister of foreign affairs, also attended at the meeting. The newspaper did not highlight their ministerial post, but identified them as USDA executive members.
Neither Burmese nor Chinese media mentioned anything about potential instability along the Sino-Burmese border between ethnic armed forces and the Burmese regime over transformation of ethnic armies into a border guard force.
However, analysts said Wang Jairui likely discussed Beijing’s perspective on ethnic issues and border stability when he met with Thein Sein.
“Perhaps Wang Jiarui would discuss the situation on the Sino-Myanmar [Burmese] border with the leaders of Myanmar [Burma],” said a Chinese expert on Burma based in Yunnan Province who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But I think Wang Jiarui's trip was a normal visit and has no special implications.”
Meanwhile, another delegation of Chinese officials traveled to Tangyan near the area controlled by the ethnic United Wa State Army, accompanied by Wa leader Bao Youxiang, to meet with Lt-Gen Ye Myint, who is the regime's top negotiator and the chief of Military Affairs Security (MAS). No information about the meeting was available.
In recent weeks, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly deployed troops on the sino-Burmese border. A Chinese observer told The Irrawaddy that PLA troops have routinely been deployed near the border since 2003.
The Burmese junta has recently tightened security in the area, according to Burmese traders on the border.
Meanwhile, the USDA’s Htay Oo, who is also minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, met with several foreign delegations and diplomats this week.
On March 1, he met with Larry Dinger, the chargé d’affaires of the United States Mission in Rangoon. On the same day, he met with British Ambassador Andrew Heyn. Both Western diplomats were expected to raise domestic political issues, including tensions with various ethnic groups, said observers.
China, the US and the European Union have all called for a national reconciliation process to resolve ethnic issues on the Sino-Burmese border.
********************************************************
Junta quietly prepares for poll; opposition divided
Friday, 05 March 2010 13:32 Larry Jagan
(Mizzima) Burma’s top general Than Shwe continues to tell everyone there will be elections in 2010 – but keeps everything else secret. “This year an election will be held to elect Members of Parliament in accordance with the State Constitution of the Union of Myanmar,” read his statement published on the front-page of all the country’s state-run newspapers to mark Peasants Day earlier this week.
He also urged the country’s farmers – who make up more than 60 per cent of the population -- “to elect representatives capable of building a peaceful, modern and developed nation and exercise democracy correctly.”
But true to form, Than Shwe also had a warning: “You also have to ward off potential dangers of those who will disrupt state stability and community peace with the assistance of aliens in the background.”
Than Shwe is trumpetting the elections as part of the country’s seven-stage road map to multi-party democracy, but it seems to be full of detours and roadblocks instead. While no one doubts that they will be held sometime later this year, nothing else is known.
And the local mass media is forbidden to cover any election issues that are not sanctioned by the authorities, including being banned from reporting the comments by the UN special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana at the end of his recent visit to Burma.
The polls are keeping every one guessing, creating uncertainty and causing acrimonious divisions within the pro-democracy movement who cannot decide to contest the elections or boycott them all together.
The junta supremo, Snr. Gen. Than Shwe -- who micro-manages everything in Burma -- only repeats the mantra – there will be elections, and these will be free and fair. That is, provided people make the correct choices, he cautioned earlier this year.
No wonder people are confused and frightened, said a renowned Burmese social researcher and former political prisoner, Khin Zaw Win.
The forthcoming elections are dominating everything -- every topic of conversation hinges on the elections and total government inaction is the result of the pro-junta forces having launched their campaign, even though the polling date is yet to be announced, and political parties registered.
“It’s like an evil ghost hanging over our heads,” said a retired civil servant, Aye Win. But this seems to be a central part of Than Shwe’s pre-determined strategy to keep everyone guessing until the very last moment while he plans the campaign well in advance. After all these generals are far more used to the battlefield than the ballot-box.
So it’s a war strategy that is being adopted – where the fight is for future political control. Something these warriors cannot leave to chance. Of course they fail to understand that the battle for the hearts and minds of the people cannot be won so easily – and that things may not yet go according to plan.
“Everyone in Burma is talking about the elections,” an Australian MP and Burma expert, Janelle Saffin, told Mizzima after a recent private visit to the country. “Everyone is split on whether it’s a good thing and whether they should participate – even businessmen are divided.”
But Than Shwe will have to reveal the sign-posts soon. The electoral law and political party registration is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks – possibly before Thingyan.
The UN special rapporteur on human rights Tomas Ojea Quintana during his recent mission to Burma wanted to discuss the elections, but found the regime reluctant and evasive.
Senior representatives of the regime responsible for controlling the electoral process – the Interior Minister, Attorney General, Chief Justice and National Police Chief, who he met as a group in the capital Naypyidaw at the end of his trip -- would not discuss any details of the elections, and simply said the legal framework is being prepared and the electoral law will be released in time. Clearly a euphemism, for the law is drafted and it is sitting in Than Shwe’s in-tray waiting his approval.
But that has not stopped the regime leaders from launching a drive to win popular support for the pro-junta candidates, for when they are allowed to register.
All over Burma preparations are quietly being made for the nation’s first elections in 20 years. Government administration has been put into suspended animation while government ministers and civil servants have effectively started political campaigning.
The state controlled media – newspapers and television -- is full of reports and photographs of government ministers inaugurating community and development projects, shaking hands with local leaders and handing out financial assistance. In fact, earlier this year Than Shwe moved the usual weekly Cabinet meeting back a day to Wednesday to allow ministers to travel in their respective areas between Thursday and Sunday handing out development aid and other largesse in order to win popular support.
“No decision is being taken that does not relate to the election preparation,” said a senior UN official in Rangoon on condition of anonymity. Some crucial new projects can only start after the election, government ministers have told UN officials and international aid organisations working in Burma. European NGOs have only had their current operations sanctioned until April, according a European diplomat who monitors Burma from Bangkok.
The corrupt industry-1 minister Aung Thaung was assigned in charge of the election campaign and providing funds to the pro-junta candidates, according to sources close to the military. Although he is unlikely to run for office himself, Than Shwe expects him to master-mind the junta’s “management” of the elections.
The junta's proxy Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) which he formed more than 15 years ago to muster public support for government policies – will provide the main pro-junta candidates in the election, according to military sources.
The older, National Unity Party (NUP) -- which was the pro-military party in the last elections – has now been added to the strategy. The military has been told that the NUP is a sister party of the army, according to senior government sources.
When the UN envoy Mr. Quintana met NUP leaders in Rangoon last month, they confessed that they had already picked their candidates, developed their party policies and were effectively campaigning throughout the country – even though in the absence of the electoral law this is illegal.
Of course this is something the opposition cannot do. Even the newly formed and unregistered United Democratic Party, which is mildly critical of the military government – were warned after their inaugural meeting last year by the authorities not to do it again, without prior permission, as the law prohibits a gathering of five or more people – the penalty up to seven years in jail.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by the detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has decided to wait until the electoral law is published before deciding whether to field candidates. This is something many activists and intellectuals inside Burma are cautioning against.
“The election is important, and if we don’t seize the opportunity now, it will be too late. We must decide before the law is passed and prepare,” the Democratic Party leader U Thu Wai recently told a group of journalists in Chiang Mai. “People don’t like the current government of Burma,” he said. “Now we have a chance to change it by voting in the forthcoming elections.”
Not everyone feels the same way. “Why should we contest these elections – the military will tightly control everything,” said a spokesman for the exiled Burmese pro-democracy movement, Zin Linn. “When we cannot speak freely, we cannot meet freely and we cannot discuss freely, how can there be free and fair elections.”
But social campaigners inside Burma, like Khin Zaw Win are adamant that every opportunity should be taken to push for democracy, and the elections may provide that. When the election comes round, people will vote for the party that supports democracy, he told Mizzima.
Even though the odds will be heavily stacked against them, the pro-democracy movement is being encouraged to take part. While many of their leaders fear that fielding candidates will only help legitimise the flawed process, many Burmese are desperate to be given a chance to vote against the military.
“The elections will be held whether we like it or not,” said Nyi Nyi a young Arakanese student in Rangoon. “We know we will have no choice but to vote; our only hope is that there will be some candidates who are not stooges of the military regime.”
“Darkness has already covered us,” said Khin Zaw Win. “We have already lost more than 20 and the people will only suffer more if we miss this opportunity.”
Friday, 05 March 2010 13:32 Larry Jagan
(Mizzima) Burma’s top general Than Shwe continues to tell everyone there will be elections in 2010 – but keeps everything else secret. “This year an election will be held to elect Members of Parliament in accordance with the State Constitution of the Union of Myanmar,” read his statement published on the front-page of all the country’s state-run newspapers to mark Peasants Day earlier this week.
He also urged the country’s farmers – who make up more than 60 per cent of the population -- “to elect representatives capable of building a peaceful, modern and developed nation and exercise democracy correctly.”
But true to form, Than Shwe also had a warning: “You also have to ward off potential dangers of those who will disrupt state stability and community peace with the assistance of aliens in the background.”
Than Shwe is trumpetting the elections as part of the country’s seven-stage road map to multi-party democracy, but it seems to be full of detours and roadblocks instead. While no one doubts that they will be held sometime later this year, nothing else is known.
And the local mass media is forbidden to cover any election issues that are not sanctioned by the authorities, including being banned from reporting the comments by the UN special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana at the end of his recent visit to Burma.
The polls are keeping every one guessing, creating uncertainty and causing acrimonious divisions within the pro-democracy movement who cannot decide to contest the elections or boycott them all together.
The junta supremo, Snr. Gen. Than Shwe -- who micro-manages everything in Burma -- only repeats the mantra – there will be elections, and these will be free and fair. That is, provided people make the correct choices, he cautioned earlier this year.
No wonder people are confused and frightened, said a renowned Burmese social researcher and former political prisoner, Khin Zaw Win.
The forthcoming elections are dominating everything -- every topic of conversation hinges on the elections and total government inaction is the result of the pro-junta forces having launched their campaign, even though the polling date is yet to be announced, and political parties registered.
“It’s like an evil ghost hanging over our heads,” said a retired civil servant, Aye Win. But this seems to be a central part of Than Shwe’s pre-determined strategy to keep everyone guessing until the very last moment while he plans the campaign well in advance. After all these generals are far more used to the battlefield than the ballot-box.
So it’s a war strategy that is being adopted – where the fight is for future political control. Something these warriors cannot leave to chance. Of course they fail to understand that the battle for the hearts and minds of the people cannot be won so easily – and that things may not yet go according to plan.
“Everyone in Burma is talking about the elections,” an Australian MP and Burma expert, Janelle Saffin, told Mizzima after a recent private visit to the country. “Everyone is split on whether it’s a good thing and whether they should participate – even businessmen are divided.”
But Than Shwe will have to reveal the sign-posts soon. The electoral law and political party registration is expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks – possibly before Thingyan.
The UN special rapporteur on human rights Tomas Ojea Quintana during his recent mission to Burma wanted to discuss the elections, but found the regime reluctant and evasive.
Senior representatives of the regime responsible for controlling the electoral process – the Interior Minister, Attorney General, Chief Justice and National Police Chief, who he met as a group in the capital Naypyidaw at the end of his trip -- would not discuss any details of the elections, and simply said the legal framework is being prepared and the electoral law will be released in time. Clearly a euphemism, for the law is drafted and it is sitting in Than Shwe’s in-tray waiting his approval.
But that has not stopped the regime leaders from launching a drive to win popular support for the pro-junta candidates, for when they are allowed to register.
All over Burma preparations are quietly being made for the nation’s first elections in 20 years. Government administration has been put into suspended animation while government ministers and civil servants have effectively started political campaigning.
The state controlled media – newspapers and television -- is full of reports and photographs of government ministers inaugurating community and development projects, shaking hands with local leaders and handing out financial assistance. In fact, earlier this year Than Shwe moved the usual weekly Cabinet meeting back a day to Wednesday to allow ministers to travel in their respective areas between Thursday and Sunday handing out development aid and other largesse in order to win popular support.
“No decision is being taken that does not relate to the election preparation,” said a senior UN official in Rangoon on condition of anonymity. Some crucial new projects can only start after the election, government ministers have told UN officials and international aid organisations working in Burma. European NGOs have only had their current operations sanctioned until April, according a European diplomat who monitors Burma from Bangkok.
The corrupt industry-1 minister Aung Thaung was assigned in charge of the election campaign and providing funds to the pro-junta candidates, according to sources close to the military. Although he is unlikely to run for office himself, Than Shwe expects him to master-mind the junta’s “management” of the elections.
The junta's proxy Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) which he formed more than 15 years ago to muster public support for government policies – will provide the main pro-junta candidates in the election, according to military sources.
The older, National Unity Party (NUP) -- which was the pro-military party in the last elections – has now been added to the strategy. The military has been told that the NUP is a sister party of the army, according to senior government sources.
When the UN envoy Mr. Quintana met NUP leaders in Rangoon last month, they confessed that they had already picked their candidates, developed their party policies and were effectively campaigning throughout the country – even though in the absence of the electoral law this is illegal.
Of course this is something the opposition cannot do. Even the newly formed and unregistered United Democratic Party, which is mildly critical of the military government – were warned after their inaugural meeting last year by the authorities not to do it again, without prior permission, as the law prohibits a gathering of five or more people – the penalty up to seven years in jail.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) led by the detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has decided to wait until the electoral law is published before deciding whether to field candidates. This is something many activists and intellectuals inside Burma are cautioning against.
“The election is important, and if we don’t seize the opportunity now, it will be too late. We must decide before the law is passed and prepare,” the Democratic Party leader U Thu Wai recently told a group of journalists in Chiang Mai. “People don’t like the current government of Burma,” he said. “Now we have a chance to change it by voting in the forthcoming elections.”
Not everyone feels the same way. “Why should we contest these elections – the military will tightly control everything,” said a spokesman for the exiled Burmese pro-democracy movement, Zin Linn. “When we cannot speak freely, we cannot meet freely and we cannot discuss freely, how can there be free and fair elections.”
But social campaigners inside Burma, like Khin Zaw Win are adamant that every opportunity should be taken to push for democracy, and the elections may provide that. When the election comes round, people will vote for the party that supports democracy, he told Mizzima.
Even though the odds will be heavily stacked against them, the pro-democracy movement is being encouraged to take part. While many of their leaders fear that fielding candidates will only help legitimise the flawed process, many Burmese are desperate to be given a chance to vote against the military.
“The elections will be held whether we like it or not,” said Nyi Nyi a young Arakanese student in Rangoon. “We know we will have no choice but to vote; our only hope is that there will be some candidates who are not stooges of the military regime.”
“Darkness has already covered us,” said Khin Zaw Win. “We have already lost more than 20 and the people will only suffer more if we miss this opportunity.”
********************************************************
Rangoon's Asia World Port to upgrade
Friday, 05 March 2010 19:37 Min Thet
Rangoon (Mizzima) – Mizzima has learned that Burma's Asia World port, owned and operated by Tun Myint Naing, will be upgraded and expanded this year to meet international standards. Tun Myint Naing (a.k.a. Steven Law), the son of the late narco warlord Lao Sit Han, is on the US financial sanctions blacklist because of his close ties to Burma's generals.
Tun Myint Naing's port popularly known as 'Ahlone Jetty' is located in Ahlone Township on the outskirts of Rangoon and is an important center for Burma's international trade.
"We heard the port will be expanded to Kyimyindine Township and the total cost of the upgrade will be Ks. 40 billions ($US 40 millions) ", a source with close ties to Asia World told Mizzima.
Tun Myint Naing is considered by many Burma watchers to be a key crony of the Burmese military regime. Mizzima attempted to contact Tun Myint Naing for comment, however our calls were not returned.
When Mizzima contacted the Rangoon Port Authority for information about the port's expansion plans we were simply told that the "export and import of timber, cement and other construction materials are handled at this port".
Shop owners at three important markets located next to Asia World are concerned about the port's expansion plans. The Thiri Mingalar Vegetable Exchange, Sinmin Market and the Sanpya Fish Market are all likely to be demolished to make way for Tun Myint Naing's mega project.
When asked to comment on the port's expansion plans a frustrated store owner told Mizzima, "I have been selling vegetables in Thiri Mingalar market for five years, so I am settled here. Now a clerk from the municipal office told us that our market will be moved to a new place, but we don't know where. He also said that we had to pay money to get spots in the new market. We don't know what to do".
An officer from the Rangoon municipal body had a different view from the shopkeeper. He told Mizzima that the store owners may not have to move, because there has been no official word that Thiri Mingalar will be demolished.
The port's owner Tun Myint Naing also owns the Magwe United Football Club playing in the Myanmar National League (MNL). It is believed that he also controls several gold mines in Kachin State.
On January 25th 2009 officers from Burma's Central Anti-Drug Force seized 29 Kg of heroin on an internationally bound ship, just after it departed from the Asia World port.
Friday, 05 March 2010 19:37 Min Thet
Rangoon (Mizzima) – Mizzima has learned that Burma's Asia World port, owned and operated by Tun Myint Naing, will be upgraded and expanded this year to meet international standards. Tun Myint Naing (a.k.a. Steven Law), the son of the late narco warlord Lao Sit Han, is on the US financial sanctions blacklist because of his close ties to Burma's generals.
Tun Myint Naing's port popularly known as 'Ahlone Jetty' is located in Ahlone Township on the outskirts of Rangoon and is an important center for Burma's international trade.
"We heard the port will be expanded to Kyimyindine Township and the total cost of the upgrade will be Ks. 40 billions ($US 40 millions) ", a source with close ties to Asia World told Mizzima.
Tun Myint Naing is considered by many Burma watchers to be a key crony of the Burmese military regime. Mizzima attempted to contact Tun Myint Naing for comment, however our calls were not returned.
When Mizzima contacted the Rangoon Port Authority for information about the port's expansion plans we were simply told that the "export and import of timber, cement and other construction materials are handled at this port".
Shop owners at three important markets located next to Asia World are concerned about the port's expansion plans. The Thiri Mingalar Vegetable Exchange, Sinmin Market and the Sanpya Fish Market are all likely to be demolished to make way for Tun Myint Naing's mega project.
When asked to comment on the port's expansion plans a frustrated store owner told Mizzima, "I have been selling vegetables in Thiri Mingalar market for five years, so I am settled here. Now a clerk from the municipal office told us that our market will be moved to a new place, but we don't know where. He also said that we had to pay money to get spots in the new market. We don't know what to do".
An officer from the Rangoon municipal body had a different view from the shopkeeper. He told Mizzima that the store owners may not have to move, because there has been no official word that Thiri Mingalar will be demolished.
The port's owner Tun Myint Naing also owns the Magwe United Football Club playing in the Myanmar National League (MNL). It is believed that he also controls several gold mines in Kachin State.
On January 25th 2009 officers from Burma's Central Anti-Drug Force seized 29 Kg of heroin on an internationally bound ship, just after it departed from the Asia World port.
********************************************************
Rangoon strike ends but unrest prevails
Mar 5, 2010 (DVB)–A 1500-strong strike at a major Burmese brewery has ended peacefully but signs remain of a growing unrest among Rangoon workers.
An agreement was reached on Wednesday between employers and workers at the Grand Royal Whisky brewery in Shwe Pyi Thar industrial zone in Rangoon's Insein township.
Around 1500 workers at the brewery, owned by International Beverages Trading Co., Ltd (IBCT), carried out a sit-in strike on 3 March amid calls for a 20,000 kyat ($US20) wage increase. It follows salary hikes for government workers.
The protestors also called for enactment of other basic rights, such as time off on public holidays and evaluation for permanent employee status based on workers' performance.
A number of similar strikes broke out in Rangoon factories last month, despite the Burmese junta’s well-earned reputation for harsh crackdowns on perceived dissenters, and enforcement of media blackouts on demonstrations. All however ended peacefully, with employers making some concessions.
The Grand Royal Whisky protest however ended with only minor gains achieved.
“The workers demanded an 1800 kyat ($US1.8) per day wage plus an additional 20,000 kyat ($US20) per month,” said the father of one of the strikers.
“The brewery owners denied the 20,000 kyat monthly pay and instead offered to raise the bonus money rewarded to workers who are never absent from work from 6000 kyat ($US6) to 10,000 kyat ($US10).”
According to the father, employees who have been with the company less than a year receive 1100 kyat ($US1.1) per day, while longer-term employees get 1300 ($US1.3).
“One can't really count that as a bonus because there is no chance for people who have been absent from work for just one day,” the father said.
The brewery also responded to demands to evaluate permanent employee status for workers who have been in the brewery for two years by saying that it would only consider evaluation for those who have three years' work experience, he added.
He also said that a female worker at the brewery died recently after she had to come to work despite being in poor health.
Conditions in the IBCT factory are reportedly poor. Female workers tasked with cleaning used bottles were not given sanitary gloves, according to a source close to the workers.
“These bottles had been everywhere – in garbage and on the street side,” he said. “The bottles are being washed with acid, caustic liquid and soap. The workers have to touch these hazardous things with their bare hands and are suffering skin problems.”
Reporting by Aye Nai
Mar 5, 2010 (DVB)–A 1500-strong strike at a major Burmese brewery has ended peacefully but signs remain of a growing unrest among Rangoon workers.
An agreement was reached on Wednesday between employers and workers at the Grand Royal Whisky brewery in Shwe Pyi Thar industrial zone in Rangoon's Insein township.
Around 1500 workers at the brewery, owned by International Beverages Trading Co., Ltd (IBCT), carried out a sit-in strike on 3 March amid calls for a 20,000 kyat ($US20) wage increase. It follows salary hikes for government workers.
The protestors also called for enactment of other basic rights, such as time off on public holidays and evaluation for permanent employee status based on workers' performance.
A number of similar strikes broke out in Rangoon factories last month, despite the Burmese junta’s well-earned reputation for harsh crackdowns on perceived dissenters, and enforcement of media blackouts on demonstrations. All however ended peacefully, with employers making some concessions.
The Grand Royal Whisky protest however ended with only minor gains achieved.
“The workers demanded an 1800 kyat ($US1.8) per day wage plus an additional 20,000 kyat ($US20) per month,” said the father of one of the strikers.
“The brewery owners denied the 20,000 kyat monthly pay and instead offered to raise the bonus money rewarded to workers who are never absent from work from 6000 kyat ($US6) to 10,000 kyat ($US10).”
According to the father, employees who have been with the company less than a year receive 1100 kyat ($US1.1) per day, while longer-term employees get 1300 ($US1.3).
“One can't really count that as a bonus because there is no chance for people who have been absent from work for just one day,” the father said.
The brewery also responded to demands to evaluate permanent employee status for workers who have been in the brewery for two years by saying that it would only consider evaluation for those who have three years' work experience, he added.
He also said that a female worker at the brewery died recently after she had to come to work despite being in poor health.
Conditions in the IBCT factory are reportedly poor. Female workers tasked with cleaning used bottles were not given sanitary gloves, according to a source close to the workers.
“These bottles had been everywhere – in garbage and on the street side,” he said. “The bottles are being washed with acid, caustic liquid and soap. The workers have to touch these hazardous things with their bare hands and are suffering skin problems.”
Reporting by Aye Nai
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