201438744

WWW.MMTIMES.
COM ISSUE 744 | SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014

1200
Ks.
HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION
Govt backfips as anger
grows over new city plan
The Yangon Region government announced it would conduct a tender for a massive
expansion project that it had previously awarded to a shadowy public company. NEWS 3
PAGE
4
PHOTO: AUNG HTAY HLAING
Stripped of her title, Miss Asia Pacic World winner May Myat Noe has kept a low-prole
since returning to Yangon last week amid accusations of a missing US$100,000 tiara and
poor behaviour. Her former manager says the spat came as no surprise, as the model has
proven problematic for organisers almost since the day she won the crown in May.
Census pegs
population at
51.4m below
old estimate
DECADES of speculation have been
brought to an end. Myanmars popu-
lation, estimated in recent years at
anywhere from 45-70 million, stands
at 51,419,420, the Central Census
Committee announced on
August 29, in the rst release
of data from the March census.
The gure is signicantly
lower than previous of-
cial estimates that had
put the population
at more than 60 mil-
lion, as well as the g-
ure of 59.1 million used
by agencies such as the
United Nations Development
Programme.
The gure does not include citi-
zens living abroad, while more than
1.2 million people in parts of Rakh-
ine, Kachin and Kayin states were
estimated because data could not be
collected in March and April.
The committee also revealed
that Yangons urban population
was 5,209,541. Mandalay was the
countrys second-largest city, with
1,225,133 urban residents, ahead of
Nay Pyi Taw with 1,158,367.
The nation had 24,821,176 men
and 26,598,244 women, a ratio of
more than 107 women for every 100
men.
In total, 1,206,353 people were es-
timated rather than counted.
YE MON
yeemontun2013@gmail.com
MORE ON NEWS 4
2 THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 7, 2014
online editor Kayleigh Long |
kayleighelong@gmail.com
THE INSIDER:
The local lowdown & best of the web
All a-titter over Beauty Queen
For anyone who likes to keep abreast
of current affairs in Myanmar, youll
certainly have read the shocking
revelations that 18-year-old Miss Asia
Pacic World May Myat Noe has been
dethroned and has absconded with a
crown valued at some US$100,000 as
well as (possibly) a brand new pair of
ta-tas. The story has been picked up
in major outlets the world over, which
is great because this is obviously the
most pressing issue when it comes to
womens rights in Myanmar.
The organiser of the pageant
explained that, after being crowned, it
was a matter of some urgency that the
newly-crowned beauty queen be placed
under a general anaesthetic and given a
set of pneumatic twanks, stat.
We thought she should be more
beautiful ... so as soon as she arrived we
sent her to the hospital to operate on her
breasts, he told AP. If she has no good
nose, then maybe, if she likes, we can
operate on her nose. If its breasts, then
breasts.
Now, it probably doesnt come as
any great surprise that the pageant
organisers rst instinct after she cleared
immigration wasnt to whisk her away
to enroll in the undergraduate program
of her choosing. At the time of printing
it was not yet clear if she had, indeed,
undergone the procedure and the
answers really neither here nor there.
Her body, her choice, etc.
From early reports, it would appear
the pageant organisers are fairly set on
getting the crown back, but seem willing
to let the as-yet-unconrmed funbags
slide which is good, because returning
them would be a substantially more
grisly affair.
The main point this all raises should
be why does anyone give a toss? The
amount of attention assigned to beauty
pageants in Myanmar at the moment is
bizarre, but not unexpected given theyre
a relatively new phenomenon. Hopefully
it wont take too long to consign them to
the cultural dustbin in which they exist
in the rest of the world, the domain of
stage moms who smell of hair spray and
shattered dreams.
Good night, sweet prince
RIP Not The Nation: 2007-2014
Bangkok-based satire site Not The
Nation appears to have disappeared
from the internet, with their homepage
now returning an error saying Site
suspended.
Since the (most recent) coup, their
updates had been less than frequent.
Just who it was that ran the site was
always something of a mystery, however
their apparent desire for privacy was
probably understandable given the ne
line they often walked on committing
lse-majest.
One of the more memorable posts
of recent times was a fairly magical
allegory about the Royal Dogs entitled
Thongdaeng abdicates to Foo Foo
which, if youre into Thai politics and
handy at nding cached versions of
websites, is well worth a read.
All that said, it could be that Im
jumping the gun in declaring the site
dead that could well prove premature,
and may be as simple as someone
forgetting to renew the domain name.
See Games
Two Myanmar nationals are on the lam
from Malaysian authorities, after their
participation in something called the
Nude Sports Games 2014 in May has
come back to haunt them, with obscenity
charges, nes and the prospect of hard
time in a Penang penitentiary now very
much on the cards.
The Nude Sports Games were held
on a secluded Penang beach, where
buck-naked athletes joyously partook in
dancing, body painting and relay races.
A video of the event went viral in early
August. In one scene, a nude woman
rides a man like hes a pony. In another,
a naked woman crawls over three nude
men lying next to each other in the sand.
While that sort of thing is par for the
course on, say, Koh Phangan, it elicited a
strong negative response from the areas
Muslim and non-Muslim conservatives.
Five Malaysian men and one
Singaporean have been handed down
one-month prison terms, as well as
being slapped with individual nes of
5000 ringgit (about US$1589). Four
others were freed on bail.
In brief:
Preliminary census gures reveal
females outnumber males in Myanmar
by 1.7 million, making compelling case
for allowing polygamy after all
Former Aryan child model known only
as My Boy now in his 50s, unemployed,
diabetic and living in Pattaya, sources say
(Left to right) Khin Nan Htike, Chun Chun, Awn Seng, Jessica Da Da,
Tha Dar Mariah, M Seng Lu, Nang Khae Mar
for NOW! Magazine.
Photo: Htet Aung Kyaw (Studio Hak)
Style
Statement
A Battalion of Colonial Military Police in Rangoon, circa 1900. From The Silken East by VC Scott OConnor
From the Pansodan Gallery archives
Once was Burma ...
Page 2
News 3 www.mmtimes.com NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | tdkean@gmail.com
MPs lead charge as
critics slam city plan
WHITE elephant, visionary develop-
ment or dodgy business deal? The Yan-
gon Region governments proposal for
a massive city expansion project with
a mysterious public company linked to
Chinese interests has sparked intense
debate, with pressure growing on the
authorities to disclose further details of
their plan.
The expansion project covers
30,000 acres to the west of the citys
current boundaries between the Pan
Hlaing River, the Twante Canal and
the Hlaing River, including sections of
Twante, Kyeemyindaing and Seik Gyi
Kha Naung To townships.
Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint revealed
details of the project to the Yangon Re-
gion Hluttaw on August 22, telling MPs
that public company Myanma Saytan-
nar Myothit had been awarded the
contract to develop the project, adding
that 70 percent of the project would be
completed within three years. The gov-
ernment has since announced it would
conduct a tender for the contract (see
related story above).
According to the mayor, the gov-
ernment will receive 20,000 low-cost
homes, an orphanage, a home for the
aged and six toll-free bridges, each
comprising six lanes. Existing residents
would be taken care of, he said.
MPs said they were shocked at
the revelation and pushed for further
information, including how many peo-
ple would likely be displaced, and ques-
tioned how the regional government
had made the decision to sign a con-
tract with a very new company on such
a large project. The mayor responded
that information about the project
was restricted to reduce unnecessary
risk, and no discussion was allowed in
parliament.
Even the representative for Twante
said he had no idea about the plan.
It was a terrible surprise, said U
Thein Zaw Myint, who represents the
Union Solidarity and Development
Party. We only knew about it when the
mayor read the message in parliament.
He said the project area encom-
passes 15 villages in Twante township
and he was determined to nd out
residents would be afected. Im going
to ask questions in parliament about
what they have planned for the villages
in my constituency.
While Schedule 2 of the 2008 con-
stitution allows region and state gov-
ernments to undertake development
projects, MPs said the scale and cost
of the proposed city expansion meant
it should also require Pyidaungsu Hlut-
taw approval, particularly to head of
potential land disputes.
Region hluttaw MP Daw Nyo Nyo
Thin questioned why the government
was being so secretive and said the
government should be forced to pro-
vide more detail on the project. I cant
understand why [the mayor] has not
allowed this project to be discussed
[in parliament, she said. I think the
government has many secrets to hide
concerning this project. For example,
we dont even know how they chose the
company.
According to the Myanmar Invest-
ment Commission, Myanma Saytannar
Myothit was registered at the Ministry
of National Planning and Economic
Development as a public company in
December 2013.
Its registered address is between U
Shwe Pin and Myat Eain Yar Street at
No 3 Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone but
media reports said it has no presence
at the site.
Construction industry sources said
it is run by two ethnic Chinese busi-
nessmen, Xiao Pun and Xiao San. Both
are believed to have close relations with
former top military ofcials, including
current Yangon Region Chief Minister
U Myint Swe.
The background of the men has
prompted speculation that the funding
for the project will come from Chinese
companies. Myanma Saytannar My-
othit has already completed a number
of deals with the regional government,
including several businesses in Peoples
Park and a car parking business on
state land beside Shin Saw Phu Road.
Neither of the companys owners
could be reached for comment by The
Myanmar Times last week. Its man-
aging director, U Thet Oo, refused to
comment when contacted last week by
Irrawaddy.
The scale of the project has also
come under re from some in the prop-
erty development sector, who said it
risked becoming a white elephant.
U Ko Ko Htwe, owner of Taw Win
Family Construction, said apartment-
based developments could yield 100
dwellings per acre, making the site
large enough to provide homes for
more than 10 million people.
If ve people stay in one house-
hold, it could have up to 15 million
people. Thats almost three times the
population of Yangon now. Who will
live in all of these places? he said. We
should consider whether the project is
really needed for development of our
local people.
He also questioned why the Yangon
Region government had not called a
tender for the project, describing it as
inconsistent with the presidents good
governance and clean government
policy.
U Win Myint, the Pyithu Hluttaw
representative for Hlaing, said it was
unclear whether the regional govern-
ment would be legally obligated to seek
parliamentary permission for the pro-
ject. Its difcult to say because I dont
know the exact details about the pro-
ject, he said. But if it is a big project,
they should explain to parliament and
public transparently how will they im-
plement it, he said.
Regional government draws re for lack of transparency
Govt backfips on expansion contract
THE Yangon Region government
has backtracked on its controversial
decision to award the contract for a
30,000-acre city expansion project
to a little-known public company,
announcing that it would instead
conduct a tender.
Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint
announced the project to shocked
Yangon Region Hluttaw MPs on
August 22. Six days later, after the
decision came in for signicant
criticism from parliamentarians,
the media and business leaders, the
regional government announced it
would conduct a tender.
The government promised in an
August 28 statement that the tender
would be transparent and within a
short period, but gave no dates.
The statement said it would give
all private companies the chance to
participate in the project.
Yangon Region Hluttaw MP
Daw Nyo Nyo Thin said she had
proposed the government conduct
a transparent tender when the issue
was discussed in parliament on Au-
gust 27.
I welcome the announcement,
she said. It should have been done
like this before they announced the
project in parliament. If they really
do as they say [in the statement]
then it shows they are listening to
the voices of the people.
But not all are convinced that
the governments intentions are
sincere. Local entrepreneur U Soe
Tun, who has participated in many
tenders, said the tender may be just
for show, as the government could
organise it in a way that favours its
preferred bidder.
If they do a tender at short no-
tice and with little information it
will be difcult for us. If thats the
case, businesspeople will have less
chance to put in a competitive ap-
plication and the company they have
already chosen is likely to win, he
said.
If they really want to invite other
partners, myself and other business-
people are ready to compete for the
contract.
EI EI TOE LWIN
YE MON
newsroom@mmtimes.com
EI EI TOE
LWIN
eieitoelwin@gmail.com
If they do a tender at
short notice and with
little information ...
the company they
have already chosen
is likely to win.
U Soe Tun
Yangon-based entrepreneur
IN DEPTH
A woman rides a bike beside fields slated for development under a city expansion project on August 29. Photo: Yu Yu
4 News THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
Toppled! Model May Myat Noe
loses crown amid theft claims
MISS Asia Pacic World, Myanmars
May Myat Noe, has fallen down and
broken her crown or at least it has
gone missing. The sponsoring agency
of the beauty pageant announced on
August 27 that her brief reign was
over, amid accusations she absconded
from South Korea without returning
her tiara valued at US$100,000
and after the organisation said it had
paid $10,000 for her to have breast
implants.
The pageant organisers, the Miss
Asia Pacic World organisation, or-
dered her home from Seoul, where
she had gone with her mother to re-
cord songs with Mabi Dolls, a K-Pop
girl band. May Myat Noe was to have
received training for a musical career
during a proposed three-month stay
there.
Amid a blaze of publicity, the
19-year-old Yangon student was
elected Miss Asia Pacic World this
May. In an interview with The My-
anmar Times, she admitted she had
not expected to win, but had entered
merely to display Myanmar culture,
traditions and manners to the world.
At that time, she was reading Stephen
Coveys Seven Habits of Highly Efec-
tive People. She also disclosed that
her role model was her mother.
May Myat Noes victory appeared
to open up glittering prospects of an
international career involving danc-
ing, singing and acting, and a possible
contribution to world peace. But now
those dreams seem to be in ruins.
Acrimony reportedly broke out
when her mother applied on her ar-
rival in Seoul for a three-month visa
to stay in South Korea, despite an un-
derstanding on the organisers part
that she would stay there for only 10
days. In a letter stripping May Myat
Noe of her crown, Miss Asia Pacic
World accused her of lying and dis-
respectful behaviour to pageant of-
cials and fans.
Hinting at other issues not men-
tioned in the letter, the organisers
said they no longer had condence
that she could perform her duties
successfully, and they would select a
new incumbent on the basis of beau-
ty, personal and professional qualities
and the right attitude.
Media reports said those other
issues included the alleged theft of
her Miss Asia Pacic crown, which,
made by Swarovski, is estimated to
be worth $100,000 to $200,000. It
was also revealed that she had been
given $10,000 for breast implants by
pageant organisers but it remains
unclear whether she had the surgery
May Myat Noe, who is now be-
lieved to be in Yangon, has not re-
sponded to attempts by The Myan-
mar Times to contact her.
The stunning ouster follows an ap-
parent split between May Myat Noe
and Daw Hla Nu Htun, national di-
rector of the Miss Asia Pacic World
in Yangon, amid suggestions that May
Myat Noes brief reign was troubled
almost from the outset.
Daw Hla Nu Htun told The My-
anmar Times last week that she had
tried to stick by her former client de-
spite the early problems. On August
25, the organisers called me from Ko-
rea criticising me for opposing their
decision to dethrone May Myat Noe
last June. They said if I had not op-
posed them then, the current prob-
lems would not have arisen and eve-
rything could have been dealt with
quietly.
I dont know what happened
in Korea. They said May Myat Noe
disrespected them and her mother
interfered with her training. She
even refused to go back to Yan-
gon on August 29, declaring that
she was May Myat Noes manager,
though the organisers said her
presence in Korea was illegal.
Daw Hla Nu Tun and May Myat
Noe had already split before the fate-
ful interlude in Seoul, she said.
In June, the Korean organisation
heard of problems between me and
May Myat Noe. They called me and
sent a warning letter. I apologised for
May Myat Noe and told them she was
young and didnt know how to show
respect. I asked them not to dethrone
her if she apologised, which she did.
Later I heard that she was telling eve-
ryone I was demanding 30 percent of
her income, which is not true. After
that, we lost touch, said Daw Hla Nu
Htun.
The breakdown in relations re-
portedly arose from May Myat Noes
failure to honour a promise she alleg-
edly made Daw Hla Nu Htun before
her election that she would make a
three-year contract with her. Once
she was elected, the promise was ap-
parently forgotten.
May Myat Noe was reportedly
rude to Daw Hla Nu Htun and Hla
Nu Htuns husband, who was the of-
cial photographer for the Miss Asia
Pacic World 2014 organisation in
South Korea.
After the split, May Myat Noes
mother became her manager.
It was May Myat Noes mother
that always caused the problems with
the media and the fans. She once told
me she could be rude to whoever she
liked, because nobody could take the
crown away from her daughter, Daw
Hla Nu Htun said.
The South Korean organisers tried
to deal with the situation discreetly,
asking May Myat Noe to return the
crown to Daw Hla Nu Htun on her
return to Yangon, and booked a ight
for August 28.
On August 27, May Myat Noe and
her mother disappeared without noti-
fying the organisers, having resched-
uled the tickets. Thats what really got
them mad, said Daw Hla Nu Htun.
Saying May Myat Noe had not
contacted her since her return to
Yangon, Daw Hla Nu Tun said she
did not want to embarrass the former
title-holder by relating other alleged
problems.
May Myat Noe (centre) kisses her mother (right) after arriving at Yangon International Airport on June 5, shortly after
winning the Miss Asia Pacific World prize in South Korea. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
LWIN
MAR
HTUN
lwinmarhtun.mcm@gmail.com
Beauty queen leaves South Korea without telling pageant organisers, who allege that she has failed to return her US$100,000 tiara
The Central Census Committee said
populations were estimated in some
areas of Kachin and Kayin states
that were too insecure for enumera-
tors to gather data. In northern
Kachin State, 97 villages controlled
by the Kachin Independence Army
were not counted, after the govern-
ment failed to secure an agreement
with them to allow census enumera-
tors access.
In Rakhine State, the government
backipped on a previous promise to
allow everyone to self-describe their
ethnicity after pressure from Ra-
khine groups, declaring on the eve
of the count that that nobody would
be allowed to enter Rohingya on
the census form. Although some
Muslims in Rakhine State opted for
the governments preferred term of
Bengali, most refused and were not
counted.
We couldnt collect in three
districts of Rakhine State because
the people wanted to self-describe
as Rohingya, Minister for Immi-
gration and Population U Khin Yi
told journalists at a census press
conference on August 30.
The Ministry of Immigration
and Population will release more
detailed socio-economic data in
May 2015. However, information
on ethnicity will not be published
until after the 2015 general elec-
tion, an ofcial in charge of the
census told The Myanmar Times
last month.
The population of Myanmar has
grown signicantly since the 2.7
million recorded in the rst census
of modern times, in 1872. This g-
ure rose to 10.5 million in 1901, 13.2
million in 1921, 28.9 million in 1973
and 35.3 million in 1983.
The count, which took place on
March 29, cost an estimated US$74
million, with much of the funding
coming from international donors,
notably the British, Norwegian,
Australian and Swiss governments.
CONTINUED FROM NEWS 1
MP to take fght against
YCDC to Nay Pyi Taw
A REGIONAL parliamentarian whose
proposal to abolish and re-form Yan-
gon City Development Committee ac-
cording to the law was rejected last
week says she will take her ght to the
national legislature and possibly the
Constitutional Tribunal.
The proposal, which also described
a recent municipal election law as un-
constitutional because it would restrict
many people from voting, received just
10 votes out of the 118 Yangon Region
Hluttaw representatives present on
August 29.
I felt depressed when it failed,
said Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, who submit-
ted the proposal. But I will hand it to
the members of the Pyithu Hluttaw
and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. I believe they
will carry this right to the Constitu-
tional Tribunal.
Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, the Yangon
Region Hluttaw representative from
Bahan, had argued that the YCDC elec-
tion law and by-law enacted on August
1 should be cancelled because section
2(d) of the law states that it must be
drawn up by a body formed under the
Municipal Act introduced in October
2013.
The current committee wasnt
formed under the Municipal Act so
they have no authority to draw up the
election law, she said.
She also said that the election law
is unconstitutional because it does not
give everyone the right to vote. Despite
insisting in some sections that every-
one over the age of 18 is eligible to vote,
the law would stop religious personnel,
civil servants, criminals, those sufer-
ing a mental illness, morally wrong
people and those that fall into several
other categories from voting in munici-
pal elections.
This is a chance to decide on a law
that breaches the rights of the people
of Yangon to vote [for their municipal
representatives].
Daw Nyo Nyo Thin also accused
Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint of avoiding
discussion of the apparent discrepancy
contained in section 2(d).
The mayor said so many unneces-
sary things and gave so many excuses
but the main thing as I understand it is
that a parliamentarian must obey the
constitution and YCDC is in violation
of constitutional law.
But U Hla Myint, who was appoint-
ed by President U Thein Sein in 2011,
rejected the suggestion that the com-
mittee had not been formed lawfully.
While he did not explain how YCDC
could be lawful under section 2(d), he
said the committee had been legally
carrying out its duties for many years.
The city development commit-
tee was formed many, many years
ago. Though the administrator has
changed, the committees operations
have never stopped, he said.
The proposer [Daw Nyo Nyo Thin]
is obviously keen to point out that one
denition section 2(d) rather than
study the entirety of the law.
Despite most MPs in the Union
Solidarity and Development Party-
controlled legislature siding with the
mayor, U Kyaw, the representative
from Thingangyun said he shared Daw
Nyo Nyo Thins concerns on the voting
restrictions.
In some parts of the law, it said
everyone can vote. But in other parts it
said people such as civil servants can-
not vote, he said. How will they de-
ne morally wrong people? Where is
the denition?
NOE NOE AUNG YE MON
Yangon Region Hluttaw Speaker U Sein Win Tin oversees a hluttaw session on
August 22. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
More rain
likely in
September
COASTAL areas can expect fur-
ther heavy rainfall in September,
the Department of Meteorology
and Hydrology warned last week,
ahead of the ofcial end of the
monsoon season on October 10.
The department said on Au-
gust 28 that monsoon intensity
would be moderate in the An-
daman Sea and Bay of Bengal
in September but two low pres-
sure areas are expected to form,
bringing above-average rainfall
to coastal areas of Ayeyarwady
Region and Rakhine State.
Meteorologists have also pre-
dicted a wet spell in the coming
week due to a low-pressure area
in the Bay of Bengal and storm
remnants from the South China
Sea.
Heavy rain is forecast in
the eastern part of the country
in the coming two days because
of the impact of the depression
that passed Vietnam, deputy di-
rector U Kyaw Lwin Oo said on
August 29.
The precipitation forecast for
the coming week to September 5
shows increased rain in coastal
areas and lower Myanmar.
The department has forecast
that a low-pressure area may
form in the Bay of Bengal around
September 3, bringing more than
25 centimetres (10 inches) of rain
to coastal areas and lower Myan-
mar, including Yangon.
The possibility of a low-
pressure area forming is 75 per-
cent. It could also intensify into a
depression.
He said that cumulonimbus
clouds could also form in the
coming months, bringing the
possibility of severe weather con-
ditions such as tornadoes, strong
winds, lightning and isolated
heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the department
has forecast that the monsoon
will withdraw from northern
and central Myanmar in Septem-
ber, while it is expected to leave
the delta and southern parts of
the country in the rst week of
October. Aye Sapay Phyu
Out for the count: Who is banned from voting?
Prisoners
The mentally ill
Bankrupts
Foreign citizens and those who owe
allegiance to a foreign power or
enjoy the rights and privileges of a
foreign power
Those who have received benets,
such as money, a house, land,
building or vehicle, directly or
indirectly from a foreign govern-
ment or a religious organisation or
another type of organisation
Individuals or members of an
organisation who encourage oth-
ers not to vote or to vote along
personal or religious lines
Religious workers
Civil servants
Blacklisted people
Morally wrong people
People who provide fake personal
data
People outside Yangon without a
reason
Source: YCDC Election Law
This is a chance to
decide on a law that
breaches the rights
of the people of
Yangon to vote.
Daw Nyo Nyo Thin
Yangon Region Hluttaw representative
Recently enacted election law is unconstitutional because many people are banned from voting, MP argues
TRADE MARK CAUTION
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September, 2014
News 7 www.mmtimes.com
President seeks to delay state
education reforms for 8 years
PRESIDENT U Thein Sein has pro-
posed an amendment to a draft educa-
tion law that would delay the full intro-
duction of reforms for a further eight
years, as criticism mounts from educa-
tional experts and civil society groups
that the law would be a step backward
for education reform.
They say the draft wont free univer-
sities from years of government control,
as the revised legislation is designed
to do, and the education ministry will
still manage university professors and
school teachers. At the same time, stu-
dents will not be allowed to participate
in political activities or form student
unions.
The National Education Bill was ap-
proved by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on
July 31. Faced with the choice of sign-
ing it into law or proposing changes,
President U Thein Sein sent it back
with 25 suggested amendments.
The changes have not been pub-
licly revealed but MPs are expected to
decide whether to stick to the original
version or approve the changes when
the 11
th
session of parliament begins
on September 11. Whatever parliament
decides will become law within seven
days.
U Myat Nyarna Soe, secretary of the
Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee, said
one of the proposed changes would see
the transitional period for education
reforms extended from ve to 13 years,
delaying the full introduction of the law
until 2027.
Under the current version, the De-
partment of Higher Education will be
dissolved within ve years.
While the reasoning behind this
proposed change is unclear, U Mya Oo,
secretary of the Pyithu Hluttaws Edu-
cation Development Committee, said it
could be because the president wants
to give more time for implementation
of the military governments 30-year
education plan, which was introduced
in 2001.
The presidents proposed changes
are likely to do little to stem the tide
of criticism against the bill, however.
The most vocal critic has been the
National Network for Education Re-
form (NNER), a coalition of education-
focused civil society groups linked to
the National League for Democracy.
In a recent statement, the NNER
said the law would ensure the govern-
ment continues to exercise tight con-
trol over the education sector through
the proposed formation of the National
Education Commission and the Educa-
tion Development Committee.
NNER head U Thein Lwin also said
the proposed law will mean students
still have little control over what they
study and will constrain the freedoms of
assembly and expression through provi-
sions like the ban on student unions.
Ethnic education groups within the
NNER want ethnic languages to be
taught at primary school level but the
draft does not allow this either.
And disabled students will contin-
ue to be placed in a special education
stream which is segregated from other
students, they say.
Despite the criticisms, U Myat
Nyarna Soe said that MPs would only
consider the changes proposed by the
president when they nalise the bill
during the upcoming session.
U Than Lwin Oo, secretary of the
Eastern Yangon University Tutors As-
sociation and an NNER member, said
the government is controlling with the
other hand although they are talking
about giving freedom of education.
Additional reporting by
May Thinzar Naing
Children attend school in Yangon. Photo: Kaung Htet
HEALTH chiefs are planning to
rein in alcohol use through a ve-
point plan to improve the nations
health and maybe cut crime.
Minister for Health U Than Aung
launched the plan at a seminar
on the development of policies
and strategies for reducing the
harmful use of alcohol held in
Nay Pyi Taw on August 28.
The plan involves a crack-
down on importing, buying, sell-
ing and advertising alcohol, and
raising alcohol-related taxes.
The authorities control the
production and sale of alcohol,
whether it is imported or locally
produced, he told participants.
Alcohol use has spread follow-
ing the governments transition to
a freer economy, he said, adding
that young people and women
were increasingly imitating West-
ern culture by drinking in bars.
We know now that drinking
can cause crime. So we have to
consider the need to reduce alco-
hol consumption not only from
the social point of view, but also
from the standpoint of culture
and health, he said.
The minister said that Myan-
mar should set a national policy to
reduce alcohol consumption and
its ill efects. Pyae Thet Phyo,
translation by Thiri Min Htun
Push on
for higher
alcohol
taxes
WA LONE
walone14@gmail.com
Proposed change to National Education Bill would see full introduction of reforms pushed back from 2019 to 2027
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Roadside shops to get upgrade
ROADSIDE food stalls are to be of-
fered a clean-up program by the
Myanmar Restaurant Association.
The goal is to upgrade 14 selected
stalls with new equipment and great-
er cleanliness, said MRA secretary
general U Kyaw Myat Moe.
Starting in September, the MRA
will provide tables, chairs, bowls and
spoons to a selected mohinga shop,
or kit out a salad bar owner with dis-
posable gloves and an apron, U Kyaw
Myat Moe told The Myanmar Times.
We want to upgrade public health
and ensure that Myanmar foods avail-
able in stalls are up to standard for
tourists, he said.
As The Myanmar Times has pre-
viously reported, research has shown
that a high proportion of Yangons
street food contains bacteria that
can lead to food poisoning. A study
released in January found that more
than one-third of 150 samples col-
lected were positive for either Staph-
ylococcus aureas or Bacillus cereus,
while almost one-quarter contained
dangerous levels of the bacteria.
Most customers who frequent
small shops cannot aford expensive
restaurants, where the kitchens are
likely to be more sanitary than the av-
erage streetside stall. But that doesnt
mean roadside diners dont deserve
food that is both delicious and pre-
pared in clean conditions, said U
Kyaw Myat Moe.
The project will start initially in
seven townships in seven downtown
Yangon townships Lanmadaw,
Latha, Pabedan, Kyauktada, Pa-
zundaung, Tarmwe and Bahan with
the 14 selected businesses to be cho-
sen from a shortlist of 46.
To qualify, the stall owner must be
in good health and the stall must be
popular and be approved by YCDC.
Vendors of Myanmar traditional
foods will have priority.
We will nd donors for each stall-
holder to provide the furniture and
other supplies, but our association
will help them if we dont have a do-
nor. We will appoint a supervisor to
monitor their activities, he said.
U Kyaw Myat Moe said the pro-
ject would be extended within Yan-
gon Region and further aeld, add-
ing, We will focus on places popular
with tourists in Mandalay, Bagan,
and Ngwe Saung and Chaungtha
beaches.
Ko Ba Nyar Oo, who sells pork
sticks, or wethar toe doe, in Tarmwe
township, welcomed the project. The
selected stalls will benet from this,
and have an opportunity to learn
from big restaurants, he said.
A woman handles fried fish at a street food stall in downtown Yangon. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
EI EI THU
MYINT KAY THI
Human rights less important
than nationalism: senior monk
A SENIOR Buddhist monk has urged
political parties to prioritise nation-
alism or the interest of national
ethnic groups and citizens over hu-
man rights. Sayadaw Ashin Daywain-
darbhivamsa, a member of the Central
Committee for the Protection of Na-
tionality and Religion, better known
as Ma Ba Tha, made the comment
while defending the controversial
draft interfaith marriage law, which
could restrict marriages between Bud-
dhist women and non-Buddhist men.
All political parties should give
priority to nationalism, which is the
interest of the majority, in their po-
litical activities. General Aung San
carried out political activities with a
nationalist spirit. Nationalism means
the interest of national ethnic groups
and citizens. We must protect these in-
terests, Sayadaw Ashin Daywaindar-
bhivamsa said.
The sayadaw was responding to ac-
cusations from a National League for
Democracy ofcial, U Myo Yan Naung
Thein, that the draft law was super-
cial and a cheap political move. U
Myo Yan Naung Thein, secretary of the
NLD Central Research Management
Team, is also principal of Bayda Insti-
tute, a political training school. Other
civil society and political leaders have
also criticised the law, with more than
100 groups issuing a joint statement
describing the draft as disgraceful.
Some members of organisations that
issued the statement subsequently
received death threats.
Ma Ba Tha chair Sayadaw Bhad-
danta Tilawkabhivamsa has also re-
sponded to U Myo Yan Naung Theins
comments, saying in a statement that
the proposed law was in the best
interests of the country and it was the
duty of all patriots to support it.
Sayadaw Ashin Daywaindarbhi-
vamsa said the proposed law resem-
bled legislation in other countries,
adding that Ma Ba Tha welcomed dis-
cussion and criticism of the draft law
from political parties.
The interfaith marriage law is one
of four piece of draft legislation writ-
ten by Ma Ba Tha in 2013 and submit-
ted to the Presidents Ofce. President
U Thein Sein invited parliament to
approve the bills but Speaker Thura
U Shwe Mann sent them back to the
government, arguing they were not in
a suitable format to be considered.
A drafting committee was subse-
quently formed with representatives
from the Ministry of Religious Afairs,
Ministry of Immigration and Popula-
tion, and the Supreme Court. Trans-
lation by Thiri Min Htun
AUNG
KYAW
MIN
aungkyawmin.mcm@gmail.com
Nationalism
means the interest
of national ethnic
groups and citizens.
We must protect
these interests.
Ashin Daywaindarbhivamsa
Ma Ba Tha committee member
Political parties should not prioritise human rights, monk says in response to criticism of interfaith marriage law
Ceasefre
to be sent
for hluttaw
approval:
negotiators
THE government has promised armed
ethnic groups that agreements arising
out of the nationwide ceasere and
subsequent political dialogue will be
enshrined in legislation, peace nego-
tiators from both sides say.
The promise was made during ne-
gotiations over the nationwide cease-
re agreement draft that took place in
Yangon August 15-17.
At this latest meeting, we got a
guarantee from the government that
it would take necessary measures for
the parliament to be able to enact
the required laws for the activation
of the nationwide ceasere agree-
ment and decisions made during the
political dialogue, said Major Gen-
eral Gun Maw of the Kachin Inde-
pendence Army.
Maj Gen Gun Maw is also a vice
chair of the Nationwide Ceasere Co-
ordination Team (NCCT), which is ne-
gotiating the agreement on behalf of
16 armed ethnic groups.
As well as having the nationwide
ceasere signed by the government,
we also want to get the parliaments
approval. We have reached an agree-
ment on that, said Phado Kwe Htoo
Win, another deputy leader of the
NCCT.
He said talks toward nalising the
ceasere are progressing well.
We are very relaxed on the text of
the accord [because] both sides are
committed to fully realising the agree-
ments, he said.
Union Peacemaking Work Commit-
tee deputy leader U Thein Zaw, who
also leads the parliamentary peace
committee, conrmed that the gov-
ernments main negotiating team will
prepare the bills needed to bring the
nationwide ceasere agreement into
force.
We will send the nationwide
ceasere agreement to parliament to
be able to sustainably implement the
tasks dened in the accord. We will
also prepare bills necessary for its im-
plementation, he said.
SANDAR LWIN
sdlsandar@gmail.com
Blood samples will be fown
to Germany for Ebola test
BLOOD samples from patients who
are considered high-risk for the deadly
Ebola virus are to be sent to Germany
for analysis, the World Health Organi-
sation says, because no airline could be
found to y them to India. Five people
are currently being treated in isolation
in a North Okkalapa hospital because
of fears they may have contracted the
virus while overseas.
Ministry of Health director gen-
eral Dr Min Than Nyount conrmed
on August 29 that the ve blood sam-
ples had left the country by airplane
to be tested at a WHO-approved lab.
He said the results would be available
within ve days but would not conrm
which lab they had been sent to.
The WHO recognises three testing
centres for Ebola, in India, Germany
and the United States. Plans to send the
samples for testing in India were set
aside when no airline could be found
to carry the samples, the ministry said.
WHO consultant Dr Ye Hla told
The Myanmar Times on August 27 the
blood sample would instead be trans-
ported to the German laboratory by
Silk Air, but he could not say when.
the WHO gave the airlines details to
the ministrys disease control centre
on August 26.
Weve been trying to send the
samples for testing since the patients
were discovered at the airport on
August 20 but no airline will carry a
sample without a letter of approval
from the International Air Trans-
port Association, said Dr Naing Win,
director of the Centre for Disease
Control.
WHO, the ministry and the as-
sociation have been negotiating since
then for permission to transport the
sample, he said.
WHO guidelines state that Asian
countries have to submit samples to
the Indian laboratory, he said, adding
that Myanmar has no facilities to do
its own tests. There is also a labora-
tory in China, but it is not recognised
by the WHO.
The Myanmar man and his four
travelling companions, who arrived in
the country on August 19, are under
observation in the isolation ward of
the Wai Bargi Hospital.
Dr Naing Win said neither he nor
his colleagues had so far shown any
signs of having contracted Ebola but
they are being watched closely for
symptoms.
The 22-year-old man had spent
the past 13 months working in Guin-
ea and Liberia, the two countries hit
hardest by the ongoing Ebola out-
break. As of August 28, the haemor-
rhagic disease had killed 1427 people
and infected more than 2600 in Guin-
ea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone
since the start of the year.
SHWE
YEE SAW
MYINT
poepwintphyu2011@gmail.com
A government health team monitors passengers arriving at Yangon International
Airport on August 20 for fever, one of the main symptoms of Ebola, which has
killed at least 1427 people this year in four states in West Africa. Photo: Yu Yu
World Health Organizations earlier plan to send samples to India failed after no airline would carry them
3
Number of laboratories globally that
are approved by the WHO to test blood
samples for Ebola
Model
killed
after row
POLICE say they have charged
a 22-year-old man with murder
in relation to the death of an
up-and-coming model, who died
from stab wounds last week.
Ma Aye Chan Myat Moe died
on the way to hospital at about
7pm on August 27. Her fam-
ily had found her bleeding heav-
ily from the neck outside their
Dagon township home after
hearing her cry out for help.
When we opened the door,
she fell onto the oor, said Ma
Aye Chan Myat Moes brother, Ko
Arakar Wunna. We saw blood
on her neck so we called 199 and
asked people in our area to catch
the attacker and we managed to
get him.
Police said they have charged
the man, who is also a resident
of Dagon township, with murder.
They allege that he stabbed her
after an argument. While police
said the man was Ma Aye Chan
Myat Moes boyfriend, her family
insisted this was not the case.
He lives in the same hous-
ing development as us. He told
my sister that he loved her, Ko
Arkar Wunna said, but we told
her to avoid him because we
dont like his character and sug-
gested she carry a ick knife at
all times to protect herself.
Ma Aye Chan Myat Moes
modelling career began to take
of after she won a competition
at the Parkson department store
in February. Toe Wai Aung,
translation by Thiri Min Htun
Media forum to bring together
four pillars of democracy
OPEN government: That is the goal
of a discussion to be held in Octo-
ber by the Ministry of Information,
involving parliament, the executive,
the judiciary and the media, the
ministry announced last week.
The forum has been organised
in response to a request from the
Myanmar Press Council (Interim) to
President U Thein Sein at their lat-
est meeting, on August 1.
The forum will probably be in
October. We are still discussing who
will participate but it will have rep-
resentatives of all four sectors, Daw
Thidar Tin, director general of the
Information and Public Relations
Department, told The Myanmar
Times.
She added that no details were
yet available as to the agenda or the
seniority of the government partici-
pants. The ministries will designate
the people to take part, she said.
The speakers of the two houses of
parliament also promised to partici-
pate when they met the Press Coun-
cil on August 20.
Press Council member U Thiha
Saw, who is also an editorial direc-
tor at The Myanmar Times, said the
council would discuss ways of build-
ing trust between the government
and the media industry, as well as
improving access to government in-
formation.
We have two points that we want
to focus on. The rst is to understand
more about each other, he said. The
second is to set up communication
channels ... between journalists and
the three other sectors.
Daw Thidar Tin agreed that im-
proving access to information would
be a major focus of the event.
[The theme of ] the forum is that
the media will develop only if the
four sectors work in cooperation,
she said. Without information,
how can our media develop? But
by information we mean accurate
information.
Media gures welcomed the fo-
rum, while adding that its impact
remained to be seen.
We will need to assess the re-
sults after the forum has closed,
said U Wai Phyo, editor-in-chief of
Eleven Media Group.
Human rights activists urged
participants to focus on fundamen-
tal rights at the forum. Until there
is a thorough understanding of the
peoples right to information, said
Wai Yan Phone, editor-in-charge of
the Journal of Human Rights and
Democracy, problems between the
media and government will persist,
no matter what promises are made
and forums held.
88 Generation leader Min Ko Naing (right) speaks to journalists at the House
of Media and Entertainment in Yangon on August 3, 2012. Photo: Staff
SANDAR
LWIN
sdlsandar@gmail.com
Journalists, MPs, government ofcials and judges expected to convene for forum in October, ministry says
TAIWAN last week honoured tens of
thousands of Chinese Nationalist sol-
diers killed in World War II in Myan-
mar, many of whom came to the rescue
of British troops.
A wooden plaque inscribed with
Chinese characters reading The spirits
of the Republic of China ofcers and
soldiers killed was brought to the Mar-
tyrs Shrine in Taipei as a military band
played solemn music on August 27.
It symbolises the souls of more than
56,000 soldiers who died in a series of
bloody battles against Japan in Myan-
mar, according to the defence ministry.
This is a special touching moment
as we observe the 77
th
anniversary of
war against Japan, said Chen Chen-
hsaing, a general-turned-legislator who
had been pressing for the belated me-
morial event.
Weve never forgot them even
though this should have been done a
long time ago and [was] postponed by
the civil war, he said.
The Nationalist government ruling
China was defeated by the communists
in the civil war that ended in 1949, and
ed to Taiwan.
Now they come home after so
many years, said Mr Chen.
While more than 400,000 fallen sol-
diers from various wars have been en-
shrined in Taiwan, the ceremony was
the rst to mark those killed in Myan-
mar since the end of World War II in
1945. AFP
Taiwan
honours
troops killed
in Myanmar
Police demand replica frearm
owners hand in their weapons
POLICE have warned owners of airsoft
guns - replica rearms used to play a
combat simulation game known as air-
soft - to hand in their weapons to police
or face potential criminal charges.
State media reported on August 28
that 80 airsoft guns had been handed
into police since a raid on a home in
Tarmwe township three weeks earlier
yielded 104 of the weapons, which ap-
pear similar to real guns but use gas
canisters to re metal or plastic pellets.
The weapons were allegedly illegally
imported and sold on the local market.
The report said about 50 airsoft guns
are still unaccounted for. The Myanmar
Times understands that several leading
members of the business community
were among those who purchased air-
soft guns, and at least one has handed
in his weapons to police.
The Ministry of Home Afairs an-
nounced that the remaining airsoft
guns must be handed over to the police
stations not later than September 15,
and action will be taken against those
who do not hand over the airsoft guns
to the police station in time, it said.
The crackdown comes after police
raided the home of a 41-year-old in
Tarmwe townships Nat Chaung ward
on August 7. A total of eight weapons
that re metallic pellets and 96 that re
plastic pellets were seized, along with
user manuals, metallic pellets, plastic
pellets and gas cartridges, police said.
Tarmwe police station has charged
the man under the Export and Import
Act for importation ofences and 1878
Arms Act for allegedly holding a gun
without a licence.
Airsoft weapons were developed in
the 1970s and are legal in most parts
of the world. They are generally not
considered dangerous, although play-
ers are normally required to wear eye
or face protection.
THOMAS KEAN
TOE WAI AUNG
First women graduate
from offcer training
THE rst female military ofcers in
more than ve decades graduated
from training today in a ceremony at-
tended by Commander-in-Chief Sen-
ior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Photos of the event were posted on
the Facebook page of U Zaw Htay, a di-
rector in the Presidents Ofce. Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing inspected
and addressed the cadets, who suc-
cessfully completed their training at
the Army Ofcer Training School in
Yangon Regions Hmawbi township.
An advertisement ran in state me-
dia in October 2013 inviting women
to apply to join the ranks of the mili-
tary for the rst since the recruitment
of women for non-medical roles was
stopped in 1961.
The advertisement said that candi-
dates had to be at least 160 centime-
tres tall, weigh no more than 59 kilo-
grams and be between 25 and 30 years
of age and single. The advertisement
said that those who successfully com-
pleted the training would enter service
in commissioned posts at the rank of
second lieutenant.
According to Maung Aung Myoe, a
professor, associate dean and program
director at the International University
of Japan and author of Building the
Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces
since 1948, women were rst commis-
sioned into the Myanmar armed forces
by way of the air force in 1954. A year
later the army took in its rst female
ofcers but this mostly stopped in 1961.
In January, Lieutenant Colonel Soe
Soe Myint and Lieutenant Colonel San
Thida Khin became the rst female
military ofcers appointed to parlia-
ment and both joined the military in
medical roles.
TIM
MCLAUGHLIN
timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (left) attends a graduation ceremony for
Myanmars first female combat officers since 1961. Photo: Supplied
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September, 2014
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Advocate
BM Myanmar Legal Services Limited (Baker & McKenzie)
1203, 12th Floor, Sakura Tower,
339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon,
Te Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Dated: 1 September 2014
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st
September, 2014
Giant snails
destroy paddy
in Mon State
MONSTER snails as large as an adults
st have destroyed acres of paddy
plantation in Mon State, farmers said
last week. Chaungzon township resi-
dents say snail infestation is common,
but this year the creatures are much
bigger.
Nat Maw village resident Ma Shwe
Htar Pyae told The Myanmar Times
the snails had consumed entire elds of
paddy in the local villages, and in near-
by Hintar Kyun almost all the paddy
was destroyed. Residents said the snails
can weigh up to 15 ticals, or about 240
grams.
My uncle planted paddy on 12 acres
he owns in Hintar Kyun. The snails ate
the lot and left the elds as empty as the
ocean, she said.
One of my uncles had to go to
Thailand because he lost all his money.
Another is planting 40 acres with three-
month paddy. This is a risk, because we
are not sure we can plant till we get the
seed, said Ma Shwe Htar Pyae.
Most farmers in Hintar Kyun plant
paddy. Yields are normally high but
crops have sufered at the hands of the
snails for the past three years. This
year is the worst. We lost everything,
said local farmer U San Tun said. In
past years, there were snails, but not
like this. We dont know how they got
so big.
Farmers tried to replant more than
three times, but the snails can clear a
eld in a single night. U Aung Min Latt
lost 40 acres worth of paddy, while
another farmer lost 70 acres worth in
Hintar Kyun.
This is a disaster. We cant replant
because we have no money and no
nursery, just debt, said farmer U Zaw
Win.
Village rumour has it that the snails
escaped from a snail farm and oated
downriver.
Chaungzon farmers planning to cul-
tivate summer paddy are awaiting loan
assistance from the Ministry of Agricul-
ture and Irrigation but have not yet re-
ceived a response.
AMID erce monsoon conditions
elsewhere, farmers in Mandalay Re-
gion are complaining of drought. A
sudden pause in the rain is stunt-
ing beans and sesame plants in the
height of the rainy season, say the
farmers of Nyaung Oo township.
Despite good yields last year, con-
ditions this year are the worst farm-
ers can remember and they are los-
ing money.
I planted sesame when the rains
rst came and its now 3 feet [90
centimetres] high. But we rely on
rain and because there hasnt been
enough the plants are dying, said U
Win, a farmer in Eastern Pyau Kan
Village, Nyaung Oo township.
The losses are mounting up. We
are still waiting for the rain to grow
beans for the middle of the monsoon.
We not only lost our plants, but cant
grow anything else, he said.
The average annual rainfall in
Nyaung Oo township is 61cm (24
inches), with an annual variation of
about 7.5cm (3 inches). But this year
weve had just 10 inches [25.4cm],
said one farmer. Thats a terrible
drought. The regional government
has done nothing to help us over-
come this problem.
Beans, maize and sesame are the
main crops grown in the district, but
those with cattle are sufering too.
I had to buy grass knots from
other townships to feed my cattle,
one said.
A farmer in Nyaung Oo tends to fields hit by a recent drought. Photo: Si Thu Lwin
SI THU
LWIN
sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com
CHERRY
THEIN
t.cherry6@gmail.com
In Nyaung Oo, fields wither as farmers
wait for monsoon rains to return
10
Inches of rain so far this year in Nyaung
Oo well down on the annual average
of 24 inches, or 61 centimetres
Snails as large as a st and weighing around 240 grams
have devastated crops in Chaungzon township
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Dated. 1
st
September, 2014
A farmer in Nyaung Oo tends to fields hit by a recent drought. Photo: Si Thu Lwin
Nyaung Oo representative U Than
Htay told a special meeting of Manda-
lay Region hluttaw that even though
pumping is being carried out at ve lo-
cal rivers, at Nga Thayouk, Thugaung
Tae, Lat Pan Chay Paw, Kyauk Kuu and
Lawka Nanda rivers, not enough wa-
ter was reaching the farms.
Translation by Myat Su Mon Win
In Nyaung Oo, fields wither as farmers
wait for monsoon rains to return
Ministry ramps up push for
S Korean farm machinery
IN an efort to resurrect a stalled
US$100 million trade deal, the Min-
istry of Cooperatives has launched
a series of agricultural exhibitions
featuring machinery from South Ko-
rean rm Daedong that the ministry
is seeking parliamentary approval to
purchase.
Earlier in August, MPs in the
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw had rejected
the deal struck between President U
Thein Sein and South Korean Presi-
dent Park Geun-hye.
Minister for Cooperatives U Kyaw
Hsan told MPs that Ms Park had
instructed Daedong to ofer the ma-
chinery at a low interest rate to pro-
mote relations with Myanmar and
expand its involvement in Myanmars
economy.
But citing concerns about lack of
detail on the proposed purchase and
the record of the Ministry of Coopera-
tives, MPs voted the loan down 245 to
220 on August 1.
In an unusual move Speaker
Thura U Shwe Mann then said
the ministry could re-submit the
proposal to the hluttaw.
Cooperatives and agriculture min-
istry ofcials who attended the Au-
gust 30 exhibition in Nay Pyi Taw said
they wanted to examine the quality
and efciency of Daedong and their
suitability for Myanmars agricultural
conditions.
At the exhibition, we will only
show the machines ability. We shall
not make any transactions there, a
Ministry of Cooperatives ofcial said
prior to the event.
The exhibition is part of a min-
istry-sponsored Daedong roadshow
that has seen exhibitions held in
Yangon Regions Thanlyin township
on August 24, Ayeyarwady Regions
Maubin township on August 26 and
Bago Region on August 28.
Ministry ofcials have also been
visiting villages in an efort to per-
suade farmers to buy the machinery
on hire purchase rather than cheaper
products imported from China.
People from the ministry told
farmers that they want them to use
the [Daedong] machines, said U
Maung Soe, a farmer from Kan Oo
village in Nay Pyi Taws Pyinmana
township.
But local farmers use cheap
China-made machines because they
cant aford the more expensive ones.
If they can spend more money, they
will buy Thai or Japanese machines.
Some farmers use Korean-made ma-
chinery but I think most farmers
dont like those products.
It remains unclear why the minis-
try is pushing the machinery so hard.
One Amyotha Hluttaw representative
from the Union Solidarity and De-
velopment Party told The Myanmar
Times last week that the ministry was
intervening too far in the market.
It is not suitable for the ministry
to lobby for the product of a company
at a time when the country is practis-
ing a market-oriented economic sys-
tem. Consumers have the right to buy
the machinery that they want, said U
Hla Swe from Magwe Region.
Confusion has also arisen about
what interest rate farmers who buy
the machinery on hire purchase
would have to pay.
A member of the Shwe The Pyay
Agriculture Cooperative Society, who
asked not to be named, said that a
group from Daedong and a local dis-
tributor came to Alyinlo village in
Pyinmana township in Nay Pyi Taw
to discuss Daedongs products. Dur-
ing the meeting, the distributor said
the machinery would be sold to farm-
ers at an annual interest rate of 12
percent.
He said it was not clear why
farmers were being charged 12pc
when Minister for Cooperatives U
Kyaw Hsan had told parliament Dae-
dong would loan the $100 million at
2pc.
Another major concern for farm-
ers that could hinder uptake of the
machinery is the availability and
price of spare parts. While of poorer
quality, Chinese machines are popu-
lar because they tend to be cheaper
and easier to repair.
If a product is difcult to get
spare parts for and needs to have a
skilled mechanic to repair it, farmers
wont like it even if it is better quali-
ty, he said. The tractors we are using
have easy access to get spare parts in
the market and mechanics from the
motorcycle garage which can repair
it. That is the most important point.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
HTOO
THANT
thanhtoo.npt@gmail.com
It is not suitable
for the ministry
to lobby for the
product of a
company.
U Hla Swe
Amyotha Hluttaw representative
Roadshow launched to build support for controversial proposed US$100 million deal with Daedong
FOR hundreds of thousands of in-
mates, passing through the imposing
gates of Insein Prison has marked a
descent into a hellish netherworld of
torture, corruption and abysmal living
conditions.
Political prisoners languished in
solitary connement sometimes
in cells designed for dogs while or-
dinary inmates endured conditions
that were little better. Only those who
could aford to bribe prison staf en-
joyed any respite.
But as Myanmars reforms have
gathered pace, change has also slowly
come to Insein. Prisoners can access
reading material, facilities are being
upgraded and regular inspections have
reduced incidence of torture. Insein
has become the rst prison to ofer for-
mal education opportunities, with two
students recently passing their matric-
ulation exams. Some of these improve-
ments even predate the U Thein Sein
government, to when the military re-
gime was preparing to launch its tran-
sition to democracy.
In this unique look inside Insein,
The Myanmar Times examines the im-
pact of these reforms, how they have
come about and what more needs to be
done to drag this institution into the
21
st
century.
The worst human rights abuses
In the international press, Insein Pris-
on is always to this day introduced
with the adjective notorious. For po-
litical prisoners, it was a more than
apt description. Few of Myanmars
more than 40 correctional facilities
had a worse reputation for torture and
mistreatment.
U Tun Kyi of the Former Political
Prisoners organisation arrived at In-
sein after being arrested in 1989 for po-
litical activities. On one occasion while
being tortured he lost consciousness
and woke to nd pus emerging from
swollen abscesses on his knees, which
had been inicted by his interrogators.
It was just the most horrible pain I
had felt, he said. It made me wonder
whether our conditions were worse
than for the Jews under the Nazis.
In 2008, the conditions at Insein
were thrust into the spotlight when
an unknown number of prisoners
were killed after they protested the
authorities refusal to repair the prison
after Cyclone Nargis.
Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, a former Insein in-
mate who was present during Cyclone
Nargis, said he had seen and sufered
the worst human rights abuses at the
prison.
But aside from the torture, life in
Insein was just harsher than at other
prisons.
Other prisons are freer than In-
sein, said Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, who now
chairs the All Burma Federation of Stu-
dent Unions. For example, if in other
places they would get meat two days
a week, we would get just bone and
gristle.
Health conditions were also
SHWEGU
THITSAR
khaingsabainyein@gmail.com
There was no
respect for human
rights. We had
trouble even nding
a place to urinate,
let alone be healthy.
U Tun Kyi
Former political prisoner
FEATURE
Behind the walls of Insein
Irrawaddy dolphin numbers drop
FISHING by electric shock and the use
of small-mesh nets has killed of many
Irrawaddy dolphins, Mandalays sh-
eries department says. Dolphin spe-
cialist U Han Win said on August 25
that only 63 of the dolphins were left,
down from 72 in 2005.
Most of the dolphins who died
were killed by electric shock. We have
explained to the villagers they should
not use this method of catching sh.
They arent trying to catch dolphins,
but the dolphins are killed because of
this method, he said.
The sheries department responsi-
ble for the dolphins care ofers semi-
nars and delivers pamphlets to villag-
es along the Ayeyarwady River to raise
conservation awareness.
The fall in dolphin numbers fol-
lows an increase 10 years ago, from 31
in 2002 to 72 in 2005.
Most of the dolphins live between
Mandalay and Kyauk Myaung in Sa-
gaing Region, a 72-kilometre stretch.
Were talking about looking after
the dolphins to residents along that
stretch, said U Han Win. The dolphin
control area stretches from Manda-
lay to Yaytaw Pagoda, Kyauk Myaung
township, Sagaing Region.
The dolphin is currently listed as
vulnerable on the International Union
for Conservation of Natures red list
of threatened species.
U Han Win said the drop in popu-
lation could require that listing to be
re-evaluated.
If dolphin numbers continue to
fall, the dolphin will have to designat-
ed as [endangered], he said.
- Translation by Khant Lin Oo
MAUNG ZAW
mgzaw.mmtimes@gmail.com
AUNG KYAW MIN
aungkyawmin.mcm@gmail.com
Senior General orders investigation
into death of Lahu militia member
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF Senior Gen-
eral Min Aung Hlaing has launched an
investigation into the killing of a mem-
ber of a Lahu peoples militia in eastern
Shan State in June, sources in the area
say.
U Lee Shaw, also known as U Shal
Naw, was killed on June 17 in Kaung-
pyat village in Mong Pong township.
Daw Aye Thida Myint, a senior
member of the Lahu National Devel-
opment Party, said 20 men dressed in
military uniforms some Tatmadaw
and some from U Lee Shaws own mili-
tia unit approached his campsite near
the village. They ordered him to come
outside his tent, before opening re
and killing him.
The men took U Lee Shaws gun,
his watch and more than K450,000 in
cash, according to his wife, Daw Nar
Mie Lone, who was present when the
killing occurred.
After the killing, Daw Nar Mie Lone
led a complaint at Mong Pyin police
station. While police accepted it, they
told her that the Tatmadaw would have
to conduct the investigation, so on July
13 Daw Nar Mie Lone led a request
to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to
take action over the killing.
She also informed the commander
of Light Infantry Regiment 360 based
in Mong Pyin, the Ministry of Home
Afairs in Naypyitaw and Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann.
As part of the investigation, Daw
Nar Mie Lone and four relatives who
were present when the killing occurred
were questioned at the No 43 Infantry
Regiment Ofce over three days in late
August, Daw Aye Thida Myint said.
The place where the incident oc-
curred was also inspected. [A man] who
formerly lived in Kaungpyat village has
admitted guiding the men to where [U
Lee Shaw] was camped, she said.
Tatmadaw ofcials conrmed an in-
vestigation was under way.
The examination is being conduct-
ed according to the orders of our supe-
riors. We cant comment further on it,
said a Tatmadaw major familiar with
the investigation.
Daw Aye Thidar Myint said that the
combining of some Tatmadaw soldiers
and militia soldiers had resulted in
persecution and bullying against eth-
nic Lahu in Mong Pyin.
We are trying to ensure the safety
of the people of Mong Pyin and protect
their property and possessions. We call
on the government to protect the rights
of its citizens in accordance with the
constitution, she said.
However, media reports suggest the
killing may be connected with the drug
trade. Daily Eleven reported on June 21
that U Lee Shaw was killed when the
soldiers tried to arrest him on suspi-
cion of drug trafcking.
20
Estimated number of people in the
group that allegedly killed Lahu militia
member U Lee Shaw on June 17
Amnestied prisoners leave Insein Prison on January 3, 2012. Photo: Staff
deplorable, and prisoners were more
likely to die from illness and disease
than abuse. According to a 2009 BBC
report, Insein had just three doctors
for around 10,000 prisoners, although
ofcials insist that it now has only two-
thirds that many inmates.
Lung, liver and kidney diseases
were common because of the poor diet,
lack of clean water and inadequate
medical care.
After I was freed, I underwent sur-
gery to remove gallstones that devel-
oped because of the terribly dirty water
in the prison, said U Tun Kyi. I also
got tuberculosis and still have to take
a number of medicines for illnesses re-
lated to my imprisonment.
U Tun Kyi spent seven years in In-
sein, Mandalay and Myingyan prisons.
He said political prisoners were always
singled out for harsher treatment.
They would use one fetter for two
political prisoners. There was no re-
spect for human rights. We had trou-
ble even nding a place to urinate, let
alone be healthy, he said.
Former prisoners said the abuses at
Insein were partly related to the pres-
ence of Military Intelligence ofcials
who had more power than the warden
nominally in charge of the facility.
U Tun Kyi said these ofcers treated
or more often mistreated prisoners
as they liked, with no regard for the
law.
We sufered a lack of food, poor liv-
ing standards, torture everything. We
were not treated in conformity with
the prison law.
Incremental improvements
Insein Prisons place in the history of
political oppression is well known.
However, in recent years a number of
activists have shed light on the inner
workings of the prison by releasing
books detailing how they managed
to endure its fetid cells and callous
guards.
Less well known is that the prison
has been undergoing changes of late
that mean the notorious tag may
soon become a relic of the past.
One of the rst changes was the
easiest. In late 2008, the Prison De-
partment was renamed the Correction-
al Department to recognise its role in
reforming criminals so they can make
a contribution to society after their
release.
Some forms of ill-treatment, such
as torture and lack of food, have de-
clined because of regular inspections
by district-level administrators, police
ofcials, doctors and some internation-
al organisations.
In 2011, the government announced
it would allow the International Com-
mittee for the Red Cross (ICRC) to re-
sume prison visits after a seven-year
gap. While the results of its visits are
only shared with the government, re-
ports by other organisations indicate
that conditions have improved.
Infrastructure has also been up-
graded, in part with assistance from
ICRC. These improvements have
ranged from the installation of water
purication to improve the health of
inmates to CCTV cameras covering
all areas of the compound to improve
security.
Where once a prisoner would be
punished if he or she was found in
possession of a piece of newspaper,
inmates can now read books from a
mobile library or watch television in
designated areas. A meditation centre
has been opened and prisoners have
greater freedom to practice their re-
ligion. They can also participate in
formal education.
This last change, introduced in
2010, culminated in two students pass-
ing their matriculation exams in June,
to much fanfare. They plan to continue
their studies through Yangons Univer-
sity of Distance Education and more
than 120 students now attend classes
ranging from kindergarten to high
school.
The positive example is having a
broader impact, with other prisons
in Myanmar considering introducing
similar education programs.
Much of the change has been at-
tributed to U Kyaw Htay, the current
warden of the prison, who took charge
in late 2012.
He is a decisive person who shows
goodwill toward the prisoners, said U
Khin Maung Myint, who was warden
in 1987-88.
But there are a lot of staf at the
prison so it is not easy to introduce
changes.
U Kyaw Htay is among the rst to
admit that his eforts to improve life
for Insein inmates is far from complete.
He said he is motivated by a desire to
move with the times and ensure the
prison meets democratic standards.
We will be left behind if we do not
move with the changes, he said.
He said he takes disciplinary action
against staf members who take money
from prisoners, and once red a guard
who punched a prisoner.
I know that not all of our staf are
good, he said.
The progress has been recognised
by the international community, al-
though signicant concerns remain.
Toward the end of his tenure as
United Nations special rapporteur
for human rights in Myanmar, Tomas
Quintana noted that conditions had
improved since his rst prison visits
in 2008. While it did not single out
Insein Prison, the US State Depart-
ment said in its 2013 report on hu-
man rights in Myanmar that condi-
tions in prison and labour camps in
some areas were still harsh and life
threatening.
It remains a point of contention
whether political prisoners are still
being held behind the walls of Insein.
Following the government line, U
Kyaw Htay insists that all have been
freed. However, activist groups say
there are 16 conrmed political pris-
oners, including Air Captain Chit Ko
and other former military ofcials
who are serving 10 years under the
Electronics Act; Sai Lone, who was
given a life sentence; and Zone Mee,
who was jailed for 24 years.
In an indication of what is still
of limits in Insein, the government
has ignored requests from former
political prisoner groups to conduct
visits at the prison to assess condi-
tions and verify reports of political
prisoners.
Blogger Nay Phone Latt, who spent
a year at Insein after his arrest in 2008
before being transferred to Hpa-an and
released in 2012, said greater transpar-
ency was needed in the prison system.
Injustice is more likely to take
place behind a wall, he said, in a
place where nobody can see.
Corruption remains rife
While conditions for prisoners can be
made more comfortable through ma-
terial improvements, former prison-
ers and staf say rampant corruption
is the biggest issue that needs to be
tackled.
Virtually everything in prison, from
taking a shower to going to the medita-
tion centre, requires a bribe. For small
favours, guards are normally paid in
cofee mix packets. Prisoners who have
the means can be transferred to more
comfortable accommodation in the
prison hospital, or be allowed to use
a phone or even drink alcohol in their
cell.
Corruption is still a problem in the
prison, former warden U Khin Maung
Myint agreed. I have heard that pris-
oners who dont want to work in work
camps can give money to staf. They
take money even from prisoners who
want to go to the meditation centre in
prison. It shows that bad habits have
not yet been eradicated.
Shops in the prison compounds
that are run by staf to supplement
their income have become locations
for prisoners to meet relatives and ne-
gotiate bribes with guards for better
conditions.
U Tun Kyi said that for those with-
out money, life behind bars can be
extremely difcult, regardless of their
ofence.
Some inmates are from rural areas
and theyre not allowed to have family
visits. Those who dont have money to
bribe guards were beaten, U Tun Kyi
said.
While political prisoners are ill-
treated, those who bribe guards get
privileges ... They can eat well and even
can drink alcohol. There is no equality,
he added.
Changing laws and attitudes
While the improvements at Insein
could one day help to redeem its
tarnished image, legal reform is
required to give prisoners greater
protection from abuse and mistreat-
ment.
New legislation to replace the cur-
rent Prison Law, introduced by the
colonial authorities in 1894, is being
drafted. The Ministry of Home Afairs
says the draft includes input from le-
gal experts and United Nations agen-
cies, such as the International Labour
Organization, the Ofce for the High
Commissioner for Human Rights and
the UN Ofce on Drugs and Crime,
and is currently with the Attorney
Generals Ofce.
Warden U Kyaw Htay said the in-
troduction of the law will mark an
important step forward for reform of
Myanmars prison system, and said
it should be introduced as soon as
possible.
While there are some reforms in
prison, it is necessary to amend the
Prison Law because it is so outdated,
agreed former warden U Khin Maung
Myint.
Enforcement of existing laws is
weak. Ko Kyaw Ko Ko said the deaths
that occurred in the prison after Cy-
clone Nargis were the result of the
prison authorities failure to provide
the conditions stipulated in the 1894
Prison Law.
After the cyclone, prisoners de-
manded that the staf repair the roof
to stop the leaking and to give medi-
cal treatment to ill prisoners but they
didnt do it, he said.
Thats what prompted them to
protest, by setting re to their blankets
and plastic cups, and then prisoners
were shot and killed.
But the incident also highlighted
the disregard with which prisoners
were held by their captors.
When we asked them to save the
sick prisoners, the guards said, Prison
security is most important ... If they
die, we will remove them. Dont say
anything else!
Not only did they show a complete
disregard for or lack of understanding
of human rights and democracy, they
didnt see inmates as human beings.
Former prisoners say a reformed
prison system is one that ensure all
prisoners are treated with dignity, re-
gardless of their political beliefs, their
religion, what crime they have commit-
ted or how much they can aford to
pay to guards.
Prisoners are human, said U Htay
Kywe from the 88 Generation. So we
should have a humane prison system.
and Zar Zar Soe
Behind the walls of Insein
16
Number of political prisoners in Insein,
according to rights groups
Injustice is more
likely to take place
behind a wall in a
place nobody can see.
Nay Phone Latt
Former political prisoner
Photo: Thiri Lu
DHAMMAZEDI BELL
Offcials insist bell must return to pagoda
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ofcials have
threatened legal action if those claim-
ing to have found the Dhammazedi
Bell fail to return it to its former home
Yangons famed Shwedagon Pagoda.
The team behind the salvaging ef-
fort said on August 27 that they had
found the Dhammazedi Bell with the
help of dragon spirits although they
are yet to provide any evidence to sup-
port their claim.
After asking permission from all
noble persons and saints, we deni-
tively declare that we have found the
Dhammazedi Bell, said a statement
from lead organiser U San Linn.
They said they would spend several
days trying to arrange the necessary
equipment to raise it from the depths
of the Yangon River.
We have asked the Ministry of
Transport to give us the help we need
to raise the bell. We will stop our work
for two days because of our current dif-
culties, U Soe Thein, a member of the
bell-raising team and head of the Mon
Literature and Culture Assocation, told
The Myanmar Times on August 27.
U San Linn said that the team had
encountered difculties because the
loop at the top of the bell, on which the
team had planned to tie a rope to pull
it up, had deteriorated over the course
of the four centuries it has lain at the
bottom of the river.
He said that if the team can raise
the bell he wants to place it at Shwed-
agon Pagoda but is unsure what the
governments plans are.
U Myint Aung, the head of the De-
partment of Archaeology, said that
Myanmars cultural regulations dictate
that Shwedagon Pagoda is the only
possible location for the bell if it is sal-
vaged. We will sue [the team] if the
bell is not put back in its original place
because it would violate the Archaeol-
ogy Act, he said.
He expressed skepticism about
whether the team had really located the
bell, which was lost in 1608 when the
Portuguese mercenary Filipe de Brito e
Nicote, better known as Nga Zinka, tried
to ferry it to nearby Thanlyin so he could
melt it to make cannons. Numerous at-
tempts over the past three decades to
nd and raise it have ended in failure.
They need to show a lot of evidence
[that they have found the bell] for a
search of this nature, U Myint Aung
said. They should say precisely at what
depth they have found the bell. But I
want them to be able to raise it as much
as anyone.
But this latest search, launched on
August 9, has captured the imagination
of many who hope to see it raised from
the depths.
About 3000 people have come each
day to a port near a bowling centre in
Thaketa township to watch dozens of
divers, equipped only with goggles and
plastic oxygen hoses, plunge into the
fast-owing waters at Monkey Point,
near where the Yangon and Bago riv-
ers meet.
The bowling centre has set up tents
and donated food for the convenience
of the bell-spotters.
People want to see the bell at
Shwedagon Pagoda, said bowling cen-
tre manager U Thet Htwe. It would
be good if the government helped the
team. It might even get listed in the
Guinness World Records and be some-
thing [for Myanmar] to be proud of.
But it doesnt matter if it cant be
raised. It is praiseworthy that they are
undertaking this mission with nation-
alist spirit.
Organisers have rejected hi-tech
equipment in favour of spiritual prac-
tices, performing rituals on their boat
in the centre of the swollen river to ap-
pease dragon spirits said to be protect-
ing the bell.
It can be found if we organise and
research systematically. But it cannot
be found like this following astrolo-
gers advice and inviting nats, dragons
and galones [mythical birds], said U
Chit San Win, who has been involved in
a number of past searches for the bell.
Fashioned mainly out of bronze, the
Dhammazedi bronze bell is said to have
weighed 294 tonnes - about the same as
the maximum take-of weight of a Boe-
ing 777. Historians believe it was donat-
ed to Shwedagon Pagoda in 1484 by the
Mon King Dhammazedi, who ruled the
southern part of Myanmar at the time.
While no denitive proof has yet
been uncovered of the bells existence,
the search operation has garnered a fol-
lowing of hopeful supporters.
But others are more cynical, with so-
cial media buzzing with posts mocking
some local media reports that appeared
to present as fact the involvement of a
dragon in the salvage.
Can I get the phone number of the
dragon? asked one of many similar
posts. With AFP, translation by Thiri
Min Htun
SHWEGU THITSAR AUNG THU YA
Residents gather on a Yangon riverbank to observe the search for the Dhammazedi Bell on August 27. Photo: AFP
US frms investment to
tackle MDY power woes
MYANMAR will see a boost in power
from a solar project that backers say
could produce up to 12 percent of the
countrys power generation when it
becomes fully operational.
US-based private equity fund ACO
Investment Group said on August 28 it
would develop two 150 megawatt solar
energy plants near Mandalay with an
investment of US$480 million. Under
the agreement with the Ministry of
Electric Power, the plants, slated for
sites in Myingyan and Meiktila, are
scheduled to be online in 2016.
ACO Investment said it expects the
project to create about 400 construc-
tion jobs and 100 permanent positions
at the two plants.
ACO signed a memorandum of
understanding for the project in Feb-
ruary 2013. The project was initially
projected to be considerably larger,
with ACO and Mandalay government
ofcials saying the plants would pro-
duce 1000 MW of electricity with an
investment of $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
ACO Investment managing direc-
tor Hari Achuthan said that the pro-
ject was scaled back after carrying out
feasibility studies.
Despite the smaller size, the an-
nouncement will likely be welcomed
by residents in and around the coun-
trys second-largest city, where frustra-
tion has been mounting over prom-
ised power projects that have failed to
materialise.
Weve been hearing since 2011
that electricity will be generated with
solar cells and more transformers will
be built, but the plans havent mate-
rialised yet. I think they are still try-
ing to work out how much prot they
will make, but in the meantime people
need electricity, Mandalay Minister
for Electrical Power and Industry U
Kyaw Myint said on August 25.
The region, like most of Myanmar,
is mostly dependent on hydropower
for electricity generation. When wa-
ter levels drop during the hot season,
power supply can be sporadic, with ra-
tioning and regular blackouts.
The Mandalay Region government
has drawn up a K26 billion electric-
ity master plan but residents and
government ofcials are frustrated at
how long it has taken for agreements
and initial survey work to develop into
power distribution projects.
ACOs solar project was announced
in conjunction with US Trade Repre-
sentative Michael Fromans visit to
Myanmar, the rst by a US trade rep
to the country.
The $480 million gives a consider-
able boost to US investment in Myan-
mar since a ban on new investment
was lifted two years ago. US compa-
nies have committed about $612 mil-
lion to the country since July 2012,
according to the US State Department.
ACO has shown considerable inter-
est in Myanmar but struggled to make
inroads into the liberalising market.
The group attracted media buzz when
it joined a consortium including Asia
Group, led by Kurt Campbell, the for-
mer assistant secretary of state for
East Asian and Pacic Afairs, to bid
on a contract to overhaul Yangon In-
ternational Airport last year.
A consortium led by Pioneer Aero-
drome Services, an afliate of local
conglomerate Asia World, won the
contract.
ACO also bid on one of Myanmars
two coveted telecoms operating licenc-
es last year but was also unsuccessful.
HUMAN activity, including highly
organised teams of illegal shermen
and wildlife trafckers, are damaging
the ecology of one of the countrys
premier wetlands sanctuaries, a lead-
ing environmental NGO has warned.
BANCA, the Biodiversity and
Nature Association, said in a
presentation on August 27 that the
Moeyungyi Wetland reserve in Bago
and Waw townships, Bago Region, is
under threat from a range of sources.
Bird trapping, battery shing, the
trafcking of turtles and snakes to
China and land-use changes are the
main threats to the environment
and biodiversity of the wetland, the
group says.
The assessment was carried out
with help from lecturers at Bago
University, the forestry department
and local villagers from February 24
to March 2 of this year.
The team recorded 133 bird spe-
cies, 12 species of mammals, 24 spe-
cies of reptiles, 74 species of plants,
37 species of sh and 55 species of
insects. The main threats and chal-
lenges to the systematic manage-
ment of the wetlands were found to
be the capture of birds, sh, mam-
mals and insects, the trafcking
of snakes and turtles to China, the
extension of paddy elds and build-
ings, waste management, excess use
of water and rewood, and of insec-
ticides and pesticides, research con-
sultant U Saw Win told a discussion
on conservation and biodiversity
in the wetlands involving the local
community.
He said BANCA advocated
stronger law enforcement to con-
trol battery shing, the use of illegal
shing nets, bird catching and the
trade in turtles and snakes, as well
as increasing public awareness of
the need for conservation. He also
advised against the release of tilapia
sh, which supplant native species.
U San Hmwe, a sheries depart-
ment ofcial in Bago, said the de-
partment needed help to stamp out
battery shing. Some shermen
use traditional methods. But illegal
battery shermen move at night in
groups of up to 20 people. Some
keep watch and communicate with
the boats by telephone to warn them
of patrols, which makes them hard
to catch. They often outnumber our
patrols and ght back when we ap-
proach. This area is protected by the
forestry department, which should
include security in their manage-
ment plan, he said, proposing mo-
bile enforcement teams backed by
local people, government depart-
ments, administrators and police.
U Tin Win, a sherman from Pyun
Su village in Waw township, says the
number of sh has declined over the
past ve years. Its getting hard to
earn a living. I used to catch about
5 viss [1 viss equals 1.6 kilograms or
3.6 pounds] of sh in a day, but now I
can catch only 1 viss, he said.
U Sai Wunna Kyi, a ranger of
the Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife
Sanctuary, said teams patrolled four
times a month and monitored local
markets for signs of wildlife trading.
If we see any wildlife trading, we
warn the traders the rst time and
take action if we catch them a sec-
ond time, he said, adding that only
half a dozen staf were available to
protect 40 square miles (104 square
kilometres) of wetland.
Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife
Sanctuary was designated as a
Ramsar site in 2004, pursuant to
an international treaty on maintain-
ing the ecological character of their
wetlands.
Moeyungyi Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Aye Sapay Phyu
AYE SAPAY PHYU
ayephyu2006@gmail.com
TIM MCLAUGHLIN SI THU LWIN
Mandalay residents stage a protest against recurrent power cuts in May 2012. Photo: Staff
Poachers are plundering
rare wetlands, NGO says
MILLION US$
480
Amount ACO will invest in two solar
power plants in Mandalay Region
East Timor deserves to join ASEAN
WEVE all been ummoxed occasion-
ally by optical illusions that show
pictures with two or more meanings.
Often ones mind gets so xated on
one image that its difcult to make
out the other one.
A favourite of mine shows the face
of a dour soldier wearing a helmet and
looking grimly into the distance - or
is it actually another soldier bending
over and baring his bottom to the
enemy?
Similarly confusing illusions can
arise in appraisals of whole countries
and not only in the sense of personal
opinions, but in serious analytical
evaluations by apparently educated
people.
An instance of this occurred last
month when the once prestigious
American magazine Foreign Afairs
carried a long and somewhat turgid
article about East Timor.
Now, in the interest of full disclo-
sure, let me register a personal and
wholly sentimental afection for East
Timor that goes back to the 1970s.
At that time, when it was still a
Portuguese colony, I was planning a
sojourn in Lisbon and I came across
a government brochure extolling the
virtues of all the member states of
Portugals then-extensive empire.
Almost as an afterthought, there
was a tiny paragraph on the last page
describing East Timor as an idyllic
and distant backwater that always
delighted its rare visitors.
Immediately, I determined to go
there one day.
Well, it took 40 years, but that day
came two months ago when I boarded
the two-hour nonstop ight from Bali
and then spent a glorious week in
what is now the Democratic Republic
of Timor-Leste (East Timor).
Comprising the eastern half of the
island of Timor in Indonesias eastern
archipelago, it is about three times
the size of Brunei and 20 times that of
Singapore.
Interestingly, although still used
in the countrys name, the Portuguese
language is now spoken by only about
20 percent of the population, mostly
the older folk.
Once theyve mastered Tetum, the
mother tongue for most people, young-
er Timorese prefer to learn English, so
that now about a third of the popula-
tion can speak and understand it.
Aside from that 70s romantic
fantasy, my attitude toward East Timor
was afected by the carnage its people
endured during their struggle for
independence after Indonesia usurped
Portugals role and occupied the
territory.
As well, when based in Washing-
ton, I became friends with the East
Timor ambassador, Constancio Pinto,
a former freedom ghter and now a
sophisticated and cosmopolitan diplo-
mat. So, yes, Im biased.
Still, the article in Foreign Afairs
took me by surprise. It was written
by a young Asian-American, Madhu
Narasimhan, and is titled The Worlds
Youngest Failed State.
Im not sure what the precise de-
nition of a failed state is, but having
spent time in East Timor and in every
ASEAN country, as well as places like
Bangladesh, Eritrea, Yemen, Trans-
dniester and Nagorno-Karabakh,
I must say Im more perplexed by
Madhus assertion than by some of
those optical illusions.
Clearly, I must have been seeing
one thing and Madhu something else
(I am assuming he did actually visit
the place).
He claims that since the ASEAN
economies have been booming and
that Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
and their neighbours have received
plenty of international praise in recent
years, then its difcult to see how
poor, badly performing East Timor can
justify trying to join the group.
His cherry-picking is interesting:
There is no mention of Vietnams ap-
palling economic record since 2008,
and indeed its failure to full the
promise of doi moi since 1986.
Nor any reference to the way the
Lao economy depends on foreign-
owned hydro and mining plants,
nor of the still rudimentary and far
from booming Myanmar economy,
nor of the political and economic
state Cambodia was in when it
joined ASEAN in 1999.
By Madhus parameters, these
nations should all have been deemed
failed states in the 1990s when they
were welcomed into the club and
remember that at that time none of
them had just emerged from a hor-
rendous quarter-century long war of
independence.
Yes, East Timor has a dangerously
high rate of unemployment (roughly
20 percent) but this is not unique in
the region.
As the planning and nance
development committee in Myanmars
Pyithu Hluttaw revealed last year, the
nations unemployment rate was then
about 37pc, while more than a quarter
of the population lived in dire poverty.
In Laos, while more than 75pc of
the workforce is employed in agricul-
ture, only 4pc of the land is arable. As
a result, about 26pc of the Lao popula-
tion live below the poverty line.
Perhaps we should call Laos a
failed state? After all, it has been a
member of ASEAN for 17 years, and
frankly contributed next to nothing.
Intriguingly, according to the
Economist Intelligence Unit, Laos and
East Timor are both expected to grow
8.5pc this year, which means they are
tied as the sixth-fastest-growing econo-
mies in the world.
But perhaps Mahdu regards sixth
out of 195 as a failed grade?
Thankfully, he does concede that
in recent years, the tide of violence
that followed Timors independence
has largely receded, and my personal
reporting conrmed this. Both the
capital Dili and other towns like
Baucau are safe to walk around, even
at night.
Outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) and East Timor
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao shake hands in Dili on August 26. Photo: AFP
ROGER
MITTON
rogermitton@gmail.com
Views
MORE ON NEWS 24
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The first peace dividend:
protecting the people
MYANMARS ceasere negotiations
have yielded more positive results.
Marathon three-day negotiations
between the government and ethnic
armed groups on August 15-17 ended
on a high. Both sides were able to
agree on 26 of the 31 remaining is-
sues. All major hurdles holding back
the negotiations are now out of the
way. The ve remaining points will
be dealt with when the two sides
meet in September.
At long last, the nationwide
ceasere agreement is clearly in
sight. We can now talk about a
signing ceremony in the very near
future, possibly in October - or at
least before the end of the year.
The latest issue that has drawn
attention both at home and abroad
is the agreement to establish a
federal system in Myanmar based
on the outcome of the future politi-
cal negotiations. Putting to one side
the question of how Myanmar can
transform itself into a federal state,
all stakeholders were happy that
they could overcome the federal
hurdle in the negotiations. It was
indeed a critical breakthrough.
For me, though, it is not a topic
that will have an immediate impact
on the conict. We cannot build My-
anmar into a federal state overnight.
The issue that will likely alter the
conict landscape in Myanmar in
the very near future is the protec-
tion provisions for civilians in the
nationwide ceasere agreement.
These provisions are included in
Chapter 3. To me this is the most
important chapter in the document.
Rights violations have been a con-
stant feature of the conict and con-
tributed to Myanmar being accused at
one point of having the worlds worst
human rights record. International
opprobrium focused not only on the
militarys refusal to give up power but
also the long-running armed conicts
it waged in its border areas.
Today, Myanmar is free from
military rule but it is yet to be freed
from armed conict and associated
rights violations.
It is therefore crucial for its
international reputation that Myan-
mar deals with the issues of civilian
protections and human rights that
are related to the armed conict.
More importantly, such an agree-
ment should go a long way toward
easing the fears of populations in
conict areas that ghting could
resume at any time. From the mo-
ment it is signed, it is hoped that
the nationwide ceasere agreement
can sow the seeds for the protection
of human rights in the future.
Negotiators from both sides
understand the importance of civil-
ian protection in armed conict and
have readily agreed on the terms of
Chapter 3 without much discussion.
This willingness on all sides to right
previous wrongs is tremendously
encouraging.
The civilian protection section
contains 18 points, and is in essence
a comprehensive list of prohibitions
and cooperative activities to support
civilians in conict areas. All of these
are to be followed by all armed forces
party to the agreement.
The section requires all signa-
tories to the nationwide ceasere
agreement to cooperate on the
provision of food, shelter, health,
education and local development to
civilians in conict areas. It requires
that these civilians have freedom of
movement.
A Tatmadaw soldier stands guard at a post in Kachin State. Photo: Zarni Phyo
AUNG
NAING OO
Negotiators from
both sides understand
the importance of
civilian protection ...
The willingness
on all sides to right
previous wrongs
is tremendously
encouraging.
In short, Ooredoo
has come up
against Myanmars
formidable
bureaucracy and
red tape.
Government and armed ethnic group leaders have quickly agreed on an important section of the nationwide ceasere: civilian protection
Ooredoo launch
no silver bullet
TELECOM operator Ooredoo of-
cially launched its mobile phone
service on August 15. It was a
milestone in the history of com-
munications in this country and
ended the monopoly of the tel-
ecommunications ministry in the
sector. Norwegian rm Telenor
will also enter the market soon.
But will this increase in
competition satisfy the demands
of the public? To what extent can
these new operators resolve the
communications problems that
Myanmar people face every day?
When it comes to mobile
phones, people basically want
cheap SIM cards that have low
call rates, can be used anywhere
and have reasonable internet ac-
cess. To date, state-run Myanma
Posts and Telecommunications,
which has been the sole mobile
operator in Myanmar, has failed
to meet any of these expectations.
SIM cards distributed by MPT
are expensive and can be hard
to nd. The company charges
high rates, but its service cannot
be used in many parts of the
country and has cripplingly slow
internet. With 9 million subscrib-
ers, fewer than 15 percent of the
population has access to a mobile
phone. Yet this small number of
users is spread across at least
ve networks, including two
types of GSM, CDMA 800MHz,
CDMA 450MHz and a separate
CDMA 800MHz network run by
army-owned Myanmar Economic
Cooperation.
Those who travel regularly
will know that it is common for
one type of connection to work
in a particular township while
another connection does not. As
a result, some people, particularly
those who run a business, travel
with up to three or four phones
so that they can get coverage
wherever they are.
At K50 a minute, MPTs call
rates are also expensive relative
to neighbouring Thailand. But
regardless of its many faults,
consumers have until now had no
option but to use an MPT phone.
Now, Ooredoo has started
selling SIM cards in Yangon,
Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw at
K1500 each. Anyone can buy
one by giving a copy of their
National Registration Card with
one photo at their local phone
store. Ooredoo charges K25 a
minute to call phones on their
network and K35 to call those
on other networks, which is still
cheaper than MPTs rates. So far,
though, its connection has been
unreliable even in the three cities
where it has launched. This is the
main problem for Ooredoo and
the company has disappointed its
users.
The root of the problem is
clear: It is because mobile phone
tower construction was not n-
ished when the company began
selling its SIM cards. According
to a spokesperson from Oore-
doo and another person who is
involved in tower construction,
there have been many difculties
building the towers necessary to
roll out its network.
Myanmars land use law poses
challenges for the companies
building the towers. For exam-
ple, the law species more than
10 types of land and also often
requires that projects receive ap-
proval from more than one min-
istry or department. Company
ofcials were so frustrated with
the delays they encountered deal-
ing with low-level civil servants
that they resorted to petitioning
the president to come up with a
policy to speed the process.
Those building towers in
Yangon have faced somewhat
diferent but no less frustrat-
ing problems. Because of the
scarcity of land, many towers are
to be built on top of residential
buildings. Engineers from the
municipal department have asked
the companies to do many things
before giving approval, such as
seeking permission from the
landlord, examining the strength
of the building and promising to
compensate owners in the case of
any damage to the structure.
To examine the strength of the
building, they need to provide a
blueprint. Because many build-
ings are quite old, the only copy
is with the municipal depart-
ment. When tower-builders asked
the department, it responded that
it would be impossible to nd
the blueprints and this delayed
the network rollout. Fortunately,
the problem was resolved when
a company ofcial presented the
case to higher-ranking ofcers.
However, it is not certain that
all problems can be resolved as
easily.
In short, Ooredoo has come
up against Myanmars formidable
bureaucracy and red tape.
Company ofcials have admit-
ted that there are problems with
their service and promised that
it will improve when the network
is complete. Nevertheless, it is
facing criticism from users for
the poor connection and also
high internet charges, despite the
Ooredoo connection being faster
than that ofered by MPT.
In conclusion, the arrival of
foreign telecom rms is not going
to solve all of Myanmars com-
munications woes immediately.
They will initially struggle to
meet all the needs and desires of
users because the networks are
incomplete. Only when the roll-
out has been completed will users
be able to have a reliable national
network in which they can use
the same phone in all parts of the
country.
Translation by Zar Zar Soe
SITHU AUNG
MYINT
In contrast, the air of violent tension
in Papua, Pattani, Rakhine, Magu-
indanao and eastern Sabah remains
palpable. Yet no one suggests the
ASEAN membership of the likes of
Indonesia and Thailand should be re-
evaluated.
Madhu goes on to lament Timors
undeniable corruption, bloated bu-
reaucracy, press constraints, political
shenanigans and partisan judiciary.
But are these grounds for denying
membership of ASEAN?
If so, then the club will soon be se-
verely depleted, as Malaysia, Vietnam
and the Philippines, among others,
drop by the wayside.
As regards oil and gas reserves,
Mahdu compares petroleum-rich
East Timor unfavourably with Brunei,
mainly because the Timorese sit on
smaller reserves and want to have
more locals involved in the industry.
That may or may not be true, but
having travelled often to Brunei, I
defy anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim,
to say they would rather live in
sharia-shackled Bandar than increas-
ingly cosmopolitan Dili.
Mahdu also chastises the Timor-
ese government for withdrawing
billions of dollars from its Petroleum
Fund to pay for physical infrastruc-
ture and other programs and avers
that this may exhaust the fund.
Well, yes, it might, though it is
highly unlikely. But what of it? Is
he suggesting they should keep the
money in the bank and not develop
the war-ravaged countryside?
He goes on to say, Any travel out-
side the capital city of Dili requires
navigating treacherous mountain
roads that are in shockingly poor
condition.
That is quite true. But it makes
one wonder if he has travelled
the byways of northern Luzon or
northwestern Vietnam or even on the
railways of Thailand, which, unlike
East Timor but like Brunei, Laos and
Vietnam, has now foresworn pluralis-
tic democracy.
No, the article grotesquely maligns
a young vibrant nation that is doing
its best after having been left to rot
by its colonial master and then being
hammered by a massive dictatorial
neighbour. And that is no illusion.
The fact is that ASEAN leaders
agreed last January to accept East
Timor as a member state at the end
of this year. And that is exactly what
they should do.
CONTINUED FROM NEWS 23
Views
The first peace dividend:
protecting the people
A Tatmadaw soldier stands guard at a post in Kachin State. Photo: Zarni Phyo
It prohibits violence, arbitrary
detention, kidnapping, torture,
inhuman treatment, detention
and killing. It also prohibits other
forms of abuse that are rampant in
conict areas, such as forced taxa-
tion, forced relocation, extortion,
arbitrary detention and punishment
without the due process of law.
The agreement also focuses
on issues that are ubiquitous in
Myanmar, such as the appropriation
of land. It prohibits any party from
conscating land or forcibly trans-
ferring land in ceasere areas.
Likewise, the civilian protection
agreement prohibits all parties from
the destruction of schools, hospitals,
clinics and religious institutions or
using any of these as military
fortications in ceasere areas.
Along with the prohibition on any
disruption to the preservation of cul-
tures and traditions, the agreement
calls for the protection of women
and children in conict areas.
These are extremely signicant
in a sense that women and children
are the most obvious victims in an
armed conict. Their protection has
been made a priority by all parties.
The agreement instructs all
parties concerned to refrain from
all forms of sexual violence against
women. In the children section, it
deals with underage recruitment
and prohibits other forms of abuse.
These provisions will be
strengthened by other sections of
the agreement, such as those that
focus on troop relocations and
demarcations. They will also be but-
tressed by developing and imple-
menting codes of conduct and joint
ceasere monitoring mechanisms.
Once the agreement is signed
and validated, all hostilities are
likely to stop. As a result, cases of
abuse committed against civilians
by armed forces are expected to
decline dramatically. This will rep-
resent a signicant peace dividend
that will reinforce trust and restore
normalcy to otherwise vulnerable
civilians in conict areas.
The civilian protection provisions
contained in the nationwide cease-
re agreement are ambitious. But
when it comes to civilian protection,
it is good to be ambitious because
the issue is of the utmost impor-
tance. All parties to the nationwide
ceasere agreement must adhere to
these provisions without fail.
Aung Naing Oo is associate director
of the Peace Dialogue Program at the
Myanmar Peace Center. The opinions
expressed here are his own.
Government and armed ethnic group leaders have quickly agreed on an important section of the nationwide ceasere: civilian protection
Trading on our strengths
VISITING Myanmar last week, I was
struck by this countrys potential and
by the commitment of the people
I met to signicant political and
economic reform.
There is still a long way to go in
its transition and ongoing work on
democracy and human rights will
be essential. But I came away feeling
positive about the future of Myan-
mar and about the wide-ranging
support from Australia for those re-
forms. Australia and Myanmar share
a common vision for the future, a
vision of a stable and prosperous
region and one in which Myanmar is
able to reach its full potential.
Myanmar was once the food bowl
of Asia. It can be again.
Myanmars strategic location and
growing regional integration open
up exciting new possibilities to work
together through regional forums,
including ASEAN and the East Asia
Summit. This year marks the 40
th

anniversary of ASEAN-Australia
relations and with it comes an op-
portunity for Australia and ASEAN
to re-commit to this successful
partnership. I was very impressed
with Myanmars chairmanship of
ASEAN-related meetings. Australia
has committed to building on the
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free
Trade Agreement as well as further-
ing the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership.
Last week I also spent time in
Yangon, where I met industry and
business leaders to discuss expand-
ing bilateral trade and investment
between Australia and Myanmar.
Economic reforms including
the revised Foreign Investment Law,
improved monetary policies and im-
port tarif reductions have already
started rejuvenating Myanmars
economy.
In the process they have opened
up opportunities to increase bilateral
trade and investment between our
two countries. Until now, this aspect
of the relationship has been
relatively modest, with total
merchandise trade totalling AUS$137
million (US$128.2 million) in 2013.
However, I am condent this
will expand quickly. Myanmars
economic outlook is promising, with
growth predicted to reach 8.5 per-
cent in 2014. The countrys natural
resources, including oil, gas, miner-
als and hydropower, can further
bolster this. These areas clearly align
with Australias own strengths and
expertise and it is these industries
which, to a large extent, have driven
our own national development. They
are the things we do well.
Australian businesses are increas-
ing their presence in Myanmar in
energy and resources but also in the
infrastructure, nance and banking
sectors, which are all crucial to My-
anmars future economic prosperity.
Australian experience and
technology in these elds is already
contributing to sustainable economic
development. Australian engineer-
ing rms, for example, are involved
in the design and construction of
roads that will improve Myanmars
transport and logistics networks.
They are providing environmen-
tal and social impact assessments
for mining and hydropower projects
and advising on the restoration of
heritage buildings as well as modern
residential complexes in Yangon.
Our mining, oil and gas compa-
nies are likewise also contributing
expertise to sustainable, responsible
and efcient resource development.
Other sectors where Australian
expertise aligns with Myanmars
development needs include agribusi-
ness and education.
We are working closely with
Myanmar to support reform in these
areas. Australia is one of the largest
donors to Myanmars education
sector, providing AUS$105 million
($98.3 million) from 2012 to 2018 to
help strengthen the school system
and underpin further learning and
skills development.
It is obvious that agriculture
plays a vital role in both our coun-
tries. In Myanmar it employs some
70pc of the workforce. Australia has
specialised expertise that Myan-
mar can draw on as it develops its
agricultural sector, including in areas
such as animal and plant genetics
and animal husbandry.
Australias pre-eminent agri-
cultural research institute, the
Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research (ACIAR), is
already working in Myanmar to help
farmers improve the quantity and
quality of food production.
Australia is also supporting the
provision of healthcare services,
particularly to women and children.
The risk of disease is still high in
Myanmar and this can constrain
economic growth. Australian
universities, hospitals and non-
government groups are already
working with their counterparts in
Myanmars health sector. Increased
collaboration between our respective
institutions and researchers in the
eld of tropical health would be a
worthwhile endeavour.
Australias aid to Myanmar,
which is expected to reach AUS$90
million ($84.3 million) in 2014-15, is
already helping create an environ-
ment conducive to economic growth
and increased trade by strengthen-
ing government capacity, promoting
peace and stability, and supporting
the development of a healthy, edu-
cated population.
In meetings with my
counterparts, I reiterated Australias
commitment to increasing our
engagement in Myanmar in ways
which will encourage trade and eco-
nomic diversication. Australia has
supported Myanmar in its reforms
to date and I look forward to a con-
tinued partnership as we seek new
opportunities for collaboration and
expanded trade and investment ties.
This will lead to greater prosper-
ity for all.
Andrew Robb is Australias Minister for
Trade and Investment.
ANDREW
ROBB
MILLION US$
128
Bilateral trade between Myanmar
and Australia in 2013
26 THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
Business
An importer stacks boxes near the Chinese border. Photo: Staff
A POSSIBLE opening of the import-
export sector to foreign companies is
being opposed by some local business
claiming they risk being out-competed.
Of cials from the Ministries of
Commerce and of National Planning
and Economic Development have
said it is an eventual goal at several
press events in recent weeks, and
many businesspeople support the
move, saying it will help Myanmar
products penetrate foreign markets.
Still, many local businesspeople
say they oppose any plans to open
the import-export sector.
Daw Toe Nandar Tin, owner of
Annawa Dewi seafood factory in
Yangon, said local businesses are
often already struggling, while in-
ternational companies will have far
cheaper access to capital.
In a situation where foreign
companies with large capital are
permitted to trade, they could quick-
ly monopolise the countrys trading
system, she said.
Local trading businesses will be
hit strong I worry a lot for this.
However, others say that if for-
eign rms are not permitted to trade,
it will be dif cult to develop domes-
tic industries.
Independent economist U Hla
Maung said countries like South
Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong
Kong have given permission for for-
eign rms to conduct training, and
as a consequence grown larger and
larger.
International companies know
how to sell goods to the world mar-
ket, and how to nd buyers. Local
companies dont know how to do
that, he said.
U Hla Maung added local com-
panies will have the opportunity to
partner with foreign giants to grow
their business.
I dont think local business will
collapse because of foreign rms, he
said.
Local rms are indeed often
struggling to stand, and in many
cases have only recently begun oper-
ating, said U Maung Aung, economic
advisor to the Ministry of Commerce.
However, they do not have ad-
equate capital and skills to penetrate
many international markets, which
requires connections with foreign
rms, he said.
Trading in the international
markets by cooperating with foreign
rms has a lot more potential than
being limited to the local market, he
said.
U Maung Aung also cautioned
that the market would not be opened
overnight, adding it will take some
time before permission is given.
The Ministry of Commerce has
been reviewing the countrys trade
policy with the assistance of the
World Trade Organisation to bring
it into line with international prac-
tices, and it is important to follow in-
ternational best practices, he added.
Local businessperson U Hnin Oo
said that while the US and the EU
have eased sanctions on Myanmar,
it is proving dif cult for local com-
panies to penetrate foreign markets.
I dont think local businesses
would be hit by permitting foreign
rms to do trading, he said. In-
stead, we can nd better opportuni-
ties by cooperating with them.
Local business often have a knee-
jerk reaction to protect local com-
merce, when they should be looking
at opportunities to invest in foreign
countries, especially ones that only
recently opened their doors to Myan-
mar, he said.
Many Myanmar businesses rely
on rent-seeking and dont know how
to do formal business, and so they
worry about how to compete on level
playing elds, he said.
U Hnin Oo added that some large
projects such as the special econom-
ic zone require foreign interest to be
a success, and so it is important to
welcome their inclusion.
Other local businesses said they
are actively seeking trade links with
established markets.
Myanmar Agribusiness Public
Company managing director U Ye
Min Aung said that even though
there are opportunities to sell My-
anmar rice to Europe, he reckons it
will dif cult without international
partners. He added the rm is dis-
cussing possible tie-ups with Euro-
pean companies.
Foreign trader
plans greeted
by opposition
ZAW HTIKE
zawhtikemjm1981@gmail.com
International rms
know how to sell
goods to the world
market, and how to
nd buyers
U Hla Maung
Economist
27 BUSINESS EDITOR: Jeremy Mullins | jeremymullins7@gmail.com
Yoma Strategic
CEO talks future
beyond property
BUSINESS 28
Mystery city spurs
speculation rush
west of Yangon
PROPERTY 36
Exchange Rates (August 29 close)
Currency Buying Selling
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar
K1278
K306
K775
K30
K970
K1279
K307
K780
K31
K973
WESTERN companies will likely
build the next set of hydropower
dams in Myanmar, following years
of Chinese construction dominating
the industry, according to Ministry
of Electric Power (MOEP) deputy
minister U Maw Thar Htwe.
The previous military govern-
ment had signed agreements for 60
hydropower projects, mostly with
Chinese rms but also Thai and In-
dian companies, he said last week.
The trend for hydropower pro-
ject implementation is to turn to
Western companies, he said. We
are going to work only with inter-
national-standard companies who
have reliable construction quality
and nancing.
Although 60 agreements had
been signed, only 37 are still con-
tinuing, as several were cancelled
by the civilian government, said U
Maw Thar Htwe.
Deals to create projects such as
Htamanthi in Chin State, Lay Nyo 1
and 2 and Seintin in Rakhine State,
as well as a few others were stopped.
We will not allow these projects
if they dont complete environmen-
tal and social impact assessment
surveys, he said.
President U Thein Sein also halt-
ed the high prole Myitsone project
in Kachin State in 2011 following
public opposition over its potential
impact.
However, Myanmar is also keen to
address a chronic electricity supply
problem partly through hydropower.
MOEP is planning several new
hydropower projects with companies
from Western countries in Europe
and North America.
The Shweli 3 project is to be
built by rm from the United King-
dom and France, while the Middle
Yeywar and Bawgata projects will
be built by Norwegian rms, and
the Middle Paunglaung project will
be handled by Austrian or British
rms.
Future projects will also heavily
consider Western companies, the
deputy minister added.
However, the government also
signed agreements with three Chi-
nese rms and a Thai company to
build four hydropower projects on
Thanlwin river last year.
U Maw Thar Htwe made the re-
marks while speaking at a resettle-
ment site for nearly 10,000 people,
relocated following concerns over
ooding from Upper Paunglaung
Hydropower Project. Authorities
said it was the rst such large-scale
relocation site in Myanmar.
The resettlement of 23 villages
and the hydro project cost an esti-
mated K320 billion (US$329 mil-
lion) implemented by a Chinese rm
but owned by MOEP.
The Upper Paunglaung generat-
ing station is to start testing next
month, with the two Chinese-manu-
factured turbines on line by the end
of the year. It has total installed ca-
pacity of 140 megawatts.
Hydropower development to
be diverted to Western frms
THE growth of international business-
es interested in setting up shop has
been paralleled by growth in foreign
workers at least temporarily calling
Myanmar home.
Whereas a year and a half ago there
were not many foreign expatriate work-
ers, or expats, around, now they are
just about everywhere, said Ko Lin
Kyaw Tun, director of Yangon-based
Career Development Consultancy.
That is denitely an indicator that
something is changing in the business
world, he said.
Expats from numerous countries
are coming to Yangon, driven by the
demand their expertise from foreign
and increasingly local companies
alike.
Even the local companies are
starting to bring in expats, said Ko
Lin Kyaw Tun. They are forming joint
ventures with foreign companies, so
they need this international standard
to connect with other international
companies.
Business leaders said that foreign
expats often have a range of experience
they can bring to bear in local markets.
Expat
workers
fnd their
niche
Upper Paunglaung hydropower project. Photo: Aung Shin
JEREMY MULLINS
MORE ON BUSINESS 25
AUNG
SHIN
koshumgtha@gmail.com
THE subsidiary Myanmar Investments
International Ltd has signed an agree-
ment with a local company to create
a micronance company in Myanmar.
Claiming the newly formed Myan-
mar Finance International could be
the rst foreign micronance joint
venture in the country, the partners
have agreed to contribute US$4.8 mil-
lion in capital, it said in a press release.
Myanmar Investments will con-
tribute $2.75 million and own 55 per-
cent of the new rm, while Myanmar
Finance Company (MFC) the local
partner, which currently provides
loans to small-scale business opera-
tors in Yangon and Bago regions will
own the rest.
Myanmar Investments Interna-
tional listed on the London Stock Ex-
changes AIM submarket in June 2013.
U Aung Htun, managing director
of Myanmar Investments, said in the
press release that there are lots of re-
gional micronance success stories.
A well-run micronance business
in a well-regulated environment repre-
sents a socially responsible investment
as well as an attractive commercial op-
portunity as has been demonstrated
elsewhere in Southeast Asia, he said.
U Htet Nyi, founder and managing
director of local partners MFC, said
the new joint venture will enable the
rm to ofer more loans more quickly,
adding to its estimated 10,000 clients.
The joint venture is conditional on
the new rm, Myanmar Finance In-
ternational, receiving its own micro-
nance licence, which is expected to be
issued by the Myanmar Micronance
Supervisory Enterprise, an arm of the
Ministry of Finance, the press release
said.
Myanmar has prioritised develop-
ing micronance as a way to promote
poverty alleviation and development.
In 2011, a micronance law was re-
leased, and authorities have been
working on follow-up rules and regu-
lations governing the industry.
More than 200 organisations have
so far received micronance licences,
though the new rm will be one of the
biggest, it claimed.
Myanmar also currently main-
tains a cap on loan size of K500,000
(US$514) and a cap on interest rates of
2.5 percent a month for MFIs.
Independent economist U Hla
Maung said that the 2.5pc interest rate
micronance institutions are allowed
to provide is well below rates as high
as 10pc that local moneylenders often
charge farmers, but is still about twice
what banks are allowed to charge
Foreign frm signs on
for microfnance
ZAW HTIKE
zawhtikemjm1981@gmail.com
MILLION US$
4.8
Capital for the new joint venture
The trend for
hydropower project
implementation is
to turn to Western
companies.
U Maw Thar Htwe
Ministry of Electric Power ofcial
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
28 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
ALTHOUGH Myanmar does not have
a modern stock market, it does boast
a rm which has actively traded on a
modern exchange for nearly a decade.
Yoma Strategic Holdings has been
listed on the Singapore Exchange since
2006, though for much of this period
its shares were not particularly active.
Only since early 2012, following the
reforms of the U Thein Sein adminis-
tration, have share prices reached their
current heights and trading volumes.
Yoma Strategic CEO Andrew Rick-
ards said the rm is in a fortunate posi-
tion to own assets in a market where
prices are going up.
There is no doubt that in a rising
tide, all boats rise, he said in an inter-
view with The Myanmar Times. While
Yoma Strategic has clearly beneted
from being in a growing market, he
said he credits the rms employees
with its success.
Timing as is often the case is
everything, he said, though adding a
strong management team is also cru-
cial. You need to overlay that with a
management team that is able to ex-
ecute. Because it would be possible to
rise a certain amount only to nd your
boat has a few holes in it, and then you
dont continue to rise.
Real estate notably its two largest
projects Pun Hlaing Golf Estate and
Star City currently make up about 90
percent of the rms revenues, accord-
ing to its 2014 annual report. The rm
turned a prot of S$23 million (US$18
million) on revenues of S$100 million
in the 2014 scal year, from a prot of
S$14 million on revenues of S$60 mil-
lion the previous year.
Yet Mr Rickards said the rm is
planning to increasingly move into
other sectors, pointing to a number of
deals inked in the last three years.
Our desire to have a much more
balanced prole of businesses, he said.
Mr Rickards himself joined Yoma
Strategic in 2011, after a career pri-
marily in investment banking in Asian
emerging markets.
Several years ago he visited both
Cuba and Myanmar, taking the view
that both could be quite interesting.
The ingredients that previously made
Myanmar a leading Asian economy a
century ago location, population, size,
resource wealth, agricultural capabil-
ity, English-speaking ability were still
there, he said. I took the view that if
you changed the way the country was
managed, then all these attributes
could yet again come into play and the
country could be very successful.
After discussions with Yoma Stra-
tegic chair and prominent Myanmar
businessman Serge Pun, Mr Rickards
took the reins as CEO of Yoma in No-
vember 2011. The rm had been creat-
ed by Mr Pun, who in 2006 injected as-
sets into and renamed an already listed
shell company, Sea View Hotel Limited.
Mr Rickards said apart from a blip
when Yoma rst listed, its stock price
had been relatively subdued.
Myanmar was going through
some dif cult years and that was obvi-
ously reected in Yomas stock price. It
trotted along at 6 and 7 [Singapore]
cents for quite a long time, he said.
Yet the share price skyrock-
eted after the reforms
began and
M r
Rickards joined the company, reaching
a high of near S$1 (US$0.79) mid-2013,
and trading at S$0.71 (US$0.57) at close
last week.
Mr Rickards said listing provides
several advantages. It creates a bench-
mark for the assets, which is otherwise
tough to do in a country with no stock
or bond market, as well as providing
wider access to the capital markets and
attracting a wider array of employees
and potential partners than it might
otherwise have done.
Although Yomas boat may be ris-
ing on growing real estate prices, some
speak of the potential for a property
bubble. Mr Rickards however said
there are very high prices being paid
in the centre of Yangon, but there has
been less indication of a bubble away
from downtown where Yomas two
largest current projects Star City and
Pun Hlaing Golf Estate are located.
Many developers have also an-
nounced projects that will not end up
being built, he said.
If you took all the noise in town, all
the people who say theyre going to do
projects, if they are all to come of, then
okay maybe we will have a problem,
he said. But theres a big gap between
whats actually happening, whos actu-
ally broken ground, and those who as-
pire to do projects.
The rm also has one real estate
project outside of Myanmar, with a
shopping mall in Dalian, China. It
was acquired a few years ago, though
it currently looks a bit odd given the
Myanmar focus of Yoma, and may be
divested in the future, he said.
Yoma has drawn headlines over its
proposed US$400 million Landmark
project at the former Burma Railway
of ces on Bogyoke Aung San Road in
downtown Yangon, which is currently
secured with leases with 24 and 26
years left.
The leases were held by Serge Pun-
chaired private rm SPA, but in a deal
announced in 2012, Yoma was to ac-
quire the site to develop the project by
leveraging its access to capital. Trans-
ferring the site to Yoma was initially
based on securing a lease extension
to 70 years, but in June 2014 the rm
decided to proceed anyway with the
acquisition, expecting to receive the
longer lease at a later date.
Mr Rickards said that while the
rm still expects to receive the exten-
sion, if it does not, some parts of the
projects such as of ce space and retail
are still viable. The rm has also been
raising capital on the Singapore stock
exchange, attracting S$94.5 million last
month, with 50 to 70pc earmarked for
real estate. The funds are part of about
S$294.5 million it has raised over the
last two and a half years, with plans
announced for another S$166 million.
Although property constitutes 90pc
of Yoma Strategics revenues in the 2014
scal year, it has entered into a number
of deals in diferent industries over the
last two years. It purchased a majority
stake in the operator of Balloons over
Bagan in March 2013, joined mobile op-
erator Digicell in a mobile tower com-
pany in December 2013, and has inked
agreements in areas as diverse as im-
porting Mitsubishi vehicles, to a cofee
plantation in Ayeyarwady Region, to a
dairy industry, cold storage and retail
with Malaysian chain Parksons.
Currently dominated by property,
Yoma would like to have a more bal-
anced prole of businesses, said Mr
Rickards.
What were saying is that in ve
years time we hope to be about 50pc
property, 50pc other, he said. Now
that is a tougher goal to get to than it
might seem, because property is going
to grow so quickly which means my
other businesses are going to need to
grow even quicker while starting from
a smaller base.
Mr Rickards has also stated the
rms longer-term ambitions to be the
Jardine Matheson of Myanmar.
Jardine Matheson is a group that
has longevity. Its been around for
over 150 years. Okay, it may have had
a slightly bumpy start, being an opium
trader, but thats a long time ago and
thats not what we aspire to by the way,
he said jokingly.
If you look at Hongkong Land, As-
tra, Jardine Cycle and Carriage, these
are very well run businesses that are
all linked via the 48
th
oor of Jardine
House in Hong Kong, which I think
keeps a fairly good grip other than
letting people run their businesses,
he said. But when it comes to raising
capital, I think head of ce has a certain
say over that.
Although Yoma has big ambi-
tions, all this will not happen over-
night.
In their [Jardines] case theyve
been at it a long time, and for me to
aspire to be that is a bit
cheeky; I mean Im a
long way of, said
Mr Rickards.
Yoma grows on property
but works to diversify
JEREMY
MULLINS
Yoma Strategic Holdings CEO Andrew Rickards. Photo: Zarni Phyo
Yoma Strategic Holdings
historical share price.
Source: Google Finance
INTERVIEW
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IV/585/2008(24 Jan 2014)
IV/4333/2014(22 April 2014)
IV/588/2008(25 Jan 2008)
IV/4334/2014(22 April 2014)
IV/583/2008(25 Jan 2014)
IV/4335/2014(9 April 2014)
IV/581/2008(25 Jan 2008)
IV/4336/2014(22 April 2014)
IV/587/2008(25 Jan 2008)
IV/4337/2014(22 April 2014)
COMFORT HOTEL
IV/582/2008(28 Jan 2008)
IV/4338/2014 (22 April 2014)
The above trademarks are used in respect of Hotel and motel
services, hotel and motel reservation services for others, and online
hotel and motel reservation services for others in Class 43.
For Choice Hotels International, Inc.,
U Soe Phone Myint
Advocate
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
CHOICE HOTELS
CLARION
COMFORT SUITES
QUALITY HOTEL
SLEEP INN
Business 29 www.mmtimes.com
Andrew Rickards, CEO of Yoma
Strategic Holdings, said the rm is for-
tunate to have employees from diverse
backgrounds, including foreigners and
locals.
The majority of its employees are
Myanmar people who never left the
country, though he said the rm also
employs expatriates and returned
Myanmar people.
While repatriates often bring
both local and international experi-
ence, expatriates often have experi-
ence garnered in diferent markets.
In Mr Rickards case he has worked
in a number of Asian countries
including India, Vietnam and
Indonesia.
I think theres a lot of relevance
because a lot of what Im seeing here
today I might have seen 10, 15, 20
years ago in some of these other mar-
kets, he said.
Mr Rickards credited a strong
management team with assisting
Yoma Strategics performance in re-
cent years.
Yet for many companies par-
ticularly local companies there are
signicant cost hurdles for hiring
foreigners.
Expats are generally not cheap.
A 2014 Salary Survey report by
Myanmar Survey Research (MSR)
said the median salary is US$4000
for an expat, with ranges between
$2000 and $9000 a month most
common. And this estimate does
not include additional perks for
some, like housing, schooling and
transportation allowances.
Salaries for Myanmar people tend
to be lower. Although all salaries range
widely based on factors like industry,
experience and qualications, MSRs
survey shows a middle-manager earns
about $1000 a month when paid in US
dollars and $417 a month when paid
in Myanmar kyat in the private sector.
Similar middle management at INGOs
earn $830, at embassies about $1030
and government $179, the data shows.
MSR associate director U Ye Nyunt
said that diferences are not necessari-
ly a matter of preferences for foreigner
or local, but rather that it depends on
ability.
Sometimes a local employee can
do a much better job than a foreigner,
so it depends on the skill, he said.
Foreigners are educated abroad,
often at quality institutions, while My-
anmar people are not always able to
attend top-end universities.
Expats also have the benet of
international experience, which is
lacking in Myanmar given its years of
isolation.
Skills, and international experi-
ence and learning these areas are
very important to determining sala-
ries, said MSR research program di-
rector U Maung Maung Than.
MSRs research also shows that ex-
pats are claiming expenses are on the
rise in Yangon.
In the 2013 scal year expats
claimed to spend $2500 a month sup-
porting their lifestyle, including $300
on food, $900 on accommodation and
$1300 on other expenses, though the
gure has grown this year to $2900 a
month, with $400 going to food, $1100
on accommodation and $1400 on oth-
er expenses.
PJ Bernardo, principal foreign
consulting attorney at Kelvin Chia
Yangon, said that unlike some coun-
tries there is no strict quota on the
number of foreigner and local em-
ploys, unless it is stated in an invest-
ment permit from Myanmar Invest-
ment Commission.
As local manpower capacity is cur-
rently not too strong in several sectors,
foreigners often ll the gap, though as
capacity grows, rms will gradually
hire more locals, he said.
Kelvin Chia foreign consulting at-
torney John Lichtefeld said the MIC
has a requirement to train local staf,
with the idea being to continuously
hire more and more Myanmar for
skilled positions and proactively train
them up, though its policies are also
somewhat exible.
Expats are also usually conned
to technical and managerial posi-
tions.
Mr Bernardo said international
managers play a role in bridging lo-
cal and international practice, while
running the business at the day-to-day
level is usually in the hands of Myan-
mar people.
The role of the foreign manager is
precisely to bridge that connection be-
tween local practice and foreign prac-
tice, he said.
I think its fair to say that the
legal and the commercial structures
are undeveloped. I think the best way
to develop those structures is to get
it from people who have experience
elsewhere.
Ko Lin Kyaw Tun said that while
on the whole it is a good thing expats
are arriving, there are disadvantages
to making extensive use of employees
coming from a foreign country.
Of course there are issues. Expats
need to know more about the local
context, how we do business, learn-
ing the market. This is all important
information that expats need to know,
he said.
Weve seen some expats not un-
derstanding these factors well enough,
so what can happen is there is conict
between expats and locals. There are
those problems.
See related article Staying
Legal: A look at immigration
laws for foreign workers on
Page 28.
CONTINUED FROM BUSINESS 23
Expat workers fnd their niche as businesses hunt for global standards
Foreigners enjoy after-work drinks at The Lab. Photo: Staff
CREDIT rating is still on track to start
during 2014, though delays in gather-
ing data, particularly from small en-
terprises, are still being faced, indus-
try sources said last week.
The Central Banks department of
nancial institutions supervision, with
technical support from a Singapore
credit corporation, is preparing for the
emergence of a credit bureau or rating
agency that could ofer loans without
collateral.
But gathering nationwide data, es-
pecially for SMEs, is lagging, said one
Central Bank ofcial who requested
anonymity. The industry needs the
right information to build trust, he
said.
Local insurance rms have been
ofering credit guarantees since May,
providing recommendations to assure
bank loans, making appraisals and
guaranteeing to reimburse 50 percent
of the loan in the event the customer
cannot repay. Meanwhile, domestic
banks recently raised savings inter-
est rates from 8.7pc to 10pc on xed
deposits with the aim of increasing
money supply, the ofcial said.
U Kyaw Lwin, director of Treasure
Bank, said the banks credit depart-
ment appraises the property of loan ap-
plicants because of a Central Bank pol-
icy that non-performing loans (NPL)
should not comprise more than 3pc of
their portfolio. Our bank has restric-
tions on lending policy and collateral
because we worry about NPL, he said.
U Thant Sin, CEO of United Am-
ara Bank, said banks were unlikely
to share information with each other
because they had yet to adopt detailed
procedures issued by the Central Bank.
U Win Myint, secretary of parlia-
ments Banks and Monetary Afairs
Development Committee, said the
committee was ready to advise on the
Central Banks new policy on credit
once the proposals were available.
Credit
bureau
coming
AYE THIDAR KYAW
ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com
NYAN LYNN AUNG
29.nyanlynnaung@gmail.com
THE collective ASEAN economy is do-
ing well despite a slow international
recovery, as action is being taken to
improve trade in ASEAN, according
to a statement from economic of cials
following the conclusion of high-level
meetings last week.
Eliminating non-tarif barriers
among member nations were tackled
as the blocks members stand ready
to deepen integration and lower trade
and investment barriers with 2015
ASEAN Economic Community.
The ministers welcome the contin-
uing economic expansion in the ASEAN
region despite the weak global recov-
ery, the ministers said in a joint state-
ment at the conclusion of the ASEAN
Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting
held on August 25 to 28 in Nay Pyi Taw.
The ministers also jointly expressed
deep concern over the impasse of the
adoption of a World Trade Organiza-
tion deal in July that was to streamline
global customs procedures.
The deal which required the
support of all WTO members was
blocked by India. Of cials from India
previously said they declined to back
the deal unless given more room to
subsidise farming without penalty.
India is one of several so-called
plus one countries with seperate
agreements with ASEAN on free trade.
Others include China, Japan, South Ko-
rea, and Australia and New Zealand.
Australia and New Zealand signed
an amendment to their joint free trade
agreement with ASEAN on August 26,
which Australia trade and investment
minister Andrew Robb said is to cre-
ate a common set of rules for areas like
customs procedures, aiming to reduce
paperwork and costs.
Australia exported about Aus$116
million (US$108 million) to Myanmar
in 2013, about two-thirds of which was
wheat, while Myanmar shipped exports
worth about Aus$21 million in the oth-
er direction largely seafood.
Mr Robb said Australia is keen to
assist with creating the rules that can
help Myanmar not only trade with us,
but trade with the rest of the world.
There is an absence of rules that
give certainty and predictability, which
if developed could help grow invest-
ment and trade.
With our aid program we are try-
ing to help Myanmar develop the rules
and regulations, he said in an inter-
view with The Myanmar Times. My-
anmar makes its own rules, but it has
to have a set of rules that are consistent
and well thought out.
Australia provides substantial aid
annually to Myanmar, and works close-
ly with government and civil society, he
said. Mr Robb added he plans to bring
a delegation of Australian businesspeo-
ple to the country in the future.
Canadas minister for interna-
tional trade Ed Fast also said the
country is also looking to strengthen
ties in the ASEAN region, making a
particular push since 2011 through
measures such as hosting an ASEAN
delegation in Canada.
Right now were looking at improv-
ing our trade promotion activities with-
in the ASEAN Region, he said.
Although Canada does not have a
free trade agreement with ASEAN, Mr
Fast said Canada is negotiating the
Trans Pacic Partnership free trade
agreement with a number of countries
including four ASEAN members.
Canadas merchandise trade with
ASEAN reached US$16.5 billion in
2013, though only a small fraction $17
million was with Myanmar, according
to Canadian government statistics.
Mr Fast also called the country My-
anmar when speaking to reporters in
Yangon on August 28, while other Ca-
nadian of cials have called it Burma
at recent press conferences. Asked
about the name issue, Mr Fast said:
Im in Myanmar, and I am respectful
of the name that the people of Myan-
mar refer to their country as.
Additional reporting by Jeremy
Mullins, Catherine Trautwein and
Bloomberg
ASEAN ministers tout strong ties
INDIAN authorities stepped up their
inspections of goods from Myanmar,
causing a backlog to pile up at the
Tamu border crossing in Sagaing Re-
gion earlier this month, according to
local border traders.
Although some traders claimed
India has increased border tarifs and
said this is the reason for the backlog,
this has been disputed by Indian of -
cials who say tarifs remain the same.
Other traders say the backlog was in-
stead the result of more vigorous in-
spections for illegal imports.
Myanmar-India Border Chambers
of Commerce chair U Hla Maung said
Myanmar authorities have not been the
reason for the delays.
Indian customs have seized ille-
gally imported goods, and traders are
coming back to Tamu with their goods,
and they were piling up, he said earlier
this month.
Local traders now say the border is
back to normal, with exports to India
carrying on as before the early August
problems.
Much of Myanmars exports through
Tamu are betel nut as well as products
originally from Thailand or China,
while Myanmar imports goods like
pharmaceuticals, wheat and machinery
from India, according to one trader.
Of cial trade through the Tamu
crossing reached about US$30.8 mil-
lion in the 2013-14 scal year, with
about two-thirds being Myanmars
exports and one-third Myanmars im-
ports, according to statistics from the
Tamu Border Trade of ce. In the rst
four months of the 2014-15 scal year,
bilateral trade volumes through Tamu
stood at $13.7 million.
A rumour had spread among some
traders that tarifs had risen, spurred
by reports in local media, causing them
to stockpile goods in Tamu.
However, of cials from the Indian
Embassy said there was no recent in-
crease in taxes or customs duties.
Indian Embassy deputy chief of
mission Sailas Thangal said that while
there are several structures for duties
on imports from Myanmar, none of
them had changed recently.
Therefore the [local media] report
that India has increased the import
duty at the border trade post is not
true, he said.
The two countries are working to
enhance border trade as well as nor-
mal commercial ties, said Mr Thangal.
There are regular bilateral border trade
committee meetings held to discuss
matters of mutual concern, with the
next coming to India in 2014.
Duties are levied depending on vol-
ume, types and costs of the goods that
are being imported and exported from
the Tamu-Moreh post, he added.
India and Myanmar signed a deal
on border trade in 1994, and currently
have two open border gates for com-
merce. The largest by trade volumes is
the Moreh-Tamu gate, while Zowkhatar
on the Indian side also connects to the
Myanmar town of Rhi. A third border
crossing has been proposed at Avak-
hung in India connected to Pansat in
Myanmar.
Myanmar goods qualify under In-
dias Duty Free Tarif Preference pro-
gram, said Mr Thangal.
Total border trade between India
and Myanmar reached $48.6 million,
according to Myanmars Ministry of
Commerce.
Goods clear Indian
border after impasse
SU PHYO
WIN
suphyo1990@gmail.com
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that Japan Tobacco Inc. a company
organized under the laws of Japan and principal ofce at 2-2-1
Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the Owner and Sole
Proprietor of the following trademark: -
PREMIER
(Reg: Nos. IV/1488/1982 & IV/9702/2014)
in respect of :- Tobacco products.
or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according
to law.
for Japan Tobacco Inc.
Phone: 372416
Dated: 1
st
September, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that ATLANTIC INDUSTRIES a
company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and having
its principal ofce at PO Box 309, Ugland House, South Church
Street, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands is
the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:-
(Reg: Nos. IV/997/1982 & IV/10263/2014)
in respect of: - Mineral and aerated (carbonated) waters and other
non-alcoholic beverages used as soft drinks or as mixers; syrups
and other preparations for making beverages
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or
for ATLANTIC INDUSTRIES
st
September, 2014
TRADEMARK CAUTION
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Company incorporated and
existing under the laws of Japan, and having its registered ofce
at 2-9 Kanda-Tsukasamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, hereby
declares that the Company is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of
the following Trademarks:
Reg. No. IV/1311/2014 (11
February 2014)
Reg. No. IV/1312/2014 (11
February 2014)
Reg. No. IV/1313/2014 (11 February 2014)
The above trademarks are used in respect of: Dietetic foods
adapted for medical purpose; dietetic drinks adapted for medical
purpose; supplements in Class 5: and
Beer; carbonated drinks; non-alcoholic fruit juice beverages;
isotonic beverages; extracts of hops for making beer; whey
beverages in Class 32.
For Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.,
U Soe Phone Myint
Advocate
NAY PYI TAW
Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Kan Zaw chaired
the ASEAN meeting last week. Photo: Staff
MILLION US$
48.6
Total border trade between India
and Myanmar last year, according to
Myanmars Ministry of Commerce.
ANALYSIS
AS Myanmars burgeoning markets
continue to draw interest and invest-
ment from abroad, new waves of expat
entrepreneurs, employees and volun-
teers are being drawn to the Golden
Land. While some are lucky enough
to have their arrangements and ac-
commodation taken care of ahead of
time, many expats arrive in Myanmar
without much more than a temporary
70-day visa supporting their stay. In
this article we will discuss the basics
of Myanmars visa, work permit and
stay permit regulations.
Visas
The most basic requirement for most
foreigners entering into Myanmar
for any reason is the visa. Certain
ASEAN countries, including Cambo-
dia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines and
Brunei, have already signed visa-free
travel agreements, and the remaining
ASEAN nations are expected to follow
suit by early next year. For foreigners
coming from other countries, there
are a variety of visas to choose from
that will allow access beyond the bor-
der, but for the purposes of living and
working in Myanmar, a business visa
is the required authorisation.
Business visas come in three pri-
mary varieties, including the 70-day
single-entry, the six-month multiple-
entry, and the one-year multiple-
entry. Generally, multiple-entry
visas require a foreigner to have
previously visited Myanmar on three
prior occasions, although a certain
amount of discretion is involved in
the granting of these visas and we
are aware of situations in which for-
eigners who have visited only once
prior have been granted a multiple-
entry visa.
While a six-month or one-year
multiple-entry visa is valid for its full
stated timeframe, foreigners holding
such visas are still generally required
to leave and return to Myanmar eve-
ry 70 days as a matter of immigration
policy. Overstay past the validity of a
visa or past the 70-day exit require-
ment can lead to nes of US$3 per
day up to 90 days, and US$5 per day
thereafter. Anecdotally, weve heard
that the immigration authorities are
usually fairly understanding of a
short overstay, but it is always advis-
able to stay within the terms of your
visa to avoid potentially unpleasant
consequences down the road.
Applications for business visas
are usually made at the Myanmar
embassy or consulate in a foreigners
home country or the nearest avail-
able Myanmar embassy or consulate.
Exact requirements and application
fees vary for each Myanmar embassy
or consulate, but standard docu-
mentation requirements include a
passport with at least six months
validity, an invitation letter from the
employer or the employers entity
registered in Myanmar, documen-
tation regarding the registration of
the inviting entity, and a completed
application form. The turn-around
time for most applications is around
one to two weeks.
One alternative to obtaining a
business visa prior to arriving in My-
anmar is to apply for a visa-on-arriv-
al at Yangon International Airport.
To do so, a foreigner must have an
invitation letter, the certicate of in-
corporation or registration of the in-
viting entity, two passport-sized pho-
tos and a completed visa-on-arrival
application sheet. The fee for visa-
on-arrival is US$50, which must be
paid in crisp, unmarked US dollars.
Depending on congestion at arrival
desk, the whole process takes around
10 to 20 minutes. Once issued, a
business visa-on-arrival operates in
the same manner a 70-day single-
entry business visa. As of writing,
we understand that visa-on-arrival
is presently limited to arrivals by air
at Yangon International Airport, but
this may change as more interna-
tional routes are added to airports in
Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay.
Stay permits and work permits
The 2012 Myanmar Foreign Invest-
ment Law (FIL (2012)) and its im-
plementing 2013 Foreign Investment
Rules FIR (2013) contain references
to Work Permits and Stay Permits for
foreign employees working for com-
panies with a Myanmar Investment
Commission (MIC) investment per-
mit (often referred to as an MIC Per-
mit). The FIL (2012) and FIR (2013)
appear to require foreign workers
employed by companies operating
with an MIC Permit to obtain such
permits; however, at the moment
this requirement does not seem to
be strictly enforced. No such require-
ment appears to be in place for for-
eign workers employed by companies
operating without the MIC Permit.
Because the rules and regulations sur-
rounding these permits may change
in the future as Myanmar continues
to upgrade its immigration and la-
bour capacities, it will be important
for foreign companies and workers to
keep up on the status of the law and
which companies and workers are
implicated.
The FIR (2013) indicates that the
Work Permit will only be available
pursuant to a further implementing
law described as the Foreign La-
bour Law. At present, no such law
has been passed and it does not ap-
pear possible to obtain Work Permits
as required by the FIL (2012). When
the Work Permit system becomes op-
erational, employers will be required
to apply on behalf of their foreign
employees to the Ministry of Labour,
Employment and Social Security for
the required Work Permit.
Despite the absence of a system
for approving Work Permits, it ap-
pears that Stay Permits are presently
available. Stay Permits essentially
remove the 70-day exit requirement
for foreigners in Myanmar on six-
month or one-year multiple-entry
visas; however, the Stay Permit does
not operate as a visa unto itself, and
foreigners in Myanmar on a 70-day
visa will still need to exit the country
and obtain a new visa either prior to
or upon their return.
To obtain a stay permit, a for-
eigner must be employed by a com-
pany established in Myanmar and be
travelling to or working in Myanmar
with a valid business visa. For those
employed by companies operat-
ing with an MIC Permit, a letter of
recommendation must be obtained
from the MIC, while those employed
by companies only registered with
the Companies Registration Of ce
(CRO) must obtain a letter of recom-
mendation from the Ministry of Na-
tional Planning and Economic De-
velopment. Once the relevant letter
of recommendation is obtained, the
foreigner can apply to the CRO for a
Stay Permit valid for up to one year.
Staying legal
As with many areas of law in Myan-
mar, rules and regulations regarding
foreign workers are ever changing
and requirements by the authorities
may vary from application to appli-
cation. In particular, we have found
that the requirements for a Stay Per-
mit application are unclear and the
process can be subject to numerous
ad hoc requests from the reviewing
authorities. Additionally, there are
certain registrations, such as the
Foreigners Registration Certicate,
that still appear to be required by
law, but in practice may be dif cult
to obtain or loosely enforced.
The key for all foreign workers
in Myanmar at present is to ensure
that a valid business visa is held and
that the timelines for visa renewal
are carefully managed. Foreigners
working for a company operating
with an MIC Permit would also be
well advised to pay attention to an-
nouncements from the Immigration
Department and MIC regarding fu-
ture Work Permit requirements as
included in the FIL (2012).
Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd is an
international commercial law firm
that has been in active operation in
Yangon since 1995.We are the largest
international law firm in Myanmar
with close to 40 experienced lawyers,
paralegals and business researchers
based in Yangon and Mandalay, and an
additional team of lawyers dedicated to
Myanmar practice based in Singapore.
Disclaimer: The content of this article
is intended only to provide a general
overview of the matters referenced and
is not intended to be considered as
legal advice. Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd has
attempted to ensure that the information
provided is accurate, but we provide
no guarantee of accuracy. As every
individuals requirements may vary by
circumstance, you should seek legal or
other professional advice before acting
or relying on any of the information
contained herein.
Staying Legal: A look
at immigration laws for
foreign workers
The key for all foreign workers in Myanmar
at present is to ensure that a valid business
visa is held and that the timelines for visa
renewals are carefully managed.
jl@kcyangon.com pedro.bernardo@kcpartnership.com
JOHN
LICHTEFELD
PEDRO JOSE
BERNARDO
TRADE MARK CAUTION
E. REMY MARTIN & Co., a company organized under the
laws of France, of 20 rue de la Societe Vinicole, 16100 COGNAC,
France, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
LOUIS XIII
Reg. No. 2565/2014
in respect of Class 33: Alcoholic beverages (except beers).
Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark
will be dealt with according to law.
Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L
for E. REMY MARTIN & Co.
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm
Dated: 1
st
September 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
Wibani International B.V., a company incorporated in the
Netherlands, of Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 18, 1406 SJ Bussum, The
Netherlands, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
SOOON
Reg. No. 6704/2014
in respect of Intl Class 25: Clothing; footwear; headgear.
for Wibani International B.V.
Dated: 1
st
September 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
UMG ABS, Ltd., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Japan, of 8-1, Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, is
the Owner of the following Trade Marks:-
Reg. No. 10110/2014
Reg. No. 10111/2014
Reg. No. 10112/2014
Reg. No. 10113/2014
in respect of Class 1: ABS resin; reinforced ABS resin; heatproof
ABS resin; maleimide-modied high heat ABS resin; ASA resin;
transparent ASA resin; AES resin; SAS resin; styrenic transparent
polymer resin; alloy resin; reinforced alloy resin; ABS recycled
plastics; ABS/PET resin; recycled resource resin; plant-based
resin; ABS/PC resin, ABS/Nylon (Polyamide) resin; synthetic
resin moulding materials; unprocessed articial resins; unpro-
cessed plastics; unprocessed plastics in the form of powder, beads
and pellets; chemicals; plastic modier. Class 17: Synthetic resin
sheets, tubes, blocks and rods; plastics in extruded form for use in
manufacture; and other plastic semi-worked products .
Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks
for UMG ABS, Ltd.
Dated: 1
st
September 2014
Business 33 www.mmtimes.com
The Fine Print
Legal & tax insight
MIC list shows business limits
THE MIC has recently issued three
new notications dealing with im-
portant aspects of foreign direct
investments in Myanmar: Notica-
tion 49/2014 lists businesses that
are closed or only partially open
to foreigners, notication 50/2014
explains for which businesses an
environmental impact assessment
report is required and notication
51/2014 lists businesses for which
no exemption from commercial tax
and customs duty is available.
Notication 49, dated August 14
2014, replaces notication 1/2013
(Classication of Types of Eco-
nomic Activities) and will become
one of the documents that foreign
investors will consult at an early
stage in order to nd out whether
their investment plans stand any
chance of regulatory approval.
However although one should
give the MIC credit for having
slimmed down the list considerably
its practical importance should
not be overrated. Experience with
old MIC notication 1/2013 shows
that what is in the notication and
what is done in practice can be two
diferent things. Some foreign inves-
tors found that ministries refused
to support proposals which would
have been permissible according to
the notication, while others found
support for their plans in spite of
them not meeting all of the ofcial
requirements.
Furthermore, there are two
methods to invest in Myanmar:
Simply put, if a project involves the
long-term lease of land, the inves-
tor has to obtain an investment
permit from the MIC in accordance
with the Foreign Investment Law.
Notication 49/2014, being an im-
plementing guideline of the Foreign
Investment Law, only covers these
investments. Other investments
usually in the services sector where
the investment amount is compara-
tively small and there is no need
to lease immovable property long-
term are, strictly speaking, not
covered, although ministries and,
especially, DICA may look to the no-
tication for guidance nevertheless.
Nevertheless, the 49/2014 noti-
cation was compiled on the basis
of input from the various ministries
and as such should provide impor-
tant insights into their policy.
The new notication is much
shorter than the old one. This is
in itself good news as it indicates
that the overall number of ofcial
restrictions (prohibitions, joint
venture requirements with local
private entrepreneurs or the state,
local contents requirements) has
been reduced.
However, at least on rst read-
ing, one has the impression that
there are now more businesses that
ofcially require a joint venture
than previously.
Section 2 states that business
activities which are not contained
in this notification may be carried
out as 100 percent foreign-invested
business. It remains to be seen to
what extent this promise will be
implemented.
Like its predecessor, notication
49/2014 does not specify a mini-
mum percentage of local sharehold-
ings in compulsory joint ventures.
It has been suggested that local
shareholders must own at least
20pc of the joint venture company,
but it is not entirely clear whether
this requirement stipulated in sec-
tion 20 Foreign Investment Rules
applies to all compulsory joint ven-
tures or only to those businesses
that are explicitly categorised as
prohibited and only exceptionally
open to foreign investment.
Interestingly, the new notica-
tion contains no reference anymore
to wholesale and retail trading.
Theoretically, this means that for-
eigners should, contrary to present
policy, be able to open supermar-
kets, distribution companies, etc,
as section 2 of the new notication
specically states that non-listed
business activities are completely
open to foreign investment. Prac-
tice will show if there has really
been a policy change.
Sebastian Pawlita and Myint Naing
are consultants with Polastri Wint &
Partners Legal & Tax Advisors.
SEBASTIAN PAWLITA
sebastian@pwplegal.com
MYINT NAING
myint@pwplegal.com
Simply put, if a
project involves the
long-term lease of
land, the investor
has to obtain an
investment permit
from the MIC
IN BRIEF
Mass resignations of cabin crew at
Malaysia Airlines
Nearly 200 cabin crew have resigned
from Malaysia Airlines which was hit
by two deadly tragedies this year, the
carrier said on August 26, and some
reportedly cited fears for their safety.
The ag carrier, which prior to this
year had a good safety record, has
been in the spotlight in the past six
months following the disappearance
of ight MH370 on March 8 and the
shooting-down of MH17 on July 17 over
rebelheld eastern Ukraine.
The airline said 186 crew had left
in the rst seven months of this year,
with many blaming family pressure
prompted by the tragedies.
Following the MH17 incident, there
was a spike in crew resignations but
the number has now decreased to ac-
ceptable and routinely expected levels,
it said in a statement. AFP
Burger King ready for breakfast
with planned Timmys tieup
Tim Hortons may give Burger King
a fresh avenue for overseas growth
while reinvigorating a breakfast busi-
ness that has trailed behind McDon-
alds for years.
Burger King, which said on August
26 its acquiring the Canadian coffee
shop chain, has struggled to compete
with McDonalds Egg McMufns and
Starbucks scones and lattes. While the
companies dont currently have plans
to mix products from the two chains,
Tim Hortons would bring a coffee
brand thats coveted by Canadians
along with a smaller group of Ameri-
cans. Burger King may also be in a
position to open Tim Hortons locations
in the 98 countries where it operates.
Bloomberg
ADB urges India to cut red tape
The Asian Development Bank on Au-
gust 27 urged Indias new government
to cut stiing red tape to draw foreign
investment and get the country back on
a highgrowth track.
ADB President Takehiko Nakao,
speaking after holding talks with In-
dias new rightwing premier Narendra
Modi, noted the countrys economy
posted near doubledigit growth just a
few years ago.
To get back to a highgrowth
path of 8 to 9 percent, its crucial to
implement investmentfriendly re-
forms being initiated by the govern-
ment, and ease Indias bureaucratic
red tape, Mr Nakao told reporters.
AFP
Qantas posts huge loss
Struggling Australian ag carrier
Qantas on T posted a huge annual
net loss of Aus$2.84 billion (US$2.65
billion), but chief executive Alan Joyce
insisted clearer skies lie ahead.
The worsethanexpected result
compared to a waferthin prot
in the previous year, with oneoff
restructuring and redundancy costs
hammering the bottom line.
But the biggest hit came from a
Aus$2.6 billion noncash writedown
of the value of its ageing inter-
national eet, largely due to the
historic cost of aircraft purchased
at a much lower Australian dollar
exchange rate. AFP
Japan, India to ink rare earth deal
Tokyo and New Delhi will next week
sign an agreement that will see
around 2000 tons of rare earths
imported from India, a report said on
August 28, as Japan to diversify sup-
ply away from China.
Some 2000 to 2300 tons of rare
earths roughly 15 percent of what
Japans manufacturers use each year
will be shipped from India to Japan,
it said, adding that imports will start
as early as February.
China accounts for 95 percent of
global production of rare earths, a
category of 18 metals vital for the
production of smartphones, hybrid
car batteries, wind turbines, steel
and lowenergy light bulbs, amongst
other things. AFP
THE Myanmar Companies Act saw
its first light as the India Compa-
nies Act in 1914. Much like Sleep-
ing Beauty, the Act has been kept
in near pristine and some would
say dormant condition ever since
the country gained independence
in 1948.
Originally built on the English
Companies (Consolidation) Act of
1908, Sleeping Beauty is now ready
for her prince to awaken her from
her slumber as the government
prepares an overhaul of the dated
piece of legislation.
Of course, a lot of company law
has passed by in the past 65 years or
so. Independent directors and codes
of conduct. Mergers and divisions.
Employee shareholder plans and
redeemable preference shares. Elec-
tronic meetings, notices and lings.
Over the coming months, legal
experts and government officials
will pore over global examples, par-
ticularly perhaps those with com-
mon roots to the current Myanmar
law, including the massive legisla-
tive endeavor that went into the UK
Companies Act 2006, the Indian
Companies Act 2013 and the Hong
Kong Companies Ordinance 2012.
To a large extent, the outcome
of such an exercise is predictable,
resulting in those measures which
much of the world has already en-
acted to strengthen corporate gov-
ernance and to make capital market
transactions possible in the wake
of Myanmars securities exchange.
And of course, there are a number
of legal issues that just have to be
fixed in the current Act, such as
arbitration between sharehold-
ers, court intervention for certain
changes to the company, audit prin-
ciples, and rules for companies in
temporary financial difficulties.
It is also a fresh opportunity to
do something more progressive, I
believe.
If it were me, the moment would
be seized not just to catch up but to
take the development of Myanmar
law one step further. To stay within
the analogy of the Grimm brothers
fairy tale, to resurrect this particu-
lar Sleeping Beauty we need a few
strong kisses. I dont think a bland
peck on the cheek will do the trick.
Here are some of the, well, kisses
I would be in favour of.
Most companies should have at
least one woman director
It must have taken courage when
the Indian legislature made this
compulsory in the Indian Compa-
nies Act 2013, at least for compa-
nies with capital or US$16 million
or more. But it is not entirely an
unprecedented move.
In Norway, a board of 9 persons
or more must have at least 40 per-
cent members of each gender. In
Belgium a female board member is
a requirement for listed companies
since 2011 and Malaysia has an-
nounced similar rules by 2016.
Presumably some type of gender
diversity rule, as the EU is initiat-
ing for public companies, would
work well. We could provide that
for a board comprising three mem-
bers or more, each original gender
must be represented with at least
30pc of the board members.
Some quite old data of the Min-
istry of Labor indicates that there
is a 72-28 gap for women lagging
behind in participation in private
business. My personal experience is
that local businesses are more often
an all-male affair then they could
be.
Companies with one sharehold-
er should be allowed
Both SMEs and large multination-
als are in my view needlessly re-
stricted by the current requirement
that a company must have at least
2 shareholders. This requirement
has been abolished in jurisdictions
such as the EU, India and Japan.
In Myanmar, foreign groups
which actually just need a 100pc
shareholding by one parent com-
pany, need to create unnecessary
paperwork to rope in a second to-
ken shareholder. Share transfers, fi-
nancing and compliance documen-
tation becomes more complicated
than it needs to be.
As for small businesses, I see no
reason why a small entrepreneur
has to find a second shareholder
just to be allowed the benefits of
corporatisation. True, it might not
be so difficult to bring in a spouse
or a relative, but why do we ask
SMEs to jump through that hoop?
A company is a separate juristic
person from its shareholder, so it
should not fundamentally matter
who the shareholder is.
No more compulsory annual
general meeting
Most annual general meetings
(AGM) in fact never take place. The
shareholders see no need because
they are the directors as well, or
because they are so close to the af-
fairs of the company that they are
already aware of everything they
need to know. What remains of
the AGM is for most companies
pure paperwork, a potential source
of liability more than anything else.
Is this really necessary? The UK
Companies Act 2006 felt it is not.
Companies are not required to hold
the AGM anymore, although it can
of course be requested by any mem-
ber. Likewise, there is no obligation
for the company to provide the an-
nual accounts to the members un-
less they ask for it.
Companies and directors may
pursue not only profit, but also
other objectives
The time has passed where the com-
pany, its directors and their share-
holders can conduct themselves as
if they stand outside of the commu-
nity. It is not just about profit any-
more. Accordingly, particularly so-
cial enterprises should be allowed
to state the objectives they pursue
which are of a different nature. For
example, social reform, benefit of
the employees or environmental
achievements could feature in the
companys objectives.
The traditional alternative is
to create a separate class of legal
persons such as associations. Why
is that necessary? Cant a company
pursue profit and social change at
the same time? Is there any reason
why business chambers, micro-
finance institutions and socially
responsible investors cant just be
companies in Myanmar? Note that
all of these have indeed already
been set up as companies under the
current Companies Act.
I associate this with a desperate-
ly needed definition of the duties of
directors. Besides spelling out the
directors duties to the sharehold-
ers in general, the shareholder that
appointed him or her, and the com-
pany as a whole, we can prescribe
(in following of examples in the UK
Companies Act 2006) their duties
towards employees, the community
and the environment.
Liability for shadow directors
Things are not always as they ap-
pear. A small minority of company
constructions in Myanmar are in-
spired to escape the application of
foreign sanctions. As a result, the
person who is the director of a com-
pany on paper may not be the one
calling the shots. We call the one
who in fact directs the affairs of the
company the shadow director. This
arrangement messes up, among
other things, the way directors are
liable towards the company. Imag-
ine a shadow director selling his
property to the company that he
in fact directs. A clear conflict of
interest. But as he or she has no
formal ties with the company, the
shareholders or later the adminis-
trator, in case of a winding-up, can-
not invoke the rules on conflicts of
interest or breach of fiduciary duty
which exist for directors.
Many countries now recognise
the concept of and the liability for
shadow directors. In some counties
like Malaysia and Singapore, the ex-
isting law has been interpreted to
encompass shadow directors, while
in others such as the UK a clear
statutory rule has been written into
the Companies Act.
In conclusion, revising the Myan-
mar Companies Act is a massive
undertaking. We do not want to
do this again anytime soon. Now
is thus the moment to take a few
fundamental forward-looking deci-
sions.
We are about to kiss Sleeping
Beauty awake. We dont her dozing
off again before we had a chance to
take her to the prom. Or is that an-
other fairy tale?
Edwin Vanderbruggen is a legal partner
with leading Myanmar law and advisory
firm VDB Loi.
Five drastic proposals for
the Companies Act
OPINION
It is also an opportunity to do something
more progressive, I believe. If it were me,
the moment would be seized not just to
catch up but to take the development of
Myanmar law one step further.
EDWIN
VANDER-
BRUGGEN
newsroom@mmtimes.com.mm
Kissing sleeping beauty:
TRADEMARK CAUTION
NOTICE is here by given that PIGEON CORPORATION, a
company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal
ofce at 4-4, Nihonbashi Hisamatsu-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:
SofTouch
(Reg: No. IV/7548/2014)
in respect of :- Clinical thermometers; mirrors for dentists; roentgen
apparatus for medical purposes; nipple pullers; nipple protectors;
feeding cups for a liquid medicine; incontinence sheet; paciers;
teether; teething rings; feeding bottles (babys bottle); feeding
bottle valves; teats; breast pumps; contraceptives, non-chemical;
artical breasts; bandages [elastic] suture materials. Class: 10
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark of
for PIGEON CORPORATION
Phone: 372416
Dated: 1
st
September, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that HONMA GOLF CO., LTD.
a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its
principal ofce at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1, Roppongi,
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the
following trademarks:-
(Reg: Nos. IV/5269/2009 &
IV/10267/2014)
(Reg: Nos. IV/5270/2009 &
IV/10268/2014)
in respect of: - Sporting articles; articles for playing the game of
golf, golf clubs, golf balls, head covers for golf clubs, golf club
cases, caddy bags, golf bags, golf shoes bags and golf gloves, parts
and ttings for all the afore said goods Intl Class: 28
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said
trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with
according to law.
for HONMA GOLF CO., LTD.
st
September, 2014
TRADEMARK CAUTION
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a Company incorporated and
existing under the laws of the United States of America, and having
its registered ofce at 1 Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New
Jersey 08889, USA, hereby declares that the Company is the Owner
and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademarks:
Reg. No. lV/7683/2014
(16 June 2014)
Reg. No. lV/7765/2014
(16 June 2014)
Reg. No. lV/7766/2014
(16 June 2014)
Reg. No. lV/7764/2014
(16 June 2014)
The above trademarks are used in respect of Pharmaceutical
preparations in Class 5.
For Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.,
U Soe Phone Myint
Advocate
JOB WATCH
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BUSINESS EDITOR: Jeremy Mullins | jeremymullins7@gmail.com
Property
Real estate brokers hastily set up shop in the new city area. Photo: Yu Yu
A boy walks past the Secretariat in Yangons Kyauktada township. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
MYAT NYEIN AYE
myatnyeinaye11092@gmail.com
WHILE Yangon is seeing a slew of
modern highrises and developments
under construction, and more be-
ing announced on a regular basis,
it could be easy for the citys unique
buildings to be lost.
But there is no reason Yangon
cannot both preserve its histori-
cal structures and develop into a
modern city, said U Thant Myint-U,
founder and chair of Yangon Herit-
age Trust (YHT).
If we can do both, the city could
have a great feel, and will be special
one of the most beautiful areas
around Southeast Asia, he said.
Yangons heritage of ces are
often government-owned of ces,
though many have fallen into dis-
use or been abandoned following
the move to Nay Pyi Taw in 2005.
U Thant Myint-U said it is im-
portant that heritage building
preservation is a priority now, be-
fore the city develops too far for
preservation and restoration to be
feasible.
He added a systematic approach
can reveal the most suitable way to
preserve each building. Some could
be rented out privately for commer-
cial or residential uses, while others
could continue their roles as govern-
ment of ces.
Financial support for heritage
building preservation will also be
easier to allocate if preservation pro-
ceeds systematically, he said.
Nevertheless, it will be expensive
to properly preserve Yangons herit-
age buildings.
Finding funding for restoration
projects will be dif cult, said U Nay
Wein, deputy director of Yangon City
Development Committees Depart-
ment of Building.
Although the buildings belong to
the government, it is tough to nd
the nances to maintain them, he
said.
Other countries have lots of
funding by international organi-
sations or local governments for
their own heritage preservation
projects, he said.
LAND prices have exploded west of
Yangon following an announcement
by the mayor of Yangon that it will be
the site of a new city.
Though information on the pro-
ject proposed by Mayor U Hla Myint
are still scarce, it has proven enough
to drive a ury of speculation in the
area.
Prices have doubled in a week,
said Ko Min Min Soe, Mya Pan Thak-
in real estate agent.
After the information came out on
August 22, the land price went imme-
diately higher, he said. Now there is
a crowd of brokers and speculators in
Bayar Ngotou village in Twante town-
ship nobody is buying but everyone
is talking about the price.
Land prices in the village used to
be about K7 million to K15 million an
acre, though land with road access
stood at closer to K100 million an
acre, he said.
With the speculation rush, land
now costs at least K20 million an acre
on August 29, and is showing no signs
yet of coming back down, said Ko Min
Min Soe.
There had been only moderate in-
terest in the area until U Hla Myints
speech at the hluttaw on August 22.
He said that a new city is to be built
between the Pan Hlaing river and
Twante canal, in the area of Twante,
Kyeemyindaing and Seik Gyi Kha
Naung To townships on some 30,000
acres of land.
U Hla Myint said it was to be
built by previously low-prole rm
Myanma Saytannar Myothit Public
Company, and claimed it could cost
as much as US$8 billion to com-
plete. However, of cials have since
said an open tender will be set up
at a later date following an outcry
on the project (see related articles
on page 3).
U Hla Chit, a broker normally
working in Dala township, said
property dealers particularly from
Dala and Hlaing Tharyar are moving
to the area of the new city.
When the market moved, the bro-
kers followed, he said.
We now wait for rich men from
Yangon city, and if they want to buy
land, we take them to the farmers.
While there have been a few deals,
high asking prices are prohibiting
many transactions, he said.
Some farmers are getting rich out
of the speculation, with many not
selling parcels but instead insisting
on selling all their property in one
shot.
Local Twante broker U Tin Ngwe
said that while there is not much in-
formation about the project, it is not
stopping the speculators.
Rumours have circulated that
about one third of the declared 30,000
acres of the project have already been
purchased by Myanma Saytannar
Myothit, though it has not been con-
rmed, he said.
The price of land in the area is
now 10 times higher than what it was
two years ago, said U Tin Ngwe.
Prices had been slowly increasing
even before U Hla Myints speech,
though shot up signicantly on Au-
gust 23.
Some farmers are not selling their
land because they expect prices to
keep climbing, he said. However,
most are eager to sell the land. Some
are doing deals where they can still
use the land for farming until devel-
opment begins, said U Tin Ngwe.
One mason from Bayar Ngotoe vil-
lage said he sold his small parcel of
land, but now has no idea where to go
and what business to do.
U Hla Chit, a resident from nearby
Dala township, said his experience
from Dala showed that rising prots
often worked against landless poor
people, who were forced to move of
land as its value increased.
Heritage buildings need help to survive
New city plans lead to land
prices doubling overnight
TIN YADANAR TUN MYAT NYEIN AYE
Yangon can be both a modern city and a city of heritage if it makes the right decisions, according to historian U Thant Myint-U
37
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The price of land in the area is now 10 times higher than what it was
two years ago.
U Tin Ngwe, real estate agent in the Yangon new city area hit by a speculation frenzy
A new clue comes to light
in the MH370 mystery
WORLD 44
A boy walks past the Secretariat in Yangons Kyauktada township. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
EI EI THU
91.eieithu@gmail.com
Heritage buildings need help to survive
CASINO licences may be issued to
local hotels following the comple-
tion of a gambling law, though some
question whether the country ought
to have legalised gambling.
While some local media has re-
ported that three-star and above
hotels near border crossings will be
allowed to operate casinos for for-
eigners only, Ministry of Hotels and
Tourism ofcials say any such licenc-
es must wait for a gambling law.
We havent issued any licences
for casinos yet because it is still con-
sidered a type of illegal gambling,
said U Myo Win Nyunt, a director
from the Ministry of Hotels and
Tourism.
The Ministry of Home Afairs is
currently worked to create a gam-
bling law, he added.
Although opening casinos for
foreigners may benet certain ho-
tels, others question whether it will
benet the tourism industry as a
whole.
U Nay Lin Htike, an experienced
tour guide and owner of Of the Beat-
en Track caf, said tourists come to
the country to be immersed in local
culture and visit its sights.
Tourism particularly at the hot-
spots of Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay
and Inle Lake is best pursued by lo-
cal people and travel professionals
jointly developing the industry, he
said.
Casinos would likely only benet
the government through tax rev-
enues, as well as casino owners and
their direct workers, while at the
same time increasing criminal cases
due to the inuence of gambling, ac-
cording to U Nay Lin Htike.
The government could face lots
of trouble from allowing casinos,
even though it will get tax money,
he said. There will be many disad-
vantages and only a few benets af-
ter opening casinos in my opinion
they shouldnt be allowed.
However, if Myanmar does de-
cide to allow casinos, then gambling
ought to be strictly controlled, he
said. U Nay Lin Htike added casinos
might also be more appropriate in
self-administering areas.
Tourism has been on the upswing
since the 2011 reforms in Myanmar.
The country welcomed 2 million for-
eign arrivals to the country last year,
about double the number in 2012.
Myanmar routinely welcomed
750,000 to 800,000 tourists annually
from 2009 to 2011.
Thailand was the largest single
source of tourists to Myanmar in
2013, making up about 15 percent of
the totoal, followed by China and Ja-
pan. The United States was the larg-
est non-Asian source, representing
about 6pc of total arrivals.
Government may
roll the dice on legal
casino approvals
The government
could face lots
of trouble from
allowing casinos
even though it gets
tax money.
U Nay Lin Htike
Tourism professional
It is important that Yangon pro-
motes its heritage, or it could become
a city along the lines of Bangkok or
Jakarta modern, but not special,
according to YHT director Daw Moe
Moe Lwin.
Today, one of the main reasons
foreigners visit Yangon is to be sur-
prised and appreciate our historical
buildings many of which are over
100 years old, she said.
Other countries governments
support their own heritage buildings
through leasing them to private com-
panies to use for specic purposes, or
even giving nancial support directly
to poorer people to help them main-
tain their buildings.
U Thant Myint-U said another
possibility is the government leasing
historical buildings to private compa-
nies with the understanding they not
only have to maintain that building
but the others in the vicinity.
Developers also said there is
room for preservation of historical
buildings in the city.
Marga director John Barnes has
said it is shame that Yangons many
heritage buildings are not all being
renovated and properly maintained.
It is important to not rush into
planning, but instead to encourage
teams of experts to look at preserv-
ing historical buildings, said U Pwint,
associate professor in Yangon Tech-
nological Universitys Department of
Architecture.
Countries that have good hab-
its with preserving heritage build-
ings remake dead buildings into live
buildings, such as schools, ofce,
restaurants and other uses, she said.
The best method of keeping heritage
buildings is to creatively adapt them,
keeping the buildings functions and
the sense of the place.
There are a number of novel
preservation techniques around the
globe, she said.
In Japan, heritage house owners
often welcome visitors like a mu-
seum, showing traditional cultures
and food, with supplies from the
government. In places like Austria,
heritage buildings are much in de-
mand, leading to extensive renova-
tions by people wanting to live in
them.
Similar measures may work in
Yangon, said U Pwint. For instance,
historically important buildings like
the General Aung San house could
work as a museum, while U Thants
former house is already being used as
a museum.
To keep these heritage buildings
we need international experts and
money, she said.
If funding is not forthcoming,
preservationists will have to turn to
like-minded businesspeople for assis-
tance in renovation.
U Pwint also called for compre-
hensive rules and regulations on
managing heritage buildings.
Yangon can be both a modern city and a city of heritage if it makes the right decisions, according to historian U Thant Myint-U
40
Science & Technology
OVER a million people have signed
up with Ooredoo since its launch
earlier this month, according to com-
pany ofcials.
The Qatar-based telco is conduct-
ing a rollout across much of Myan-
mar, with plans to cover 25 million
people by the end of 2014, the rm
said in a press release.
Ooredoo is using solely 3G in My-
anmar, with a UMTS-900 network. It
has also announced plans for a 4G
network in the future.
Although the rm is claiming 1
million customers, it is not immedi-
ately apparent how many are active-
ly using the SIMs. Some shop owners
have said the market for Ooredoo
top-up cards is cold, though added
it could improve as the telcos cover-
age strengthens. Still, Ooredoo CEO
Ross Cormack said on August 23 that
the response to our launch has been
inspiring.
Mr Cormack made the comment
at a August 23 Nay Pyi Taw dinner
that was also attended by Ooredoo
group chair Sheikh Abdullah Bin
Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani and
U Myat Hein, Myanmars minister
of communications and information
technology.
U Myat Hein said the govern-
ment has worked hard to lay the
foundations for the creation of a
competitive telecommunications
landscape that truly serves our peo-
ple and we are closer than ever to
achieving this.
Ooredoo and Norwegian telco Tel-
enor both received licences in Febru-
ary 2014 after winning a competitive
licence tender from 91 international
competitors in 2013. Telenor is ex-
pected to launch operations in late
September.
Until Ooredoos launch, Myanmar
had one operator, state-run MPT.
Ooredoo claims
1 million customers
JEREMY MULLINS
AUNG KYAW NYUNT
aungkyawnyunt28@gmail.com
A competitive
telecommunications
landscape ... we are
closer than ever to
achieving this.
U Myat Hein
Minister of Information Technology
Workers in Yangon hang an Ooredoo sign. Photo: Naing Win Tun
AHEAD of its still-undecided
launch date this month, Telenor
CEO Peter Furberg outlined some
of the companys plans to The My-
anmar Times.
Weve built 800 towers ahead
of our mobile launch in Septem-
ber, said Mr Furberg, going on to
say that the company would even-
tually build 8000 towers around
the nation over the next ve years.
By Mr Furbergs estimate, the
towers will give Telenor custom-
ers mobile coverage in 90 percent
of the country by the end of 2019.
In addition, the company will
launch with about 10 million SIM
cards for sale in Yangon, Manda-
lay and Nay Pyi Taw.
We will announce internet
and call charges before launch-
ing time. Telenors focus is to
give service in fair price and give
clear voice for all people said Mr
Furberg.
Telenor
promises to
build 8000
towers in
fve years
IN BRIEF
MPT gains partner from the USA
Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) has turned to an American
telecommunications company to update and bolster its services.
The New Jersey company, Dialogic Inc, will modernize and expand
[MPTs] domestic core switching infrastructure, according to a press
release.
The move comes as the telco sector is set to explode over the coming
months. To accommodate the masses, MPT will employ multiple Dialogic
products.
According to an MPT ofcial quoted in Dialogics press release, We saw
how other carriers were benettingfrom Dialogics technology, and knew it
was the best solution to helpMPTmodernize our network while continuing
to ensure reliable service for customers.
MPT picked a partner based primarily on scalability, cost and quality, the
company said. Dialogic paired with Myanmar telecom system integrator and
reseller Khine Thit Sar Co. Ltd. to successfully win the project, according to
the release Catherine Trautwein
41
Science & Technology
Gadget Round-up
by Myo Satt
1 and 2, Samsung Showrooms, 3 and 4,
iTech, No 45-B2, York Rd, Corner of Bo Yar Nyunt St, Dagon Township
Samsung Gear Fit
This tness tracker will
monitor your heart
rate and movements
while you are working
out. In addition, the
Bluetooth-enabled
device can tell you
when youre getting a
phone call or text.
K178,000
Sports Armband
This water-proof armband is the perfect way to
take your iPhone out for a jog. The design is
simple, and the material sits comfortably on your
skin.
K8000
Samsaung Galaxy S5
The latest model
of Samsung phone
includes a health app
that can measure your
heartbeat while it is
placed in your left
chest pocket. Use it on
enough workouts and
soon your phone will
have enough data to
give you tness tips.
K585,000
Awei (TS-130vi)
These earphones have a sophisticated and durable
design, making them perfect for jogging.
K18,000
SPEAKING at a tech networking event
in Yangon August 25, Samsung repre-
sentatives announced that the com-
pany would soon be rolling out a new
line of smartphones that can recognise
Myanmar script.
Though Samungs devices are
localised for Myanmar, compatabil-
ity issues with Myanmar font systems
Unicode and Zawgyi have caused ma-
jor headaches for developers in the
country.
Part of Samsungs localisation
strategy hinges on language. In My-
anmar, both the Unicode and Zawgyi
fonts are used by developers. But An-
droid 4.4 KitKat, which powers many
devices including Samsungs Galaxy
S5, only works with Zawgyi.
U Zarni Win Htet, head of the
handheld products channel at Sam-
sung Electronics Myanmar branch,
rst apologised for the trouble, and
then announced it would soon have a
remedy.
Its ready, he said. The next ver-
sion to come out, Unicode and Zawygi
both can be used together, he said.
In addition, Samsung is launching
a K97,500 smartphone to entice local
customers. According to U Zarni Win
Htet, market research revealed that
nearly half of Myanmar is reaching the
internet from devices that arent PCs
or laptops meaning that 45 percent
get to the web from mobile phones.
They want features like bigger screens
and a front-facing camera. You could
say that under K100,000 is a challenge
for Samsung, but we did it, he said,
Were not going to stop [at] that one.
We will try our best to facilitate quality
local needs.
Samsung unveils plan
for Burmese fonts
CATHERINE TRAUTWEIN
U Zarni Win Htet speaks in Yangon. Photo: Supplied
WorldWORLD EDITOR: Fiona MacGregor
GENEVA
KIEV
BAGHDAD
MORE than 3 million Syrians have ed
the civil war ravaging their country to
become refugees a million of them
in the past year alone, the United Na-
tions said.
Syrias intensifying refugee crisis
will today surpass a record 3 million
people, the UNs refugee agency said
in a statement on August 29, adding
that the number did not include hun-
dreds of thousands of others who ed
without registering as refugees.
Less than a year ago, the number
of registered Syrian refugees stood at
2 million, UNHCR said, pointing to re-
ports of increasingly horrifying con-
ditions inside the country to explain
the surge.
It described cities where popula-
tions are surrounded, people are going
hungry and civilians are being target-
ed or indiscriminately killed.
The increasingly fragmented con-
ict raging in Syria has claimed more
than 191,000 lives since erupting in
March 2011.
In addition to the refugees, the
violence has also displaced 6.5 million
people within the country, meaning
that nearly 50 percent of all Syrians
have been forced to ee their homes,
UNHCR said.
Over half of all those who have
been uprooted are children, it noted.
Most of the Syrian refugees have
found their way to neighbouring
countries, with Lebanon hosting 1.14
million, Jordan 608,000 and Turkey
815,000.
The strain on the host countries
economies, infrastructures and re-
sources is enormous, the UNHCR
stressed, adding that nearly 40 per-
cent of the refugees were living in sub-
standard conditions.
The agency said its work to help
the Syrian refugees now marked the
largest operation in its 64-year history.
The Syrian crisis has become the
biggest humanitarian emergency of
our era, yet the world is failing to meet
the needs of refugees and the countries
hosting them, UN refugee chief Anto-
nio Guterres said in the statement.
The response to the Syrian crisis
has been generous, but the bitter truth
is that it falls far short of whats need-
ed, he added.
Donors have handed over more
than US$4.1 billion to help those af-
fected by the conict, but UNHCR said
another $2.0 billion was needed by the
end of this year alone to meet the ur-
gent needs of the refugees.
David Miliband, former British for-
eign secretary and the current head of
the International Rescue Committee,
was quick to react to the new refugee
tally.
The 3 million refugees from the
Syria conict represent 3 million in-
dictments of government brutality,
opposition violence and international
failure, he said in a statement.
This appalling milestone needs to
generate action as well as anger, he
said, also calling for greatly increased
eforts to reduce the sufering of civil-
ians left inside Syria.
The UNHCR meanwhile stated that
increasing numbers of families are
arriving [in neighbouring countries]
in a shocking state, exhausted, scared
and with their saving depleted.
Most have been on the run for a
year or more, eeing from village to
village before taking the nal decision
to leave, it added, pointing out that
for most of the one in eight Syrians
who have become refugees, crossing
the border was a last resort.
More than half of those arriving in
Lebanon had ed at least once before
crossing the border, while one in 10
had ed more than three times, the
UNHCR said, adding that one woman
claimed to have moved no fewer than
20 times before crossing into Lebanon.
Meanwhile there are worrying signs
that the journey out of Syria is becoming
more difcult, the agency said.
Many people are being forced to
pay bribes at a growing number of
armed checkpoints along the borders,
and those crossing the desert into
eastern Jordan are being forced to pay
smugglers hefty sums to take them to
safety, it said.
The agency also voiced deep con-
cern for several hundred Syrians
trapped inside the remote al Obaidi
refugee camp in Iraq after UN agen-
cies and other groups were forced to
abandon evacuate as the area became
overrun by Islamic State jihadists.
AFP
Syrian refugees top 3 million in biggest
humanitarian emergency of our era: UN
A Syrian refugee child at Eminonu in Istanbul eats food which her mother has
collected from rubbish on August 18. Photo: AFP
UKRAINE and its Western allies
said last week that Russian troops
were actively involved in the ght-
ing tearing apart the east of the
country, raising fears of a direct mil-
itary confrontation between Kiev
and its former Soviet master.
US President Barack Obama led
a chorus of growing international
condemnation over the escalating
crisis, saying it was plain for the
world to see that Russian forces
were ghting in Ukraine, despite
more repeated denials by Moscow.
Mr Obama and German Chan-
cellor Angela Merkel warned that
Russias actions cannot remain
without consequences as the US
and Europe raised the prospect of
fresh sanctions against Russia.
Russia has deliberately and re-
peatedly violated the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Ukraine,
and the new images of Russian forc-
es inside Ukraine make that plain
for the world to see, Mr Obama
said, ratcheting up the pressure on
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This ongoing Russian incursion
into Ukraine will only bring more
costs and consequences for Russia.
NATO said at least 1000 Russian
troops were on the ground support-
ing pro-Kremlin separatists who
have been ghting against Kievs
rule since April.
The United States and the Euro-
pean Union have already imposed
a series of punishing sanctions on
Moscow over the crisis, the worst
standof between Russia and the
West since the Cold War.
Ms Merkel said European lead-
ers would discuss possible new
measures against Moscow at a sum-
mit in Brussels on August 30.
On August 28, in a day of fast-
moving developments, US envoy
Samantha Power, at an emergency
meeting of the UN Security Coun-
cil in New York, demanded in blunt
terms that Russia stop lying.
The mask is coming of, she
thundered.
We see Russias actions for what
they are: a deliberate efort to sup-
port and now ght alongside illegal
separatists in another sovereign
country.
Ukrainian President Petro Po-
roshenko described the situation as
extremely difcult but manage-
able for us not to panic, as security
chiefs announced that mandatory
army conscription would resume in
the autumn.
US ofcials have accused Rus-
sian troops of being behind a light-
ning counter-ofensive that has seen
pro-Moscow rebels seize swathes of
territory from Ukrainian govern-
ment forces, dramatically turning
the tide in the four-month conict.
Kiev said Russian soldiers had
seized control of a key southeastern
border town and a string of villages
in an area where ghting had been
raging for days.
The US ambassador to Kiev,
Geofrey Pyatt, wrote on Twitter
that Moscows troops were now di-
rectly involved in the ghting in
Ukraine.
A NATO ofcial said the sup-
ply of weapons to the rebels had
also increased in both volume and
quantity.
Fears that the are-up in the
conict could lead to all-out war
pushed stocks down in Europe and
the United States, and Asia looked
set to follow suit.
Russias ruble sunk to a ve-
month low as stock markets in the
Tensions soar over Russian troop action
THE jihadist Islamic State group has
posted video of the execution of a cap-
tured Kurdish ghter, in a warning to
Iraqi Kurdish leaders to end military
cooperation with Washington, a moni-
toring group said.
The video, titled A message in blood
to the leaders of the American-Kurdish
alliance opens with 15 men in orange
jumpsuits standing around the IS ag.
Three of the men ask Kurdish re-
gional president Massud Barzani and
the Kurdish government to end their
relationship with the US ... and military
intervention in northern Iraq, the SITE
Intelligence Group monitoring service
said on August 29.
The video then cuts to three masked
men dressed in black standing in front
of a mosque with another man wearing
an orange jumpsuit kneeling in front of
them. They then behead him.
It followed another released by IS
showing the beheading of American
journalist James Foley and threatening
another kidnapped reporter, Steven Sot-
lof, with the same fate if US air strikes
are not halted. AFP
IS beheads
captive Kurd
TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE
Celgene Corporation, a company organized under the laws
of U.S.A carrying on business as manufacturer and having its
principal offce at 86 Morris Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901,
United States of America is the owner and sole proprietor of
the following Trademark:-
IMNOVID
Myanmar Registration Number. 4/6498/2014
Used in respect of :-
Pharmaceutical preparations, namely, cytokine inhibitory drugs;
pharmaceutical preparations that modulate the immune system;
pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of certain cancers,
blood diseases and immune-related diseases in international class 5.
Any unauthorized use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent
intentions of the above mark will be dealt with according to law.

Tin Ohnmar Tun, Tin Thiri Aung & The Law Chambers
Ph:0973150632
Email:law_chambers@seasiren.com.mm
(For. Patrick Mirandah Co.(S) Pte Ltd, Singapore)
Dated. 1
st
September, 2014
43
The Japanese teens
taking metal by
storm
WORLD 53
Can Modi really give
every Indian their
own bank account?
WORLD 48
International school
sex abuse trial
starts in Jakarta
WORLD 51
ACCRA
THE number of Ebola cases is increas-
ing rapidly and could exceed 20,000 be-
fore the virus is brought under control,
The World Health Organization said last
week as the death toll topped 1500.
New gures showed the massive
scale of the crisis, which the WHO said
indicated a rapid increase still in the in-
tensity of transmission that could cost
at least US$490 million to tackle.
Bruce Aylward, the WHOs head of
emergency programs, said it could take
six to nine months to bring Ebola under
control, by which time the number of in-
fections could have passed 20,000.
Thats not saying we expect 20,000,
thats not saying we would accept, more
importantly, 20,000 cases, he told re-
porters in Geneva, calling the situation
a global health security issue.
But we have got to have a system
that is robust enough to deal with ... a
very bad case scenario.
As of August 26, 1552 people had
been conrmed dead from Ebola in
four countries, Sierra Leone, Liberia,
Guinea and Nigeria, while 3062 had
been infected.
Liberia was the worst afected with
694 deaths; 422 people have died in Si-
erra Leone; and 430 in Guinea, where
the virus emerged at the start of the year.
Nigeria has now recorded six deaths.
But Mr Aylward warned that the
actual caseload could be two to four
times higher than the number of cases
you see reported.
Nigerias recent death in the south-
eastern oil city of Port Harcourt was the
rst outside its biggest city, Lagos, and
dashed hopes that the country had suc-
cessfully contained the virus.
Scientists meanwhile said the rst
human trials of a potential vaccine
will start this week using a product
known as the NIAID/GSK Ebola vac-
cine candidate made by pharmaceu-
ticals giant GlaxoSmithKline and the
US government.
Health ministers from member
states of the West African regional
bloc ECOWAS met on August 28 in the
Ghanaian capital Accra and vowed to
strengthen their response to the devas-
tating outbreak.
Ghanas President John Mahama,
the current ECOWAS chairperson, com-
plained security measures taken by oth-
er countries to prevent the virus spread-
ing, including travel bans, had unfairly
hit member states.
Currently in the sub-region, Ebo-
la is ofcially reported in four coun-
tries and yet the entire West African
sub-region of 15 nations and even Af-
rica as a whole of 54 nations has been
stigmatised, he said.
The bloc called for travel bans to be
overturned and borders reopened. The
International Monetary Fund said it was
studying additional nancial support
for Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia be-
cause of the acute macroeconomic and
social impact on their economies.
Signicant nancing needs are like-
ly to arise, it added.
In Nigeria, Health Minister Onyebu-
chi Chukwu said a doctor who treated
a contact of the Liberian-American man
who brought Ebola into the country
died on August 22.
The patient, an ECOWAS ofcial,
slipped through the net and travelled to
Port Harcourt where he saw a doctor in
a hotel room Mr Chukwu said in Abuja.
The director of the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Tom
Frieden, said on August 27 that urgent
action was needed to tackle Ebola and
warned the situation would get worse
before it got better. There has been
mounting concern about the efect of
the most lethal outbreak of the tropical
virus in history. AFP
Ebola cases could top
20,000, WHO warns
Health agents wait for passengers leaving Ebola-hit Liberia at the Roberts
International Airport near Monrovia on Agust 27. Photo: AFP
Tensions soar over Russian troop action
country plummeted over the possi-
bility of new sanctions.
Kiev had called on the West for
urgent help after a counter-ofensive
from the southeast border smashed
through an army blockade around
the separatist stronghold of Donetsk
and threatened the government-held
port city of Mariupol.
The gains by the separatist ghters
come after weeks of government
ofensives that had seen troops push
deep into the last rebel bastions
in Ukraines heartland.
Ukraines Prime Minister Ar-
seniy Yatsenyuk blasted Mr Putin for
having deliberately unleashed a war
in Europe and pleaded for urgent
action.
A senior rebel leader, Alexander
Zakharchenko, has admitted that
Russian troops were ghting along-
side his insurgents, but said they
were on holiday after volunteering
to join the battle.
The spiralling tensions come
only days after Mr Poroshenko and
Mr Putin held their rst meeting
in three months, but they failed to
achieve any concrete breakthrough
despite talk of a peace roadmap.
The latest claims of Russian
manoeuvres are sparking fears
that Moscow is seeking more than
Crimea, which it annexed in March
in the face of Western outrage.
The latest newsow from eastern
Ukraine suggests an increased risk
that Russian President Putin may go
well beyond snatching Crimea and
destabilising the pro-Western govern-
ment in Kiev. Instead, said Beren-
berg bank analyst Christian Schulz.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov insisted the Kremlin is not
interested in breaking up Ukraine.
The United Nations estimates the
conict has killed over 2200 people
and forced more than 400,000 to ee
since April.
Russia vehemently opposes closer
ties between Ukraine and NATO.
Concerns that Kiev could be
drawn closer into the Western secu-
rity alliance and towards Europeare
seen as a key motivation behind Rus-
sias actions in recent months.
Mr Obama, who will host Mr Po-
roshenko at the White House on Sep-
tember 18, said while ex-Soviet states
now in the alliance could expect a
US military defense, such guarantees
did not apply to non-member Kiev.
AFP
IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP
Smoke and ash lls the air
as Mount Tavurvur erupts
in Rabaul in eastern Papua
New Guinea on August 30.
The volcano, which
destroyed the town of
Rabaul when it erupted
simultaneously with nearby
Mount Vulcan in 1994,
came to life again early on
the morning of August 29,
with rocks and ash erupting
from its centre.
The volcano was still
spewing fragments from its
crater and rumbling loudly
the following day, but its
activity appeared to be
subsiding, according to a
seismologist.
MILLION
4.3
Lower estimate of the number of
people outside the US with the right to
live there permanently.
44 World THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
KUALA LUMPUR
CANBERRA
ARMED pirates commandeered a Thai
tanker of Malaysias east coast and
pumped out its cargo of oil, a maritime
watchdog said on August 29, adding to
a series of hijackings that has raised
fears of a growing Southeast Asian pi-
racy menace.
The incident took place the previ-
ous day near the Malaysian resort is-
land Tioman in the South China Sea
as the tanker was travelling from Sin-
gapore to Thailand, the International
Maritime Bureaus Piracy Reporting
Centre said.
The ships crew were locked in the
engine room as the pirates siphoned
of the tankers cargo of lubricant oil
to another vessel, it said. The ship and
its crew, all unharmed, were released
early on August 29.
Under a routine practice, the Kuala
Lumpur-based piracy centre declined
to release the name of the ship or its
owners.
The attack was the 10th in the
South China Sea since April, said Noel
Choong, who heads the centre.
He called that number abnormal.
We urge regional countries to co-
operate to investigate and stop this
menace, he said.
We need to stop it before it starts
spreading.
Piracy was a problem in Southeast
Sea for centuries, but stepped-up pa-
trols by regional countries were cred-
ited with bringing a sharp decline in
attacks in recent years.
But a spate of daring hijackings
in recent months, usually targeting
tanker cargoes, has fanned concern
that the regions vital shipping lanes
could once again become a hotspot for
piracy, particularly the Malacca Strait.
About one-third of global trade
ows through the strategic channel,
which runs between Indonesia, Malay-
sia and Singapore. AFP
Tenth pirate attack sparks new fears
THE hunt for missing Malaysia Air-
lines Flight MH370 will focus on the
southern part of the existing search
zone after a new clue to the planes
possible location emerged, Australia
said last week.
Fresh information suggested the jet
may have turned south earlier than
thought, Deputy Prime Minister War-
ren Truss said on August 28.
The detail came to light follow-
ing further renement of satellite
data and as investigators attempted
to map the planes position during a
failed attempt to contact it earlier in
its ight path.
The search area remains the same,
but some of the information that we
now have suggests to us that areas a
little further to the south within the
search area, but a little further to the
south are of particular interest and
priority in the search area, he said.
His comments came as Australia
and Malaysia inked a memorandum
of understanding in Canberra over the
next phase of the hunt for the plane,
which disappeared on March 8 with
239 people on board en route from
Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
The signing followed a meeting be-
tween the two nations and Chinas Vice-
Minister of Transport He Jianzhong.
The plane is believed to have
crashed into the southern Indian Ocean
far of the west coast of Australia after
mysteriously diverting of-course, but a
massive air, sea and underwater search
has failed to nd any wreckage. Experts
have now used technical data to nalise
its most likely resting place deep under
the Indian Ocean and are preparing for
a more intense underwater search, be-
ginning next month.
It will focus on a dauntingly vast
stretch of ocean measuring 60,000
square kilometres (23,000 square miles).
Mr Truss said that during eforts to
map MH370s location when Malaysia
Airlines tried to contact the jet, it was
suggested to us that the aircraft may
have turned south a little earlier than
we had previously expected.
After MH370 disappeared from the
radar, Malaysia Airlines ground staf
sought to make contact using a satellite
phone. That was unsuccessful, he said.
But the detailed research thats
being done now has been able to ...
trace that phone call and help posi-
tion the aircraft and the direction it
was travelling.
The minister said investigators still
believed MH370 was somewhere on the
search zones seventh arc, where it emit-
ted a nal satellite handshake.
It remains on the seventh arc. That
is, there is a very, very strong view that
this aircraft will be resting on the sev-
enth arc, he said.
Mr Truss added that ongoing map-
ping of 87,000 square kilometres of
the ocean oor had uncovered quite
remarkable geographical features, in-
cluding the discovery of new volcanos
up to 2000 metres (6562 feet) high.
In one place in particular the sea
depth is as little as 600 metres, and
then falls away in just a very short dis-
tance to 6600 metres, he said.
Malaysias Transport Minister Liow
Tiong Lai promised to provide more
regular updates and information about
the search when they arise. He added
that Malaysia had so far spent about
Aus$50 million (US$47 million) on the
search and would match Australias
nancial commitments in the tender
costs for equipment.
The details emerged as it was re-
ported Malaysia Airlines is to slash
thousands of staf, trim routes, replace
its CEO and consider strategic stake
sales to outside investors to save it
from bankruptcy. The already trou-
bled airline was pushed further into
nancial crisis following the devastat-
ing losses of ight MH370 and ight
MH17 which went down on July 18
over a region of eastern Ukraine held
by pro-Russian rebels. AFP
Fresh clue in hunt for
missing fight MH370
square kilometres
60,000
Area of ocean being searched in the
hunt for missing plane
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and consulting all relating to cable television, education and
entertainment services, namely the production and distribution of
cable and television programs for entertainment and educational
purposes, television, cable television, radio and on-line broadcasting
services, telecommunications services, namely providing multiple
user access to digital, web and interactive television services and
internet-based and/or private network-based interactive databases;
internet broadcasting services, digital television broadcasting
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interactive television broadcasting services in Class 38;
Educational and entertainment services namely the production
and distribution of cable television programs for entertainment
and educational purposes in Class 41; and
Providing customer specifed information on a variety of topics
such as news, sports and entertainment via a global computer
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transmitted via satellite for use on a cable television, broadcast
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BANGKOK BANGKOK
BANGKOK
AUTHORITIES last week urged visi-
tors to the popular Thai resort island
of Koh Phangan to take care when
swimming after a ve-year-old French
boy died from a sting by the worlds
most toxic jellysh.
The boy, who was holidaying with
his family, died on the evening of Au-
gust 23 after he was stung by a box jel-
lysh, which is regarded as one of the
deadliest creatures on earth.
While stings from the species are
rare, police urged hotels and local au-
thorities to warn tourists to be careful
in the water.
Preliminary tests found the boy
died of a box jellysh sting, Police
Lieutenant Saengroj Somrotrat said,
adding the childs body was awaiting
repatriation to France.
We have asked them [hotels and
resorts] to help warn people and pre-
pare emergency kits if people come
into contact with the jellysh, he said.
Phangan, in the Gulf of Thailand
draws hordes of mainly young back-
packers from across the world. Mr Saen-
groj said the season for box jellysh will
run until the end of October. AFP
Box jellyfsh
warning after
boy, 5, killed
CHARGES of murder and abuse of
power against former prime minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ex-deputy
over a bloody crackdown on opposi-
tion protests in 2010 were dismissed
by a Thai court last week.
Scores of demonstrators died
under Mr Abhisits establishment-
backed government in street clashes
between mostly unarmed Red Shirt
demonstrators and security forces
ring live rounds in Bangkok.
A criminal court in the capital
ruled on August 27 that it did not
have jurisdiction to hear the case be-
cause Mr Abhisit and his then-depu-
ty Suthep Thaugsuban were holders
of public ofce at the time and acting
under an emergency decree.
It said the only court with the
authority to consider the allegations
was the Supreme Courts Crimi-
nal Division for Holders of Political
Positions.
So the criminal court decided
today to dismiss the two charges, a
judge said.
The surprise ruling comes three
months after the military seized
power from Mr Abhisits political ri-
vals in a bloodless coup.
Army chief General Prayut Chan-
O-Cha, who was last week picked
as prime minister of the Southeast
Asian nation by a junta-appointed
legislature, is often described as the
architect of the 2010 crackdown.
Prosecutors had accused Mr Ab-
hisit and Mr Suthep of issuing orders
that resulted in murder and attempt-
ed murder by the security forces.
Both suspects denied the charges.
Chokchai Angkaew, a lawyer for
the plaintifs, said they planned to
appeal against the dismissal, adding,
Its not over.
The countrys National Anti-Cor-
ruption Commission is now expected
to consider whether the pair abused
their power with the crackdown.
If it believes there is sufcient
grounds, the panel can forward the
case to the Supreme Courts Crimi-
nal Division for Holders of Political
Positions.
Mr Suthep, who went on to lead
months of street protests against Mr
Abhisits successor Yingluck Shina-
watra, appeared in court sporting a
shaven head and the orange robes of
a Buddhist monk after entering the
clergy.
The Red Shirts are mostly sup-
porters of Ms Yinglucks brother, the
billionaire tycoon turned premier
Thaksin Shinawatra who was top-
pled in a previous coup in 2006 and
lives in self-exile to avoid prison for a
corruption conviction.
In the 2010 protests, the Red
Shirts were demanding snap elec-
tions, saying Mr Abhisits govern-
ment took ofce undemocratically in
2008 through a parliamentary vote
after a court stripped Mr Thaksins
allies of power.
Ms Yingluck was removed from
ofce in a controversial court ruling
in May this year, shortly before the
military seized power.
Thailands long-running politi-
cal conict broadly pits a Bangkok-
based middle class and royalist elite,
backed by parts of the military and
judiciary, against rural and working-
class voters loyal to Mr Thaksin.
Since seizing power the junta
has abrogated the constitution, cur-
tailed civil liberties under martial
law and summoned hundreds of op-
ponents, activists and academics for
questioning. AFP
Ex-PM avoids murder charges
Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) and his former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban (right) arrive at court in Bangkok on August 28.
Photo: AFP
THAILANDS coup leader was formally
endorsed as prime minister by the na-
tions revered king last week, in a step
toward forming a government to over-
see sweeping reforms in the politically
turbulent kingdom.
Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-
Cha, 60, who ousted an elected govern-
ment in a bloodless power grab on May
22, was chosen uncontested as premier
last week by a national assembly made
up mainly of military gures.
In a brief but elaborate ceremony to
receive the royal command, Mr Prayut,
wearing a white ofcial uniform, knelt
and bowed in front of a large portrait of
King Bhumibol Adulyadej on August 25.
His majesty the king has appoint-
ed me prime minister. I am extremely
grateful. This is a great honour for me
and my family, Mr Prayut said after the
ceremony.
I will work with honesty and for
the benet of people and the nation, he
added.
The top general, who was endorsed
as premier on August 24 but was of-
cially given the royal command a day
later, will also remain head of the junta
as the military appears to tighten its
grip on power.
A junta spokesperson said Mr Pr-
ayut would pick a cabinet and propose
ministers for the kings approval in
September.
The junta, formally known as the
National Council for Peace and Order
(NCPO), says it was forced to take pow-
er after months of protests left nearly
30 people dead and hundreds more
wounded, paralysing the government,
cramping the economy and frightening
of tourists.
It has ruled out holding new elec-
tions before October 2015, despite
international appeals for a return to
democracy, vowing rst to oversee re-
forms aimed at cleaning up politics and
society.
Rights groups have condemned
the junta for smothering dissent since
seizing power. The United Nations has
expressed alarm at a number of ar-
rests and stif jail sentences meted out
since the coup for defaming Thailands
monarchy. AFP
King installs
Prayut as
premier
Thai court says it does not have the authority to try Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy over 2010 protest deaths
World 47 www.mmtimes.com
HONG KONG
DEMOCRACY advocates expressed
alarm last week after Chinese army
vehicles were photographed travelling
down a major thoroughfare in Hong
Kong, in what has been condemned as
a show of military might ahead of ex-
pected protests.
At least four Peoples Liberation
Army (PLA) armoured personnel car-
riers were seen in the early hours of
August 28 near the busy Jordan and
Yau Ma Tei regions of the city, the Apple
Daily newspaper reported.
The vehicles, with short guns
mounted on turrets, were spotted at a
time of heightened public discontent
in the semi-autonomous city over per-
ceived interference by Beijing and a de-
bate over how the next chief executive
will be chosen under planned reforms.
Beijing has promised the former
British colony will be able to vote for its
own leader in 2017.
But it has insisted on vetting candi-
dates through a pro-Beijing nominating
committee, a move activists fear would
disqualify anyone critical of the main-
land authorities.
A pro-democracy group, Occupy
Central, has pledged to mobilise thou-
sands of protesters to block the nan-
cial district if authorities refuse to allow
the public to choose candidates.
Organisers were set hold a rally on
August 31 when the top committee of
Chinas rubber-stamp legislature was
expected to announce its decision on
what form the political changes would
take.
Chinas state-run Xinhua news agen-
cy warned in a strongly worded article
on August 29 that the central govern-
ment has comprehensive jurisdiction
over Hong Kong and will always be
involved in its afairs.
China will not squeeze Hong Kongs
autonomy, but anti-central government
groups should cast of the illusion that
Hong Kong is under full autonomy, it
added.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia
Mo said she believed the movement of
the armoured carriers was a deliberate
attempt to frighten activists ahead of
the protests.
Its a show of military might to
scare of Hong Kong people who are
about to stage some large-scale civil
disobedience activity. The timing is very
suspicious, she said.
Occupy co-founder Chan Kin-man
said the movement would not be cowed.
The central government is inten-
tionally creating fear in the community
so that they can scare away our support-
ers, he said.
The Hong Kong government de-
clined to comment on the sightings
while the PLA did not immediately re-
spond to AFP inquiries.
The Chinese army and navy have
bases in Hong Kong but have generally
kept a low prole ever since the former
colony was handed over to China in
1997.
Tanks are often viewed by Hong
Kongers as a symbol of Beijings auto-
cratic tendencies.
During frequent pro-democracy
protests in the city, activists often make
homemade tanks in reference to the
famous Tank Man photograph taken
during the bloody Tiananmen Square
crackdown of June 4, 1989.
Oh no, its really going to be a copy
of June 4th, Teresa Leung, an Ap-
ple Daily reader, commented on their
report.
If they use force to suppress Oc-
cupy Central, the result would be
unimaginable, Tina Ho added on the
papers website.
The city was handed over under an
arrangement where it is guaranteed
civil liberties and freedom of speech un-
seen on the mainland.
Chinas Global Times tabloid, which
has close links to the ruling Communist
Party, said that extremists in Hong
Kong cannot win out. AFP
Democracy fears sparked
by Chinese army vehicles
on Hong Kong streets
A Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) soldier stands guard at the entrance to the
PLAs Hong Kong Garrison headquarters in Hong Kong on August 29. Photo: AFP
IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP
An artist gives the
nal touches to a
statue of the Hindu
god Lord Ganesh
at a workshop in
Hyderabad on
August 25, ahead
of the Ganesh
Chaturthi festival.
The statues are
being prepared
for the event, a
popular 11-day long
Hindu religious
festival celebrated
from August 29 to
September 8.
Its a show of
military might to
scare of ... people
who are about
to stage some
large-scale civil
disobedience.
Claudia Mo
Lawmaker
TRADE MARK CAUTION
The Absolut Company Aktiebolag of SE-117 97 Stockholm,
Sweden, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of following Trade Marks:
Reg.No.IV/ 5810 /2011 Reg.No.IV/ 9131 /2014
Used in respect of Vodka in International Class 33.
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said Trade Marks
Khine Khine U, Advocate
LL.B, D.B.L, LL.M (UK)
For The Absolut Company Aktiebolag
#205/5, Thirimingalar Housing, Strand Rd., Yangon.
Dated. 1
st
September, 2014
Reg.No.IV/ 5189 /2011
Reg.No.IV/ 9127 /2014
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Reg.No.IV/ 9130 /2014
ELYX
NEW DELHI
Modis banking
for all pledge
faces challenge
PRIME minister Narendra Modis
pledge to ensure all Indians have a
bank account is one of his key policies,
but experts have warned that taking
banking to rural areas where many
people have no identity papers will be
a huge challenge.
Nearly half of Indias 1.2 billion
population do not have access to bank-
ing services, putting poor people at the
mercy of moneylenders who charge
usurious interest for loans for vital
transactions such as paying medical
bills.
Why are our farmers committing
suicide? Its because they have to take
money at huge interest rates from the
moneylenders, Mr Modi declared in
his rst annual Independence Day
speech.
Just 145 million of Indias 247 mil-
lion households have access to a bank
account, census gures show. Accord-
ing to the World Bank, 73 percent of
farmers have no formal source of
credit.
While the drive for universal bank-
ing access dates back decades, India is
still far from its goal. Now Mr Modi is
taking a personal stake in the quest.
We want to integrate the poorest
of the poor with bank accounts, Mr
Modi said in his August 15 speech, re-
marking that while there has been a
telecommunications revolution in In-
dia, there has been no similar banking
revolution.
There are millions of families who
have mobile phones but no bank ac-
counts. We have to change this sce-
nario, said Mr Modi, who aims to pro-
vide bank accounts to 75 million more
households by 2018, and to have two
account-holders per household.
India is at a crossroads with a
unique opportunity to re-invent its
approach to nancial inclusion, said
Vijay Advani, executive vice-president
of Franklin Templeton Investments.
Mr Modi is pushing to transform
India into a modern economy where
money goes from account to account
rather than pocket to pocket. Un-
der his scheme, each account-holder
would also get a debit card and a
100,000-rupee (US$1600) sickness in-
surance policy.
But there are many hurdles to
achieving Mr Modis goal, among them
a lack of identity documents. Would-
be bank customers have to produce
a host of documents from birth cer-
ticates to residence proofs that many
poor Indians do not possess.
Id like my own bank account but
I have to use a friends account to save.
I dont have the papers, said Pushpa
Kumari, who runs an at-home Delhi
manicure service.
For the common man, the opening
of a bank account is a Herculean task,
said NSN Reddy, chief manager of the
state-run Andhra Bank.
Increasing the ranks of account-
holders will also help India achieve its
aim of transforming the subsidy and
distribution scheme for food, fuel and
fertiliser into cash payments.
World Bank data show just 4
percent of Indians get government
payments through bank accounts.
Analysts say boosting the rate would
help prevent corrupt ofcials from di-
verting aid.
The program will lead to reduced
leakages, better tax collection and im-
proved savings and ultimately boost
economic growth, said Aditya Gupta,
chief operating ofcer of TranServ, an
Indian rm that devises such payment
schemes.
Central Bank governor Raghuram
Rajan has said the scheme will set the
poor on the road to economic inde-
pendence, supplying insurance and
providing credit to entrepreneurs.
The government and central bank
will start by encouraging more ATMs
and mobile banking, and will promote
a new breed of simple banks focused
on deposits and payments.
At present, many of Indias so-
called unbanked store their savings
by investing in gold jewellery and
bars. Indians have one of the worlds
highest household savings rates, but
the central bank says just 35 percent
of these savings go into the banking
system.
Micronance institutions, which
loan small sums to those unable to
get credit from mainstream banks,
have sought to step into the breach,
but have been criticised for exorbitant
lending rates. AFP
An Indian customer reads a pamphlet at a Bank of Maharashtra branch at Galand village in Ghaziabad on August 22. Photo:
AFP
BANGKOK
Thai mass-surrogates paid $12,500 each
THE mothers at the centre of a Thai
surrogacy scandal were paid up to
$12,500 each by a Japanese man
known to them as Jack, police said
last week.
The bafing case, which emerged
after nine babies were found with
nannies in a Bangkok condomini-
um, has triggered a human trafcking
probe and intensied the focus on the
kingdoms murky surrogacy industry.
The alleged father, who is reported
by Japanese media to be the son of an
IT millionaire, has left Thailand but
has voluntarily sent a DNA sample to
try to clear his name.
The tests revealed he is the biologi-
cal father of at least 15 babies born to
surrogates in the kingdom, although
his motives remain unclear.
We have already questioned ve
surrogate mothers. There are six left
to question, said police colonel De-
cha Promsuwan who is leading the
investigation.
They said they went through
agencies. They wanted to do it be-
cause they could earn money. Each of
them was paid 300,000-400,000 baht
[US$9,300-12,500].
Police have contacted their Japa-
nese counterparts to learn more about
the alleged father who was known to
the surrogates as Jack, Mr Decha
added.
Thailands shadowy commercial sur-
rogacy industry was rst thrust into the
limelight following recent accusations
that an Australian couple abandoned a
baby born with Downs syndrome, but
took his healthy twin sister.
The couple have denied deliberate-
ly leaving the boy, called Gammy, with
the surrogate mother, who was paid
around $15,000 to carry the twins.
Paid surrogacy is ofcially banned
by the Thai Medical Council and au-
thorities have since shuttered several
IVF clinics pending a new law to tight-
en loopholes.
Tough penalities under the draft
law could result in 10 years imprison-
ment for involvement in the trade.
Dozens, possibly hundreds, of for-
eign couples are thought to have been
left in limbo after entering into surro-
gacy arrangements through clinics in
the kingdom.
Army Chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha,
who was endorsed as prime minister
by the Thai king on August 25, has
tried to take the steam out of the issue,
ordering authorities to act with leni-
ency on a case-by-case basis.
His comments, come after Aus-
tralia asked Thailand to make tran-
sitional arrangements to help its
citizens who have already entered into
surrogacy arrangements. An Austral-
ian support group says 100 couples are
currently going through a surrogacy
process. AFP
THE largest Muslim rebel group in the
Philippines has condemned extremist
jihadists in Iraq and Syria, and vowed to
stop the spread of their virus into the
Southeast Asian nation.
After decades of armed rebellion that
claimed tens of thousands of lives, the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
signed a peace agreement in March that
commits it and the national government
to share power in the area.
The MILF portrayed its moderate
leadership as vital to stopping the sav-
age ideology of Islamic State (IS) infect-
ing the southern Muslim regions of the
mainly Catholic Philippines.
The MILF condemns barbarism
and savagery whether done by other
groups including the ISIS or even by
its [MILFs] own members, the MILF
said in an editorial posted on its www.
luwaran.com website last week.
Frankly, it is the power, moderating
line, and inuence of the MILF that hin-
ders the birth of a truly strong radical
group.
The MILF also said a planned Mus-
lim autonomous region that is the cen-
trepiece of the peace deal would be a
bulwark against the ideology of the Is-
lamic State (also known as ISIS).
The MILF urged President Benigno
Aquino to approve a draft bill to cre-
ate the autonomous region, which was
submitted to him last week by a joint
committee of rebel and government ne-
gotiators.
The peace agreement had called for
Mr Aquino to submit the bill to Congress
earlier this year, so the autonomous re-
gion would be in place by the time he
leaves ofce in mid-2016. But he rejected
an earlier draft and had the joint com-
mittee prepare a revised version.
It is this... fear (of) not being able
to realise it (passage of the Muslim au-
tonomous law) for whatever reason that
the ISIS virus is much to be feared, the
MILF warned.
Two other Filipino Muslim armed
groups, the Abu Sayyaf and the Bang-
samoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF), have recently vowed allegiance
to the IS in video clips uploaded on the
internet.
Some politicians have expressed
concern both groups may be sending
recruits abroad to ght alongside the
IS, though the Philippine military said
there was no evidence of this.
The Abu Sayyaf is a loosely organ-
ised al-Qaeda-linked group of several
hundred militants blamed for the Phil-
ippines deadliest terrorists attacks.
The BIFF, which has about 200 ght-
ers, split from the MILF after rejecting
peace talks and has vowed to continue
pursuing an independent Islamic state.
For us, the threat is not in the
two groups joining the ISIS. Their
number[s] [are] too tiny to be felt and
make a diference. The threat really
comes from the extremism espouse[d]
by the ISIS. Ideas are contagious and in-
fectious, the MILF said. AFP
MANILA
MILF vows to stop spread
of IS virus in Philippines
IN PICTURES
Photo: AFP
Motorists ride past a billboard with an image of late president
Ho Chi Minh, founder of todays communist Vietnam, on display
in downtown Hanoi on August 28. The country will celebrate the
69th anniversary of its independence on September 2.
TRADE MARK CAUTION
Novo Nordisk A/S, a corporation organized under the laws of
Denmark, of Novo Alle, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, is the
Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
Novo Nordisk
Reg. No. 9191/2011
in respect of Class 05: Pharmaceutical preparations for the
treatment of diabetes, obesity, autoimmune and infammatory
diseases and disorders; pharmaceutical preparations for haemostasis
management and for hormone therapy. Class 10: Medical
and surgical apparatus and instruments, namely, hypodermic
syringes and needles, injectors for injection of pharmaceutical
preparations; medical apparatus and instruments for reconstitution
and injection of pharmaceutical preparations; medical apparatus
and instruments, namely, an automatic needle insertion device;
medical apparatus and instruments, namely, injection devices for
administration of pharmaceutical preparations, infusion pumps,
infusion pump controllers, adhesive infusion devices, parts and
fttings for all the aforementioned goods.
for Novo Nordisk A/S
P. O. Box 60, Yangon.
TRADE MARK CAUTION
LEGO Juris A/S, of 7190 Billund, Denmark, is the Owner of
the following Trade Marks:-
Reg. No. 992/1981
LEGO
Reg. No. 993/1981
(LEGO)
Reg. No. 798/1983
in respect of Intl Class 28: toys, games and playthings.
Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks
for LEGO Juris A/S
Dated: 1
st
September, 2014
JAKARTA
FIVE cleaners accused of sexual as-
sault at one of Indonesias most pres-
tigious international schools,were in
court last week for the start of a high-
prole trial.
The crisis at the Jakarta Interna-
tional School (JIS), which began in
April with allegations that cleaning
staf had assaulted a young boy, has
rocked an institution that has been a
favourite with expatriates in the capi-
tal for more than 60 years.
Since the rst allegation, the
scandal has snowballed, with more
parents making abuse claims, a Ca-
nadian staf member accused and
the revelation that a suspected serial
paedophile sought by the FBI had
taught at the school for a decade.
Agun Iskandar, 25, was the rst
of ve accused of abusing the boy to
face court on August 26.
A prosecutor said Mr Iskandar
could face up to 15 years in jail if
found guilty, while a lawyer for the
alleged victim called for the cleaners
to be punished harshly.
The victim and family want the
most severe, maximum punishment
because it was a barbaric, insolent
act, Andi Asrun told reporters be-
fore the trial started at the South Ja-
karta District Court.
However Mada Rajendra
Mardanus, a lawyer for Mr Iskandar,
insisted his client was innocent. The
cleaners legal team have previously
said police beat confessions out of
some of them.
There is no strong evidence to
support their case. This case has been
forced. Agun is disappointed because
his freedom has been snatched away
from him, Mr Mardanus said before
the trial.
On August 27 three male cleaners
Virgiawan Amin, Syahrial, who goes
by one name and Zainal Abidin,
and one female cleaner, Afrischa Sty-
ani, went on trial in separate closed
hearings at South Jakarta District
Court. They too face a maximum of
15 years in prison if found guilty of
breaking child protection laws, said
prosecutor Mr Rahima.
However their lawyers say they
are innocent and that at the start
of their trials the four men recant-
ed confessions they had previously
made, claiming police beat them up.
The female cleaner never con-
fessed, they added. Police insist that
they never beat up the cleaning staf,
who were hired from an outside con-
tractor.
Patra Zen, lawyer for Mr Amin,
told reporters after the hearing that
his client said he was coerced into a
confession because he could not tol-
erate being beaten and abused dur-
ing the investigation.
A sixth cleaner was implicated in
the case but died in custody, with po-
lice saying he committed suicide by
drinking oor-cleaning uid.
Abuse claims have also been
made against Canadian Neil Bantle-
man, an administrator at the school,
and Indonesian teaching assistant
Ferdinand Tjiong. They have been in
police custody since mid-July.
The family of one boy allegedly
abused has also led a civil suit
against the school seeking US$125
million in damages. AFP
Afrischa Setyani, one of five Indonesian cleaners accused of sexual assault of a pupil at a prestigious international school, gestures as she waits for her trial in
Jakarta on August 27. Photo: AFP
MANILA
A FILIPINO Islamic militant suspected
of taking part in at least one deadly kid-
napping raid on a Malaysian diving re-
sort island was arrested last week.
Hundreds of members of a police
special force unit were deployed to ar-
rest Abu Sayyaf member Mobin Hailil at
a remote village in the Tawi-Tawi archi-
pelago near the Malaysian sea border on
August 26 police said.
When local police located him we
were called in because they knew mem-
bers of his clan would ght back, Filipi-
no police special forces director Getulio
Napenas said.
The suspect, a Tawi-Tawi native
and a leader of Abu Sayyaf members
based on the island, did not resist ar-
rest but a loaded handgun and a gre-
nade were seized from him, Mr Nap-
enas added.
A Filipino police statement said Mr
Hailil, also known as Kahumbo, was
involved in kidnapping and killings
on the Malaysian resort island of Mabul,
about 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Mr
Hailils Tawi-Tawi home.
However, it did not provide details of
his alleged crimes.
A policeman was killed and a second
of cer kidnapped by heavily armed men
in the diving resort, of Borneo island,
on July 12, Malaysian security of cials
have reported.
The Star, a Malaysian newspaper,
on July 27 quoted unnamed Malaysian
intelligence sources as saying Mr Hailil
might have been responsible for that at-
tack, as well as other kidnappings in the
area.
The July shooting was the latest in
a spate of kidnapping raids in the re-
mote Malaysian state of Sabah, home to
some of the worlds top diving sites, in
violence that has hurt the local tourism
industry.
In June, Filipino gunmen seized a
Malaysian sh breeder and his Filipino
worker from their farm in Sabah. They
have not yet been freed. AFP
Arrest over
fatal kidnap
from Borneo
island resort
Trial starts in
international
school
sex abuse
scandal
The victim and
family want the
most severe,
maximum
punishment.
Andi Asrun
Lawyer
TOKYO
WITH their Lolita-style frilly red skirts
and their hair in pigtails, they may
look as if they should be singing cu-
tesy, love songs.
But Japanese teen band Babymetal
are aiming to take on the tattooed and
leather-clad male-dominated world of
hard rock.
The school-girl trio, who have
toured with Lady Gaga and played
to monster crowds in America and
Europe, say the bands whirlwind suc-
cess has fuelled their appetite to make
their mark on the heavy metal scene.
At the recent Tokyos Summer
Sonic music festival, 16-year-old lead
singer Su-metal said Our goal is not
to be number one, said before a high-
octane performance in front of 20,000
head-banging fans. Our aim is to be
the only one.
Babymetal shot to fame in 2011
when the single Doki-Doki Morning
went viral on YouTube, their fusion of
J-Pop and thrash metal forging a new
genre they call kawaii (cute) metal and
earning them slots at festivals along-
side giants such as Metallica, Iron
Maiden and Anthrax.
A phone call from Lady Gaga fol-
lowed and they opened a handful of
shows for the Born this Way singer
earlier this month.
When we heard we would be sup-
porting her we couldnt believe it,
beamed Su-Metal, sitting on a sofa
backstage. She told us to keep work-
ing hard to be the best we can be. Shes
amazing, the power she has.
Their overseas shows went down a
storm with metal fans unfamiliar with
Japanese pop culture and its conveyor
belt of bubblegum teen idols.
When people saw us for the rst
time they were just open-mouthed,
added Su-metal. Then they really got
into it and started wearing Babym-
etal T-shirts. Weve taken Japans idol
music genre of pretty girls singing
and dancing and added kawaii metal,
which is totally new.
Babymetal had no idea what heavy
metal was before forming four years
ago.
We were like Whats that? said
Yumetal, 15. At rst we had a scary
image of metal and it was hard to ap-
proach other artists. Im not sure we
understand metal perfectly yet but
weve met lots of bands and theyve all
been really sweet to us.
Last month, Babymetal rocked
a crowd of 50,000 at Britains Soni-
sphere festival, headlined by Iron
Maiden, The Prodigy and Metallica.
Last year, we met Metallica for
the rst time at Summer Sonic, said
Yuimetal. They were so kind to us it
felt like they were uncles of ours. Then
we heard them play, they were pure
heavy metal. They were so cool.
Babymetals theatrical live show is
punctuated by cutesy dance moves,
pouting and uttering eyelashes, and
is powered by a ghoulish zombie band
including a guitarist in a long white
dress and lank hair with a striking
resemblance to the ghost in the Japa-
nese horror movie Ring.
Security began lifting fans crushed
against the barrier to safety as soon as
they tore into their second song, the
hit single Gimme Chocolate.
The pint-sized trio, who stand on
boxes for much of their show, mer-
rily chirped Please give me chocolate
quickly, chocolate quickly! as middle-
aged heavy metal fans in Motorhead
T-shirts moshed sweatily alongside
teenage girls dressed up as their idols.
We do still get nervous but once
we get up there, the metal gods pro-
tect us so its ne, giggled 15-year-old
Moametal, referring to the name the
girls use to describe their backing
group.
Despite their astonishing rise to
stardom, the bubbly threesome claim
they are still regular schoolgirls.
Right now were Babymetal,
smiled Yuimetal. But usually were
just normal junior high school and
high school students. We do our best
to combine our two lives.
At an age when most mums wor-
ry about their daughters doing their
homework, Su-metal insisted that pa-
rental support had played a big part in
the bands success.
My mum wasnt the sort of person
who would ordinarily listen to heavy
metal, she said with a grin. But she
thinks Babymetals songs are cool.
Shes a big fan. AFP
Japanese teens
take on metals
heavy-weights
[Metallica] were so
kind to us it felt like
they were uncles of
ours.
Yuimetal
Babymetal member
Babymetal members (from left) Moametal, Su-Metal and Yuimetal smile during an interview in Tokyo on August 16. Photo: AFP
THE PULSE EDITOR: WHITNEY LIGHT light.whitney@gmail.com THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014

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Photo: Yu Yu
Photo: Supplied
NYEIN EI EI HTWE
nyeineieihtwe23@gmail.com
Released in 2009 after
spending 11 years in prison for
political activism, Ma Zin Mar
Aung has turned her attention
to educating the Myanmar
public about gender issues
Not afraid to be called
a feminist
the pulse 55
www.mmtimes.com
Myanmar women who work for gender issues and womens
rights are afraid to be called feminist. Most of them dont
want to be thought of as heroes. I dont know why.
Ma Zin Mar Aung
Not afraid to be called
a feminist
E
VEN with an audience of one, womens rights activist
Ma Zin Mar Aung speaks as if she is shouting to
someone in the next room.
Her booming voice and loud laughter spill from
the lecture hall of her organisation Rainfall (Re-
socialization and Increased Non-discrimination For All) on
Anawrahta Road, where she sits talking with a foreigner who is
collecting information for a research paper on gender issues in
Myanmar.
Wearing an oversized shirt and a traditional longyi, Ma Zin
Mar Aung listens politely to the researchers questions before
answering. When she laughs, her short hair bounces on her
shoulders.
She isnt ashamed to joke about her loud tone.
My neighbours have told me to keep quiet while Im praying,
and even my nephews and nieces are afraid of me when I talk,
she says.
But there is a serious side to the intensity of Ma Zin Mar
Aungs voice, a habit that she traces back to her time in prison.
I would prefer to keep my voice calm and gentle, but its hard
to change a habit that I picked up during 11 years in jail, she
says.
She and the other political prisoners in Htone Bo Prison in
Mandalay Region were kept separated in brick cells.
We never had the chance to meet the other prisoners, so we
made conversation by shouting loudly enough to penetrate the brick
walls between our cells. It became my habit to talk that way.
Released in 2009, Ma Zin Mar Aung has since dedicated
herself to studying gender issues and ghting for womens rights.
She has become well known as an activist, but few know the
story behind her imprisonment.
The accidental activist
Ma Zin Mar Aung was only 12 years old when she rst heard the
call.
It came in the form of a crowd marching on the street as
she played in front of her house. They were chanting political
slogans, and as they passed by Ma Zin Mar Aung stopped what
she was doing to watch.
Noticing a few older students and friends from her state-run
school among the crowd, she ran to join them without telling
her parents. At the time she had no idea what the chanting was
about, but something compelled her to follow.
The date was August 8, 1988, and Ma Zin Mar Aung found
herself caught up in one of the most infamous incidents in
Myanmars history: the slaughter of students, workers, activists
and other citizens by their own government, all for the sake of
repressing a peaceful call for democracy.
The leaders of the group were university students, followed by
high school students and other young protestors, many carrying
national ags. The group stopped as they approached the North
Okkalapa bridge, which had been blocked by soldiers.
The leaders responded by dividing the march into two groups:
one to walk along the main circular road around North Okkalapa,
and the other to follow the road that passed under the bridge.
Ma Zin Mar Aung was put into the rst group.
Later, when our group arrived back at the starting point
where we had agreed to meet up again with the other group, they
werent there. They had all been shot, she said.
The road was still wet with blood. The bodies of the dead,
including several of Ma Zin Mar Aungs friends, had been taken
to North Okkalapa General Hospital.
The soldiers shot not only protestors but also others who
happened to be nearby, including people eating lunch or sitting
outside their houses. They had been ordered to shoot, but they
hadnt been told who to shoot, Ma Zin Mar Aung said, speaking
breathlessly as if recounting an incident from earlier in the day.
Since that time, I have thought of our government as a killer
of students. In our country, the army can kill innocent people
without reason.
After that day Ma Zin Mar Aung dedicated herself to ghting
the militarys unjust oppression of her own people. She started
educating herself by listening to radio broadcasts by BBC, VOA
and RFA.
She was only 14 years old during the 1990 election. On her
own initiative, she sold key chains, buttons and postcards bearing
the face of General Aung San to raise funds for the National
League for Democracy (NLD).
I knew Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had attended Oxford
University and that she was the daughter of our general. That
was enough to believe her instead of the government: She was
educated and she was the daughter of our leader, Ma Zin Mar
Aung said.
The 1990 elections, nullied by the government after an
overwhelming victory by the NLD, further cemented her mistrust
of the countrys military rulers.
Student activism and prison
As a botany major at Dagon University, Ma Zin Mar Aung joined
a group of students who wrote and distributed pamphlets about
the perceived misdeeds of the government. They also called for
the release of prisoners who had been arrested in 1988.
At that time the government arrested politicians, students
and artists who criticised them and who talked about democracy.
We wanted to show how the government did unfair things to
people, and how they were not our chosen leaders, she said.
When it became clear that the group was under surveillance
by police, they stopped distributing written material which
could be conscated as evidence and started delivering
impromptu speeches in busy areas. If they saw anyone in the
crowd they suspected of being a government informant, they ran.
If any group members did not make it to the meetings they held
at teashops in the evenings, the others knew they had been arrested.
One day, Ma Zin Mar Aung heard that the police were looking
for her.
Myanmar policemen always arrested students at night, so I
didnt go home after I got news that they were watching me, she
said with a laugh. But the next day I went home for lunch, and
they came while I was eating.
In September 1998, at the age of 22 and during her nal year of
university, Ma Zin Mar Aung was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
I didnt feel afraid while I was in prison, but I did feel fear
when they were questioning me before my sentence, she said.
My biggest worry was that they would use torture to force me to
reveal the names of my friends.
Although her resolve was never tested with severe torture, she
was forced to endure three days of interrogation without food
or drink before she was sent to Yangons Insein Prison for seven
months.
She was then transferred to Htone Bo Prison in Mandalay. The
move meant that her relatives from Yangon could visit only twice
a month. When her father visited, he whispered political news
to Ma Zin Mar Aung while the guards were busy scrutinising the
food parcels he had brought along.
She occupied her time by reading books donated by the
International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as books from
her father about Buddhism. But she sank into depression when
most of her friends were released before her.
In 2007 Ma Zin Mar Aung was put on a government list
for consideration for early release, but the efort was derailed
when she started receiving Christmas cards from Amnesty
International, an organisation she had never contacted.
When my friend Lae Lae Nwe was released from prison, she
took part in a campaign to release political prisoners by writing my
name on her palm and taking a photo. So other people knew me
even though I didnt know anything about the campaign, she said.
Interrogators asked her how she had come into contact with
the activists who had sent the Christmas cards. She responded
by shouting back at her interrogators, and they used this lack of
cooperation as an excuse to keep her in jail for two more years.
A dedication to womens issues
Ma Zin Mar Aung was nally released in 2009 after serving 11
years of her sentence. She continued her interrupted university
studies via a distance education program, earning her botany
degree in 2011.
The other thing I did was try to get comfortable being
around people. I met with my friends who had also been released
from prison, walked around downtown, took buses. But I found
that I was afraid of crowds, so I went to pagodas and sat alone to
release my stress and fear, she said.
Despite these insecurities, spending more than a decade in
prison had done little to quell Ma Zin Mar Aungs enthusiasm for
politics. After her release, she began studying capacity building
and its potential role in the development of her country.
I became particularly interested in the ways that Myanmar
women are discriminated against, she said.
In 2012 she attended Stanford University in the US for two
weeks under a scholarship program to study politics and social
science. In the same year she received an International Women of
Courage Award from then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Upon her return to Myanmar, she studied gender and
environmental issues under another scholarship program at the
British Council. She joined with four of her classmates to start
the Rainfall organisation aimed at sharing knowledge about
gender issues in civil society.
In Myanmar, people talk about womens rights in comparison
with other undeveloped countries, and they say Myanmar women
are lucky and theres no discrimination. But no one compares
Myanmar to Western countries, she said.
For example, most women here dont understand anything
about economic independence. Thats why married women who
become widowed usually need to remarry for the sake of family
income.
Ma Zin Mar Aung often refers to herself as a feminist, a
label that she says many local women are reluctant to adopt.
Myanmar women who work for gender issues and womens
rights are afraid to be called feminist. Most of them dont want
to be thought of as heroes. I dont know why.
Speaking out for education
Last year she turned her attention to ghting against the Emer-
gency Provisions on Marriage Act for Burmese Buddhist Women,
which is now pending in parliament. The proposed law would
prevent Buddhist women from marrying outside their religion,
while Buddhist men would face no such restrictions.
In March, Human Rights Watch called the act a major
reversal for religious freedom and womens rights in Myanmar.
Ma Zin Mar Aung was among a group of women who travelled
to Nay Pyi Taw in June to deliver a letter to President U Thein
Sein in protest against the legislation.
Almost immediately, she began receiving threatening letters
and email messages from people who disapproved of her work
for womens rights.
When I started getting messages from people who said they
wanted to kill me for campaigning against the interfaith marriage
law, I just couldnt understand their way of thinking, she said.
I feel sorry for Myanmar people who dont realise the
importance of this issue and who think about it the wrong way.
She believes that these eforts to backpedal on human
rights issues show that despite the much-discussed transition
to democracy currently under way, the government and their
systems of control havent really changed. Theyve changed their
clothes and their titles, but not the system.
Back at the Rainfall lecture hall on Anawrahta Road, Ma Zin
Mar Aung nishes talking with the foreign researcher and starts
preparing for another appointment later in the evening, where
she will give a talk about womens rights in Myanmar. Meanwhile,
she speaks on her phone with a friend about planning a trip to
southern Myanmar to give more talks.
She is also busy organising an intensive course on gender
issues to be held at the Rainfall ofce starting next month. All
women are welcome to apply, including students from outside
Yangon. There is space for 25.
In spite of all this activity, she still makes time for her family,
especially her father who had been unable to prevent the 12-year-
old girl from following the protestors in 1988, who for more than
a decade had visited her in prison twice a month, and who, after
initial reservations, came to accept her work as an activist.
My father never comments on my work, but he always asks
me to have dinner with him, she says as she walks from the
lecture hall. I try my best to fulll his hopes.
When I started getting messages from people who said they
wanted to kill me for campaigning against the interfaith marriage
law, I just couldnt understand their way of thinking.
56 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
Artwork by San Zaw Htway. Photos: Supplied
Actors with Thukhuma Khayeethe practise a new play for youth. Photo: Yu Yu
ARTIST San Zaw Htway has been
shortlisted for the 2014 Artraker
Award honouring artists who
endeavour to help end sufering and
conict. The artworks of 12 candidates
will be exhibited from September 18 to
25 at Londons a/political gallery.
San Zaw Htway, a former
political prisoner, was released in
2011 after serving 13 years behind
bars. Since then he has been
teaching art to children who are
orphaned by natural disaster or
infected with HIV. He shows kids
how to make art out of recyclable
materials, which he taught himself
to do during his time in prison.
In every class, he combines the
art instruction with an uplifting,
motivational speech.
While I was in prison,
sometimes I wanted to act out
harshly when I got dissatised with
my situation. At that time, I found
that writing poems or making
artwork relieved my anger, San Zaw
Htway said.
Classes for 20 to 25 children
are held once a week in Thukha
Yeikmyone, a home for children
with HIV, in East Dagon. He also
teaches 20 children in Shwe Kyin
Monastery in Konchangone, a home
for children who were orphaned by
Cyclone Nargis in 2008.
San Zaw Htway also travels
throughout the country to teach
children who have been afected by
war and poverty.
The classes demonstrate how to
collect coloured plastic bags, clean
them and turn them into artworks.
San Zaw Htway said he hopes
children who are in anguish may
practise art as an escape from
sufering and to feel hope for
another day.
The children who live in
camps are not as free and happy as
children who live at home with their
parents. Every day they learn to live
with imperfection, so they might
feel depressed or sad or revengeful,
he said.
He entered three works into
the competition. Blue Moon on
the Highway he created in prison.
The other two he made after he
was released. One is a portrait of
Thakhin Kodaw Hmaing, a 20
th
-
century poet, writer and political
leader, and the other is a picture
of a peacock. All his artworks were
made of waste materials.
San Zaw Htways dream is to
produce a catalogue of the art made
by children in camps for internally
displaced people in Myanmar. His
intention is to share it with children
in refugee camps in diferent
countries.
I hope it will bring strength
to the children in our country as
well as to children sufering similar
situations in diferent countries,
he said.
The Artraker Award received
250 entries from 90 countries. Of
these, 12 have been shortlisted. Three
winners will be selected for the
overall Artraker Award, the Artraker
Award for Social Impact and the
Artraker Award for Social Innovation
on September 21, coinciding with
International Peace Day.
ZON PANN PWINT
zonpann08@gmail.com
Myanmar artists recycled-waste works
to be shown in London
D
AW Aung San Suu Kyi
has called upon writers,
poets, cartoonists and
artists of all sorts to
use their creative skills
to inspire political dialogue. The
leader of the National League
for Democracy made the request
when she met with writers for a
press conference at Royal Rose
Restaurant on August 25.
Some people used to say art
stands diferently from politics. But
I feel it depends on the situation,
she said. If a country is calm,
artists can focus only on culture
and the arts, but if it is moving
toward democracy we all need to
work to point out our countrys
faults.
She said NLD party members
have been working with writers
and artists since 1988 to educate
the public on issues of human
rights, politics, the economy
and civil society. Now those arts
professionals are asked to pull the
publics consciousness toward the
major political and social questions
of 2014, she said, since this year
will be the most important in
shaping the outcomes of election
year 2015.
She thanked the cartoonists
that she said have helped her and
the general public understand the
state of the nation through satirical
images in local journals.
There are many complicated
things that politicians say, but
cartoonists can represent what they
want the public to talk about, so I
like satire cartoons, she said.
Also at the conference, writer Pe
Myint discussed the censorship of
the Press Scrutiny and Registration
Division, informally known as
the censorship board, which was
organised in 1962 with the result
that all public dissemination
of ideas and images created by
writers, poets, cartoonists and
artists was eliminated for many
years.
We all tried our best to reect
the real situation of the country
under the strict rules of censorship,
but we knew our art would be cut
of, he said.
In August 2012 the government
disbanded the censorship board
but all cartoonists and writers
including journalists continued
to be watched for infringement of
current laws.
Writer San San Nwet (Thar
Yar Wa Ti) said that writers must
be smart in their work because
so many complicated things are
happening that the important
issues have been mixed up with the
unimportant.
When the important things
happen in parliament like the
draft of the interfaith marriage
law, or federal law all the people
forget to participate because
theyve been distracted by news
about salvaging the bronzed bell,
she said. Readers and writers need
to meet and discuss how not to
draw the public attention to trivial
things and to point out what is
important.
The president of the Myanmar
Writers Society, Htet Myat, asked
for support from Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi to help journalists,
remarking upon the recent
sentencing of ve journalists to ten
years with hard labour.
I was surprised when Daw
Suu and other representatives
in parliament agreed with the
draft proposal of the printing and
publishing law. We hoped all would
be against a law which could kill
our literature again, Htet Myat
said.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted
that she thought the draft law
had been agreed to by writers and
respected ministries, so although
she supported it she would
investigate what the draft law
entailed.
Writers and journalists need to
meet with opposition parties like
us, not only with the president and
other ministers, she said.
Nearly 100 famous writers,
poets, cartoonists and artists,
including some from Mandalay,
were in attendance.
NYEIN EI EI HTWE
nyeineieihtwe23@gmail.com
Daw Suu calls
on artists to
address politics
Aung San Suu Kyi
speaks at a press
conference at Royal
Rose Restaurant on
August 25. Photo:
Aung Htay Hlaing
Youth theatre project aims to
inspire new playwrights
THE lizard and the gecko in the Play
with No Name began as friends but
ended up ghting as their food supply
dried up. The work, adapted from a
childrens story, was performed before
an audience of monastery scholars
and orphans in Pakokku, Magwe
Region, by a collaboration of New
York-based Bond Street Theatre and
Thukhuma Khayeethe from August
3 to 9.
Thila Min, the leader of
Thukhuma Khayeethe, said the
play was intended to reect the
countrys current political and social
situation. After the performance, the
young theatregoers, aged from 15
to 25, discussed the play, as well as
how to go about creating their own
contemporary play. In a second phase
of the project, they will have the
chance to do so in Yangon.
We wanted to get a discussion
going not just on the style of the play,
but also to get the audience to think
a skill blocked by the military regime
for a very long time, Thila Min said.
The conict between the two
unnamed forest creatures is caused
by a corrupt deal between two other
characters, a frog and a crocodile,
which entails the hoarding and
sell-of of once abundant forest
resources.
The second phase of the project
will take place in September-October.
This kind of contemporary approach
to play-creation is very interesting
for young people since it hasnt been
seen in their lifetime. It allows them
to express their own attitudes and
ideas, and get a better understanding
of the meaning of freedom and
responsibility, said Joanna Sherman,
the artistic director of Bond Street
Theatre.
Thukhuma Khayeethe was created
in 2009 by language teacher Ko Soe
Myat Thu and art teacher Thila Min.
Bond Street Theatre works in conict
zones like Afghanistan, Kosovo,
and Haiti, using theatre to explore
issues and discuss solutions with
the community. The collaboration
of Thukhuma Khayeethe and Bond
Street Theatre started in 2010 to
provide information to children about
hygiene and healing after Cyclone
Nargis.
CHIT SU WAI
suwai.chit@gmail.com
the pulse 57 www.mmtimes.com
ART
Aug 15-Sept 20 14 AM TS1 Gallery,
Lanthit Jetty, Seikkan 10am-5pm
Sept 19-20 The Parasol Project
fundraiser for Better Burmese Health
Care. Pansodan Scene, 2
nd
Floor, 144
Pansodan Street, Kyauktada 6-11pm
FILM
Start times at Mingalar (1, 2), Thwin,
Shae Shaung (1,2) and Nay Pyi Taw
cinemas are 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm,
6pm and 8pm.
Start times at Junction Square and Maw
Tin are 10am, 1pm and 4pm daily and
7pm and 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
Start times at Mingalar San Pya are
10am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 6:30pm and
9:30pm
Nay Pyi Taw Cinema, near Sule pagoda
Guardians of the Galaxy. Directed by
James Gunn. Based on the Marvel
comics.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Directed
by Jonathan Liebesman. The heroes in
the half-shell are back, in 3D.
The Expendables 3. Directed by Patrick
Hughes. A group of mercenaries must
take down one of their own.
Mingalar Cinema 2, at Dagon Center 2,
Myaynigone, Sanchaung
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Shae Shaung Cinema, Sule Pagoda
Road, Kyauktada
Into the Storm. Directed by Steven
Quale. A flm of disaster footage.
Junction Square Cineplex, Kamaryut
The Captive. Directed by Atom
Egoyan. Eight years after Cassandra
disappeared, indications are shes still
alive.
Guardians of the Galaxy. Directed by
James Gunn.
Mingalar San Pya Cineplex, Phone Gyi
Street and Anawrahta, Lanmadaw
Guardians of the Galaxy.
MUSIC
Sept 10 Live Music. 50
th
Street Bar,
9-13 50
th
Street, Botahtaung 8pm
Sept 12 Live Music. 50
th
Street Bar,
9-13 50
th
Street, Botahtaung 8pm
MISC
Sept 2 Gallery conversation and
drinks. Pansodan Gallery, 289
Pansodan Street, Kyauktada 7pm-
late
Sept 4 Tipsy Travel Talk Thursdays.
Discuss alternative travel in
Myanmar over drinks. Off the Beaten
Track Caf, Kandawgyi Oo Yin Kabar,
Kandawgyi Park, Mingalar Taung
Nyunt
Sept 7 Dart and pool competition.
50
th
Street Bar, 9-13 50
th
Street,
Botahtaung 1pm
Sept 7 Tango dance class. FX
Xpress, Malikha Housing, Yadanar
Street, Thingangyun 6:30-7:30pm
Got an event?
List it in Whats On!
whatsonmt@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 1 - 7
S
tr
e
e
t S
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e
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Sales girls wait in front of a shop in Zay Cho market in Mandalay. Photo: Yu Yu
IF youre slim and wear smart clothes,
its often assumed having self-
condence at the ofce should be easy.
Ma Htet Htet, a 30-year-old
accountant, admits to thinking this way.
Im always looking for a new clue
about how to lose weight, she said.
Shes tried many plans, such as weight-
loss cofee, yoga classes and hitting the
gym.
If I earn more money I will consult
with surgeons and get them to suck
out my fat with a slimming machine,
she said.
Shes also heard about a less
invasive way to get slim quick. A friend
suggested she use a slimming cream
to be applied in combination with
a series of massages. Ma Htet Htet
decided to give it a try, impressed by
a neighbours teenage daughter who
appeared to have lost 30 pounds this
way.
An increasing number of gyms and
beauty salons have opened in Yangon
in recent years to serve an increasingly
body-conscious society. In the same
time, imported slimming creams
have also come into fashion. Without
exercising or sweating, they claim to
take of the pounds in a short amount
of time. Whether its safe, however, isnt
clear.
Now it is so popular, said Daw Win
Ma Ma, owner of a gym and weight-
loss centre that opened in 2005. Shes
expanded to two gyms in Yangon and
two in Mandalay, employing a staf of
30 women.
Every month she ofers a slimming
cream and massage program, although
she doesnt share the name of the
cream with clients.
I assure customers they will lose
weight in a short time without side
efects, so no one has asked me about
the cream, she said, adding that
she has never seen it cause adverse
reactions.
She guarantees two to four
inches will be lost after the customer
completes a course of treatment. If not
they can take their money back.
One client, a 23-year-old ofce
worker who asked not to be named,
said she felt uneasy using the cream.
I felt unsafe even though they
assured me there are no side efects.
But I really wanted to lose weight in a
short time, so I decided to do it, she
said.
Many of the creams claim to work
by being absorbed through the skin
and dissolving fat stores. However,
according to the medical information
site WebMD, many of the creams
actually contain aminophylline, an
asthma treatment, which can have
harmful efects. Some people may
experience an allergic reaction. The
drug can also cause blood vessels
to narrow and water to leave the
skin, potentially causing circulatory
problems. While there are some reports
of improvements in the appearance of
cellulite after using these creams, most
are acknowledged to be minor and
temporary.
The fat on my thighs and belly was
abbier before, but I felt so much pain
after the massage. Sometimes it left the
skin black and blue, the ofce worker
said.
According to Dr Thazin Yee Hlaing
of the Myanmar Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), no weight loss
creams have been approved for sale in
Myanmar.
Even imported creams made with
natural ingredients such as seaweed,
minerals, cofee, camphor, ginger and
turmeric shouldnt used if the product
is illegal locally, said Dr Soe Win Oo
of Myint & Son Professional Skin Care
Clinic. He thinks the products serve as
advertisements for beauty salons rather
than real health solutions.
Ive never read in a medical book
about such a plan. Also nobody has
documented whether the plans really
work out, he said.
The best way of losing weight is to
eat a correct diet and exercise daily, he
said.
Still, women around the world are
gravitating toward slimming creams
in their attempts to battle the bulge,
whether its legal or not.
Its also expensive. One course of
treatment involves 12 to 30 sessions
depending on the part of the body. And
the fees for one body feature range
from K30,000 to K70,000.
Ma Thandar, from Tarmwe, said
shes lost 30 pounds through slimming
cream massage. But all services are not
created equal, she said.
Ive encountered bad massage
services. At one place, the masseurs
tweaked my belly and pushed very
hard. It hurt so much I cant go there
anymore, she said.
She switched to another weight-
loss service near her house. After 20
applications of cream with massage,
vibrating machines and exercise
sessions with a personal trainer she got
a good result, she said.
My body weight went from 140lb to
110lb, she said. I feel so happy and self
condent.
Can skin creams make
you slimmer?
NANDAR AUNG
nandaraung.mcm@gmail.com
WEEKLY
PREDICTIONS
SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
PISCES | Feb 19 March 20
In any decision, the best
thing you can do is gure out
how to make the right choice
and how to use your skills
for something great. If you
think clearly you will avoid delusions of
power in social relationships. Mental
suffering must be balanced by wisdom.
Respect each other and learn to live and
let live.
AQUARIUS | Jan 20 Feb 18
Positive thinking is enough
to beautify your life all the
time. Know that every new
word and fresh thought is
more precious than gold.
Dont settle for the ordinary, but believe in
yourself as an extraordinary person with
great and noble ideas. Use your wisdom
to choose the right path. You are lucky in
social relationships.
ARIES | March 21 Apr 19
Determine what you are
afraid of, and then take the
best actions to resolve the
threads that are causing the
negativity. Blaming others
for your jealousy or resentment is not
suited to you because of your good
attitude. Know that tolerance is the rst
principle of community. Apply your
management skills wisely.
CAPRICORN | Dec 22 Jan 19
Listening is one of the
best methods known for
nding the real causes
behind problems and
difculties. Never talk to
cover up your own insecurity. Let each
person know exactly what is expected
of him in terms of quantity and quality
of work. Treat every person with
consideration and respect. Dont be
enslaved by the power of lust, which
cannot create love.
SAGITTARIUS | Nov 22 Dec 21
See how one thing can be
turned into something else.
An object or experience that
is seemingly useless can be
turned into something
useful. Good things can be turned into
bad things at a surprising time. Make no
quick decisions, even for good
opportunities. Come to your love
relationship with more knowledge.
SCORPIO | Oct 23 Nov 21
Every problem and every
solution plugs into a bigger
system. If you think broadly
you can look around at todays
answers and get important
clues to what tomorrows problems will be.
Your comments should be constructive in
order to solve a petty dilemma. A golden
prize will reward your effort.
LIBRA | Sept 23 Oct 22
Inspire yourself to appreciate
the fullness of who you are.
Know that social relationships
are very important to having
an easy life. Nurturing
negativity and aggressive tendencies within
yourself is dangerous, and you might
become controlled by delusions. Escape
from pessimistic thoughts.
VIRGO | Aug 23 Sept 22
Success is the growing
process, not a nal result.
Self-employment or
working without
supervision takes a lot of
self-discipline.
Sometimes what is
required to succeed
seems excessive or
irrational. But you should still stick it out with
persistence. Appreciate how beautiful it is when
your deepest romantic dreams are fullled.
TAURUS | April 20 May 20
Live as a pragmatic
person and deepen
your understanding of
yourself. Maintain
objective attention to
get perspective on a decision. The
inner darkness must be dispelled to
apprehend the truth. Believe that
meditation is the true way to
purication. Gradually you should
learn how to eliminate inner
tensions.
CANCER | June 21 July 22
There never seems enough
time to do it right, but there
always seems to be enough
time to do it over. Judge a
person by his questions
rather than by his answers. Know that
people have one thing in common: being
different. Keep a diary and one day itll
keep you working effectively. Emotional
satisfaction can be a mind-blowing
experience.
GEMINI | May 21 June 20
There is no need to get
upset. The way you think
and feel about yourself
affects every aspect of your
life. Escape from the
sorrow of the world. No one can keep
you down except yourself. Know that
sound and light have the ability to
penetrate everywhere, and love and
compassion can do the same.
Understanding and love are one thing.
LEO | July 23 Aug 22
Leaders are people who
serve others before
themselves. You should be
qualied to get respect.
Choose what is right instead
of what is politically correct. Learn from
the past but dont be paralysed by the
interference or inuence of the past. Be
ready to accept losing with dignity and to
accept blame as well as fame.
AUNG MYIN KYAW
4
th
Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road,
Tarmwe township, Yangon.
Tel: 09-731-35632,
Email: williameaste@gmail.com
LONDON
Director and actor Richard Attenborough
dies aged 90
British director and actor Richard Attenborough
has died aged 90 after a long illness, the British
Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) said
on August 24.
Attenborough appeared in movies such as
Brighton Rock, The Great Escape and Jurassic
Park, in a career spanning six decades. He won
best lm and best director at the Oscars for his
1982 lm Gandhi.
His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant,
his directing of Gandhi was stunning. Richard
Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema,
British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on
Twitter. A member of the British House of Lords
with the Labour party, he was celebrated on Twitter
and elsewhere by many who had known him.
Born in Cambridge in 1923, the brother of
famous wildlife presenter David Attenborough,
Richard had three children with his wife Sheila, who
he had married aged 21. Increasingly frail after
falling down the stairs at home, he moved into a
care home with his wife toward the end of his life.
LOS ANGELES
Tony Soprano didnt die, shows
creator reveals
Famed mob boss Tony Soprano did not die at the
end of the iconic TV shows last season, its creator
revealed on August 27.
The infamous nal scene, which fades to black
on Soprano eating with his wife and son in a New
Jersey diner, triggered a storm when it ran in 2007.
Some initially thought their televisions had gone
wrong. Critics said it wasnt fair to leave viewers in
the lurch after six seasons.
What really happened in unwritten ctional
terms at least remained a mystery. Until now.
In an interview with online blogging site Vox.com,
series creator David Chase nally gave a straight
answer to the question of whether Tony Soprano
was dead. No, he said simply, according to Vox.
No, he isnt.
The revelation leaves open the possibility that
the series could be revived on screen. This seems
highly unlikely, not least because James Gandolni,
the actor who played Soprano, died in June last
year, aged 51.
SEOUL
South Korean man acquitted of
praising North by retweets
South Koreas top court on August 28 acquitted
a man accused of sympathising with North
Korea on Twitter, arguing his action poses little
threat to national security.
Park Jeong-Geun, a 26-year-old
photographer, was arrested and charged in
2012 with violating the National Security Law by
retweeting posts by the Norths ofcial Twitter
account. Under anti-communist law, South
Koreans are banned from activities deemed
to be praising or sympathising with the North,
with which it is technically still at war.
Park has argued his retweets, including
posts like Long Live General Kim Jong-Il,
were meant to ridicule the Norths leaders and
its rigid Stalinist system.
The isolated North joined Twitter in 2010
and has posted 11,000 tweets that mostly blast
its major foes the South and the US and
praise its ruling Kim family. It has nearly 20,000
followers.
US actor Edward Norton
poses during the photo call
on the opening day of the
71
st
Venice Film Festival
on August 27. Photo: AFP/
Gabriel Bouys
Chinese actress and
member of the jury
Joan Chen poses
during a photocall on
the opening day of
the 71
st
Venice Film
Festival on August
27. Photo: AFP/Gabriel
Bouys
LOS ANGELES
Ex-007 Brosnan back in the spy
game in new action thriller
Former 007 star Pierce Brosnan returns
to the world of guns and spies in The
November Man, an action thriller that pits
his character against his former CIA bosses.
The Irish actor, who has never hidden his
desire to have played James Bond for a little
longer, said he is still up to the action game
despite his 61 years although he had to
work hard to get in shape.
I like my beer, I like my wine, said
Brosnan, who acted in four Bond movies.
Shot in Belgrade, his latest movie
includes all the classic action ick elements
car chases, traitors and beautiful women
waiting to be saved (including ex-Bond girl
Olga Kurylenko).
The November Man, co-produced by
Brosnan and based on a series of novels by
Bill Granger, tells the adventures of Peter
Devereaux, a former CIA hitman brought out
of retirement for one last mission.
British actor Orlando
Bloom attends a press
conference on his
latest movie, Zulu, in
Tokyo on August 27.
Photo: AFP/Toshifumi
Kitamura
US actress Emma Stone
poses at the opening
ceremony of the 71
st
Venice
Film Festival at Venice Lido
on August 27. Photo: AFP/
Gabriel Bouys
I
TS detonation is one of the
most iconic scenes in movie
history.
Now, 57 years after it
was blown to smithereens,
authorities in Sri Lanka plan to
rebuild the Bridge on the River
Kwai to assuage the anger among
locals over a controversial dam
project.
While the lm epic the bridge
inspired was supposedly set in
Japanese-held Myanmar during
World War II, it was mostly lmed
in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) between
1956 and 1957, less than a decade
after independence from Britain.
The nal scene in which a
British of cer played by Alec
Guinness blows up a rail bridge that
his fellow prisoners of war have just
built was shot at sleepy Kitulgala,
two hours drive from the capital,
Colombo.
In recent years, the village has
become a magnet for adrenaline
junkies who can white-water raft
down the river, the real name of
which is Kelani.
So when Sri Lankas Electricity
Board unveiled plans to dam the
river as part of an $82 million
hydro-electric project, there was
widespread dismay among locals
whose livelihoods depend on
tourism.
To soften the blow, the electricity
board has announced that it will
pay for the reconstruction of a
new wooden bridge, built on the
originals foundations, to attract
fans of the Oscar-winning movie.
We have looked at drawings and
pictures of the bridge, and we will
recreate it, the boards chief project
engineer Kamal Laksiri told AFP.
While only a few concrete
stumps serve as testament to
the dramatic nale, 59-year-old
Chandralatha Jayawardena still
steers foreigners to the river along a
leach-infested path on a daily basis.
My husband was an extra in
the movie, and we earn a living by
guiding tourists, she said.
While most of Sri Lankas
roughly 1.2 million annual visitors
head for the beaches, Kitulgala
has carved out a niche as a
white-water rafting destination,
generating nearly US$20 million
last year.
Local adventure sports operators
say the project to build a dam
at Broadlands, a few kilometres
upstream, will tame the 17 separate
classied rapids on their stretch of
water.
The Sri Lanka White Water
Rafting Association, which
represents more than a dozen rms,
rejected the idea that a rebuilt
bridge would ofset the damage.
If there is no rafting, there will
be no need for tourists to come
here, the associations secretary,
Priyantha Pushpakumara, told AFP
at his Ceylon Adventure resort on
the banks of the Kelani.
The electricity board says it
will release water from the dam
during the day so water sports can
continue, although it concedes at
night a section of the river will go
dry. AFP
KITULGALA, SRI LANKA
The Global Gossip
A bridge on the River Kwai?
AMAL JAYASINGHE
Living well in Myanmar
When children
get too big
C
HILDHOOD obesity is a
public health epidemic
that is well established in
many Western countries
and will likely be a
threat to Myanmar in the coming
years. The US Centers for Disease
Control has found that one-
third of the nations children are
overweight or obese. An unhealthy
weight in childhood puts kids at
increased risk of developing, later
in life, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, liver disease,
musculoskeletal problems and
possibly cancer.
Researchers in Italy recently
examined and ran blood tests on
600 newly overweight children
between ages 2 and 6. They found
that 40 percent had at least one
abnormal blood sugar, cholesterol
or blood pressure nding, and
30pc already had a buildup of fat
deposits in the liver.
Children become overweight due
to a complicated mix of reasons,
including poor family eating
habits, easy access to unhealthy
foods, increased wealth, low levels
of physical activity and societal
perceptions of a healthy weight.
Although doctors and public
health policymakers are keenly
aware of the negative implications
for national wellness and health
budgets, so far no population-wide
interventions have been proven to
stem the tide of childhood obesity.
In my personal experience caring
for Mexican migrant workers in
my clinic in California, parents
often describe their children with
pride as buen gordito, which loosely
translates to nice and chunky.
If parents struggled for food in
their own childhood, perhaps
they are inclined to think of
being overweight as a sign of new
personal prosperity.
I have not observed this
belief pattern as often among
families in Yangon, and it is not
useful to assume two cultures
are similar because they are both
predominately poor. But we can
safely hypothesise that an emerging
middle class in Myanmar might
perceive overweight children
diferently than health practitioners.
Support for this hypothesis
comes from a research study
published earlier this year in
Pediatrics. The authors compiled
data from 69 studies involving
16,000 children across a wide
range of countries and concluded
that 51 percent of parents with an
overweight or obese child thought
their child had a normal weight.
The underestimation of weight was
more likely to occur for children
who were under 5 years old. At this
early stage of child development,
this misperception is particularly
dangerous since kids who are
overweight in kindergarten are ve
times more likely to be overweight
at 12 years old.
Last week the same medical
journal published more worrisome
data showing that over the last
20 years, parents have become
24pc less likely to identify weight
problems in their children.
Unfortunately Myanmar is
positioned to sufer from the
dreaded double burden of disease
in the coming decades. This
happens when a developing country
that is still attempting to address
infectious diseases like malaria
and tuberculosis which have
largely been controlled in developed
countries is faced increasingly
and at the same time with lifestyle-
related chronic diseases such as
diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Obesity in Myanmar will
contribute to the onset of most
chronic diseases and threatens
to develop in childhood for those
born into the emerging middle
class. Deciding where and how to
allocate resources in the face of the
double burden will be the greatest
challenge facing Myanmars public
health decision-makers and the
international agencies that often
control the purse strings.
In the meantime there are
several things parents can do
to prevent or respond to an
overweight child:
Focus on drinking mostly water,
or water with a tiny bit of juice.
There are no health benets to
drinking juice and usually it
leads to consumption of excessive
calories.
Restrict milk consumption to
1-2 small glasses per day of low-fat
milk.
Eat three regular meals per day,
including a healthy breakfast. Any
additional snacks should be eaten at
the same table or location as meals.
Snacks should consist of fruits
and vegetables rather than
processed foods.
Aim for outdoor activity every day.
Total screen time (TV, computer,
phone, etc) should be less than 2
hours per day.
Increasingly it looks like dietary
habits in early childhood, and
perhaps even in-utero, greatly
inuence dietary behavior in
later life. Recently researchers in
Australia found that parents who
enforced nutritious eating between
age 12-16 months had children
who were less likely to become
overweight through their growing
years and thereby less likely to
sufer from the chronic diseases
mentioned above. Helping parents
understand the risks of obesity
becomes essential as it increasingly
appears that lifetime food habits
begin early in life and impact long-
term health.
Christoph Gelsdorf is an American
Board of Family Medicine physician who
sees patients in Yangon and California
(www.gelsdorfMD.com). He is a member
of the Myanmar Medical Association.
Reader thoughts and questions are
welcomed.
Photo: Walter Siegmund
CHRISTOPH
GELSDORF,
MD
livingwellmyanmar@gmail.com
Hello Kitty not a cat;
fans in shock
H
ELLO Kitty is not a cat,
the company behind
Japans global icon of cute
insisted on August 28,
despite an uproar from
internet users who spluttered, But
shes got whiskers!
The moon-faced creation that
adorns everything from pencil cases
to pyjamas the world over is, in fact,
human.
Hello Kitty is a cheerful and
happy little girl with a heart of gold,
brand owner Sanrio says on its
website.
The shocking revelation came to
light when a Hawaii-based academic
specialising in the epitome of kawaii
(cute in Japanese) asked Sanrio to
fact-check captions for an exhibition
she was curating to mark the 40
th
anniversary of Hello Kitty.
Christine Yano, an anthropologist
from the University of Hawaii, told
the Los Angeles Times that she was
corrected very rmly by Sanrio
that Kitty was not a cat.
Thats one correction Sanrio
made for my script for the show, the
paper quoted her as saying.
Hello Kitty is not a cat. Shes a
cartoon character. She is a little girl.
She is a friend. But she is not a cat.
Shes never depicted on all fours.
She walks and sits like a two-legged
creature.
And indeed, an AFP enquiry as to
the status feline or otherwise of
one of Japans most famous exports
conrmed her non-cat identity.
It is a 100-percent personied
character, a Sanrio spokesperson
told AFP in Tokyo.
Her real name is Kitty White,
he explained, and she was born in
southern England on November 1,
1974. She is a Scorpio and blood type
A.
She has a twin sister, Minny
White, and lives in an unnamed
suburb of London with father George
and mother Mary, according to her
prole on the web.
Despite her whiskers and pointy
ears, just like the rest of her family,
Kitty has her own pet a real cat
named Charmmy Kitty.
Her life story has always been
there, the spokesperson said, adding
the personication is meant to make
her fans feel closer to the character
as a friend.
Web users were agog at the news.
Hello Kitty is not actually a cat.
MIND BLOWN, tweeted user
@killedbydying.
Sanrio conrms that Hello
Kitty is NOT a cat. One of the many
reasons why I have trust issues,
wrote @eisakuivan.
Asked about the worldwide
reaction to the shocking revelation
that Hello Kitty is not a cat, the
Sanrio spokesperson ofered, I
dont think anyone in Japan found it
surprising.
There is an explanation we have
made the whole time, and I think
thats how people have understood
it.
A straw poll of Japanese people
within the AFP Tokyo bureau found
that not to be the case, however.
The Sanrio spokesperson
explained that Kitty and her family
were given no specic nationality but
were designed to be living in Britain
because many girls in Japan had
strong admiration for the Western
lifestyle in the 1970s.
Ever since the mouthless white
character rst appeared in 1974 on a
coin purse in Japan she has graced
tens of thousands of products, from
handbags to aircraft, in some 130
countries.
TOKYO
the pulse food and drink 61 www.mmtimes.com
How to set up
a Japanese
pantry
M
Y columns in the past
two weeks on Japanese
cuisine and fusion
have drawn some
comments from friends
and readers. Some would like to try
Japanese cooking, but theyre worried
about the cost of the ingredients and
wasting them.
Worry not. Its inexpensive to set
up a Japanese pantry. Almost all the
dishes use the same basic ingredients
that have a long shelf-life. Their
combination in subtly diferent ways
is what creates unique avours.
The main things you will need are:
mirin, a sweet wine
Japanese rice vinegar
Kikkoman soy sauce
sesame oil
brown sugar
dashi miso, a fermented soybean
paste (Korean brands are okay)
Once you have those things
assembled, youll be prepared for this
weeks recipes. I have fried eggplants
in a sweet and salty miso sauce.
STIR-FRIED EGGPLANT IN MISO
SAUCE
Serves 4
2 eggplants (medium size)
tsp Kikkoman soy sauce
1 tbsp miso
1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp brown sugar
Wash the eggplants and cut them
into 1 cm cubes. Mix them with
a few pinches of salt to prevent
oxidation.
Mix the miso paste with a little bit
of water until it is consistent. Add the
oil to a wok and heat on medium. Fry
the eggplants for 2-3 minutes.
Add the other ingredients into
the wok and stir them gently. Do not
cover.
Add salt to taste.
If you like you could add minced
chicken or pork.
Good with grilled foods.
JAPANESE-STYLE MASHED
POTATOES
Serves 4
400-500g potatoes
1 tbsp Kikkoman soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
2 tsp Japanese rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
4 tbsp black sesame
Boil the potatoes with the skins
on. When they are cooked
through, let cool. Peel the skins
of and mash the potatoes in a
pot.
Add all the ingredients except for
the black sesame seeds into the pot.
Mix well. Add salt and ground black
pepper to taste.
Shape large spoonfuls of the
mash into balls or logs.
Sprinkle the black sesame on the
table and roll the potatoes in them
to coat.
Good with grilled meats.
PHYO ARBIDANS
phyo.arbidans@gmail.com
Photos: Phyo
food
NANDAR AUNG
nandaraung.mcm@gmail.com
Lavazza cafe delivers great coffee but mediocre meals
NAMED for the world-famous
Italian cofee that it brews, Barista
Lavazza has lured me a couple of
times since it opened two months
ago with its tasty espresso and
Oreo cheesecake.
On a third visit, however, my
companion who doesnt drink
cofee because she says its bad for
her health insisted that we order
food and water instead.
The atmosphere is pleasant.
Each time Ive heard easy rock and
country songs on the stereo, and
during the World Cup the games
were always broadcast on a wall-
mounted LCD television. I like
watching football with a cup of
cofee while its raining outside.
The cafe occupies a two-storey
building. Downstairs there is a
food counter and the kitchen, but
smells from the kitchen can be too
strong so we climbed to the second
level. Upstairs there were no other
customers, so we took a place near
a glass sliding door to a balcony and
view of the traf c below.
I ordered pasta. The Seafood
Arrabbiata (K6300) with tomato
gravy, prawns, squid and sh is on
the spicy side, but I enjoyed it very
much.
We avoided the pizza on my
companions advice, as she had
ordered it on a separate occasion and
been unimpressed. She opted instead
for the Four Cheese & Tomato
Sandwich (K5000), which was made
with white bread.
Neither of us enjoyed the Chicken
Nuggets (K2900). The battered bits
were as avourless as bean curd,
so we touched little of it. The fried
tomato garnish was better.
After that we ordered my
favourite Oreo cheesecake (K2200)
and a blueberry muf n (K900).
The muf n is just ller, but the
cheesecake is melt-in-your-mouth
good. But it must be taken with
espresso or cappuccino. Water will
not do.
Overall, Lavazza is an excellent
place for people who like strong,
delicious cofee espresso,
Americano, latte and perhaps a
dessert, of which there are many
ranging from K500 to K17,000. The
place is full air-conditioned and
comfortable to relax alone with a
book, use the free Wi-Fi service or
chat with friends.
The food menu is too ambitious,
however, with 50 dishes including
pizza, pasta, French fries, sandwiches
and more. Given our experience, only
about half are satisfying, and its all
on the expensive side.
To be sure, the next time I visit I
will go with a cofee lover who has a
sweet tooth.
Restaurant Review
Food 6
Beverage 9
X-factor 8
Service 9
Value for money 6
Restaurant Rating
Barista Lavazza
16 Kyaik Ka Dan Road, Tarmwe
8:30am to 11:30pm,
Phone 01-8604415
Photos: Yu Yu
THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
Socialite
Artist K2K
Aung Ko Khine, Ma Nge Lay, Ko Zaw Htoo, Ko Sai and Zun Ei Phyu
Win Pe Myint (far right) and his artist group
Aye Chan Moe Grace and April Ma Yin Nyein and Ko Win Myint Tun
Ye Aung and Thet Thet Khaing
Chaw Yadanar and Thandar Bo
Nge Nge
Art opening at
The Yangon Gallery
On the evening of August 27, The
Yangon Gallery hosted a reception
to celebrate the opening of Same
Direction, an exhibition by renowned
artist U Win Pe Myint and his group,
who were in attendance. U Win Pe
Myint is known for his sophisticated
use of colour and as a master of
still-life painting, although he also
ventures into landscape, using oils,
watercolours and pastels.
Hollywood Night
To promote sales of 68 Residence, a
27-storey luxury condominium project in
Bahan, the developers hosted an event
called Hollywood Night with local
celebrities in attendance on August 24. The
building is expected to be completed in 2017
and attract Myanmar expats currently living
in Singapore, according to the consortium
led by CapitaLand Limited.
www.mmtimes.com
Socialite
Shayi fashion shop opening
Designer Sann Bawk Rar, who creates new
fashions based on Kachin traditions and
using only cotton, launched a new branch of
her own retail store, Shayi, in Ocean Super
Center Mandalay. It was the rst branch
of Shayi to open in Mandalay and many
designers, models and customers attended
the opening reception on August 18.
Jean-Francois Rancourt Barbara Scholt and Charles David Hay
Folk on Fire
On August 28, Mojo bar hosted folk-blues artist Jean-Franois
Rancourt, who performed in both French and English. The singer-
songwriter hails from Trois-Pistoles, Quebec.
Si Thu Hlaing, Lwin Ko, Khin Wint, Jean-Francois, Sandy Oo
Than Aung Moe and Htin Htin
Rebecca Win
Pyi Soe Aung Yadanarpone
Awng Seng
San Bawk Rar and friends
64 the pulse travel THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES
Airline Codes
6T = Air Mandalay
7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
FMI = FMI Air Charter
K7 = Air KBZ
W9 = Air Bagan
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
YH = Yangon Airways
YJ = Asian Wings
Subject to change
without notice
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday
Domestic Airlines
Air Bagan (W9)
Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102
Air KBZ (K7)
Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (airport), 373766
(hotline). Fax: 372983
Air Mandalay (6T)
Tel: (ofce) 501520, 525488, (airport)
533222~3, 09-73152853.
Fax: (ofce) 525937, 533223 (airport)
Asian Wings (YJ)
Tel: 515261~264, 512140, 512473, 512640
Fax: 532333, 516654
FMI Air Charter
Tel: 240363, 240373, 09421146545
Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)
Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051
Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)
Tel: 656969
Fax: 656998, 651020
Yangon Airways (YH)
Tel: 383100, 383107, 700264
Fax: 652 533
YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
FMI A1 1,2,3,4,5 7:30 8:30 FMI A2 1,2,3,4,5 8:50 9:50
FMI A1 6 8:00 9:00 FMI A2 6 10:00 11:00
FMI B1 1,2,3,4,5 11:30 12:30 FMI B2 1,2,3,4,5 13:00 14:00
FMI A1 7 15:30 16:30 FMI A2 7 17:00 18:00
FMI C1 1,2,3,4,5 16:45 17:45 FMI C2 1,2,3,4,5 18:05 19:05
YANGON TO MANDALAY MANDALAY TO YANGON
YJ 891 6,7 6:00 8:05 Y5 233 Daily 8:05 9:15
YH 917 1,3,4,5,6 6:10 8:30 YJ 891 6,7 8:20 10:15
Y5 775 Daily 6:15 7:25 YH 918 1,3,4,5,6 8:30 10:25
W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 6:20 8:25 YJ 891 1,3 8:40 10:05
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 8:40 W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 8:40 10:05
YJ 891 1,3 7:00 8:25 K7 223/7Y 112 Daily 8:55 11:00
YH 826 4 7:00 8:40 W9 201 Daily 9:10 11:05
YH 824 1 7:00 8:40 YH 829 6 11:25 15:15
YH 828 2 7:00 8:40 W9 153/YJ 7153 7 12:45 19:30
YH 828 6 7:00 11:25 W9 153/YJ 7153 2,5 12:45 18:50
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 11:20 YJ 761 1 13:10 18:10
W9 201 Daily 7:30 8:55 YH 825 1 13:20 14:25
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 13:45 YH 827 4 13:20 14:45
7Y 841 4,6 10:00 14:15 7Y 742 2,5 14:00 18:18
YH 727 1 11:00 13:10 YH 730 6 14:00 19:15
YH 729 2,4,6 11:00 14:00 YH 829 2 14:20 15:45
YH 737 3,5,7 11:00 13:10 7Y 852 1,3,7 14:25 18:40
W9 151/YJ 7151 1,3,6 11:00 14:45 7Y 842 4,6 14:30 18:15
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 12:25 W9 7152/YJ 152 1,3,6 15:05 16:30
YJ 761 1,4 11:00 12:55 YJ 202 2 16:00 17:25
YJ 201 2 11:00 12:55 YJ 212 5,7 16:00 17:25
YJ 211 5,7 11:00 12:55 7Y 632 2,4,6 16:15 17:40
7Y 631 2,4,6 11:15 12:40 YH 728 1 16:30 17:55
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 16:35 YJ 762 4 16:35 18:00
W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 16:00 17:25 K7 225/7Y 222 Daily 16:50 19:00
W9 7211/YJ 211 4 16:00 17:25 YH 738 3,5,7 17:10 18:35
Y5 234 Daily 17:45 18:55 YH 730 2,4 17:45 19:10
Y5 776 Daily 19:35 20:45
YANGON TO NYAUNG U NYAUNG U TO YANGON
YJ 891 5,6,7 6:00 7:20 YJ 891 5 7:35 9:40
YH 917 1,3,4,5,6 6:10 7:45 YJ 891 6,7 7:35 10:15
6T 401 1 6:20 7:40 YH 918 1,3,4,5,6 7:45 10:25
W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 6:20 7:40 W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 7:55 10:05
YH 917 2,7 6:30 8:05 YH 918 2,7 8:05 10:10
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 7:50 K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 8:05 11:00
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 17:25 6T 402 1 8:40 10:00
W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 16:00 18:10 K7 225/7Y 222 Daily 17:40 19:00
W9 7211/YJ 211 4 16:00 18:10 W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 18:25 19:45
W9 7211/YJ 211 4 18:25 19:45
YANGON TO MYITKYINA MYITKYINA TO YANGON
YH 826 4 7:00 10:05 YH 827 4 11:55 14:45
YH 824 1 7:00 10:05 YH 825 1 11:55 14:25
YH 828 6 7:00 10:00 YH 829 6 12:50 15:15
YH 828 2 7:00 12:55 YH 829 2 12:55 15:45
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 12:45 7Y 852 1,3,7 13:00 18:40
W9 7151/YJ 151 1,3,6 11:00 13:15 W9 7152/YJ 152 1,3,6 13:35 16:30
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 13:55 YJ 211 5,7 14:05 17:25
YJ 201 2 11:00 14:20 YJ 202 2 14:35 17:25
YJ 211 5,7 11:00 13:50 7Y 632 2,4,6 14:50 17:40
7Y 631 2,4,6 11:15 14:35 W9 7154/YJ 154 7 16:35 19:30
W9 7154/YJ 154 2,5 16:35 18:50
YANGON TO HEHO HEHO TO YANGON
YJ 891 5 6:00 8:15 YJ 891 5 8:30 9:40
YJ 891 6,7 6:00 8:50 YH 918 2,7 9:00 10:10
YH 917 1,3,4,5,6 6:10 9:15 YJ 891 6,7 9:05 10:15
YH 917 2,7 6:30 9:00 YH 918 1,3,4,5,6 9:15 10:25
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 9:30 K7 223/7Y 112 Daily 9:45 11:00
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 10:35 W9 201 Daily 9:55 11:05
W9 201 Daily 7:30 9:40 YJ 201 2 12:25 17:25
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 13:03 7Y 741 2,5 13:15 18:18
7Y 841 4,6 10:00 13:30 7Y 841 4,6 13:45 18:15
YJ 201 2 11:00 12:10 7Y 852 1,3,7 15:10 18:40
YJ 761 1,4 11:00 12:10 YH 728 1 15:45 17:55
YJ 751 3 11:00 12:10 YJ 762 4 15:50 18:00
YH 729 6 11:00 17:50 K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 16:00 19:00
YH 727 1 11:00 12:25 YH 738 3,5,7 16:25 18:35
YH 737 3,5,7 11:00 12:25 YJ 762 1 17:00 18:10
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 15:45 YJ 752 3 17:15 18:25
YH 730 6 17:50 19:15
YANGON TO SIT T WE SIT T WE TO YANGON
6T 607 1 11:15 12:40 6T 608 1 13:00 15:00
6T 605 5 11:15 13:15 6T 606 5 13:35 15:00
W9 7311/YJ 311 4 11:30 13:20 W9 7311/YJ 311 4 13:35 15:00
W9 311 2 11:30 13:20 W9 311 2 13:35 15:00
YANGON TO MYEIK MYEIK TO YANGON
YH 633 3,5,7 7:00 9:15 YH 634 3,5,7 11:25 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 Daily 7:00 9:05 K7 320/7Y 532 1,3,5 11:20 13:25
K7 320/7Y 532 2,4,6,7 11:30 13:35
YANGON TO THANDWE THANDWE TO YANGON
6T 605 5 11:15 12:10 6T 605 5 12:25 15:00
6T 607 1 11:15 13:50 6T 608 1 14:05 15:00
YANGON TO DAWEI DAWEI TO YANGON
YH 633 3,5,7 7:00 8:25 YH 634 3,5,7 12:15 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 1,3,5 7:00 8:05 K7 320/7Y 532 1,3,5 12:20 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 2,4,6,7 7:00 8:10 K7 320/7Y 532 2,4,6,7 12:25 13:35
YANGON TO LASHIO LASHIO TO YANGON
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 10:38 YJ 762 1 15:55 18:10
YJ 761 1 11:00 15:40 YJ 752 3 16:10 18:25
YJ 751 3 11:00 13:15 7Y 742 2,5 16:40 18:18
YH 729 2,4,6 11:00 13:00 YH 730 2,4 16:45 19:10
YH 730 6 16:50 19:15
YANGON TO PUTAO PUTAO TO YANGON
YH 824 1 7:00 11:00 YH 825 1 11:00 14:25
YH 826 4 7:00 11:00 YH 827 4 11:00 14:45
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 15:05 W9 7154/YJ 154 7 15:25 19:30
W9 7154/YJ 154 2,5 15:25 18:50
YANGON TO CHIANG MAI CHIANG MAI TO YANGON
W9 9607/ YJ 7607 4,7 14:20 16:10 W9 9608/ YJ 7608 4,7 17:20 18:10
the pulse travel 65 www.mmtimes.com
A
US$1.9 million project to
boost tourism in Kayah,
Myanmars smallest state,
was launched in Yangon
last week.
Funded by the Dutch government,
the three-year initiative aims to
encourage visitors to visit the region,
which remains little-known to
tourists.
A ceasere has been in place
since 2012, but long-running conict
between government forces and
armed groups in the region means
much of Kayah State has been
efectively of-limits to holidaymakers.
It is believed to be one of the most
heavily land-mined areas in the
country.
IRIN, a UN news organisation,
reported in August that landmine
clearing has not begun in Kayah.
Government ofcials were quoted
the same month as saying tourism is
restricted to major towns because of
unexploded ordnance.
However the area has many scenic
draws rugged mountains, rivers and
waterfalls and is home to a diverse
range of ethnic groups.
Those behind the tourism
initiative, including the Netherlands
Centre for the Promotion of Imports
from developing countries (CBI)
and the Geneva-based International
Trade Centre (ITC), say the regions
impressive natural and cultural
heritage means it should be included
on more tourist itineraries.
Cultural and environmental
tourism can be advantageous to the
people of Kayah State, said Dick de
Man, deputy managing director of
CBI.
Among the states ethnic groups
are the Padaung, a culture which has
drawn international attention for its
tradition of women wearing stacked
necklaces that give the impression of
having an elongated neck.
Long neck tourism in
neighbouring Thailand has proved
controversial, with accusations that
the cultural villages travellers visit
to see the Padaung women are little
better than human zoos.
De Man said that cultural tourism
could play an important role in
Kayahs development.
It can enhance understanding
of the diversity of Myanmar and
the importance of sustainable
development to preserve the history,
landscape and natural beauty that
makes up the charm of this country
and its people, he said.
Anders Aeroe, ITCs director for
market development, suggested
Kayah should join Myanmars more
famous tourist sites on visitors travel
itineraries. He said the project would
work with local business to develop
links with international markets.
Visitor numbers to Myanmar
doubled to just over 2 million last
year with that gure expected to top 3
million this year.
Inbound tour operators will be
encouraged to develop inclusive
tourism tours and packages in Kayah
State as part of a visitors trip to
Myanmar, which usually covers the
capital, Yangon, and beauty spots
such as Inle Lake, Bagan, Mandalay
and Mingun, as well as the famous
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, Aeroe said.
There is more to experience and
to marvel at in Myanmar, and Kayah
State is a picturesque spot that should
not be missed, he added.
According to organisers, the
project which they say follows the
recommendations of Myanmars
Tourism Master Plan and the
countrys National Export Strategy
will be delivered in conjunction with
CBIs national tourism development
program.
The deputy director-general of
the Department of Trade Promotion
at the Ministry of Commerce, Aung
Soe, welcomed the Kayah initiatives
contribution toward increasing
tourism-related business in Myanmar.
This is the rst initiative to be
implemented under the National
Export Strategy, he said. We hope
this project will contribute to tourism
development in Kayah State in terms
of product quality, business linkages
and capacity-building of tourism
sector associations.
Also present at the launch on
August 26 were senior ofcials from
the Ministry of Commerce, the
Myanmar Tourism Federation, the
Union of Myanmar Travel Association
and the Myanmar Marketing
Federation, the Kayah State Hotelier
Association and small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in
tourism-related services.
New project
to help develop
Kayah tourism
FIONA MACGREGOR
A traditional weaver works in Kayah State. Photo: Supplied
Airline Codes
3K = Jet Star
8M = Myanmar Airways International
AK = Air Asia
BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines
CA = Air China
CI = China Airlines
CZ = China Southern
DD = Nok Airline
FD = Air Asia
KA = Dragonair
KE = Korea Airlines
MH = Malaysia Airlines
MI = Silk Air
MU = China Eastern Airlines
NH = All Nippon Airways
PG = Bangkok Airways
QR = Qatar Airways
SQ = Singapore Airways
TG = Thai Airways
TR = Tiger Airline
VN = Vietnam Airline
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
Subject to change
without notice
International Airlines
Air Asia (FD)
Tel: 251885, 251886
Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)
Tel: 513322, 513422, 504888. Fax: 515102
Air China (CA)
Tel: 666112, 655882
Air India
Tel: 253597~98, 254758. Fax 248175
Bangkok Airways (PG)
Tel: 255122, 255265. Fax: 255119
Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG)
Tel: 371867~68. Fax: 371869
Condor (DE)
Tel: 370836~39 (ext: 303)
Dragonair (KA)
Tel: 255320, 255321. Fax: 255329
Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)
Tel: 09400446999, 09400447999
Fax: 8604051
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
Tel: 387648, 241007 (ext: 120, 121, 122)
Fax: 241124
Myanmar Airways International (8M)
Tel: 255260. Fax: 255305
Nok Airline (DD)
Tel: 255050, 255021. Fax: 255051
Qatar Airways (QR)
Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831. Fax: 379730
Silk Air (MI)
Tel: 255287~9. Fax: 255290
Thai Airways (TG)
Tel: 255491~6. Fax: 255223
Tiger Airline (TR)
Tel: 371383, 370836~39 (ext: 303)
Vietnam Airlines (VN)
Tel: 255066, 255088, 255068. Fax: 255086
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES
YANGON TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
PG 706 Daily 6:15 8:30 TG 303 1,2,3,5,6,7 7:55 8:50
8M 335 Daily 7:40 9:25 PG 701 Daily 8:50 9:40
TG 304 1,2,3,5,6,7 9:50 11:45 8M 336 Daily 10:40 11:25
PG 702 Daily 10:30 12:25 TG 301 Daily 13:00 13:55
TG 302 Daily 14:55 16:50 PG 707 Daily 13:40 14:30
PG 708 Daily 15:20 17:15 PG 703 Daily 16:45 17:35
8M 331 Daily 16:30 18:15 TG 305 Daily 17:50 18:45
PG 704 Daily 18:20 20:15 8M 332 Daily 19:15 20:00
TG 306 Daily 19:45 21:45 PG 705 Daily 20:15 21:30
YANGON TO DON MUEANG DON MUEANG TO YANGON
DD 4231 Daily 8:00 9:50 DD 4230 Daily 6:20 7:05
FD 252 Daily 8:30 10:15 FD 251 Daily 7:15 8:00
FD 254 Daily 17:50 19:10 FD 253 Daily 16:20 17:00
DD 4239 Daily 21:00 22:45 DD 4238 Daily 19:30 20:15
YANGON TO SINGAPORE SINGAPORE TO YANGON
8M 231 Daily 8:00 12:25 SQ 998 Daily 7:55 9:20
Y5 233 Daily 10:10 14:40 3K 581 Daily 8:50 10:45
SQ 997 Daily 10:35 15:10 MI 533 4,6 11:35 12:55
3K 582 Daily 11:20 15:50 8M 232 Daily 13:25 14:50
MI 533 4,6 13:25 20:50 MI 518 Daily 14:20 15:45
MI 517 Daily 16:40 21:15 TR 2826 Daily 17:05 18:25
TR 2827 Daily 19:05 23:40 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 17:05
3K 584 Daily 19:15 23:45 3K 583 Daily 18:00 19:30
YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON
8M 501 1,3,5,6 7:50 11:50 AK 504 Daily 6:55 8:00
AK 505 Daily 8:30 10:15 MH 740 1,2,3,4,5,7 10:05 11:15
MH 741 Daily 12:15 16:30 8M 9505 Daily 10:05 11:15
8M 9506 Daily 12:15 16:30 8M 502 1,3,5,6 12:50 13:50
8M 9508 Daily 15:45 20:05 8M 9507 Daily 13:30 14:40
MH 743 1,2,3,4,5,7 15:45 20:05 MH 742 Daily 13:30 14:40
AK 503 2,4,6 19:30 23:45 AK 502 2,4,6 17:50 19:00
YANGON TO BEIJING BEIJING TO YANGON
CA 716 3,7 23:50 0550+1 CA 715 3,7 19:30 22:50
YANGON TO GUANGZHOU GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
8M 711 2,4,7 8:40 13:15 CZ 3055 3,6 8:40 10:25
CZ 3056 3,6 11:25 16:15 CZ 3055 1,5 14:40 16:30
CZ 3056 1,5 17:30 22:15 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15 15:50
YANGON TO TAIPEI TAIPEI TO YANGON
CI 7916 1,2,3,5,6 10:50 16:15 CI 7915 1,2,3,5,6 7:00 9:55
YANGON TO KUNMING KUNMING TO YANGON
CA 906 Daily 12:15 15:55 MU 2011 3 8:25 11:40
MU 2012 3 12:20 18:20 CA 905 Daily 10:45 11:15
MU 2032 1,4,6,7 14:50 18:20 MU 2031 1,4,6,7 13:30 14:00
YANGON TO HANOI HANOI TO YANGON
VN 956 1,3,5,6,7 19:10 21:30 VN 957 1,3,5,6,7 16:50 18:10
YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON
VN 942 2,4,7 14:25 17:15 VN 943 2,4,7 11:50 13:25
YANGON TO DOHA DOHA TO YANGON
QR 919 1,4,6 8:35 11:10 QR 918 3,5,7 20:30 6:35+1
YANGON TO PHNOM PENH PHNOM PENH TO YANGON
8M 403 3 16:50 19:15 8M 404 3 20:15 21:40
YANGON TO SEOUL SEOUL TO YANGON
0Z 770 7 0:35 9:10 KE 471 Daily 18:45 22:35
0Z 770 4 0:50 9:25 0Z 769 6 19:50 23:45
KE 472 Daily 23:35 8:05+1 0Z 769 3 20:05 23:40
YANGON TO HONG KONG HONG KONG TO YANGON
KA 251 1,2,4,6 01:10 05:45 KA 250 1,3,5,7 21:45 23:30
YANGON TO TOKYO TOKYO TO YANGON
NH 914 Daily 21:45 06:50+1 NH 913 Daily 11:00 15:40
YANGON TO GAYA GAYA TO YANGON
8M 601 3,5,6 7:00 8:20 8M 602 3,5,6 9:20 12:30
YANGON TO DHAKA DHAKA TO YANGON
BG 061 1,4 19:45 21:00 BG 060 1,4 16:30 18:45
YANGON TO INCHEON INCHEON TO YANGON
8M 7702 Daily 23:35 8:05 8M 7701 Daily 18:45 22:35
8M7502 4,7 0:35 9:10 8M 7501 3,6 19:50 23:25
MANDALAY TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO MANDALAY
PG 710 Daily 14:05 16:30 PG 709 Daily 12:00 13:20
MANDALAY TO SINGAPORE SINGAPORE TO MANDALAY
MI 533 4,6 15:55 20:50 MI 533 4,6 11:35 15:00
Y5 233 Daily 8:05 14:40 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 18:55
MANDALAY TO DON MUEANG DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY
FD 245 Daily 12:45 15:00 FD 244 Daily 10:50 12:15
MANDALAY TO KUNMING KUNMING TO MANDALAY
MU 2030 Daily 14:40 17:30 MU 2029 Daily 13:55 13:50
MU 7524 1,3,5 18:20 21:00
MANDALAY TO GAYA GAYA TO MANDALAY
8M 603 4 11:10 12:15 8M 604 4 13:15 16:20
NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW
PG 722 1,2,3,4,5 19:30 22:30 PG 721 1,2,3,4,5 17:00 19:00
66 the pulse tea break THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
ACROSS
1 Silence!
5 Santa in California?
10 Part of a nucleus
13 Bismarcks first
name
14 Boring tool
15 Hen home
16 Daydreamers
state
19 Vessel with a
spigot
20 Lobster companion
21 Come next
22 Core group?
24 Rock tour info
25 Crystal-ball gazer
26 It may be wood-
burning
28 Bear with a big
chair
30 Apart from any
others
31 Biological blueprint
34 Try to see things
the other way?
38 Filming locale
39 Santa Fe brick
40 Leaders of the
pack
41 Finger-choosing
call
42 Hacks due
44 Hacks vehicles
46 Predatory critter
49 Make the transition
50 Maker of big bucks
52 One-many link
53 Make no detours
56 Get the pot
started
57 Ushers walkway
58 Tuna another way?
59 Impart a new
color
60 Ten-speed
alternative
61 Shameless joy
DOWN
1 Mundane
2 Many wombs
3 Holds to ones
decision
4 Brick carrier
5 Slow gallop
6 Troubadours
instruments
7 Turkish title of
honor (Var.)
8 Smell and then
some
9 A jump shot
forms one
10 Wake from
sleep
11 Knotty situation
12 Part of a church
15 Short narrative
or tale
17 Man or Ely
18 Rake take
23 Campus big
wheel
24 Finished!
26 Ones guilty
of disorderly
conduct?
27 Muscle
condition
28 They go below
signatures,
for short
29 Stopped
fasting
30 Shakespearean
shortly
31 Dishonest
32 Aberdeen
denial
33 Some feature
jingles
35 Ray of The
Kinks
36 Horace wrote
many
37 Medical motto
word
41 Give off
42 Like Dracula
43 Foot curve
44 Smaller than
small
45 Playing marble
46 Lightweight
fabric
47 Zero of the
population
48 Rich cake
49 Edible herring
50 Vivacity
51 Coarse file
54 Scots head-coverer
55 GIs ID
Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker
HAT RACKS By Mary Jersey
SUDOKU PACIFIC
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS
PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ
CALVIN AND HOBBES BY BILL WATTERSON
Avenue 64 Hotel
No. 64 (G), Kyitewine
Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392,
01 656913-9
ASIA PLAZA HOTEL
YANGON
No. 277, Bogyoke Aung
San Road, Corner of
38
th
Street, Kyauktada
Township, Yangon,
Myanmar.
Tel : (951) 391070, 391071.
Reservation@391070
(Ext) 1910, 106.
Fax : (951) 391375. Email :
hotelasiaplaza@gmail.com
General Listing
Chatrium Hotel
40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe.
tel: 544500. fax: 544400.
The Essentials
Emergency Numbers
For more information about these listings, Please Contact - classied.mcm@gmail.com
Ambulance tel: 295133.
Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022.
Police emergency tel: 199.
Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764.
Red Cross tel:682600, 682368
Trafc Control Branch tel:298651
Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384,
591387.
Immigration tel: 286434.
Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390
Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605
Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037.
Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067-
407007.
Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept)
tel: 254563, 370768.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344.
Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9.
Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112.
HOSPITALS
Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811.
Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807
Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888.
Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096.
Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811.
Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809.
Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837.
Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494,
384495, 379109.
Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861,
220416.
Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123,
281443, 256131.
ELECTRICITY
Power Station tel:414235
POST OFFICE
General Post Ofce
39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel:
285499.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Yangon International Airport tel: 662811.
YANGON PORT
Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722
RAILWAYS
Railways information
tel: 274027, 202175-8.
UNITED NATIONS
ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae
(Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp,
Tel : 01-566538, 566539
IOM 318 (A) Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp, Yangon.Tel 01-210588,
09 73236679, 0973236680,
Email- iomyangon@iom.int
UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd,
Kamayut Tsp.
Tel : 534498, 504832
UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St,
Mayangone tsp.
Tel: 666903, 664539.
UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan
tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739.
UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd,
Bahan tsp. tel: 546029.
UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd,
Sanchaung tsp.
Tel: 524022, 524024.
UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl,
Traders Hotel.
Tel: 254852, 254853.
UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan,
tel: 52910~19
UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders
Hotel. P.O. Box 1435,
Kyauktada. Tel: 375527~32,
unicef.yangon@unicef. org,
UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward
7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903,
9660556, 9660538, 9660398.
email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org
UNOPS 120/0, Pyi Thu Lane,
7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp.
Tel: 951-657281~7.
Fax: 657279.
UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O.
Box 650, TMWE Tel: 542911~19,
292637 (Resident Coordinator),
WFP 5 Kan Baw Za St, Shwe
Taung Kyar, (Golden Valley),
Bahan Tsp. Tel : 2305971~6
WHO No. 2, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile,
Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 650405-
6, 650416, 654386-90.
ASEAN Coordinating Of. for
the ASEAN Humanitarian
Task Force, 79, Taw Win st,
Dagon Tsp. Tel: 225258.
FAO Myanma Agriculture
Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel:
641672, 641673.
EMBASSIES
Australia 88, Strand Road,
Yangon. Tel : 251810,
251797, 251798.
Bangladesh 11-B, Than
Lwin Road, Yangon.
Tel: 515275, 526144, email:
bdootygn@mptmail.net.mm
Brazil 56, Pyay Road,
6
th
mile, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 507225,
507251. email: Administ.
yangon@itamaraty.gov.br.
Brunei 17, Kanbawza
Avenue, Golden Velly (1),
Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
566985, 503978.
email: bruneiemb@
bruneiemb.com.mm
Cambodia 25 (3B/4B),
New University Avenue
Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 549609, 540964.
email: RECYANGON @
mptmail.net.mm
Canada
9
th
Floor, Centerpoint
Towers, 65 Sule Pagoda
Road, Yangon, Tel :
01-384805 , Fax :01
384806, Email : yngon@
international.gc.ca
China 1, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel:
221280, 221281.
Denmark, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17.
Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu
222886, 222887,
Egyptembassy86@gmail.
com
France 102, Pyidaungsu
212178, 212520, email:
ambaf rance. rangoun@
diplomatie.fr
Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung
San Museum Road, Bahan
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 548951, 548952, email:
info@rangun. diplo.de
India 545-547, Merchant
St, Yangon. Tel: 391219,
388412,
email:indiaembassy
@mptmail.net.mm
Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Rd, Yangon. Tel:
254465, 254469, email:
kukygn @indonesia.com.
mm
Israel 15, Khabaung
Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 515115, fax: 515116,
email: info@yangon.mfa.
gov.il
Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road,
Golden Valley, Yangon.
Tel: 527100, 527101, fax:
514565, email: ambyang.
mail@ esteri.it
Japan 100, Natmauk Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 549644-8,
540399, 540400, 540411,
545988, fax: 549643
Kuwait
62-B, Shwe Taung Kyar St,
Bahan Tsp.
Tel : 01-230-9542, 230-
9543. Fax : 01-230-5836.
Lao A-1, Diplomatic
Quarters, Tawwin Road,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 222482, Fax: 227446,
email: Laoembcab@
mptmail. net.mm
Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu
220248, 220249,
email: mwkyangon@
mptmail.net.mm
Nepal 16, Natmauk
Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel:
545880, 557168, fax:
549803, email: nepemb @
mptmail.net.mm
Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17 Fax
01- 9669516
New Zealand No. 43/C,
Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-2306046-9
Fax : 01-2305805
Netherlands Diplomatic
Mission No. 43/C, Inya
Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805
North Korea 77C, Shin
Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 512642, 510205
Pakistan A-4, diplomatic
Quarters, Pyay Rd, Yangon.
Tel: 222881 (Chancery
Exchange)
Philippines 50, Sayasan
Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 558149-151,Email: p.e.
yangon@gmail.com
Royal Embassy of Saudi
Arabai No.6/S, Inya Yeiktha
St, 10
th
Qtr, Mayangone
Tsp, Yangon, Tel: (951) 652-
344, 652-344, Fax: (951)
657-983
Russian 38, Sagawa Rd,
Yangon.
Tel: 241955, 254161,
Serbia No. 114-A, Inya
Rd, P.O.Box No. 943,
515283, email: serbemb @
yangon.net.mm
Singapore 238, Dhamazedi
Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 559001, email:
singemb_ ygn@_sgmfa.
gov.sg
South Korea 97 University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 527142-4,
515190, fax: 513286, email:
myanmar@mofat.go.kr
Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Rd,
Switzerland
No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5
mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel: 534754, 507089.
Thailand 94 Pyay Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
226721, 226728, 226824
Turkish Embassy
19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel : 662992, Fax : 661365
United Kingdom 80 Strand
Rd, Yangon.
Tel: 370867, 380322,
371852, 371853, 256438,
United States of America
110, University Avenue,
Kamayut Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 536509, 535756, Fax:
650306
Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin
Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
511305
ACCOMMODATION-
HOTELS
No.7A, Wingabar Road,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : (951) 546313,
430245. 09-731-77781~4.
Fax : (01) 546313.
www.cloverhotel.asia.
info@cloverhotel.asia
Confort Inn
4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd
& U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut,
tel: 525781, 526872
No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan
Rd, Tamwe Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 542826, Fax: 545650
Email: reservation@
edenpalacehotel.com
M-22, Shwe Htee Housing,
Thamine Station St., Near
the Bayint Naung Point,
Mayangone Tsp., Yangon
Tel : 522763, 522744,
667557. Fax : (95-1) 652174
E-mail : grandpalace@
myanmar.com.mm
Clover Hotel City Center
No. 217, 32nd Street
(Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 377720, Fax : 377722
www.clovercitycenter.asia
Clover Hotel City Center Plus
No. 229, 32nd Street
(Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 377975, Fax : 377974
www.clovercitycenterplus.asia
No. 12, Pho Sein Road,
Tamwe Township, Yangon
Tel : (95-1) 209299, 209300,
209343 Fax : (95-1) 209344
bestwestern.com/
greenhillhotelyangon.com
No. 205, Corner of Wadan
Street & Min Ye Kyaw
Swa Road, Lanmadaw
Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar.
Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3,
229358 ~ 61,
Fax: (95-1) 212854.
info@myanmarpandahotel
.com http://www.
myanmarpandahotel.com
PARKROYAL Yangon,
Myanmar
33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon tsp.
tel: 250388. fax: 252478.
email: enquiry.prygn@
parkroyalhotels.com.
Savoy Hotel
129, Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut tsp.
tel: 526289, 526298,
Sedona Hotel
Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin. tel: 666900.
Strand Hotel
92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377.
fax: 289880.
Summit Parkview Hotel
350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966.
Royal White Elephant Hotel
No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing
Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar.
(+95-1) 500822, 503986.
www.rwehotel.com
Hotel Yangon
91/93, 8
th
Mile Junction,
Tel : 01-667708, 667688.
Inya Lake Resort Hotel
37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.
tel: 662866. fax: 665537.
KH Hotel, Yangon
28-A, 7 Miles, Pyay Rd,
Ph: 95-1-652532, 652533
MGM Hotel No (160), Warden
Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon,
Myanmar. +95-1-212454~9.
www. hotel-mgm.com
Marina Residence
8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630.
ACCOMMODATION-
HOTELS (NAY PYI TAW)
Tel: 09-7349-4483,
09-4200-56994.
E-mail: aahappyhomes@
gmail.com, http://www.
happyhomesyangon.com
happy homes
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin Tsp.
Tel: 650933. Fax: 650960.
Email : micprm@
myanmar.com.mmwww.
myanmar micasahotel.com
ACCOMMODATION
LONG TERM
Golden Hill Towers
24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda
Rd, Bahan Tsp.
tel: 558556. ghtower@
mptmail.net.mm.
Reservation Ofce (Yangon)
123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon Township
Tel : 951- 255 819~838
Royal Kumudra Hotel,
(Nay Pyi Taw)
Tel : 067- 414 177,
067- 4141 88
E-Mail: reservation@
maxhotelsgroup.com
No.6, Botahtaung Jetty,
Botahtaung Township,
Yangon. Tel: (951)9010555,
9010535 Fax : (951) 9010536
info@vintageluxuryhotel.com
www.vintageluxuryhotel.com
Sakura Residence
9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp.
tel: 525001. fax: 525002.
Hotel Grand United
(Chinatown)
621, Maharbandoola Rd,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 372256-58
(21
st
Downtown)
66-70, 21
st
Street (Enter
from Strand Rd), Latha
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1)
378201
(Ahlone Branch)
35, Min Ye Kyaw Swar
Rd, Ahlone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 218061-64;
Email: grandunited.
head@gmail.com, www.
hotelgrandunited.com
No.1, Wut Kyaung St,
Yay Kyaw, Pazundaung Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 01-8610640, 01-202187,
www.mkhotelyangon.com
Sule Shangri-La Hotel
223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel:
242828. fax: 242838.
Winner Inn
42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan
Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387.
email: reservation@winner
innmyanmar.com
Yuzana Hotel
130, Shwegondaing Rd,
Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600
Yuzana Garden Hotel
44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd,
Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp,
tel : 01-248944
ADVERTISING & MEDIA
FOAM SPRAY
INSULATION
Foam Spray Insulation
No-410, Ground Fl,Lower
Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun
taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax
: 01-203743, 09-5007681.
Hot Line-09-730-30825.
Diamond Palace Jewelry
Shop (1) - No. 663/665,
Mahar Bandoola Rd,
Tel : 01-371 944, 371 454,
Shop (2) - No.1103/1104/
1105, Ground Fl, Taw Win
Center, Tel : 01-8600111
ext :1103, 09 49307265
Shop (3) - No.B 020,
Ground Fl, Junction
Square Shopping Center,
Tel : 01-527 242 ext : 1081,
09 73203464
Shop (4) Ground Fl,
Gamonepwint Shopping
Mall, Kabaraye Pagoda
Rd, Tel : 01-653 653 ext :
8205, 09 421763490
Shop (5) - 229/230, 1st Fl,
Ocean Shwe Ghone Daing
Super Center, Yangon. Tel
: 09-312 91904, 09-732-
03376.
info@seinnandaw.com
www.seinnandaw.com
www.facebook.com/
seinnandaw
GEMS & JEWELLERIES
Best Jewels
No. 44, Inya Road,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-2305811, 2305812.
Ruby & Rare Gems
of Myanamar
No. 527, New University
Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon.
sales@manawmaya.com.mm
www.manawmayagems.com
Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.
The Natural Gems of
Myanmar & Fine Jewellery.
No. 30(A), Pyay Road,
(7 mile), Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-660397, 654398
spgems.myanmar@
gmail.com
Your Most Reliable Jeweller
Yangon : A-3, Aung San
Stadium (North East Wing),
Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp.
Tel : 245543, 09-73903736,
09-73037772.
Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St,
Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan
Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : 09-
6803505, 09-449004631.
Naypyitaw : Level (2),
Capital Hyper Mart,
Yazathingaha Street,
Outarathiri Tsp. Tel : 09-
33503202, 09-73050337
GAS COOKER &
COOKER HOODS
Worlds leader in
Kitchen Hoods & Hobs
Same as Ariston Water
Heater. Tel: 251033,
379671, 256622, 647813
GENERATORS
No. 589-592, Bo Aung
Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein
highway Road. Hlaing
Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951-
645178-182, 685199, Fax:
951-645211, 545278.
e-mail: mkt-mti@
winstrategic.com.mm
CONSULTING
Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2
Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon.
Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730
info@thuraswiss.com
www.thuraswiss.com
Myanmar Research | Consulting | Technology
Zamil Steel
No-5, Pyay Road,
7 miles,
Tel: (95-1) 652502~04.
Fax: (95-1) 650306.
Email: zamilsteel@
zamilsteel.com.mm
CONSTRUCTION
CO WORKING SPACE
No. (6), Lane 2
Botahtaung Pagoda St,
Yangon.
01-9010003, 291897.
info@venturaofce.com,
www.venturaofce.com
Crockery
No.196/198,
Ground Floor,
Shwe Bon Thar St(Middle),
Pabedan Tsp, Yangon,
Tel: 253214, 0973098782,
09420049459
DELIVERY SERVICE
CROCKERY
Express Delivery &
Logistic Service
YGN Tel : 01-2301865
MDY Tel : 09-4200-66638
NPT Tel : 09-4920-5684
www.sbs-myanmar.com
Express Courier & Cargo
One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 01-374457
FLORAL SERVICES
Floral Service & Gift Shop
No. 449, New University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN.
Tel: 541217, 559011,
09-860-2292.
Market Place By City Mart
Tel: 523840~43,
523845~46, Ext: 205.
Junction Nay Pyi Taw
Tel: 067-421617~18
422012~15, Ext: 235.
Res: 067-414813, 09-492-
09039. Email : eternal@
mptmail.net.mm
FITNESS CENTRE
Balance Fitnesss
No 64 (G), Kyitewine
Pagoda Road, Mayangone
Township. Yangon
01-656916, 09 8631392
Email - info@
balancetnessyangon.com
Life Fitness
Bldg A1, Rm No. 001,
Shwekabar Housing,
Mindhamma Rd,
Mayangone Tsp. Yangon.
Ph: 01-656511,
Fax: 01-656522,
Hot line: 0973194684,
natraysports@gmail.com
No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl
Street, Golden Valley Ward,
Bahan Township, Yangon.
Tel : 09-509 7057, 01-
220881, 549478 (Ext : 103)
Email : realtnessmyanmar
@gmail.com
www.realtnessmyanmar.com
Floral Service & Gift
Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi
Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142
Summit Parkview Hotel,
tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173
fax: 535376.email: sandy@
sandymyanmar.com.mm.
ENTERTAINMENT
Learn to dance with
social dancing
94, Bogalay Zay St,
Botataung T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-392526,
01-1221738
DUTY FREE
Duty Free Shops
Yangon International
Airport, Arrival/Departure
Mandalay International
Airport, Departure
Ofce: 17, 2
nd
street,
Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing,
Hlaing Township, Yangon.
Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.
24 Hrs International Clinic
Medical and Security
Assistance Service
@ Victoria Hospital
No.68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: +951 651 238
+959 495 85 955
Fax: +959 651 398
www.leomedicare.com
24 Hours Laboratory
& X-ray, CT, MRI, USG
Mammogram, Bone DXA
@ Victoria Hospital
No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 9 666141
Fax: (951) 9 666135
Japan-Myanmar
Physiotherapy Clinic.
Body Massage - 7000 Ks
Foot Massage - 6000 Ks
Body & Foot Massage -
12,000 Ks
No.285, Bo Aung Kyaw Rd,
Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon.
09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tel : 09-8615036
Condo (C), Room (001),
Tatkatho Yeikmon Housing,
New University Avenue Rd,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 09 8615162,
09 8615163, 542 375,
546 663, (Ext 1155)
HEALTH SERVICES
GLASS
98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda
Road, Bahan Township,
553783, 09-732-16940.
Fax: 542979
Email: asiapacic.
myanmar@gmail.com.
CAR RENTAL
No. 56, Bo Ywe St,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 01-246551, 375283,
09-2132778, 09-31119195.
Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@
gmail.com,
Car Rental Service
COFFEE MACHINE
illy, Francis Francis, VBM,
Brasilia, Rossi, De Longhi
Nwe Ta Pin Trading Co., Ltd.
Shop C, Building 459 B
New University Avenue
01- 555-879, 09-4210-81705
nwetapintrading@gmail.com
CONFERENCE
The Best Conference,
Exhibition & Workshop at
Reasonable Cost in Yangon
MitaMyanmarInvestmentTrade
TechnologyConference.com
maizar@mitaservices.com.sg
09420110451,09420110666
Myanmar
Investment
Conference
25-27 Sept
BOOK STORES
150 Dhamazedi Rd.,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 536306, 537805.
Email : yangon@
monument-books.com
15(B), Departure Lounge,
Yangon Intl Airport.
#87/2, Crn of 26
th
& 27
th

St, 77
th
St,Chan Aye Thar
Zan Tsp, Mandalay.
Tel : (02) 24880.
First Class VIP
Limousine Car Rental.
Professional English
Speaking Drivers.
Full Insurance for
your Safety and
comfortable journey
Call us Now for your
best choice
www.mmels.com
MYANMAR EXECUTIVE
LIMOUSINE SERVICE
HOT LINE:
09 - 402 510 003
01-646 330
AUTO LEASING
Vehicle Operating Leases:
Trucks

Semi trailers

Vans and Minibuses

Tractors

Pickups
aung@yomaeet.com
www.yomaeet.com
SAIL Marketing &
Communications
Suite 403, Danathiha Center
790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd
& Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw
Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 211870, 224820,
2301195. Email: admin@
advertising-myanmar.com
www.advertising-myanmar.
com
WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING
INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991
MAR K E T I NG & COMMUNI CAT I ONS
A D V E R T I S I N G
The First Air conditioning
systems designed to keep
you fresh all day
Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd.
No.437 (A), Pyay Road,
Kamayut. P., O 11041
Yangon, Tel: +(95-1)
502016-18,
Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933.
Nay Pyi Taw- Tel:
067-420778, E-mail :
sales.ac@freshaircon.
com. URL: http://www.
freshaircon.com
AIR CONDITION
Strategic PR, Media
Monitoring, Media
Networking, Media
brieng for Executives
#17, ShweThaPyay
Housing 2, Nawaratt St,
10 Quarter, Thaketa Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: +959 421027567, +959
5070524, pandpmedia.
com@gmail.com
ARCHITECTS &
MODULAR BUILDINGS
contactus@greenarc.net.au
Tel : 09-730-22820
BEAUTY & MASSAGE
Marina Residence, Yangon
Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109
Beauty Plan, Corner of
77th St & 31st St, Mandalay
Ph: 02 72506
Lemon Day Spa
No. 96 F, Inya Road,
Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476.
E.mail: lemondayspa.2011
@gmail.com
MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE
Nandawun Compound,
No. 55, Baho Road,
Corner of Baho Road
and Ahlone Road, (near
Eugenia Restaurant),
Ahlone Township. tel:
212 409, 221 271. 214708
fax: 524580. email: info@
myanmarbook.com
BOOK STORES
No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi
Condo, Room F, Yaw Min
Gyi Rd, Dagon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 09-425-307-717
YANGON
La Source Beauty Spa
80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp.
Tel: 512380, 511252
Beauty Bar by La Source
Room (1004), Sedona Hotel,
Tel : 666 900 Ext : 7167
MANDALAY
La Source Beauty Spa
13/13, Mya Sandar St,
bet: 26_27, bet: 62_63,
Chanaye Tharzan Tsp.
Tel : 09-4440-24496.
www.lasourcebeautyspa.com
Beauty Spa & Reexology
42 (A), Amaka (10)
Kyaung St, Pyay Rd,
Hlaing Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-507070, 01-507141,
09-51 09435, 09-51 43568
International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
No. 60, G-Fl, Sint-Oh-Dan St,
Lower Block, Latha Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
Email : intconstruction
material@gmail.com
Room No. 1101, 16
th
Flr,
Tower B, Maw Tin Tower,
Corner of Anawrahta Rd
& Lanthit St, Lanmadaw
Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : (95-1) 218489. 218490
218491
Fax : (95-1) 218492
Email : marketing @
kaytumadi.com, contact@
kaytumadi.com,
kaytumadi@gmail.com.
web : www.rockworth.com
Legendary Myanmar Intl
Shipping & Logistics Co.,
Ltd.
No-9, Rm (A-4), 3
rd
Flr,
Kyaung St, Myaynigone,
Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 516827, 523653,
516795.
Mobile. 09-512-3049.
Email: legandarymyr@
mptmail.net .mm
www.LMSL-shipping.com
Japan Sushi Izagaya
81 (A), Latha St,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Ph : 01-371508, 09-51 0 9435,
09-51 43568, 09-312 93852
TRAVEL AGENTS
Get your Visa online for
Business and Tourist
No need to come to
Embassy.
#165. 35th Street,
Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: +951 381200, 204020
travel.evisa@gmail.com
VISA & IMMIGRATION
WEB SERVICE
WATER SOLUTION
Water Treatement Solution
Block (A), Room (G-12),
Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye
Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp.
Hot Line : 09-4500-59000
Aekar
Company Limited
Web Services
All the way from Australia
world-class websites/
web apps for desktop,
smartphone & tablets,
online shopping with
real-time transaction,
news/magazine site,
forum, email campaign
and all essential online
services. Domain
registration & cloud
hosting. Talk to us: (01)
430-897, (0) 942-000-4554.
www.medialane.com.au
WATER HEATERS
The Global leader in
Water Heaters
A/1, Aung San Stadium
East Wing, Upper
Pansodan Road.
Tel: 01-256705, 399464,
394409, 647812.
Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd
Ph: 01-9010378, 9010382,
www.exploremyanmar.com
www.exploreglobaltravel.
com
Asian Trails Tour Ltd
73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp.
tel: 211212, 223262.
fax: 211670. email: res@
asiantrails.com.mm
Wat er Heat er
Made in Japan
Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker
and Cooker Hood
Showroom Address
No.(68), Tawwin Street,
9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon.
Hunt line: +95 1 9666 141,
Booking Ext : 7080, 7084.
Fax: +95 1 9666 135
Email:
info@witoriya hospital.com
www.victoriahospital
myanmar.com,
Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/
WitoriyaGeneralHospital
Executive Serviced Ofces
www.hinthabusinesscentres.com
Tel : 01-4413410
SERVICE OFFICE
Capital Hyper Mart
14(E), Min Nandar Road,
Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136.
City Mart (Aung San) tel:
253022, 294765.
City Mart (47
th
St Branch)
tel: 200026, 298746.
City Mart (Junction 8)
tel: 650778.
City Mart (FMI City Branch)
tel: 682323.
City Mart (Yankin Center
Branch) tel: 400284.
City Mart (Myaynigone)
tel: 510697.
City Mart (Zawana Branch)
tel:564532.
City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar)
tel: 294063.
City Mart (Chinatown Point)
tel: 215560~63.
City Mart (Junction Maw Tin)
tel: 218159.
City Mart (Marketplace)
tel: 523840~43.
City Mart
(78
th
Brahch-Mandalay)
tel: 02-71467~9.
IKON Mart
No.332, Pyay Rd, San
Chaung. Tel: 535-783, 527705,
501429. Email: sales-ikon@
myanmar.com.mm
Junction Maw Tin
Anawrahta Rd, Lanmadaw,
Ph: 01-225244.
Junction Square
Pyay Rd, Kamayut,
Ph: 01-527242.
Junction Zawana
Lay Daung Kan St,
Thingangyun, Ph: 573929.
Ocean (North Point)
Pyay Rd, 9 mile,
Ph: 01-652959.
Ocean (East Point)
Mahabandoola Rd,
Ph: 01-397146.
Orange
Myittar Yeik Mon Housing,
Tamwe, Ph: 09-8623381.
SUPERMARKETS
STEEL STRUCTURE
Design, Fabrication,
Supply & Erection of Steel
Structures
Tel : (+95-1) 122 1673
Email : Sales@WEC-
Myanmar.com
www.WEC-Myanmar.com
English Education Centre
Nursery - Primary
(15 months - 12 years)
55 (B), Po Sein Road,
Bahan Township.
Tel : (951) 546097, 546761.
Email: imm.myn@gmail.com
I nternational
M ontessori
M yanmar
Executive Serviced
Ofce, Registered
and Virtual Ofce, Hot
Desking, Meeting Rooms
Tel: +(95) 1 387947
www.ofcehubservices,com
LUGGAGE
Luggage
No.196/198,
Ground Floor,
Shwe Bon Thar St(Middle),
Pabedan Tsp, Yangon,
Tel: 253214, 09420049459,
0931569998
Schenker (Thai) Ltd.
Yangon 59 A, U Lun
Maung Street. 7 Mile
Pyay Road, MYGN. tel:
667686, 666646.fax:
651250. email: sche
nker@mptmail.net.mm.
a drink from paradise...
available on Earth
@Yangon International
Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 09-421040512
Quality Chinese Dishes
with Resonable Price
@Marketplace by City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109
Good taste & resonable
price
@Thamada Hotel
Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41
Ext: 32
RESTAURANTS
Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg
608, Rm 6(B), Cor of
Merchant Rd & Bo Sun
Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel:
377263, 250582, 250032,
09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.
Heaven Pizza
38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St.
Yaw Min Gyi Quarter,
Dagon Township.
Tel: 09-855-1383
Enchanting and Romantic,
a Bliss on the Lake
62 D, U Tun Nyein Road,
Mayangon Tsp, Yangon
Tel. 01 665 516, 660976
Mob. 09-730-30755
operayangon@gmail.com
www.operayangon.com
22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd,
Bahan Tsp. tel 541997.
email: leplanteur@
mptmail.net.mm.
http://leplanteur.net
G-01, City Mart
(Myay Ni Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106
G-05, Marketplace by
City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext: 105
Monsoon Restaurant
& Bar 85/87, Thein Byu
Road, Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.
Delicious Hong Kong Style
Food Restaurant
G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni
Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114
No. 5, U Tun Nyein
Street, Mayangone T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-660 612, 657928,
01-122 1014, 09 508 9441
Email : lalchimiste.
restaurant@gmail.com
UnionBarAndGrill
42 Strand Road,
Botahtaung, Yangon.
Tel: 95 9420 180 214, 95
9420 101 854
www.unionyangon.com,
info@unionyangon.com
Horizon Intl School
25, Po Sein Road, Bahan
Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795,
551796, 450396~7.
fax : 543926, email :
contact@horizonmyanmar.
com, www.horizon.com
SCHOOLS
SANITERY WARE
Grohe
Bath Room Accessories,
79-B3/B3, East Shwe Gone
Dine, Near SSC Womens
Center, Bahan.
Tel : 01-401083, 09-
73011100, 09-73056736
Yangon Intl School
Fully Accredited K-12
International Curriculum
with ESL support
No.117,Thumingalar
Housing, Thingangyun,
Tel: 578171, 573149,
687701, 687702.
World famous Kobe Beef
Near Thuka Kabar
Hospital on Pyay Rd,
Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp.
Tel: +95-1-535072
Horizon Restaurant & Bar
KH Hotel Roof top
No. (28-A), 7 Miles,
Pyay Road, Mayangone
Township, Yangon.
Ph: 95-1-652532, 652533
150 Brand NEW
International Standard
Rental Apartments
Hotline : 09 43 200 845
09 250 516 616
email : rental.starcity@
gmail.com
www.starcityyangon.com
HOUSING
Pun Hlaing Golf Estate
Gated Golf Community
HOUSE RENTAL
APARTMENT RENTALS
SERVICED APARTMENTS
Available Immediately
RENTAL OFFICE
OPEN DAILY 9-5
PHGE Sales & Marketing,
Hlaing Tharyar Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 951-687 800, 684 013
phgemarketing@gmail.com
www.punhlainggolfestate.com
HOME FURNISHING
22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile,
Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 660769, 664363.
Franzo Living Mall
15(A/5), Pyay Rd, A1(9miles),
Tel : 01-664026, 01-656970,
09-43205018
www.facebook.com/franzo
livingmall.
Email:palazzofurniture@
gmail.com
HOTEL SUPPLY
Premium Chef Uniform
Building B-1, Room 001,
Myittar Street, TamweLay,
TamweTsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01-556703, 09-
5408885, 09-5067816
Email:
theworkwearmyanmar@
gmail.com
INSURANCE
Fire, Motor and Life
Insurance
44, TheinPhyu Road,
Tel : 01- 8610656
Mob : 09-5055216
Email: maythet@gw-
insurance.com
www.gw-insurance.com
PAINT
TOP MARINE PAINT
No-410, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 09-851-5202
Sole Distributor
For the Union of
Myanmar Since 1995
Myanmar Golden Rock
International Co.,Ltd.
#06-01, Bldg (8), Myanmar
ICT Park, University Hlaing
Campus, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 654810~17.
Worlds No.1 Paints &
Coatings Company
Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd.
Islands Safari in the Mergui
Archipelago
No.89-91, Rm No.2, Gr Fr,
32
nd
St (between Maha
Bandoola Rd and Merchant
Rd), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel / Fax: 01-380382
E-mail: info@islandsafari
mergui.com. Website: www.
islandsafarimergui.com
PLEASURE CRUISES
REAL ESTATE
For House-Seekers
with Expert Services
In all kinds of Estate Fields
yomaestatemm@gmail.com
09-332 87270 (Fees Free)
09-2541 26615 (Thai Language)
Crown Worldwide
Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702,
7
th
Flr Danathiha Centre,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288,
210 670, 227650. ext: 702.
Fax: 229212. email: crown
worldwide@mptmail.net.mm
REMOVALISTS
Re a l Es t a t e Age nt
No Fees for Cl i ent s,
Contact Us : 09 2050107,
robin@prontorealtor.com
Relocation Specialist
Rm 504, M.M.G Tower,
#44/56, Kannar Rd,
Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 250290, 252313.
Mail : info@asiantigers-
myanmar.com
Mon - Sat (9am to 6pm)
No. 797, MAC Tower II,
Rm -4, Ground Flr,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303,
09-4200-91393.
info@centuremyanmar.
com.
www.centure.in.th
OFFICE FURNITURE
Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330
09-4200-77039.
direct2u@mmrds.com
Home Outdoor Ofce
99 Condo, Ground Floor,
Room (A), Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 09-2504-28700
info@decorum.mm.com
Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe
Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896
Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe
Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896
MARINE
COMMUNICATION &
NAVIGATION
Top Marine Show Room
No-385, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597
LANGUAGE
Master Burmese Faster!
Professional Burmese
Language Course for All
Levels
436, Top r, Thein Phyu Rd,
Mingalar Taung Nyut Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel : 09-4316 8422
www.moemyanmar.com
Email: register.mmlc@
moemyanmar.com
Matrix System
No.77, Lanthit Street,
Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01-221944, 225374.
matrixoffice.mm@gmail.com
Ofce Culture Co., Ltd
Taw Win Center, 3
rd
Flr,
Rm 4031/4033, Pyay Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 09-2540 14097
Email: bd1@bristol.com.mm
www.bristol.com.my
International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
material@gmail.com
WATER PROOFING
International
Construction
Material Co., Ltd.
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-245112,
09-730-22820
material@gmail.com
No. 67B, Dhama Yone St.,
near (Blazon) U Wisara Rd.,
Myaynigone, Sanchaung
Tsp. Tel: 01-502761
Orange
Mahabandoola St, Top of
19
th
St, Latha
Ph: 01-397146.
Orange Super Market
103, Thu Damar Rd,
Industrial Zone, North
Okkalar, Ph: 9690246
Property General
HOW TO GET A FREE AD
BY FAX : 01-254158
BY EMAIL : classied.mcm@gmail.com
BY MAIL : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM
AS LITTLE AS K.5,000.
BUY SPACE ON THESE PAGES
CALL: Khin Mon Mon Yi - 01-392676, 392928
FREE
Rent/Sale
49th Street, 1500 Sqft,
25' x 60' 49th Street,
middle block, 6th Floor
Puzundaung, Yangon,
1 MBR with Bath Tub,
western toilet, 1BR,
Huge Living room, Teak
Wood Parquet foor, Hot
& Cold shower, Bath tub,
4 Air con, Laundry room,
Tilling foor Kitchen, Fully
fnished, Very comfort
walk up stair, Nice and
Clean excellence location
in Yangon. Call us - 09-
507-6675, 09-2500-
13963, 09-503-9498.
Housing for Rent
NEW APARTMENT
in good access Area
near Hledan! Good
atmosphere, shining
& bright for the area of
25x50. 2 rooms with a
big lounge.Contact owner
direct - 09 505 8276.
BAHAN, Po Sein Rd,
near Chatrium Hotel, 2
RC, house with 70'x70'
compound, 3 MBR with
teak parquet fooring, 3
AC, Cable phone a wide
car parking 2500 USD,
Ph: 09-312-87827, 09-
2500-26350.
DAGON TSP, Near Park
Royal Hotel, Nawaday
Condo, 1 MBR, 1 BR,
3 AC, Cable phone, Lift
1000 USD, 1250 sqft,
Ph: 09-317-75734, 09-
312-87827.
(1)NEAR CHATRIUM
hotel, 2 RC, 6000 Sqft, 3
MBR, 1 SR, new house,
fully furnish, USD 6000.
(2)Near Parami Rd, 2
RC, 6000 Sqft, 4 MBR,
new house, 4000 USD.
(3)Golden valley, 2 RC,
6500 Sqft, 3 MBR, 1
SR, lawn space 6000
Sqft, USD 8000. (4)Near
China Embassy, 2 RC,
7200 sqft, 4 MBR, 2 SR,
can use offce, can use
residence, USD 15000,
Ph 09-975292830.
(1).SI TAW GYI Condo
3400sqft, 7 miles Pyay
Rd. (2).Pansodan Tower,
2100-sqft with 2-lifts.
2-Rooms & Hall (3).2RC
Near by the Diamond
Condo & HlayTan
J unction, 2MBR, 3BR.
Ph: 09-731-54071.
(1)NEAR PARK ROYAL
hotel, nice view, 2500
Sqft, 2MBR, 1SR, Fully
furnish, USD 4500. (2)
Near Kabaraye Pagoda,
good location, near
shopping Mall, 2500 Sqft,
1MBR, 2SR, 24 hour
Security, good internet
line, fully furnish, USD
4500. (3)Near China
Embassy, 2600 Sqft,
2MBR, 1SR, swimming
pool, restaurant, 24
hour security, USD
5700. (4)Near Aung
San Stadium, 1250 Sqft,
new apartment, 1MBR,
2SR, fully furnish, USD
1900.(5)China town,
river view side, 3000
Sqft, can use offce or
residence,1MBR, 2SR,
USD 4500. Ph: 09- 4921
4276.( no broker).
OFFICE SPACE TO LET
3100 sqmavailable over
5 foors in a 12-storey
building with car park,
restaurant, multi function
hall and apartments.
Please contact -
Ph : 09-431-34381.
Email : offce-mm@
uniteammarine.com,
web : www .facebook.
com/offcespaceyangon
DAGON Condominium:
Near Parkroyal Hotel,
1 master Bed Room, 1
Single Room, Parquet
Floor, 3AC, Line Phone,
Fully Furnished, 1250
Sqft, USD 1200 per
month, Ph: 09-312-
87827, 09-2500-26350.
MANDALAY, on road,
length 160'x width 33'.
Included building, water,
Electricity, ready to use.
Suitable for offce, school,
Bank etc $ 10000 per
month, Contact: 09-517-
8019.
MYANIGONE Sanchaung,
Min St, First Flr, all
furniture, One Bed
Rm, One Kitchen, One
Bathroom(The balcony),
1 RC, 1 (month) 600 US,
Ph: Shan Shan - 09-731-
92603, Moe Hein - 09-
4250-18442.
HOME (or) offce for
Rent (Fair price): New
building, 5 Bed Rm, full
air con, Generator, Car
Garage, Large Parking
Area, Garden, Very Good
surrounding, Golf range,
National Swimming pool,
Horse race course are in
Surrounding (Shwe Pin
Lon Residential Area).
(20 minutes to Downtown/
Airport), Ph: 09-512-
5342, 09-528-0578, 09-
493-33318.
BAHAN, Po Sein Rd, near
Holiday Hotel, 2 Stories
building, 3 private rooms
with toilet, parquet foor,
sufficient carparking,
US$ 2500 per month.
Ph: 09-312-87825, 09-
2500-26350.
HLAING, Shwe Hinn Thar
Condo, 6 1/2 mile, Pyay
Rd, 2600Sqft, 2 MBR, 2
SR, Furniture, Swimming
pool, Gym, Internet
(Fiber), Satellite, Ph line,
fully air-conditioners,
Water heater, USD 5500
per month (Nego:), Ph:09-
3106-6005.
BAHAN, University
Avenue Condo,
1350Sqft, 1MBR, 2SR,
Furnished, Skynet
satellite, air-conditioners,
Water heaters, USD
1800 per month (2)
Mayangone, Kabaaye
Pagoda Rd, Near Inya
lake Hotel, 0.2Acre, 2
storey building, Garden,
3MBR, 2BR, Water
heaters, Air-conditioners,
Semi-furnished, USD
2200 per month (4)
Yankin, 0.2Acre, 2 storey
building, Big garden,
1MBR, Air-conditioners,
Ph line, Generator line,
Furnished, TV, Skynet,
Internet, Water heater,
USD 2500 per month
(Nego:), Ph:09-3106-
6005.
Housing for Sale
(1).SCOTT VIEW Condo
GF (Instrument) Wide
14.5 x 47, High 18 Ft,
Attics - 8000 Lakhs (2).
Downtown, 30th St, GF,
Wide 12.5 x 55, Attics
- 3800 Lakhs. Ph: 01
378045, 09-4306-5349,
09-4500-01890
MAWLAMYINE, 2RC
(water + electricity
included), 60'x80', on
Bogyoke Aung San
Rd, near Mawlamyine
University. Price:
negotiable. Ph: 09-515-
8738.
GOOD LOCATION V.I.P
Quarter in Taunggyi 2
stories RC Building with
car garage 2 stories on
land area 0.08 Acre, near
school, on main road. Ph:
09-204-2457.
Want to Rent
REQUIRED small condo
or apartment in new
building with 1 bedroom,
1 living room, kitchen with
or without furniture for
foreigner. Shared house
also welcome. Ready to
pay upto US$ 1500/- per
month. No agent fees will
be paid. Please contact
09-4344-4455"
Business
SEEKING business
partners for a business
project from USA.
Low risk, low cost.
Specialisation in
tested and proven
neutraceutical products.
By appointments only.
Call 01385977 or 09-
2504-17585.
Education
PHYSICS Home Tution,
Sayar U Myint Thein
(Physics) Yangon
University (Since 1984)
184/186 Sule Pagoda
St: Kyauktada. IGCSE,
SAT II, Grade X, Grade
XI. Ph: 09 730 528 59,
Email:umtdeu@gmail.
com
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Montessori Myanmar
(English Education
Center), Accredited by
IMC Bangkok (Since
1991). Our Montessori
curriculum includes:
Practical Life Exercises.
Sensorial Training.
Language Development.
Mathematics. Cultural
Studies. Botany and
Zoology. History.
Creative Art. Music and
Movement. Cooking.
Physical Development.
Social & Emotional
Development. Learning
through play. 55(B), Po
Sein Road, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar. Tel:
546097, 546761. Email:
imm.myn@gmail.com
MATHEMATICS, Is your
child fromILBC, YIS, ISY,
ISM, Yangon Academy,
MIS, MISY, SIS, PISM,
ALBA, DSY or all
international schools
(KG to Sec 3 or Grade
9) weak in Maths, doesnt
understand problem
solving, no one can help
himor her in practicing
or learning? If your
child is willing to learn &
practise, I will teach him
or her to develop the
required skills to improve
in Maths from present
situation. Please contact
and come to Daw Naing
Naing Aung, B.Com
(Q), No.(6), Thuketa St,
Baukhtaw, Yankin. Ph:
09-500-4993, 544594.
ACCREDITED by
IMC Bangkok (Since
1991). Our Monstessori
curriculum includes:
Practical life exercises,
Sensorial training,
language development,
Mathematics, Cultural
studies, Botany &
Zoology, History,
Creative Art, Music and
Movement, Cooking,
Physical Development,
Social & Emotional
Development. Learning
through play, 55(B), Po
Sein Rd, Bahan, Yangon.
Ph: 546097, 546761,
Email: imm.myn@gmail.
com
ACADAMY Teaching &
Study Guide for (Intl
School Students-primary
1 to 6, teach in Eng to
Eng also). Government
School Students (Grade
4 to 11, teach Eng and
Maths only). Ph:09-
2510-07406.
GRADE 10 & 11 English,
Math, Physics, Chemistry
Teaching and Guide. Ph:
09-731-23045.
TEACHING and guide, Kg
to Primary6, Int'l school.
Tr. Hnin : 09-4200-87050.
PHYSICS Home Tution,
Sayar U Myint Thein:
Yangon University,
Grade X,XI. IGCSE. SAT
II. Ph: 09-730-52859.
Email: umtedu@gmail.
com
GUIDE for ABE Level
6- Graduate Diploma in
Business Management
students, Strategic
Marketing Management
Strategic Human
Resource Management,
Managing in Organiza
tion Corporate Strate gy
& Planning, Int'l Business
Case Study. Contact: 09-
319-45385
TEACHING and guide,
KG to Primary 6, For Int'l
school, (MIS. YIS. MISY.
ILBC. CISM. ISM. PISM.
TOTAL. Horizon.) Ph:09-
4200-87050
MATHS Tuition for all
international school
students from class
4th to 10th. I did my
PG in maths fromIndia
and having 8+years of
teaching experience. I
can teach only in English
& Hindi language.
Interested students pls
contact at shilpi_19sep@
rediffmail.com or shilpi.
19sep@gmail.com
Expert Services
GOLDEN LAND Real
Estate : For sale, buy &
rent, Pls contact to Ph:
3940532, 09-730-08848,
3920853
RENTAL Services
of Condos, Landed
Houses, Offces and
Commercial Properties.
Our lists can be checked
in http://goo.gl/tyCuoe.
Myat Estate Agency,
Hotline: 09-4308-3781.
EFFICIENT Goldsmith
Software, Effective for all
goldshops & goldsmiths
@ Effcient Soft. Ph: 09-
505-3762, 09-517-1061,
09-2503-54344
I DO translate
English ~Myanmar &
Myanmar~English and
also teach Myanmar
language (4 skills) for
foreigners. If you want
to contact, call me,
Katherine Ph:09-516-
8697.
REGISTERED Tourist
guide in English, French
is available for immediate
appoint ment, please ring
09-3019-9028.
CORPORATE Profile
Writing Service, Wanting
to have a business profle
which does not merely
give information about
your business yet it goes
an extra mile to seal new
business opportunities in
a professional manner?
Golden Miracle Co.,
Ltd: 09-512-0462 for
professional profile
writing service.
Experienced business
profle writers across
different industries.
A business profle is
more than a bunch of
information, rather, it
is something which
gives you a head start
to limitless stream of
opportunities.
ZCL(Y.U.F.L) Translation
Service, Translate from
English to Myanmar,
Myanmar to English.
Ph:09-250-666325 email
: atar1990@gmail.com
For Sale
TOYOTA Fielder, E E/....
Model 2002, 1500cc, 115
Lakhs. Ph: 09-516-5340,
09-4210-6276.
General
MK HOTEL, Myakyauk
Yangon City Hotel. No.1,
Wut Kyaung St, Yay
Kyaw, Pazun Taung Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar. Ph:
01-297274, 01-202187,
01-8610640.
Language
TEACHING Myanmar
language for foreigners
Near Myay Ni Gone City
Mart, Sanchaung. Ph:
09- 4200-30 782.
TEACHING English
for adults Near Myay
Ni Gone City Mart,
Sanchaung. Ph:09-
4200-30782
MANDARIN (Standard
Spoken Chinese
Language). English
Speaking & Grammar
(Expert in English).
Horizon, Total, ILBC,
MLA, RV, ISM, MISY,
(All private School) from
KG to Secondary School.
Mr. Pit Kyin, Who guides
the Studies of a number
of students. Ph: 09-730-
11809, 09-2540-11654.
WE can teach Korea
language Basic & 4
skills for all. Ph: 09-2505-
65793, 09-721-35423,
09-310-24812.
WE DO teach Myanmar
language 4 skills for
Foreigners by Teacher
TUN. Available home
& group class. Basic
Class - 3 months,
Intermediate Class- 3
months, Advanced
Class- 3 months. English
for adults and young
learners. We do teach
4 skills face or group
class. Available home
tuition or group class.
CHINESE language for
all grades and classes.
Taiwan Teacher Mr. Lin;
WilliamLin ( BM, IDCS
(UK), TW Civil (Taiwan),
USB Accounting, Yunan
Uni Dip (China)) teach
4 skills to be a native
speaker. Intend to go
abroad study or work
students. Can contact us.
Basic Class - 3 months,
Intermediate Class- 4
months, Advanced
Class- 6 months, Super
Advanced Class- 6
months. We do service
of interpreting Chinese-
Myanmar service.
J apanese for all students
who want to go to J apan
for work or study. We do
teach 4 skills and practice
very well. Mr. WilliamLin
: Ph: 09-4211-47821.
MYANMAR Access
Int'l provides English
Language Training for
workplaces & Project
Management Training
Programmes in every
month by collaborating
with Project Manage ment
Institute fromAmerica &
Comprehensive English
Center from Malaysia.
We are offering,
English business
writing skills course
business writing skills
course. How to make
an impact with your
presentation. How to
communicate better in
English at the work places.
English proficiency
from elementary
to pre intermediate
levels course
English profciency inter
mediate levels course
English proficiency
advance levels course
Project Management
Awareness Training
Project Management
Fundamental Training
If you are interested
in it, please feel free
to contact :09-731-
18749, 09-732-40764
or kaungsanthu1994@
gmail.com
HOME Tutuion in English,
Myanmar language.
Can be arranged at
learner's suitable time
and residences. Ph: 09-
3019-9028.
WANT TO LEARN
Myanmar Language ?
group class and one
by one.you will got
the surprise within
one month can talk
fluently. Please contact
Ms.May: 09-4921-
4276.
JAPANESE Language
4 skills J LPT N5 To N1
We are avaliable Monday
To Friday Classes, Sat &
Sun Classes and Home
teaching. Ph:09-4440-
12654
OXFORD English
Language centre :
Daw Khtheleen Thein,
B.A(Eng), Dip in ELT,
TESOL (Canada), Dip
in Franch. Starters,
Movers, Flyers. IELTS
(Preparation). Four
skills. No. 10, Marlar
Myaing St, Yankin. Ph:
09-5026470
Training
WEB DESIGN Training
Sat & Sun: 8:00am -
10:00pm. Contact: 09-
4211-44937
WEB DEVELOPMENT
with Drupal CMS. Sat &
Sun: 1:00pm-3:00pm.
Contact: 09-4211-44937.
BASIC, DTP (Page
maker, Corel Draw,
Graphic Design (Page
maker, Corel Draw (or)
Illustrator, Photo shop),
Web Design, AutoCad
(2D/3D), AutoCad
(CIVIL Only), AutoCad
(Mechanical Only),
3dsMax, Micro station,
Excel special, Ms Access,
LCCI I,II (Mon, Tue 7-9
am, Fri, Sat 6-8 pm),
LCCI III, MYOB, UBS,
Peachtree, Auto Count,
J apanese language
(N-5,N-4,N-3) ICTC
Computer Technology
Center. Ph: 09-2540-
86001, 09- 4925-5368
YOGA CLASS only
for females by Indian
instructor. Interested
persons pls contact
at shilpi_19sep@
rediffmail.com or shilpi.
19sep@gmail.com
Travel
GO GO UP Travel &
Tours Limited : Hot price
to Thailand Bangkok -
Pattaya, USD 460 (Hot
Price) 4 days 3 nights.
Bangkok - Pattaya -
Ayuttaya, USD 560 (Hot
Price) 5 days 4 nights.
Honeymoon Package @
Paradise Island USD 550
(HotPrice) 4 days 3 nights.
Tel : (01) 523602, 09-732-
07333, 09-4480-13235
MYAT THU Car Rental,
Various types of car rent
for daily or monthly use.
Alphard, Surf, Prado,
Super Custom, Grand
Carvin. Ph: 09-4500-
20233, 09-540-1236
Email : mt.carbusiness@
gmail.com.
TOE TET PAING Car
Rental Service "Any
kinds of car for your
any trip. We can fully
provide to be satisfed"
Contact:09- 4210-78565,
09-4480-00375 Email :
toetetpaingcarrental@
gmail.com
OUR POWERFUL Travel
arrange Inbound &
Outbound Tour packages,
Air Ticketing (International
& Domestic), Car
Rental Services, Hotel
Reservation, Guide
Services &other travelling
services. Call : 01-
378045, 09-4306-5349
Email: powerfultravel72@
gmail.com, powerful
company9@gmail.com
"ASIAN Bliss Myanmar"
Travel & Tour (Car Rental
Services) Bldg 289,room
3 east yankin 09-519-
1785, 09-731-18957
Public Notics
Mi TA Myanmar
Investment, Trade &
Technology Conference,
Workshop and Exhibition
will be held during 25-27
Sept 2014 UMFCCI,
Yangon. The Best
Conference, Exhibition &
Workshop @ Reasonable
Fees in Myanmar! for
more info, please visit:
www.MitaMyanmarInve
stmentTrade Technology
Conference.com, Ph:
09420110451, 09-4201-
10666, Email: maizar@
mitaservices.com.sg
We provide the following
Training, CISCO, CCNA,
CCNP, MICROSOFT,
MCSA, MCSE, LAB,
EC-COUNCIL CEH,
SECURITY ADMIN.
www.facebook.com/
imcscompany, 09-4500-
16040.
Employment
FREE THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
UN Positions
THE UNITED NATIONS
World Food Programme,
is seeking (1)Senior
Security Assistant GS-
6, Yangon. For more
information, please visit
to http://www.themimu.
info/jobs-for-myanmar-
nationals. Please Email
the applications with UN
P-11 to wfpmyanmar.
vacancy @wfp.org<
mailto:wfpmyanmar.
vacancy@wfp.org>COB
10 September 2014.
THE UNITED
NATIONS World Food
Programme, is seeking
(1)IT Assistant GS-5,
Maungdaw. For more
to http://www.themimu.
info/jobs-for-myanmar-
nationals. Please Email
the applications with UN
P-11 to wfpmyanmar.
vacancy@wf p. org
<mailto:wfpmyanmar.
vacancy@wfp.org>COB
5. September 2014.
Embassy
REQUIRE URGENTLY
- A female who can
read and write Arabic
Language (properly/
effciently). Please Send
CV with recent photo to
email:tztztz780@gmail.
com
Ingo Position
MYANMAR RED Cross
Society is seeking(1)
Finance Offcer (MNCH)
1 post in Nay Pyi Taw-
Yangon (Yangon 75%)
Myanmar National.
B.Com/Bachelor of
Accounting/CPA (or)
equivalent accounting
degree. Computer skill
in MS Excel & accounting
software is an asset. 3
years experience in
fnance & accounting
feld. Experience in
preparing monthly,
quarterly & annual
fnancial reports. Effective
English language skills.
Experience in the use of
accounting software is an
asset. Understanding of
the Red Cross Movement
& willingness to actively
promote Red Cross
fundamental principles.
(2)HR Offcer Nay Pyi
Taw-Yangon (Yangon
75%) :University Degree.
3 years of experience.
Effective communication
of English and Myanmar
especially in translating,
including written, spoken
and typing . Experience in
planning & organizing of
interviews, assessments,
study, recreation & social
activities and services.
Well developed computer
skills, with demonstrated
competence in Excel,
Word & Power point
(English & Myanmar),
Page Maker. Experien
ce of fnancial admini
stration. Strong skill in
numerical recording,
data maintenance. Red
Cross Volunteers are
preferable. Please send
application letter, CV &
related documents to
Myanmar Red Cross
Society Head Offce:
Yazathingaha Rd,
Dekhinathiri, Nay Pyi Taw.
Or mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com. www.
myanmarredcrossso
ciety.org
MYANMAR Red Cross
Society is seeking(1)
Assi stant Resource
Mobilization Offcer
1 post in Nay Pyi Taw:
Myanmar National.
Bachelor's degree.
2 years experience.
Effective English
language skill &
Computer knowledge.
Red Cross Volunteers
are preferable. (2)
Fi nance & Admi n
Offcer 1 post in Mindat:
Myanmar National.
B.Com(or) B.Act (or) DA
(or) LCCI Level III Group
Diploma. 2 years of
professional experience
in admin, fnance and
accounting feld. High
level of computer skills in
MS Excel and other MS
Offce applications. (3)
Resource Mobilization
Offcer 1 post in Nay
Pyi Taw: Myanmar
National. Bachelor's
degree. 2 years
experience. Effective
English language skill
& comptuer knowledge.
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society Head
Office, Yazathingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw. Or
mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com, Closing date:
7-9-2014.
THE INT' L Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking (1)Suppl y
Chain Offcer in Yangon:
Strong sense of personal
integrity. Attention to
detail. Knowledge of
generic procurement
procedures & practices
(IRC or NGO experience
a d v a n t a g e o u s )
Competent in English.
Good mathematical skills.
(2)Finance Assistant 2
posts (1 for Kanpetlet and
1 for Paletwa): Bachelor's
degree in Accounting,
Business Administration,
Commerce or Finance.
3 years of accounting
experience. Experienced
with various PC and
financial related
software (spreadsheets,
accounting packages).
(3)Finance Assistant 2
posts (1 for Kanpetlet &
1 for Paletwa): Bachelor's
degree in Accounting,
Business Administration,
Commerce or Finance.
3 years of accounting
experience. Experienced
with various PC and
financial related
software (spreadsheets,
accounting packages).
Please submit a Cover
letter & CV to the HR
Department. Applications
will be accepted by email
at: maiMyaMyintZu.Tin@
rescue.org or by delivery
to the IRC offce: 33/A,
Natmauk Lane Thwe (1),
Bocho () Quarter, Bahan,
Yangon. Closing date : 2
September 2014.
(1)FINANCE & ADMIN
Offi cer (Mindat) 1
Post (2)Resource
Mobilization Offcer
1 Post (3)Assistant
Resource Mobilization
Offi cer 1 Post.
Application process:
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society (Head
Office) Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw.
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com For more
information & application,
please visit to www.
myanmarredcros s
society.org Please
mention Position Title
in subject if you apply.
(1)CLERK(1) - 1 Post
(2)Eco-Sec Fi el d
Offcer (Bahmaw) - 1
Post (3)Field Assistant
(Maikai) - 1 Post (4)Field
Supervisor (Lai Kha) - 1
Post (5)Field Supervisor
(DeMawSo) - 1 Post (6)M
& E Offcer (Taunggyi) - 1
Post (7)Physiotherapist
Assi stant (Hpa-An)
- 2 Posts. Application
process: Please send
application letter, CV
& related documents
to Myanmar Red
Cross Society (Head
Office) Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw.
gmail.com For more
myanmarredcros s
society.org Please
(1)PROGRAM Coordi
nator - 1 Post (2)Field
Supervisor (CBHFA)
- 2 Posts (3)Program
Support Offcer (CPP)
- 1 Post (4)Program
Assistant (CPP) - 1 Post
(5)Fi el d Supervi sor
(CPP) - 17 Posts (6) Field
Assistant (CPP) - 19
Posts. (7)M & E Offcer
(CPP) - 1 Post (8)RFL
Offcer 1
Post. (9)Br anch
Development Offcer-
1 Posts. Application
process: Please send
application letter, CV
and related documents
to Myanmar Red
Cross Society (Head
Office) Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw.
gmail.com For more
myanmarredcros s
society.org Please
THE INTERNATIONAL
Rice Research Institute
(IRRI) is in need of the
following positions :
HR Business Partner-
Count r y Of f i ce,
Assistant Scientise-
Agronomy, Offi cer-
Administrative Coor
di nat i on, Of f i cer-
Accounting. All positions
are based at IRRI
Myanmar Offce, Yangon,
Myanmar. For further
details about IRRI and
above job opportunities,
please visit jobs.irri.org.
Interested candidates
should submit CV with
a cover letter stating
motivation to apply for
the positions. Candidate
should apply online at
jobs.org (go to search
the IRRI job board" and
look for the position
titles above, click and
apply. IRRI is an Equal
Opportunity Employer
that values diversity
Women and minorties
are encouraged to apply.
Local Positions
E N G I N E E R S
(Mechanical/Electrical)
We are the leading
Mechanical and Electrical
Engineering Company
and specialize in design,
supply and installation
of Building services
systems in J apan and
Asia. We have now
established the Myanmar
Branch offce and looking
for the competent,
effcient and energetic
persons for the following
position. Requirement
: Possess Degree in
Mechanical/ Electrical.
3 years experience in
the position applying for.
Knowledge of mechanical
and electrical equipment/
standard/code of
practice. Computer
literate and able to use
MS offce software,
knowledge in application
of AUTOCAD software
will be added advantage.
Able to communicate in
English with expatriate
staff effectively. Able
to work independently
and with initiative. To
station at Yangon offce
but able to travel short
visit to the project site
for measurement and
verifcation purpose. Pls
send Resume, current
& expected salaries
to recruitmentsnk.
mmr@gmail.com by 5
September 2014.
THE INTERNATIONAL
Montessori Myanmar
invites application
from suitably qualifed
local candidates for
the following positions
of Nursery/ Pre-K/
Ki ndergarten Lead
teachers and Assistant
teachers. A Kindergarten
teacher who is loving,
caring and understand
early childhood
education with ECCE
certifcation is preferred,
but we will traing the
right person who is
willing to get certifed at
a later date. Both are full
time positions, Monday
to Friday from 8:00 to
4:00. Please email your
CV through imm.myn@
gmail.comor contact 55
(B) Po Sein Rd, Bahan,
Yangon. Ph: 546097,
546761.
01. Reqd. urgently
in Limited Foreign
Company, salary as
per experiences &
market standard (Max.
up to 2,00,000Kyats/
month). Designation:
Recept i oni st (Female
only) cum Business
Coordinator. Experience:
Desirable, but not
mandatory. Age: No
bar. Salary: As per
industry standards (Max.
up to 2,00,000Kyats/
month). Nationality: Any
with English ,Burmese
Speaking & Writing
Skills. Responsibility:
To manage Reception
Area with Punctuality,
dignity, honesty &
act also as Business
Coordinator as & when
reqd. Competencies:
Must have experience
of Basic computer
skills with MS Word,
Excel, Power Point, can
arrange business. Note
: The candidate must
be very good looking
(send resume with
photographs) with very
cool personality & always
smiling with problem
solving attitude. Contact
details: Ph:09-732-
14472, 09-731-64230.
01-391774, 391979,
393227, Fax-01-391801.
Email ID: jyoti.b227@
gmail.com, jyoti.b227@
rediffmail.com
GOLDEN SPIRIT Co., Ltd
(Alco/ Bev) is seeking
(1) Brand Manager -
Any Graduate, 2 years
experience in liquor
feld. English written
and spoken skills. Able
to travel in anywhere
if it is necessary. (2)
Sales Manager -M/F
- Any graduate must
have more than 2 years
feld. Good knowledge
in sales analysis and
reporting system. Able
to travel in anywhere.
(3)Sales supervisor :
Any graduate, 2 years
feld. Collaboration and
dynamic. (4) Marketing
Manager - M/F : Any
graduate, 2 years
experience in liquor feld.
Good communication
skills with all levels. (5)
Marketing Supervisor
- M/F - Any graduate,
2 years experience
in liquor feld. (6)H.R
Supervisor - M/F :
Any graduate diploma
or certifcate in H.R or
Business administration
is preferred. Or
experienced in liquor
feld. (H.R). 2 years
working experience in
relevant feld. English
written and spoken skills
must have. Computer
Knowledge Word,
Excel, Pagemaker. (7)
Accountant (M/F) -
B.Com or LCCI Level
(III) certifcate. 2 years
experience and above.
Able to do summary to
monthly expenditure.
Able to travel in anywhere
(if it is necessary).
Excellent skill in computer
knowledge Excel,
Word, Pagemaker. (8)
Merchandiser - Age
18 to 25 years at least.
(9) Promotion Girls
Leaders (PG Leaders) -
Qualifed and interested
candidates are invited to
send detailed. Up to date
CV along with 1 recent
passport photo, a copy
of labour registration
card, NRC card, police
recommendation letter,
word recommendation
family registration
document and clearance
recommendation letter
by authorized person of
previous organizatioin
to : S-19/20, Gyo Phyu
Rd, Aung San Stadium
(North Wing), Mingalar
Taung Nyunt. Ph: 09-
731-61128, 01-393431,
01-386672 Closing date
:30
th
September, 2014.
KGL FAMILY Co., Ltd is
seeking (1)Marketing
Manager - M/F 1 post:
Degree holder with
Bachelor of Engineering
(Civil), Need to have
an experience of 3
years in any building
materials & construction.
English 4 skills needed.
Experience as civil
engineer at batching
plant is an advantage.
(2)Sale Staffs - M/F
2 posts : 1 or 2 years
experience in sales
operation. Pro-active
& motivated attitude.
Good personality & Good
communication skills.
Any University graduate,
Good typing skills &
using Internet & Email.
(3)Drivers - M 2 posts :
Good Knowledge about
Yangon City & Directions.
Should be a high school
graduate. Spoken
English Basic is needed.
Good Personality & Good
Morality. Must have a valid
driving license.(Level -B).
Support Transport Unit in
other duties as needed.
Must be able to travel
around the country. (4)
Executive Secretary
- M 1 Post : University
Graduate (Diploma or
Certifcate holder in
Secretarial is preferable).
2 years experience. Able
to travel. Interpersonal
skills. Team working
skills. Organizational
skills. Negotiation
skills. Assertiveness.
Time management.
Decision making and
problem solving skills.
Communication skills.
If you were interested,
send your CV relevant
documents (include
credential of police
station) to 268, 15th Flr
A & B, Dagon Centre II,
Pyay Rd, Myaynigone,
Sanchaung, Yangon,
Closing date : 13
September 2014. Email-
thwelzinlei@kglfamily.
com Tel: +95 1 525441,
502624, 516992,
WE ARE seeking highly
suitable candidate
for the HR Head/ HR
Manager to take the
lead responsibility for
the human resource
management & admini
stration functions.
R e q u i r e me n t s :
Bachelors Degree or
higher education in
relating Human Resource
Management feld. (From
Foreign college or
university is preferred).
Well understanding of
Organizations aims,
values and principles.
Knowledge of
Myanmar labor Law.
Demonstrate the high
level of confdential at all
times. Age between 30
~40 years. Salary : US$
1500 ~2000 per month.
Qualifed and interested
applicant can submit
recent CV & cover letter
(English) to ezytrading@
mptmail.net.mm. Closing
date: 31.9.2014. Ph: 09-
4211-28700, 09-4311-
9985.
OPASSA GROUP Co.,Ltd
is seeking (1)General
Manager - M/F 1Post
(2)Admin Manager -
M/F 1Post (3)Marketing
Manager - M/F 1post. For
all posts: Good command
in English & computer
skill. Only short list
candidate will be notifed
by phone for interview.
Interested Candidates
should apply with full
CV/Resume indicating
expected salary, position
of interest, qualifcations,
educational background
and recent photo to
172, Anawrahta Rd,
Kyauktada, Yangon,
Tel:01-389277, 09-
4252-85331. Email :
thinthiri19@gmail.com
HEIN LWIN Enterprise
is now seeking for (1)
Sales Executives (2)
Admin Executives (3)
Marketing Executives
(4)Mechanics (Genera
tor) (5)Computer Opera
tors (6)Receptionists.
Contact Us: 09-250-
400 446. No.183, Baho
Rd (Khaing Shwe War),
Kamaryut, Yangon.
ASIA NETWORK for Free
Elections Foundation
(ANFREL) is seeking
(1)Web devel oper,
Yangon. For more
to http://goo.gl/FKAU3G.
Please email application
to aungat@anfrel.org.
First come frst serve.
VIETNAM Airlines,
Myanmar Offce is seeking
to hire ambitious, highly
competent professionals
for the following position:
01 Sales & Marketing
Representative : Full
time. Responsible for
Sales & Marketing
activities. Requirements:
University degree or
higher in economics/
business. Profciency
in English, Myanmar
languages. Good
computer skills; Good
communication skills.
Independent working
competence. Experience
in Sales and Marketing;
Airline experiences
are preferred. Send
application: 01 CV with
photo, application letter
(all in English). Related
documents to prove
your skills, experience,
degrees (copy).Before:
19 September, 2014.
To:#1702 Sakura Tower
339, Boyoke Aung San
Rd, Kyauktada , Yangon,
Myanmar. C/O: Ms. Yu
Myat Thet Tel 1 255066
Or Email to: tamnm@
vietnamairlines.com
WE ARE J apanese Int'l
Trading Corporation,
have branch offces all
over the world and also
in Yangon for about 20
years. Since we are
expanding, we need
energetic new staffs in
important positions for
Yangon offce who are
dedicated to sales and
marketing. If you are
interested and have
confdence for above
challenge, you are
invited. Those who are
not willing to work in sales
and marketing feld, those
who do not have enough
confdence, those who
could not work under
pressure, do not need
to apply. Requirement:
3 to 5 years experience
in marketing/trading
feld. Fluent in English
(J apanese language
fuency preferable). A
cover letter written in
English why do you apply.
Full resume`with recent
passport photo attached.
Expected Salary (in US$)
& Contact Number clearly
described in your resume
to Rm501~504, 5th Flr,
Hledan Center, Corner
of Hledan Rd and Pyay
Rd. Tel: +95-1-2305-633
~2305-638.
CHATRIUM HOTEL
Royal lake Yangon -
Leading Five Star Hotel
in Yangon, Myanmar
with its headquarter in
Bangkok, is now seeking
highly energetic and
motivated candidates for
the following position with
the specifcations below:
(1).Revenue Manager -
M/F 1 Post : University
graduate, Excellent
communication skill,
Excellent Interpersonal
Skill, Effective Sales
Ability, Creative Thinking,
Competent in MS Excel,
Word and Power Point,
Internet, E mail, 3 years
experience in the hotel
reservation or sales,
Good command of
English language, both
spoken and written (2).
Chef de Partie - M/F 1
Post : Highly motivated
and well organized,
Ability to manage the
team, Skilful in preparing
western meals, 2
years in the similar
position. Please apply
with full CV/Resume
indicating position of
interest, qualifcations,
educational background,
employment records and
recent photo not later
than 2.9.2014. Only
short-listed candidates
will be notifed by phone
for interview. Email : hr.
chry@chatrium.comPh:
01-544500, 544500. HR
Dept. Chatrium Hotel
Royal Lake Yangon, 40,
Natmauk Rd, Tamwe.
Yangon
T R A N S A L A T O R :
Profcient in Myanmar
& English, Interpret
legal terminology
(Eng-Myanmar, vice
versa), Translate Laws
and Notifcations from
different Government
Organizations, Proof
reading and editing fnal
translated versions.
Provide clients with a
grammatically correct,
well-expressed final
version of the translated
text. Requirements:
3 yearsexperience.
Strong knowledge of
legal terminology. Good
awareness of current
affairs, cultures and
politics. Preferable who
has legal knowledge/
background It is an
advantage to have a
knowledge of and/or
interest in specialist
areas such as law,
politics/government/
public administration,
economics, marketing
& fnancial affairs. Pls
send CV to ppo@
kcyangon.comwith Last
drawn, expected salary &
availability period.
ADMIN MANAGER - M/F
1 Post USD$ 500 - 700 (2)
Logistics Supervisor
- M/F 3 Posts USD $
350-450 (3)Assistant
Accountant - F 3
Posts USD $ 100 (4)
Admin Supervisor -
M/F 2 Posts USD $
250-350 (5)Admin Staff
- M/F 5 Posts USD $100
(6) Purchaser - M/F
5 Posts USD $200 (7)
Offce secretary - M/F
3 Posts USD 350 above
(8) Marketing staff - M/F
8 Posts USD 150-200 (9)
Warehouse Helper - M
3 posts USD 100-150
(10)Finance Manager
- M/F 1 Posts USD 1000-
1500. Please send CV
& a cover letter, including
salary expection to email
-miss.starmagnolia@
gmail.com. Only short-
list candidates will be
notifed by phone for
interview. Personal
assistant wanted: Private
household with soon four
members and a small
family business is looking
for a personal assistant
to take care of various
tasks. You are a young
graduate, motivated and
you speak/understand
English well then please
contact 09-515-2532,
09-511-1032.
JOB VACANCIES
As a leading global company, Daewoo International Corporation (Myanmar
E&P) is seeking an energetic, reliable and qualifed person to fll a position
for its ongoing operations of Oil & Gas Industry in Myanmar.
HR Manager(1 post)
University Graduate (prefer HR education background)
Minimum 5 years professional experience in a relevant feld
Deep understanding of government laws and HR issues.
Strong interpersonal ability and presentation skills
IT Programmer (2 post)
University Graduate with a major in information system or com-
puter related feld
Minimum 2 years professional experience in computer pro-
gramming or application system development
Prefer experience in Database Management like Oracle and
MS-SQL
Prefer experience in ERP system development or operation
Assistant Contract Engineer (1 post)
University Graduate (prefer Law, Engineering or Business)
Preferable experience in a relevant feld
Background knowledge of contract management or project
management or procurement
Preferable knowledge in Oil & Gas Industry
* Requirements and position description can be obtained upon
request to the email below.
Drilling Engineer(1 post)
University Graduate with a major in Petroleum Engineering
Minimum 5 years professional experience in a relevant feld
Prefer experience in Offshore Drilling.
All the positions are required profciency in English language and
Computer MS Offce Suite.
Application closing date is 12
th
September 2014
Interested persons who meet the above mentioned qualifcations are
invited to submit their CV, application letter, recent photo and copies
of academic transcripts to the following address:
HR & Admin Department
Daewoo International Corporation (Myanmar E&P)
International Business Center
No. 88, Pyay Road, 6 Miles, Hlaing Township, Yangon.
Or e-mail to hr.recruitment@daewooenp.com
72 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
W
HEN he was nine,
Michal Trzajna
jumped of a second-
oor balcony at the
prompting of his
brother and broke both his legs.
Thirteen years later, he still cant
explain what drives him to leap from
200-metre (650-foot) clifs at the end
of a rope.
I used to live near an airport, and
dreamt of jumping from planes, the
22-year-old tells AFP.
When you succeed in controlling
your body in mid-air, the sensation is
simply unique, he says.
Michal is one of a group who have
travelled from Poland to the island
of Zakynthos, one of Greeces most
renowned leisure spots, but not to
lie in the sun.
On this bright summer day, he is
perched high atop the rugged rocks
overlooking the azure waters of Nava-
gio beach.
In a ash, he disappears and mo-
ments later, a clamour goes up from
the beach below as his body arrows
towards the bathers.
Metres from the ground, its almost
unreal how Michals fall breaks, turning
instead into a smooth balancing act.
This is rope jumping part diving,
part rock climbing, with a touch of
engineering.
This is 100-percent recommend-
ed, says Marta Jamenes, a jumper
from Spain.
When you jump you learn how to
control your body in the air and it is
something like learning to swim, its
the same. You get your body used to
free-fall, she says.
The discipline is similar to bungee
jumping, only the criss-cross rope en-
semble stretching from the rocks to
the harness on the athletes back is
much more elaborate.
The advantage over bungee jump-
ing is that here, 80 percent of the jump
is free-fall, says Michal. In contrast, the
elastic rope [in bungee jumping] limits
the fall to 35-40 percent of the height.
The rope is not attached to a
platform, as in bungee jumping, but
to other ropes horizontally stretched
across the clif, explains Michals
companion Lukas Michul, a former
paramedic, as he prepares to hoist his
friend for another jump.
When you jump for a rst time at
a new location, your heart beats wild-
ly, your legs tremble, adrenaline ows.
Pleasure comes gradually with each
jump, he says.
Its all about precision, a calcula-
tion of weight and height down to the
last millimetre to keep the ropes taut.
We have to be aware how to con-
trol our body while falling, how to
use the wind, how to use our legs and
arms, says Michal.
If done properly, there is no risk,
the two jumpers insist. The installa-
tion which can take 10 days to set up
can be applied equally to mountains,
clifs and skyscrapers.
Its very safe, because of the ropes
that are here are very reliable and
there has never been any accident
with them, so far, in the whole world,
says Michal.
Born in the 90s, free-fall jumping
from bridges and platforms has a wide
appeal but only a few squads around
the world try their hand at this ex-
treme version.
There are groups of Russians,
Ukrainians, Spaniards, Lithuanians,
Frenchmen and then theres us, says
Lukas.
The Polish team is named Dream-
jump, and with reason, says 37-year-
old squad leader Thomas Zielinski, a
former high-altitude worker.
The project ... will primarily take
us in 80 places around the world. We
want to travel to the most beautiful
places in the world you can possibly
jump from, he tells AFP.
The island of Zakynthos was their
third destination this year, after the
Verdon Gorge in southern France and
Kjerag mountain in Norway.
Next up on their programme: leaps
at a cave complex in Croatia, a French
viaduct, skyscrapers in Las Vegas and
Johannesburg, and from the rim of the
Grand Canyon.
We want to share with the world
how safe and beautiful this sport is,
says Lukas.
Thats why we just want to go
around the world to show that this is
so nice and so unique and everyone
can try. AFP
Daredevil
rope-divers
soar above
Greek isle
Thrill-seekers ock to the cliffs high above
the blue waters of Greek beach to take
part in new extreme sport
Lukas Michul jumps above Navagio beach in Greece on June 23. Photo: AFP
TRADE MARK CAUTION
City Football Group Limited, a company incorporated in United
Kingdom, of Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11
3FF, United Kingdom, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
Reg. No. 4319/2014
in respect of Intl Class 35: Advertising; business management;
business administration; offce functions; commercial management
advisory services; business advice and assistance; business consultancy;
business information services; business management services, namely
the operation of a holding company; business management services,
namely holding company services for sports businesses; business advice
and assistance relating to franchising; business consultation services
relating to franchising; services rendered by a franchisor, namely,
assistance in the running and/or management of commercial enterprises;
business recruitment consultancy; human resources management and
recruitment services; football scouting services; business management
of sports people; promotional management for sports personalities;
advertising via the Internet; provision of advertising space; provision
of space on web sites for advertising goods and services; promotional
and marketing services; public relations and publicity services; sales
promotion services; provision of staff; provision of administrative
and sales staff; accountancy; auctioneering; trade fairs; organisation,
arrangement and conducting of conferences, conventions, seminars,
events and exhibitions for commercial or advertising purposes;
organisation of private draws for promotional and advertising purposes;
operation and supervision of membership schemes; organisation,
operation and supervision of incentive and customer loyalty schemes;
data processing; business data analysis; provision of business
information; retail services and online retail services; information,
advisory and consultancy services in relation to all of the aforesaid. Intl
Class 41: Entertainment; sporting and cultural activities; education;
providing of training; sporting services; organisation of sporting events;
provision of entertainment, training, recreational, sporting and cultural
activities and facilities; instruction and educational services; football
academy services; football coaching, football schools and schooling;
arranging and conducting of education and training in relation to football;
arranging, conducting and provision of football instructional courses;
football entertainment services; entertainment in the nature of football
games; physical education; ftness training services; physiotherapy
training; education and training in relation to sports medicine; sport
and holiday camp services (in the nature of entertainment); rental of
sporting equipment; practical training and demonstrations; arranging,
organising and conducting of conferences, conventions, seminars,
events and exhibitions; arranging, organising and conducting of games,
contests and competitions; organising community sporting and cultural
events; hospitality services (entertainment); lotteries; gaming services;
arranging, organising and conducting of award ceremonies; provision of
museum facilities; provision and management of stadium facilities and
services; rental of stadium facilities; presentation of live performances;
sports club services; health club services; provision of health club, ftness
club and gymnasium facilities; provision of sports information services;
provision of information relating to football; sporting information
services, namely scouting of players; sporting services, namely provision
and management of sports kit; fan club services; fan club membership
scheme services; box offce services; booking and ticketing services for
sports, entertainment, cultural and educational events; entertainment,
training, recreational, and sporting information services provided
via the Internet and other communications networks; education and
entertainment services provided by means of radio, television, telephony,
the Internet and online databases; provision of cinematographic and
video entertainment; entertainment and educational services featuring
electronic media, multimedia content, audio and video content, movies,
pictures, photographs, graphics, images, text and related information
provided via the Internet and other communications networks; flm
production; production of video recordings, sound recordings, DVDs,
CDs, CD-ROMs, video and audio tapes; production and distribution
of television and radio programmes; production of sporting events for
television and radio; publication of magazines, books, texts and printed
matter; publishing by electronic means; providing online electronic
publications (not downloadable); provision of television programmes,
radio programmes, flms, audio and/or visual material and games online
(not downloadable); publication of news online; information relating to
sport and entertainment provided online from a computer database or
the Internet; information, advisory and consultancy services in relation
to all of the aforesaid.
Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will
be dealt with according to law.
Win Mu Tin, M.A.,H.G.P.,D.B.L.
for City Football Group Limited
P.O. Box 60, Yangon
Dated: 1 September, 2014
74 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014
KYOTO
Japans
Golden Bolt
103-year-old challenges worlds fastest man
C
LOSING in on his 104
th

birthday, a twinkle-toed
Japanese sprinter has
thrown down the chal-
lenge to the worlds fast-
est man Usain Bolt, telling him,
Lets rumble!
Hidekichi Miyazaki who holds
the 100 metres world record for
centenarians at 29.83 seconds and
is dubbed Golden Bolt after the
Jamaican yerplans to wait an-
other ve years for his dream race
and was happy to reveal his secret
weapon, his daughters tangerine
jam.
Id love to race Bolt, the wispy-
haired Miyazaki told AFP in an in-
terview after tottering over the line
with a joyful whoop at a recent Ja-
pan Masters Athletics competition
in Kyoto.
Im keeping the dream alive.
I try to stay in top shape and stay
disciplined and healthy. Thats im-
portant for everyone even Usain
Bolt.
Born in 1910 the year Japan
annexed Korea and when the Titan-
ic was still under construction the
pint-sized Miyazaki ofered some
dietary tips to Bolt, whose world
record is 9.58 seconds.
My body is small so I take care
of what I eat, said Miyazaki, who
stands just 1.53 metres (5 feet) tall
and weighs in at 42 kilograms (92
pounds).
When I eat, I chew each mouth-
ful 30 times before swallowing, he
added, loosening his Usain Bolt
running shoes. That makes my
tummy happy and helps my run-
ning. And I eat my tangerine jam
every day.
In a country with one of the
worlds highest life expectancies,
Miyazaki is the poster boy for Ja-
pans turbo-charged geriatrics.
Some 6000 pensioners are reg-
istered at the Masters feder-
ation which hosts
more than 40
track and eld
meetings eve-
ry year across
the nation.
Serenaded
by buzzing ci-
c a d a s
i n
sweltering heat, Miyazaki fell into
the arms of 73-year-old daughter
Kiyono after clocking 38.35 more
than 20 seconds behind race win-
ner Yoshio Kita, a relative spring
chicken at 82.
Id give myself ve out of 10 for
that, he said after regaining his
breath and copying Bolts trade-
mark lightning pose.
Im still young so its a learning
process, joked Miyazaki, grinning
from ear to ear.
Miyazaki, who hails from tea-
growing Shizuoka prefecture, about
200 kilometres southwest of Tokyo,
was a late bloomer, only taking
up running at the age of 92 after
watching an old peoples sports day
broadcast on television.
Having become the planets fast-
est centenarian in 2010, he now has
his sights on another milestone in
the unlikely 105-109 age group cat-
egory.
Thats what Im training for,
said Miyazaki, who loses valuable
seconds at the start of races be-
cause he cant hear the gun go of.
Its my birthday next month
and thats my next goal.
He need only cross the nish line
to set the new world record as no of-
cial mark exists in that age class.
As Miyazaki left the track,
85-year-old Mitsue Tsuji tossed a
shot put 4.73 metres this after she
had set a mark of 2.07 metres in the
long jump. Not content, she set a
meet record of 13.85 in the womens
60 metres sprint.
I started doing athletics when I
was 81, she said. My husband had
passed away and I thought there
was no point moping around at
home alone.
Tsuji will join Miyazaki at next
months Asia Masters champion-
ships in northeast Japan.
I had a bit of a fall last year and
was going to skip it, said Tsuji, who
credits power naps for her age-defy-
ing stamina.
But my son told me I might not
live much longer so Ill do as Im
told. Ill keep going as long as Im
around.
As the pair tore it up with the
other high-ving grannies and
granddads in Kyoto, 78-year-old en-
durance runner Yoko Nakano
pounded the streets in To-
kyo, preparing for her lat-
est world record tilt.
Nakano ran her rst
full marathon at 70 for
fun while vacationing
in Honolulu, clocking
4 hours, 4 minutes, 44
seconds, and now holds
the world record for 75
to 79-year-olds, as well as
those for the 3,000 and
5,000 metres.
We were on holiday so I
thought we might as well run,
she smiled, perched on a tree
stump in a canary yellow T-
shirt and polka dot scarf. Her
world marathon mark now
stands at 3:53.42.
The bespectacled Nakano,
whose has also run marathons in
New York and Boston, bounced
back from stomach surgery last
year, building her post-op tness
by walking up and down the hos-
pital corridors.
I walked about 7 kilometres a
day inside the hospital, she said. I
guess Im too stubborn to quit.
AFP
NATIONAL Football League com-
missioner Roger Goodell announced
tougher penalties for domestic vio-
lence on August 28, including poten-
tial life bans for repeat ofenders, and
apologized for issuing a weak abuse
penalty last month.
In a letter to team owners outlin-
ing revisions to the NFLs personal
conduct policy, Goodell said that
violations regarding assault, battery,
domestic violence or sexual assault
involving physical force will bring a
six-game ban without pay and a sec-
ond ofense will bring a minimum
one-year ban from the NFL.
Players can seek reinstatement
after one year but Goodell warned,
there will be no presumption or as-
surance that the petition will be grant-
ed.
The policy applies not only to play-
ers but all team personnel.
The moves come after criticism of
Goodells handling of the domestic
violence case involving Baltimore Ra-
vens running back Ray Rice. In July,
Goodell issued Rice a two-game sus-
pension for assaulting the woman who
later became Rices wife.
Our personal conduct policy has
long made clear that domestic vio-
lence and sexual assault are unaccep-
table. We clearly must do a better job
of addressing these incidents in the
NFL. And we will, Goodell said.
At times, however, and despite
our best eforts, we fall short of our
goals. We clearly did so in response to
a recent incident of domestic violence.
We allowed our standards to fall be-
low where they should be and lost an
important opportunity to emphasize
our strong stance on a critical issue
and the efective programs we have in
place.
My disciplinary decision led the
public to question our sincerity, our
commitment, and whether we under-
stood the toll that domestic violence
inicts on so many families. I take re-
sponsibility both for the decision and
for ensuring that our actions in the fu-
ture properly reect our values.
I didnt get it right.
Simply put, we have to do better.
And we will.
A more severe penalty would be
imposed for such violations as inci-
dents that took place before joining
the NFL, violence involving a weapon,
repeated hits, actions against a preg-
nant woman or with a child present.
The two-game ban against Rice for
striking Janay Palmer in an elevator in
Atlantic City, New Jersey, was less than
NFL players receive for substance
abuse, performance-enhancing drug
use or drink driving.
This very serious and signicant
step matches the severity and preva-
lence of domestic violence in our so-
ciety and could make the NFL part of
the solution, rather than the problem,
US Senator Richard Blumenthal said.
I applaud commissioner Goodell
for taking positive steps to address the
festering issue of domestic violence in
the NFL, but now the real work begins.
The commissioner and the league
must match words with actions.
The NFL Players Association
warned that it could test the limits of
the new punishments should a player
wish to challenge the league.
If we believe that players due pro-
cess rights are infringed upon during
the course of discipline, we will assert
and defend our members rights, the
union said in a statement. AFP
NEW YORK
Goodell apologises, toughens NFLs
policy on domestic abuse
Ray Rice sits on the bench during a game against the Dallas Cowboys on August 16 in Arlington. Photo: AFP
Hidekichi
Miyazaki
runs during
the mens
100m dash
at a Japan
Masters
Athletics
competition
in Kyoto on
August 3.
Photo: AFP
IN PICTURES
US runner Dawn Harper-Nelson celebrates victory at the womens 100m
hurdles nal at the Diamond League Athletics meet on August 28 in Zurich.
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
Sport 75 www.mmtimes.com
C
HAMPIONS Real Madrid
will play ve-time former
winners Liverpool while fel-
low Spanish giants Barce-
lona plucked big-spending
Paris Saint-Germain as the Champions
League group stage draw was made in
Monaco on August 28.
Real and Liverpool will be con-
dent of progressing from Group B
where debutants Ludogorets of Bul-
garia, who were only formed in 2001
and whose stadium holds just 8000
fans, and Swiss outt Basel, who
knocked out Manchester United at
this stage three years ago, await.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers
told his clubs website, Hopefully it
was great for the supporters to sit and
watch the draw for the rst time in
ve years.
To be back in it again, no matter
who we were going to play, it was always
going to be exciting. But to have Real
Madrid in your group, the champions
last season, is going to be special.
Im already thinking of Aneld on
that night.
Real are relishing the trip to
Merseyside.
Liverpool are an historic club of
this great competition, Real director
Emilio Butragueno said.
They are a great club and they
have a stadium which is one of the
cathedrals of football, therefore at An-
eld they are especially strong.
The support of their fans is ex-
traordinary and they will be a very
dangerous opponent.
Butragueno added, It is an addi-
tional challenge for our players to be
able to break this tradition of the hold-
ers not being able to retain the trophy.
Group F sees four-time winners
Barcelona come up against PSG, who
recruited Brazilian centre-back David
Luiz from Chelsea in the close season.
He will be meeting a familiar foe
in new Barca signing Luis Suarez, the
former Liverpool forward.
Four-time former winners Ajax,
another of Suarezs previous sides, are
alongside the pair as well as Cypriots
Apoel.
Another money draw saw 2013
champions Bayern Munich paired
with Manchester City, Roma and
CSKA Moscow in Group E.
It is the third time in four years
that Bayern and City will have faced
each other in the group stages.
For English Premier League win-
ners City, who failed to progress from
the group stages in two of the last
three years, it continues a run of tough
draws at this stage of Europes premier
club competition.
In 2011-12 they were paired with
Bayern and Napoli and missed out on
the knock-out stages after failing to
beat the Italians at home.
A year later they nished bottom
of a group containing Real, Borussia
Dortmund and Ajax as they failed to
win a single game.
Only last year, when they were also
thrown in with Bayern, did City man-
age to get through the group stages
and this time their job will not be sim-
ple.
There was a kinder draw, on paper
at least, for 2012 champions Chelsea,
who poached Germans Schalke 04,
Sporting Lisbon of Portugal and Slove-
nias Maribor in Group G.
Arsenal, bidding to reach the
knock-out stages for the 12
th
year in
a row, plucked Borussia Dortmund,
the 2013 nalists, in a tough Group
D with Galatasaray, who beat them in
the 2000 UEFA Cup nal, and Belgian
giants Anderlecht.
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta tweet-
ed, Dortmund again and two new and
tough teams. I love playing Champi-
ons League. Come on Gunners.
Last years runners-up Atletico Ma-
drid, the Spanish champions, pulled
Italian champions Juventus out of
the hat in Group A, along with Greeks
Olympiakos, who regularly struggle
at this stage, and Swedes Malmo, the
European Cup runners-up from 1979.
Portuguese pair Porto and Ben-
ca were given manageable draws,
the latter getting Ukrainians Shakhtar
Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao of Spain and
Belarus representatives BATE Borisov
in Group H.
Benca, the twice former winners,
were drawn against Russians Zenit
St Petersburg, coached by former
Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas, Bayer
Leverkusen of Germany and Russian-
backed Monaco in Group C.
The fairytale appearance mean-
while of Bulgarian minnows Ludog-
orets in Group B is due in large part
thanks to the heroics of defender Cos-
min Moti.
He was forced into goal in the last
minute of extra-time of their play-of
second leg 1-1 draw with Romanians
Steaua Bucharest after goalkeeper
Vladislav Stoyanov was dismissed in
the nal minute.
The game went almost immedi-
ately into penalties where not only
did Moti score his sides rst spot-kick
but he saved two of the Romanians to
send the Bulgarians into the lucrative
group stages. AFP
MONACO
Real draw Liverpool, Barca
get PSG in Champions League
Fernando Hierro takes part in the European Champions League draw on August
28 in Monaco. Photo: AFP
11
Consecutive years Arsenal has made
it to the knock-out stages of the
Champions League
Sport
76 THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014 SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin | timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com
103-year-old runner
still going strong
SPORT 74
U19 football
team takes
title in
Brunei
KYAW ZIN HLAING
kyawzinhlaing.mcm@gmail.com
W
ORLD number one
Rory McIlroy has
doused any fears
of burnout ahead
of the Ryder Cup,
declaring to European captain Paul
McGinley put me in every Glenea-
gles match.
McIlroy will teed up on August
29 in the opening round of the US$8
million PGA Tours Deutsche Bank
Championship at TPC Boston, the
second of the four FedEx Cup playof
events.
It is also McIlroys sixth event in
seven weeks, including the next two
events in Denver and Atlanta, he will
have played eight of nine weeks since
the Scottish Open. That would give
him just a weeks break before the
Ryder Cup.
And in an indication of McIl-
roys busy lifestyle, the four-time
major winner arrived in Massachu-
setts having spent August 25 court
side at Flushing Meadows support-
ing Andy Murray in his US Open
encounter.
He then savoured a three-hour
lunch on Long Island with former
US president Bill Clinton who re-
counted stories about his White
House dealings with Russian Presi-
dent Vladimir Putin and the late
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
McIlroy then played a social game
Tuesday afternoon at Shinnecock
Hills on Long Island, defeating his
manager Sean OFlaherty 2 and 1 be-
fore tackling his caddy JP Fitzgerald
in a social match on Wednesday at
nearby Sebonack and where McIlroy
is a member.
However McIlroy played down
any concern ahead of teeing up in
this weeks Boston event, which he
also captured two years ago.
You just have to be smart and
you have to be sensible, he said.
I enjoyed my time in the week af-
ter winning the PGA Championship
and besides I didnt have that many
late nights where I let it get the bet-
ter of me, he said.
I am trying to conserve all the
energy I can because not only do
I want to win the FedEx Cup but I
know with the Ryder Cup its going
to be a huge week and a long week
where you want to be fresh.
And besides I didnt sit out a
match at Medinah so my message is
McGinley stick me down for every
match.
McIlroy will play the opening two
rounds in Boston with Americans
Jimmy Walker and Hunter Mahan.
AFP
T
HE Myanmar U19 football
team captured the Hassanal
Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei
last week with a win over
regional rival Vietnam.
Myanmar defeated the Vietnamese
side 4-3 in the nal of the ASEAN tour-
nament on August 23.
Myanmar faced Thailand, Philip-
pines, Laos and Timor-Leste in the
group stage of play, emerging as the
only unbeaten side. The team went on
to defeat Malaysia 3-0 before taking
home the title.
I cant nd any word to express my
feelings, said Nanda Kyaw, the U19
team caption, but added that he still
was not satised with his team and ex-
pects them to capture more victories
at international tournaments.
U Zaw Zaw, president of Myanmar
Football Federation, said that he was
extremely proud of the team.
I want to congratulate the players
and urge them to continue in other in-
ternational competitions because this
victory made Myanmar people happy,
he said. He also thanked the fans who
supported the team.
The team will have little time to
celebrate though. They will take on
Thailands U23 side in a friendly
match before heading to Vietnam on
September 5 for another week-long
tournament.
McIlroy cant wait to
tee off at Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy hits during a pro-
am event prior on August 28 in
Norton, Massachusetts.
Photo: AFP
19
Goals scored by Myanmar over the
course of the tournament

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COM ISSUE 744 | SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2014

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