Presidential adviser sues 13 farmers for trespassing - Online Burma

64 Pages·2013·6.17 MB·English

HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION
1200
Ks.
WWW.MMTIMES.COM ISSUE 693 | SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013
Presidential adviser sues
NEWS 3
Hluttaw told to
restart debate on
13 farmers for trespassing bill to remove MPs
Th election Commission has
sent a letter to speaker Thura
U Shwe Mann asking him to
resume discussions on a bill
CB Bank chairman and presidential advisory committee member U Khin Maung Aye is embroiled in that would allow constituents
to remove their MP, which
a land dispute in rural Pyin Oo Lwin, where he has asked police to press charges against 13 farmers representatives argue could
create instability.
for cultivating land that was confiscated from them in 1996 for a coffee plantation. NEWS 4
NEWS 7
Workers stand on a column People’s Park
IN PICTURES
on the Shwegondaing centre scaled back
flyover on August 27.
Public opposition has prompted
municipal authorities to
instruct a developer to reduce
PHOTO: THIRI an unfinished handicrafts
centre in Yangon’s People’s Park
from three to two levels.
A flyover
NEWS 24
begins to
NGOs issue fresh
take shape warning over draft
association law
It’s a welcome sight for
International groups have
Yangon’s beleaguered warned that the draft law
breaches international
commuters: the
conventions, including the
Shwegondaing overpass Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.
is beginning to take
shape. Work began on
the the north-south
flyover in December
2012 and is expected
to finish by the end of
this year, according
to developer Capital
Development Ltd,
which is working
BUSINESS 27
with Japan’s
Airline tie-up plans
JFE Engineering await green light
Corporation on the
A proposed deal that would
project. The 420-metre,
see Japan’s All Nippon Airlines
four-lane bridge is buy a 49 percent stake in
domestic carrier Asian Wings
expected to cost K13
– often linked to tycoon U
billion, or about Tay Za – was revealed earlier
than anticipated and is yet to
US$13.4 million.
receive regulatory approval.
2 THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013
Page 2
online editor KKaayylleeiigghh LLoonngg ||
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THE INSIDER:
The local lowdown & best of the web
The font that launched a thousand ships Soldiers’ wills made available online
The creator of the much-maligned Comic Sans Some 280,000 wartime wills and personal letters
font has spoken out against critics, advising that from soldiers are slated for an online release
they “get a hobby”. Typographer Vincent Connare ahead of next’s year’s WWI centenary, as part of
said that he created Comic Sans in 1995 when an initiative from the UK’s Ministry of Justice.
working on a Microsoft comic program. The The original documents that survived are
program featured a dog character called Rover, preserved in 1300 boxes inside a temperature-
forebear to the ever-annoying and rarely helpful controlled warehouse in Birmingham, and have
Clippie the paperclip. He found the deployment of been carefully digitised. Members of the public
Times New Roman in the dog’s speech bubbles will be able to search the database for a will left
incongruous. “Dogs don’t talk like that,” he said. by serving soldiers between 1850 and 1986, from
With this in mind, he went on to create Comic the Boer War to the Falklands, for an access fee
Sans. Speaking with font.com, Connare said he of £6. All soldiers were required to complete wills
was proud of the fact that Twitter’s head designer before going to the front line so that their estate
announced that the majority of its server space could be dealt with in the event they lost their life.
is used by complaints about airlines, ComicSans
and Justin Bieber. No mountain Htoo high
An expedition to Myanmar’s remote Gamlang Razi in
Dunkin’ Donuts in hot water Kachin State is reportedly around a week away from
Human Rights Watch has called on the indepen- reaching the summit, according to a satellite phone
dently-owned Thai franchise of Dunkin’ Donuts to dispatch from expedition leader Andy Tyson.
withdraw an advertisement for its new “Charcoal A topographic map from 1945 drawn by the US
Donut”, calling the promotion “bizarre and racist”. and Russia indicates Gamlang Razi could stand as
The campaign features Dunkin’ Donuts much as 90 feet taller than Mount Hkakabo Razi,
Thailand CEO Nadim Salhani’s teenage daughter which is currently considered the highest mountain
with her hair in a 50s-style beehive and her face in southeast Asia. A sophisticated GPS device will be
painted black, save for bright pink lipstick. The placed at the summit, in order to ascertain whether
accompanying slogan on the posters and TV com- or not this is the case.The expedition is sponsored by
mercials reads “Break every rule of deliciousness”. the Htoo Foundation.
While the ad has proved controversial, Nadim The company’s billionaire chairman Tay Za, once
Salhani said he didn’t see it as a big deal. branded a “notorious henchman” by US Treasury,
“Not everybody in the world is paranoid about is no stranger to high-altitude adventures, having
racism,” said Salhani. “I’m sorry, but this is a mar- narrowly survived a helicopter crash in Kachin in
keting campaign, and it’s working very well for us.” February of 2011.
When Myanmar
was Burma...
Archival material provided by Pansodan Gallery
Style
Statement
Article from The New Times Khin Yu Pa for NOW! magazine. Photo: Pyae Han (Color Max)
of Burma, April 17, 1947
www.mmtimes.com News 3
Activist Daw Naw Ohn Hla to appeal sentence Attempt
to close
EI EI TOE LWIN taking photos even though I don’t
[email protected] think they should be allowed to do so,”
he said. ‘Times’
ACTIVIST Daw Naw Ohn Hla plans Police arrested Daw Naw Ohn Hla
to appeal a two-year jail term handed and nine other women during a pro-
down for organising an illegal protest test on August 13. The nine others parent
against the Letpadaung copper mine were released after signing a guaran-
in Monywa. She was found guilty of tee to not reoffend.
inciting unrest and sentenced on Au- However, Daw Naw Ohn Hla was company
gust 29 – just three days into the trial charged with incitement under sec-
– after refusing to cooperate with the tion 505(b) of the Penal Code.
proceedings, her lawyer said. Residents said they believed the ‘bizarre’
“The trial started on August 27 sentencing was a warning from the
but the next day she refused to come government to stop their campaign
to court and the police used force to against the mine but vowed to contin-
bring her there. She did not say any- ue pushing for an end to the project – THE editor-in-chief of The Myanmar
thing during the trial. On August 29, and the release of Daw Naw Ohn Hla. Times has dismissed an attempt by
the judge announced the punishment “We are conducting a protest cam- major shareholder Dr Tin Tun Oo to
for her,” said U Robert San Aung, a paign in the project area to mark the wind up its parent company, Myanmar
member of the Lawyer’s Network who nine-month anniversary of the govern- Naw Ohn Hla waits in a police cell during her trial in Monywa. Photo: Han Win Aung Consolidated Media, as “bizarre”.
assisted Daw Naw Ohn Hla. ment crackdown on us [in November The winding-up notice was pub-
He said he plans to submit an ap- 2012]. We also urge them to release raid, leaving almost 100 – including stand for the interest of the people. lished in state-run media as a credi-
peal against the verdict next month, Daw Naw Ohn Hla. We will continue many monks – injured. We’ll continue to struggle against this tors’ winding-up.
adding that he was disappointed that to push the government until she is Another activist, Ko Han Win Aung, project. Ross Dunkley, who co-founded the
the judge had allowed undercover in- released,” said U Aung Than Myo of whom police have also accused of in- “Police told me they charged her company in 2000 and is also its man-
telligence officers to take photos in the Tone village. stigating unrest, said he was not sur- because she called for the amendment aging director, said it was unclear why
courtroom while the trial was taking On November 29, 2012, police prised by Daw Naw Ohn Hla’s sentence. of the 2008 constitution,” he said. “It’s Dr Tin Tun Oo would want to shut
place. broke up a protest camp with incen- “We and also Daw Naw Ohn Hla unfair and the government should not down a profitable company.
“The judge did not stop them from diary smoke grenades in a pre-dawn have spent many years in jail. We do this.” However, he confirmed that the
company’s foreign investors have been
attempting to find a new partner to
purchase Dr Tin Tun Oo’s 51 percent
Election commission pushes
stake, which he acquired in 2005.
“What is he asking for? We simply
don’t know. The action initiated by
his lawyer is strange. We are mystified
hluttaw to decide on ‘recall’ bill why Dr Tin Tun Oo would attempt to
wind up the company,” Mr Dunkley
said.
“I can only describe their actions as
bizarre.
“MCM Ltd has been trading profit-
Commission asks speaker to resume debate on bill that would allow constituents to remove their MP ably for years, so why would this man
seek to make a problem for the compa-
ny at a time when he knows very well
remove an MP, and military MPs, member U Soe Moe Aung said the with Colonel Tint San accusing U that we are attempting to find a buyer
who argue that to not pass the law is committee believed that section Maung Toe of violating section 130 of to take his shares?”
WIN KO
unconstitutional. 396(b) of the constitution and sec- Pyithu Hluttaw Bylaw, which states Mr Dunkley said that if the attempt
KO LATT The bill, proposed by the commis- tion 10(j) of the Union Election Com- that no one shall break the provi- to close the company is successful
sion last August, could result in MPs mission Law should be reconsidered. sions of the constitution. about 350 people would lose their jobs.
being unseated if a mere 1 percent of “The committee found that fix- Another military MP, Colonel My- “I would have thought that coop-
[email protected] voters in their constituency opposed ing a minimum of 1pc of the original int Ko Ko, said the 1pc was just to eration at this time would yield the
them, as specified in section 396(b) voters is a negative rather than posi- initiate an investigation into the con- best result. I don’t see a rush of en-
THE Union Election Commission has of the constitution. A similar provi- tive approach for a country practis- duct of an MP. quiries from people wanting to part-
asked Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura sion was included in the 1947 and ing parliamentary democracy,” he Colonel Myint Tint San said a pro- ner up with him, so why should he
U Shwe Mann to resume discussion 1974 constitutions. said. cess was needed to recall MPs to en- interfere with my legitimate attempts
on a proposed bill that would give But MPs told The Myanmar In other democracies, the barrier sure there were checks and balances to keep the company stable and a go-
constituents the chance to remove Times last week that the election for recall is much higher. According on the three branches of power. He ing concern and to protect the wel-
their parliamentary representative. commission has written to Thura to the report, in the US state of Cali- said the constitution granted parlia- fare of the 350-odd staff we directly
The Pyithu Hluttaw decided on U Shwe Mann and said it believes fornia a recall vote requires action ment the right to impeach members employ here.
August 23 to suspend discussion that the debate should continue. It by a minimum of 12pc of the voters, of the government and judiciary. “This is most peculiar. I just hope
of the bill until the end of the year, argues that just as all citizens have while in some other US states it is as Representative U Ba Shein said Dr Tin Tun Oo comes to his senses and
when a recently formed constitu- the right to vote for their choice of high as 40pc. the constitutional review commit- allows this whole thing to progress to
tional review committee is expected representative, they also have the Pyithu Hluttaw representative U tee was likely to propose a higher its logical conclusion, to a time when
to finish its work. right to “recall” their elected repre- Maung Toe said that a minimum of percentage of voters sign a peti- Dr Tin Tun Oo has been paid out
The decision came at the end of sentative under section 369(b) of the 1 percent was too easy to get. “Eve- tion to initiate the recall process handsomely prior to new investors be-
a heated debate between elected rep- constitution. ry MP knows it is not suitable,” he rather than remove the provision ing introduced into the company.
resentatives, who said the bill would During the debate on August added. completely. “After all, he hasn’t done too badly
make it too easy for constituents to 23, Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee Military MPs disagreed, however, – Translated by Thiri Min Htun until now.” – Staff writers
4 News
THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013
Government targets
tax collection to cool
soaring land prices
HSU HLAING HTUN the rates to the public.
[email protected] The Yangon Region government
has already set its rates but is yet to
THE Ministry of Finance plans to release them, officials said.
tighten collection of stamp duty in “Stamp duty is partly intended
a bid to rein in Myanmar’s soaring to control land prices and it is im-
land prices, officials said at a press portant that the state collects all the
conference last week. taxes it is entitled to,” Deputy Min-
“We can’t control the price di- ister for Finance U Maung Maung
rectly but we can control it with Thein said.
tax,” Minister for the President’s Of- “If the state and region govern-
fice U Soe Thein said at the press ments set standard prices … the
conference in Nay Pyi Taw on Au- department can collect the real
gust 23. “As I have said before, the amount of stamp duty so land prices
government can’t say how much can be controlled,” he said.
land should be sold for. But the The government has also estab-
price won’t rise as much if there is lished a “Land Price Watch Group”,
a tax.” headed by Thura U Thaung Lwin, to
Currently, buyers have to pay tax tackle the problem.
equivalent to 37 percent of the price U Soe Thein said it will also
paid for the land: 30pc for sales tax amend some sections of the Reve-
and 7pc for income tax. nue Law but there are unlikely to be Employees at work in a real estate agency in Yangon. Photo: Ko Taik
Collecting the tax, however, inev- changes to the amount of tax levied.
itably proves harder than imposing “Some sections of the Revenue Myanmar were surging because of In Dala, working class people are heard rumours that the government
it. In an effort to ensure buyers pay Law need to be amended and we both government and private pro- struggling because of land specula- is going to build a bridge with the
their fare share, the government has are planning that now … but we are jects, citing the example of Dala tors, even though the government help of [South] Korea,” he said.
instructed state and region govern- going to charge tax as usual,” U Soe township, which is across the river has no project there. The land price “We can’t control these kinds of
ments to set per-square-foot prices Thein said. from downtown Yangon. surged after the department sur- situations.”
for various types of land and release He added that land prices in “We have an example near us. veyed the land there because people – Translated by Thiri Min Htun
CB Bank boss sues farmers over dispute
I will go to court when my turn arrives. anything with it. So we decided that if the CB Bank chairman was able to reg-
In the meantime I am still working they aren’t going to use it then we will,” ister the land even though there was
NOE NOE
the land. I will keep farming right up he said. an ownership dispute because he had a
AUNG until the judge imprisons me, if that He said that thousands of acres in recommendation letter from the town-
happens,” U Kyaw Shwe told The My- Pyin Oo Lwin have been confiscated ship administration office.
anmar Times as he planted sesame last for agricultural projects but are being “If the farmers didn’t know that
[email protected] week, his hands and bare feet covered held by private companies that have no their land had been sold to someone, it
in mud. intention of using them for agriculture. is because of a communication break-
THIRTEEN farmers are facing jail Another farmer, U Htay Win said “In recent years, businessmen down with their administrator.”
terms in Pyin Oo Lwin township as 13 of the 35 people in the village whose have bought large amount of lands in He said the company had pressed
part of a land dispute involving CB land has been confiscated have so far Pyin Oo Lwin because many city peo- charges after asking the farmers to
Bank chairman U Khin Maung Aye, an been charged. He said the land should ple want to buy land here, which has stop cultivating the land in December
adviser to President U Thein Sein. have been given back to the farmers caused prices to go up and up,” he said. 2012.
The farmers from Kyin Ga Naing long ago because it was never devel- The dispute in Kyin Ga Naing vil- CB Bank chairman U Khin Maung Aye. “But they didn’t stop so I charged
village have been charged with tres- oped as the company that originally lage dates back to 1996, when more Photo: Supplied/MasterCard them as a representative of chairman
passing and mischief causing damage confiscated it had promised. than 90 acres were confiscated by a [U Khin Maung Aye] at Pyin Oo Lwin
to another’s property by a staff mem- “They seized our farmland 18 years private firm for a coffee plantation that U Htay Win said, “One day we court,” he told The Myanmar Times on
ber of U Khin Maung Aye, who bought ago and they have still done nothing. never eventuated. It was then resold to went to our farmland to work and we August 30.
about 120 acres in the village in 2006. We can see empty land but we can’t do U Khin Maung Aye, who is also chair- weren’t allowed onto the land. There He said U Khin Maung Aye was the
They face a potential jail term of two man of KMA Group of Companies and was no notice, no compensation.” legal owner of the land and confirmed
years and three months. a member of the National Economic In March, the farmers tried to regis- that he bought it from the owner of the
The farmers will next appear in ‘We can see empty and Social Affairs advisory commit- ter ownership of the land but were told coffee plantation in 2006. He said U
court on September 3 and say they tee, in 2006. At the same time, U Khin by the township Settlements and Land Khin Maung Aye wanted the land for
land but we can’t do
plan to fight the charges, which were Maung Aye purchased additional land, Records Department that it could not “gardening”.
filed in the name of U Khin Maung anything with it. So taking his holdings to 120 acres. be registered while there was a dispute “The original businessman already
Aye’s assistant, U Ko Ko Lwin. He The farmers said they have never over ownership. got all the ownership documents from
alleges that the farmers started ille- we decided that if recovered from the loss of their ances- “But later the village administrator the government [in 1996]. And [U Khin
gally cultivating the land, which was tral land in the 1990s. told us that U Khin Maung Aye had Maung Aye] bought the land from him
originally taken from them in 1996, in they aren’t going to “My family’s living was destroyed,” got permission to register the land. I legally. He also got the ownership
December 2012. U Kyaw Shwe said. “I was unemployed don’t understand. The officer stopped documents so that he can use them for
use it then we will.’
Defendant U Kyaw Shwe, 48, said all of a sudden and became a labourer us from applying [for ownership] be- gardening,” U Ko Ko Lwin said.
he worked some of the disputed land in the other areas far away from our cause we are in dispute. But [U Khin “We can’t do anything without per-
because he needed money for his chil- U Htay Win village. But now my daughters are out- Maung Aye] is in a dispute too,” U Htay mission from government. The farm-
dren’s education. Kyin Ga Naing village farmer standing students at their school and Win said. ers keep saying that their land was
“I was charged in February 2013, if I want to keep sending them I need U Ko Ko Lwin, who filed the charg- confiscated by [U Khin Maung Aye].
two months after returning to my land. more money.” es on behalf of U Khin Maung Aye, said This is wrong.”

6 News
THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013
MPs tackle judicial reform with writ bill
2013 Writ Petition Bill aims to protect rights of citizens and strengthen the judiciary, a parliamentary committee member tells MPs
the Union Judiciary Law. It is a “Citizens have the right to file a Bill with members of the Pyithu Supreme Court in the past have
separate law contained in the 2008 writ of prohibition to the Supreme Hluttaw’s Rule of Law, Stability and been rejected almost immediately,
SOE THAN
constitution that represents a great Court if they lose fundamental hu- Peace Committee and its Legal Af- and in some cases lawyers have
LYNN opportunity for citizens and the man rights due to wrongful arrest fairs and Special Cases Assessment been deregistered within hours of
Union Supreme Court,” said Thura and to be released. Commission, as well as officials filing them.
U Aung Ko, chairman of the Pyithu The Writ of Certiorari gives the from the Union Supreme Court and “Whenever I have filed a writ
[email protected] Hluttaw Legal Affairs Committee. Supreme Court the power to erase the Union Attorney General’s Office. they were always rejected within
According to his presentation, a unfair judgments made by its sub- Thura U Aung Ko said the bill about two hours,” said U Sein Hla, a
PARLIAMENT has taken the first citizen or a group of citizens has the ordinate courts if the complainant also contained another important lawyer from Mandalay.
steps toward legislating on a con- right to file a writ of habeas corpus can show just cause,” said Thura U provision – that Supreme Court “I think the one judge who was
stitutional principle that could before the Union Supreme Court Aung Ko. decisions are not made by a single assigned to do a preliminary ex-
strengthen respect for the rule of if they have been wrongly arrested “The main point to be amended judge. amination of the writs did not even
law. or unjustly detained. The Supreme is the fact that the decision on the “We discussed [with the Un- read them. Other lawyers have also
The Pyithu Hluttaw decided on Court would have the power to Writ of Certiorari is taken by a sin- ion Supreme Court] that decisions struggled like me,” he said.
August 26 to open discussions on summon a citizen wrongfully ar- gle judge. If the judge dismisses the should be made by three judges at Representatives say the Writ Pe-
the 2013 Writ Petition Bill that aims rested for questioning and possible writ, the right awarded by the con- least. Even two judges is better than tition Bill will be discussed at the
to protect the rights of citizens and release. stitution will be lost.” one,” Thura U Aung Ko saiud. next session of parliament, which is
strengthen the judiciary. Related legal measures are the The Legal Affairs Committee has One lawyer told The Myanmar expected to begin in October.
“The Writ Bill is not derived from writs of prohibition and certiorari. already discussed the Writ Petition Times that most writs filed to the – Translated by Zar Zar Soe
BUDDHIST DAY
Thousands take to
streets of Thandwe
EI EI TOE LWIN “There are 30,000 people on the
[email protected] road, along with security forces. The
event will end at 5pm. We haven’t faced
AMID a heavy security presence, any problems so far. Just celebrating
thousands of people marched peace- Buddhist Day should not cause any
fully in Rakhine State’s Thandwe problems, although some people are
township last week to mark Buddhist worrying about it,” he added.
Day. Thandwe resident Ko Win Han
The August 26 march came fol- Thein said he was concerned about
lowing recent religious violence in the motives of some people involved
the area, with sources in Thandwe in the ceremony.
saying it was organised by a civil so- “We are watching the event be-
U Wirathu
ciety organisation established to de- cause violence could happen at any
fend nationalism and religion. time. We are worried about having
leads “Religious leaders of four reli- problems because of the ceremony –
gions held a meeting on [August 24] some who can instigate [unrest] are
before holding the ceremony peace- in this group. They [Buddhists] sing
Mandalay
fully on August 26. Local authorities religious songs and those can insti-
allowed the event and took respon- gate some kind of problem,” Ko Win
celebrations sibility for security,” said U Win Na- Han Thein said.
ing, chairman of the NLD’s Thandwe “We gather information to pass
branch. on to the local authorities,” he said,
Monks and laypeople gathered at adding that he believed the security
U Wirathu releases fish into the Mandalay moat to mark Buddhist Day on August 26. Photo: Si Thu Lwin the Laymyathnarkone Dhammayone presence was not adequate for the
(a community hall for religious pur- number of people participating in
SI THU LWIN palace on August 26. in the afternoon we donated blood at pose) at 9am, where monks preached the march.
[email protected] Other events, which were organ- the National Blood Bank,” said a monk sermons. After 1pm, monks went National Buddhist Day was first
ised by a monk-led civil society organi- from the organisation. around the town to accept offerings proposed on August 17, 1961, when
U WIRATHU led celebrations to mark sation founded to “defend nationalism National Buddhist Day was pro- of food. then-Prime Minister U Nu signed
the 52nd anniversary of Buddhist Day and [Buddhist] religion”, included of- posed by then-Prime Minister U Nu on “We are now on the Bayintnaung legislation making Buddhism the
in Mandalay last week. fering food to monks and donating August 17, 1961, when he signed legis- Road,” U Win Naing told The Myan- state religion. Last week was the first
The controversial monk, from blood. lation making Buddhism the state re- mar Times at 4pm. “It rained a lot time in 50 years that the day had
Masoeyein Monastery, organised “We offered food to more than 300 ligion. It was the first time in 50 years – 400 monks are wet and also Bud- been marked, with similar ceremo-
a ceremony to release 50,000 fish monks at the eastern entrance of Maha that the day had been marked. dhist people are offering some items nies held in Mandalay and Nay Pyi
into the moat around the city’s royal Myat Muni Pagoda in this morning and – Translated by Zar Zar Soe to monks, it seems very [positive].” Taw (see related story left).
www.mmtimes.com News 7
YCDC scales back People’s MP protests over
USDP property
Park project after scrutiny
development deal
Nature World told to demolish top floor of three-storey handicrafts centre opposite Shwedagon formed in 2010, media re-
ports said.
WWIINN KKOO
The party has now signed
SHWEGU THITSAR KKOO LLAATTTT a deal with a private construc-
[email protected] tion firm to develop a condo-
minium on the site, with half of
YANGON City Development [email protected] the apartments in the building
Committee has ordered the de- to go to the party.
veloper of a controversial handi- AMYOTHA Hluttaw repre- However, South Okkalapa
crafts centre in People’s Park to sentative U Phone Myint Aung residents applied in January to
demolish the third floor of the is leading a campaign against have the site transferred back
uncompleted building. a Union Solidarity and Devel- to community ownership, argu-
The project, which fronts U opment Party plan to develop ing that the association cannot
Wisara Road and is opposite a condominium in South Ok- give the land to the party.
the western stairway of Shwed- kalapa township. “If the place is owned by
agon Pagoda, has sparked The parliamentarian and the USDA, it should only be
complaints because of its prox- residents from South Okkalapa allowed to construct buildings
imity to Shwedagon and the protested in front of Yangon’s related to the association. Oth-
opaque manner in which a large City Hall on August 18 over er [groups] should not [be in-
amount of public parkland was Yangon City Development volved],” U Phone Myint Aung
awarded to the company. Committee’s decision to give said.
Developer Nature World the party planning approval for It was the third application
Company said it would redesign the project. submitted to protest over the
the 186 by 42 metre (620 by 140 “I have sent a message to issue, with the previous two ap-
foot) building based on a two- mayor [U Hla Myint]: ‘You are plications rejected by police.
storey layout and is hopeful that wrong,’” U Phone Myint Aung “Residents want to get that
it can still be completed by the told The Myanmar Times the land back,” U Phone Myint
end of the year. Construction The unfinished handicrafts centre in People’s Park. Photo: Shwegu Thitsar following day. Aung said.
work began in August 2012 and The 0.39-acre site on A similar dispute erupted
is about 60 percent complete, that the company is Chinese. sion came from the committe’s were unconcerned about park- corner of Waizayandar and in Wetlet, Sagaing Region, ear-
the company said. YCDC’s Department of Gar- parks department. land being used for a handi- Thitsar roads was formerly lier this year over a 50-acre site
“Initially we got permission den and Playground Parks ap- “That project was awarded crafts centre. “I always send a community-owned park. that was given to the USDA by
to build a three-storey building proved Nature World’s applica- by the Department of Garden my children to People’s Park. I The Union Solidarity and De- community leaders. As The My-
here using a traditional Myan- tion to build the centre in 2009, and Playground Parks and that think having a shopping centre velopment Association was anmar Times reported in July,
mar design but now we have under former mayor U Aung department also told the com- there will be good because we granted the rights to the land residents argue that the land
to demolish the third floor. The Thein Linn, the company said. pany to remove the third floor. can shop when we take our kids in 2002 in unclear circum- should be returned to the com-
relevant authorities told us to The details of the deal, in- Our department just records the there,” said Ko Nay Myo, a driver stances and it then passed munity now that the USDP has
remove it,” Nature World dep- cluding how much the company cases so you should ask the De- from Sanchaung. – Translated the ownership rights on to replaced the USDA. – Trans-
uty general manager U Maung paid for the rights to the land, partment of Garden and Play- by Thiri Min Htun the USDP after the party was lated by Thae Thae Htwe
Maung said. have never been made public. ground Parks,” U Nay Win said.
“They said there were vari- When The Myanmar Times Another official from Nature
ous reasons why they had in- contacted YCDC last week, offi- World, marketing manager Daw
structed us to decrease the cials from several departments Aye Aye Aung, said the contract
height of the building. We are attempted to evade questions was partly a favour to the com-
going to draw a new design for about the project. pany from YCDC for helping to
it,” he said, adding that the pro- The Department of Garden clean and upgrade People’s Park
ject had caused problems for after Cyclone Nargis.
YCDC because members of the Nature World is one of four
‘We have decided
public had questioned why it companies, including Happy
had given Nature World permis- to give priority Zone, Yamona and Yay Hlwar
sion to use the land. Gyi, that lease land in People’s
Another company official to the wishes Park for businesses. It holds the
said the decision to reduce the rights to more than 70 acres.
height of the development was of the relevant While the handicrafts centre
not related to planning laws project appears set to continue,
authorities and
that ban high structures in the the project’s opponents can take
vicinity of the pagoda. some consolation in the length
the public.’
“We have decided to give of the lease, which U Maung
priority to the wishes of the rel- Maung said is only five years.
evant authorities and the public U Aung Naing “The lease is for five years
and remove the third floor,” Na- Nature World general manager but we have to sign a contract
ture World general manager U every year. When the term ends,
Aung Naing. we have to negotiate again,” U
“If you look from Pyay Road Maung Maung said.
you can’t even see the building. and Playground Parks declined Daw Moh Moh Lwin from
YCDC told us to remove the to comment on the contract or the Yangon Heritage Trust,
third floor when it was nearly the decision to remove the third which has previously criticised
finished. While this will cost our floor, directing inquiries instead the project, declined to com-
company money we agreed be- to YCDC’s Department of Engi- ment on the decision. “The pro-
cause it is also what people want neering (Building). ject was criticised because this
us to do,” he said. However, U Nay Win, assis- is a public place and it is in a
U Aung Naing declined to tant head of the Department green area. I don’t want to com-
reveal how much the company of Engineering (Building) and ment on it because it is the deci-
paid for the lease. He also re- head of the Department of sion of YCDC.”
fused to respond to rumours Administration, said the deci- Some residents said they
8 News
THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013
Views
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief (MTE)
Ross Dunkley
[email protected]
Chief Executive Officer – U Myat Swe
Editor-in-Chief (MTM) – Dr Tin Tun Oo
[email protected] Religious diversity:
Chief Operating Officer – Wendy Madrigal
[email protected]
Director Non-core Assets – Wai Linn
[email protected]
General Counsel to the Executive Editors
and Deputy Editor-in-Chief – Zaw Myint Dialogue trumps violence
EDITORIAL
[email protected]
Editor MTE – Thomas Kean
[email protected]
Editor MTM – Sann Oo
[email protected] ARCHBISHOP CHARLES MAUNG BO
Chief of Staff – Zaw Win Than
AND BENEDICT ROGERS
[email protected]
Editor Special Publications – Myo Lwin
[email protected] TWO years ago, President U Thein
Jessica Mudditt - [email protected] Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met
for the first time. That meeting herald-
Business Editor MTE – Jeremy Mullins ed the beginning of a new era for My-
[email protected]
anmar, which has led to the release of
World Editor MTE – Douglas Long
[email protected] hundreds of political prisoners; more
The Pulse Editor MTE – Manny Maung freedom for civil society, political ac-
[email protected] tivists and the media; preliminary
Sport Editor MTE – Tim McLaughlin ceasefires with almost all the ethnic
[email protected]
armed resistance organisations; and
Online Editor MTE – Kayleigh Long
[email protected] the opening of Myanmar to the world.
There is much to be thankful for.
Chief Sub Editor MTM – Aye Sapay Phyu For the first time in decades, there is
Business Editor MTM – Tin Moe Aung talk of democracy and peace. While
Property Editor MTM – Htar Htar Khin
there is still a long way to go, at least
[email protected]
the dreams of change that had once
Timeout Editor MTM – Moh Moh Thaw
[email protected] been but a distant desire now appear a
Senior Editor MTM – Thet Hlaing more realistic possibility.
True peace and real freedom, how-
Nay Pyi Taw Bureau Chief and Chief Political ever, hinge on an issue that has yet to
Reporter – Soe Than Lynn
be addressed: respect for Myanmar’s
News Editor (Mandalay) – Khin Su Wai
Head of Translation Dept – Ko Ko ethnic and religious diversity. Unless
Head of Photographics – Kaung Htet and until a genuine peace process is
Photographers – established with the ethnic nationali-
Boothee, Aung Htay Hlaing, Thiri ties, involving a nationwide political
Book Publishing Consultant Editor –
dialogue about the constitutional ar-
Col Hla Moe (Retd)
Editor – Win Tun rangements for the country, ceasefires
will remain fragile and will not result
PRODUCTION in an end to war.
[email protected] The most urgent need is to stop
Head of Production & Press Scrutiny Liaison
the war in Kachin State and move to-
– Aung Kyaw Oo (1)
Head of Graphic Design – Tin Zaw Htway ward a meaningful dialogue with the Muslims sit near their destroyed homes after riots in Okkan north of Yangon in April. Photo: AFP
Kachin Independence Organisation
MCM PRINTING (KIO). But real peace will be achieved ensure security for aid workers who to ensure that the religious and ethnic Muslim brothers and sisters, and all
[email protected] only when the guns fall silent and feel threatened. We also appeal to do- diversity of Myanmar is taught accu- the people of Myanmar, to engage in
Head of Department – Htay Maung are put away across the whole na- nors, in Myanmar and internationally, rately and celebrated. The curriculum a frank, peaceful and respectful ex-
Warehouse Manager – Ye Linn Htay
tion; when people can return to their to help provide the aid required. Many for religious education should ensure change of views. Our Muslim broth-
Factory Administrator – Aung Kyaw Oo (3)
Factory Foreman – Tin Win homes without fear; and the people of lives are at risk. a fair and balanced understanding of ers and sisters should tell us sincerely
Myanmar enter into a dialogue with Freedom of thought, conscience, all the religions of Myanmar. No one what is in their hearts. What is their in-
ADVERTISING each other and with the government religion or belief, as detailed in Arti- should ever be forced to change their terpretation of their religion and their
[email protected] in an atmosphere of mutual respect. cle 18 of the Universal Declaration of religion, for such a practice is a seri- agenda? Only through interaction and
National Sales Director
A distinct but interrelated and Human Rights, is perhaps the most ous violation of human rights. Reli- education can misunderstandings be
Khin Thandar Htay
[email protected] equally urgent challenge that must be precious and most basic freedom of gion and faith are matters of personal overcome. Inter-faith dialogue is need-
Account Director – Nyi Nyi Tun addressed is religious harmony. The all. Without the freedom to choose, freedom and conscience. ed in Myanmar now more than ever,
Classifieds Manager – Khin Mon Mon Yi past year has seen shocking violence practise, share and change your be- These principles that we have set at every level: between religious lead-
[email protected] against Muslims in Myanmar, start- liefs, there is no freedom. Other basic out apply to everyone, whether they ers, to set the tone, but perhaps more
ing in Rakhine State in June 2012 but rights, such as freedom of expression, are Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, importantly at a grassroots level. What
ADMIN, FINANCE & IT
Finance Manager – Mon Mon Tha Saing spreading to Meiktila, Okkan, Lashio assembly, association and movement, Hindu, animist or holding another are the dreams, ideals and values that
[email protected] and other towns and cities. The vio- hinge to some extent on freedom of belief. The crisis over the past year unite us, the people of different reli-
HR Manager – Nang Maisy lence and anti-Muslim propaganda conscience. has particularly impacted the Mus- gions? Are there religious teachings,
Publisher – Dr Tin Tun Oo, Permit No: 04143 has highlighted a deep-seated issue So when we hear people attacking lim community and we grieve for the customs and practices that cause mis-
Systems Manager – Khin Maung Thaw in Myanmar society: how to live with understanding but which – if properly
our deepest differences. No society can understood – can be respected and
DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION
Circulation & Distribution Director – be truly democratic, free and peaceful We call on everyone who has a position of celebrated and contribute to the wider
Jesse Gage if it does not respect – and even cel- community?
[email protected] ebrate – political, racial and religious influence to use their voice to speak out Violence, discrimination and hatred
diversity, as well as protect the basic are not solutions. To treat Muslims in
ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES against religious hatred and intolerance.
human rights of every single person, the way they have been treated in My-
Telephone: [phone], 392 928
Facsimile: [phone] regardless of race, religion or gender. anmar over the past year is no differ-
[email protected] A year on from the first wave of ent to the way radical Islamists treat
violence in Rakhine State, at least minorities in places such as Pakistan or
The Myanmar Times is owned by Myan- 130,000 people are displaced. They are Egypt. Indeed, such behaviour is likely
mar Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by
living in conditions that the United those of other religious beliefs – physi- loss of life, the destruction and the to provoke the attention of radical Is-
MCM Commercial Printing with approval
from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Zin Press (0368) Nations has described as “dire”. They cally or verbally – or using religious fear inflicted on our Muslim brothers lamists outside Myanmar and may al-
with approval from MCM Ltd. The title The are at grave risk of disease and malnu- platforms to preach hatred, we are and sisters. But the principles and the ready have done so. Extremism breeds
Myanmar Times, in either English or Myanmar trition. They live in fear. Now, during deeply saddened. Such hate speech is challenges are important for us all. extremism. As Martin Luther King
languages, its associated logos or devices and the monsoon season, the humanitar- completely contrary to the teachings Many Buddhists have concerns about said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to
the contents of this publication may not be ian crisis grows. Whatever the politics of the great religions of the world, perceived Islamisation, which our justice everywhere.” The best way to
reproduced in whole or in part without the written
of their status in the country, these are completely contrary to Buddhism, Muslim brothers and sisters should prevent further violence is to combat
consent of the Managing Director of Myanmar
Consolidated Media Ltd. human beings who should be treated which is the majority religion of My- work hard to address. intolerance. The best way for any of
humanely. In Buddhism, the princi- anmar, and completely contrary to Around the world, there is a global us to share our beliefs is through the
ples of metta (loving kindness) and principles of human rights and respect Islamist agenda that causes concern. way we live our lives but dialogue is
karuna (compassion) apply to all liv- for humanity. We therefore urge the It is absolutely not the agenda of all also essential. Through talking, getting
ing beings. In Christianity, the same authorities to take action to prevent Muslims – indeed, many Muslims are to know each other and discovering
Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.
www.mmtimes.com principles exist: “Love your neighbour the spread of further hatred and in- victims of this agenda – and the vast that what we have in common is big-
as yourself” and “Love your enemy.” tolerance. We defend the right to free majority of Muslims have been un- ger than what divides us, we can build
Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street, The Universal Declaration of Human speech but not when it includes incite- fairly scapegoated and stereotyped. a Myanmar based on shared dreams,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Rights is precisely that – universal. ment to violence. We therefore urge But the agenda is there, unfolding in mutual respect and unity in diversity.In
Telephone: [phone], 392 928
The non-government organisa- the authorities to prosecute anyone different ways in countries such as so doing, we can put decades of strife
Facsimile: [phone]
Mandalay Bureau: Bld Sa/1, Man Mandalar tions, faith-based groups, government found inciting violence and we urge Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Syria and conflict behind us.
Housing, 35 Street, between 70st x 71 st. Yan officials and United Nations agencies religious leaders to discipline their and, most particularly at the moment,
Myo Lone Quarter, Chan Aye Thar San Township, that have tried to provide help to the clergy and lay adherents. Egypt. In recent days more than 50
Mandalay. Tel: [phone], 74585. marginalised deserve our recogni- We call on everyone who has a po- churches have been torched in Egypt His Grace Archbishop Charles Maung
Fax: [phone] tion and appreciation. But there is an sition of influence – in politics, in re- by militant Islamists. Bo is the Catholic archbishop of Yangon.
Email: [email protected]
Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No. 10/72 Bo Tauk Htein urgent need for much, much more. ligion, in the media, in education and So it is understandable that some Benedict Rogers works for the human
St, Yan Aung (1) Quarter, Nay Pyi Taw-Pyinmana. We appeal to the government to al- in civil society – to use their voice to people in Myanmar see events in oth- rights organisation Christian Solidarity
Tel: [phone], 23065 low unhindered access to camps for speak out against religious hatred and er parts of the world and are afraid. Worldwide, and is author of Burma: A
Email: [email protected] the displaced in Rakhine State and intolerance. In schools, there is a need It is therefore in the interests of our Nation at the Crossroads.
www.mmtimes.com News 9
US continues Ko Win Zaw Oo to undergo
surgery in Singapore this week
engagement
YAMON PHU THIT
with Tatmadaw [email protected]
MYANMAR’S tallest man, Ko Win
Zaw Oo, is to undergo surgery in Sin-
gapore this week, his doctors have an-
nounced. The decision comes after Ko
TIM MCLAUGHLIN Myanmar side was led by Major Gen- Win Zaw Oo, 7 feet 8 inches tall, was
[email protected] eral Ye Aung, the Judge Advocate Gen- examined by doctors in Singapore to
eral of the Tatmadaw, and included establish the precise cause of the dis-
THE United States has taken further Commander-in-Chief Senior General order that led him to grow so tall.
steps to expand military-to-military Min Aung Hlaing. Ko Win Zaw Oo will have the op-
engagement with Myanmar. The engagement program was an- eration on September 3 in Singapore
Members from the US Defense In- nounced last month when Ben Rho- General Hospital, Dr Myat Thu Min,
stitute of International Legal Studies des, deputy national security adviser a spokesperson for the group leading
(DIILS) held meetings with 20 officials for strategic communications and the effort to ensure he gets treatment,
from the Tatmadaw and the Ministry speechwriting, visited Myanmar from said on August 29.
of Defence in Nay Pyi Taw on August July 30-August 1. “Ko Win Zaw Oo’s current situa-
28-29, the US embassy in Yangon said. The DIILS visit to Myanmar coin- tion is good. The hospital now needs
“Dialogue between the United cided with a meeting between US De- to make the necessary preparations,
States and Burmese armed forces pro- fense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Min- such as finding a longer operating ta-
vides a mechanism to share lessons, ister for Defence Lieutenant General ble,” he said.
identify challenges, and illustrate US Wai Lwin – the first bilateral meeting The diagnosis has shown that the
military traditions and doctrine – the of US and Myanmar defence chiefs in cause of the disorder is the produc-
respect and defence of human rights more than 20 years, the Department tion of excessive growth hormone
and a civilian-led government,” US of Defense said. because of a tumour in the hypothala-
ambassador to Myanmar Derek Mitch- Mr Hagel was attending the ASE- mus, a small structure connected to
ell said in a statement, referring to My- AN Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Bru- the pituitary gland, the team said in
anmar by its former name. nei. The American Forces Press Ser- a statement.
“This exchange is part of our bilat- vice quoted a senior defence official as “There are two ways to cure this
eral efforts to promote human rights saying that the meeting was a “sign of syndrome – drug therapy or surgery,”
awareness and the values and activi- changes and the Obama administra- said Dr Khin Maung Win. “If we Ko Win Zaw Oo is examined by a doctor in Yangon last month prior to his
ties of a modern, disciplined and re- tion’s very positive engagement with choose drug therapy, the expense will departure for Singapore. Photo: AFP
spected military that acts according to the Burmese, [as well as] recognition be at least K6 million a month. We
international norms.” of the reforms that have been un- can’t afford it.” The operation could result in fund the operation, the cost of which
The DIILS is a Rhode Island-based derway in that country and progress Ko Win Zaw Oo, 36, comes from diabetes insipidus, a condition char- has not yet been established. Dr Khin
organisation of military lawyers that that’s being made on human rights”. Htone Pauk Chaing village in Magwe acterised by excessive thirst and the Maung Win has pledged to cover the
works for the US Department of De- While he applauded Myanmar’s Region’s Natmauk township. excretion of large amounts of severely shortfall if sufficient funds cannot be
fense. The delegation was led by reforms, Mr Hagel also stressed that He has agreed to the operation diluted urine, and hyperphagia – ex- raised and his team has also pledged
Captain Robert Sanders, the director Myanmar needs to completely sever but experts warn there may be side cessive hunger or increased appetite. to provide follow-up care to Ko Win
of DIILS and a US Navy lawyer. The its military ties to North Korea. effects. The group is still raising money to Zaw Oo after the operation.