If Myanmar could hold its Democracy election in 2010, the elected representatives of people and military side will be meeting in senate for the first time in 22 years. It may be the first time people from both side will work together for its own country. On the other hand there are many difference opinions on government approved referendum and coming election. At the same time, Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP) has announced their executive member list which includes Daw Mya than than Nu, Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe, the children of late leaders. So we explore the ideas of Daw Mya Than Than Nu, who is a daughter of late prime minister U Nu as below.
QUESTION ….. We saw your name in the list of executive members of Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP).What you would like to say about that? Do you have a plan to enter coming election as UDP member?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….It is a just their announcement. I don’t know what is their attitude on it? As far as I know, there is no connection between the exiled political parties and local activists. For me, I have no problem whoever they are. I can cooperate with everyone. Some happy when they heard UDP’s announcement. I really appreciate that their saying about to find a solution together on the issues of difficulties which Myanmar people are facing.
QUESTION …………..If so, will u take place in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu… We are still watching the situation. So Far, there are no election committee and no election law. For me, I want to contest in election. I want to show I am the same with the people. I want to take part in election as individual or as a party candidate.
QUESTION ………. There are many difference opinions on coming election. How do we approach to current situation of Myanmar?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..We have to work together. There are many people like me and some will also take place in election after their negotiation with government.
Anyhow, the best answer is working together. After the election, it won’t be a big deal whoever wins in election. The best answer is to take part in election.
QUESTION ……….Not only in you, we also heard the news about other late leader’s daughter
Will take race in election. What do you want to say about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ……….. I don’t know their idea. They might have their own attitude.
If we need to work together, it will be good. We have known each other since our parent.Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe are not strangers for me. But I still don’t know what their own attitude is.
QUESTION ………….Can you estimate how many parties will take part in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ………..It is difficult to say that. We can estimate the number of parties when election law comes out. We can say to enter election or not if only we see the election‘s rules. Now it is difficult to estimate it.
QUESTION ………….Where were you at the time of 1990 election? What do you think about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….I was in India. I voted for election through embassy.
QUESTION … Now there are third force groups which try to negotiate between Government and opposition groups in here. What do you think about their role in Myanmar political society?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be great if they can do it. I don’t know exactly about NGO groups and cease fire groups who working on it. But it will be great if they can negotiate between government and oppositions. The biggest issue is conflicts between them. I welcome it if they can work together. I don’t know other people‘s idea. We should not have seen our own benefit. We should not have seen our party.
We should see about state and its people. The conflict is the biggest challenge for us.
We need negioation. Third forces group is good. Even we don’t have third force, we can cooperate each other. We are not the kids. We need to hand together.
QUESTION ………. Former military government seized the power at 1962 and imposed one party polices. But now current government is looking forward to democracy election. They also fixed time schedule. What do you want to say on it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be good if they can do it properly.
They need to allow the political parties to work freely. It won’t be good if the parties could not work properly.
QUESTION ……….. There will be activities of political parties before 2010 election. Could you tell me how much they can work?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………… I want to tell you about my experience in India. In India, the role of election committee is amazing. The commissioner is powerful as a cabinet minister .He can decide freely. We need to have this kind of election committee in Myanmar.
The results of India elections are amazing. The results are mostly honest. I wish our election could be like India.
QUESTION ….. You lived in India for many years. Do you find any weakness of India which
is a biggest Democracy country in the world?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu. Yes, they have some weakness. But they are very strong in justice. If you find out any unfair cases in election pools, you can file to high court. They have many advantages in poll system. They use the good quality ink for voting. Each party has two weeks for election campaign. But it is enough because Parties are already founded.
QUESTION …….What do you think about recent detainees?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….. As I mention it before, oppositions need to launch their campaign freely in a certain condition. Government always says unity .If they are looking forward the real unity, they should think about it. In India, even detainees can participate in election.
QUESTION…….. There will be the first voting for people who below the age of 37. But they don’t have proper awareness for election. So, what do you think about the role of media in this election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..Medias need to be balance and fairness. We Burmese people still don’t know the result of democracy. We should not have done the wrong thing which does not mean real democracy. We need to work in a certain condition. Authority needs to allow us to work in a certain condition. Medias need to work in certain boundary.
Posted by yangon today at 3:16 AM 1 comments
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Myanmar Goverenmet agrees to two requests of US senator
Myanmar governemnt agrees two requests of US senatar Webb by relesaing John Yettaw and allowing Mr Webb 's meeting with Aung San Su Kyi.
When he met with reporters at Yangon air port, Senator Jim Webb metntoned that inculding the release of Aung san Su Kyi,he made three request during his short vist to Myanmar
Webb said he was pleased the Myanmar government allowed the meeting and freed John Yettaw, the American imprisoned after swimming uninvited to Suu Kyi’s Yangon home in May and staying for two days. Yettaw was freed, departed with Webb and is undergoing medical treatment, the senator said.
But he did not mention whether Myanmar goverenment agree his request of Su Kyi's release or not. The visit of U S senator become a controventional issue among Myanmar demoraczy activists. Some exiled Burmses group tried to conatct senator before his visit to isloated regime.
Jimm Weeb, senator of Viriginia was the first high ranking official of US governement who meet with the top leader of the country’s military junta, Senior General Than Shwe.
When he met with reporters at Yangon air port, Senator Jim Webb metntoned that inculding the release of Aung san Su Kyi,he made three request during his short vist to Myanmar
Webb said he was pleased the Myanmar government allowed the meeting and freed John Yettaw, the American imprisoned after swimming uninvited to Suu Kyi’s Yangon home in May and staying for two days. Yettaw was freed, departed with Webb and is undergoing medical treatment, the senator said.
But he did not mention whether Myanmar goverenment agree his request of Su Kyi's release or not. The visit of U S senator become a controventional issue among Myanmar demoraczy activists. Some exiled Burmses group tried to conatct senator before his visit to isloated regime.
Jimm Weeb, senator of Viriginia was the first high ranking official of US governement who meet with the top leader of the country’s military junta, Senior General Than Shwe.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Yangon local journal said their reporter did not breach any ethic or rules and regulations
Weekly Eleven on its website (www.first-11.com) criticized the two media outfits saying it was an “act of violating the journalistic code”, for allegedly using a second source based story related to its reporter Win Myint Kyaw, saying neither sought confirmation from the journal.
that website stated as follow .
The news of Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw of the Weekly Eleven News Journal broadcasted by the RFA and the Mizzima News have deviated from the actual event. The followings are the explanation of the Weekly Eleven News Journal about the recent incident.
The report from the RFA was that Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw of the Weekly Eleven News Journal bribed to a security employee of the Yangon General Hospital to take the photos of 13-year old A/H1N1 infected girl after saying he was a reporter of RFA; that he was quarantined at the Yangon General Hospital as soon as the incident has just happened; that he met with the responsible doctor after entering the room of the patient; that the authorities have kept him.
Moreover the Mizziama news agency reported with the so-called quote of a senior doctor that the young journalist did not use surgical mask and that he took the photos of A/H1N1 infected girl after bribing the security employee at the scene.
The real incident was that Ko Win Myint Kyaw and Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo, the reporters of the Weekly Eleven News Journal, went to the Yangon General Hospital to cover the news in the morning of 28 June 2009. On the way, Ko Win Myint Kyaw was wearing the surgical mask. They first met with the deputy superintendent of the hospital. The latter suggested to interview with the medical superintendent of the hospital. Having known the A/H1N1 patient was being accommodated at the Tetanus Ward, they proceeded to there, and where they saw only one security employee. As he did not obstruct them, Ko Win Myint Kyaw went straight into the room of A/H1N1 patient. However, Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo did not follow him, and waited for him at the outside of quarantine area. Ko Win Myint Kyaw took the photo of the patient at about 12 feet away from the latter for only a few seconds, and then he immediately went out of the room. While a responsible person of the hospital asked Ko Win Myint Kyaw if he was a doctor of a certain ward, he replied that he was just a journalist, not a doctor. Then Ko Win Myint Kyaw and Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo returned from the Yangon General Hospital.
On the way back to the office, the two journalists went to the house of H1N1 patient located at the Wingaba Road of Bahan Township. They met only with some responsible persons of the quarter outside the house.
One of the responsible persons told them that they could not be allowed to enter the house; that the responsible doctors came to the house; the patient was getting relieved from the H1N1 flu. The responsible person of the quarter asked them where they come from. They replied they are from a news journal. After taking the photo of the house from outside, they returned to office. After that, due to the request of some responsible persons for the welfare of the public, Ko Win Myint Kyaw was sent to the Yangon General Hospital by the own program of the Weekly Eleven News Journal. Then, under the management of Dr. Nu Nu Thar, the medical superintendent of the Yangon General Hospital, he was preceded to Waibargi Hospital.
In this recent event, the RFA and the Mizzima News neglected on the strenuous efforts of a local journalist in covering a breaking news, and broadcasted that the journalist bribed the security employee of the hospital to take the photo of H1N1 patient; that he did not wear any facial protection mask. These news agencies broadcasted such random news without asking the reliable data to the journal, and their reports did not accord with the ethics of media persons. The responsible persons of the Weekly Eleven News Journal can answer to the questions under the rules and regulations of the country. However, these foreign news agencies recklessly posted unconfirmed news on their websites. Therefore, the Weekly Eleven News Journal strongly opposes to such irresponsible reports of RFA and Mizzama News.
It has been learnt that as Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw was not infected with A/H1N1 flu, or he did not suffer illness, he will be discharged from the Waibargi Hospital after 10 days of observation.
Wrong report of the Voice Weekly
The news writing of the ‘Voice Weekly’ Vol.5, No.35 (6-12 June, 2009), ‘… a reporter who interviewed with the 13 year-old A/H1N1 infected girl…’ stated under the headline news “A total of 203 people, including one reporter, observed suspect of A/H1N1” did not accord with the actual event.
In fact, Reporter Win Myint Kyaw did not interview with A/H1N1 infected girl.
that website stated as follow .
The news of Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw of the Weekly Eleven News Journal broadcasted by the RFA and the Mizzima News have deviated from the actual event. The followings are the explanation of the Weekly Eleven News Journal about the recent incident.
The report from the RFA was that Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw of the Weekly Eleven News Journal bribed to a security employee of the Yangon General Hospital to take the photos of 13-year old A/H1N1 infected girl after saying he was a reporter of RFA; that he was quarantined at the Yangon General Hospital as soon as the incident has just happened; that he met with the responsible doctor after entering the room of the patient; that the authorities have kept him.
Moreover the Mizziama news agency reported with the so-called quote of a senior doctor that the young journalist did not use surgical mask and that he took the photos of A/H1N1 infected girl after bribing the security employee at the scene.
The real incident was that Ko Win Myint Kyaw and Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo, the reporters of the Weekly Eleven News Journal, went to the Yangon General Hospital to cover the news in the morning of 28 June 2009. On the way, Ko Win Myint Kyaw was wearing the surgical mask. They first met with the deputy superintendent of the hospital. The latter suggested to interview with the medical superintendent of the hospital. Having known the A/H1N1 patient was being accommodated at the Tetanus Ward, they proceeded to there, and where they saw only one security employee. As he did not obstruct them, Ko Win Myint Kyaw went straight into the room of A/H1N1 patient. However, Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo did not follow him, and waited for him at the outside of quarantine area. Ko Win Myint Kyaw took the photo of the patient at about 12 feet away from the latter for only a few seconds, and then he immediately went out of the room. While a responsible person of the hospital asked Ko Win Myint Kyaw if he was a doctor of a certain ward, he replied that he was just a journalist, not a doctor. Then Ko Win Myint Kyaw and Ko Wai Yan Phyo Oo returned from the Yangon General Hospital.
On the way back to the office, the two journalists went to the house of H1N1 patient located at the Wingaba Road of Bahan Township. They met only with some responsible persons of the quarter outside the house.
One of the responsible persons told them that they could not be allowed to enter the house; that the responsible doctors came to the house; the patient was getting relieved from the H1N1 flu. The responsible person of the quarter asked them where they come from. They replied they are from a news journal. After taking the photo of the house from outside, they returned to office. After that, due to the request of some responsible persons for the welfare of the public, Ko Win Myint Kyaw was sent to the Yangon General Hospital by the own program of the Weekly Eleven News Journal. Then, under the management of Dr. Nu Nu Thar, the medical superintendent of the Yangon General Hospital, he was preceded to Waibargi Hospital.
In this recent event, the RFA and the Mizzima News neglected on the strenuous efforts of a local journalist in covering a breaking news, and broadcasted that the journalist bribed the security employee of the hospital to take the photo of H1N1 patient; that he did not wear any facial protection mask. These news agencies broadcasted such random news without asking the reliable data to the journal, and their reports did not accord with the ethics of media persons. The responsible persons of the Weekly Eleven News Journal can answer to the questions under the rules and regulations of the country. However, these foreign news agencies recklessly posted unconfirmed news on their websites. Therefore, the Weekly Eleven News Journal strongly opposes to such irresponsible reports of RFA and Mizzama News.
It has been learnt that as Reporter Ko Win Myint Kyaw was not infected with A/H1N1 flu, or he did not suffer illness, he will be discharged from the Waibargi Hospital after 10 days of observation.
Wrong report of the Voice Weekly
The news writing of the ‘Voice Weekly’ Vol.5, No.35 (6-12 June, 2009), ‘… a reporter who interviewed with the 13 year-old A/H1N1 infected girl…’ stated under the headline news “A total of 203 people, including one reporter, observed suspect of A/H1N1” did not accord with the actual event.
In fact, Reporter Win Myint Kyaw did not interview with A/H1N1 infected girl.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Collapsed Buddhist Temple a Dark Sign for Burmese Dictator
The collapse of a 2,300-year-old Buddhist temple 15 minutes from Rangoon is being seen as a sign of the spirits’ disapproval of the military dictatorship and has Senior General Than Shwe worried, sources inside Burma say,
“It is a mysterious event, and people are talking about little else since they heard the news,” said an editor of a Rangoon newspaper. “Many pagodas have collapsed in the past because of natural disasters. But this pagoda collapsed not because of a disaster and even killed people. I have never seen this kind of event in my lifetime. We are afraid that bad things will follow soon.”
The 180-feet-high brick Danote Pagoda in Dala township came tumbling down the evening of May 30 as workers were restoring it, killing an estimated 20 workers and injuring dozens more. The collapse followed soon after Than Shwe’s wife, Kyaing Kyaing, and other family members dedicated the restored pagoda May 7 by placing a diamond umbrella atop the gold leaf-covered structure. The “hti,” or diamond umbrella, of a significant Buddhist pagoda is often adorned with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other gems. A holy and powerful person such as a ranking monk, wealthy person or country ruler generally places the hti over the pagoda. The holy power of the pagoda accepts only the righteous person‘s donation, according to traditional belief. The diamond umbrella placed by the general’s wife fell to the ground during the collapse, signaling the spirits’ displeasure.
Danote is among the most famous pagodas in Burma. Built by a king of the southern region, the pagoda has been rocked by earthquakes many times in its long history. The Danote Pagoda was badly damaged by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and General Than Shwe ‘s wife leaded the repairs.
In Burma, a Buddhist nation where common people as well as the ruling generals depend largely on the advice of astrologers, Pagodas are closely tied to the power and the fortune of the country’s rulers. In ancient history, pagodas are said to have shown a beautiful holy light when the king ruled the country well. But pagodas have collapsed when the king was soon to lose power. Burma’s rulers traditionally believe that building and renovating pagodas will increase their power. Conversely, an event like the collapse of the Dala pagoda is a bad sign for a ruler’s fortune.
Despite an official ban on reporting the collapse in the media, news of the incident spread like wildfire throughout Burma, and the people believe that bad tidings are in store for General Than Shwe, sources in Burma said. A well-known astrologer said the guardian sprits of this pagoda and heaven have given Than Shwe a warning sign. The astrologer said the spirits didn’t accept his family donation because they are bad rulers who killed monks, students and democracy activists in many democracy protests over the years and arrested many innocent people seeking democracy.
Those arrested include Noble Peace Prize-winner Aung San Su Kyi, the democratically elected president of Burma and opposition leader who has spent 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest. Su Kyi, 64, is currently on trial for giving shelter to an American man who swam across a lake to her heavily-guarded home. Many Burmese see the trial as another attempt by the Burmese regime to prevent her from taking part in coming elections in 2010.
“I am an educated person. I don’t want to give any comment for this traditional belief,” said a Burmese physician living in Rangoon. “But I can say that it is a really a tough time for General Than Shwe and the other Burmese generals. Now they have got a lot international pressure for putting Aung San Su Kyi on trial again.”
Than Shwe’s wife led the restoration of the pagoda, demanding that the construction company finish the job before the end of May, which an astrologer chose as the most propitious time for the dedication ceremony. Burmese journalist have learned that Kyaing Kyaing urged township authorities to conscript navy men and local villagers as forced laborers to finish the project on schedule, therefore rushing the work. The military junta officially blamed the collapse on poor construction work and immediately began questioning construction company officials. Those officials and others including township authorities fear arrest, sources said.
The Junta issued an official warning after the collapse that people who speak of the collapse and rumors concerning the general’s family could face three years in prison.
The pagoda’s collapse is a clear sign of General Than Shwe’s fate, a well-know Rangoon fortune teller said. “General Than Shwe knows about his bad fortune. We are sad for the deaths of the people killed in the collapse. But we happy that the gods will give Than Shwe punishment sooner or later. If you don’t believe my fortune telling, let’s see what happens to him.”
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“It is a mysterious event, and people are talking about little else since they heard the news,” said an editor of a Rangoon newspaper. “Many pagodas have collapsed in the past because of natural disasters. But this pagoda collapsed not because of a disaster and even killed people. I have never seen this kind of event in my lifetime. We are afraid that bad things will follow soon.”
The 180-feet-high brick Danote Pagoda in Dala township came tumbling down the evening of May 30 as workers were restoring it, killing an estimated 20 workers and injuring dozens more. The collapse followed soon after Than Shwe’s wife, Kyaing Kyaing, and other family members dedicated the restored pagoda May 7 by placing a diamond umbrella atop the gold leaf-covered structure. The “hti,” or diamond umbrella, of a significant Buddhist pagoda is often adorned with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other gems. A holy and powerful person such as a ranking monk, wealthy person or country ruler generally places the hti over the pagoda. The holy power of the pagoda accepts only the righteous person‘s donation, according to traditional belief. The diamond umbrella placed by the general’s wife fell to the ground during the collapse, signaling the spirits’ displeasure.
Danote is among the most famous pagodas in Burma. Built by a king of the southern region, the pagoda has been rocked by earthquakes many times in its long history. The Danote Pagoda was badly damaged by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and General Than Shwe ‘s wife leaded the repairs.
In Burma, a Buddhist nation where common people as well as the ruling generals depend largely on the advice of astrologers, Pagodas are closely tied to the power and the fortune of the country’s rulers. In ancient history, pagodas are said to have shown a beautiful holy light when the king ruled the country well. But pagodas have collapsed when the king was soon to lose power. Burma’s rulers traditionally believe that building and renovating pagodas will increase their power. Conversely, an event like the collapse of the Dala pagoda is a bad sign for a ruler’s fortune.
Despite an official ban on reporting the collapse in the media, news of the incident spread like wildfire throughout Burma, and the people believe that bad tidings are in store for General Than Shwe, sources in Burma said. A well-known astrologer said the guardian sprits of this pagoda and heaven have given Than Shwe a warning sign. The astrologer said the spirits didn’t accept his family donation because they are bad rulers who killed monks, students and democracy activists in many democracy protests over the years and arrested many innocent people seeking democracy.
Those arrested include Noble Peace Prize-winner Aung San Su Kyi, the democratically elected president of Burma and opposition leader who has spent 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest. Su Kyi, 64, is currently on trial for giving shelter to an American man who swam across a lake to her heavily-guarded home. Many Burmese see the trial as another attempt by the Burmese regime to prevent her from taking part in coming elections in 2010.
“I am an educated person. I don’t want to give any comment for this traditional belief,” said a Burmese physician living in Rangoon. “But I can say that it is a really a tough time for General Than Shwe and the other Burmese generals. Now they have got a lot international pressure for putting Aung San Su Kyi on trial again.”
Than Shwe’s wife led the restoration of the pagoda, demanding that the construction company finish the job before the end of May, which an astrologer chose as the most propitious time for the dedication ceremony. Burmese journalist have learned that Kyaing Kyaing urged township authorities to conscript navy men and local villagers as forced laborers to finish the project on schedule, therefore rushing the work. The military junta officially blamed the collapse on poor construction work and immediately began questioning construction company officials. Those officials and others including township authorities fear arrest, sources said.
The Junta issued an official warning after the collapse that people who speak of the collapse and rumors concerning the general’s family could face three years in prison.
The pagoda’s collapse is a clear sign of General Than Shwe’s fate, a well-know Rangoon fortune teller said. “General Than Shwe knows about his bad fortune. We are sad for the deaths of the people killed in the collapse. But we happy that the gods will give Than Shwe punishment sooner or later. If you don’t believe my fortune telling, let’s see what happens to him.”
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Catastrophe Worse Than a Cyclone
May 2 is the first anniversary of Cyclone Nargis for the people who live in the Irrawaddy Delta, where most of the more than 138,000 victims drowned when the cyclone roared through during the night. Even though Myanmar’s Military government says its rehabilitation process in the cyclone-affected area is going well, tens of thousands of survivors still struggle to eke out a life.
The biggest issue is drinking water. People in one village go to another village, a one-day trip, to get and buy drinking water. But many cyclone victims don’t even have money to buy drinking water. In the Hi Gyi Gyan region, Napudaw Township, there remains only20 percent of the drinking water for 9,637 people, Win Kyi, who is working for a local NGO, said.
Even in good years, villagers in the southern delta have had to buy water when ponds dry up. Now, prices are likely to be higher than ever because so many boats were destroyed in the deadly cyclone. Ponds, the traditional source of drinking water in the area, became heavily salinated when a three-metre tidal surge inundated much of the low-lying area.
Drinking water is not the only problem. Rice fields remain bare, even as food handouts wind down. Many schools have not reopened yet. Some reopened schools are short of teachers. A half million people live in rudimentary shelters. According to Myanmar government’s figure, an estimated 3.5 million people now live in the delta's towns and villages and the number is 15 percent of a total population of 53 million.
The situation of the Myanmar cyclone victims is made worse by the brutal military regime.
A few days after Cyclone Nagris hit Myanmar, China was hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, killing an estimated 9,000 people at May 12. The news from China said eighty percent of the buildings in Sichuan province collapsed .But the reactions of each government were very difference. China sent some 130,000 army and paramilitary troops to the area by May 15 to carry out rescue and aid operations in the quake-hit areas, according to the government. Premier Wen Jiabao went immediately to the earthquake affected zone, while President Hu Jintao took a three-day tour of affected areas a few days after the earthquake. In the glare of the international spotlight over the pace of rescue operations, President Hu Jintao encouraged rescuers to quickly reach all affected area touched by the quake.
However, the Myanmar military regime only allowed international aid to the cyclone-affected area nearly three weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit, and then with restrictions.
“I am the only survivor from my family. My 1-year-old son and I survived from the high water wave at the top of a coconut tree. But we were living in water for the whole night. Even when the water level was down, nobody came to rescue us. We were waiting for help for three days without food and water. Finally, my son died because of starvation and cold,” Nyein Shwe, a 30-year-old woman from Kyaine Chanung village, Bogalay Township said.
The junta refused aid for three weeks, while thousands more suffered and died, leaving behind orphaned children and starving babies.
According to cyclone survivors, the junta did not even inform the Burmese people that there would be an approaching cyclone. Even though the Indian Ocean weather agency gave proper warnings to the Myanmar Department of Meteorology, Myanmar state-owned radio only launched a normal storm warning five hours before the cyclone struck. The government did not even explain what kind of storm was approaching. Nobody was evacuated before Nagris made landfall.
“We heard a storm warning from the radio. But there were many storms in the Delta during monsoon. We thought it was a normal storm announcement. Nobody told us that it is a dangerous storm which we never had before. If we had known about this, we would have moved to the nearest town before the cyclone struck,” Nyein Shwe, who lost her parents, four siblings and her only son in the cyclone, said.
In Buddhist Myanmar, Burmese people believe that disasters like flooding, earthquakes and storms happen because a bad government rules the country. Military rulers don’t want to allow bad news in the media fearing people will assume they are bad rulers. Htun Lwin, Director General of the Myanmar Department of Meteorology, later gave the reason his government announced this storm as a normal storm warning.
“At the time, we could not find a proper Burmese word to describe this kind of cyclone. It is easy to say in English. But in Burmese, we only have one word for cyclone. It was not perfect to describe Cyclone Nargis. This is why people did not fear our warning. Now we are trying to find a beautiful Burmese word to describe a big storm for the next time,” Htun Lwin said.
While the Junta could not find a proper word to describe Cyclone Nagris, more than 138,000 people perished, most of them farmers and fishermen in the Delta region. Deaths were also reported in and around Yangon, the country's largest city. Some 2.4 million people were severely affected by the cyclone with up to 800,000 people displaced. Moreover, the Burmese military junta continues to harass and detain people whodespite the odds have gone out of their way to help victims of Cyclone Nargis. Many well wishers including famous comedian Zaganar, Editor Zaw Thet Htwe and Myanmar Tribune Editor-in-Chief Aung Kyaw San and his team. They were arrested for helping cyclone victims. All detainees have recived long prison sentences. Zarganar was sentenced to 59 years in remote prison far from Yangon. Myanmar’s governnmet also held a controversial referendum May 10 in the wake of the destruction wrought by Cyclone Nargis. The outcome ratified a constitution designed to cement the military’s political power with a 92.4 percent “yes” vote.
According to official figures from the Yangon office of the World Food Program, the United Nation's appeal for $477 million closed one year later with only 66 percent funding ($315 million). Agriculture is the least-funded sector, with a shortfall of $42 million. Only 17,000 out of 375,000 destroyed houses have been rebuilt. Aid groups estimate at least 500,000 survivors, including 200,000 children, are living in makeshift shelters, primarily due to a lack of funding.
In February, the Tri Core GroupTCG (Association of South East Asian Nations, Governement of Myanmar, United nationS country team in Myanmar) said recovery would take three years and cost $700 million.
Dozens of foreign aid agencies are currently working in the Delta but some fear the regime may close the door in the future. The government has imposed a lot of restrictions on aid groups .
We heard the news about the government not allowing foreign aid agencies working in the cyclone area for next year. The government wants to finish all projects. They don’t want foreingners working in this area. They said every time is fine now,“ Win Kyi said.
World Deadly disatster Tsunami occured in South Esat Asia at 2004 . Until now, the rehabalition process in the tsunami-affected area is still going on. But the Myanmar Junta recently reported in state-owned newpapers that the Nargis-affected is recovering from the disater, and the lives of cyclone survivors are improving. State news reports said that Burmses people is enough if they have traditional fish paste. No more Hamburger and no more aids.
One year after the devastating cyclone Nargis hit Burma; the junta is already busy preparing for elections in 2010. The government’s announcement about preparing for upcoming elections in 2010 comes at a time where thousands of cyclone survivors still need basic assistance including food, farming equipments and shelter.
„Even one year later, the situation of the survivors is still bad . But government only care coming election instead of its poor survivors. We Burmeses peopel are facing a catastrophe worse than a cyclone,” Win Kyi added
The biggest issue is drinking water. People in one village go to another village, a one-day trip, to get and buy drinking water. But many cyclone victims don’t even have money to buy drinking water. In the Hi Gyi Gyan region, Napudaw Township, there remains only20 percent of the drinking water for 9,637 people, Win Kyi, who is working for a local NGO, said.
Even in good years, villagers in the southern delta have had to buy water when ponds dry up. Now, prices are likely to be higher than ever because so many boats were destroyed in the deadly cyclone. Ponds, the traditional source of drinking water in the area, became heavily salinated when a three-metre tidal surge inundated much of the low-lying area.
Drinking water is not the only problem. Rice fields remain bare, even as food handouts wind down. Many schools have not reopened yet. Some reopened schools are short of teachers. A half million people live in rudimentary shelters. According to Myanmar government’s figure, an estimated 3.5 million people now live in the delta's towns and villages and the number is 15 percent of a total population of 53 million.
The situation of the Myanmar cyclone victims is made worse by the brutal military regime.
A few days after Cyclone Nagris hit Myanmar, China was hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, killing an estimated 9,000 people at May 12. The news from China said eighty percent of the buildings in Sichuan province collapsed .But the reactions of each government were very difference. China sent some 130,000 army and paramilitary troops to the area by May 15 to carry out rescue and aid operations in the quake-hit areas, according to the government. Premier Wen Jiabao went immediately to the earthquake affected zone, while President Hu Jintao took a three-day tour of affected areas a few days after the earthquake. In the glare of the international spotlight over the pace of rescue operations, President Hu Jintao encouraged rescuers to quickly reach all affected area touched by the quake.
However, the Myanmar military regime only allowed international aid to the cyclone-affected area nearly three weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit, and then with restrictions.
“I am the only survivor from my family. My 1-year-old son and I survived from the high water wave at the top of a coconut tree. But we were living in water for the whole night. Even when the water level was down, nobody came to rescue us. We were waiting for help for three days without food and water. Finally, my son died because of starvation and cold,” Nyein Shwe, a 30-year-old woman from Kyaine Chanung village, Bogalay Township said.
The junta refused aid for three weeks, while thousands more suffered and died, leaving behind orphaned children and starving babies.
According to cyclone survivors, the junta did not even inform the Burmese people that there would be an approaching cyclone. Even though the Indian Ocean weather agency gave proper warnings to the Myanmar Department of Meteorology, Myanmar state-owned radio only launched a normal storm warning five hours before the cyclone struck. The government did not even explain what kind of storm was approaching. Nobody was evacuated before Nagris made landfall.
“We heard a storm warning from the radio. But there were many storms in the Delta during monsoon. We thought it was a normal storm announcement. Nobody told us that it is a dangerous storm which we never had before. If we had known about this, we would have moved to the nearest town before the cyclone struck,” Nyein Shwe, who lost her parents, four siblings and her only son in the cyclone, said.
In Buddhist Myanmar, Burmese people believe that disasters like flooding, earthquakes and storms happen because a bad government rules the country. Military rulers don’t want to allow bad news in the media fearing people will assume they are bad rulers. Htun Lwin, Director General of the Myanmar Department of Meteorology, later gave the reason his government announced this storm as a normal storm warning.
“At the time, we could not find a proper Burmese word to describe this kind of cyclone. It is easy to say in English. But in Burmese, we only have one word for cyclone. It was not perfect to describe Cyclone Nargis. This is why people did not fear our warning. Now we are trying to find a beautiful Burmese word to describe a big storm for the next time,” Htun Lwin said.
While the Junta could not find a proper word to describe Cyclone Nagris, more than 138,000 people perished, most of them farmers and fishermen in the Delta region. Deaths were also reported in and around Yangon, the country's largest city. Some 2.4 million people were severely affected by the cyclone with up to 800,000 people displaced. Moreover, the Burmese military junta continues to harass and detain people whodespite the odds have gone out of their way to help victims of Cyclone Nargis. Many well wishers including famous comedian Zaganar, Editor Zaw Thet Htwe and Myanmar Tribune Editor-in-Chief Aung Kyaw San and his team. They were arrested for helping cyclone victims. All detainees have recived long prison sentences. Zarganar was sentenced to 59 years in remote prison far from Yangon. Myanmar’s governnmet also held a controversial referendum May 10 in the wake of the destruction wrought by Cyclone Nargis. The outcome ratified a constitution designed to cement the military’s political power with a 92.4 percent “yes” vote.
According to official figures from the Yangon office of the World Food Program, the United Nation's appeal for $477 million closed one year later with only 66 percent funding ($315 million). Agriculture is the least-funded sector, with a shortfall of $42 million. Only 17,000 out of 375,000 destroyed houses have been rebuilt. Aid groups estimate at least 500,000 survivors, including 200,000 children, are living in makeshift shelters, primarily due to a lack of funding.
In February, the Tri Core GroupTCG (Association of South East Asian Nations, Governement of Myanmar, United nationS country team in Myanmar) said recovery would take three years and cost $700 million.
Dozens of foreign aid agencies are currently working in the Delta but some fear the regime may close the door in the future. The government has imposed a lot of restrictions on aid groups .
We heard the news about the government not allowing foreign aid agencies working in the cyclone area for next year. The government wants to finish all projects. They don’t want foreingners working in this area. They said every time is fine now,“ Win Kyi said.
World Deadly disatster Tsunami occured in South Esat Asia at 2004 . Until now, the rehabalition process in the tsunami-affected area is still going on. But the Myanmar Junta recently reported in state-owned newpapers that the Nargis-affected is recovering from the disater, and the lives of cyclone survivors are improving. State news reports said that Burmses people is enough if they have traditional fish paste. No more Hamburger and no more aids.
One year after the devastating cyclone Nargis hit Burma; the junta is already busy preparing for elections in 2010. The government’s announcement about preparing for upcoming elections in 2010 comes at a time where thousands of cyclone survivors still need basic assistance including food, farming equipments and shelter.
„Even one year later, the situation of the survivors is still bad . But government only care coming election instead of its poor survivors. We Burmeses peopel are facing a catastrophe worse than a cyclone,” Win Kyi added
Monday, May 25, 2009
Local journalists invited to Su Kyi trial again
Local journalists invited to Su Kyi trial again
Burma’s military regime allows the local journalists for hearing the trial of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi back behind closed doors , after allowing diplomats and journalists to attend the hearing for just one day.
The junta had opened up the proceedings at the notorious Insein Prison near Yangon on last Wednesday, in an apparent concession to fierce international criticism of the charges against the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
“The local journalists have invited recently for press conference and to hear the trail . We also have received the ph call from scrutiny board in this evening (Monday)” said local journalist to yangontoday. After Only for one day were diplomats and press allowed and this is the second time for press.
Diplomats said on last Wednesday that they had been informed they would only be allowed in for one day, but the situation for the media was unclear until the official confirmation on Thursday
Burma’s military regime allows the local journalists for hearing the trial of opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi back behind closed doors , after allowing diplomats and journalists to attend the hearing for just one day.
The junta had opened up the proceedings at the notorious Insein Prison near Yangon on last Wednesday, in an apparent concession to fierce international criticism of the charges against the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
“The local journalists have invited recently for press conference and to hear the trail . We also have received the ph call from scrutiny board in this evening (Monday)” said local journalist to yangontoday. After Only for one day were diplomats and press allowed and this is the second time for press.
Diplomats said on last Wednesday that they had been informed they would only be allowed in for one day, but the situation for the media was unclear until the official confirmation on Thursday
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Burmese people Are Anxious About their detained leader
Burmese people from around the world anxious about their leader Aung San Su Kyi was taken from her house by military regime at yesterday and facing court trial in famous Insein prison.
We people from Singapore heard this news yesterday and we worry about her safety. We email about it to all Burmese we know. Military regime going to charge our detained leader for American swimmer who sneaked two nights in her compound, where she is being held under house arrest, Yin Yin who is working in Singapore said.
Military junta prepares to charged Su Kyi as Myanmar law Article 22 carries a sentence of between three and five years. They send her to jail from her house after one week they arrested US citizen John William Yettaw who swam across Lake Inya.
They are crazy people, this man get in the house because of lack of their security. Aung san Su Kyi is a detainee. They had responsibilities for her safety. She did not invite him.I am really angry on it when I heard that they are going to charge her. Oh, there are no justifications in Burma. A medical doctor who lives in New York said.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current under house arrest is due to expire on 27 May, as stated by the Burmese military regime. Some political activists said Myanmar authority is taking the advantage for American swimmer case to extend detention of opposition leader until 2010.
We people from Singapore heard this news yesterday and we worry about her safety. We email about it to all Burmese we know. Military regime going to charge our detained leader for American swimmer who sneaked two nights in her compound, where she is being held under house arrest, Yin Yin who is working in Singapore said.
Military junta prepares to charged Su Kyi as Myanmar law Article 22 carries a sentence of between three and five years. They send her to jail from her house after one week they arrested US citizen John William Yettaw who swam across Lake Inya.
They are crazy people, this man get in the house because of lack of their security. Aung san Su Kyi is a detainee. They had responsibilities for her safety. She did not invite him.I am really angry on it when I heard that they are going to charge her. Oh, there are no justifications in Burma. A medical doctor who lives in New York said.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s current under house arrest is due to expire on 27 May, as stated by the Burmese military regime. Some political activists said Myanmar authority is taking the advantage for American swimmer case to extend detention of opposition leader until 2010.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 11, 2009
BANGKOK – The two of us were detained in Mandalay on the evening of Wednesday, May 6, and
deported to Bangkok the following night. The arrest came within hours after we had finished a series of
feature writing and photography workshops, organized by the American Center in Yangon and
approved by the country’s Scrutiny Board (censors).
All of the 20+ government authorities we encountered during the ordeal said they were acting on orders
from Naypyidaw. They did not give a reason for the arrest. Many said they did not know why we were
arrested. They asked us nothing, told us nothing, searched nothing, took nothing. We were not
mistreated or manhandled.
We were arrested at our hotel after dinner on May 6. Immigration authorities came to the hotel lobby
and ordered us to pack for an evening train to Yangon. They said they had received the arrest order
from Naypyidaw half an hour after our last class and lecture had ended.
We spent the following 16 hours under the escort of two officials who shared our cabin. When we
arrived in Yangon, we were taken to the airport, then Immigration offices downtown, then back to the
airport for several hours before an evening flight to Bangkok.
We had been in Burma to teach and lecture about creative nonfiction feature writing and photography.
The programs were follow-ups to similar work we did in January, all of which had been approved and
acknowledged by the Scrutiny Board and the Special Branch (police). In fact, Special Branch officers
briefly visited Jerry on the first day of his class in Yangon, on April 27. All of our classes and lectures
proceeded without incident or further visits from the authorities.
We have no idea why we were arrested, though we have since heard many rumors. Perhaps it was
fallout after another American – whom we do not know nor have any connection to – allegedly swam
across a lake to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon. We have heard people say we are CIA agents
in disguise as teachers – that is not true. We have heard people say we met with monks in monasteries
and other politically sensitive sources – that is not true. We have heard rumors that we met with the
Moustache Brothers comedy troupe in Mandalay – that is not true. In fact, we met very few people
outside of the classroom, mostly because we wanted to avoid any run-ins with the government for just
this reason.
Other rumors allege that we were working on sensitive stories. That is not true. The only story we had
in mind was a small piece on laphet thote, (pickled tea leaf salad) explaining the flavors, history and
cultural significance of the dish. This would have run on the food page of a travel magazine. In
Mandalay, a colleague introduced us to the owner of a longstanding laphet thote business. That man
invited us to see his place, which we did. He then invited us to visit a trade center where people buy
and sell beans and pulses, key ingredients for laphet thote. He was very excited about the invitation; we
thought little of it. We accepted and planned to meet on Thursday morning, – but we never had that
chance. This might be all, or part, of the reason we were deported.
What happened to us does not compare to what happens to Burmese who run afoul of their own
government. We were spooked, and the train trip was uncomfortable and unnecessary (we already had
plane tickets back to Yangon that could have been switched to Thursday morning). But we were fairly
certain we were not going to jail for years – or decades.
We are heartbroken to think we might not be able to return to Burma. But that is trivial to how we
worry about the safety of the people who helped us on these trips. We worked hard to avoid
government scrutiny, or any “journalistic” appearance. In the end, we cannot say why we were arrested.
That mystery rests with the Burmese government.
Jerry Redfern
Karen Coates
Bangkok
May 11, 2009
theramblingspoon@gmail.com
redcoates@hotmail.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
BANGKOK – The two of us were detained in Mandalay on the evening of Wednesday, May 6, and
deported to Bangkok the following night. The arrest came within hours after we had finished a series of
feature writing and photography workshops, organized by the American Center in Yangon and
approved by the country’s Scrutiny Board (censors).
All of the 20+ government authorities we encountered during the ordeal said they were acting on orders
from Naypyidaw. They did not give a reason for the arrest. Many said they did not know why we were
arrested. They asked us nothing, told us nothing, searched nothing, took nothing. We were not
mistreated or manhandled.
We were arrested at our hotel after dinner on May 6. Immigration authorities came to the hotel lobby
and ordered us to pack for an evening train to Yangon. They said they had received the arrest order
from Naypyidaw half an hour after our last class and lecture had ended.
We spent the following 16 hours under the escort of two officials who shared our cabin. When we
arrived in Yangon, we were taken to the airport, then Immigration offices downtown, then back to the
airport for several hours before an evening flight to Bangkok.
We had been in Burma to teach and lecture about creative nonfiction feature writing and photography.
The programs were follow-ups to similar work we did in January, all of which had been approved and
acknowledged by the Scrutiny Board and the Special Branch (police). In fact, Special Branch officers
briefly visited Jerry on the first day of his class in Yangon, on April 27. All of our classes and lectures
proceeded without incident or further visits from the authorities.
We have no idea why we were arrested, though we have since heard many rumors. Perhaps it was
fallout after another American – whom we do not know nor have any connection to – allegedly swam
across a lake to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon. We have heard people say we are CIA agents
in disguise as teachers – that is not true. We have heard people say we met with monks in monasteries
and other politically sensitive sources – that is not true. We have heard rumors that we met with the
Moustache Brothers comedy troupe in Mandalay – that is not true. In fact, we met very few people
outside of the classroom, mostly because we wanted to avoid any run-ins with the government for just
this reason.
Other rumors allege that we were working on sensitive stories. That is not true. The only story we had
in mind was a small piece on laphet thote, (pickled tea leaf salad) explaining the flavors, history and
cultural significance of the dish. This would have run on the food page of a travel magazine. In
Mandalay, a colleague introduced us to the owner of a longstanding laphet thote business. That man
invited us to see his place, which we did. He then invited us to visit a trade center where people buy
and sell beans and pulses, key ingredients for laphet thote. He was very excited about the invitation; we
thought little of it. We accepted and planned to meet on Thursday morning, – but we never had that
chance. This might be all, or part, of the reason we were deported.
What happened to us does not compare to what happens to Burmese who run afoul of their own
government. We were spooked, and the train trip was uncomfortable and unnecessary (we already had
plane tickets back to Yangon that could have been switched to Thursday morning). But we were fairly
certain we were not going to jail for years – or decades.
We are heartbroken to think we might not be able to return to Burma. But that is trivial to how we
worry about the safety of the people who helped us on these trips. We worked hard to avoid
government scrutiny, or any “journalistic” appearance. In the end, we cannot say why we were arrested.
That mystery rests with the Burmese government.
Jerry Redfern
Karen Coates
Bangkok
May 11, 2009
theramblingspoon@gmail.com
redcoates@hotmail.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Euro Burma‘s official visits Myanmar
An official from Brussels based Euro Burma‘s office arrived in Yangon of Myanmar to meet with government and other organizations.
It was the first visit of Euro Burma’s office (EBO) which was established in Brussels in 1997 to promote the development of democracy in Myanmar.
According to Yangon new sources, EBO is willing to meet the third force groups which trying to negotiate between military government and western countries.
The EBO official will live in Yangon for three weeks.
Harn Yawnghwe, son of the First Myanmar president’ Sao Shwe Htike is head of Euro Burma’s office (EBO)
It was the first visit of Euro Burma’s office (EBO) which was established in Brussels in 1997 to promote the development of democracy in Myanmar.
According to Yangon new sources, EBO is willing to meet the third force groups which trying to negotiate between military government and western countries.
The EBO official will live in Yangon for three weeks.
Harn Yawnghwe, son of the First Myanmar president’ Sao Shwe Htike is head of Euro Burma’s office (EBO)
Authority deports two American Journalists
Two American journalists, Karen ( Catherine) Coates and her husband Jerry Redfern have been deported from
Jerry and Karen were both conducting journalism trainings through the
“Within hours of finishing the last of our classes on Wednesday, several Immigration cops showed up at our hotel and told us we must board a train that nigh. When we
arrived in Yangon, we were taken to the airport, then Immigration offices downtown, then back to the airport for several hours before an evening flight to Bangkok,’ Karen said in here press releases.
However, Myanmar Authority did not mention any reasons to deport those American Journalists. They deported two American journalists after they officially reveal the arrest of American swimmer who across the lake to Daw Aung San Su Kyi houseGovernment deported two American journalists
Myanmar military government deported two American journalists last Thursday from Mandalay after affects of American swimmer who swam across the lake to Daw Aung san Su kyi house.
Jeffery and Karen, who were training local journalist at Mandalay (second largest city of Burma)since one week ago, within hours finishing their last class immigration cops come and told them must leave form hotel tonight by train .
The source from Mandalay said they haven’t know the reason of why and guess because of affects of American swimmer across the lake to Daw Aung San Su kyi house .
After get off from the train where they waited several hours at yangon airport before getting on a plane to Bangkok, the source which close US embassy said they had been treated well .
Jerry and Karen were both conducting trainings (nonfiction photography and feature writing) through the American Center in Yangon and at the Jefferson Center in Mandalay. It was all approved by the Scrutiny Board .
While they were in Mandalay, the man invited two journalists to see a trade center where people buy and sell beans and pulses. Trade center perhaps had political significance in some way and that their plans to visit the place perhaps caused the deportation order.
Jeffery and Karen, who were training local journalist at Mandalay (second largest city of Burma)since one week ago, within hours finishing their last class immigration cops come and told them must leave form hotel tonight by train .
The source from Mandalay said they haven’t know the reason of why and guess because of affects of American swimmer across the lake to Daw Aung San Su kyi house .
After get off from the train where they waited several hours at yangon airport before getting on a plane to Bangkok, the source which close US embassy said they had been treated well .
Jerry and Karen were both conducting trainings (nonfiction photography and feature writing) through the American Center in Yangon and at the Jefferson Center in Mandalay. It was all approved by the Scrutiny Board .
While they were in Mandalay, the man invited two journalists to see a trade center where people buy and sell beans and pulses. Trade center perhaps had political significance in some way and that their plans to visit the place perhaps caused the deportation order.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Beans Traders complain as KB company 's dealying to refund their money
Beans traders have filed a complaint to Union of Myanmar Chambers of commerce about KB company's delaying to refund their money. KB company is one of those bean wholesale traders owed hundreds of millions of Kyats to the sellers and their sub-contractors who in turn bought these commodities from the producers who they owe Kyat five to 20 million. These persons lodged complaints to the concerned trading houses.
Bean traders have complained that even through KB company has got enough money to refund their money, the company not to pay money in time by giving the reason of current economic crisis.
The news sources from Bean society said that 27 beans traders have filed a complaint to UMFCCI about KB company by showing the documents which mentions that the investment of KB company's Chairman and director in Singapore and Indonesia.
U Win Aung , vice president of UMFFCI said that UMFCCI will take action on this issue and they will report this case to State Authority.
According to Ba Ying Naung whole sale market, KB company has got secret links with an India Beans wholesale business.. U Mg Mg , chairman of KB company now is in Singpore and try to continue bean trade as a new company's identification.
Myanmar Authority has founded a task force which includes U Win Myint, president of UMFCCI, U Win Aung and U Sai Ba Nyan to solve the current cheating cases in local beans market.
This task force asked beans traders who lost their money to wholesale dealers to claim their lost to ministry of commerce.The unexpected slump in prices in the global bean and pulses market, many future traders were in trouble with liquidity crunch and finally had to abscond from fraud and cheating charge.According to Commerce and Trade Department, 600 of Burmese beans traders lost 203 billion ( 150 millions US dollars )in Myanmar currency to those eight wholesale dealers.
Authority seized the properties of eight wholesale dealers which included houses , estate and beans. According to ministry of commerce it worths 56 billion in Myanmar kyats.
Bean traders have complained that even through KB company has got enough money to refund their money, the company not to pay money in time by giving the reason of current economic crisis.
The news sources from Bean society said that 27 beans traders have filed a complaint to UMFCCI about KB company by showing the documents which mentions that the investment of KB company's Chairman and director in Singapore and Indonesia.
U Win Aung , vice president of UMFFCI said that UMFCCI will take action on this issue and they will report this case to State Authority.
According to Ba Ying Naung whole sale market, KB company has got secret links with an India Beans wholesale business.. U Mg Mg , chairman of KB company now is in Singpore and try to continue bean trade as a new company's identification.
Myanmar Authority has founded a task force which includes U Win Myint, president of UMFCCI, U Win Aung and U Sai Ba Nyan to solve the current cheating cases in local beans market.
This task force asked beans traders who lost their money to wholesale dealers to claim their lost to ministry of commerce.The unexpected slump in prices in the global bean and pulses market, many future traders were in trouble with liquidity crunch and finally had to abscond from fraud and cheating charge.According to Commerce and Trade Department, 600 of Burmese beans traders lost 203 billion ( 150 millions US dollars )in Myanmar currency to those eight wholesale dealers.
Authority seized the properties of eight wholesale dealers which included houses , estate and beans. According to ministry of commerce it worths 56 billion in Myanmar kyats.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Interview with Daughter of late Prime Minister U NU
Interview with Daughter of late Prime Minister U NU
If Myanmar could hold its Democracy election in 2010, the elected representatives of people and military side will be meeting in senate for the first time in 22 years. It may be the first time people from both side will work together for its own country. On the other hand there are many difference opinions on government approved referendum and coming election. At the same time, Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP) has announced their executive member list which includes Daw Mya than than Nu, Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe, the children of late leaders. So we explore the ideas of Daw Mya Than Than Nu, who is a daughter of late prime minister U Nu as below.
QUESTION ….. We saw your name in the list of executive members of Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP).What you would like to say about that? Do you have a plan to enter coming election as UDP member?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….It is a just their announcement. I don’t know what is their attitude on it? As far as I know, there is no connection between the exiled political parties and local activists. For me, I have no problem whoever they are. I can cooperate with everyone. Some happy when they heard UDP’s announcement. I really appreciate that their saying about to find a solution together on the issues of difficulties which Myanmar people are facing.
QUESTION …………..If so, will u take place in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu… We are still watching the situation. So Far, there are no election committee and no election law. For me, I want to contest in election. I want to show I am the same with the people. I want to take part in election as individual or as a party candidate.
QUESTION ………. There are many difference opinions on coming election. How do we approach to current situation of Myanmar?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..We have to work together. There are many people like me and some will also take place in election after their negotiation with government.
Anyhow, the best answer is working together. After the election, it won’t be a big deal whoever wins in election. The best answer is to take part in election.
QUESTION ……….Not only in you, we also heard the news about other late leader’s daughter
Will take race in election. What do you want to say about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ……….. I don’t know their idea. They might have their own attitude.
If we need to work together, it will be good. We have known each other since our parent.Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe are not strangers for me. But I still don’t know what their own attitude is.
QUESTION ………….Can you estimate how many parties will take part in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ………..It is difficult to say that. We can estimate the number of parties when election law comes out. We can say to enter election or not if only we see the election‘s rules. Now it is difficult to estimate it.
QUESTION ………….Where were you at the time of 1990 election? What do you think about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….I was in India. I voted for election through embassy.
QUESTION … Now there are third force groups which try to negotiate between Government and opposition groups in here. What do you think about their role in Myanmar political society?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be great if they can do it. I don’t know exactly about NGO groups and cease fire groups who working on it. But it will be great if they can negotiate between government and oppositions. The biggest issue is conflicts between them. I welcome it if they can work together. I don’t know other people‘s idea. We should not have seen our own benefit. We should not have seen our party.
We should see about state and its people. The conflict is the biggest challenge for us.
We need negioation. Third forces group is good. Even we don’t have third force, we can cooperate each other. We are not the kids. We need to hand together.
QUESTION ………. Former military government seized the power at 1962 and imposed one party polices. But now current government is looking forward to democracy election. They also fixed time schedule. What do you want to say on it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be good if they can do it properly.
They need to allow the political parties to work freely. It won’t be good if the parties could not work properly.
QUESTION ……….. There will be activities of political parties before 2010 election. Could you tell me how much they can work?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………… I want to tell you about my experience in India. In India, the role of election committee is amazing. The commissioner is powerful as a cabinet minister .He can decide freely. We need to have this kind of election committee in Myanmar.
The results of India elections are amazing. The results are mostly honest. I wish our election could be like India.
QUESTION ….. You lived in India for many years. Do you find any weakness of India which
is a biggest Democracy country in the world?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu. Yes, they have some weakness. But they are very strong in justice. If you find out any unfair cases in election pools, you can file to high court. They have many advantages in poll system. They use the good quality ink for voting. Each party has two weeks for election campaign. But it is enough because Parties are already founded.
QUESTION …….What do you think about recent detainees?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….. As I mention it before, oppositions need to launch their campaign freely in a certain condition. Government always says unity .If they are looking forward the real unity, they should think about it. In India, even detainees can participate in election.
QUESTION…….. There will be the first voting for people who below the age of 37. But they don’t have proper awareness for election. So, what do you think about the role of media in this election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..Medias need to be balance and fairness. We Burmese people still don’t know the result of democracy. We should not have done the wrong thing which does not mean real democracy. We need to work in a certain condition. Authority needs to allow us to work in a certain condition. Medias need to work in certain boundary.
If Myanmar could hold its Democracy election in 2010, the elected representatives of people and military side will be meeting in senate for the first time in 22 years. It may be the first time people from both side will work together for its own country. On the other hand there are many difference opinions on government approved referendum and coming election. At the same time, Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP) has announced their executive member list which includes Daw Mya than than Nu, Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe, the children of late leaders. So we explore the ideas of Daw Mya Than Than Nu, who is a daughter of late prime minister U Nu as below.
QUESTION ….. We saw your name in the list of executive members of Canada-based United Democratic Party of Myanmar (UDP).What you would like to say about that? Do you have a plan to enter coming election as UDP member?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….It is a just their announcement. I don’t know what is their attitude on it? As far as I know, there is no connection between the exiled political parties and local activists. For me, I have no problem whoever they are. I can cooperate with everyone. Some happy when they heard UDP’s announcement. I really appreciate that their saying about to find a solution together on the issues of difficulties which Myanmar people are facing.
QUESTION …………..If so, will u take place in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu… We are still watching the situation. So Far, there are no election committee and no election law. For me, I want to contest in election. I want to show I am the same with the people. I want to take part in election as individual or as a party candidate.
QUESTION ………. There are many difference opinions on coming election. How do we approach to current situation of Myanmar?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..We have to work together. There are many people like me and some will also take place in election after their negotiation with government.
Anyhow, the best answer is working together. After the election, it won’t be a big deal whoever wins in election. The best answer is to take part in election.
QUESTION ……….Not only in you, we also heard the news about other late leader’s daughter
Will take race in election. What do you want to say about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ……….. I don’t know their idea. They might have their own attitude.
If we need to work together, it will be good. We have known each other since our parent.Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and Nay Si Ba Swe are not strangers for me. But I still don’t know what their own attitude is.
QUESTION ………….Can you estimate how many parties will take part in election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu ………..It is difficult to say that. We can estimate the number of parties when election law comes out. We can say to enter election or not if only we see the election‘s rules. Now it is difficult to estimate it.
QUESTION ………….Where were you at the time of 1990 election? What do you think about it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….I was in India. I voted for election through embassy.
QUESTION … Now there are third force groups which try to negotiate between Government and opposition groups in here. What do you think about their role in Myanmar political society?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be great if they can do it. I don’t know exactly about NGO groups and cease fire groups who working on it. But it will be great if they can negotiate between government and oppositions. The biggest issue is conflicts between them. I welcome it if they can work together. I don’t know other people‘s idea. We should not have seen our own benefit. We should not have seen our party.
We should see about state and its people. The conflict is the biggest challenge for us.
We need negioation. Third forces group is good. Even we don’t have third force, we can cooperate each other. We are not the kids. We need to hand together.
QUESTION ………. Former military government seized the power at 1962 and imposed one party polices. But now current government is looking forward to democracy election. They also fixed time schedule. What do you want to say on it?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu……………….It will be good if they can do it properly.
They need to allow the political parties to work freely. It won’t be good if the parties could not work properly.
QUESTION ……….. There will be activities of political parties before 2010 election. Could you tell me how much they can work?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………… I want to tell you about my experience in India. In India, the role of election committee is amazing. The commissioner is powerful as a cabinet minister .He can decide freely. We need to have this kind of election committee in Myanmar.
The results of India elections are amazing. The results are mostly honest. I wish our election could be like India.
QUESTION ….. You lived in India for many years. Do you find any weakness of India which
is a biggest Democracy country in the world?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu. Yes, they have some weakness. But they are very strong in justice. If you find out any unfair cases in election pools, you can file to high court. They have many advantages in poll system. They use the good quality ink for voting. Each party has two weeks for election campaign. But it is enough because Parties are already founded.
QUESTION …….What do you think about recent detainees?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu………….. As I mention it before, oppositions need to launch their campaign freely in a certain condition. Government always says unity .If they are looking forward the real unity, they should think about it. In India, even detainees can participate in election.
QUESTION…….. There will be the first voting for people who below the age of 37. But they don’t have proper awareness for election. So, what do you think about the role of media in this election?
Daw Mya Than Than Nu…………..Medias need to be balance and fairness. We Burmese people still don’t know the result of democracy. We should not have done the wrong thing which does not mean real democracy. We need to work in a certain condition. Authority needs to allow us to work in a certain condition. Medias need to work in certain boundary.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Myanmar decline economy strongly affects construction busine
Myanmar decline economy strongly affects Myanmar construction business including Junta closed partner company according to Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA) . ( Myanmar naing Ngan sauk hloke yae Hloke ngan Shin ah thin in Burmese)
Construction of residential housing was worst affected, particularly in Yangon a member of MCEA ( zay Ga bar Khin Shwe told me) said today. Famous FMI housing company in Yangon Hlaing thar ya township admitted recently that their sale down to 80 percent compare with previous year.
However, ministry of construction announced that the construction company could not continue their construction project, they will seize company properties. Mostly, construction companies are jointly running their business with government.
They use government soil to build housing estate.
Even if government announce like that, Yangon construction companies now stop their project because no one ahs money to continue it, a director from construction company said.
So, many grassroots labour who are working in Yangon construction will loss their job sooner or later, he added.
There are 30 construction companies who run their project in Yangon.
Construction of residential housing was worst affected, particularly in Yangon a member of MCEA ( zay Ga bar Khin Shwe told me) said today. Famous FMI housing company in Yangon Hlaing thar ya township admitted recently that their sale down to 80 percent compare with previous year.
However, ministry of construction announced that the construction company could not continue their construction project, they will seize company properties. Mostly, construction companies are jointly running their business with government.
They use government soil to build housing estate.
Even if government announce like that, Yangon construction companies now stop their project because no one ahs money to continue it, a director from construction company said.
So, many grassroots labour who are working in Yangon construction will loss their job sooner or later, he added.
There are 30 construction companies who run their project in Yangon.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Myanmar makes major cabinet reshuffle
Yangon, Feb 4,
Myanmar military will make major cabinet reshuffle in this week said the Yangon diplomatic source said to Yangon today.
Source who doesn’t want to use his name said that will be announced to night ,allowing two ministers to retire, appointing new ministers and reassigning two ministers .
That news leak out between Yangon diplomats and spread widely between local business men.
Minster of construction general Saw Tun and minister of immigration and population general saw lwin are going to be retired and deputy minister of foreign affairs U kyaw thu will be reassigned as head of civil servant selection.
There will be allowed to retiring present head of civil servant selection Dr thaung nyunt , very next to them and also general tin htut minister of co-op .
For appointed new ministers post ,that can’t be guess for a while but
The changes might be preparation for coming 2010 election and making major restructuring of the country's administration diplomatic guessed.
Myanmar military will make major cabinet reshuffle in this week said the Yangon diplomatic source said to Yangon today.
Source who doesn’t want to use his name said that will be announced to night ,allowing two ministers to retire, appointing new ministers and reassigning two ministers .
That news leak out between Yangon diplomats and spread widely between local business men.
Minster of construction general Saw Tun and minister of immigration and population general saw lwin are going to be retired and deputy minister of foreign affairs U kyaw thu will be reassigned as head of civil servant selection.
There will be allowed to retiring present head of civil servant selection Dr thaung nyunt , very next to them and also general tin htut minister of co-op .
For appointed new ministers post ,that can’t be guess for a while but
The changes might be preparation for coming 2010 election and making major restructuring of the country's administration diplomatic guessed.
Monday, February 2, 2009
UN, nothing to Burma
Yangon February 2
Instead, United nation special envoy Mr. Gambari has met detained pro democracy leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi government official have said ,it is nothing for the hope of Burmese people under military regime.
No details of the talks were released. Mr. Gambari's visit is part of a mission aimed at promoting dialogue between Burma's opposition and military rulers.
People in Yangon mocks to UN as United Nothing or United Nowhere. They thought UN envoy is just a follower for juntas.
“Some vendors interested only about his return because they couldn’t sell anything beside main road during his visit” said local business man.
Daw su declined to meet Mr. Gambari during his last visit six months ago due to a lack of progress in reform.
The UN envoy told diplomats that his objectives are to urge the release of political prisoners, discuss the country's ailing economy and revive a dialogue between Ms Suu Kyi and the junta.
Mr. Gambari's seventh trip to the country comes amid criticism that he has failed to achieve Ms Suu Kyi's release or any other discernible progress from his diplomacy.
NlD spoke men said after UN envoy six visits they didn’t see any concert result for political development or either dialogue.
The military is pushing ahead with a tightly-controlled election next year
Instead, United nation special envoy Mr. Gambari has met detained pro democracy leader Daw Aung San Su Kyi government official have said ,it is nothing for the hope of Burmese people under military regime.
No details of the talks were released. Mr. Gambari's visit is part of a mission aimed at promoting dialogue between Burma's opposition and military rulers.
People in Yangon mocks to UN as United Nothing or United Nowhere. They thought UN envoy is just a follower for juntas.
“Some vendors interested only about his return because they couldn’t sell anything beside main road during his visit” said local business man.
Daw su declined to meet Mr. Gambari during his last visit six months ago due to a lack of progress in reform.
The UN envoy told diplomats that his objectives are to urge the release of political prisoners, discuss the country's ailing economy and revive a dialogue between Ms Suu Kyi and the junta.
Mr. Gambari's seventh trip to the country comes amid criticism that he has failed to achieve Ms Suu Kyi's release or any other discernible progress from his diplomacy.
NlD spoke men said after UN envoy six visits they didn’t see any concert result for political development or either dialogue.
The military is pushing ahead with a tightly-controlled election next year
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Labutta faces water shortages
Labutta faces water shortages
Yangon, January 24, 2009
Couple of villages, in Labutta Township, one of Myanmar cyclone most affected area are facing the water shortage as the dry season begins to bite said INGO base manager form labutta.
Huge amount of villagers from this area depended on water ponds for fresh water before the storm nargics, but after May 2008 storm communal water ponds which were badly affected by salty water from the storm tide.
“Labutta INGO cluster meeting recently decided to focus about fresh water shortage in this area, and these INGOS estimate may be 90 of villages will need fresh water in this area at the end of this month ” he added.
According to the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA), about 1,500 ponds - 13 percent of ponds in Yangon Division and 43 percent of ponds in the delta - were contaminated by sea water and debris.
Some of the INGOS have started salty water purification process in some village but villagers did not received like sphere standard.
“We get one gallon for each per day ,we understand that sources of village already gone and new sources is round about 2 hours drive by boat” one of the villager said.
In one month to dry season, many villagers are seeing water levels in their ponds dropping too fast.
INGOs and Myanmar Red Cross society are indentifying which villages at high risk water shortages to address problems in this township.
Among severely storm-ravaged townships in the delta, Labutta was at high risk of water shortages, with about two-thirds of the area at risk between March and April in 2009, while Bogale, Pyapon, and Dedaye townships were at moderate risk, according to a recent UNICEF assessment.
Yangon, January 24, 2009
Couple of villages, in Labutta Township, one of Myanmar cyclone most affected area are facing the water shortage as the dry season begins to bite said INGO base manager form labutta.
Huge amount of villagers from this area depended on water ponds for fresh water before the storm nargics, but after May 2008 storm communal water ponds which were badly affected by salty water from the storm tide.
“Labutta INGO cluster meeting recently decided to focus about fresh water shortage in this area, and these INGOS estimate may be 90 of villages will need fresh water in this area at the end of this month ” he added.
According to the Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA), about 1,500 ponds - 13 percent of ponds in Yangon Division and 43 percent of ponds in the delta - were contaminated by sea water and debris.
Some of the INGOS have started salty water purification process in some village but villagers did not received like sphere standard.
“We get one gallon for each per day ,we understand that sources of village already gone and new sources is round about 2 hours drive by boat” one of the villager said.
In one month to dry season, many villagers are seeing water levels in their ponds dropping too fast.
INGOs and Myanmar Red Cross society are indentifying which villages at high risk water shortages to address problems in this township.
Among severely storm-ravaged townships in the delta, Labutta was at high risk of water shortages, with about two-thirds of the area at risk between March and April in 2009, while Bogale, Pyapon, and Dedaye townships were at moderate risk, according to a recent UNICEF assessment.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Juntas'Power play in Myanmar IT field
Myanmar will introduce a wireless Internet prepaid card system of WiFi for the first time in the this month, said authorized dealer @zy company staff.
WiFi hot spots are being installed in the hub of the Yangon city, and made survey research in downtown areas By myanmar ING group it said, adding that hot spot kits will be sold by the @zy company very soon.
Meanwhile, red link communications which offers Wi max internet services jointly with myanmar teleport said to Myanmar times the company would the market the kit that would through the computer shops,shopping centers and super market .
Red link company which is shared by u Toe Naing Man ,son of junta Thura shwe man and @zy is backing up by junta Thar aye said the source which is from IT field.
"if that @zy is the same as @zy music production- kyaw zin thein- then it will be power play between shwe mann and thar aye"he added.
Inculding youngsters and business people who livw in YGN are too much being attarcted by Wi fi system if the card sell out wireless internet users will boom huge amount in YGn.
Among authorized two dealer companies ,red link said the company was considering producing three types of prepaid cards,15 hours,20 hours and 30 hours of access.
Hopefully the prices would be betwenn 10000 kyats and 15000 kyats ( between 10 us dollars and 15 us dollars).It would also have log in name,password and an expiry date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WiFi hot spots are being installed in the hub of the Yangon city, and made survey research in downtown areas By myanmar ING group it said, adding that hot spot kits will be sold by the @zy company very soon.
Meanwhile, red link communications which offers Wi max internet services jointly with myanmar teleport said to Myanmar times the company would the market the kit that would through the computer shops,shopping centers and super market .
Red link company which is shared by u Toe Naing Man ,son of junta Thura shwe man and @zy is backing up by junta Thar aye said the source which is from IT field.
"if that @zy is the same as @zy music production- kyaw zin thein- then it will be power play between shwe mann and thar aye"he added.
Inculding youngsters and business people who livw in YGN are too much being attarcted by Wi fi system if the card sell out wireless internet users will boom huge amount in YGn.
Among authorized two dealer companies ,red link said the company was considering producing three types of prepaid cards,15 hours,20 hours and 30 hours of access.
Hopefully the prices would be betwenn 10000 kyats and 15000 kyats ( between 10 us dollars and 15 us dollars).It would also have log in name,password and an expiry date.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tragedy at ngwe saung beach
21 years old man drawned by rip current in famous Myanmar beach, ngwe saung, 140 miles away from Yangon,at january 2.
Mg Mg kyaw,Burmese citizen, 21 years old and other two girls were swimming in at ngwe saung beach that in front of the Myanmar treasure resort hotel before check in .after a few minutes latter rip current took him away from the beach eyewitness said.
It was January 2 ,11 pm .After extensive search ,Hotel rescue team found Mg Mg kyaw near the Olympic hotel that is a little bit far from the place that he disappeared .
He is already dead when he arrive the Bay of Bengal resort hotel clinic.
Ngwe saung police chief confirmed that it appears that the man was swept out to the sea by the rip current before getting into difficulty and disappearing.
He said mostly rip current occurs at beach after monsoon season, like October, it is very rare to happen in this month. May be because of climate change he added.
Ngwe Saung is also on the western coast of Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal, nearly directly west of Yangon and a bit south of Ngapali. It has become popular with tourists in just the last two or three years and the quality of the beach, sand and water is comparable to Ngapali Beach.
Mg Mg kyaw,Burmese citizen, 21 years old and other two girls were swimming in at ngwe saung beach that in front of the Myanmar treasure resort hotel before check in .after a few minutes latter rip current took him away from the beach eyewitness said.
It was January 2 ,11 pm .After extensive search ,Hotel rescue team found Mg Mg kyaw near the Olympic hotel that is a little bit far from the place that he disappeared .
He is already dead when he arrive the Bay of Bengal resort hotel clinic.
Ngwe saung police chief confirmed that it appears that the man was swept out to the sea by the rip current before getting into difficulty and disappearing.
He said mostly rip current occurs at beach after monsoon season, like October, it is very rare to happen in this month. May be because of climate change he added.
Ngwe Saung is also on the western coast of Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal, nearly directly west of Yangon and a bit south of Ngapali. It has become popular with tourists in just the last two or three years and the quality of the beach, sand and water is comparable to Ngapali Beach.
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