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HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION1200 Ks. WWW.MMTIMES.COM ISSUE 707 | DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 WINE CRACKDOWN YIELDS ANOTHER CASUALTY Booze crackdown continues City Mart slams govt for ‘unclear’ trade policy THOMAS KEAN [email protected] CITY Mart Holdings has pulled imported alcohol and cigarettes from the shelves of its retail outlets and slammed the government over its trade policy following a raid on the warehouse of its major supplier last week. The country’s largest retailer said in a statement that it had pulled the stock from shelves at its City Mart, Ocean and City Express shops because of the “unclear” situation over alcohol and cigarette imports. City Mart described the current policy, under which only hotels and duty-free shops can legally import alcohol and cigarettes, as a loss for retailers, consumers and the government. The company said the policy meant it had been forced to rely on hotels and duty-free shops for these products, as well as distributors who import through “illegal channels”. “There has been no transparency in the retail sector since we started in 1996. It is difficult for us to check how the products from our suppliers have been imported ... This situation has cost the country a lot of revenue.” “The business sector is very important for the country’s future development and we need transparency and clear rules and policies.” The company said it had, through the Myanmar Retailers Association, been lobbying for changes to import rules since July. “Since then we have submitted suggestion letters continuously to get a legal trading channel for importing these products,” it said. EXCLUSIVE 3 A Ministry of Commerce official examines wine stocks at a Premium Distribution warehouse on December 6. 1000 cases seized by grog squad in new raid AYE THIDAR KYAW [email protected] A SECOND major food and wine importer is being investigated for possible illegal importation of alcohol. On December 4, a government task force found 1000 cases of wine and foodstuffs in a warehouse in Thaketa township industrial zone belonging to Premium Distribution Co. Ltd. The investigations have triggered shops and supermarkets throughout Yangon to pull imported wine and spirit stocks, forcing customers to settle for locally produced alcohol, which is notoriously poor in quality. U Ngwe Soe, deputy director at the commerce ministry, who is on a government task force cracking down on illegal alcohol imports, said the estimated price of one bottle of the wine found at Premium’s warehouses in Yangon ranged from K7000 to K20,000. “These are the prices cited by Premium, we haven’t estimated yet,” he said. If so, the store would be worth several hundred thousand US dollars. A source at Premium said about 90,000 bottles of wine had been found in the 7920-sq-ft space, though the mobile team’s estimate was nearly 80,000 bottles and about 30 tonnes of foodstuffs, including frozen meat, vegetables and preserved foods. The team, which was still examining the products as of December 5, said their investigation would conclude that night and they would confiscate the products. FULL STORY PAGE 26 SPECIAL REPORT 8-9 PROPERTY 32 WORLD 36 More Reports PAGES 26, 27 PHOTO: BOOTHEE BUSINESS 30 Landmark waits on govt approval Serge Pun’s proposed Landmark development in downtown Yangon is still waiting on approval as a December 31 deadline looms. Gold prices hit fiveyear low The price of gold continued its slide last week, sinking to K653,500 for a 24 karat tical – its lowest price since 2009. Religion in focus on human rights day The Myanmar Times examines the state of religious freedom in Myanmar ahead of World Human Rights Day next week. Zoning policy limits high-rises Development in much of Yangon’s downtown area would be limited to 12 storeys under a proposed new zoning plan. Mandela leaves legacy of tolerance Tributes flowed from around the globe for South Africa’s first postapartheid president, who passed away peacefully on December 5. 2 THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Page 2 online editor Kayleigh Long | [email protected] THE INSIDER: The local lowdown & best of the web Spitfire dig revived with cash injection UK farmer and aviation enthusiast David Cundall’s search for the fabled WWII-era spitfire planes supposedly buried in teak crates somewhere in the vicinity of Yangon’s Mingalardon airport has been revived, with global logistics firm Claridon announcing it would fund the expedition. Previous efforts to find the aircraft came to naught, causing Belarusian online gaming website Wargaming.net to pull its funding from the expedition in February. In a post-mortem of the abandoned expedition, Bagan Capital consultant Derek Tonkin weighed in calling the Spitfire story “a classic case of mass hysteria induced by irresponsible media hype”. “I have the niggling feeling that this saga was in retrospect in considerable measure a waste of time and resources, a legend based on oral myth which used the charismatic icon of the Spitfire to seduce all and sundry,” Tonkin wrote. Despite many observers having concluded that the Spitfire tale was nothing but an enticing myth based on dubious anecdotal evidence, the ever-determined David Cundall will be returning to Myanmar soon to resume digging. Cundall believes that, once found, the restoration of the aircraft will create 400 jobs in the UK over a five-year period. After that, he hopes many of the aircraft will find homes in museums across the country. Local traffic police say Yangon’s “No Car Horn Zone” policy has been an abject failure – a fact immediately apparent to anyone with ears, which authorities have reportedly confirmed as the rule marks its tenth year in effect. “We can evaluate now that the project was a failure. But we will restart it to be successful. The main objectives were for the public to travel peacefully and without any panic. Some vehicles have very noisy horns installed, which can frighten the public. That’s why we established the project,” Police Colonel Lin Htut told Eleven media. In a controlled scientific experiment carried out by Page 2 on December 6, it was found that honking around the downtown area could be classified as “incessant”, with an average of three horns sounding in any given tensecond period around rush hour. Speaking with Eleven, motorist Kyaw Naing shed some light on why motorists are so trigger-happy when it comes to car horns: “Cars have horns installed to honk. If they’re not to honk, all horns have to be uninstalled. Traffic accidents may occur as a result if not to use horn,” said Kyaw Naing. The report neglected to indicate whether or not Kyaw Naing feels this circuitous logic ought to be applied to seatbelts. If you all stopped honking you wouldn’t need to honk When Myanmar was Burma... Archival material provided by Pansodan Gallery The long, tentacled arm of the surveillance state Short Films of Japan by The Association for the Diffusion of Japanese Films Abroad The US launched a rocket into space last week, as part of its dragnet surveillance operations which will see data collected from the digital ether. Given the recent uproar over allegations of phone-tapping and surveillance, it seemed odd that the department of National Intelligence was so publicly live-tweeting the launch. Stranger still was the choice of logo given to the mission: an octopus wrapping its tentacles around the earth, with the vaguely sinister slogan of “Nothing is beyond our reach” emblazoned below. In a comment provided to Forbes, National Reconnaissance Office spokesperson Karen Furgerson justified the choice: “NROL-39 is represented by the octopus, a versatile, adaptable, and highly intelligent creature. Emblematically, enemies of the United States can be reached no matter where they choose to hide,” she said. Moe Hay Ko for NOW! magazine. Photo: Pyae Han (ColorMax) Style Statement www.mmtimes.com EXCLUSIVE News 3 Landmark waits on govt approval Application to extend the lease for downtown Yangon site still yet to get green light from the Ministry of Railways, Serge Pun says THOMAS KEAN NYAN LYNN AUNG TIN YADANAR HTUN [email protected] THE US$400 million Landmark project in downtown Yangon is waiting on Ministry of Railways approval for a lease extension that developers say is essential to making it economically viable. The project’s main backer, business tycoon Serge Pun, said last week that the delay was the result of successive personnel changes at the top of the ministry over the past year. However, he expressed confidence that the necessary paperwork will be completed in the coming months to enable construction work to begin and agreements to be finalised with prospective investors in the project. Covering more than 10 acres, the mixed-use project will include a partnership with Hong Kong-based HK & Shanghai Hotels to convert the heritage-listed former Burma Railways headquarters building into the Peninsula Hotel Yangon. A partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Estate will see a separate business hotel, serviced apartments, a high-end condominium, and retail and office space developed. It occupies a prime location at the corner of Sule Pagoda and Bogyoke Aung San roads. While the project has planning approval in principle from Yangon City Development Committee, complies with its new zoning plan and faces no objections from heritage campaigners, the lease extension requires approval first from the Ministry of Railways and, later, from the Myanmar Investment Commission. Mr Pun, the chairman of public company First Myanmar Investment (FMI), Serge Pun & Associates (Myanmar), and Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings, told The Myanmar Times in an exclusive interview that he has applied to the ministry to extend the original 1995 lease for the maximum 70 years – 50 years, with two 10-year extensions – allowable under current investment laws. “The total investment is going to be around $400 million, and this is a great deal more than our original lease anticipated. Therefore in accordance with the foreign investment law today we have applied to extend our lease to the maximum permissible number of years,” he said on December 5. Under the proposed deal, FMI and Yoma will become the majority equity An artist’s impression of the completed Landmark development. Photo: Supplied partners in the project. Once agreement is reached with the Ministry of Railways on the terms of the lease extension, the application will be submitted to MIC, he said. Amendments to bring the original lease into conformity with the Foreign Investment Law that was approved in late 2012 have also been submitted to the Attorney General’s Office. “MIC is a body that only approves things when it comes to it. In order to get to MIC we have to get an agreement signed with the Ministry of Railways as well as an endorsement of the MIC application by Myanma Railways.” This has been complicated by two changes of minister at the Ministry of Railways in the past two years. Most ‘I have been assured repeatedly by the government that it will be done and it’s only a matter of the process.’ Serge Pun Landmark developer recently, on July 25, U Zeyar Aung was replaced by U Than Htay, while a long-serving deputy minister, Thura U Thaung Lwin, was moved to another position. “When a new minister assumes a new post, it is understandable that he has to study and review the history of the case afresh. That naturally takes time. The same applies to the higher authorities in Myanma Railways. We just have to be patient about it,” a visibly frustrated Mr Pun said. “Everybody knows what is going to be built and are supportive but until I have MIC approval major permits to allow construction to commence cannot be granted.” He did not back away from his comments at the FMI annual general meeting on November 22 that the project would hopefully receive approval “by the end of the year”, although that prospect appears increasingly unlikely. “I have been assured repeatedly by the government that it will be done and it’s only a matter of the process. Even a few days ago I was assured again by the president’s office that it is taking note of that and giving the right directions to get it done as soon as possible.” The Landmark project could not move forward without resolving a dispute with Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company, the original majority investor in Meeyahta International Hotels Limited, the leaseholder of the site. Mr Pun said an “amicable settlement” was reached between minority partner SPA and the Thai company in August 2012 and its debts with the government cleared by SPA. “We have fully paid them for [their shares] and settled all the debts that they owed the government.” Three months later, on November 19, 2012 – the day Air Force One brought United States President Barack Obama to Yangon – Yoma announced its intention to undertake the Landmark project, including the renovation of the railways building, the demolition of Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residences and FMI Centre, and construction of four new buildings. In April it reached an agreement to form a joint venture with Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels to restore the former railways headquarters into a Peninsula Hotel as part of the development of the site. The company will also manage the high-end Peninsula Residences, while US firm Starwood Hotels has been selected to run the business hotel. The developers submitted the lease extension for Landmark almost immediately after the enactment of the rules for the Foreign Investment Law in late January, Mr Pun said. On June 16, however, Yoma announced the “long-stop deadline” – the deadline for SPA to acquire the new lease, as part of the sale and purchase agreement -– had been pushed back from June 30 to December 31. In October, Yoma said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Estate, the largest real estate developer in Japan, to cooperate on the Landmark site. Mitsubishi is likely to have a minority stake, while FMI and Yoma will hold a majority. Around 50 percent of the cost will be covered by equity between the partners and the rest will be funded by debt. However, neither the agreements with HK & Shanghai Hotels, Mitsubishi or Starwood can proceed until MIC approval has been received for the extension of the current lease. Even Yoma is not yet officially a partner and as a result SPA and Mr Pun have agreed to reimburse Yoma’s start-up costs, which are already several million dollars, if the project does not go ahead. “We’re waiting for the final MIC approval,” he said, “before we can enter into formal agreements and move forward.” An MIC member confirmed last week that no formal application had been received for Landmark. “We think the companies are conducting discussions or meetings with the government for their project,” said MIC member and Directorate of Investment and Company Administration director Daw Khin Aye Tint. “The commission is ready to consider this project according to the official channels if it receives an application,” she said. The Landmark project is considered crucial for the future prospects of Yoma Strategic Holdings, which is trading at around S$0.75 (about US$0.60) on the Singapore stock exchange, about 25 cents off its peak in 2012. In a company update issued on December 4, Singapore-based OCBC Investment Research said failure to meet a December 31 long-stop deadline for the Landmark site acquisition “may be a temporary speed-bump for the share price” and recommended a hold for investors. It has previously described the project as a “key catalyst” for the company’s share price. “Now that it is less than a month away from the long-stop deadline ... we believe that the group will soon provide more colour regarding the site,” it said. [W]e continue to see good odds that the group will ultimately acquire the site successfully.” 4 News THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Protesters clash with military NINE people, including three elderly women, have been hospitalised after protesters calling for the return of confiscated land clashed with the military. Many of the demonstrators, who lived in Mee Gyaung Kan 1, 2, 3 wards in Thingangyun township until they were evicted by the military about two decades ago, were injured when they tried to stop workers from a Military Development Committee fencing the disputed site at about 11:45am on December 6. The three elderly women were sent to hospital at 1:15pm. “At around 11:45, many people from the military arrived and tried to cordon off the land. We tried to stop them ... so they pushed us back. The workers didn’t care about us and were making the fence urgently,” said Daw Ei, 45, her feet covered in blood. When The Myanmar Times visited the area, dozens of men from the Mingalardon-based Military Development Committee carrying rubber truncheons were maintaining security. “Police were sitting and just watching from the other side of the road as the violence happened,” said Ko Naung Naung of MTSF, a civil society group. The demonstration had been running for 12 days as of December 6. – Noe Noe Aung World has lost a ‘great man’ BRIDGET DI CERTO [email protected] NATIONAL League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi expressed “extreme grief” at the passing of fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela last week. During opening remarks at the Myanmar Women’s Forum 2013 on December 6, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi spoke about the “great man who stood for human rights and equality”. The former South African president, who played a pivotal role in ending the apartheid policy that made blacks second-class citizens, passed away on December 5. “He taught us that we can change the world by changing attitudes and perceptions,” she said, drawing parallels between the lessons of Nelson Mandela’s struggle against apartheid and the continuing struggle in Myanmar for true democracy. “He was a great human being who raised the standard of humanity,” she said. “Nobody is inferior. Every human being is born with the innate right to human dignity.” Myanmar society must also strive to meet this higher standard of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the opening of the Myanmar Women’s Forum 2013 in Yangon on December 6. Photo: Boothee humanity and civilisation, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi added. “We the people want to be in control of our own destiny. This is the road we started in 1988.” This new culture of democracy starts at home, the NLD leader stressed. “This is what women should instil in our children.” Citing the so-called “Burmese envy syndrome”, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said there was a tendency in Myanmar society for envy to overpower spiritual generosity, a cultural issue she said she found “the most disturbing”. “I think this is because of the way our children are brought up,” the politician said. “I have heard parents say, ‘We won’t love you if you are not good.’ Children are then taught to please those with influence and power to have a comfortable life. “Those who [are raised] with selfconfidence rejoice in the achievements of others.” Women have a special role to play in bringing up this next generation of Myanmar leaders with a spirit of generosity, she said. “We do not want democracy as window dressing. Rights cannot be divorced from responsibilities.” The role of women in rearing children is a fundamental element of societal change, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said. “There is a [Myanmar] saying: You must treat your son like a lord and your husband like a god,” she said. “This doesn’t do them any good.” The Women’s Forum concluded in Yangon on December 7. Girl, 10, dies four days after accident AUNG KYAW MIN [email protected] A NOVEMBER 29 accident in downtown Yangon that killed a 45-yearold woman has claimed another life. Ma Nhin April Tant, 10, the daughter of the deceased woman, passed away at Yangon General Hospital at 9:30pm on December 2 from head injuries sustained in the accident. Father U Myo Thant said he was devastated by the loss of his wife and daughter but believed they had “died under the Buddha’s Dhamma”. He said his daughter had waited three hours in the hospital’s emergency department for treatment and passed in and out of consciousness. “She was vomiting blood while on a stretcher. One time she gained consciousness and asked about her mother so we told her that her mother was also being treated,” he said. Two other students, aged nine and 10, were injured when the group was hit by a taxi while walking home along Bogyoke Aung San Road. Driver U Zaw Than has been charged over the accident, police said. But U Myo Thant said he was unhappy at the response from the company that owns the taxi. “The manager of the company apologised to me … but only on the evening after my wife was buried. They said that they couldn’t come earlier because they were busy and their boss was travelling abroad,” he said. Car owner U Khin Maung Lay said in addition to the apology the company had given K200,000 to cover funeral expenses. “What happened was an accident. We will do as much as we can for them and they have our contact details,” he said. “Our boss said to make sure all the proper procedures are followed.” www.mmtimes.com News 5 FDA pushes for lawsuit against consumer protection group SHWE YEE SAW MYINT [email protected] CONSUMER protection bodies are embroiled in a row over a blog article that allegedly misrepresented their activities. The Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accused the Consumer Protection Association of misusing its authority and its director has asked the ministry to take legal action against the association, which has also threatened to retaliate with a law suit. “I wrote to the ministry because the Thit Htoo Lwin blog said the Consumer Protection Association was going to inspect food vendors in accordance with the ministry’s request,” FDA director Dr Tun Zaw told The Myanmar Times last week. Dr Tun Zaw said the ministry had made no such request. He said he has not yet received a reply from the ministry to his request for legal action. On December 1, the Ministry of Information also submitted a report to the minister for health outlining its observations about the association’s activities. It also recommended taking legal action against the association. Thit Htoo Lwin is a widely read Myanmar-language website that repackages articles from media outlets. The article in question was referenced as from army-run Myawaddy Daily. However, Myawaddy said it had not published the article. The Myanmar Times traced the report to an unbylined article in state-run Mandalay daily Yadanabone on November 5. U Soe Naing, the editor of Yadanabone, which is published by the Ministry of Information, said the article came from a freelance reporter in Yangon but declined to give any further details. Consumer Protection Association chair U Ba Oak Khaing said the article was wrong but the group would defend itself in any legal case that arises. “The story [republished] on the blog is not attributed to any reporter, and we made no such statement. We’ve asked them to publish a correction.” In turn, he has accused Dr Tun Zaw of trying to discredit the association and said it was considering legal action against the Ministry of Health. The association was established last year to complement government efforts to tackle the production and sale of unhealthy and dangerous foods in cooperation with the FDA. But the anticipated cooperation has been lacking, as the two organisations have been in dispute because the FDA has taken no action over the results of laboratory tests that the association believes show food products may be tainted. ‘The story ... is not attributed to any reporter, and we made no such statement.’ U Ba Oak Khaing Consumer Protection Association In one recent case, the association sent fish paste to be tested at the FDA laboratory after receiving eyewitness reports that fish paste manufacturers are using chemical fertiliser when producing fish paste. The fertiliser, the association alleges, is used to speed up the production process, which would normally take six to 12 months. While the tests confirmed the presence of urea in the fish paste in the three samples, the FDA refused to reveal the exact amount, saying it was within the normal range. The association then went public with the results, causing anger in both the FDA and sections of the business community. “The FDA test results were unclear and did not provide the information we need to know so we were not happy,” U Ba Oak Khaing said. “But then we were attacked many times over this case. Some people said we were trying to harm some businesspeople because after we told the media that we discovered urea in the fish paste sales slowed down. The businessmen were so angry about that and said the products had been declared safe by the FDA.” U Ba Oak Khaing said the association also plans to build its own lab to test food products because it does not trust the results from the FDA. “We are fighting with the FDA on paper but we did not fight their officials personally,” he said. “But now they have attacked our association and me personally ... I can’t understand why they are behaving like this.” Licence approvals stop during SEA Games SOME food and medicines could be in short supply this month as importers face delays getting their licences renewed, a businessman has warned, after the Food and Drug Administration has announced that the grant of import and licences will be suspended from December 2-22. During that period, the staff who usually process the licences will be working full-time on ensuring food safety for athletes at the Southeast Asian Games in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon, said FDA deputy director Dr Zaw Lwin. “[We] cannot carry out laboratory tests, but some processes will be kept going,” he said. U Myo Zaw Lwin, business manager of Amethyst Company, said the suspension could cause some food and pharmacy prices to rise. “If a company’s licence expires during this month they will have to wait 20 days to get it renewed. High-demand pharmaceuticals could be in short supply during that time,” he said. The expansion of the FDA is branch offices in August has left the agency short of staff. “We need 665 staff, but have only 165 staff,” Dr Zaw Lwin said. “We need more people for our branch offices.” – Shwe Yee Saw Myint UN targets armed groups over child soldiers NAN TIN HTWE [email protected] THE Myanmar government will help the United Nations make contact with non-state armed groups accused of recruiting child soldiers, a senior UN official said last week. A UN report earlier this year named seven non-state groups in Myanmar that it said had soldiers aged under 18, including the Kachin Independence Army, The Karen National Liberation Army and The United Wa State Army. “We have discussed this with the government, and they said they would help,” Sylvie Lucas, chair of the UN Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, said at a press conference on December 4. Despite the persistence of fighting in some areas that could hinder efforts to stop underage recruitment, Ms Lucas said progress toward a nationwide ceasefire was a positive step. “We also discussed the importance of including child soldiers in the peace process and ceasefire agreements,” Ms Lucas said. “No child should be in any army.” Myanmar signed an agreement to stop child recruitment in June 2012 with the Myanmar Country Task Force which comprises the UN and international NGOs based in Myanmar. The plan expires in late December and Ms Lucas said she hopes a new agreement would be signed “very soon” in line with international protocols. Myanmar is one of 15 countries where child recruitment and other violations of child rights still exist, according to the UN. Although 176 children have been discharged from the Tatmadaw since the action plan was signed, 23 new cases were reported between January and September, according to Child Soldiers International, an NGO based in the United Kingdom. 6 News THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Children raise voices, but who’s listening? The National Children’s Forum was supposed to give children the chance to speak up but attendees say their voices fell on deaf ears CHERRY THEIN [email protected] A GATHERING to discuss the needs of children resulted in an outpouring of frustration from activists – both children and adults – who said their message was not taken seriously by the government. “I braced myself for dialogue on behalf of children but now my confidence is decreased,” said Ma Ngu Wah Htay, 17, who spoke on behalf of children in Mandalay. “I am not sure I can say I am unsatisfied and unhappy, but I certainly feel it is useless now.” Held on November 21 in Nay Pyi Taw, the first National Children’s Forum was organised by more than 20 NGOs working for children’s rights and development. The event brought together 70 children’s representatives and 200 participants, including government and NGO representatives, and MPs from Yangon, Mandalay and Mon and Rakhine states. The children entered talks with high hopes, they said, ready to talk about issues such as child labour, education, health, sexual abuse and drug addiction. After the forum, however, many told The Myanmar Times their voices had been muzzled by the one-sided response given by officials. “It took two months to prepare the collection of children’s voices in our region,” Ma Ngu Wah Htay said. “We tried to present the real conditions and challenges of children. The officials and parliamentarians suggested we work with the regional USDP. It is like playing volleyball.” Others voiced similar frustrations. Ma Win Thandar Phyo, 15, a children’s representative from Chaung Sone township in Mon State, said children in her area face malnutrition due to poverty and struggle to get by in a drug-prone environment. “I tried to speak up before the ladies from the health department but they asked, ‘Do you read newspapers or watch television? There are answers for your question there. Do you know the national census? You don’t know [the answers] because you are wasting your time with useless [activities],’” Ma Win Thandar ment that they weren’t allowed greater participation in issues affecting them directly, as all decisions would inevitably be made by their elders. One organiser, Daw Wah Wah Lin Tun, of the NGO Friendly Child, said the event encouraged advocacy on children’s issues and on that basis she considered it successful. She added, however, that she hoped for a more balanced exchange in the future. “I’m sorry for the children who worked hard for it. We hope to make more reciprocated discussion in the next event.” Police Captain U Min Naing from the Nay Pyi Taw Task Force office said he welcomed the input of children and said that it would be valuable for decision-makers. “The children presented many true stories. If we can learn [from them] and think about taking action, it would be great. I wish the parliamentarians could present those issues in parliament to bring about effective action,” Pol Capt U Min Naing said. One rare satisfactory note came from Mg Yin Thwe, a children’s representative for Yangon Region, who _ in spite of the disappointments others expressed _ said he was proud to have had the chance to play a role in the country’s future. “I am happy about the event because I was able to show the work of my dream,” Mg Yin Thwe said. “I wish to contribute in building my country.”t Children conduct a role play at the National Children’s Forum in Nay Pyi Taw on November 21. Photo: Cherry Thein Phyo said, recounting the response her presentation received. After the public ridiculing, she said, “I was so nervous. I swallowed my words.” She added some officials seemed to take the children’s reports as personal criticisms. “They [officials] are defending themselves. [But] we are not blaming them. We just wanted to speak out. If they would listen carefully to what we are saying we would be very grateful. We would feel better if they could understand our difficulties.” Mg Kyaw Nyut Oo, 12, from Pauktaw township in Rakhine State, spoke about child labour, an issue that affects many parts of the country. “In our village, children of 10 or 12 have to work in dirty jobs,” he said. “But they earn half of normal daily wages: Adult men get K4000 but children get K2000 ... even though they have to work full-time like the adults.” Mg Kyaw Nyut Oo also spoke about the dangers faced by children in transit due to internal migration, such as abuse and homelessness, but time constraints meant he wasn’t able to cover everything he wanted to say. “I didn’t have the chance to say everything within 45 minutes. I will try to keep it shorter and to the point if the elders hold a similar event next time,” he said. The children’s representative from Sagaing township said that while the event was called the National Children’s Forum, children’s voices were not properly heard. “Actually, it was not our voices” being raised, he said. “It is the [MPs’] voices. They blocked our voices.” “But we’re happy we tried to rise up,” he added. The children’s representatives spoke about child labour, barriers to education and health services - including shortages of medical staff in remote areas, poor transportation to clinics and reliance on sometimesdangerous folk medicines. They also discussed troubles faced by those in conflict and restricted areas. But many expressed disappoint- MGM Hotel killer gets 10-year sentence TOE WAI AUNG [email protected] A MAN accused of murdering a woman in a downtown Yangon hotel in April has been found guilty and given a 10-year jail term with hard labour. Yangon’s western district court on December 2 handed down the sentence to U Aung Ko Latt, 27, from Tarmwe township. The woman, whose name has not been released, was found strangled with a telephone cable at MGM Hotel in Lanmadaw’s Wardan Street on April 13. The judge rejected U Aung Ko Latt’s defence that he had killed her in a moment of anger because she had slapped his face and assaulted him with a wooden rod and the telephone cable. He said the attack had been provoked by him telling her that he had recorded a conversation between them and planned to play it to her husband, who was abroad at the time. However, the defendant could not show any firm evidence to the judge to back up his version of events. Noting that the deceased woman was significantly shorter than the defendant, the judge said it was unlikely she could hurt him to the point he would have to respond with violence. The husband of the victim told the court that he recognised the man captured on CCTV footage with his wife was U Aung Ko Latt because he ran a pharmacy beside the stairway to their apartment. – Translation by Thiri Min Htun www.mmtimes.com News 7 Ministry to revoke some daily licences PYAE THET PHYO [email protected] THE Ministry of Information will revoke daily newspaper licences issued earlier this year if licence holders do not begin publishing by December 31, it announced last week. Information and Public Relations Department director U Aung Kyaw Oo said up to 15 licences could be revoked in the coming month. “If publishers do not issue daily newspapers before December 31, we will withdraw their temporary certificates. This is the decision from a meeting we held on November 29,” U Aung Kyaw Oo told reporters on November 30. The 15 daily licences in the spotlight were issued on or prior to June 25. To date 31 daily licences have been issued, he said. About a dozen daily newspapers are in circulation, while a handful have started but have since stopped publishing. U Aung Kyaw Oo said the ministry would give all publishers around six months after receiving licence approval to start daily operations. He said this deadline is necessary so that the number of licences in circulation is kept under control. “If they fail to publish within this deadline we will revoke both their permission to publish and their publisher’s certificate.” After speech, eivil society calls for action, not rhetoric WA LONE [email protected] COOPERATION between government and civil societies is crucial for peaceful democratic reforms, President U Thein Sein said last week – but representatives from those same civil society organisations say government officials continue to treat them with suspicion. Speaking to representatives of more than 100 civil society groups at Yangon University on November 30, U Thein Sein said he gave “special consideration to the civil societies who are involved in the reform process of this country”. But some in the audience at Diamond Jubilee Hall told The Myanmar Times a different story. Ma May Sabae Phyu from the Kachin Peace Network said that even though the president has been encouraging civil society leaders to get involved in politics and the peace process since last year, authorities continue to obstruct their work. “The government should have a plan to help us rather than invite us to cooperate with them,” Ma May Sabae Phyu, who in late November was convicted of violating the peaceful protest law for organising President U Thein Sein greets civil society leaders following a speech at Yangon’s Diamond Jubilee Hall on November 30. Photo: Boothee a peace march in Yangon in September 2012. U Mya Aye from the 88 Generation student group called on the government to show it is genuine about wanting to work with civil society. He said non-government groups have been excluded from some important processes, such as peace negotiation efforts. “The government still has a sense of suspicious about civil society,” he said. U Hla Maung Shwe, a senior adviser at the Myanmar Peace Center, said civil societies are normally shut out of conflict resolution talks because talks with armed groups are usually closeddoor discussions. He suggested that the political dialogue might be more open once ceasefire agreements are signed across the whole country. Another point of contention between the authorities and civil society is the proposed association law drafted by parliament, which would cover registration of nongovernment organisations. While extensive consultations have taken place in recent months, organisations remain unhappy about some provisions. “The government has been dealing with us very carefully,” said Ko Thantzin Soe from the Yangon Youth Volunteers Network. U Ye Htun, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Hsipaw and a member of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), said the Pyithu Hluttaw Public Affairs Management Committee had discussed the bill with 50 civil society organisations to gather feedback. “The new law is going to follow the rights [enshrined in] the constitution,” he said. The president acknowledged in his remarks that trust in society, including between the government and civil society, has been absent for many decades. “The civil societies have more power to rebuild the trust as well,” he said. He said that while civil society groups can work freely in politics and public affairs they should avoid confrontation. “Find the way to solve the problem by negotiation.” Accused still face hard times in criminal cases BILL O’TOOLE [email protected] KO Aung was a 23-year-old English student at the University of Foreign Languages in Yangon when he was arrested. Speaking to The Myanmar Times, he explained that in the summer of 2004 he and his friends had a side business selling “small amounts” of marijuana out of a beer station in Bahan township, their childhood home. According to Ko Aung, he, his friend and a neighbour were jumped and beaten by plainclothed police as they were leaving the beer station in late May. The trio was placed in an unmarked police car and taken to the local station, where they were beaten and made to sign blank pieces of paper, which Ko Aung said were later made into confessions for the three men. At no point in the process did the police mention the prisoners’ right to legal counsel, even though the constitution in force at that time explicitly stated that defendants were entitled to consult a legal advisor at any point in the process. Ko Aung was sentenced to 12 years in prison, later commuted to six years because he agreed to do part of his sentence in a labour camp. Lawyers and human rights groups say that cases like Ko Aung’s are all too common across Myanmar, especially for criminal offenders. The word of the constitution and the promises of politicians aside, lawyers and analysts in Myanmar and abroad say the reality is that defendants below a certain income level are routinely abused and denied access to fair and independent legal council, a right that is also enshrined in international law. In a report released on December 3 titled Right to Counsel: The Independence of Lawyers in Myanmar, Genevabased advocacy group the International Commission of Jurists harshly condemned the corruption and abuse that are endemic in the country, especially in criminal proceedings. “Corruption is so embedded in the legal system that it is taken for granted,” said Sam Zarifi, ICJ’s Asia-Pacific regional director. “When the public also generally assumes that corruption undermines the legal system, this severely weakens the notion of rule of law.” Based on interviews with defendants and lawyers during the past year, the report details numerous instances of attorneys and their clients in Myanmar being forced to pay bribes just to meet with one another. Ko Aung recalled his family being forced to pay K5000 for a one-hour meeting with his attorney. Prison guards only allowed a handful of such meetings during the five-month trial. As Ko Aung’s ordeal makes clear, the lack of access to lawyers leaves the defendants vulnerable to being coerced into false confessions. “It’s in the first few days of detention you see the most incidents of police abuse … That’s exactly when they need lawyers the most,” said Mr Zarifi, speaking over the phone from southern Thailand. He added that his group’s research found that access to legal counsel often depends on the whims of prison authorities. The Myanmar report cites the example of a prison in Bago where lawyers can visit any day except Sunday, while another prison in Pyay has designated Sunday as the only day when lawyers are permitted to visit. For many offenders, a lawyer is simply too expensive, and the government will only provide an attorney in death penalty cases. As Mr Zarifi noted, “Even if they can get [legal advisors], they have problems using them effectively,” especially considering how little time they are allowed with their clients, and the lack of cooperation from judges and prosecutors. “[Judges and prosecutors] must protect the rights of detainees in criminal cases. Right now they are not doing that,” he said. U Kyaw Min San, a legal advocate with the law firm Justice For All and a member of the Legal Aid Network, said that while he still has many problems accessing clients and even getting the pertinent paperwork from the courthouse, the legal climate has undoubtedly improved since the government began transitioning from military rule. “From 2012 to 2013 things have been improving,” he said. “Lawyers are doing more pro bono work” for political cases and for cases involving abuse, like Ko Aung’s. He acknowledged that much work still needs to be done and said his group will lobby for stronger legal aid laws in the coming years. “Everybody on every side of the political aisle has identified rule of law as the most important issuing facing the country,” said Mr Zarifi, “and you can’t have rule of law without providing legal aid to the people.” Freeing religion fro International reports often paint a picture of Myanmar as a place where religious rights abuse, but many local residents say the key to national harmony lies with approaching CHERRY THEIN [email protected] RELIGIOUS conflict has been at the forefront of international discussions about Myanmar ever since violence erupted between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State in June 2012. Attacks on Muslim communities were cited in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2013 Annual Report as being among the primary reasons that Myanmar continues to be designated by the US State Department as a “country of particular concern” in the area of religious freedom. According to the report, Muslims were not alone in suffering ill treatment based on their religious beliefs. “During the reporting period (January 2012 to January 2013) … serious abuses against mainly Christian civilians occurred during military interventions in Kachin State,” the report said, while “Buddhist monks suspected of anti-government activities were also detained and removed from their pagodas.” According to a 2012 report by Tomas Quintana, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, other forms of oppression aimed at Kachin and Chin Christians included “restrictions on the building of places of worship, destruction of religious venues and artifacts … and the policy of coerced conversions to Buddhism”. Such statements seem to contradict perceptions that, since the 2010 election, Myanmar has been moving toward a more democratic system in which human rights abuses are becoming a thing of the past. Freedom of religion is considered one of the most basic of human A man sorts through the wreckage of a burned mosque in Thabuchai village in Than rights, and its protection is enshrined in Article 34 of Myanmar’s 2008 Constitution, which states that “every citizen is equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess and practice religion”. While Article 361 notes that the government “recognises the special position of Buddhism as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union”, Article 363 “also recognises Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism as the religions existing in the Union”. Despite the wide international attention given to religious conflict in the country, U Aung Naing, a member ‘When a fearful minority tries to assert its identity, the majority feels threatened and starts discriminating against the minority.’ U Aung Naing Interfaith Dialogue Organisation of the Yangon-based Interfaith Dialogue Organisation, said Myanmar is “better than many other countries” when it comes to religious freedom. “Although Buddhism is the dominant belief, the government gives equal freedom to all religions. This is a good policy because conflicts can be very hard to control if one religion is favoured over others,” he said. He said conflict often starts when a minority religion is made to fear the loss of its identity. “When a fearful minority tries to assert its identity, the majority feels threatened and starts discriminating against the minority,” U Aung Naing said. The best approach, he said, was for all people to live according to the teachings of their own religion and avoid forcing their beliefs on others. “If people stop trying to convert others to their own religion, many problems will be solved,” he said. Daw Yamin Aung, a Muslim living in Yangon’s Insein township, agreed that religion should be approached on a personal level and should not be om oppression are curtailed by communal violence and government religion on a personal, rather than a political, level. they want to hold activities, and the government will not interfere with these activities if they have been informed,” he said. As an example, last week tens of thousands of Baptists converged on Yangon to celebrate the 200th anniversary of American missionary Adinoram Judson’s arrival in Myanmar. Such a gathering of Christians would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Although there were reports that trains carrying Kachin Baptists from Myitkyina to Yangon were pelted with rocks by unknown attackers, the government did not interfere with the four-day commemoration. Ko Saw Ehe Lin, an ethnic Kayin who travelled from his home state to Yangon for the event, said he felt free to celebrate the anniversary and had not even considered the issue of religious freedom. “Myanmar is our country. We were born here and live here. The choice of religion is our right, and most people in the country follow the religion of their parents. It has nothing to do with government restrictions,” he said. “We have never felt that we lacked freedom of religion. We have always been able to pursue our religious activities. Yet people outside the country, especially academics, sometimes try to create controversy by writing about lack of religious freedom in Myanmar.” But U Hla Myo, president of the Dhamma Yaung Chi Buddhist organisation, said that although Buddhism is the main religion in the country, it often face government restrictions. “People from other religions think the government does not restrict Buddhism because it’s the dominant religion, but this is not true. Sometimes Buddhism faces greater restrictions than others. For example, it was very difficult to hold sermons following the 2007 Saffron Revolution,” he said. U Hla Myo added that the government is correct in targeting those who “try to change or add new concepts to Theravada Buddhism”. He cited the case of U Nyanna, who in 2012 was sentenced to 20 years in prison for starting the Moe Pya religious group and preaching an unorthodox version of Buddhism. MORE ON NEWS 12 Transforming the culture of human rights in Myanmar DAVID SCOTT MATHIESON [email protected] FOR nearly two decades, Myanmar was a key case study in the growth of the international human rights movement, a country beset by systematic denial of basic freedoms of assembly, association and expression. It stifled a once-assertive media; suffered a brutal, decadeslong civil war; and incarcerated thousands of political prisoners. Political and economic reforms since 2011 have done much to improve this dire condition, going even further than some of the government’s critics in the local Myanmar human rights community and international movement could have thought possible. But with these tentative gains come greater challenges to turn promises into reality and address the disastrous effects of 50 years of ruinous military rule. The world marks Human Rights Day on December 10, a reminder that as Myanmar opens up to new internal and external pressures, economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights will take on more prominence – in some cases, they will demand even more attention than the civil and political rights that have long been at the core of human rights activism aimed at the country. The right to health, education and basic social services, as well as cultural rights and workers’ rights, are sectors that impact the majority of the country. Yet they have been little-discussed in the past despite their centrality to human rights norms. Forcible displacement, denial of access to education, lack of safe drinking water and inadequate food production are key ESC rights issues that drive ethnic conflict, yet they are often overlooked by human rights groups that home in on violations of civil rights, political rights and international law. The tensions may well come from Myanmar communities that wish to promote these rights because they impact more immediately on their everyday realities. Already, many of the communities protesting against development projects, such as the Letpadaung copper mine, insist on getting access to basic services long denied or only desultorily provided by the state. In peace negotiations, the right to preserve their own culture is a longterm demand of many ethnic groups that have waged armed conflict with the central state since independence. Myanmar is not a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), or their optional protocols. In a positive move, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission recommended in June that the government ratify the covenants and the optional protocols. Chapter 8 of the 2008 Constitution guarantees many ESC rights, even if they are interspersed with quixotic qualifications about national security and non-disintegration of the union. This chapter purportedly guides the fledging and uneven legal reform process: As new laws are passed and drafted in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, they must be in accordance with the constitution. ESC rights must be protected from abuses of state power, such as illegal land grabs, but also guaranteed by the national reconciliation, in solving both the civil war in ethnic states and the conflicts between Buddhist and Muslim communities. There is a clear way forward to guarantee that the full spectrum of rights are respected, but it will take great effort on the part of authorities. First, the government needs to ratify the ICESCR and ICCPR and their optional protocols. The government and parliament need to cooperate in ensuring that the rights contained in these covenants, and of course in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are infused throughout the legal reform process, which will go a long way toward averting social instability as Myanmar transforms. Lack of resources for the progressive realisation of ESC rights is no longer an excuse in ‘Many of the communities protesting against development projects, such as the Letpadaung copper mine, insist on getting access to basic services long denied or only desultorily provided by the state.’ state, such as providing adequate housing and helping the elderly and people with disabilities. Myanmar is party to several international human rights treaties related to ESC rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which the former military government signed in the 1990s and which became a hotly contested issue between government officials and women’s groups at international meetings. Another such treaty is the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The immense developmental challenges now facing the country are, more than ever, linked to the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. As development aid and investment ramp up, ill-conceived or abusive programs pose the danger of exacerbating already deep-seated social inequalities. Communities must insist that development agencies and donors place ESC rights at the core of their program planning. Fostering a broader understanding of these rights could also serve to address the communal, religious and sectarian fault-lines that frustrate genuine Myanmar, and already the government has taken laudable steps to increase the health and education budgets. Second, the government must permit the flourishing of civil society to act as a “transmission belt” for grievances between communities and authorities, to limit disagreements or protests from turning violent through misunderstandings or through the active denial of basic freedoms by local officials. Already, Myanmar has a robust and increasingly sophisticated civil society sector that is active in promoting ESC rights. Donors and investors also need to see civil society’s promotion of ESC rights not as an annoyance or impediment – and many do, even if they won’t admit it – but as a valuable reflection of local needs. The government should not be afraid of signing international laws promoting the very rights their own people are demanding, and the universal application of which could avert the ruinous effects of uneven development. David Scott Mathieson is a senior researcher in the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch dwe on October 3. Photo: Kaung Htet politicised or used as a means to discriminate against others. “Each person is unique, and even people in the same family can have different beliefs, but we can negotiate and live together,” she said. “So why can’t people of different religions live together in the same community?” She also disagreed with the assessment that Myanmar was failing in the area of religious freedom. “If a person is allowed to worship or pursue activities according to their religious beliefs, this is freedom. I think we have this now in Myanmar. I don’t know of any restrictions, and I don’t think the government is attacking the basic teachings of my religion,” she said. Baptist U Saw George Shey said he felt there were some restrictions on freedom of religion in Myanmar, but for the most part people were able worship as they liked within their own churches, monasteries, mosques and temples. “Religious organisations are required to get permission from the Ministry of Religious Affairs when 10 News Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief (MTE) Ross Dunkley [email protected] Chief Operating Officer – Wendy Madrigal [email protected] General Counsel and Deputy Editor-in-Chief – Zaw Myint Editor-in-Chief (MTM) – Dr Tin Tun Oo [email protected] EDITORIAL [email protected] Editor MTE – Thomas Kean [email protected] Editor MTM – Sann Oo [email protected] Chief of Staff – Zaw Win Than [email protected] Editor Special Publications – Myo Lwin [email protected] Mandalay Bureau Chief – Jeremy Mullins Business Editor MTE – Philip Heijmans [email protected] World Editor MTE – Bridget Di Certo [email protected] The Pulse Editor MTE – Manny Maung [email protected] Sport Editor MTE – Tim McLaughlin [email protected] Online Editor MTE – Kayleigh Long [email protected] Chief Sub Editor MTM – Aye Sapay Phyu Business Editor MTM – Tin Moe Aung Property Editor MTM – Htar Htar Khin [email protected] Timeout Editor MTM – Moh Moh Thaw [email protected] Senior Editor MTM – Thet Hlaing News Editor (Mandalay) – Khin Su Wai Head of Translation Dept – Ko Ko Head of Photographics – Kaung Htet Photographers – Boothee, Aung Htay Hlaing, Thiri PRODUCTION [email protected] Art Directors – Tin Zaw Htway, Ko Pxyo MCM PRINTING [email protected] Head of Department – Htay Maung Factory Administrator – Aung Kyaw Oo (3) Factory Foreman – Tin Win ADVERTISING [email protected] Deputy National Sales Directors – Chan Tha Oo, Nay Myo Oo, Nandar Khine, Nyi Nyi Tun Classifieds Manager – Khin Mon Mon Yi classifi[email protected] ADMIN, FINANCE & IT Finance Manager – Mon Mon Tha Saing fi[email protected] HR – Khine Su Yin, Han Oo Khin Publisher – Dr Tin Tun Oo, Permit No: 04143 Information Technology Manager – Kyaw Zay Yar Lin DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Circulation & Distribution Director – Jesse Gage [email protected] ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928 Facsimile: (01) 254 158 [email protected] The Myanmar Times is owned by Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by MCM Commercial Printing with approval from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Zin Press (0368) with approval from MCM Ltd. The title The Myanmar Times, in either English or Myanmar languages, its associated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the Managing Director of Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd. Views THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Lieutenant General Myint Soe from the Ministry of Defence and General Sumlut Gun Maw from the Kachin Independence Army speak over snacks during a break in peace talks in Myitkyina, Kachin State, in May. Photo: Boothee From a criticised constitution, a new political culture emerges AUNG NaING Oo [email protected] Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd. www.mmtimes.com Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928 Facsimile: (01) 392 706 Mandalay Bureau: Bld Sa/1, Man Mandalar Housing, 35th Street, between 70th and 71st streets, Yan Myo Lone Quarter, Chan Aye Thar San Township. Tel: (02) 65391, 74585. Fax: (02) 24460 Email: [email protected] Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No. 10/72 Bo Tauk Htein St, Yan Aung (1) Quarter, Nay Pyi Taw-Pyinmana. Tel: (067) 23064, 23065 Email: [email protected] IN 2002, when I published my Myanmar-language book on political negotiations called Dialogue, I dedicated it to “the people of Burma, who do not have the culture of dialogue”. It generated angry protests from fellow exiles. They thought it was an insult to Myanmar culture and pressured me to remove the dedication. Undeterred, I put it on the cover of the book. I wanted to point out that in Myanmar we did not have the political culture to resolve differences through peaceful and inclusive means. A few years later, a Myanmar person living in Singapore called me to admonish me for things I had said in interviews which he thought were against the interests of the pro-democracy movement. I offered to discuss “politics” with him and his group on my next visit to the city state. He replied that his group would not talk to me. It saddened me to see how the politics of black-and-white had overtaken rationality and that dialogue was misconstrued. Fast-forward to 2013 and it is clear Myanmar has entered a new era. To my amazement, a new political culture is emerging. The changes are already more profound than I could have dreamed possible two decades ago because at the centre of this new political culture is dialogue. Although there is not yet widespread awareness or acknowledgement that this new political culture is slowly taking root, President U Thein Sein has spoken of it. Myanmar’s chief negotiator with the ethnic armed groups, Minister for the President’s Office U Aung Min, has on many occasions, including in peace negotiations, proudly made this point. At this critical time, as peace initiatives and reforms are taking place, this concept of political culture and its practical implementation is supremely important. So what does this new political culture look like and where did it come from? It all started with the end of our long democratic hibernation following the elections in 2010. Like it or not, it is entirely linked to the seventh Basic Principle of the widely criticised 2008 constitution, which stipulates that Myanmar “practises a genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system”. mainstream politics. However, the new polity offers the opportunity to redress such discrepancies and bring about genuine inclusiveness. Fourth, there is the principle of “agreeing to disagree”. Where necessary, consensus will be sought. This approach will likely be an integral part of the decision-making process in political negotiations to end the country’s long-standing ethnic conflicts next year. Fifth, there is mutual respect and acceptance of each others’ positions. It is the recognition that acknowledging differences is a strength rather The new political culture is the politics of rationality – a recognition of the multitude of shades that exist between black and white. One may argue on the merit of including the two qualifying adjectives – “genuine” and “disciplined” – in the provision and what they really mean. But it is undeniable that thanks to the constitutional, legal and practical developments brought about by this provision, we are now practising a form of democracy, albeit one far from perfection. Second, as a result of these democratic changes and the two rounds of elections in the past three years, politics is no longer the exclusive domain of the elite. Many new political parties, actors, civil society groups and institutions have emerged. Most crucially, politics has now become competitive. Third, exclusion fuels conflict. The politics of exclusion has to end. To reverse Myanmar’s tainted political legacy, the new political system seeks inclusion, as opposed to the exclusion exercised in the past. Marginalisation is still rampant and ethnic armed groups have yet to become part of than a weakness and that there must be unity with diversity. This conception is particularly crucial in the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multireligious setting that is Myanmar. Finally, dialogue, which is still in its infancy and needs proper nurturing, will become the norm for resolving differences. Efforts will focus on the commitment to peace and peaceful settlement of problems. Political compromise will be the name of the game and violence will be avoided as much as possible. The new political culture is the politics of rationality – recognition of the multitude of shades that exist between black and white. It is the way forward. However, this development is, in and of itself, not enough. The new political culture will not be the panacea for Myanmar’s numerous ills. Other aspects of democracy, accountability, transparency, rule of law and conflict mitigation must be vigorously developed and practised. Bringing about lasting peace and a properly functioning democracy will require more than a political culture of dialogue and inclusiveness. Yet one cannot overemphasise how important it is for all stakeholders in Myanmar to recognise the role this new political culture has played to date – and can play in future – in rapidly consolidating democracy in Myanmar. It is critical that this new way of working is actively embraced and strengthened, and not taken for granted. Aung Naing Oo is associate director of the Peace Dialogue Program at the Myanmar Peace Center. Letter Dear editor, Do you really think tourists take sleeping bags up to pagoda spires (“Unruly tourists wreak havoc in Bagan”, December 2) for no other reason “than ungodly bus arrival times and a desire to catch the sunrise”? What about trying to save a buck? For over a decade there have been travel blogs suggesting that tourists should go in and eat if they see an ahlu donation ceremony anywhere in the country because it’s a free meal. There have been reports of tourists sleeping on long and deserted pagoda walkways, such as at the Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan, and trying to camp out in monasteries but the insensitivity of some towards our culture made it more difficult for others to do so; in some places they are being asked to move. What better place to hide out than up a spire? Ma Thanegi www.mmtimes.com LETTER Dear Roger Mitton, I have come to notice that most of your articles in The Myanmar Times target Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, criticise her personal rights and attempt to degrade her status as a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Are you taking advantage of being a white man and presumably non-Muslim, thinking that you have the right to insult Myanmar people and, in particular, its Buddhists, who make up the majority of the population. I certainly hope not. You said in your article “Daw Suu takes a battering”, on November 18 that, “In Myanmar today, deploring the fatal stabbing of a 94-yearold woman is considered taking sides.” In the paragraph above, you raised the “burning to death of crippled and elderly Muslims”, using the plural form. This creates a picture that many crippled and elderly Muslims are being killed. Are you throwing gasoline on to the fire? And you also said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi “is going to do what her fellow Buddhist compatriots do: stay quiet or dissemble and in private cheer”. “Stay quiet or dissemble” is far enough. But when you say “cheer in private” it makes me question your ethics. Do you want to be an instigator or a hero challenger? Has someone paid you to do that? Again, I hope not. Your comment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi “will continue to [remain silent on the violence] because she wants to be president” is a dirty, below-the-belt strike. It is a personal insult that neither you nor nobody else should level at anyone. Lastly, what is your intention in saying that visitors should “take a big black marker pen and daub a swastika over those foul 969 stickers”? You are insulting a symbol of our Buddhist religion and calling on others to follow suit. Who are you to talk like that? Shame on you and The Myanmar Times for publishing such a dirty, low-grade article. Best regards, Kyi Tha Thailand: Here we go again ROGER MITTON [email protected] Views News 11 THE recent protests in Bangkok echo the biblical story of Barabbas, which is described in all four gospels due to its shockingly emblematic depiction of the power of group emotion. After a mob had been roused by fanatics, it bayed for the blood of Jesus Christ; but the governor, Pontius Pilate, knowing the man had done little except preach his own doctrine, held back. The fired-up rabble would not relent, however, despite Pilate asking them three times to be conciliatory and to engage in dialogue. Exasperated, he tried another tack and asked if he should release the tranquil Jesus – or Barabbas, a foul thug who had committed insurrection and murder. “Give us Barabbas!” the crowd roared. Metaphorically speaking, the duly elected government of Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is being asked by the mob to make way for a foul-mouthed bunch led by their favourite thug, Suthep Thaugsuban. Suthep’s past shady dealings led to the downfall of then-PM Chuan Leekpai’s Democrat Party-led government in 1995 and, later, in another case of alleged illegality in 2009, Suthep was disqualified as an MP. Soon after, in his capacity as deputy prime minister in the previous Democrat government, Suthep signed an order for troops to move against Red Shirt protesters in central Bangkok leading to scores of civilian deaths. Most recently, wearing his Nazi-like blackshirt uniform, the histrionic Suthep has been whipping up his lemminglike followers into an anarchic frenzy and urging them to occupy public buildings across the capital. Actually, comparing him to Barabbas is perhaps unfair to Barabbas – and I say that advisedly, having interviewed Suthep many times and lunched regularly for years with his former sidekick, Likit Hongladarom. All that is not to suggest that Yingluck’s government is without fault. For starters, it has been unduly influenced by her elder brother, the former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled into exile to avoid serving a jail term for corruption. Under Thaksin’s apparent direction, it has made profound political An anti-government protester cuts barbed wire at Government House in Bangkok on December 3. Photo: AFP mistakes, notably over an ill-conceived scheme to pay rice farmers a guaranteed price for their crop. And it botched an attempt to pass a blanket amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return home – and would have let Suthep off the hook for the murder charges he faces. But in a civilised society, mobs do not go on the rampage and politicians are not crucified for policy misjudgements; instead, they face internal leadership challenges or no-confidence votes in parliament. In fact, Yingluck won a confidence vote handsomely last month. But had the vote gone the other way she would have been obliged to call an election and let the people – young and old, rich and poor – decide her fate. Suthep’s Democrat Party, ostensibly led by the puppet Abhisit Vejjajiva, will not even accept that outcome to the current unrest because it lacks enough support to win a general election. The only way it can come to power is by fomenting mobs that force military intervention which then leads to a Democrat regime taking over, as in 2008 – and as they clearly hope will happen now. If it does not happen, then, as in 2006, they will boycott the next election and later argue the poll was fraudulent because they did not take part – and then they will again instigate mob action. It is a despicable cycle that shows no sign of ending. Perhaps the only way out is to emulate Pilate and give the people a straight shout-it-out choice between Yingluck and Suthep. The women and the poorer folks in the countryside will naturally go for Yingluck. But the fat cats in Bangkok, the guys who decide these things, they’ll bellow, “Give us Suthep!” So let ‘em have him. It’ll serve them right. Let’s see how long they can tolerate his shady shenanigans, his endemic immorality, his pigsty mouth and gargantuan ego; it’s a fair bet that they’ll soon be calling for nice Ms Yingluck to come back. 12 News CONTINUED FROM NEWS 9 The case has been highlighted by the Asian Human Rights Commission, which believes that U Nyanna has been persecuted for “peaceful practice of his faith”. An online petition on the commission’s website calls for “revision or revocation of laws in Burma that deny religious freedom”. But U Hla Myo disagreed with the commission’s assessment: “U Nyanna tried to change the basic teachings of the Buddha and propagate a new form of Buddhism. We consider this to be misuse of freedom of religion because he tried to insult the core of original Theravada Buddhism.” This difference in views highlights the confusion over concepts like religious freedom and interfaith dialogue. One problem, according to U Aung Myo Min, executive director of Equality Myanmar, is that elite-level discussions are not trickling down to the grassroots level. “Now religious leaders are promoting interfaith dialogue, which is a good sign for peace. But this discussion should occur not only at the top level but also in the community, where conflicts often arise,” he said. He added that such general understanding was essential for the stability of Myanmar. “If there is lack of harmony between religions, it will benefit the dictators. While people are fighting over power, it ensures a doomed future for the country.” THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Landmines kill three Palaung in Kyaukme NAN TIN HTWE [email protected] IN BRIEF Thant Myint-U receives honour from US magazine Writer and historian U Thant Myint-U has been placed among the world’s top thinkers by a prominent US magazine. The chairman of Yangon Heritage Trust - a non-profit organisation that works to preserve and protect Yangon’s urban heritage - was selected as one of Foreign Policy magazine’s “100 Leading Global Thinkers” of 2013. President U Thein Sein and National League for Democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were chosen for the magazine’s 2012 list. “I am very pleased and honoured to be included in this year’s list. It’s a recognition of the hard work that everyone at YHT have undertaken over the past year and of the critical importance of Yangon urban planning,” U Thant Myint-U said. “Yangon can be one of Asia’s most beautiful and livable cities, a city not only for tourists and the rich but for all its people.” – Noe Noe Aung THREE ethnic Palaung were killed in Shan State’s Kyaukme township last week after stepping on landmines placed by the Ta Aung Nationalities Liberation Army, according to a local non-government group. The Palaung Women’s Organisation said on December 6 said that a young man and two middle-aged women were killed in separate incidents near Ar Ram village. Mg Kyar Kyi, 20, died around 1:30pm, while the two women were killed 90 minutes later. PWO general secretary Ma De De Poe Jaine said they died on the spot. “This shouldn’t have happened. We are deeply sorry about it and for the remaining family members,” she said. The statement said the women – 53-year old Daw Mar Than Aye, also known as Ei Mhan, and Daw Mar Si Aye, 45, also known as Ei Bon – were both mothers of four children. Ma De De Poe Jaine added that the group believed the landmines were laid by the TNLA as villagers had seen TNLA soldiers shortly after the incident. The TNLA officers gave K200,000 to the relatives of the deceased to help pay for the funerals. “If things continue our own people will be suffering,” she said. In July, TNLA leaders and members of a government peace team met for the first time on the China-Myanmar border. Chief government negotiator U Aung Min told reporters that further talks would be held in Namhsan within 10 days. Three months on, the second round of talks has not yet taken place. The TNLA issued a statement on December 5 alleging that Tatmadaw soldiers launched an offensive the previous afternoon near Nant Late mountain. It said that about 30 government soldiers were killed and 20 injured because of landmines set up by their group and the Kachin Independence Army. The report has not been independently verified. TRADE MARK CAUTION Merck KGaA, (a Corporation with general partners), of Darmstadt, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- Reg. No. 2852/2011 in respect of “Class 1: Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry. Class 5: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides. Class 9: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers; fire-extinguishing apparatus. Class 16: Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; book binding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks. Class 42: Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software”. or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers; fire-extinguishing apparatus. Class 16: Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; book binding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks. Class 40: Treatment of materials. Class 42: Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software”. Reg. No. 2849/2011 Reg. No. 2853/2011 Reg. No. 2854/2011 MERCK MILLIPORE Reg. No. 2855/2011 in respect of “Class 1: Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry. Class 5: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides. Class 7: Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs. Class 9: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers; fire-extinguishing apparatus. Class 11: Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes. Class 16: Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter; book binding material; photographs; stationery; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes); printers’ type; printing blocks. Class 40: Treatment of materials. Class 42: Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software”. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for Merck KGaA P. O. Box 60, Yangon. Dated: 9th December, 2013 Reg. No. 2850/2011 Reg. No. 2851/2011 in respect of “Class 1: Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry. Class 5: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides. Class 7: Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs. Class 9: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound www.mmtimes.com News 13 Enforcement could trip up government’s Anti-Corruption Law BRIDGET DI CERTO [email protected] A NEW law intended to support the government’s anti-corruption agenda could be hamstrung by its own provisions, experts say. The Anti-Corruption Law establishes a detailed framework for a presidential commission to investigate cases of bribery. While it primarily targets bribe-taking by public office holders, the net can be expanded to catch lawbreakers in the private sector. However, without proper implementation the law will have little impact on the worst forms of Myanmar’s corruption culture, experts said – and could even undermine efforts to fight bribery, as without adequate resources the commission could create a bottleneck in achieving corruption convictions. “Law without policy action is not a smart move,” said U Naing Ko Ko, a visiting Myanmar scholar at the Australian National University in Canberra who writes on political developments. “[Only] law with both action and strategy can be effective.” The Anti-Corruption Law schedules the commission to form a preliminary scrutinising team and an investigation team to accept and investigate complaints of bribery, as well as spearhead investigations into the assets of public officials on its own initiative. While the sweeping powers and responsibilities of the commission appear positive, U Naing Ko Ko said they could lead to failure without uniform political and budgetary support. “There is still no vividly defined fiscal and public revenue management system in the country. It is very significant for the people of Burma to enter a war against corruption.” The Anti-Corruption Law was passed by parliament in August and aims to “eradicate bribery as a national cause, emerge a clean government and good governance and to promote prestige and accountability”. The introduction of the AntiCorruption Law is tied to Myanmar’s commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption, which was ratified earlier this year. However, U Thein Sein proposed 12 amendments to the bill approved by parliament to bring the legislation in line with the convention, including the protection of witnesses, experts and victims involved in the investigation of a complaint. The president also proposed broadening the focus of the law from bribery alone. However, all but two of these proposals were rejected by MPs. Nevertheless, the law and other corruption-fighting and transparency initiatives helped Myanmar’s move up the rankings in Transparency International’s Corruptions Perception Index for 2013 (see related story right). While Transparency International said the rise was the result of specific actions, business advisor U Aung Thura of consulting firm Thura Swiss said there had been a significant shift in perceptions of doing business in Myanmar. The culture of “tea money” and bribery remains difficult to navigate, however. “In some cases it might make your life easier. For international companies coming in, they have their own laws and they will often contract with a local agent or consultant to contract out work [that might require payment of facilitation fees],” U Aung Thura said. “It is the same in other Asian countries. Foreign investors can have double standards where their country doesn’t allow one thing, so they use subcontractors to get around it.” U Aung Thura said action against corrupt officials normally took place behind closed doors. Just because there haven’t been widely publicised cases of bribery it does not mean the issue is being ignored, he said. “It’s not the government sanctioning corruption – at the highest levels there is government commitment,” he said. “For the government, there is much to do and they are giving priorities to these laws, but there are only limited resources. “Myanmar already has laws that are very stringent that deal with corruption. The problem is more enforcement.” Lawyer Alessio Polastri from Polastri Wint & Partners agreed that the Anti-Corruption Law would only be as good at fighting bribery as its yet-to-beformed commission. Mr Polastri said that while the law is geared toward eradicating bribery committed by public officials, the law is clear and general enough to cover all forms of corruption, including corruption perpetrated by actors in the private sector. “Ultimately, the best law is useless if the relevant authorities do not implement its application and enforce it on a daily basis.” Chin meet to discuss results of conference ORGANISERS of the Chin National Conference in Hakha last month have formed a “negotiation committee” to conduct talks with the government over recommendations from the event. At a press conference in Yangon on December 5, Chin political and civil society leaders said they had reached agreement on 13 issues, ranging from ethnic identity to religious discrimination, based on discussions at the November 12-15 conference. They said the negotiation team would meet for the first time in January. Its 45 members were drawn from the conference’s thematic discussion groups, as well as other prominent Chin leaders. “We invited all Chin who can represent their townships, as well as organisations and civil society groups. We wanted to follow up on the points we agreed on so we founded this committee,” said Salai Isaac Khen, a conference organiser. – Nyein Ei Ei Htwe A man speaks at a press conference on December 5. Photo: Zarni Phyo Myanmar rises in transparency rankings TIM MCLAUGHLIN [email protected] GRAFT watchdog Transparency International last week ranked Myanmar 157 out of 177 countries in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the perceived amount of corruption in countries’ public sectors. With a score of 21, Myanmar was tied with the African nations of Zimbabwe and Burundi. The ranking represented a significant rise for Myanmar, which ranked 172 out of 176 last year. That lowly ranking drew criticism from some Myanmar watchers, who questioned whether the widely cited index had failed to adequately account for Myanmar’s reforms agenda undertaken by the government of President U Thein Sein. Srirak Plipat, Transparency International’s regional director for Asia Pacific, said this year’s ranking more fully accounts for the country’s reform process. While he said the country’s opening was not directly responsible for Myanmar’s rise, it has led to a number of new regulatory frameworks aimed at combating corruption being implemented and in turn strengthened the country’s position in the index. Mr Srirak said enactment of the Anti-Corruption Law, which was passed by parliament in July, and Myanmar becoming a state party to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in January were the most important factors in the rankings rise. The government’s formation of an Anti-Corruption Committee was another positive step, Mr Srirak said. However, he said concerns remain over the committee’s independence from the government, adding that it must be fully independent in order “to fight impunity in a meaningful way”. Another area of concern for Transparency International is the extractive industries sector, one that has seen a flurry of activity over the past year. Winners of exploration licences for 18 onshore oil and gas blocks were announced in October. The bidding round for 30 offshore blocks closed in November and the winners are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2014. “The government needs to ensure that these [natural resources] revenues will benefit the majority,” Mr Srirak said, adding that Myanmar is battling a culture of corruption and not just at the highest levels of government and business. “In Myanmar corruption has been part of people’s lives for decades. You have to have many strong messages for anti-corruption” to fight this culture. The criticism of last year’s index intensified when Samantha Grant, the group’s Southeast Asia program coordinator, told the Irrawaddy that the reforms had not impacted the 2012 rankings as some of the data had been collected two years earlier. In an op-ed published in The Myanmar Times in December 2012, Derek Tonkin, chairman of non-profit Network Myanmar and adviser to Bagan Capital, called the index an “exercise in futility”. “It is at heart a political statement, not a reliable indicator of the current level of official corruption in Myanmar,” Mr Tonkin wrote. Transparency International describes it as a “composite index, drawing on corruption-related data from expert and business surveys carried out by a variety of independent and reputable institutions”. www.mmtimes.com News 17 Family of victim seeks longer jail terms for murderers PHYO WAI KYAW [email protected] HLAING KYAW SOE [email protected] A MANDALAY court is expected to rule in the coming weeks whether to accept an application to consider additional charges against two men convicted in relation to the brutal murder of a young mother. Ma Win Khin, the mother of a four-month-old child, was killed in her Pyigyitagun township home on January 15. Her body was later found with 13 stab wounds. On October 4, Mandalay district court sentenced U Aung Ko Latt to eight years’ imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of Ma Win Khin. A second man, U Zaw Myo Aung, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for abetting the offence. Lawyer Daw Zin Mar Myint, acting on behalf of Ma Win Khin’s family, submitted an application to Mandalay Region court on November 22 asking it to reconsider the sentences. “We can know the result in the next two weeks,” she said. “If the case is dismissed at the region level we can apply to the Union Supreme Court. The victim was killed with 13 stab wounds and we asked the region court to give them a heavier sentence after considering their offence.” She said that while seminal fluid had been found on some pieces of evidence the accused only faced charges related to the murder because of problems with the statements from plaintiffs. “We can’t ask to charge them for rape now [because the case has closed]. The plaintiffs didn’t really understand the legal process,” she said. U Maung Ko, a neighbour of the victim who examined her body with police, said Ma Win Khin’s hands had been placed above her head, her longyi was raised to her thigh on one leg and the buttons of her blouse had been undone. He had volunteered to give testimony in the murder trial but was never called by the prosecutor. – Translation by Thiri Min Htun Thai visa agreement delayed to next year NYAN LYNN AUNG [email protected] THE signing of a planned visa exemption program between Myanmar and Thailand is likely to be delayed until early next year, a government official said last week. The agreement, which was proposed by Myanmar, would enable those arriving by air in either country to attain a free 14day visa on arrival. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was expected to sign the agreement in November during a ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries but she was forced to cancel the visit because of political turmoil at home. U Aung Lynn, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ASEAN Affairs Department, said Thailand is also not yet ready to sign the agreement but declined to comment further. “We are waiting but we can’t get it signed yet because the Thailand side still has some internal processes to complete,” he said. “When they are ready we will sign it.” Myanmar has proposed setting up a visa exemption program with all of its Southeast Asian counterparts to enable their citizens to visit easily when it hosts ASEAN meetings in 2014 and hoped to have the agreements in place by the end of the year. However, it has deals with only two countries: Laos, which signed on in 2009, and Vietnam, which agreed to the visa exemption program on September 26. While Singapore is considering the proposal, Cambodia and Indonesia have agreed to sign a deal soon, the ministry said. U Aung Htoo, a deputy director general in the department, said one issue for Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore is the potential impact on migrant worker inflows if they agree to issue visas to all air arrivals from Myanmar. Farmers put up vinyl sign’s before clearing brush from a disused section of a military plantation. Photo: Si Thu Lwin Farmers reclaim land confiscated by military SI THU LWIN [email protected] AFTER multiple letters of complaint brought no official response from authorities, farmers in Pyin Oo Lwin township in Mandalay Region have taken matters into their own hands and started ploughing fields left unused since being confiscated by the military. Pyin Oo Lwin’s Defence Service Academy seized Field No 23 – in the three villages of Warnet, Thapyeyay and Laypin Sakhan – for a plantation project in 1995. The farmers were allowed to continue working the land as tenant farmers until April 2005, when the fields were handed over to the Defence Services Technology Academy. Since then, residents say, the three areas have not been developed, with only a small plantation under cultivation. “They gave no compensation when they took it, but just said it was for a military-run mango plantation,” said U Soe Win, secretary of the farmers’ association in Laypin Sakhan village. “But they failed to grow anything.” Since 2011 farmers have sent seven letters to the authorities – including the President’s Office – saying that the farmland is not being used and that it should be returned to them according to law. Chapter 11, article 32 of the Farmland Law of March 2012 requires land confiscated for projects to be returned to its original owner if the project is not implemented. Chapter 10, article 95 of the farmland by-law states confiscated land should be returned to its original owner once a project is completed. Their requests, however, have brought “no action”, said U Soe Win, which is why they plan to clear the fields without permission – even though they risk being hit with a trespassing charge. “A few farmers have been compensated to some extent, but it was not at a market price,” said U Than Lwin, the chair of the farmers’ association. “Now we are preparing to grow on our own. “We are all ready to face the court if they charge us.” A retired military captain in charge of the plantations said the military initially grew durian and rambutan on the sites in Laypin, Thapye and Thamanthar. When those failed to grow, he said, they switched to sein ta lone mangoes. “We have 1269 trees on 400 acres now, but not all the trees produce fruit. The fruit was sold through brokers. I just stay here as instructed. If there is a notice or order by the officials [to give back the land], we have to leave,” he said. Mandalay Region Minister for Agriculture and Livestock U Myint Than said the regional government is dealing with 46 separate instances of Tatmadaw land confiscation involving 3740 acres of land. He said the regional government is preparing to return the land back to its original owners once the cases have been examined. – Translation by Zaw Win TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Australia of T2/39 Delhi Road, North Ryde, New South Wales, 2113, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that we are the owners and sole proprietors of the following trade mark in Myanmar: The said mark is used in respect of ‘Edible oils and fats, margarine’. The said trade mark is the subject of Declaration of Ownership recorded with the Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon, Myanmar, in Book IV under No. IV/5216/2013 Dated 23rd May, 2013. Any infringement or colourable imitation thereof or other infringement of the rights of the said corporation will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Limited by its Attorneys-at-Law REMFRY & SAGAR INDIA. Dated: 9th December, 2013 18 News THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 MOTHER’S CHOICE Aquino pledges to help democratic transition PHILIPPINE President Benigno Aquino lauded democratic reforms in Myanmar last week as he signed several bilateral agreements with President U Thein Sein in Manila. U Thein Sein arrived at the presidential palace on December 5 where he was accorded a red carpet welcome for his first visit to the Philippines. Mr Aquino said the Philippines, which also made a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy in the 1980s, would be helping Myanmar in opening up its society. Formerly one of the most vocal critics within ASEAN of Myanmar’s government, Mr Aquino praised recent “historic developments” in the country, including the holding of elections, release of political prisoners, dialogue with the opposition and opening up to foreign investment. “These herald a new chapter in Myanmar’s history. The Philippines supports these initiatives and offered assistance through capacity building, through technical cooperation,” Mr Aquino said after a meeting with U Thein Sein. The Philippines has offered to help Myanmar establish its human rights commission and training in areas like agriculture, entrepreneurship, fisheries, eco-tourism and gender issues, Mr Aquino said. The two presidents also discussed peace efforts with rebel groups in their respective countries, Mr Aquino said, adding that the Philippines would be appointing a resident defence attaché to further cooperation. The leaders also oversaw the signing of several agreements including one that will allow Filipinos to enter Myanmar without a visa and another that will expand cooperation in renewable energy. Mr Aquino thanked Myanmar for the aid it provided after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines last month, flattening whole towns and leaving TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of 1144 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44316-0001, United States of America, are the Owners and Sole Proprietors of the following trademark: - EAGLE The said mark is used in respect of “tires”. The said trade mark is the subject of a Declaration of Ownership recorded with the Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon, Myanmar, in book IV under No. IV/10820/2012 dated 17th September, 2012. Any infringement or colourable imitation thereof or other infringement of the rights of the said Corporation will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company by its Attorneys INDIA Remfry & Sagar Dated: 9th December, 2013 President U Thein Sein shakes hands with Philippine President Benigno Aquino upon his arrival at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on December 5. Photo: AFP more than 7500 dead or missing. U Thein Sein, who brought doctors and relief goods to typhoon-hit areas during his visit, said the damage that TRADE MARK CAUTION Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A., of Viale Shakespeare, 47, 00144 ROMA, Italy, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- ‘The Philippines ... [has] offered assistance through capacity building, through technical cooperation.’ Benigno Aquino Philippines president Myanmar suffered as a result of Cyclone Nargis in 2008 made the country more aware of the suffering of the victims of such disasters. The Myanmar president, who was on a three-day state visit, said he asked Mr Aquino to help his country in areas like “health, education, economy and human resource development”, because it was lagging behind in these areas due to several years of economic sanctions. He also said “there have never been any issues between Myanmar and the Philippines”, despite the Philippine leaders’ criticism of the former military government. U Thein Sein arrived in Manila on December 4 and returned home on December 6 after visiting typhoonstricken areas. – AFP CARNITOR DROMOS Reg. No. 4517/2010 Reg. No. 4518/2010 Reg. No. 4519/2010 in respect of “Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides”. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A. P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: [email protected] Dated: 9 December 2013 NICETILE www.mmtimes.com News 19 Indonesia jails Rohingya over Buddhist killings AN Indonesian court last week jailed 14 Muslim Rohingya men from Myanmar for nine months each for bludgeoning eight Buddhists from their country to death in an Indonesian detention centre. The Rohingya asylum-seekers killed the Buddhist men, who had been detained for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters, in April as sectarian tensions in their home country flared. The Rohingyas, aged 18 to 37, accused the fishermen of sexually harassing two Rohingya women and said the Buddhists started the violence in the detention centre, in the port town of Belawan near Medan city on the island of Sumatra. a fisherman had tried to stab one of the Rohingya men, who retaliated by hitting him with a broomstick. A mass fight broke out and eight Myanmar Buddhists were found dead and bloodied when the police arrived at the scene. Three minors suspected to be involved in the attack were freed in July due to lack of evidence. The men’s lawyer, Mahmud Irsyad Lubis, said the men would appeal for freedom. “They said they wanted freedom because there was no real evidence shown during the trial that they committed a violent attack,” he told reporters. In a separate case in Jakarta, an Indonesian on trial for a foiled scheme to bomb the Myanmar embassy confessed on December 5 to being the mastermind of the plot, saying he was “still at war” with anyone oppressing Muslims. Sigit Indrajid, 23, testified that he led a group of Islamic extremists that planned the attack to avenge the harsh treatment of Rohingya in Myanmar. The group wanted to avenge the treatment of Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar – an issue that has resonated widely in Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation. “It was my initiative,” he told the South Jakarta district court. Asked by a judge if he regretted his actions, Mr Indrajid responded in a raised voice, “No. This was a warning to Myanmar as well as others who treat Muslims as they please.” “I am still at war – as long as there is oppression of Muslims,” he said. Mr Indrajid faces three charges under tough anti-terror laws, including possession of weapons or explosive materials, which carries a maximum penalty of death. He said he became incensed after reading reports on Facebook about the violence against Rohingya in the Buddhist-majority country, many of whom have died in sectarian unrest since last year. He got the idea to attack the embassy after being invited by a local Muslim group to take part in a protest against the violence in Myanmar, he said. – AFP A woman sits beside a road near the site of the proposed Myitsone dam in May. Photo: Boothee ‘They said they wanted freedom because there was no real evidence shown during the trial that they committed a violent attack.’ Mahmud Irsyad Lubis Lawyer for 14 Rohingya men Myitsone residents threatened with arrest The floodwaters aren’t flowing into the dam and it is uncertain when – or if – they ever will. But those displaced from their villages still aren’t allowed to go home THAN NAING SOE [email protected] RESIDENTS forced out of their homes for the Myitsone dam project say that those who have tried to return to their old, as-yet-unflooded houses are being threatened with arrest, even though construction on the dam is officially on hold and conditions in their new village have left them unable to make a living. Ko Zaw Lon from Tanpe village said that on November 29 Myitkyina township’s administrator U Thein Tun and a group of policemen came to Tanpe – one of the villages on land that would be flooded by the controversial dam project if it is completed – and told those who had returned that they must leave again, even though construction has been halted. Almost one-third of the 200 households relocated from Tanpe have returned to the village. “He told us we can’t live here anymore and that this place is owned by the company and isn’t ours anymore,” Ko Zaw Lon said. “If we will not go back to the new village, he said we would have action taken against us under section 188.” Section 188 states that a person not following an order of a public servant who is legally permitted to give such an order can be jailed for a month, fined or both. If the failure to obey causes danger or leads to rioting, the punishment jumps to six months in jail, a fine or both. Originally scheduled to be completed in 2017, the US$3.6 billion Myitsone dam project was to be built by Chinese state-owned firm China Power International (CPI). The project, however, faced a flurry of criticism for its impact on the environment, its displacement of villagers and the fact that the vast majority of energy produced would be sold to China. The site’s location - in the midst of conflict between the government and Kachin armed ethnic groups - also caused delays. To widespread popular acclaim, President U Thein Sein in September 2011 suspended all progress, delaying the final decision on the site’s future until after the end of his term, which expires in 2016. But even with the dam’s construction in limbo, residents are being prevented from returning to their homes. “In past, we had hopes because we had good livelihoods,” Ko Tu Khaung, originally from Tanpe, told The Myanmar Times. “The surrounding of Myitsone was also beneficial to us.” Residents of Tanpe, Mazut and Lape villages were transferred out of the area in 2010 and 2011 and moved to a new village, Aung Myin Thar, one of two newly constructed model villages built to house more than 2600 people who were to be displaced for the project. The transition hasn’t been smooth, Ko Tu Khaung said. In Tanpe residents used to earned their living from plantations, farming and fishery jobs. In their new location, however, they are having “a very difficult time” – so much so that nearly 60 out of Tanpe’s over 200 households have chosen to return to their old village site. “It’s very hard to earn our living in the new village,” Ko Tu Khaung said. “We can’t grow any crops there so we are returning to our old village.” Ko Zaw Lon said residents had been told in the past that they could return home so long as the dam was not operational. But the township administrator took pictures of inhabited houses and warned them they should leave or face potential charges. As a result, the possibility of the Myitsone dam’s construction resuming is no longer Tanpe residents’ biggest worry. “Now we are worrying we will face eviction today or tomorrow.” – Translation by Zar Zar Soe “The defendants have been proven legally and convincingly guilty of working together to blatantly carry out violence, which resulted in the loss of human lives,” chief judge Aksir told the Medan district court on December 4. “We sentenced them to nine months in prison,” he said. The sentence was lighter than the two-year term sought by prosecutors and the maximum penalty for violence resulting in death, which is 12 years. The men, along with 100 Indonesian Muslim supporters, chanted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater) in the court room after the sentences were handed down. According to court documents, www.mmtimes.com News 21 Letpadaung trial in Myingyan postponed SI THU LWIN [email protected] THE trial of nine activists who allegedly staged an illegal protest in Myingyan in December 2012 over a crackdown at the Letpadaung copper mine the previous month has been postponed. The nine were summoned to appear in court for the first time on December 2 but the hearing was delayed because not all of the defendants were present. “It had to be cancelled because Ko Thaw Zin Oo, a student from the University of Technology, is in Yangon. We don’t know when the next summons will be,” said Ko Thant Zin, a former chairman of the All Burma Federation of Students’ Union (for upper Myanmar), who is among those charged. The nine have been charged under section 18 of the peaceful protest law and face up to a one-year jail term if found guilty. “We marched without permission. We demonstrated for the monks who were attacked violently while they were demonstrating against the copper mine expansion. We walked with our student flag, which shows the fighting peacock,” Ko Thant Zin said. Police Captain U Myint Naing from Myingyan in Mandalay Region confirmed the delay last week. – Translation by Thiri Min Htun Activists lament lack of justice over bloody police crackdown THAN NAING SOE [email protected] A VIOLENT police crackdown on protesters at Letpadaung feels “like it happened yesterday”, a resident said on the first anniversary of the bloody confrontation, which left scores injured. Protest leader Ma Thwe Thwe Win, a resident of Wettmay village in the Letpadaung area, said the crackdown had failed to break the resolve of residents. “The violent crackdown on the protest camp was one year ago but for us it feels like it happened yesterday,” she said at a ceremony at Mandalay’s Kantetkone Masoeyein Monastery on November 29. “We have invited the relevant authorities to negotiate with us, but they haven’t so far – we have just encountered more violence.” Activists at the ceremony also decried the lack of punitive action taken against police officers over the raid, in which they allegedly used phosphorous grenades, in violation of international norms. “Whether the [grenades] used to disperse the Letpadaung protest camps were [phosphorous] or not, it is true that the protesters were burned alive,” said Ko Thant Zin, a former chairman of the upper Myanmar branch of the All Burma Federation of Students’ Union, which organised the ceremony. “We’d like to honour as heroes Activists and monks gather at a ceremony in Mandalay on November 29 to mark the first anniversary of a police crackdown on protesters at the Letpadaung mine. Photo: Than Naing Soe the Letpadaung residents who keep battling, even after one-and-a-half years, against Letpadaung copper mine expansion,” he said. Ko Aung Hmaing San from the federation’s record and research committee said the investigation of the Letpadaung Commission into the crackdown was not transparent. “More violent attacks have taken place just days before this anniversary,” he said. “We will stand firmly for Letpadaung residents who are victimised in their region.” – Translation by Thiri Min Htun 22 News THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Red Shan to consider SNLD merger talks Shan Nationalities League for Democracy invites Red Shan and others for merger talks as ethnic minority parties consolidate ahead of 2015 general election IN BRIEF Talkin’ ’bout my education: MDY students hold speech contest For the second year in a row, students from monastic schools in and around Mandalay and Sagaing have competed against one another to see who could deliver the best speech on a given topic. Middle school children from six monastic schools gathered at Phaung Daw Oo Monastic School in Mandalay’s Aung Myay Thar San township on November 30 to debate the question, “Should opportunities be created to improve access to learning for school-age children?” As well as giving students a chance to develop their critical thinking and public speaking skills, teacher Daw Khin Chit Win, one of the supervisors of the committee that organised the competition, said the topic was chosen for a reason. “We want to highlight the reforms needed in the education sector.” Chief judge Daw Thiri Tun said the students competed in groups of three and prizes were given in multiple categories – Si Thu Lwin, translation by Zar Zar Soe KHIN SU WAI [email protected] THE Tai-Leng (Red Shan) Nationalities Development Party will consider a merger with other Shan groups, party officials said last week. The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy was recently quoted in a Shan newspaper as saying that it planned to propose a merger with the Red Shan. The comments came after the SNLD invited its main rival, the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, for merger talks on November 16. Red Shan party secretary U Sai Saw Tun said a merger was possible if the parties can agree on policies concerning the peace process and other issues of concern to ethnic minorities. He said talks around the issue of a merger had been taking place since 2012. Most recently, in October, the SNLD visited the Red Shan party’s Mandalay office to discuss a possible merger, U Sai Saw Tun said. “Last November there was a meeting of Shan groups in Yangon, including both parties and armed groups ... [from which we found] the SNLD, SNDP and us have the same basic policy but to merge there would still be many things to negotiate,” he said. “We can’t say yet whether we will join with them for the 2015 election.” Over the past year many ethnic parties have entered merger talks in an effort to strengthen their position prior to the 2015 election. First-pastthe-post voting is likely to be used again, and the trend toward consolidation reflects concerns among minority groups that splitting the vote between ethnic parties could make it easier for Burmese parties, such as the National League for Democracy or Union Solidarity and Development Party, to win seats in minority areas. In October, the Union Election Commission gave approval for the formation of the Federal Union Party, which will represent ethnic minority parties in majority Burmese areas. The Federal Union Party was established by members of 16 ethnic minority parties. Following an agreement in June, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and the Arakan League for Democracy Rakhine National Party set up the Rakhine National Party. In Mon State, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party and the Mon National Democratic Front are negotiating a merger deal, while in Chin State the Chin Progressive Party andthe Chin National Party are also in talks. Military engineers inspect a suspicious device at Diamond Plaza on December 2. Photo: Si Thu Lwin Shoppers flee Diamond Plaza amid bomb scare SI THU LWIN [email protected] A BOMB scare at Mandalay’s Diamond Plaza last week prompted shoppers to flee and shops to close early. A security guard called police after finding a suspicious object in the plaza’s car park on the night of December 2. It was safely removed for testing but police have not yet confirmed whether it was an explosive device. “When officials from a military engineer battalion came and checked [the object], they found that it had a clock and a cylindrical metal pipe wrapped with adhesive tape inside,” said a police officer, who asked not to be named. “They took it with them to examine whether it is explosive.” The military engineers and Diamond Plaza security piled sandbags around the object before removing it to protect bystanders. News of the bomb scare spread through the plaza quickly, prompting shop owners to close early. “People were really scared when they heard a bomb had been found; customers left straight away so we closed,” said Daw Arr Yone, who owns a fashion shop. “Fortunately there was no explosion.” – Translation by Thiri Min Htun Vacancy Announcement At DHL, people mean the world to us. That’s why our goal has always been to attract and retain the best talent the world over. We provide challenge and opportunity for personal and professional development. We recognize the difference you bring to our business, and together we share the pride of building THE logistics company for the world. Working for DHL Global Forwarding means working for the global market leader in air and ocean freight. We are now seeking highly motivated candidates for the following positions:(1) Airfreight Import & Export Manager / Executive (2) Ocean freight Import & Export Manager / Executive (3) Customs Clearance & Trucking Specialist Required Qualification and Skills: • Any graduate • Proficiency in English Language skills • Computer & MS Office skills • Good communication skills • Experience in the freight forwarding or logistics industry Submit your CV and cover letter within 20 December 2013 to: DHL Global Forwarding (Myanmar) Limited La Pyayt Wun Plaza, Unit #710, No. 37, Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon T/S, Yangon Email: [email protected] 24 News THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 US seeks to boost its ties with Tatmadaw UNITED States President Barack Obama’s administration said last week it hoped to expand limited training for Myanmar’s military but faced skepticism from lawmakers unimpressed by the pace of democratic reforms. Testifying before Congress, administration officials said on December 4 that the US wanted to provide training on human rights to Myanmar’s military, which ruled the country for decades before U Thein Sein became president in March 2011. reform after decades of disengagement,” Mr Singh said. But representative Joe Crowley, who spearheaded sanctions on Myanmar that have now been mostly lifted, said that the US was moving too quickly to build military ties in the face of “outrageous and terrible” abuses against minorities. “I personally don’t think that the Burmese military needs to be trained to stop killing and raping and stealing lands,” Mr Crowley, a member of the Democratic Party, said at the hearing. “Training the Burmese military, even if it’s on a limited basis, is a huge win public relations-wise.” Mr Crowley said that the prospect of defence relations could be used as an incentive to encourage the military to undertake further reforms, such as reforming the constitution to allow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to seek the presidency after the 2015 election. Representative Steve Chabot, a Republican, said that Mr Obama has “raced to turn Burma into a success story”. “I believe its engagement strategy has lost sight of the realities on the ground and has become hasty and, I’m afraid, also misguided,” said Mr Chabot, who heads the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. But Mr Singh pledged there would be no “slippery slope” of the US offering more substantive military support to Myanmar without more progress on human rights concerns. “I want to be absolutely clear: The [Defense] Department does not seek and is not recommending the full normalisation of bilateral defense ties with Burma at this time,” Mr Singh said. IN BRIEF Four more news agencies to open The Ministry of Information has given approval for four foreign news agencies, including the BBC and Reuters, to open offices in Myanmar, an official said last week. U Aung Kyaw Oo, director of the ministry’s Information and Public Relations Department, said on November 30 that the Nikkei Shimbun from Japan and Voice of America from the United States had also received the green light. “So far, 12 foreign news agencies have been given approval to open offices in Myanmar,” he said. Those that have already received approval include Associated Press, Kyodo and Agence France-Presse. BBC Global News director Peter Horrocks said it was “hard to overstate the significance” of the government allowing it to open a bureau, adding that it showed “the astonishing pace of change in a country which has long been a byword for media repression and censorship”. – Pyae Thet Phyo, translation by Zar Zar Soe ‘Our limited engagements have begun to expose the military to international norms of behaviour.’ Vikram Singh Pentagon official Government to give away 300,000 set-top boxes Vendors from War Khin Kone Market march to Mandalay City Development Committee’s Department of Markets and Slaughterhouses on November 29. Photo: Si Thu Lwin Dispute over market stalls in MDY settled SI THU LWIN [email protected] A DISPUTE over the allocation of retail space in a Mandalay market has been resolved after a meeting between vendors and Mandalay City Development Committee. The stalls were allocated to make the market, near War Khin Kone Pagoda in Maha Aung Myay township, more orderly. But vendors allege that the spaces that should have been allocated to them were instead given to people with connections to officials in charge of the project. On November 29, the vendors marched to the Department of Markets and Slaughterhouses office to raise the issue with the head of the department. “When the market stalls were allocated, the real vendors didn’t get a space to sell their goods,” said vendor Daw Aye. “It’s not fair. We walked to see the head of the department because we were asked to meet him. Our walking is not a protest.” Department head U Thein Htay said he would investigate the case and ensure the stalls are allocated fairly. “I will ensure all vendors are able to sell their goods in the market and find out if there has been any dishonesty.” – Translation by Thiri Min Htun “The importance of the military’s support of reforms so far should not be underestimated,” Pentagon official Vikram Singh told a House of Representatives committee, saying the US believes the army “is interested in taking steps to modernise, professionalise and reform itself as well”. “Our limited engagements have begun to expose the military to international norms of behaviour and fostered new trust and understanding. This will help us gain influence with the Burmese military and encourage Free digital set-top boxes are to be given away by the Ministry of Information. Almost 305,000 units are to be distributed before the start of the Southeast Asian Games, which begin on December 11. Starting October 15, three TV stations began broadcasting in the new digital DVB-T2 format and ceased broadcasting in analogue. The new sets, which will allow analogue televisions to display the digital signals, will be given out first in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay, said information department director U Win Kyi. More than 250 new broadcasting stations are to be built by 2017 as part of Myanmar’s transition to digital broadcasting. “The 25 stations to be built in the first two stages of construction can reach 65 percent of the country. The new digital receivers will soon be on the market,” said a ministry spokesperson. The sets will be given to families earning less than K150,000 a month, and who live in wooden, bamboo or nipa-palm houses, and to hospitals, clinics, public schools, public areas, orphanages, homes for the elderly, public libraries, colleges and universities. – Nyein Ei Ei Htwe 26 THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Business Pipeline impact still at issue AUNG SHIN [email protected] AS controversy continues to swirl around the now-complete natural gas pipeline from Rakhine State to the Chinese border, critics say they will soon release a report on the environmental and social impact of the project. The group, Myanmar-China Pipeline Watch Committee, is also continuing to press the issue of compensation for land acquired by the pipeline operators. Although finished, it remains unclear where the profits from the pipeline will wind up, one watchdog group said. “We are collecting data on land use and the impact of both the natural gas and crude oil pipeline projects. This process is expected to be complete by mid-December. We will say more about the pipeline impact at that time,” said U Tin Thit, an adviser to the Myanmar-China Pipeline Watch Committee. The committee comprises 25 civil society groups active in 21 townships along the route of both the natural gas and crude oil pipelines from Rakhine State to the border with China. “In our study, the total acreage of land for permanent use amounted to 6499 acres, of which 5638 acres can be cultivated. Some landowners got less compensation than they should have because of measuring mistakes by government officials,” said U Tin Thit. The Ta’ang Students and Youth Union (TSYU), an ethnic association based in Namhkhan township, northern Shan State, said, “The compensation process is not complete. Only a third of the money has reached the landowners. The rest is still in hands of the administration,” said Mai Amm Ngeal of TSYU. The organisation has watched the pipeline projects since construction began. MORE ON BUSINESS 29 Booze crackdown ramps AYE THIDaR KYaW [email protected] Officers of the commerce ministry taskforce search bottles of wine belonging to wholesale wine seller Premium Distribution on December 6. Photo: Boothee A SECOND major food and wine importer is being investigated for possible illegal importation of alcohol. On December 4, a government task force found 1000 cases of wine and foodstuffs in a warehouse in Thaketa township industrial zone belonging to Premium Distribution Co. Ltd. The investigations have triggered shops and supermarkets throughout Yangon to pull imported wine and spirit stocks, forcing customers to settle for locally produced alcohol, which is notoriously poor in quality. U Ngwe Soe, deputy director at the commerce ministry, who is on a government task force cracking down on illegal alcohol imports, said the estimated price of one bottle of the wine found at Premium’s warehouses in Yangon ranged from K7000 to K20,000. “These are the prices cited by Premium, we haven’t estimated yet,” he said. If so, the store would be worth several hundred thousand US dollars. A source at Premium said about 90,000 bottles of wine had been found in the 7920-sq-ft space, though the mobile team’s estimate was nearly 80,000 bottles and about 30 tonnes of foodstuffs, including frozen meat, vegetables and preserved foods. The team, which was still examining the products as of December 5, said their investigation would conclude that 90,000 Number of wine bottles being investigated by the Ministry of Commerce’s illicit import task force night and they would confiscate the products. Premium’s manager Daw May Myo Oo declined comment to The Myanmar Times as the investigation continued. Premium, which is the largest distributor in the city, shut its wine and spirits wing last week, leaving its customers high and dry, a source close to the situation said. “Basically, the SEA Games are coming and nobody is going to have wine. It is going to be a dry Christmas,” the source said, requesting anonymity for fear of persecution by the government. He said that Premium has been unable to import any wine for more than three months and that its largest customers have begun stockpiling as much imported alcohol and wine as they can get their hands on. “At this point, there is almost no champagne left in the country. It is like gold,” the source said, adding that without new import rules in place, the country could be completely dry of imported alcohol in one month’s time. The investigation has drawn the ire of local supermarket chain City Mart, who openly criticised the government policies on imported food and beverages. “There has been no transparency in the retail sector since we started in 1996,” the company said in a statement on December 6, announcing they have pulled their imported alcohol and wine stock from their shops. “The trade policy at the moment is unclear. Because of that, over the past three months some supermarkets and shops stopped selling these products. City Mart, Ocean and City Express shops have stopped selling from today,” the statement continued. But City Mart is not the only one to stop selling imported wine and alcohol as it is now as most shops BUSINESS EdiTOR: Philip Heijmans | [email protected] 27 Gold prices reach five year low BUSINESS 30 Limited high-rises for Yangon in zoning plan PROPERTY 32 Exchange Rates (December 6 close) Currency Euro Malaysia Ringitt Singapore Dollar Thai Baht US Dollar Buying K1320 K300 K780 K30.50 K981 Selling K1330 K302 K785 K31 K983 up, shops dry licences. But Premium might have a problem if they don’t have any licence or duty-free permit, and these are massive amounts,” said a director of the Illegal Trade Prevention and Supervision Control Committee of Commerce. The officials will allow Premium a few weeks to provide the necessary documentation before taking action, he said. “We will allow their foodstuffs if they can show FDA approval, but if there are no licences to import wine and alcohol, we will act according to the law,” he said. Despite laws against the importation of wine, hotels and duty-free shops are allowed to bring alcohol and cigarettes into the country. The restrictions, which date back several decades, have been criticised for encouraging illegal imports. To get around the ban, some businesses have been known to collaborate with hotels to import additional alcohol products that are then sold to restaurants and retailers – as Quarto is accused of doing – while others simply import through illegal channels. Hotels importing relatively small amounts of alcohol found it easier to work with a distribution company. But in a regulation promulgated last month, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism now requires hotels to import alcohol directly, not through distributors. The commerce ministry will check import licences, sales contracts, and the nature and price of the products, and the hotel has to agree not to sell the products off its premises. Hotels imported about US$330,000 worth of alcohol and foodstuffs (including $124,000 worth of alcohol) on the basis of letters of recommendation from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in the 20122013 fiscal year, according to government data. The amount for the current year up to November was about $216,000 (of which $123,000 was for alcohol). – Additional reporting by Philip Heijmans Heineken, Quarto in distribution deal talks before government raid tHOMaS kEaN [email protected] DUTCH brewer Heineken has confirmed it was negotiating a beer distribution arrangement with Quarto Products shortly before the Myanmar company was forced to temporarily close in late October following a Ministry of Commerce raid. The terms of the agreement would have seen Quarto distribute Heineken beer through to the completion of the company’s Yangon brewery, likely in late 2014. However, the deal appears in doubt following a raid on Quarto’s premises, which resulted in more than K600 million worth of food and beverage products being seized. The company’s managing director was arrested in Yangon have either pull stock, or, like imported wine shop The Warehouse, shut down indefinitely while the investigation on Premium continues. The raid follows the closure of Quarto Products, a major food and alcohol importer with links to international hotels, at the end of October. The Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is now prosecuting Quarto’s managing director, who is facing a three-year jail term. The company has since resumed deliveries. “When we investigated Quarto, they could show the hotels’ import Heineken’s investment for a new brewery to be built in Myanmar $60 MILLION and went on trial on November 22. The raid came as a part of a nationwide government crackdown on illegal food and beverage imports over the past two months. However, despite the confiscation of tens of thousands of bottles of alcohol from Quarto, the company was allowed to resume sales on December 2. Mark Campbell, a spokesperson for Heineken Asia Pacific, told The Myanmar Times that the planned distribution deal would see Quarto import Heineken using the import licences of Myanmar-based hotels. “We currently have no formal written agreement with Quarto, but we have engaged them to help us list and distribute our brands into some hotels,” Mr Campbell said. “We have been planning a more formal distribution arrangement with Quarto before our new brewery is built. In terms of imports we would like to be able to import our beer through the hotels in advance of the brewery being completed by this time next year.” “Our discussions with Quarto are ongoing ... The details of any distribution contract are commercially sensitive so we are not able to share this information. It is also still early days for us to be able to form a view of what a future more formal market looks like.” He said Heineken also cooperated with Quarto on an Oktoberfest event at Parkroyal Hotel. The two companies had planned to host a joint booth at the MyanFood ’13 food and beverage exhibition in early November, Mr Campbell said, adding that it “didn’t go ahead” – because Quarto had been forced to close by the Ministry of Commerce. There is no evidence to suggest that the planned distribution arrangement and Quarto’s recent problems are linked. Government officials say the recent raids were launched based on tip-offs. “Currently, we are able to seize alcohol in any case where we are getting information,” U Win Myint, director of the Ministry of Commerce’s Directorate of Trade, told The Myanmar Times last month. The ministry does not consider the motivation or background of the informant when it receives and acts on information about potentially illegal imports. U Aung Than Soe, the lawyer for Quarto’s managing director, suggested however that the informant in the case “might be a competitor of Quarto”, but noted that the ministry would not be required to reveal the person’s identity to the court during the trial. In May, Heineken announced that it had reached a deal to invest US$60 million in a brewery in partnership with Alliance Brewery Company, which is owned by U Aung Moe Kyaw, whose IBTC Group also produces Grand Royal whisky. Heineken’s 57-percent stake in the brewery is through subsidiary Asia Pacific Breweries, which the brewing giant – the world’s third-largest beer company – bought outright last year. APB ‘Currently, we are able to seize alcohol in any case where we are getting information’ U Win Myint Director of the Ministry of Commerce’s Directorate of Trade pulled out of a deal with army-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited to build a brewery in 1996 and was replaced by Fraser & Neave. The latter owns 55pc of their joint venture company, Myanmar Brewery Limited, which produces Myanmar Beer, Tiger Beer and ABC Extra Stout. Meanwhile, Quarto Products resumed deliveries on December 2 and sent an expanded list of products to its clients, including hundreds of types of wine from Australia, France, Italy and Spain, along with liquors such as cognac, grappa and kirsch. It was unclear how the products had been imported and the company declined to comment. “We are able to resell again our products ... And we would like to say thank you all [for] supporting and helping us during this period,” Quarto’s sales manager said in an email to customers on November 30. Cambodia port terminal is now set for early 2014 Updates to Cambodia’s outdated Sihanoukville Autonomous Port will allow for greater capacity as bilateral trade continues to grow CONSTRUCTION on a new multipurpose terminal at Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is expected to begin in early 2014 to support the country’s rising exports, port officials said last week. The new terminal, linking sea to shore, will occupy three hectares and is expected to be finished by late 2016. It will cost close to US$80 million and will be funded with a loan from the Japanese government, according to port authorities. Var Sonath, deputy director of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, said that the port is needed to support Cambodia’s growing agricultural and garment exports. “As Cambodia’s economy keeps growing, we see an increasing number of agricultural products being exported,” Mr Sonath said. “The new terminal will be built to keep up with the growth.” The terminal was originally slated for completion in 2014, according to Mr Sonath, but was delayed as designs were changed to include more space for warehousing. With the government targeting the export of 1 million tonnes of rice in 2015, the president of the Federation of Cambodian Rice Exporters, Kim Savuth, said he welcomed the new construction. He added, however, that improvements were still needed for the logistics of getting cargo to the terminal. “What [also] matters is the fee I have to pay when the rice arrives at the port, like the fee for transporting the containers to the scanning machine after they are unloaded from the train,” he said. – The Phnom Penh Post www.mmtimes.com Business 29 The Fine Print Legal & tax insight Foreign investment: making it a reality ALESSIO POLaStRI [email protected] More trade corridors essential, experts say NYAN LYNN AUNG [email protected] MORE trade corridors linking the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries will boost Myanmar’s economic development, former secretary general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development says – and Myanmar is in the perfect position, both geographically and politically, to take the lead. Supachai Panitchpakdi, World Trade Organisation director general from 2002-2005, made the claim following the Joint Committee Meeting for the GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement in Nay Pyi Taw on November 21. Many GMS members – which include Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as China’s Yunnan province and Guangxi autonomous region – are among the least developed in the region. More trade corridors would help correct the imbalance, he said. “Myanmar should build border corridors to connect [countries with] each other for trade.” As ASEAN chair for 2014, Myanmar was in a key position to do so, he suggested. According to the Ministry of Transportation, Myanmar is currently building four highways, including the so-called ASEAN Road, slated to be finished by 2015. Construction resumed in early 2012 of roads to Thailand along two routes – Bago-Thaton-Phayargyi-Myawady, and Meiktila-Taunggyi-Kengtong-Tachileik, said U Thein Zaw, chief engineer for the Ministry of Construction. Another route, planned for completion before 2015, will link Yangon and India via Taungoo-Gangaw-Kale-Tamu, while two others will link Yangon to China, via Mandalay-Lashio-Muse and MeiktilaTaunggyi-Kengtong-Mongla. Myanmar is also converting the once-notorious “Burma Railway” into a road. Built by the Japanese during World War II, the 258-mile (415-kilometre) railway line once joined Yangon and Bangkok. It was widely known as the “Death Railway” because more than 100,000 labourers and POWs died during its construction, and it inspired the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. “We are reconstructing missing links of the Singapore-Kunming road by rebuilding a 100-kilometre [62-mile] section between Payathonzu and Thanbyuzayat [in Mon State, the terminus of the original Burma Railway],” said U Myint Thu, deputy director general of the Department of ASEAN Affairs. He said the project should be finished in 2015 and is being supported by the Asia Development Bank (ADB). Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, Thai deputy minister for commerce, said Thailand had already nearly completed its section of corridors to Laos, which would allow Myanmar to export to Laos, via a Tachileik-Melsia-Chaung Kong-Chaung Rai route. “We are planning to reduce the development gap between ASEAN and GMS countries,” said U Soe Win, deputy director general of the commerce ministry. “We will form partnerships between GMS countries to [create the] ASEAN single market. Myanmar’s trade volume is currently the smallest among GMS countries, which have agreed on a three-year plan to cooperate in promoting trade, involving transportation contracts among Myanmar, China, Thailand and Laos. Myanmar has to take action during its tenure as ASEAN chair to reduce the development gap, said the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development’s deputy director general of planning, U Thant Do Chin. He added that Myanmar, as the least-developed of the GMS countries, had to make increased efforts to build trade corridors. AMENDING the foreign investment law, passed in November 2012, to remove restrictions on actions that foreign companies or investors can take would certainly be good news, and would help attract the investment the economy needs in order to grow. China has mastered this discipline over the past few decades, opening its economy to maximise foreign investment. But what Myanmar needs is a change of mindset – a break with the past. There is a strong contradiction between what politicians are saying and what they are actually doing. Calling for investment, and then failing to attend meetings with major investors, sends the wrong message, whatever the law says, particularly when junior officials lack the authority to accept or reject a deal. Giving 48 hours of a meeting with CEOs who reside in Europe or the United States is not practical. The wording of the law is only a small part of the appeal of a country for foreign investors. The actual opportunities and the chance to make a deal are much more important. These are what prompt investors to inject their cash and capital in the economy. The law can always be amended to suit the circumstances. On a separate matter, I am pleased to see that Myanmar has moved up in the corruption perception index. According to the latest report, Myanmar is still ranked quite unrealistically low, but at least is not the lowest of the ASEAN countries. This will certainly help the government attract not just investors’ attention, but also investments. Alessio Polastri is managing partner of Polastri Wint & Partners. CONTINUED FROm BUSINESS 26 The pipeline spans central Myanmar, with unloading points at Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State, Yenanchaung in Magwe Regim and Thaungtha in Mandalay. Myanmar will receive 88.28 billion cubic feet (2.5 billion cubic metres) of natural gas a year from the pipeline. “We pay attention to land issues. There have been complaints about the social and economic impact, some because of external instigation. We accept responsibility for these issues. That is why we built schools and clinics,” said an official at SEAGP/SEAOP, the Southeast Asian Gas Pipeline and Oil Pipeline company that operates the lines. SEAGP/SEAOP has spent K30 billion for land compensation so far, said the company. SEAGP/SEAOPs expenditure on land compensation so far K30 BILLION “We work with MOGE [Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise], regional administration officials and residents or landowners in awarding compensation,” said the official. The country will receive US$30 billion a year over the next 30 years from the gas pipeline, but the disposition of that income may be unregulated, according to a report by the Shwe Gas Movement. The Myanmar governmen awarded purchasing rights for the gas to China in 2008 with an agreement to export 6.5 trillion cubic feet (184 billion cubic metres) over 30 years. SEAGP/SEAOP, a consortium of energy companies from China, Korea and India, and MOGE operate the line, which runs between Kyaukphyu and Muse on Myanmar territory. The estimated cost of 792.5km-long line is $2.01 billion. 30 Business JOB WATCH THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Gold prices fall to a five-year low AYE THIDAR KYAw [email protected] GOLD prices have fallen to a five-year low as investors in the local markets are increasingly turning to foreign currencies, experts said. A tical of 24 karat gold (one tical equals 0.576 ounces) sold on December 4 for about K653,500 (equivalent to about US$1228 an ounce), the lowest since 2009, said U Win Myint, secretary of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs’ Association (MGEA). The decline has been evident since March, when a tical still cost K768,500, down from gold’s August 2012 high of K793,500. “This is normally the peak season for gold sales, because farmers have money after the harvest. But there is a lack of interest,” he said, adding that price would continue to fall due to the commodity’s poor performance on the international market. With steady decreases in the market over the past 9 months, he said that investors have turned to the property market and the US dollar. Job Vacancy The British Embassy is currently looking to recruit a highly motivated and energetic individual to join our team as a Deputy Corporate Services Manager. For more information and details on how to apply, please visit the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/ british-embassy-rangoon/about/recruitment Deadline for submission of applications will be on 23 December 2013. is why more than 500,000 readers choose the two newspapers that have the nation covered 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year. Advertising & Subscription Hotline: +951 392 928 email: advertising@ myanmartimes.com.mm circulation@ myanmartimes.com.mm Which Shoppers examine a gold necklace in a jewellery shop in Yangon. Photo: Zarni Phyo $1228 Price of one tical of 24 karat gold in the local markets last week . U Win Myint said he expected that gold prices would bottom out sometime in the range K650,000 - K655,000. Gold trading tends to take place in the cities and not the borders as tical prices than are about K10,000 lower than in Yangon and Mandalay, he said. “Since prices have been falling continuously since April, people just want to sell out,” said Daw Zin Mi Mi Aung, owner of Aung Thamadi gold shop in Mandalay, adding that her shop has ceased to be profitable. Daw Ei Ei Khaing, owner of Shwe Nan Daw gold shop in Yangon’s Lanmadaw Township, said she has had better luck as demand had remained steady, from both retail and wholesale customers, who successfully negotiate prices. “We don’t keep stockpiles for a long time. Our products sell out within days, so we haven’t lost out so far,” she said. Women must evolve from their traditional roles, experts say BRIDGET DI CERTO SU PHYO WIN their lives. “My grandmother was one of 16 children. My mother was one of eight ... I have only one child. This gives us some room [to enter business],” she said. Daw Thet Thet Khine highlighted Singapore as a positive example of creating an empowering arena for women entrepreneurs by encouraging entrepreneurship through grants, streamlined business registration and family-friendly labour laws. Tourism entrepreneur Daw Khin Sanda Win agreed that tradition was a hurdle. “We need old laws repealed and new laws to enhance women [alongside] our traditional way of living,” she said. Daw Khin Sanda Win said medical and communications technology could benefit women entrepreneurs. “Once I could not have a fax machine because I needed special permission,” she said. “Sometimes it would take the phone shop two hours to get a line for me to make a one-minute phone call to order more cement for the hotel.” Both financial opportunity and technological assistance are becoming increasingly accessible for budding entrepreneurs, Daw Khin Sanda Win said. “Doing business is still a great challenge. [Myanmar] was isolated for 50 years We have to start from the very bottom,” she said. “In the countryside, women are responsible for daily livelihood,” and this innate business sense makes them ideal candidates for launching their own businesses, Daw Khin Sanda Win said. But for true success, women needed the support of the men in their families, Daw Thet Thet Khine said, adding, “The family needs to encourage women, and workplaces need to create a family-friendly work environment.” NEW VACAnCIES APPLY NOW! Business Development Manager Marketing Manager Sales and Distribution Manager Brand Manager Logistic Officer Medical Doctor Project Manager Sales Engineer Site Engineer Chief Accountant Accountant HR Manager HR Executive Legal Executive Secretary Passenger Service Agent ( Airline) Receptionist Customer Service WHILE scientific advances have created new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, traditional family roles can hinder their progress in the business sector, leading businesswomen said at the Myanmar Women’s Forum 2013 on December 6. As a developing country, it is critical for the economy to capture the contribution of its 30 million female citizens, Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs’ Association vice president Daw Thet Thet Khine told the forum. “Women have qualities and can make contributions [to the economy] but are still left behind because of traditional practices,” Dr Daw Thet Thet Khine said. “In the private sector, you rarely see women in senior positions.” “[Success] is a challenge for businesswomen who are overloaded with family responsibilities. That’s why family is of paramount importance.” She said advances in family planning had given women the power to control ‘We need old laws repealed and new laws to enhance women [alongside] our traditional way of living’ Daw Khin Sanda Win Tourism entrepreneur “If we want to develop the whole country we don’t want to exclude women. By ignoring female entrepreneurship, we will cut out half the country’s contribution,” she said. IN BRIEF The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Myanmar is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the following positions: Sr. Title and level 1. Finance Assistant (Treasury) (LICA 3) 2. IT and M&E Database Officer (LICA 6) 3. ICT Assistant (LICA 3) 4. Security Guard (LICA 1A) (3 Positions) Duty Station Yangon Yangon Yangon Yangon Position Deadline 10 Dec 13 11 Dec 13 15 Dec 13 19 Dec 13 National National National National Mercedes launches showroom No. 851/853 (A/B), 3rd Floor, Room (7/8), Bogyoke Aung San Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 229 437, 09 49 227 773, 09 730 94007 Email: [email protected], [email protected] www.esearchmyanmar.com www.facebook.com/esearchmyanmar The benefit package for the above positions includes an attractive remuneration, 30 days annual leave and 10 holidays per year, medical insurance, learning and development opportunities and a challenging working environment with 250 national and international colleagues. All applications must be made through the UNOPS E-recruitment System (https://gprs.unops.org) and click on the post you are interested in applying for. For Sr.4, applicants are kindly requested to submit by manual application (paper) to HR Unit, UNOPS Myanmar at No. 12(O), Pyithu Lane, 7 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon. If you have further queries, please contact 95 1 657 281-7 Ext: 149 Mercedes, which began exporting cars to Myanmar in July, has now opened a showroom on Yangon’s Pyay Road. “The car market has great potential in Myanmar. We don’t know how it will develop, but we want to be on top of it,” said CEO Wolfgang Huppenbauer, president of Daimler Southeast Asia. U Aung Thet Lwin, head of sales at Cycle and Carriage Automobile Myanmar, said the car market would continue to grow so long as the economy and reforms keep moving forward. – Aye Nyein Win www.mmtimes.com SINGAPORE TOkYO Business 31 Commercial court set to open its doors in Singapore SINGAPORE last week said it plans to launch an international commercial court that will aid in settling an increasing number of cross-border disputes as Asia’s economies boom. The Ministry of Law said in a statement the proposed Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) will leverage on robust cross-border investment and trade in Asia, where gross domestic product is expected to triple over the current decade to US$34.9 trillion in 2020. “Against this backdrop, the number and complexity of cross-border disputes is expected to increase, enabling the legal services sector in the Asia Pacific to grow significantly,” the ministry said. It said the SICC will build on Singapore’s reputation as a leading destination for international arbitration, which allows for disputes to be resolved by third-party arbitrators outside of court. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre, set up in 1991, last year handled 235 disputes worth S$3.61 billion ($2.87 billion). It is considered the fourth most preferred arbitration institution in the world, after similar bodies headquartered in Paris, London and New York, according to a survey by international law firm White & Case. “Building on the success of the arbitration sector in Singapore, the proposed international commercial court will make Singapore an even more attractive venue for dispute resolution in Asia and beyond,” the ministry said. With similar commercial courts in London and Dubai handling a growing number of global cases, “a window of opportunity currently exists for an Asian dispute resolution hub catering to international disputes with an Asian connection,” said a report of an international committee that looked into the feasibility of setting up the court. Law Minister K Shanmugam told reporters that Singapore is the “obvious choice” for investors looking to have disputes resolved in a transparent and efficient manner. Biden urges Japan to open auto market, farms US Vice President Joe Biden last week urged Japan to step up efforts to open its auto and farm markets in order to conclude a huge regional free trade deal. Mr Biden, who is in Tokyo on the first leg of a three-nation tour of Northeast Asia, held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before a ministerial meeting on the ambitious deal in Singapore this weekend. “To state the obvious, for the countries involved, the decisions and compromises that need to be made are very sensitive and very difficult,” Mr Biden said following the talks. But “we need a comprehensive agreement that involves longstanding differences between the United States and Japan including issues like agriculture and automobiles”, he said. Foreign automakers have long complained that Japanese authorities erect huge barriers to entry into the lucrative market. Tokyo for its part insists it will never lift all tariffs, in particular on its sensitive farm products. Mr Biden told a Japanese newspaper that negotiators had their shoulders to the wheel to try to thrash out the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) before a selfimposed year-end deadline. “Our negotiators are working around the clock, full speed ahead,” Mr Biden told the Asahi Shimbun ahead of his trip. ‘The proposed ... court will make Singapore an even more attractive venue for dispute resolution in Asia’ Singapore’s Ministry of Law US Vice President Joe Biden gestures as he speaks during a meeting with Japanese business leaders at the headquarters of Japan’s mobile portal and e-commerce website DeNA in Tokyo on December 3. Photo: AFP “All countries – including mine – are grappling with sensitive issues,” he said. “The most important thing is that countries make the tough choices necessary to deliver a successful agreement.” The TPP would group 12 nations, including the US, Japan, Indonesia and Mexico, that together make up 40 percent of the global economy. Washington has been spearheading negotiations, describing the TPP as creating “gold standards” for the 21st Century economy by taking into account fast-changing sectors such as intellectual property. But there is significant resistance in some participating countries, and outside observers are skeptical that such a diverse field can reach accord before the new year. – AFP 32 THE MYANMAR TIMES dECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Property KUAlA LUmPUR BUSINESS EdiTOR: Philip Heijmans | [email protected] Malaysian tribe ends dam protest ABOUT 100 Malaysian tribespeople were forced to end a three-month blockade of a dam after rising waters threatened to flood their homes in Borneo, activists said last week. The state-linked Sarawak Energy company began filling the reservoir in late September, a week after some 100 Penan natives from seven villages began a protest on the only road to the remote, US$1.3 billion Murum dam in Sarawak state, located in the northwest of Borneo. “They have no choice. The water is rising fast so they have to get their belongings,” Peter Kallang, chairman of the NGO Save Sarawak’s Rivers Network, told AFP. He said their homes were already being flooded before promised resettlement houses had even been completed. Malaysian police last month arrested eight tribespeople blocking access to a dam which they say will displace them from their lands, amidincreasing protests on Borneo island. The Murum dam is one of a series of hydroelectric facilities planned by the Sarawak government as it pushes economic development in one of Malaysia’s poorest states. The Penans set up the blockade in September to demand 500,000 ringgit ($155,000) for the loss of their land, property and livelihood. The 944-megawatt dam is expected to flood 95 square miles (245 square kilometres), and cause 1500 Penan and 80 Kenyah natives to lose their homes. Sarawak Energy had said relocation of affected natives was set to be completed by year-end and insisted that displaced villagers were being compensated fairly. An initial sum of 15,000 ringgit per family was reportedly raised to 23,000, with Sarawak’s chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud calling Penan demands “outrageous”. Kallang said the protestors would continue with legal action against authorities despite being forced to abandon their blockade. The building spree in the resourcerich state along the powerful jungle rivers has been dogged by controversy as activists allege massive corruption, while natives complain it has flooded rainforests and uprooted tens of thousands of people. Hundreds of Malaysian tribespeople have also blockaded the construction site of the nearby Baram dam. While Baram is expected to generate 1200 MW of power, activists claim it will flood 400 square kilometres of rainforest (154 square miles) and displace 20,000 tribespeople. – AFP Limited high-rises for Yangon in new government zoning plan mYAT NYEIN AYE TIN YADANAR TUN LIMITING the number of high-rise development projects in Yangon will preserve the city’s heritage while continuing to attract foreign investment – that’s the message of the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) regarding the city’s zoning plan, a spokesperson said last week during a meeting. Speaking at the December 4 discussion about Yangon land use and building heritage zoning, architect Daw Hlaing Maw Oo said, “The plan for the long term is to have a city that is attractive for residents and interesting to foreign or local investors. That’s why we need to include conservation in our land-use and building heritage zoning plan.” Daw Hlaing Maw Oo works for the Department of Human Settlements and Housing Development. Limiting the high-rise building zone will help conserve Yangon city features, she added. “If we allow high-rise buildings throughout the region, the heritage buildings and their culture will disappear,” she said. The YCDC’s claims of limiting Yangon’s development in order to preserve the city’s current infrastructure come as numerous investors are either turned away from developing modern high-rise buildings in central areas of town or being forced to scale back on existing projects. Many buildings in downtown Yangon, meanwhile, remain outdated with poor safety standards, and are in some cases dilapidated. “Different people will have different views on what’s best for the city and compromises will be needed in framing policies, but once the rules and regulations are in place everyone should be treated equally,” said U Thant Myint-U, chairman of the Yangon Heritage Trust. Nevertheless, experts believe that investors are willing to work around building restrictions so long as economic prospects remain high. “People in the future will invest in the areas that don’t have such limitations and where you can develop high-rise buildings,” said U Aung Thura, chief executive at locally-based consultancy firm Thura Swiss. “If you look at Shanghai and Beijing, completely new areas have now been developed where nothing existed before.” A view of downtown Yangon. Photo: Staff Serge Pun, chairman of the multinational realty firm Serge Pun & Associates, agrees with the municipal plan, saying that it will give developers more specific guidelines to draw from that perhaps did not exist before. “I think [the zoning plan is] very necessary. Yangon city has never had a zoning law and that actually opens up to a lot of loopholes so having a new set of regulations is very good,” he said. “We have to be extremely sensitive toward preserving the heritage building.” The YCDC has rolled out new land-use classifications such as low-, medium- and high-density residential, mixed-use, commercial and business, industrial and warehouse, and others, with the hope of preventing misallocations of land that could damage the city’s infrastructure. “We need this zoning plan so as to avoid making mistakes, like allowing high-rise buildings that obscure the view of Shwedagon Pagoda,” said Daw Hlaing Maw Oo. The plan, once approved, will apply to both private and government buildings. Discussions will take place ‘Different people will have different views on what’s best for the city and compromises will be needed in framing policies, but once the rules and regulations are in place everyone should be treated equally’ U Than Myint-U Chairman of the Yangon Heritage Trust in public, she said. Uncontrolled growth could damage the quality of life for residents, warned YCDC consultant U Kyaw Lat. “Increased floor-area ratios downtown will cause more congestion,” he said, adding that traffic jams could reduce average vehicle speeds in builtup areas to 3 miles an hour. Vice chair of Yangon Heritage Trust, Daw Moe Moe Lwin, said wide variations in materials, building heights and quality standards, meanwhile, would harm the city. YCDC deputy director U Toe Aung suggested a trade-off by which higher buildings could be located uptown if building density was decreased. “We restrict buildings in Ahlone township to 12 storeys, but that could go up to 18 storeys if there are fewer buildings. But we can’t do that downtown,” he said. Economic adviser to the president Aung Htun Thet said some experts predicted that by 2030, 25 percent of Yangon’s population would live in the downtown area – about double the current proportion. “Responsible people accept zoning and height restrictions,” he said. – Additional reporting by Philip Heijmans and Thomas Kean QUOte Of the WeeK 33 ‘We need this zoning plan so as to avoid making mistakes’ — Hlaing Maw Oo, architect at the Department of Human Settlements and Housing Development Nelson Mandela leaves legacy of tolerance WORlD 36 UN to train planners MYAT NOE OO [email protected] THE United Nations has launched a series of training programs in Hpa-an, Kayin State, that will teach dozens of local urban planners how to properly monitor the influx of property developments in Myanmar. Put on by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Urban Research and Development Institute – established in Yangon in 2012 by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development – the training program will focus on modern strategies for urban development, said Daw Moe Moe Oo, training and communications officer at UN-Habitat. “The first training session is finished,” Daw Moe Moe Oo said, with the second session picking up in a month and a half. The sessions are spaced out, she said, so that they can monitor progress and keep track of trainees’ development over time. A related program in Yangon running from December 12-16 will deal with water provision, urban drain connection system and transportation issues. Housing-related training programs have already run one session each in Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi and Monywa. Thilawa SEZ breaks ground NOE NOE AUNG [email protected] IN another major step toward development, representatives of Japan and Myanmar last week attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the Thilawa special economic zone. The first phase of the project, covering 400 hectares of Thanlyin and Kyauktan townships, is to be implemented by 2015. At the November 30 ceremony at the port, the vice minister of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said. Myanmar’s efforts to attract foreign investment would depend on the success of Thilawa special economic zone, which is 20km (12.4 miles) from Yangon. “Though Japanese investors are very interested in Myanmar and its emerging economy, they are hesitant to invest here,” said Yoshihiko Isozaki. “The Myanmar government is preparing new laws for international investors. And many investors are still worrying about terms and conditions. Increasing international investment depends on the success of the Thilawa special economic zone,” he added. The zone is being developed by a consortium involving the Japan Thilawa SEZ Company, with participation from Mitsubishi, Marubeni Japanese and local officials cut the ceremonial rope, breaking ground on the Thilawa SEZ. Photo: Boothee and Sumitomo corporations, and the Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings company (MTSH) involving nine Myanmar companies. The Myanmar and Japanese governments signed an agreement establishing the consortium on October 29, said MTSH chair U Win Aung. “Now is the time to implement the special economic zone,” said U Win Aung, saying he expected the zone to provide job opportunities for local people. U Set Aung, chair of the Thilawa SEZ management committee, said the first phase of the project would be im- plemented in 2015 with the construction of automobile and electronics factories. According to the METI website, Japan will provide ¥20 million (US$3.28 billion) for the related infrastructure, electrical systems, ports and transportation. 34 Business Property HOUSE OF THE WEEK LISBON THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Rich Chinese snap up visas buying Portugal property A DREAM home in Portugal is becoming a golden ticket for wealthy Chinese, where property assets can also yield a prized residence permit allowing them to travel and do business across Europe. Portugal is rolling out the red carpet to discriminating Chinese buyers, where they are stabilising property prices that have dropped by nearly a third during a deep recession that has accompanied the eurozone country’s international bailout. One year ago the Portugese government launched a program to attract wealthy investors, and the results are now beginning to bear fruit. For the purchase of a home or apartment of at least 500,000 euros (US$700,000) which is to be kept for at least five years, investors will receive a Portuguese residence permit. Only obliged to spend seven days per year in Portugal, the holders of these residence permits may travel and work throughout Europe without a visa within the Schengen area of countries. Chinese account for the overwhelming majority of investors in the scheme, followed by Brazilians, Russians and Angolans. The scheme is similar to those in place in a number of other European nations, and data released last week by the foreign ministry showed that 356 of these residence permits issued so far have brought $300 million in investment. Now that the program is up and running, the increase in investment is expected to be swifter, said Luis Lima, head of the Portugese real estate agent association. More than 300 new requests for permits are under review, which would take the total investment to $815 million, he estimated, and “the requests are almost always accepted,” he said. In a single week last month, 15 million euros was invested, according to government figures, a rate which if sustained would take annual investment to nearly $1 trillion. And companies are adapting to Living in style GRACIOUS, spacious and family-friendly – if a tad on the expensive side – this week’s house occupies a 15,400-squarefoot private compound with a beautiful tree-shaded lawn. Four of the five bedrooms are double, and there is also a maid’s room. Three living rooms are designer-decorated in white. Ten air conditioners keep it cool, and two landlinesww keep it in touch. There is also a garage alongside. – Ei The The Naing Location : Ahlone Road, Dagon Tsp Price : US$25,000 (for rent) Contact : Estate Myanmar Phone : 09 73114860, 0943118787 TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Australia of T2/39 Delhi Road, North Ryde, New South Wales, 2113, Australia, do solemnly and sincerely declare that we are the owners and sole proprietors of the following trade mark in Myanmar: The said mark is used in respect of ‘Margarine; edible oils and fats’. The said trade mark is the subject of Declaration of Ownership recorded with the Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon, Myanmar, in Book IV under No. IV/ 5217/2013 Dated 23rd May, 2013. Any infringement or colourable imitation thereof or other infringement of the rights of the said corporation will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Goodman Fielder Consumer Foods Pty Limited by its Attorneys-at-Law REMFRY & SAGAR INDIA. Dated: 9th December, 2013 MEADOW LEA A man enters a real estate office with Chinese characters announcing properties to sell in downtown Lisbon. Property assets in Portugal can yield a residence permit allowing property owners to work in Europe. Photo: AFP TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that PAREXGROUP PARTICIPATIONS SAS, a company incorporated in the laws of France of 19 Place de la Résistance 92446 ISSY LES MOULINEAUX CEDEX, France, do solemnly and sincerely declare that we are the owners and sole proprietor of the following trade mark in Myanmar:- the rich newcomers. Lisbon real estate agency Casa em Portugal hired Yansi Xu solely to better serve Chinese clients. “They are almost all businessmen. I have sold them seven houses in two months,” said the 34-year-old, taking a break from tapping frenetically at his computer. One client is a 35-year-old businessman who with his wife plans to move into a modern apartment near the Luz stadium in Lisbon’s Benfica neighbourhood, so their young son can go to an English-language school in Lisbon. The Chinese education system is “too demanding” for the child, Lima said, so the parents would prefer him to be educated in Europe. Another advantage, the realtor said, is space. “For 500,000 euros clients can buy an apartment with four rooms at 130 square metres [1400 square feet] in Benfica, while in Beijing or Shanghai that is the price of a two-room space of 60 square metres,” he said. Most Chinese investors do not aim to make Portugal their home, but want to use the visa to conduct business in other European countries, which they can visit freely within the Schengen area of 26 countries, which excludes Britain and Ireland. “As a general rule, Chinese buyers are looking for new or renovated homes that they can rent out at a higher rate,” said lawyer Raquel Cuba Martins, whose firm helps Chinese clients navigate Portuguese bureaucracy. – AFP ATHENS LANKO The said mark is used in respect of ‘Chemicals used in industry; chemicals used for building; adhesives and glues for industrial purposes, adhesives and glues for wall and floors coverings; chemicals additives for building materials, in particular compositions and products for the preparation, the protection and the waterproofing of concretes, mortars and cements; chemicals used for resurfacing and smoothing walls and floors. Mould release preparations; damp proofing preparations (except paints) for building; waterproof packing and insulating materials; insulating materials and products for building. Insulating plaster; gaskets; sealant compounds for joints; non metallic building materials; mortar, concrete, cement for building; non metallic wall and floor coverings for building; coatings (building materials); non metallic building materials for resurfacing and smoothing walls and floors’. The said trade mark is the subject of Declaration of Ownership recorded with the Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon, Myanmar, in Book IV under No. IV/2155/2013 dated 1st March, 2013. Any infringement or colourable imitation thereof or other infringements of the rights of the said corporation will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for PAREXGROUP PARTICIPATIONS SAS by its Attorneys-at-Law REMFRY & SAGAR INDIA. Dated: 9th December, 2013 Home grabs a high-risk mission for fragile Greek government RISING poverty, pressure from creditors and a looming parliamentary revolt: Greece’s government has its work cut out as it ponders whether to broaden home foreclosures to thin the ranks of evasive debtors. A law passed in 2010 currently protects the principal residence of debtors from outright seizure, providing a cushion of support in a country stuck in a six-year recession and four years of austerity cutbacks. But according to Greece’s creditors – the EU, IMF and the European Central Bank – the measure has been systematically abused. “The moratorium on seizures has brought about an important increase in strategic bankruptcies, meaning people who stopped repaying their loans even though they had the means to do so,” Poul Thomsen, head of the IMF’s audit mission to Greece, told Kathimerini daily in a recent interview. The protective measure is set to lapse in January, and has become a major sticking point in the negotiations between the so-called troika of creditors and the government in return for loans under from the Greek bailout agreement. According to Kathimerini, the ban reduced home auctions by 50 percent between 2009 and 2012, and removing it could see 110,000 homes seized and sold. “Changing the rules on home seizures would mark the beginning of a political, economic and social rupture,” said Louka Katseli, the former finance minister who promoted the law in question. One prominent magistrate has warned that ending the moratorium on foreclosures would cause “a second Asia Minor disaster”, referring to the traumatic conclusion of the Greek-Turkish war of 1919-1922 that saw the elimination of Anatolia’s ethnic Greek minority through killings and exile. Facing an internal revolt on the issue from its own lawmakers, the coalition government of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is seeking a compromise that will satisfy everyone. “The weak will be protected, poor and middle-class households will be protected,” government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou told Antenna television last week. “We are trying to locate freeloaders, and protect those who truly can’t meet their obligations owing to the crisis,” he said. The European Commission this week also stressed that it was merely seeking to “rework” the ban to eliminate “systematic abuse brought about by the general moratorium”. – AFP 110,000 Homes that could be seized or sold with the removal of government measures currently protecting Greece’s property market www.mmtimes.com Science & Technology 35 MANILA US sanctions hurt democracy activists: study BROAD US sanctions aimed at keeping certain technologies out of the hands of repressive regimes can often backfire by hurting democracy movements, a think tank report said Thursday. The New America Foundation study said US sanctions policies “remain largely outdated in recognizing how communications technology can benefit both the civilian population and serve broader American foreign policy goals”. It added that the broad-brush sanctions “often have negative consequences on the populations in sanctioned countries, inadvertently aiding the repressive regimes that seek to control access to information within their borders.” The researchers urged a move to “smart sanctions” which could deny targeted governments the ability to monitor and silence opposition movements, while allowing more access to personal communications tools. “These technologies increase citizens’ ability to access and share information and communicate with each other,” said Danielle Kehl, one of the authors of the report. “They can also provide stronger protection against censorship and surveillance from local governments than the alternatives people rely on if American products are blocked by sanctions.” The report examined sanctions on Iran, Syria, Sudan, Suba and North Korea, where US companies are barred from selling many types of telecommunications equipment. Because of this, researchers told a forum discussing the report, citizens in those countries often use outdated software that is riddled with security holes which can be easily exploited by the regimes. “If you are in Iran you cannot get a legitimate copy of your operating system,” said Collin Anderson, an independent researcher who contributed to the report. He said because the software is often illegitimate, it cannot get security updates and governments “are going to [insert] malware [on] everybody ... State-sponsored actors use this as a way to round up political dissidents.” Ian Schuler, a former State Department official who now heads a digital activism group, said that in the United States “there is general agreement that the free flow of ideas is beneficial to everyone”. But Mr Schuler told the forum that refining sanctions policies is complex because some technologies “can be used for good things or for bad things”. The report said exemptions should be made in sanctions for “personal communications tools, from email to antifiltering software”, saying they “clearly enhance the free flow of information, enabling citizens in repressive countries to communicate with one another and with the outside world”. WASHINGTON Scientists discover wonder rice gene: IRRI SCIENTISTS have discovered a wonder rice gene that could dramatically increase yields of one of the world’s most important food crops, the International Rice Research Institute said Tuesday. Preliminary tests show that yields of modern long-grain “indica” rice varieties, the world’s most widely grown types of rice, can rise by 13-36 percent when infused with the so-called SPIKE gene, the Philippines-based institute said. “Our work showed that SPIKE is indeed one of the major genes responsible for the yield increase that breeders have spent so many years searching for,” IRRI genetic transformation laboratory chief Inez Slamet-Loedin said in a statement. Testing of new rice varieties infused with the gene is under way across several developing countries in Asia, said rice breeder Tsutomu Ishimaru, head of the IRRI-led SPIKE breeding programme. “We believe that these will contribute to food security in these areas once the new varieties are released,” Mr Ishimaru said. Increasing the yield means growing more rice on the same amount of land, using the same resources. There is so far no definite timetable for when the rice containing the SPIKE gene will be distributed to farmers, according to IRRI spokeswoman Gladys Ebron. The SPIKE gene was first discovered by Japanese breeder Nobuya Kobayashi following long-running research starting in 1989 on a tropical “japonica” rice variety that is grown in Indonesia, Ms Ebron told AFP. The findings of the study were published Monday. Tropical japonica rice is mainly grown in East Asia and accounts for Researcher Tsutomu Ishimaru inspects a rice plant with the SPIKE gene in IRRI Los Banos in Manila. Photo: AFP just 10pc of global rice production. Breeders from IRRI, a non-profit research group established in the 1960s, then worked to incorporate the gene into indica varieties that are widely used in major rice-growing areas of Asia. Ms Ebron said the transfer did not involve genetical modification of the crop, a controversial issue in food production. “It’s just conventional breeding,” she added. Rice is the developing world’s most important food crop, consumed by more than half of humanity, including 640 million Asians who live in poverty, according to IRRI. To keep rice prices stable and affordable at about $300 a tonne, the institute estimates production needs to increase by 8-10 million tonnes every year. Asia accounts for about 90pc of global rice production, it added. IRRI is widely recognised as having played an important role in the “Green Revolution” of the 1960s in which new varieties of rice dramatically increased yields. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev IN PICTURES takes part in a pre-flight underwater training session in a pool at the Gagarin Cosmonauts’ Training Centre in Star City centre outside Moscow on December 4, 2013. Oleg Artemyev is scheduled to blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Russian-leased Kazakhstan’s Baikonur cosmodrome in March 2014. Photo: AFP 36 THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 World JOHANNESBURG NELSON Mandela’s long walk from apartheid prisoner to South African president remade a country and inspired the world. He died peacefully at home in Johannesburg aged 95 after spending months in a critical condition following treatment for a lung infection. Twenty-three years earlier, on February 11, 1990, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela emerged, greying but unbowed, from 27 years’ detention for opposing the white-minority apartheid regime. It was a defining moment of the 20th century. In freeing the world’s most famous political prisoner, President FW de Klerk sent an unequivocal message. After centuries of subjugation, millions of other black South Africans would soon be free too. Apartheid was over. “I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all,” a 71-year-old Nelson Mandela said in his first public speech in 27 years. “I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.” Devoid of self-pity, he reached out to the same people who jailed him and who brutalised fellow blacks to preach “true reconciliation” in what was, and remains, a deeply scarred country. “He came out a far greater person than the man who went in,” said former archbishop Desmond Tutu. “He had learned to understand the foibles and weaknesses of human beings and to be more generous in his judgement of others.” Four years after his release – and just a year after he received the Nobel Peace Prize – South Africans would WORLd EdITOR: Bridget Di Certo | [email protected] Nelson Mandela leaves legacy of tolerance amid great inequality Verwoerd and when he donned the Springbok rugby jersey to congratulate the mainly white team’s victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Mr Mandela remains a unifying symbol in a country still riven by racial tensions and deep inequality. “His life tells a story that stands in direct opposition to the cynicism and hopelessness that so often afflict our word,” US President Barack Obama wrote in the foreword to Nelson Mandela’s most recent autobiography. But crime, grinding poverty and corruption scandals have effectively ended the honeymoon enjoyed after Mr Mandela ushered in the “Rainbow Nation”. “Nelson Mandela, in a sense, was a once-in-a-hundred-year phenomenon,” said Frans Cronje of the Institute for Race Relations. “Thinking that South Africa would maintain that level or that standard of governance, of attitude, of role in international politics, I think was expecting too much.” Born in the village of Mvezo in one of South Africa’s poorest regions, the Transkei, on July 18, 1918, Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela was the greatgrandson of a Tembu king. He was given his English name “Nelson” by a teacher at his school. An activist since his student days at the University of Fort Hare, Mr Mandela opened the first black law firm in Johannesburg in 1952, along with fellow activist Oliver Tambo. He became commander-in-chief of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the armed underground wing of the African National Congress, in 1961, and underwent military training A man reads a local newspaper with the front page dedicated to South African former President Nelson Mandela in Soweto on December 6. Photo: AFP vote in droves to elect Nelson Mandela the country’s first black president. As that rarest of politicians, a leader imbued with moral force, Mr Mandela was never likely to lose. But his task in office was immense, nothing less than preventing a civil war. “We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity – a Rainbow Nation at peace with itself and the world,” he declared on being sworn in. He succeeded in preventing serious racial violence in part through his easy manner and mastery of symbolism. Two of his finest moments as a reconciler came when he had tea with the widow of apartheid architect Hendrik IN PICTUREs Masaharu Nakagawa (left), chairman of the upper committee session at the Diet in Tokyo on Decemb People light candles outside the house of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on December 6. Photo: AFP in Algeria and Ethiopia. After more than a year underground, he was arrested and in 1964 sentenced to life in prison during the Rivonia trial where he delivered a speech that was to become the manifesto of the anti-apartheid movement. “During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society ... It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” Nelson Mandela was jailed on Robben Island for 18 years before being transferred in 1982 to Pollsmoor prison in Cape Town and later to Victor Verster prison in nearby Paarl. Throughout his incarceration international pressure increased on South Africa. Then, in 1989, hardline President PW Botha was replaced by the more conciliatory FW de Klerk. A year later, de Klerk ordered Mr Mandela’s release. “I wish to put it plainly that the government has taken a firm decision to release Mr Nelson Mandela unconditionally,” he told a shocked parliament. “The time for negotiation has arrived.” he said, adding, “The alternative is growing violence, tension and conflict.” Nelson Mandela’s presidency, like that of US President Abraham Lincoln or British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, will not be remembered for legislative achievements. He served only one five-year term, and after his retirement in 1999 he devoted his considerable energy, despite increasing physical frailty, to mediating conflicts, especially the war in Burundi. In 1998, on his 80th birthday, Mr Mandela, after having divorced his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, married Graca Machel, the widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel. Having been deprived of seeing his own children grow up while he was incarcerated, he dedicated much time to improving the lives of youngsters, drumming up money from businesses to build schools in remote areas. At age 83, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and successfully underwent treatment. Throughout his life he suffered from respiratory ailments. He was diagnosed with early-stage tuberculosis while in prison in 1988. In May 2004, Mr Mandela announced that he was scaling back his public schedule to enjoy “a much quieter life” with his family and friends. Eight months later, Mr Mandela convened the press at his home to announce that his only surviving son had died of AIDS in a bid to encourage more openness about the disease. In January 2011 he suffered a lung infection, which recurred in late 2012 and again in late March. Nelson Mandela is survived by his wife Graca and daughters Maki, Zindzi and Zenani and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. – AFP 37 Charity accuses Sri Lanka over executions worLD 41 South Korea seeks to change history textbooks worLD 38 Bikes a hit in checkpoint-strewn Syria capital WorLD 43 BANGKOK Tense Thailand braces for continuing protests THAI opposition protesters were preparing on December 6 to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce in the strife-hit capital for the birthday of the country’s revered king. Despite a call by the ailing monarch for “stability and security” in his birthday speech, the demonstrators have vowed to step up their rallies after the lull in tensions, which follows violence that left five people dead and more than 200 injured. Protesters have no immediate plans for action on Friday and will await an “important speech” in the evening from their leader Suthep Thaugsuban about their next move, said Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the demonstrators. The kingdom remains on edge following several days of street clashes between police using tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against rock-throwing demonstrators seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and curb the political influence of her brother Thaksin. With fresh unrest looming, Ms Yingluck has cancelled two planned trips overseas next week to Russia and to the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, her office said. The protesters, a mix of royalists, middle class and other Thaksin opponents – sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands – want to suspend the country’s democracy in favour of an unelected “people’s council”. Mr Suthep, a former deputy premier who now faces an arrest warrant for insurrection, has pledged to rid Thailand of what he calls the “Thaksin regime”. Demonstrators and police in Bangkok have observed a temporary truce since Wednesday for the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is treated as a near-deity by many Thais. Any political action or violence during the public holiday would have been seen as a serious sign of disrespect. The government on December 3 abruptly ordered police to avoid confrontation with protesters, briefly allowing them into the police and government headquarters in a surprise move that sharply reduced tensions in the capital. – AFP house special Diet committee, announces the approval of a controversial bill for a new secrecy law in the er 5, while lawmakers of opposition parties try to stop the approval. Photo: AFP SYDNEY Myanmar-origin asylum-seekers rounded up in Australia jungle AUSTRALIAN authorities said on December 6 they had rounded up all 27 asylum-seekers who arrived undetected on the country’s remote Indian Ocean outpost of Christmas Island, adding they were lucky to survive. How the group, believed to be ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar, came to land on the island was not known but reports said they had survived for several days on crabs and coconut in the inhospitable terrain. “These are very small vessels and these 27 people who are now safe should count themselves extremely fortunate that they did not suffer a far worse fate,” Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said. Hundreds of people have died trying to reach Australia on peoplesmuggling boats, with one of the worst incidents on Christmas Island in December 2010 when a boat splintered on rocks and sank, killing about 50 people. The government had originally said 28 people arrived on the vessel which reportedly ran aground on Christmas Island’s Greta Beach late Monday, but revised the number to 27 on December 6, adding that details were still sketchy. “I think they had a very difficult and distressing time. It’s not clear how they came ashore,” said Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, who leads the government’s people-smuggling crackdown Operation Sovereign Borders. “Those cliffs are extremely difficult and jagged and the jungle very thick. “Christmas Island, I would note, is a sea mount, prone to rough seas, jagged cliffs and extensively covered by dense jungle. These people are extremely lucky to have survived their ordeal.” Of the 27 on the vessel, 22 were in a detention centre and one was in a stable condition in hospital with minor injuries, Mr Campbell said. “An additional four persons have been transferred into immigration custody this morning after the assistance of the Australian Federal Police in recovering them from the vicinity of Greta Beach,” he added. Christmas Island, an Australian territory 2600 kilometres (1600 miles) from the mainland’s west coast, is located on a major people-smuggling route from Indonesia. Mr Campbell said while undetected arrivals had occurred in the past, he had directed the commander of border protection command to undertake an assessment of “procedures, disposition and capability to mitigate where possible such surprises”. “Their arrival was not detected but their outcome ... will be the same as all other illegal maritime arrivals. They will go to the offshore processing centres either on Nauru or in Papua New Guinea.” Asylum-seeker boat arrivals have dropped dramatically under the new conservative government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, which has retained a hardline policy adopted by the former Labor administration of sending all boatpeople to Papua New Guinea or Nauru for permanent resettlement. But close to 200 people have arrived on four boats in the past week. Myanmar views the Muslim Rohingya as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Thousands have fled in rickety boats since deadly clashes broke out with Buddhists last year. – AFP A young Thai boy blows a whistle as he sits with his grandmother as antigovernment protesters listen to a recorded speech in the near-empty Finance Ministry in Bangkok on December 6. Photo: AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V., a company organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, of Waarderweg 39, 2031 BN HAARLEM, The Netherlands, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- OVESTIN Reg. No. 3542/1998 in respect of “Int’l Class 05: Medicines and pharmaceutical preparations for human use”. 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 Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: [email protected] Dated: 9 December 2013 38 World International SYDNEY WASHINGTON THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Australia defends raids in East Timor arbitration AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Tony Abbott on December 4 defended intelligence raids on the offices of a lawyer representing East Timor in a spying case against Canberra, saying they were necessary for national security. Mr Abbott’s government was under fire after lawyer Bernard Collaery’s offices was raided by the domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), on December 2 and a range of material seized on a secret warrant. Mr Collaery is representing East Timor’s government in an arbitration at The Hague accusing Australia of espionage over a controversial Timor Sea gas treaty, and has described the raids as “intimidatory” tactics ahead of a hearing in the case on December 5. The Labor-Greens opposition called for an explanation from Attorney-General George Brandis. But Mr Abbott defended the move as in Australia’s national interest. “We don’t interfere in cases but we always act to ensure that our national security is being properly upheld – that’s what we’re doing,” the prime minister said. In a statement confirming he had ordered the raids on the night of December 3, Mr Brandis said the documents seized “contained intelligence related to security matters” and dismissed any suggestion that they were an attempt to interfere in the case at The Hague. “I have instructed ASIO that the material taken into possession is not under any circumstances to be communicated to those conducting those proceedings on behalf of Australia,” Mr Brandis said. In a separate ASIO operation on December 3, Mr Collaery said the key witness in his case, a retired senior intelligence officer-turnedwhistleblower, was detained and questioned at length before his passport was cancelled to prevent him from travelling to The Hague. “This proceeding will continue. The evidence is available here in the Hague as I speak,” Mr Collaery told ABC television. “Muzzling the oral evidence of the prime witness is so crass. What do you think the tribunal is going to think of it? It’s a contemptuous action.” Mr Collaery’s witness will allege that Australia’s foreign intelligence service, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), used an aid project refurbishing East Timor’s cabinet offices as a front to plant listening devices in the walls in order to eavesdrop on deliberations about a Timor Sea gas treaty in 2004. That treaty sets out a 50-50 split of proceeds from the vast maritime gas fields between Australia and East Timor estimated at some AUS$40 billion (US$36 billion). Dili is now seeking to have the document ripped up on the grounds that Australia spied on ministers to gain a commercial advantage. – AFP Trafficking a worry in post-typhoon Philippines THOUSANDS of women and children in the Philippines risk falling prey to human traffickers in the aftermath of last month’s catastrophic typhoon, lawmakers and the chief US aid agency warned last week. A US congressman returning from a visit to the storm-ravaged island nation said that while Filipino authorities and US forces were helping vast numbers of storm victims, more attention was needed to thwart criminal opportunists taking advantage of the chaos after Super-typhoon Haiyan roared ashore. “The most vulnerable – women, children, the elderly and those with special needs – always fare worst during disasters,” Republican congressman Chris Smith, who led the threemember delegation to the disaster zone last week, told a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. At particular risk of sex trafficking are vulnerable people “who over a longer period of time may have lost some hope”, said Mr Smith. Such persons in the Philippines, many among the thousands transported out of the disaster zone to cities like the capital Manila, could fall victim to offers of work in Saudi Arabia or Korea, Mr Smith said, only to find themselves with “an engraved invitation to a hell on Earth”. Washington considers the Philippines as not in full compliance with Typhoon survivors ride onboard a C-130 military plane out of Tacloban, Leyte province, to Manila on November 29. Photo: AFP minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The State Department’s 2013 trafficking report describes it as a source country for sex-trafficking and forced labour, and that “child sex tourism remained a serious problem” there. The US Agency for International Development, which for years has worked with the government of the Philippines to reduce human trafficking, also sounded the alarm at the hearing. “We are watching this very closely,” Nancy Lindborg, the USAID’s assistant administrator for democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance, testified. “To protect the children of the central Philippines during this time of heightened vulnerability, the government of the Philippines and the international community will need to make every effort ... to ensure and strengthen local and national protective services.” That includes creation of safe spaces for women and children, she said, as well as programs that help identify, trace and reunify unaccompanied children, – AFP SEOUL S Korea changes history textbooks SOUTH Korea’s Education Ministry has ordered revisions to a number of high school history textbooks, part of a longrunning ideological battle over the narrative of modern Korea. In a statement, the ministry said the publishers of seven governmentapproved textbooks had been ordered to revise 41 instances of “obscure and unbalanced” descriptions of history. Failure to do so would result in publication of the books being halted completely, the ministry said. The 41 corrections demanded by the ministry involved writings on subjects ranging from civilian killings during the 1950-53 Korean War, territorial disputes with Japan and North Korean human rights abuses. “The most important factors for determining the subjects of modification were if there are any factual errors and elements that could negatively affect students’ perspective of the right historical events,” Deputy Education Minister Na Seung-Il told reporters. The directive follows a row that was triggered in August by protests from liberal opposition lawmakers over one particular textbook which they accused of a pronounced right-wing bias. Ruling conservative MPs countered by challenging a perceived left-wing bias in a handful of other textbooks. The turbulent, traumatic history of the Korean peninsula in the 20th century is something of an academic minefield. Of particular sensitivity are the 1910-45 period of Japanese occupation, the division of the peninsula into North and South, post-Korean War military rule, the pro-democracy movement of the 1980s and 1990s, and pretty much anything to do with North Korea. – AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION Merck KGaA., a Corporation with general partners ) of Darmstadt, Germany, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- 40 World International HONG KONG THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 Reg. No. 11620/2013 in respect of “Class 5: Pharmaceutical preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax. Class 10: Surgical, medical and dental apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials”. 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 Merck KGaA P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: [email protected] Dated: 9 December 2013 PENCYLCAP Chinese fuel Hong Kong illegal cancer drug trade SAFETY fears over medication in mainland China are driving a risky illegal trade in cancer drugs in Hong Kong, experts say, warning of shortages in a similar scenario to the milk formula crisis that emptied shelves in the territory. Hong Kong pharmacies are selling the drugs under the counter to mainland Chinese visitors who have lost faith in their own medical system and are dodging high prices, in another example of how demand from China can impact wider markets. One shopper at a Hong Kong pharmacy in the bustling commercial area of Mong Kok said he had travelled from the southern mainland city of Guangzhou to buy the breast cancer treatment Herceptin. “My wife needs it to survive,” the man, surnamed Li, said. “I will save more than 8000 yuan [US$1280] per bottle if I buy Herceptin here. They may charge you 24,000 yuan for this on the mainland.” Customers from China buying the medication without the required prescription is “very common”, said Chui Chun-ming, chair of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Hong Kong. “This illegal trade brings them [pharmacies] a lot of money,” he said, referring to the city’s small independent high street businesses. Mr Chui says that 90 percent of the cancer drugs sold in pharmacies in Hong Kong go to mainland buyers as most local residents get them direct from hospitals or their own doctors. With drug companies imposing supply quotas for different countries based on factors including population size, Hong Kong could fall short if demand continues from beyond its borders, Mr Chui said. “The problem is Hong Kong is a very small city and the supply is very limited,” he said. “In a few years, it might turn out to be another ‘infant formula’ issue.” Chinese parents became distrustful of domestic milk brands after a huge 2008 scandal involving formula tainted with melamine that killed six children and sickened 300,000 others. Their concern triggered a rush on milk powder, which saw shelves emptied around the world – Hong Kong banned travellers taking out more than 1.8 kilograms (4 pounds) of formula from March 1 this year. Mainland demand has heaped pressure on Hong Kong’s healthcare system in the past. Hospitals have banned mainland women who do not have local spouses from giving birth TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that P.H. FOODS CO., LTD. a company organized under the laws of Thailand and having its principal office at 33/1 Moo 1, Petchkasem Road, Aom-yai, Samparn, Nakorn Pathom 73160, Thailand is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:- Customers buy goods in an independent pharmacy in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP (Reg: No. IV/10263/2013) in respect of :- “Crispy Snack (Crunchy Snack), Biscuit, Bread, Cookies, Corn chips, Jelly, Chocolate coated confectionery.” Class: 30 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for P.H. FOODS CO., LTD. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 9th December, 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION Notice is hereby given that LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER of 50, rue Carnot 92284 Suresnes cedex, FRANCE, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:- SERVIER (Reg: No. IV/12633/2013) In respect of: “Pharmaceutical products, advertisements and business, namely assistant to the management of the business: services for the organization of the business; services of medical promotion services of promotion for the sales of products; professional business consultation; business information; searches in chemistry, consultation in pharmacy; exploitation of patents; health services.” in classes 5,35,42 in the city to tackle increasing “birth tourism”, fuelled by mums-to-be seeking better medical care and residency rights for their children. Among their concerns are fears over the safety of medicines produced in China. Recent scandals include drug capsules made from toxic raw material derived from scrap leather and the busting of a ring peddling counterfeit tablets. In 2008 a blood thinner called heparin, produced in China, was found to be contaminated and linked to dozens of deaths. “People are not trusting their supply chains,” Ben Cavender, an associate principal at the Shanghai-based China Market Research Group, said. “They are worried that the drugs may be labelled incorrectly, or the quality is not that high, or the company decides to make it more cheaply in China than in the other countries, or they might be fake.” Buying or selling an anti-cancer drug without a prescription can lead to maximum fines of HK$100,000 ($13,000) and two years’ imprisonment for buyers, salespeople and pharmacy owners, according to the Department of Health. A spokesman said that it had boosted surveillance in response to mainland drug demand. There were 24 cases in 2012 which led to convictions for the illegal sale of prescription medicines. But despite the threat of prosecution, the trade continues. When a reporter visited four small independent pharmacies in Hong Kong and asked for 440 milligrams of Herceptin, all offered to sell it without a prescription. Tse Hung-hing, president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, said he feared the consequences of the uncontrolled sale of such strong medication. “They [anti-cancer drugs] are more toxic. It is not like you are buying Panadol,” he said. Mr Tse added that the organisation had reported the problem to Hong Kong’s Department of Health, but had not seen a significant response. Pharmacies tend to buy their cancer drugs from private doctors as a safer route than getting them direct from drug companies, as direct orders are likely to be more closely monitored by the authorities, says Mr Chui. The Hong Kong branch of Roche, which manufactures Herceptin, said it had been “made aware” of reports of mainland visitors coming over to buy oncology drugs. “We are committed to supporting the relevant authorities with any investigations,” it said in a statement to AFP. According to a 2012 report released by the China National Cancer Registry, the country sees 3.12 million new cancer cases every year. From 2006 to 2010, the number of cancer cases in Hong Kong rose at an average rate of 2.7 percent each year, four times more than the annual population growth rate, a report by Hong Kong Cancer Registry (HKCR) showed. Mr Chui believes the increasing pressure on Hong Kong’s cancer drug supply could soon reach crisis point. “The majority of community pharmacies in Hong Kong are owned by businessmen rather than professional pharmacists,” he said. “There is a high probability that, in up to three years, the supply of anti-cancer drugs will become an issue.” – AFP (Reg: No.IV/12632/2013) In respect of: “Pharmaceutical; veterinary and sanitary preparations; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides in class 05.” Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Nyein Kyaw B.Sc., Dip Engg., R.L., D.B.L. For LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER Room 007, Inya Lake Hotel 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar Tes: (951) 9662866 E-mail: [email protected] Date: 9th December, 2013 SYDNEY Researchers launch croc attack file AUSTRALIAN researchers on December 2 launched the world’s first crocodile attack database, hoping to establish whether conservation of the reptiles had “come back to bite itself”. CrocBITE, a new global database of human-crocodile interactions, will be managed by researchers at Australia’s Charles Darwin University (CDU), aiming to explore whether protection had increased attacks. Since laws were passed in Australia’s tropical Northern Territory in 1971 protecting crocodiles, CDU researcher Adam Britton said species numbers had boomed, leading to greater interactions with humans, with “similar stories from around the world”. “Crocodile conservation has come back to bite itself,” said Mr Britton. “Human-crocodile conflict is increasing each year as crocodile populations recover from decades of overhunting, and human populations continue to grow and encroach upon crocodile habitat.” The aim of CrocBITE would not be to “vilify” the predatory reptiles but “better analyse crocodile and human conflict”. “The project will be an ongoing attempt to compile all reported attacks by any crocodilian species on a human to better understand risk factors leading to such attacks,” he said. This would “ultimately help to improve human safety and, as a consequence, crocodilian conservation,” said Mr Britton. There are already some 1700 entries in the database, drawn from historical records and news articles, and Mr Britton said the team was “already beginning to see patterns.” Members of the public can view the latest data and report attacks at www.crocodile-attack.info. Reports will be verified by the CDU team before being uploaded into the database. The data – which includes the date of an attack, gender and age of victim, country, crocodile type and size – will be fed into interactive maps and there will also be species description and distribution information available on the site. Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 7 metres (22 feet) long, weigh more than a tonne, and are a common feature of Australia’s tropical north. Their numbers have increased steadily since the introduction of protection laws, with government estimates putting the population at between 75,000-100,000. Until now, quantifying the frequency of attacks on humans has been anecdotal. – AFP www.mmtimes.com PARIS International World 41 TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE S.R.Tyres Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of Thailand and having its principal office at 222 Moo 1, Suwinthawong Road, Khokthai Sub District, Srimahosot District, Prachinburi 25190, Thailand the owner and sole proprietor of the following Trademarks:- Reg. No. 4/8117/2013 Reg. No. 4/8118/2013 Parisian subway riders walk past an awareness campaign by international relief organisation Action Contre la Faim on December 3. Photo: AFP Charity accuses Sri Lanka over executions FRANCE’s Action Contre la Faim (ACF) on December 3 accused Sri Lankan security forces of killing 17 aid workers in cold blood and then organising a cover-up of what it described as a “heinous” war crime. In a report on the bleakest day in its history, the charity said it has proof that Sri Lankan army, navy and police personnel were implicated in the August 4, 2006, massacre in the city of Muttur, in the mainly Tamil north of the island. “In one of the most heinous crimes ever committed against humanitarian workers, the 17 aid workers were lined up, forced to their knees and each shot in the head,” ACF said. The aid workers, 16 ethnic Tamils and one Muslim, were killed as Sri Lankan government forces, then engaged in a civil war against Tamil Tiger separatists, took over Muttur. Government forces finally triumphed in the conflict in 2009 after decades of fighting characterised by numerous atrocities on both sides. Defence officials in Colombo last week dismissed ACF’s report and questioned why the charity had “withheld” evidence that could have helped local investigators. “This is another instance of a pattern which has emerged since the end of the conflict where certain organisations level allegations against the government without providing sufficient details to enable an investigation,” military spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said. ACF’s report into what happened is entitled The Truth Revealed about the Assassination of 17 Humanitarian Aid Workers in Sri Lanka. It alleges that the killers were protected by Sri Lankan authorities at the highest levels and describes an official investigation into the killing as a “farce” characterised by the systematic destruction of evidence and multiple irregularities. “Every day we and other humanitarian organisations work in war zones,” said Mike Penrose, executive director of ACF-France. “It is paramount that those who do not respect humanitarian aid workers are brought to justice and that these crimes do not go unpunished.” ACF said it had been prepared to wait for the outcome of the official investigation but had finally lost hope of Sri Lanka acting to bring those responsible to justice. “Now that relevant domestic mechanisms have been exhausted, witnesses have been silenced and the internal Sri Lankan investigation has become a farce, ACF considers it to be its moral duty to publicly denounce the perpetrators of this crime.” The organisation said only an independent international investigation could now lead to prosecution of the Reg. No. 4/8119/2013 Used in respect of:Vehicle tires and tubes. (International Class 12) Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent intentions of the above marks will be dealt with according to law. Tin Ohnmar Tun & The Law Chambers Ph: 0973150632 Email:[email protected] (For.Domnern Somgiat & Boonma, Attorneys at Law, Thailand) Dated. 9th December, 2013 killers. The aid workers were in Muttur helping local people recover from the devastating aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. ACF was one of the few NGOs not to have withdrawn its staff from the area as fighting between government forces and the Tigers intensified. ACF insists it delivered aid impartially to rebel and government-held areas but a suspicion among government forces that many aid workers were pro-rebel seems to have provided the motive for the killings. According to what ACF regards as credible accounts of the incident, the workers were unarmed and having a tea break when the government forces arrived. They were forced to kneel and 15 of them were shot in the head on the spot by police officers and a home guard in the presence of naval special forces, according to these accounts. Two others appear to have tried to flee and were shot while doing so. In the days after the killings, ACF officials attempting to reach Muttur were blocked on four occasions by the military and they were not allowed to collect the bodies until August 7. ACF last week put up a series of 10 posters in Paris’s busy Odeon metro station to denounce the Muttur attack and other killings of humanitarian workers that have gone unpunished. – AFP TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that CARL ZEISS AG, a company organized under the laws of Germany of Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 22, 73447 Oberkochen, Germany, are the owners and sole proprietors of the following Trade Marks in Myanmar: 1. ZEISS The said mark is used in respect of ‘Optical physical and electrotechnical apparatus, instruments and equipment as well as their component parts, spectacle lenses, spectacle frames and protection spectacles, surveying, navigational and weighing instruments spirit levels, instruments for the measuring and plotting of photographs, photographic instruments and film and plate holders for same, medical instruments and their component parts, measuring instruments, measuring tools and measuring scales, illumination apparatus, motor car lamps, machines for the working of glass, metal, wood, leather, horn and celluloid, drawing instruments, computing machines and slide rules’. 3. PLANAR 4. TESSAR 2. BIOGON The said marks are used in respect of ‘Optical instruments and parts thereof, especially consisting of one or several lenses as photographic, microphotographic, projecting and microscope objectives’. SEOUL Amnesty says N Korea gulag expanding SATELLITE images of one of North Korea’s largest political prison camps suggest its inmate population is expanding, Amnesty International said on December 5 in a report detailing rape and torture in the North’s notorious gulag. The report by the London-based rights watchdog included rare testimony from a former camp guard, as well as from former inmates about the brutality prevalent in the prison system. “For Amnesty International, which has been investigating human rights violations for the last 50 years, we find North Korea to be in a category of its own,” said Amnesty’s East Asia researcher Rajiv Narayan. North Korea denies the existence of the political prison camps which, according to independent estimates, form a network holding between 100,000 and 200,000 people. The images analysed in the Amnesty report were taken over a two-year period from 2011 to 2013, and were of Camp 15 in the south of the country and Camp 16 in the north. Amnesty estimated the size of Camp 16 is 560 square kilometres (216 square miles) – three times the size of Washington, DC – with around 20,000 prisoners. Analysis indicated a slight increase in the remote camp’s population, with new housing blocks clearly visible and signs of “significant” economic activity such as mining and logging, the report said. A former security guard based at the camp from the 1980s until the mid-1990s, named only as Lee in the report, told Amnesty of the methods used to execute prisoners. He revealed detainees were forced to dig their own graves and were then killed with hammer blows to their necks. The former guard said he also witnessed prison officers strangling detainees and then beating them to death with wooden sticks. Prison officials frequently raped women inmates who were then killed, he said. “After a night of ‘servicing’ the officials, the women had to die because the secret could not get out. This happens at most of the political prison camps,” he told Amnesty. Former Camp 15 inmates said detainees were subject to forced labour – usually for between 10 to 12 hours a day on near-starvation rations with a strict production target. “Often we did not meet our targets because we were always hungry and weak,” one former Camp 15 prisoner told Amnesty. “We were punished with beatings and also reductions in our food quota,” said the prisoner, whose name was withheld. Camp 15 covers an area of 370 square kilometres (140 square miles). In 2011, an estimated 50,000 people were imprisoned within the camp. The recent images of Camp 15 – also known as Yodok – show that 39 housing blocks have been demolished since Amnesty International last assessed satellite pictures of the camp two years ago. The testimony echoed those provided recently by camp survivors to a landmark UN commission investigating human rights abuses in North Korea. Amnesty called on North Korea to close the camps immediately, and urged countries like China to stop repatriating North Koreans who flee the country on the grounds that they would likely be sent to the gulag. – AFP 5. The said mark is used in respect of ‘Optical instruments and their parts, spectacles, magnifier, spectacles, safety goggles, magnifying glasses, spectacle lenses, including tinted lenses and such made of plastics, spectacle frames, binoculars and microscopes, ophthalmic and optometrical instruments and apparatus as well as parts thereof’. The said trade marks are the subject of Declarations of Ownership recorded with the Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon, Myanmar in Book under Nos. IV/7243/2005, IV/7244/2005, IV/7245/2005 dated September 7, 2005, IV/7247/2005 dated September 5, 2005 and IV/7250/2005 dated September 7, 2005 respectively. Any infringement or colourable imitation thereof or other infringement of the rights of the said Corporation will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates For CARL ZEISS AG, by its Attorneys Remfry & Sagar Attorneys-at-Law Dated: 9th December, 2013 www.mmtimes.com DAMASCUS International World 43 TRADE MARK CAUTION Notice is hereby given that BIOGARAN of 15, boulevard Charles de Gaulle – 92700 Colombes, FRANCE, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:- BIOGARAN (Reg: No. IV/12634/2013) In respect of: “Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations dietetic substances for medical use. in class 05.” Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Nyein Kyaw B.Sc., Dip Engg., R.L., D.B.L. For BIOGARAN Room 007, Inya Lake Hotel 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar Tes: (951) 9662866 E-mail: [email protected] Date: 9th December, 2013 A man walks past a bicycle shop in the Syrian capital Damascus on November 28. Photo: AFP Bikes a hit in checkpointstrewn Syria capital DAMASCUS bike shop owner Ali Jumaa is a happy man despite the civil war raging across Syria: With checkpoint-weary locals in the capital increasingly swapping their cars for bicycles, business has never been better. “Bike sales are exploding,” he said with a big smile. Young Damascenes especially have turned to bikes en masse to avoid the endless traffic jams caused by hundreds of army checkpoints. Two and a half years into Syria’s brutal war, the economy has taken a beating, with inflation soaring at 68 percent and scores of businesspeople leaving the country. While the conflict has caused heavy losses for most businesses in Damascus, Mr Jumaa, a trader in his 40s, is among the lucky ones. It’s hard to miss his store, which sells bicycles of all types and colours as well as carrying out repairs. “We have regular clients,” said Mr Jumaa, while repairing a bicycle in front of his shop on Khaled bin Walid Street. “Young women, including university professors, use bicycles to get around,” he said. Syria is a conservative Muslim country and women on bicycles used to be a rare sight. But for months now, residents say driving in Damascus has turned into a nightmare because of the multitude of army checkpoints which have popped up across the city, with troops inspecting every passing car. More than half the capital’s streets have been shut down, leading to traffic jams which can paralyse the capital’s roads for hours on end. The aim of the checkpoints is to protect the capital from bomb attacks and to stop weapons and explosive-laden cars from slipping in. The drastic security measures and the congestion they cause have encouraged people to use bicycles, whereas just a few months ago only delivery men and newspaper distributors could be seen using them. Mohammad Sabbagh, an engineering student, is thrilled at having taken to two wheels. “I get to university in 20 minutes, while it used to take me one or two hours [by bus], depending on the traffic,” said Mr Sabbagh, parking his bike. “I can do whatever I want with my time now, as I don’t have to wait for the bus any more,” he smiled. Manar Masri, also a student, said he took up cycling after he stumbled on a Facebook page named “We need a bike”. “It’s wonderful that all these people, especially young girls, want to cycle,” he said. Even some religious figures have joined in. Mohammed Ali Malla, a cleric at Leila Basha mosque, said on the group’s Facebook page, “To navigate the streets of Damascus, our only option is bicycles.” Another social media user wrote, “When I’m stuck at a checkpoint and I see 32 bicycles in front of me, I think to myself, I really need a bike.” Some have grown so tired of the traffic that they make jokes about it. “Life is too short to spend on a bus,” wrote another Facebook user. In Damascus, an average bi­­ cycle costs about 400 Syrian pounds (US$30), with most of them imported from China. Some residents also see bicycles as a way of saving money on fuel, which has grown scarce as fighting has cut off supply routes across Syria. Ms Fadia is upset so much of her salary goes on petrol. Buying a bicycle “would be the ideal solution,” she said, as the price of fuel has nearly doubled in two years. The Facebook campaign en­­­­­cour­­­ ages women like Ms Fadia to abandon their cars. “Women feel embarrassed to ride a bike, but we need to break all those taboos ... even if that seems unusual in our conservative society,” one post reads. But not everyone supports the idea. A street seller grumbled as he watched a young woman riding through the Shaalan commercial district. “Now we’ve seen it all!” he called out. – AFP TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE SENSO CORPORATION LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of Thailand and having its principal office at 28 Soi Somdejprapinklao 4, Somdejprapinklao Rd, Bangyeekhun, Bangplat, Bangkok 10700, Thailand is the owner and sole proprietor of the following Trademark:- Reg. No. 4/8389/2013 Used in respect of:Shoes, upper outer garment for men and women, pants for men and women. (International class 25) Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent intentions of the above mark will be dealt with according to law. Tin Ohnmar Tun & The Law Chambers Ph: 0973150632 Email:[email protected] (For.Domnern Somgiat & Boonma, Attorneys at Law, Thailand) Dated. 9th December, 2013 TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE Oracle America, Inc., a company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its principal office at 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, California 94065 United States of America is the owner and sole proprietor of the following Trademark:- SUN Reg. No. 4/3677/2011 Used in respect of:Computer software, computer hardware, computer peripherals, and related products manufactured, imported and/or sold by or on behalf of the Company in Myanmar. Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent intentions of the above mark will be dealt with according to law. Tin Ohnmar Tun & The Law Chambers Ph: 0973150632 Email:[email protected] (For.Domnern Somgiat & Boonma) (Attorneys at Law, Thailand) Dated: 9th December, 2013 BAGHDAD Iraq attacks kill nine as 2013 toll tops 6200 ATTACKS in predominantly-Sunni Arab areas of Baghdad as well as in northern and western Iraq killed at least nine people on December 3, the latest in a months-long nationwide surge in bloodletting. The rise in violence, which has killed more than 6200 people this year, has prompted the authorities to appeal for international help in combating militancy ahead of general elections due in April. Officials have blamed a resurgent al-Qaeda emboldened by the civil war raging in neighbouring Syria, but the government has itself faced criticism for not doing enough to address the concerns of Iraq’s disaffected Sunni Arab minority. Bombings last week hit west Baghdad, as well as the predominantly Sunni cities of Abu Ghraib, Mosul and Tarmiyah. In the deadliest attack, twin roadside bombs exploded near municipal offices in Tarmiyah, a town just north of Baghdad that has seen multiple deadly attacks in recent weeks. When onlookers gathered at the scene, two suicide bombers blew themselves up. Overall, seven people were killed and 15 wounded, two security officials said. Violence elsewhere in Iraq left two people dead and more than a dozen wounded, according to security and medical officials. The authorities have made some concessions aimed at placating Sunnis, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of anti-al-Qaeda Sahwa fighters. But the daily attacks show no sign of abating. Diplomats, analysts and human rights groups say the government is not doing enough to address disquiet among Sunnis over what they see as mistreatment at the hands of the Shiite-led authorities. – AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION Intervet, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, of 56 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, New Jersey 07068,United States of America, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- 44 World International NUSA DUA THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 VETOPRIM Reg. No. 1077/1983 Reg. No. 2449/1995 Reg. No. 392/1998 in respect of “Int’l Class 5: Veterinary preparations and substances”. 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 Intervet, Inc. P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: [email protected] Dated: 9 December 2013 India resists pressure in tense WTO impasse INDIA on December 5 shrugged off mounting pressure to compromise in a global impasse over food security that has cast the future of the World Trade Organisation into doubt. New Delhi’s insistence that it be allowed to stockpile and subsidise grain for its millions of hungry poor has emerged as a major stumbling block at a WTO conference of trade ministers in Bali. The WTO has warned that failure to reach a compromise on that and other issues could be a death blow to the body’s 12-year-old effort to remove trade barriers, which is at a stalemate. “This is a fundamental issue. We will never compromise,” Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters at the conference venue on the Indonesian resort island. The WTO launched its main “Doha Round” of talks in Qatar in 2001, aiming to create an open trading environment and rules that are fair to both rich and poor countries. But protectionist disputes, particularly between the industrialised and developing worlds, have made progress elusive. New WTO chief Roberto Azevedo of Brazil is pushing for an agreement in Bali on a more modest package touching on agricultural subsidies and other issues, hoping to buy time until Doha can be revived. Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, chair of the talks, said he and Mr Azevedo were seeking to broker a compromise between India and the United States. Washington and some other trading nations are said to feel the Indian position violates WTO limits on subsidies and fear stockpiled grain could end up on global markets, skewing prices. The crux of the impasse is New Delhi’s demand that it be made exempt from any WTO challenges over the issue indefinitely, while the Indian position but it is difficult to say what that could mean,” he said. India’s ruling Congress Party is facing tough elections next year, but Mr Sharma said domestic politics were not a factor in its WTO stance. He framed the issue as a divide between industrialised countries and a developing world that he said viewed WTO rules as favouring rich nations. “India speaks for the vast majority of people in the developing countries and the poor countries. India is not alone,” he said. However Mark Kennedy, who leads the graduate school of political management at George Washington University, said developing countries did not “appear to be rallying to India’s cry”. “It comes off more as a domestic political issue for India than a true commitment to be a leader for the developing world,” added Mr Kennedy, who has also advised the US government on trade issues. Trade ministers have issued stark warnings that a failure to close gaps in Bali would fatally wound the WTO’s waning world influence. Mr Azevedo has raised an alarm over alternative regional pacts between major trading nations, such as the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership pushed by Washington. He said a trend in that direction would have “tragic” consequences for countless poor in developing countries around the world that are struggling to compete in the global marketplace. – AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Millennium & Copthorne International Limited a company organized under the laws of Singapore and having its principal office at 36 Robinson Road #04-01 City House, Singapore 068877 is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:(Reg: No. IV/9231/2012) in respect of: “Business management of hotels and resorts/motels and other temporary accommodation including serviced apartments and apartment hotels; public relations services in relation to temporary accommodation, including hotels and motels, serviced apartments and apartment hotels; marketing of temporary accommodation including hotels and motels, serviced apartments and apartment hotels including the advertising of the aforementioned services via the Internet and other global computer networks.” - Class: 35 “Temporary accommodation services, accommodation (rental of temporary), catering (food and drink), rental of meeting rooms, restaurants, cafés, reservations of temporary accommodation; providing temporary housing accommodation; providing serviced apartments; hotel services.” Class: 43 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Millennium & Copthorne International Limited P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 9th December, 2013 ‘It comes off more as a domestic issue for India than a true commitment to be a leader for the developing world.’ Mark Kennedy George Washington University You are the Centre of Our World the Bali package would limit the exemption period. “This doesn’t mean that this is a mission impossible,” said Mr Wirjawan, who has called for compromise in comments that appeared aimed at New Delhi. Earlier on Thursday, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht hinted at possible movement behind closed doors. “There has been a development in GABORONE Africa risks losing 20% of elephants by 2023 AFRICA could lose 20 percent of its elephant population within a decade, conservation groups warned Monday as governments met in Botswana to discuss measures to curb poaching. An estimated 22,000 elephants were illegally killed across the continent last year, as poaching reached “unacceptably elevated levels”, according to a report by CITES, TRAFFIC and IUCN. “If poaching rates are sustained at current levels, Africa is likely to lose a fifth of its elephants in the next ten years,” the group said. The study was released as experts and ministers met in Gaborone to look at ways to stamp out the slaughter, fuelled by a growing demand for ivory in Asia. The meeting is expected to adopt 13 “urgent” steps to stem the tide of illegal elephant killings. These will include classification of trafficking in ivory as a serious crime and securing stiff sentences for offenders. Prevention would be tackled through better arming of national protection agencies and discouraging demand in destination countries. The meeting will also recommend the adequate securing of governmentand privately-held ivory stockpiles so they do not make their way into wrong hands. “We continue to face a critical situation,” said John E Scanlon, secretary general of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “Current elephant poaching in Africa remains far too high, and could soon lead to local extinctions if the present killing rates continue,” said Mr Scanlon. TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Medinova AG a company organized under the laws of Switzerland and having its principal office at Eggbühlstrasse 14, CH-8052, Zürich, Switzerland is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademarks:- (Reg: Nos. IV/1835/2005 & 1933/2010 & IV/13414/2012) in respect of :- “Soaps, perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions, dentifrices and pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations” (Reg: Nos. IV/1834/2005 & IV/1934/2010 & IV/13416/2012) in respect of :- “Pharmaceutical preparations” A Kenya Wildlife Services ranger stands guard over an ivory haul seized overnight as it transited through Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi. Photo: AFP (Reg: Nos. IV/1833/2005 & IV/1935/2010 & IV/13415/2012) in respect of :- “Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations” Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Medinova AG P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 9th December, 2013 He described the situation in central Africa, where the estimated poaching rate is twice the continental average, as “particularly acute”. There are around half a million elephants left in Africa compared with 1.2 million in 1980 and 10 million in 1900. Researchers believe that poverty and weak governance in African countries harbouring elephants are driving forces behind a spike in poaching. Ivory trade is banned under the CITES, yet the illegal trade is estimated to be worth up to US$10 billion a year. The price of ivory on the black market shot up tenfold in the past decade to more than $2000 per kilogram. On average, an adult elephant tusk can weigh 20kg (44 pounds), according to experts. In terms of international crime, wildlife trafficking now ranks fifth after narcotics, counterfeiting, the traffic of human beings and the traffic of oil, according to estimates cited at the meeting. Beyond worries about the species’ survival, elephant poaching has given rise to security and terrorism concerns. Proceeds from ivory are “known to fund terrorism acts, support conflicts” said the conference document. Experts suggest the funds could be financing groups such as Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked Shebab, Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army and Sudan’s Janjaweed militia. – AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Apple Inc. a company organized under the laws of the States of California, United States of America and having its principal office at 1 Infinite, Cupertino, California 95014, United States of America is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademarks:- APPLE (Reg: No. IV/8278/2013) (Reg: No. IV/8279/2013) the above two trademarks are in respect of:“Telecommunications; communication and telecommunication services; providing access to web sites on the Internet; delivery of digital music by telecommunications; providing wireless telecommunications via electronic communications networks; wireless digital messaging, paging services, and electronic mail services, including services that enable a user to send and/or receive messages through a wireless data network; one-way and two-way paging services; communication by computer, computer intercommunication; telex, telegram and telephone services; rental, hire and leasing of communications apparatus and of electronic mailboxes; electronic bulletin board services; electronic communications consultancy; facsimile, message collection and transmission services; transmission of data and of information by electronic means, computer, cable, radio, teleprinter, teleletter, electronic mail, telecopier, television, microwave, laser beam, communications satellite or electronic communication means; transmission of data by audio-visual apparatus controlled by data processing apparatus or computers; broadcasting or transmission of radio and television programmes; time sharing services for communication apparatus; provision of telecommunications access and links to computer databases and the Internet; electronic transmission of streamed and downloadable audio and video files via computer and other communications networks; web casting services; delivery of messages by electronic transmission; provision of connectivity services and access to electronic communications networks, for transmission or reception of audio, video or multimedia content; providing access to digital music web sites on the Intemet; providing access to MP3 web sites on the Intemet; delivery of digital music by telecommunications; operating search engines; providing telecommunications connections to the Internet or databases; providing user access to the Internet (service providers); electronic mail services; telecommunication of information (including web pages), computer programs and any other data; video broadcasting, broadcasting prerecorded videos featuring music and entertainment, television programs, motion pictures, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs of all kinds, via a global computer network; streaming of video content via a global computer network; subscription audio broadcasting via a global computer network; audio broadcasting, broadcasting music, concerts, and radio programs, via a global computer network, streaming of audio content via a global computer network; electronic transmission of audio and video files via communications networks; providing search engines for obtaining data on a global computer network; communication services in the form of matching users for the transfer of music, video and audio recordings via communication networks; providing on-line bulletin boards for the transmission of messages among computer users concerning entertainment, music, concerts, videos, radio, television, film, news, sports, games and cultural events; information, advisory and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid.” Class: 38 “Providing digital music [not downloadable] from MP3 Internet web sites; providing digital music fnot downloadable] from the Intemet; operating chat rooms; publication of electronic books and journals on-line; providing on-line electronic publications [not downloadable]; electronic games services provided by means of the Internet; information relating to music entertainment, education, interactive entertainment and education, provided on-line from a computer database or the Internet; music library services; organizing and conducting seminars and training courses relating to science, engineering, computer systems and business; education services relating to planning, production and distribution of live or recorded audio, visual or audio visual material; education and entertainment information services; providing online databases and directories in the field of music, concerts, videos, radio television, news, sports, games, cultural events and entertainment; providing online magazines, newsletters and books in the field of music, concerts, videos, radio, television news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment; organizing exhibitions for entertainment, educational and cultural purposes, music, concerts, film and motion picture events, audio and video events; publishing of text, graphic via communications networks; matching users for the transfer of music, video, and audio recordings via communications networks.” Class: 41 “Application services provider (ASP) featuring software for use in connection with online music subscription service, software that enables users to play and program music and entertainment related audio, video, text and multimedia content, and software featuring musical sound recordings, entertainment-related audio, video, text and multimedia content; providing temporary use of on-line and non-downloadable software to enable users to program audio, video, text and other multimedia content, including music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs; providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content, music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs as they will be aired; licensing services relating to music publishing; services for the exploitation of music rights; providing access to a computer data base in the nature of a bulletin board in the fields of music, video, film, books, television, games and sports.” Class: 42 “Online social networking services; providing a social networking website; concierge services.” Class: 45 (Reg: No. IV/8280/2013) in respect of :- “Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission and/or reproduction of sounds, images or other data magnetic data carriers, recording discs; apparatus, instruments and materials for transmitting and/or receiving and/or recording sound and/or images; downloadable audio and video recordings featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure andlor animation; automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin operated apparatus; cash registers; calculating machines, data processing equipment; computers, computer peripherals, computer terminals; computer hardware; facsimile machines, answering machines, telephone-based information retrieval software and hardware; adapters, adapter cards, connectors and drivers; blank computer storage media, fonts, typefaces, type designs and symbols in the form of recorded data; chips, discs and tapes bearing or for recording computer programs and software; random access memory, read only memory; solid state memory apparatus; electronic communication equipment and instruments; telecommunications apparatus and instruments; IPOD computer and electronic games; computer equipment for use with any of the aforesaid goods; electronic apparatus with multimedia functions for use with any of the aforesaid goods; electronic products with interactive functions for use with any of the aforesaid goods; accessories, parts, fittings, and testing apparatus for all the aforementioned goods; user manuals in electronically readable, machine readable or computer readable form for use with, and sold as a unit with, all the aforementioned goods; apparatus for data storage; hard drives; miniature hard disk drive storage units; pre-recorded vinyl records, audio tapes, audio-video tapes, audio video cassettes, audio video discs; audio tapes (all being sold together with booklets); CD-ROMs; digital versatile discs; mouse pads; batteries; rechargeable batteries; chargers; chargers for electric batteries; headphones; stereo headphones; in-ear headphones; stereo speakers; audio speakers; audio speakers for home; monitor speakers; speakers for computers; personal stereo speaker apparatus; radio receivers, amplifiers, sound recording and reproducing apparatus, electric phonographs, record players, high fidelity stereo apparatus, tape recorders and reproducing apparatus, loudspeakers, multiple speaker units, microphones; digital audio and video devices; audio cassette recorders and players, video cassette recorders and players, compact disc players, digital versatile disc recorders and players, digital audio tape recorders and players; radios; cameras; video cameras; bags and cases adapted or shaped to contain cameras and/or video cameras; cordless telephones; mobile telephones; parts and accessories for mobile telephones; mobile telephone covers; mobile telephone cases; mobile telephone cases made of leather or imitations of leather; mobile telephone covers made of cloth or textile materials; portable digital electronic devices and software related thereto; handheld digital electronic devices and software related thereto; MP3 players; hand held computers, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers, electronic notepads; magnetic data carriers; mobile digital electronic devices, telephones, computer gaming machines, microprocessors, memory boards, monitors, displays, keyboards, cables, modems, printers, videophones, disk drives, cameras; computer software, pre-recorded computer programs for personal information management, database management software, character recognition software, telephony management software, electronic mail and messaging software, paging software, mobile telephone software; database synchronization software, computer programs for accessing, browsing and searching online databases, computer software and firmware for operating system programs, data synchronization prograrns, and application development tool programs for personal and handheld computers; electronic handheld devices for the wireless receipt, storage andlor transmission of data and messages, and electronic devices that enable the user to keep track of or manage personal information; software for the redirection of messages, Internet e-mail, andlor other data to one or more electronic handheld devices from a data store on or associated with a personal computer or a server; software for the synchronization of data between a remote station or device and a fixed or remote station or device; bags and cases adapted or shaped to contain MP3 players, hand held computers, personal digital assistants, electronic organizers and electronic notepads; audio, video, and digital mixers; radio transmitters; car audio apparatus; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.” Class: 9 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates For Apple Inc. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 9th December, 2013 U GE T R GERS O FIN N THE PULSE EDITOR: MANNY MAUNG [email protected] THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEmBER 9 - 15, 2013 IT A DRUM, a DRUM! MaCBETH DOTH COME… WITH A CAST OF HUNDREDS AND A BIT OF IMAGINATION, YANGON SCHOOLCHILDREN BRING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE ith these words, a trio of Scottish witches calling themselves the “weird sisters” begin to prophesy the bloody rise – and still bloodier fall – of a once-heroic general turned power-hungry and corrupt, determined to take the throne at any cost. Last Wednesday, however, the lines were being incanted by an even more unlikely grouping: a pair of expats and two dozen 10-yearolds, clad not in dented armour but in thanaka and green-and-white school uniforms. In the words of Macbeth himself, “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more.” The children were putting the final touches to their scenes prior to an unexpectedly delightful performance of the Scottish play, held last YO Liam Shea and James Erskine do acting training at Sandayama monastary school. Photo: Zarni W NAnDAR AUnG [email protected] Friday at the National Theatre – surely the most unique Shakespearean performance ever held in this country. Around 300 youngsters between the ages of 6 and 20 came together to bring one of William Shakespeare’s most famous – and gory – works to life. With support from the British Embassy as part of Great Britain Week in Myanmar, the free performance was put on by a new organisation in Yangon called Shakespeare Schools, an outreach group set up by a veteran of London’s Globe Theatre. Scenes alternated between English and Myanmar language; in one striking scene of dialogue, one actor spoke in English while another replied in Myanmar. And to give everyone their time to shine, many roles were played by multiple actors simultaneously: Five Lady Macbeths, for example, tried and failed to wash the dangling ribbons of blood from their hands – and one of them wasn’t even a lady. Combined with the acoustics of the auditorium, the ages of the speakers and the sometimes overenthusiastic chatter in the audience – a mix of children, parents and curious expats – from some seats it was difficult to make out many lines. But the older actors had their parts down solidly, and the younger ones made up for any moments of confusion by performing surely the most adorable battlefield displays ever put on. As any good director knows, Shakespeare has always been about more than just the words – no matter how famous those words may be. Highlights included an extended sequence of expertly portrayed mimed pratfalls – a universal language which needs no translation – that had the crowd exploding with laughter; weapon-free imaginary swordfights that saw each side strike down the other to a fourcount rhythm; and a rousing dance number with the audience clapping enthusiastically to the rhythm. “The kids are so lovely,” said audience member Marca after the show. “They’re doing the whole play and made only one or two mistakes. Now I’m really disappointed that I didn’t bring my flash camera.” Friday’s show began with a brief video showing the preparations, during which the two expat directors, Liam Shea and James Erskine, worked with children in international and monastery schools, building their confidence and teaching them how to get up on stage and deliver with gusto. Liam explained the project’s goals to The Myanmar Times in between last-minute rehearsals with the makeshift troupe of players at Sandayama monastic school in Hlaing township last Wednesday. “It is intended to give the students a chance to understand a Shakespeare play through active learning,” he said. “And the nice thing about it is bringing communities together. The kids who go to international schools don’t always meet kids from monastery schools. It’s nice to put them on an even playing field. The www.mmtimes.com the pulse 47 international school students are performing a scene; the monastic school students are performing a scene. They’re all equal in the play.” Overall, over a dozen organisations were involved, including Laurel Art School and four local monastic schools: Sandayama, Nang Oo, Mi Gadar Yone and Shwe Myint Zu convent school. Shakespeare is no easy feat in any classroom, let alone when trying to bridge two languages. So while the children tended to have no problems following the instructions of their director – a testament to the two men’s enthusiasm and charisma – instructors from the non-profit community outreach program Gitameit also helped guide the progress. Thila Min, 36, a drama teacher with Gitameit, said the monks and teachers at Sandayama immediately understood the advantages such an ambitious production can bring to the children’s learning. “I’ve been in contact with this school for a long time,” he said.“I’ve explained what they do to the principal monk and the teacher in this school, and they understand what benefits can be had by teaching arts and drama. It is rarely seen in other schools in Myanmar.” The children only had three weeks to practice – a nightmare for any thespian, amateur or professional – but the children seemed undaunted. “I act the part of Macbeth in the beginning of the play,” said Soe Ko Ko, 11, who was suprisingly at ease explaining the play’s labyrinthine double-crossings. “I am a general in the army of King Duncan. I’m Thane of Glamis, and when the king executes the Thane of Cawdor, I get to be Thane of Cawdor. “I have practised three times today and I want to do more and more. All of my friends like to rehearse the play and really love to perform in the theatre.” Co-director James Erskine said the “Scottish play”, as it’s superstitiously known, was a good match for the students. “Shakespeare’s Macbeth is new and fresh for the students from the monastic schools, so they are full of interest in learning,” he told The Myanmar Times. Part of the fun, he said, comes with excitement of actually bringing the words to life – a process too often missing from most classroom treatments. “Most of the people around the world approached Shakespeare by reading his plays. But I think that makes them more boring. Person- ally, I prefer seeing them performed on stage,” James said. Liam said acting the play out together encourages students to think differently about its language – and their lives. “You don’t get to pretend to be a king every day. It’s not every day you can pretend to be a witch. But you can when you’re doing the play. I think it encourages people to use imagination as a way out.” That’s a good lesson for everyone of all ages. As Shakespeare wrote elsewhere, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” And while it’s unlikely that any coconut trees ever grew in Birnam Wood in Scotland, for a few moments last Friday a veritable army of schoolchildren marched enthusiastically behind some well-placed fronds toward a stage in Yangon, and anything seemed possible. ‘I HaVE PRaCTiCED THREE TiMES TODaY aND i WaNT TO DO MORE’ – Soe Koko, 11 48 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEmBER 9 - 15, 2013 Busts of champions past help kick off the SEA Games CHIT SU [email protected] S an artistic tribute to Myanmar’s sporting greats, sculptor Kyaw Kyaw Min and painter Shwe Myint are depicting some of the country’s gold medallists from past Southeast Asia Games. Their work will be on display from December 3 to 7 at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium, where some of the events of the 27th SEA Games will take place. Kyaw Kyaw Min said: “Shwe Myint and I wanted to celebrate the Games by drawing and Photo: Ko Thaik A sculpting athletes who brought glory to Myanmar. The Ministry of Sport selected the subjects for us. We intend these art works as a memorial for the next generation of sportsmen and women.” The five athletes selected are weightlifter U San Myint, who won 13 gold medals, tennis player U Maung Zaw, who won four golds, Daw Aye Shwe and U Aung Hla, track and field athletes who each won four gold medals, and volleyball player U Soe Thein, who scored three golds. Daw Aye Shwe took her four golds in 1969, when Myanmar hosted the SEA Games, in 1971 in Malaysia and in 1973 in Singapore. She said: “When I modelled for the sculpture I felt young again, and wanted to compete. I advise children who aspire to compete in the Games to practise over the long term. This sculpture will be a memorial for my grandchild and the next sporting generation.” The 27th Southeast Asia Games, the first to be hosted by Myanmar in 44 years, is being held in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon, Mandalay and Ngwesaung Beach. The official mascot of the 2013 Games is a pair of owls, lucky charms in the Myanmar tradition. The male is called Shwe Yoe and the female Ma Moe. The Myanmar Times own photographer Kaung Htet poses with his work. Myanmar photo-book launches in Yangon EI EI THU [email protected] INTERNATIONAL photographers collaborated with their local counterparts to produce 7 Days in Myanmar featuring the country’s most picturesque locations. The book was launched at Yangon’s Chatrium Hotel on December 2. A gallery of 100 pictures was exhibited at the launching ceremony from December 2-8. Nine Myanmar photographers and 21 from around the world depicted scenes of business, culture, scenery and people, taken within a seven-day period last April-May. “I spent a lot of time and energy on this book, but it was worth it,” editor Nicholas Grossman told The Myanmar Times. Mr Grossman wrote the text accompanying the work of the photographers, describing their experiences and the locations they visited. Abbas, Steve McCurry, Michael Yamashita, Michael Freeman, Bruno Barbey and Raghu Rai were among the international photographers who took part, as well as Aung Pyae, Kaung Htet, Kyaw Kyaw Winn and others. “This is my tenth visit. My first was in 1992, but at that time I couldn’t go to many places outside Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. This time I went to Chin State. The roads are bad, but there is so much to see, and the images are great,” said UK photographer Michael Freeman. “The book is wonderful. I think I did a good job,” said Michael. “I wrote captions for more than 100 photos, with a brief history of each. Myanmar photographers rank with their professional counterparts in the rest of the world,” U Thaw Kaung, Life Achievement Award of Literature and Myanmar Historical Commission, National Museum in Yangon, told The Myanmar Times. The more than 300 outstanding original images include seven from the prestigious Magnum Photos cooperative, several from National Geographic magazine and nine from Myanmar’s rising stars. 7 Days in Myanmar, published by Editions Didier Millet, is available for US$60. Kyaw Kyaw Min creates a likeness of . Photo: Thiri Lu www.mmtimes.com MUsiC ReVieW, CHILL SEssIOn: WI THAY THA the pulse 49 Chill Session gains new fans for hip-hop LWIn MAR HTUn [email protected] F OUR of Myanmar’s best rappers have joined forces to form the hip-hop supergroup Chill Session, which last month released their debut album titled Wi Thay Tha (Extraordinary). Chill Session is made up of J-me and Chit Soe from the Project-1 group, and Bo Lay and Chan A Win from Firecracker. These artists have spent the past several years forging their own unique styles, but the new project has allowed them to combine their creative forces and explore new approaches to their music. J-me, for example, is well known for his rapid-fire vocal delivery, but here he slows it down and enunciates his lyrics more clearly, allowing fans to better understand and appreciate his mad rhyming skills. Wi Thay Tha features 12 songs written by Chill Session and guest composers Thaw D Wai, Thuta Ill and Ar-T. KGK, Chan A Win, C2 and Chan Myae Oo contribute to production. There’s not a single weak track on the CD – it’s one of those rare releases that can be enjoyed from beginning to end, without any temptation to skip songs. The strong lyrics cover a range of topics. Even the love songs “A Cake” (A Great Bitterness) and “A Tate Thit” (New Past) are clever, avoiding the saccharine childishness common in Myanmar music in favour of witty meditations on the finer aspects of the female body. The song “Mary Jane” has proven to be particularly popular with the kids. Leading off with pleasant backing vocals, the rappers soon launch into an ode to their affection for Mary Jane, a well-known 1970s code word for ganja (aka da chronic, aka wacky tabbacky). “Paradise” celebrates the joys of life like beach parties and spending time with the family, while “Alin Yin Myint” is a cool song that skillfully combines hip-hop with gospel music. “Ta Kyoung Lout Yay Par Oo” (Please Write One Song Lyric) relies on old-school beats and nimble rhymes to belittle rappers suffering from sub-par vocal skills. I could go on and on, highlighting the greatness of each song, but it would be better if you just bought the album and enjoyed it for yourself. Many others in Myanmar already have: Even teenagers and adults who never liked hip-hop are singing the praises of Chill Session. Chill Session’s album art. Photo: Supplied www.mmtimes.com the pulse 51 Jam It in Mandalay I GREG HOLLaND [email protected] N between the car horns, yelping dogs and the aggressive sound of gargling betel spit, an underground music scene can be heard in Yangon, if you listen closely enough. A severe lack of live music venues that cater to the bands and the fans would, in any other time or place, crush such a diverse, creative and justly abrasive music scene. With alcohol licences at 20 lakhs and entertainment licences up to 3000 lakhs, depending on whose pocket you’re in, its plain to see why there are such a shortage of live music venues. Despite the pressures of this rather bleak situation, and the lure of over-priced expat venues, JAM IT! have managed to host packedout reduced-cost gigs in unassuming venues. With an increasingly large local fan-base and a growing number of talented alternative bands and DJ’s, Yangon needs a central hub for all this creativity. When that day will come depends on a lot of factors, but you can be sure in the meantime that JAM IT! will push on through with their true DIY spirit. This month, JAM IT! took to the road with their growing roster of bands and teamed up with local promoters in Mandalay to host the first of hopefully many joint gigs. A rickety plywood structure would be the stage, set at the far end of an impressively sized skate park in Mandalay, where JAM IT! provided five acts and the Mandalay promoters championed eight of their own. The free gig was a seven-hour barrage of noise delivered to a crowd of eager young fans, music scene aficionados the weary-eyed Yangonites who made the 10-hour bus journey up. Mandalay’s Skunx, having made a name for themselves for their uncompromisingly harsh sets at recent Yangon appearances, took to the stage at the peak of the event’s energetic bill. Not letting a fractured Mandalay’s Death Rising. Photo: Greg Holland elbow sustained from the previous night’s motorbike incident affect their performance, Skunx front man Eugene delivered a vicious set to a rapturous crowd of head-bangers. The Mandalay and Yangon acts took turns performing, feeding off each other’s energy with rowdy competition. The gig was equal parts punk, hip-hop and metal with Yangon’s G-Tone and his Cyclone crew taking leadership of the hiphop segment of the show while the metal- heads took a breather and the breakdancing circles emerged. Mandalay’s “socially conscious” Rebel Force and Wild Boyz, while reluctant to admit a political sentiment to their music, had each and every member of the crowd whipped into a frenzy. Other notable performances came from Yangon punks No U Turn, who were testing out new material in anticipation of recording their third album. Speaking about their performance, lead singer Ye Ngwe So said, “The crowd was feeling excited and wanted to taste something new. They are very supportive of us and I’m grateful for that,” he added. “Right now [JAM IT! is] planning to have more gigs all over Myanmar not only Mandalay but also Taunggyi and everywhere where they have underground bands so we can perform all together. I think JAM IT! is on its way to becoming something that young people are interested in and we hope it to become more successful.” Mandalay’s Skunx play through the pain. Photo: Greg Holland Yangon’s No U Turn. Photo: Greg Holland 52 the pulse tea break Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEmBER 9 - 15, 2013 SUDOKU PACIFIC DNA TEST By Martin G. Morris ACROSS 1 Final Greek letter 6 Intensifies (with “up”) 10 Spill the beans 14 Lion’s plaints 15 Rummage through 16 Actress Kudrow 17 Scheming duo of old cartoons 20 “McSorley’s Bar” painter John 21 ___ on (prodded) 22 Dot above the i 24 Put through the paces 27 Alternative to Panasonic, once 30 The MGM lion 31 You might play something by it 33 Vow to pony up 35 Cooking maven Rombauer 37 Fizzled firecracker 39 All square 41 Cheerful willingness to be obliging 44 Implant deeply, as in soil 45 Atop, poetically 46 Kind of proprietor or survivor 47 Farmer’s field 48 Gaggle formation 50 Attack word 52 After expenses amount 53 Blackthorn plum 55 State gambling games 58 Cartoonist’s colleague 60 Eloper’s acquisition 63 One ensuring army equipment works 68 Too diluted 69 Straddling 70 Manicure board material 71 Dwindles 72 “You ... yeah, you” 73 Sit through again DOWN 1 Christmas bulb shape 2 Cows hit a low with these? 3 Jimmy Carter’s middle name 4 Tribal historian 5 Ridicule or berate 6 Prince Valiant’s son 7 Runway figure 8 Soft, thin silk cloth 9 Adult male deer 10 Disposable razor insert 11 Fleur-de-___ 12 Cigar residue 13 Sheep bleat 18 Come before 19 Any foursome 23 Recommend big-time 25 Type of auto collision 26 Muss, as hair 27 Star in Orion’s foot 28 Old hags 29 Ethically challenged 32 Pre-meal drink 34 Shocking win 36 “Much ___ About Nothing” 38 Smallest possible team 40 “Walk-___ welcome” 42 Repeated Catholic prayer 43 Take ten 49 Picks 51 Hold a meeting 54 Sty noises 56 Some cookies 57 “Ghostbusters” goop 59 Sack attachment 61 Hotshot pilots 62 “The stockings ___ hung ...” 63 Be beholden to 64 Soldier in Lee’s army 65 Hair gel amount 66 Select (with “for”) 67 White or wheat alternative DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ CALVIN AND HOBBES BY BILL WATTERSON PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Laugh all the way to the bank when you rent this space. The tea break page is being re-formatted in readiness for our move to a daily cycle. It may look something like this in the future. Our market research shows that a page like this attracts a large number of readers, who loyally read it every day. Ring Marketing Department to book this space permanently and laugh all the way to the bank with the extra business coming in your door. Telephone us now on +951 392 928 www.mmtimes.com the pulse food and drink 53 ITH Christmastime approaching, dinner party season is kicking into high gear. This month I’ll be sharing fun recipes for the festive season – dishes which are quick and yummy at holiday time or any time. Here are two recipes to bridge the gap between last month’s noodle theme and this month’s festive dishes. Dried egg noodles are the key ingredient in both recipes this week, and – just like you do at parties – we’re starting out with the nibbles. Both recipes start the same way before diverging for very different results. You can make spiced crispy noodles with paprika or any other spice you like, while chocolate spiders are given a local twist by calling for caramelised jaggery instead of more expensive imported chocolate. Either way, your guests won’t be able to stay away. SPiCeD CrisPy nOODLes (SERVES 6) 8-10 leaves basil (pin seinn) 4 pieces dried egg noodles 2 cups vegetable oil 2 teaspoons paprika powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 teaspoons sugar Wash the basil leaves and dry well. Prepare egg noodles as per package instructions, adding 1 tablespoon of oil into the boiling water so noodles will not be sticky after draining. Add oil to a wok and heat on medium-high. When oil is ready, turn heat to medium and deep-fry noodles in batches, ensuring noodles are flat and evenly spread. Flip at least once. When the noodles turn golden, W [email protected] It’s my party and I’ll fry if I want to PHYO’S COOKING ADVENTURE Jaggery Noodle Spiders. Photo: Phyo Spicy Crispy Noodles. Photo: Phyo transfer to kitchen paper and drain excess oil. Deep-fry basil leaves, then remove and drain excess oil on the kitchen paper as well. In a bowl, combine paprika, salt, ground black pepper, sugar and deepfried basil leaves. Mix well, shaking if necessary. Lay noodles in a bowl or plate and sprinkle spices mix over them. JaGGery nOODLe sPiDers (SERVES 6) 4 pieces dried egg noodles 2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup dark jaggery 1 cup water ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds 1 tablespoon roughly crushed roasted peanuts Prepare egg noodles as per package instructions, adding 1 tablespoon of oil into the boiling water so noodles will not be sticky after draining. Add oil to a wok and heat on medium-high. When oil is ready, turn heat to medium and deep-fry noodles in batches, ensuring noodles are flat and evenly spread. Flip at least once. When noodles turn golden, transfer to kitchen paper and drain excess oil. Wash jaggery gently and add to sauce pan with 1 cup water. Simmer until jaggery becomes sticky and runny, then remove from heat. Let cool for 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, spread grease paper on a tray and set aside. Crush the noodles and add to sauce pan. Coat with caramelised jaggery. Add sesame seeds and peanuts, coating noodles evenly. Coat two spoons lightly with oil. Scoop out noodle mixture and roll with two spoons into a ball. Transfer the ball to the grease paper and repeat for rest of noodles. Put finished tray in refrigerator to cool down. Serve later that day or store in the fridge in an airtight container. TIPS The jaggery will need constant monitoring while making the sauce, so keep stirring. Adding a couple of pinches of salt will bring out the sweetness even more. SHOPPIng LIST I use packaged dried egg noodles. Jaggery is available at the supermarket as well as at local markets: Ask for mote loke hta nyat/hta nyat kyan (literally, jaggery for making sweet). FOODIE QUOTE “Food is not about impressing people. It’s about making them feel comfortable.” Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook NEXT WEEK Holiday recipes continue Wine Review Myaung Mya Pineapple Wine 2004 Newly opened Green Gallery is not to be missed THERE’S a new restaurant in downtown Yangon, and it’s a gem. Situated on the lower block of 52nd street, “Green Gallery snacks and drinks” specializes in salads and Thai food. Diners in the downtown area looking for a break from over-oiled curries and over-priced western fare, your prayers have been answered. Ma Bo, the proprietor, head cook, and occasional server of Green Gallery, spent more than a decade living and working in Thailand, and in that time she acquired what can only be called a mastery of the Thai cuisine. This is not Thai-Burmese fusion, and it’s not some processed take on pad thai. This is the real deal: authentic Thai. I started the meal with chicken stir-fried in oyster sauce served with w W HIT IN e e This wine does not taste like pineapple. It is not even sweet. In fact, the taste is quite harsh on the nose. Not a good bottle, but this is what we’ve been reduced to with the ban on imported wine. Score 4/10 K 3,000 Chicken with Oyster Sauce. Photo: Staff Spicy Egg Salad. Photo: Staff Green Gallery No.58, 52nd St, Botahtaung Township. Food 9 Drink 8 Atmosphere 9 X-factor 10 Service 9 Value for money 10 Total Score: 9/10 white rice. It was tangy and fishy in the best possible way, with a melody of herbs and spices in the sauce kicking the dish into the realm of delicious. My companion enjoyed egg salad and rice noodle salad, both of which she reported were delicious and hearty enough to make an ideal breakfast. However, the real standout dish was the coconut soup. Tender chicken and succulent mushrooms served in coconut milk, the dish manages to be many different and wonderful tastes all at once: sweet yet savory, spicy yet smooth, with a fresh zestiness that had me literally smacking my lips. Of course, with all these dishes, the operative word is “fresh”. Ma Bo buys fresh produce at nearby markets every morning for the day’s bounty, and the effort more than comes through in the taste. The affordable prices of the various dishes, nothing more than K3000, make splurging on several dishes tempting, and perhaps even obligatory. Diners who travel in packs and love to share will find a home at Green Gallery. The decoration scheme has a stripped down, DIY aesthetic. Tables and chairs are custom-made from salvaged wood, and the countertops are made from repurposed and slightly modified wooden pallets. The spare approach adds up to a laid-back, convivial atmosphere. It’s a perfect setting for long lunches or late dinners. Ma Bo has stated her plans to expand the menu in the coming weeks, hoping to add fruit shakes and mangos with sticky rice as soon as the fruits are in season – all the more reason for lovers of fine food to check out this excellent new establishment. W reD IN e Aythaya Cabernet 2012 This Shan State brand does not fare much better, offering little beyond a dry yet watery taste. The smell is powerfully alcoholic, leaving me hard-pressed to think of any food or snack this would pair nicely with. Score 6/10 K 9,500 54 the pulse socialite City Baby Club 3rd anniversary THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9-15, 2013 Attendees Ko Nyi Nyi Tun and family Ma Zar Zar Htike Mercedes-Benz car showroom opening May Grace Pyae Ti Oo and Eaindra Kyaw Zin Attendees Lu Min and wife Precious Gems 6th anniversary sale promotion Chic magazine anniversary Daw Than Cho Nwe, Daw Mi Mi Naing, Aunty Cho and Ma Ei Po Nu Myat Theingi Oo Me N Ma girls SCG Sharing the Dream Program Pisanu Suvanajata Ma Tharaphe, Ma Wai Phyo and Ma Wint Mon Swe PEB steel building seminar Sami Kteily Staff members Iren Zin Mar Myint www.mmtimes.com NYEIn EI EI HTWE [email protected] the pulse socialite 55 Guy Laroche Paris new wears launch HAPPY SWEET DECEMBER to you all, readers! Socialite was enjoying a relaxed pace of ‘socialiting’ this week, but certainly wasn’t bored, it’s because she loves December the most and cooler weather. She said farewell to November with various kinds of events. On November 27, she enjoyed an afternoon with the toddler attendees at City Baby’s 3rd anniversary at City Mart, China Town Point Center. On the following day, she attended the SCG’s ‘Sharing the Dream’ event which supports the Education of Myanmar students at IBC. On November 29th, she was at the seminar of steel building by PEB steel company at Summit Park View hotel. Next day, our Socialite dropped by the Precious Gems 6th anniversary sale promotion at its shop. Guy Laroche Paris new wears launch at Junction Square, was also a fantastic fashion event before heading to the Monte Vino wine launch at the Sedona Hotel and ending the week at the Bangladesh Cultural Festival 2013 at Bangladesh Embassy, Than lwin road. Bangladesh Cultural festival 2013 Ms Tasanee Kaung Pyae Models A performer SK Al Emran and Minur Rahman Ko Lin Kyi Min, Ma Htet Htet Khin and Ko Zayyar Myo Khin Monte Vino wine launch Ma Tin Thandar Khine Ko Min Zaw Than 56 the pulse travel THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES YANGON TO NAy PyI TAW Flight FMI A1 Y5 777 FMI A1 FMI B1 FMI A1 FMI C1 Days 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4,6 6 1,2,3,4,5 7 1,2,3,4,5 Dep 7:30 7:45 8:00 11:30 15:30 16:30 Arr 8:30 8:25 9:00 12:30 16:30 17:30 YH 910 Y5 233 YH 918 YJ 891 6T 402 YJ 902 K7 223 W9 201 YH 918 W9 144 Y5 132 YH 918 YJ 001 K7 227 K7 627 YH 832 K7 845 6T 808 YH 738 6T 808 YJ 202 YJ 212 YH 514 YJ 202 YJ 602/W9 7602 YJ 212 YH 728 YJ 762 W9 120 K7 225 W9 129 YH 738 W9 211 YH 732 K7 625 YJ 762 8M 6604 YJ 752 YJ 752/W9 7752 YH 730 6T 502 YJ 752/W9 7752 3,4,6 Daily 3,4,6 Daily Daily 7 Daily Daily 2 Daily 3,5,6,7 1 1,2,3,4,5 2,4 1,5 4,6 2,4,7 7 5 1 1,3 5 3 2,4 6 7 1 2,4,6 1,3,6 Daily Daily 3 Daily Daily Daily 1 2,4,7 5 3 4,6 Daily 5 7:55 8:10 8:20 8:30 8:45 8:20 8:55 9:10 9:10 9:20 9:30 9:35 9:50 10:35 10:55 11:30 12:50 13:15 13:40 13:45 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:50 16:00 16:30 16:35 16:30 16:50 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:20 17:30 17:45 17:45 17:50 17:50 10:00 9:25 10:15 10:25 10:45 10:25 11:00 11:05 11:05 10:45 10:30 11:30 10:45 12:00 12:20 12:55 16:00 15:15 18:05 15:45 16:55 16:55 16:55 17:35 17:15 17:25 17:55 18:00 17:55 19:00 18:35 18:35 19:15 19:15 18:35 18:35 18:30 18:55 19:10 19:10 19:55 19:15 NyAUNG U TO YANGON Flight YH 917 YJ 891 W9 141 YH 917 6T 401 K7 222 YJ 901 YH 917 YH 910 YH 910 W9 144 YJ 902 YH 910 6T 351 YJ 202 K7 225 W9 211 YH 732 6T 502 Days 3,4,6 Daily Daily 1 Daily Daily 1,2,3,4,5,6 2 1 3,4,6 Daily 7 2,5 5 2 Daily Daily 1,2,3,4,5,6 Daily Dep 7:35 7:45 7:50 7:50 7:55 8:05 8:25 8:25 8:25 8:40 8:50 9:05 9:40 10:50 16:15 17:45 17:55 17:55 18:35 Arr 10:15 10:25 10:40 11:30 10:45 11:00 9:45 11:05 10:30 10:00 10:10 10:25 11:00 13:55 17:35 19:00 19:15 19:15 19:55 Flight W9 141 YH 910 6T 352 YH 918 YJ 891 YH 910 6T 402 K7 223 W9 201 YH 918 YH 918 YANGON TO MyITKyINA Flight K7 844 K7 624 YJ 211 YJ 201 YJ 211 W9 251 Days 2,4,7 Daily 5 1,2,3,4 7 2,5 Dep 7:30 10:30 10:30 11:00 11:00 11:15 Arr 11:05 13:25 13:20 13:50 13:50 14:10 YH 506 W9 204 YH 506 K7 829 6T 808 6T 808 W9 120 YH 728 YJ 762 MyITKyINA TO YANGON Flight YJ 211 YJ 202 YJ 211 YJ 202 K7 625 W9 252 Days 5 1,3,4 7 2 Daily 2,5 Dep 13:35 14:05 14:05 14:05 15:40 16:05 Arr 16:55 16:55 17:25 17:35 18:35 19:00 K7 224 YH 738 YJ 762 W9 129 YH 731 YJ 752 YH 738 6T 501 YJ 752/W97752 YANGON TO HEhO Flight YH 917 YH 917 YH 909 YJ 891 W9 141 YH 909 YH 917 6T 401 K7 222 6T 351 W9 201 K7 828 YH 505 YJ 761 YJ 751/W9 7751 YJ 761 YH 737 YH 727 6T 807 YH 505 YH 737 Days 3,4,6 5 1 Daily Daily 2,5 1 Daily Daily 1,2,3,4,6,7 Daily 1,3,5 3,4,6 1 3,5,7 2,4,6 3 1 7 2 5 Dep 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:10 6:15 6:15 6:15 6:20 6:30 6:30 7:30 7:30 10:30 10:30 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:30 11:30 11:30 Arr 9:05 9:55 9:20 9:00 8:20 8:45 8:50 9:20 9:30 8:45 9:40 8:45 11:55 12:45 12:10 12:10 12:25 12:25 13:50 12:55 12:55 Flight K7 320 MyEIK TO YANGON Days Daily Dep 11:30 Arr 13:35 Flight K7 319 YANGON TO MyEIK Days Daily Dep 7:00 Arr 9:05 Flight 6T 606 K7 427 6T 612 SIT T WE TO yANGON Days Daily Daily 4,6 Dep 13:35 14:05 16:15 Arr 15:00 15:25 17:40 K7 827 YH 730 HEhO TO YANGON Days Daily 2 Daily 3,4,6 Daily 1 Daily Daily Daily 2,5 1 3,4,6 Daily 2 1,3,5 7 1 1,3,6 1 2,4,6 Daily 3 1 Daily 1,2,3,4,5,6 5 5 Daily 3 2,6 2 Dep 8:35 8:45 9:00 9:05 9:15 9:20 9:35 9:45 9:55 9:55 10:20 11:55 12:25 12:55 13:50 14:05 14:35 15:45 15:45 15:50 16:00 16:25 16:25 16:25 16:25 16:45 16:55 16:55 17:00 17:25 18:15 Arr 10:40 11:00 11:10 10:15 10:25 10:30 10:45 11:00 11:05 11:05 11:30 14:00 13:35 15:00 15:05 15:15 15:45 17:55 17:55 18:00 19:00 18:35 18:35 18:35 19:15 18:55 18:05 19:55 19:10 18:40 19:25 W9 203 W9 119 W9 129 K7 826 6T 807 K7 224 YH 731 6T 501 Daily 1,3,6 Daily 2,6 1 Daily 1,2,3,4,5,6 Daily 11:00 11:15 15:00 11:45 12:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 12:10 12:25 16:10 13:00 14:20 15:45 16:25 16:40 YANGON TO ThANDWE Flight W9 141 6T 351 6T 605 YH 505 W9307 W9 309 YH 511 Days Daily 1,2,3,4,6,7 Daily 3,4,6 2,4 1,3,5,6,7 6 Dep 6:15 6:30 11:15 10:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 Arr 9:35 10:00 12:10 13:10 13:50 13:50 14:05 NAy PyI TAW TO YANGON Flight Flights FMI A2 FMI A2 FMI B2 FMI A2 Y5 778 FMI C2 Days Days 1,2,3,4,5 6 1,2,3,4,5 7 1,2,3,4,6 1,2,3,4,5 Dep Dep 8:50 10:00 13:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 Arr Arr 9:50 11:00 14:00 18:00 18:10 19:00 ThANDWE TO YANGON Flight W9 141 6T 632 6T 605 6T 632 YH 506 W9 307 W9 309 YH 512 Days Daily 1,2,3,4,6,7 Dailys 5 3,4,6 2,4 1,3,5,6,7 5 Dep 9:50 10:15 12:25 13:00 13:10 14:05 14:05 14:05 Arr 10:40 11:10 15:00 13:55 14:00 14:55 14:55 14:55 YANGON TO MANDALAy Flight YH 917 YH 909 YJ 901 YJ 901 YH 917 YJ 891 Y5 234 YH 917 YH 909 6T 401 K7 222 K7 626 K7 226 YH 831 YJ 001 W9 201 8M 6603 K7 624 YJ 211 YJ 761 YJ 761 YJ 201 YJ 211 YJ 751/W9 7751 YH 727 YH 513 YH 737 YH 729 W9 251 6T 807 YH 737 YH 729 6T 807 K7 224 W9 129 YH 731 6T 501 W9 211 Days 2 1 1,2,3,4,5,6 7 3,4,6 Daily Daily 1 3,4,6 Daily Daily 1,5 2,4 4 1,2,3,4,5 Daily 2,4,7 Daily 5 1 2,4,6 1,2,3,4 7 3,5,7 1 3 3 4,6 2,5 7 5 2 1 Daily Daily 1,2,3,4,5,6 Daily Daily Dep 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:10 6:15 6:15 6:15 6:20 6:30 6:45 6:45 7:00 7:30 7:30 9:00 10:30 10:30 10:30 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:15 11:30 11:30 11:30 12:00 14:30 15:00 15:00 15:30 15:30 Arr 7:40 7:40 7:25 8:05 8:20 8:15 7:30 9:35 7:55 8:25 8:40 8:10 8:10 8:40 9:20 8:55 10:10 11:55 11:55 13:30 12:55 12:25 12:25 12:55 12:25 12:40 13:10 14:00 12:40 12:55 13:40 14:30 13:25 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:30 16:55 Domestic Airlines Air Bagan Ltd. (W9) Air KBZ (K7) Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102 Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport), Fax: 372983 Air Mandalay (6T) Tel : (Head Office) 501520, 525488, Fax: 525937. Airport: 533222~3, 09-73152853. Fax: 533223. Asian Wings (YJ) Tel: 951 516654, 532253, 09-731-35991~3. Fax: 951 532333 Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) Tel: 95 9 400446999, 95 9 400447999, Fax: 01 860 4051 Yangon Airways(YH) Tel: (+95-1) 383 100, 383 107, 700 264, Fax: 652 533. MANDALAy TO YANGON Flight YJ 901 YH 910 Days 1,2,3,4,5,6 1 Dep 7:40 7:40 Arr 9:45 10:30 YANGON TO NyAUNG U Flight Days Dep YJ 901 7 6:00 YH 917 3,4,6 6:00 YJ 901 1,2,3,4,5,6 6:00 YH 917 2,5 6:00 YH 909 1 6:00 YJ 891 Daily 6:10 W9 141 Daily 6:15 YH 917 1 6:15 YH 909 2,5 6:15 YH 909 3,4,6 6:15 6T 401 Daily 6:20 6T 351 1,2,3,4,6,7 6:30 K7 222 Daily 6:30 YJ 601/W9 77601 6 10:30 YJ 761 1 10:30 W9 143 Daily 7:15 K7 224 Daily 14:30 W9 211 Daily 15:30 YH 731 1,2,3,4,5,6 15:00 6T 501 Daily 15:30 FMI Air Charter - Sales & Reservations Arr 7:20 7:35 8:10 8:25 8:25 7:30 7:35 7:50 7:50 8:40 7:40 7:50 7:50 11:50 11:50 8:35 17:25 17:40 17:55 18:20 YANGON TO SIT T WE Flight 6T 605 6T 611 W9 309 K7 426 Days Daily 4,6 1,3,5,6,7 Daily Dep 11:15 14:30 11:30 12:30 Arr 13:15 15:55 12:55 13:50 Tel: (95-1) 240363, 240373 / (+95-9) 421146545 Domestic 6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan YJ = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways FMI = FMI AIR Charter Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines Subject to change without notice Day 1 = Monday 2 = Tuesday 3 = Wednesday 4 = Thursday 5 = Friday 6 = Saturday 7 = Sunday www.mmtimes.com the pulse travel 57 INteRNatioNal FLIGHT SCHEDULES Flights PG 706 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 TG 302 PG 708 8M 331 PG 704 Y5 237 TG 306 Flights DD 4231 FD 2752 FD 2756 FD 2754 FD 2758 YANGON TO BANGKOK Days Dep Daily 7:15 Daily 8:40 Daily 9:50 Daily 10:30 Daily 14:55 Daily 15:20 Daily 16:30 Daily 18:20 Daily 18:05 Daily 19:45 YANGON TO DON MUENG Days Dep 1,3,5,7 8:00 Daily 8:30 Daily 12:50 Daily 17:35 1,2,3,4 20:55 Arr 9:30 10:25 11:45 12:25 16:50 17:15 18:15 20:15 19:50 21:40 Arr 9:45 10:20 14:40 19:25 22:50 Arr 5:00 12:25 18:25 14:40 14:45 16:20 21:15 19:35 21:35 00:10+1 Arr 15:30 12:50 16:30 20:15 23:10 Arr 21:55 Arr 13:15 15:50 22:15 Arr 8:50 8:05 Arr 16:15 17:20 Arr 18:35 18:00 17:35 Arr 16:10 Arr 21:30 NAYPYIDAW TO BANGKOK Flights Days Dep PG 722 Daily 19:45 Flights 8M 336 TG 303 PG 701 TG 301 PG 707 PG 703 TG 305 8M 332 PG 705 Y5 238 Flights DD 4230 FD 2751 FD 2755 FD 2753 FD 2757 Arr 22:45 Arr 12:40 8:45 9:40 13:45 14:30 17:35 18:45 20:05 21:15 21:55 Arr 7:15 8:00 12:20 17:05 20:25 Arr 9:20 10:25 10:40 10:40 14:50 14:30 15:45 16:30 17:05 18:50 20:50 23:35 Arr 13:15 Arr 8:00 11:15 15:00 17:30 18:25 Arr 10:30 16:35 15:50 Arr 9:55 10:35 Arr 22:15 23:40 Arr 11:30 13:15 13:55 Arr 18:10 Arr 18:10 KUNMING TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep MU 2029 Daily 13:55 Flights PG 721 Arr 13:50 Arr 19:15 BANGKOK TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 11:55 Daily 8:00 Daily 8:50 Daily 13:00 Daily 13:40 Daily 16:45 Daily 17:50 Daily 19:20 Daily 20:00 Daily 21:10 DON MUENG TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,7 6:30 Daily 7:15 Daily 11:35 Daily 16:20 1,2,3,4 19:35 BANGKOK TO NAYPYIDAW Days Dep Daily 17:15 International Airlines Air Asia (FD) Tel: 251 885, 251 886. Air Bagan Ltd.(W9) Air China (CA) Air India Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102 Jane Fonda’s controversial 1972 visit remains a part of Hanoi’s culture YANGON TO SINGAPORE Flights Days Dep MI 509/SQ 5019 1,2,6,7 0:25 8M 231 Daily 8:00 8M 233 5,6,7 14:00 Y5 233 Daily 10:10 SQ 997/MI 5871 Daily 10:25 3K 586 Daily 11:40 MI 517/SQ 5017 Daily 16:40 TR 2827 1,6,7 15:10 TR 2827 2,3,4,5 17:10 3K 588 2,3,5 19:30 Flights 8M 501 AK 1427 MH 741 MH 743 AK 1421 Flights CA 906 Tel : 666112, 655882. YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR Days Dep 1,2,3,5,6 11:30 Daily 8:30 Daily 12:15 Daily 16:00 Daily 18:50 YANGON TO BEIJING Days Dep 2,3,4,6,7 14:15 SINGAPORE TO YANGON Flights Days Dep SQ 998/MI 5872 Daily 7:55 8M 6231/3K 585 2,4,7 8:55 3K 585 Daily 9:10 8M 6231/3K 585 1,3,5,6 9:10 8M 232 Daily 13:25 TR 2826 1,6,7 13:10 MI 518/MI 5018 Daily 14:20 TR 2826 2,3,4,5 15:00 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 3K 587 2,3,5 17:20 8M 234 5,6,7 19:25 MI 520/SQ 5020 1,5,6,7 22:10 Flights CA 905 Flights AK 1426 MH 740 MH742 8M 502 AK 1420 Tel : 253597~98, 254758. Fax: 248175 Bangkok Airways (PG) Condor (DE) Tel: 255122, 255 265, Fax: 255119 H KAZUO NAGATA Tel: + 95 1 -370836 up to 39 (ext : 810) Dragonair (KA) Tel: 95-1-255320, 255321, Fax : 255329 BEIJING TO YANGON Days Dep 2,3,4,6,7 8:05 KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 6:55 Daily 10:05 Daily 13:50 1,2,3,5,6 16:30 Daily 17:20 Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) Tel: 95 9 400446999, 95 9 400447999, Fax: 01 860 4051 YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU Flights Days Dep 8M 711 2,4,7 8:40 CZ 3056 3,6 11:35 CZ 3056 1,5 17:40 Flights 8M 7502 8M 7702 Flights CI 7916 QR 288 Flights MU 2012 MU 2032 CA 906 Malaysia Airlines (MH) Tel : 387648, 241007 ext : 120, 121, 122 Fax : 241124 YANGON TO INCHEON Days Dep Daily 0:50 Daily 23:45 YANGON TO TAIPEI Days Dep 1,2,3,5,6 10:50 2,5,6 11:35 YANGON TO KUNMING Days Dep 1,3 12:20 Daily 14:40 2,3,4,6,7 14:15 Myanmar Airways International(8M) Tel : 255260, Fax: 255305 GUANGZHOU TO YANGON Flights Days Dep CZ 3055 3,6 8:40 CZ 3055 1,5 14:45 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15 Flights CI 7915 BR 287 Flights 8M 7701 8M 7501 Flights MU 2011 CA 905 MU 2031 Flights W9 9608 Flights VN 957 Silk Air(MI) Tel: 255 287~9, Fax: 255 290 TAIPEI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,2,3,5,6 7:00 2,5,6 7:45 INCHEON TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 18:40 Daily 19:30 KUNMING TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3 8:20 2,3,4,6,7 13:00 Daily 13:30 CHIANG MAI TO YANGON Days Dep 4,7 17:20 HANOI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 16:35 Thai Airways (TG) Tel : 255491~6, Fax : 255223 Vietnam Airlines (VN) Fax : 255086. Tel 255066/ 255088/ 255068. Qatar Airways (Temporary Office) Tel: 01-250388, (ext: 8142, 8210) YANGON TO CHIANG MAI Flights Days Dep W9 9607 4,7 14:20 Flights VN 956 International FD & AK = Air Asia TG = Thai Airways 8M = Myanmar Airways International Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines PG = Bangkok Airways MI = Silk Air VN = Vietnam Airline MH = Malaysia Airlines CZ = China Southern CI = China Airlines CA = Air China KA = Dragonair Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines IC = Indian Airlines Limited W9 = Air Bagan 3K = Jet Star AI = Air India QR = Qatar Airways KE = Korea Airlines NH = All Nippon Airways SQ = Singapore Airways DE = Condor Airlines MU=China Eastern Airlines BR = Eva Airlines DE = Condor AI = Air India YANGON TO HANOI Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 19:10 YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY Flights Days Dep Arr VN 942 2,4,7 14:25 17:10 Flights QR 619 QR 919 YANGON TO DOHA Days Dep Daily 7:30 Daily 7:30 Arr 11:15 11:15 Arr 12:30 Arr 8:50 07:45+1 Arr 05:35 Arr 06:45+1 Arr 10:45 Arr 10:20 Arr 11:45 21:45 16:40 YANGON TO PHNOM PENH Flights Days Dep 8M 403 1,3,6 8:35 Flights 0Z 770 KE 472 Flights KA 251 Flights NH 914 Flights 8M 401 Flights 8M 601 Flights TG 2982 TG 2984 PG 710 Flights FD 2761 Flights MU 2030 HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON Flights Days Dep Arr VN 943 2,4,7 11:40 13:25 Flights QR 618 QR 918 Flights 8M 602 YANGON TO SEOUL Days Dep 4,7 0:50 Daily 23:35 YANGON TO HONG KONG Days Dep 1,2,4,6 01:10 YANGON TO TOKYO Days Dep Daily 22:10 YANGON TO SIEM REAP Days Dep 1,3,6 8:35 YANGON TO GAYA Days Dep 1,3,5,6 9:00 MANDALAY TO BANGKOK Days Dep 2,4,6 9:30 5,7 19:35 Daily 14:15 DOHA TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 21:15 Daily 21:15 GAYA TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,6 11:20 Arr 06:29+1 6:29 Arr 14:30 Arr 14:55 Arr 22:30 23:40 Arr 17:15 Arr 23:45 Arr 8:45 18:45 13:25 PHNOM PENH TO YANGON Flights Days Dep 8M 404 1,3,6 13:30 Flights KE 471 0Z 769 Flights NH 913 Flights KA 250 ANOI, Vietnam — Go down an unassuming stairway between the pool and outdoor bar at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel — which opened in 1901 to serve Hanoi’s expatriate population — and you’ll find yourself in an old air-raid shelter from the Vietnam War. The basement shelter was rediscovered during renovations two years ago and is now open to visitors. American actress Jane Fonda and other luminaries took refuge here during the war, according to a tour guide leading a group that included some elderly Americans. Tran Minh Quoc, a former Vietnamese ambassador to Italy, remembers taking refuge in the shelter with Fonda when he served as her interpreter during her June 1972 visit to the city. Quoc, 65, said Fonda did not appear frightened, and as soon as the sirens stopped, she grabbed her camera and went above ground. But he also said she had a sentimental side, recalling an incident in which she burst into tears upon seeing schoolchildren wearing straw hoods to protect them during bombings. Fonda gained fame for creating a sensation on the screen in the 1960s, but around 1970 she became an increasingly active opponent of United States involvement in Vietnam. She received an invitation to visit Hanoi in May 1972 after criticizing the administration of then President Richard Nixon for escalating the air campaign against North Vietnam. The invitation came from the Vietnamese Committee for Solidarity with the American People, a group that invited several hundred U.S. antiwar activists to visit Vietnam during the war, and by which Quoc was employed. At the time, it was unlikely that many North Vietnamese had ever seen a Jane Fonda movie. Yet Chu Chi Thanh, a former cameraman for a state broadcaster, remembers seeing Fonda dressed in an ao ba ba, a traditional Vietnamese outfit. Fonda seemed very approachable, Thanh said, recalling that it made him realize that while the U.S. military was their enemy, the American people were friends. It reassured him that his country was not in fact isolated, he said. Fonda was followed by cameras wherever she went in war-torn Hanoi, including a visit to Bach Mai Hospital. She appeared on numerous radio broadcasts, on which she spoke to U.S. soldiers in South Vietnam about the destruction she had seen. These actions on what was then considered enemy territory caused a major stir back in the United States, with many taking to calling her “Hanoi Jane.” According to Norm Smith, who was stationed in South Vietnam as a civilian employee of the U.S. military during the war, Fonda deserves to be branded a traitor because her visit bolstered North Vietnam’s position as they sought to negotiate an end to the war in the Paris Peace Accords. Although Fonda was undeterred by the criticism she received, she said, “I will go to my grave regretting the photograph of me in an antiaircraft carrier [sic],” referring to the iconic picture of her sitting at the controls of a North Vietnamese antiaircraft gun. The photograph made it look like she was taking aim at her own country. When she and Quoc met again in the United States in 2002, she asked him if she had been set up. He answered “no,” but he later said that the number of U.S. visitors to North Vietnam doubled after Fonda came and that they all organized antiwar activities after returning home. Fonda’s visit was incredibly valuable to North Vietnam, Quoc said. It seems she had been used after all. When the two met in 2002, Fonda told Quoc she wanted to someday return to Vietnam. Eleven years later, however, she has not been back. SEOUL TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 18:30 3,6 19:30 TOKYO TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 11:40 HONG KONG TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,7 21:50 MANDALAY TO DON MUENG Days Dep Arr Daily 12:50 15:15 MANDALAY TO KUNMING Days Dep Daily 14:40 Arr 17:20 BANGKOK TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep TG 2981 2,4,6 7:30 TG 2983 5,7 17:30 PG 709 Daily 12:05 Subject to change without notice Day 1 = Monday 2 = Tuesday 3 = Wednesday 4 = Thursday 5 = Friday 6 = Saturday 7 = Sunday DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep Arr FD 2760 Daily 10:55 12:20 A memorial to the victims of US air raid on the grounds of Bach Kai Hospital in Hanoi, one of Jane Fonda’s stops on her controversial tour. Photo: Washington Post 58 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 dECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 AQUARIUS | Jan 20 - Feb 18 WEEKLY PReDICTIOnS LeO | Jul 23 - Aug 22 Management skills in position of authority and power are good at making decisions. What needs to be settled is what kind of an influencer will you be? You should make a difference tomorrow by becoming a better leader today. You must try to skillfully wave your persuasive magic in the global arena where governments and mega- corporation meet. Life partner must be qualified in emotional challenges. VIRGO | Aug 23 - Sep 22 A vice is nothing more than a virtue turned inside out, misapplied or use in the wrong context. Learning about love through trial and error, you can find yourself easy and cool to being to stabilize everything according to your belief and trust. Personal transformation and reinvention could be made by your own rules and you will have a study of heartfelt things in life with wonder. LIBRA | Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your aesthetic sense, civilizing instinct and pretty urge of the soul are to beautify the world. Your ability to see and love another person’s point of view is virtuous power to change everything into harmony. Learn more about spiritual laws that can make relationships bearable and enjoyable. Take time well enough to solve social problems and remain yourself in love life. SCORPIO | Oct 23 - Nov 21 Don’t be considered yourself secretive in nature at all times and know that it is good to show your simple natural character. Money is a transforming power sometimes, not always and don’t be interested in money for that reason. You can be overly awed by the power of money to a point where you think wrongly about money rules the world. The financial status is to be known by your abilities. SAGITTARIUS | Nov 22 - Dec 21 Social focusing should be clear and you should increase intellectual range and scope to apply to all aspects of today and tomorrow. You must learn to set limits to reach targets and goals through a series of attainable points or objectives. A long, drawn-out process may be difficult for you, but cosmic changes will make your fortune safe and great wonderfully. CAPRICORn | Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your habit like to argue with success and different action against reasonable factor that could make you disgraceful and ugly many times.You need to learn the worthy of social adaptable nature in order to fulfill your highest inspiration. Cultivate your social grace to develop a social style along with charm and an ability to get along with people. Don’t be deep introverted and understand to make good balance with your own counsel. Explore what it means to pay attention to your truths, again inner and outer. Life’s up and down provide windows of opportunity to determine the true values and goals on different directions relating your interests to enduring life purposes and your some of destiny. Get a think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want. Self-incentive needs to open up your emotions. PISCeS | Feb 19 - March 20 Follow the high-spirited few who meet the unknown effectively. You can devise a personal strategy of entrepreneur, whenever you find yourself and however for fulfillment and you must meet yourself honestly. Learn to persist even profit from setbacks and build up your wisdom. Introduce the question of what’s worth doing? Never feel disconnected from routines and structure of your usual life in connection with love. ARIeS | Mar 21 - Apr 19 Mental imagery is very powerful. The secret to using imagery is to develop as vivid a scenario as possible. Look for opportunities to recognize the ideas and successes of others, and pick up on the suggestions made by others and support them. Become involved in off the job activities that are rewarding and provide recognition. Try to see both sides of the question in emotional problem. TAURUS | Apr 20 - May 20 A positive expectancy about your future is to become motivated to certain abstract value like beauty or justice or some other esteemed quality. You will be activated by your inner truths and talents drawing forth meaning and pleasure.Attention is your power. Attract all different focusing to classify the value which leaves you cool and refreshed. Be sure to accept good change in love life. GeMInI | May 21 - June 20 How you think about yourself and how you want others to think about you and see you without any emotional attachment are depending on intellectual level between you and others. Financial obligation beyond your personal power will get better than usual and now is the time to be clear as to what you want in love and in a partner. Get quiet and search your heart. CAnCeR | Jun 21 - Jul 22 You will be lucky speculator especially with residential property or hotels and restaurants, and waterside properties will allure you always. you need to develop self-esteem and feeling of self-worth if you are to realize your greatest financial potential. Keeping the feeling of being provider for others, you should be hampered in your attempts to lead and guide others by wit. A representative from the Ministry of Information wlecomes the assembled authors. Photo: Zarni Evening of words returns to Yangon National Literature Awards grants lifetime achievement awards to unprecedented three writers recognition or award. “I was expecting something for my novel,” the writer, now a frail 81-year-old, said from the stage at the National Theater on December 3 as part of this year’s National Literary Awards ceremony. She had to be accompanied by fellow writer Mi Chan Wai, but her words remained as strong as ever. “Since my first novel launched, I was looking forward to an acknowledgement. But I didn’t get it. I have given up hope of any reward for my works since then,” said Khin Swe Oo. That is until now. As well as recognising works published in 2012, the prize-giving committee was generous this year in handing out lifetime achievement awards to not one but three writers. Khin Swe Oo, Aung Thin, Theikpan Hmu Tin – aged 81, 86 and 89 respectively – were all recognised for their long and illustrious careers. First given out in 1972, the National Literature Awards have varied their number and categories of awards year to year – as well as the prize money given to winners. This year, after writers lobbied for bigger prizes, the committee opted to award lifetime achievement winners K1,500,000 (about US$1500) compared to the K10,000,000 (about $1000) they’ve been given since 2011. Winners in other categories took home K10,000,000 compared to K5,000,000 the year before. The ceremony was also notable for its return to Yangon, having been held in Nay Pyi Taw instead since 2005. Awards were handed out in 13 categories for works published in 2012, with no awards given this year for English-language fiction, drama and youth literature. Among the winners was Maung Myint Kywe, 79, who was awarded a prize for Myanmar Pyi Hma Nay Yat Myar, his translation of George Orwell’s novel Burmese Days. Maung Myint Kywe told The Myanmar Times his friend gave him a copy of Burmese Days as a present back in that most Orwellian of years, 1984. “After I read Burmese Days, I learnt how Burmese people lived in a state of inferiority after losing independence. The country lost independence easily but struggled hard to regain it. I thought I should translate this book to show the value of independence,” Maung Myint Kywe said. He translated the book in [WHEN? Right away or years later] but it was left without a publisher until 2004. “At the age of 70 I found a publisher, but he gave the green light [only] last year and it was published in 2012.” While the event was a celebration, Khin Swe Oo said it also reminded her that many deserving writers – including Journal Kyaw Ma Ma Lay, Daw Khin Myo Chit, Dagon Taryar and Mya Than Tint – whose works have enjoyed fabulous popularity over the years have passed away without being given lifetime achievement awards. Maung Myint Kywe agreed: “It is sad that they couldn’t enjoy the awards, even though they are well deserved.” ZOn PAnn PwInT EI EI ThU A T the age of 28, writer Khin Swe Oo made her literary debut with her novel Doe Tine Htar Ni (Our Nation). Her inspiration came from her distaste at growing up during colonial times, before the country’s independence; the result has been hailed of one of the finest novels ever written in Myanmar. Published in 1961, the novel was twice reprinted and has even been translated into Japanese. But while her debut caught the attention of readers and turned her into a literary celebrity at a young age – and while several of her works were later made into successful films – Khin Swe Oo said she was never given any official Author and translator Maung Myint Kywe accepts his award. Photo: Zarni AUNG MYIN KYAW 4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon. Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: [email protected] The Essentials 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, 6th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 507225, 507251. email: Administ. [email protected]. 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. 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UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903, 9660556, 9660538, 9660398. email: [email protected] UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. Tel: 951657281~7. Fax: 657279. UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE Tel: 542911~19, 292637 (Resident Coordinator), WFP 3rd-flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. Tel: 657011~6 (6-lines) Ext: 2000. WHO No. 2, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 6504056, 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. fax: 641561. General Listing ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS Hotel Yangon 91/93, 8th Mile Junction, Tel : 01-667708, 667688. Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 662866. fax: 665537. Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 558556. ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630. YANGON No. 277, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Corner of 38th Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 391070, 391071. Reservation@391070 (Ext) 1910, 106. Fax : (951) 391375. Email : [email protected] Asia Plaza Hotel 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 parkroyalhotels. com. Avenue 64 Hotel No. 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392, 01 656913-9 Chatrium Hotel 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: 544500. fax: 544400. 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. Tel: 650933. Fax: 650960. Email : micprm@ myanmar.com.mmwww. myanmar micasahotel.com ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (Nay Pyi Taw) (Nay Pyi Taw) No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) 546313, 430245. 09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01) 546313. www.cloverhotel.asia. [email protected] 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 Royal White Elephant Hotel No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar. (+95-1) 500822, 503986. www.rwehotel.com MGM Hotel No (160), Warden Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. +95-1-212454~9. www. hotel-mgm.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. Traders 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 Windsor Hotel No.31, Shin Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung. Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 95-1-511216~8, www. hotelwindsoryangon.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 Reservation Office (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 resorts Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: 525781, 526872 Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township. Tel : 951-255 819-838 Hotel Max (Chaung Tha Beach) Tel : 042-423 46-9, 042-421 33. Email : maxhotelsreservation@ gmail.com AIR CONDITION For more information about these listings, Please Contact - classifi[email protected] Emergency Numbers Ambulance tel: 295133. Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022. Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764. Red Cross tel:682600, 682368 Traffic 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: 067407007. 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 Women’s Hospital tel: 221013, 222811. Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807 Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888. Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096. Worker’s 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 Office 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. 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 ACCOMMODATION Long Term 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 No. 12, Pho Sein Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon Tel : (95-1) 209299, 209300, 209343, 209345, 209346 Fax : (95-1) 209344 E-mail : greenhill@ myanmar.com.mm Happy Homes REAL ESTATE & PrOpErTY MANAGEmENT Air Con Sales & Service No. 2/1, Than Thu Mar Rd, Thuwunna Junction. Tel : 09-4224-64130 Tel: 09-7349-4483, 09-4200-56994. E-mail: aahappyhomes@ gmail.com, http://www. happyhomesyangon.com BARS 50th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160. THE MYANMAR TIMES dECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 CONSULTING co working space Engineering GAS COOKER & Cooker Hoods HEALTH SERVICES Green Garden Beer Gallery Mini Zoo, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar. Marina Residence, Yangon Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109 Beauty Plan, Corner of 77th St & 31st St, Mandalay Ph: 02 72506 Myanmar Research | Consulting | Technology Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2 Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon. Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730 [email protected] www.thuraswiss.com No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaoffice.com, www.venturaoffice.com One-stop Solution for Sub-station, M&E Work Design, Supply and Install (Hotel, High Rise Building Factory) 193/197, Shu Khin Thar Street, North Okkalapa Industrial Zone, Yangon. Tel: 951-691843~5, 9519690297, Fax: 951-691700 Email: supermega97@ gmail.com. www.supermega-engg.com World’s leader in Kitchen Hoods & Hobs Same as Ariston Water Heater. Tel: 251033, 379671, 256622, 647813 98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 553783, 549152, 09-732-16940, 09-730-56079. Fax: 542979 Email: asiapacific. [email protected]. Lobby Bar Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388. car rental Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476. E.mail: lemondayspa.2011 @gmail.com MYANMAR EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE SERVICE CONSTRUCTION HOT LINE: 959 - 402 510 003 • 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 Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7½ miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) 652502~04. Fax: (95-1) 650306. Email: zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm FASHION & TAILOR Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 243377.fax: 243393, [email protected] www.ghmhotels.com 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 : 096803505, 09-449004631. Advertising WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991 No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi Condo, Room F, Yaw Min Gyi Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 09-425-307-717 courier Service DTDC Courier and Cargo Service (Since 1991) Yangon. Tel : 01-374457 Mandalay. Tel : 09-43134095. www.DTDC.COM, [email protected] Door to Door Delivery!!! Sein Shwe Tailor, 797 (003-A), Bogyoke Aung San Rd, MAC Tower 2, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Ph: 01-225310, 212943~4 Ext: 146, 147, E-mail: [email protected] Gems & Jewelleries One Stop ENT Center No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135 Email : [email protected] Website : www.witoriyahosptial.com M A R K E T I N G & C O mm U N I C A T I O N S A D V E R T I S I N G 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 Spa Paragon Condo B#Rm-106, Shwe Hinthar Condo, Corner of Pyay Rd & Shwe Hinthar St, 6½Mile, Yangon. Tel: 01-507344 Ext: 112, 09-680-8488, 09-526-1642. Car Rental Service No. 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-246551, 375283, 09-2132778, 09-31119195. Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, FITNESS CENTRE Duty free BOOK STORES coffee machine Balance Fitnesss No 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon 01-656916, 09 8631392 Email - info@ balancefitnessyangon.com Get the Best Pure Natural Gemstones and Jewellery No. 44, Inya Road, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305811, 2305812. email : info@bestjewels myanmar.com, Bestjewelsmyanmar.com 24 hours Cancer centre No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135 BEAUTY & MASSAGE 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) LS Salon Junction Square, 3rd Floor. Tel : 95-1-527242, Ext : 4001 Mandalay La Source Beauty Spa No. 13/13, Mya Sandar St, Chanaye Tharzan Tsp. Tel : 09-4440-24496. www.lasourcebeautyspa.com • 150 Dhamazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 536306, 537805. Email : yangon@ monument-books.com • 15(B), Departure Lounge, Yangon Int’l Airport. • #87/2, Crn of 26th & 27th St, 77th St,Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp, Mandalay. Tel : (02) 24880. 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 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 [email protected] Duty Free Shops Yangon International Airport, Arrival/Departure Tel: 533030 (Ext: 206/155) Office: 17, 2 street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145. nd communication ENTERTAINMENT Life Fitness Bldg A1, Rm No. 001, Shwekabar Housing, Mindhamma Rd, Mayangone Tsp. Yangon. Ph: 01-656511, Fax: 01-656522, Hot line: 0973194684, [email protected] [email protected] www.manawmayagems.com Ruby & Rare Gems of Myanamar No. 527, New University Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon. 24 hours Laboratory & X-ray No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135 Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770. International Calling Card No.004, Building (B), Ground Floor, Yuzana St, Highway Complex Housing, Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-230-4379, 09-731-74871~2 Email : [email protected]. mm www.vmgtelecoms.com, www.ytalk.com.mm Dance Club & Bar No.94, Ground Floor, Bogalay Zay Street, Botataung Tsp, Yangon.Tel: 392625, 09-500-3591 Email : danceclub. [email protected] (Except Sunday) No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl Street, Golden Valley Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel : 09-509 7057, 01220881, 549478 (Ext : 103) Email : realfitnessmyanmar @gmail.com www.realfitnessmyanmar.com FLORAL SERVICES The Lady Gems & Jewellery No. 7, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305800, 09-8315555 The Lady Gems & Silk Co operative Business Centre, Room No (32/41), New University Avenue Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-5200726 [email protected] www.thelady-gems.com Your Most Reliable Jeweller 24 Hour International Medical Centre @ Victoria Hospital No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar Tel: + 951 651 238, + 959 495 85 955 Fax: + 959 651 398 24/7 on duty doctor: + 959 492 18 410 Website: www.leo.com.mm “ One Stop Solution for Quality Health Care “ 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, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@ mptmail.net.mm The Natural Gems of Myanmar & Fine Jewellery. No. 30(A), Pyay Road, (7 mile), Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-660397, 354398-9 E-mail : spgmes.myanmar @gmail.com No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135 Email : [email protected] Website : www.witoriyahosptial.com Home Furnishing GENERATORS 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. Foam spray Insulation No. 589-592, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax: 951-645211, 545278. e-mail: mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm 22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 660769, 664363. GLASS Bldg-D, Rm (G-12), Pearl Condo, Ground Flr, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 557448. Ext 814, 09-730-98872. Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Fl,Lower Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax : 01-203743, 09-5007681. Hot Line-09-730-30825. International Construction Material Co., S.B. Ltd. FURNITURE No. 60, Sint-Oh-Dan St, Lower Block, Latha Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2410292, 243551, 09-431-83689, 09-448033905. S.B. FURNITURE No-001-002, Dagon Tower, Ground Flr, Cor of Kabaraye Pagoda Rd & Shwe Gon Dine Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 544480, 09-730-98872. dECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 THE MYANMAR TIMES Office Furniture Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653. SCHOOLS Water Heaters European Quality & Designs Indoor/ Outdoor Furniture, Hotel Furniture & All kinds of woodworks No. 422, FJVC Centre, Ground Floor, Room No. 4, Strand Road, Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 01-202063-4, 09 509-1673 E-mail: contact@ smartdesignstrading.com www.royalbotania.com, www.alexander-rose.co.uk Open Daily (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303 sales.centuremyanmar@ gmail.com www.centure.in.th Sai Khung Noung Real Estate Co., Ltd. Tel : 541501, 551197, 400781, 09-73176988 Email : saikhungnoung [email protected]. www.saikhungnoung.com No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-523840(Ext-309), 09-73208079. Horizon Int’l School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795, 551796, 450396~7. fax : 543926, email : contact@horizonmyanmar. com, www.horizon.com The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: 01-256705, 399464, 394409, 647812. REMOVALISTS Ocean Center (North Point), Ground Floor, Tel : 09-731-83900 01-8600056 Marine Communication & Navigation Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. email: eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: 652391, 09-73108896 Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597 Legendary Myanmar Int’l Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 516827, 523653, 516795. Mobile. 09-512-3049. Email: legandarymyr@ mptmail.net .mm www.LMSL-shipping.com Quality Chinese Dishes with Resonable Price @Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109 Yangon Int’l School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun, Tel: 578171, 573149, 687701, 687702. Made in Japan Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker and Cooker Hood Showroom Address Water Heater WATER PROOFING Heaven Pizza 38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St. Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township. Tel: 09-855-1383 Delicious Hong Kong Style Food Restaurant G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114 Indian Fine Dining & Bar Bldg No. 12, Yangon Int’l Compound, Ahlone Road. Tel: 01-2302069, 09-43185008, 09-731-60662. The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon. 40, Natmauk Rd, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: 544500 Ext 6243, 6244 [email protected] service office International Construction Material Co., Ltd. No. 60, Sint-Oh-Dan St, Lower Block, Latha Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2410292, 243551, 09-431-83689, 09-448033905. MEDIA & ADVERTISING Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. email: eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: 652391, 09-73108896 Executive Serviced Offices www.hinthabusinesscentres.com Tel : 01-4413410 LEGAL SERVICE Media & Advertising All the way from Australia. Design for advertisement is not easy, reaching to target audience is even harder? We are equipped with great ideas and partners in Myanmar to create corporate logo, business photography, stationery design, mobile advertisement on public transport and billboard/ magazine ads. Talk to us: (01) 430-897, (0) 942-0004554. www.medialane. com.au U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: 253 273. [email protected] Relocation Specialist Rm 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 250290, 252313. Mail : [email protected] Water solution World famous Kobe Beef Near Thuka Kabar Hospital on Pyay Rd, Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp. Tel: +95-1-535072 Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6231 Easy access to CBD Fully furnished facility Company setup for $1,000 Office available from $360 only Company Limited Aekar Water Treatement Solution Block (A), Room (G-12), Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Hot Line : 09-4500-59000 PLEASURE CRUISES Paint World’s No.1 Paints & Coatings Company Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 5 Days, 7 Days, 9 Days Trips Tel: 95 1 202063, 202064 E-mail: info@islandsafari mergui.com. Website: www. islandsafarimergui.com Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288, 210 670, 227650. ext: 702. Fax: 229212. email: crown [email protected] The Emporia Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp. Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6294 Tel: + 95 1 374851 Email : [email protected] www.jkmyanmar.com (ENG) www.3ec.jp/mbic/ (JPN) Water Treatment 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 [email protected] www.operayangon.com Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: 667686, 666646.fax: 651250. email: sche [email protected]. 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. Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governor’s Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 229860 fax: (951) 217361. email: [email protected] www.orient-express.com 1. WASABI : No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; 09-4250-20667, 09-503-9139 Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) UnionBarAndGrill 42 Strand Road, Botahtaung, Yangon. Tel: 95 9420 180 214, 95 9420 101 854 www.unionyangon.com, [email protected] No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaoffice.com, www.venturaoffice.com Commercial scale water treatment (Since 1997) Tel: 01-218437~38. H/P: 09-5161431, 09-43126571. 39-B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone. WEB SERVICE TRAVEL AGENTS Web Services All the way from Australia. World-class websites, come with usability and responsiveness. Our works include website, web apps, e-commerce, forum, email campaign and online advertisement. Plus, we’re the authorised reseller for local and international domain names. So, put your worries aside and let us create the awesomeness you deserved online. (01) 430-897, (0) 942-0004554. www.medialane. com.au REAL ESTATE Your Most Reliable & Friendly Real Estate Agency Tel : 09-7308848 01-242370, 394053 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. 22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel 541997. email: leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. http://leplanteur.net Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 211212, 223262. fax: 211670. email: res@ asiantrails.com.mm Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd www.exploremyanmar.com RESTAURANTS G-01, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106 No. 5, U Tun Nyein Street, Mayangone T/S, Yangon. Tel : 01-660 612, 011 22 1014, 09 50 89 441 Email : lalchimiste. [email protected] SUPERMARKETS Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136. City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: 253022, 294765. City Mart (47th 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 Branch) tel: 510697. City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel:564532. TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 09-851-5202 Real Estate Agent Agent fees is unnecessary Tel : 09 2050107, 09 448026156 [email protected] Good taste & resonable price @Thamada Hotel Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41 Ext: 32 G-05, Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: 01-523840 Ext: 105 VISA & IMMIGRATION International Construction Material Co., Ltd. No. 60, Sint-Oh-Dan St, Lower Block, Latha Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2410292, 243551, 09-431-83689, 09-448033905. Real Estate Agency Email : realwin2012@ gmail.com Tel : 09-732-02480, 09-501-8250 a drink from paradise... available on Earth @Yangon International Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 09-421040512 Singapore Cuisine Super One Super Market, Kyaikkasan Branch, No. 65, Lay Daung Kan Rd, Man Aung Qtr, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-542371, 09-501-9128 No. 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan T/S, Yangon. Tel : 01-380 398, 01-256 355 (Ext : 3027) Email : zawgyihouse@ myanmar.com.mm Get your Visa online for Business and Tourist No need to come to Embassy. #165. 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Tel: +951 381200, 204020 [email protected] HOW TO GET A FREE AD FREE General Computer Education HOME Tution & Guide : For pre - KG, Primary & secondary level. Specialized in Maths & Biology. Tr. Daw Khin Swe Win (B.E.H.S Thuwunna) Rtd. Ph: 09-730-99679, Teaching English : Englishforyounglearners and adults. English for oversea travel, study, workplace or social purpose. Business English, Basic English, Everyday English, Communicative English. Taught by experienced and qualified teacher. Taught in abroad for a few years. Effective lessons, International Learning materials, Refresh, develop and practise English. Ms Si Si - Ph: 09-4207-85157 Special for Math : For Int'l school (ILBC, ISY, ISM & YIS) Geometry, Algebra, Calculus. Tr. Kaung Myat - BE (PE), Guide&Leacturer. Ph:09-731-42020. Teaching English, English for Young Learners and High School Graduates. English for social, study, overseas travel and work. General English course. Qualified and experienced teacher. Using International Syllabuses. Available for small groups or Individuals. Ph: (01) 291679 , 09-2501-36695 Willingly give a helping hand to those who are still difficult to answer ABE question papers of Business Management ( Graduate Diploma) for December exams. 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BUy spaCE ON THESE PAGES CAll: Khin Mon Mon Yi - 01-392676, 392928 Property Language WITHIN 24 hours can make you confidient in Myanmar Language speaking and scripts! Teacher Phyu Phyu Khin : 09-4930-8926, phyuporcupine@gmail. com, 56 I, Thiri Marlar Lane, 7.5 mile, Pyay Rd, Yangon. English for Adults &Young Learners 100 % face to face classroom based lessons, Small classroom sized, limited seats, Variety of learning resources Experienced, internationally qualified teacher who get the best out of you, whatever your level. Offer courses that build your confidence for practical situations and improve important areas such as Speaking and Listening in English. English for young learners : Teacher Yamin - Ph: (01) 291679, 09-250-136695. FOR FOREIGNERS Want to learn Myanmar speaking at your home? Contact : 09-517-9125, 09-861-1052 give your child the best possible start to life at International 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 Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: 546097, 546761. Email: [email protected] English for Young Learners : Build confidence in commu nicating in English. Build strong foundation in English for further education. Introducing reading with variety of books. Using Int'l syllabusessuchasOxford, Collins & Cambridge ,etc. Lesson will be conducted in English. Taught by qualified & internationally experience teacher.English for Adults Speak fluently in various situations. Improve your pronunciation and increase your vocabulary. Communicate effectively in everyday situations. English for social, study, overseas travel and work purposes. Teacher Yamin - Ph:291679, 09250-136695 myanmar for Foreigners. Ph: 092501-50791. english Grammar for all classes. Ph: 09-541384 Myanmar Language Guide (For Embassy family & others) When you stay in Myanmar, do you want to ask to your children to learn Myanmar language? Call:09-514-6505 (Christine) SAT score raising classic novels and short stories practice can be asked,it is right to enjoy reading classic and persuaded writing ,critical thinking and world culture.If you are not the student of SAT study. you tried as much as you can to follow the lesson with skill you got good experienced for your .further study. Spanish language can be inquired. U Thant Zin : 09-503-5350 , 01-547442. 28/3B, Thadipahtan St, Tamwe. HIGHLIGHT Computer Group : ComputerTraining & Software Development - 26, Myoh Thit (1) St, Kyauk Myaung, Tamwe, Yangon. Ph: 09-73146123, 09-2500-01664. Computer Service Group:Window Installation, Software Installation. Server Installation (DHCP, AD, ISA, Handy Cafe). CPE & Router Configuration. Network Cable Installation. Ph:09-420110247. Rent/ Sale KAMAYUT , Innya Myaing Rd, 80' x 80' land, 2RC, 4 MBR, Fully furnished, New (7) Aircons, Generator, Lawn, Ph Line, US$ 6500 per month. (2) Innya Rd, 80' x 90' land, 2RC, 4 Master bedroom, Ph Line, US$ 6000 per month. Ph: 09-507-4241 PABEDAN, New Condo, Downtown Near Sule Pagoda, 3000 Sqft, 3 MBR, 1 Single bedroom 5 Aircons, Bathtub, Teak floor, nice view, US$ 3500 per month. Ph: 09-507-4241. THINGANGYUN, On Thu Min Ga La Main Rd, NearYangon International School (YIS), ILBC Apartment - First Flr (1,200 Sqft) One Master Bed Room attached bath room & toilet, Two Single Rooms Extra Bath Room & Toilet, Kitchen Room,Dining Room, Sitting Room Near KBZ Bank, City Mart, Market, Schools, Circular Train Station car parking space, Opposite of YIS Teachers' apartments Nice, Peace Location: Ph-09-5148138, 01573881. Bahan : A European Style fully furnished apartment at Pearl Condominium, 12th flr, 1700 sqft. Most modern interior decoration. Fully Air conditioned. Best for foreigners. Rent expected USD 2500 per month. Can also sell for USD 3,50,000. Call owner (English speaking 09-508-2244) or (Myanmar speaking 09-735-67890) Public Notice HR Module -1, Recruitment & Selection Certificate Course Trainer (1) Daw Soe Soe Kyi , HR Practitioner MPA , B.Sc (Chemistry), Executive Diploma in Human Resources Management Trainer (2) Daw Swe Swe Aung, HR Practitioner B.Agr. Sc Executive Diploma in Human Resources Management Fees Ks120,000. Schedule,Start date : - 14th December, 2013. Complete date 29th December, 2013 , Sat: & Sun: (3-weeks) Time - From 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm , total 6- hrs. Address : Ba Yint Naung Tower -1 , Ground Flr, Rm C&D, Kamaryut Yangon. Contacts : 09 4500 45916 emails : thewindyhills@ gmail.com , maytwonine. [email protected] For Sale Macbook Pro 13" Retina Display Intel Core i5 Ram 8GB S.S.D 128GB Mac OS 10.9 Price : 1380000. 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Contact - Ph: 09-4500- 45 916, gmail: thewindyhills@gmail. com. FOR PRIMARY Student : English, Maths, Myanmar, Geography, History, Science, Social, English Language. If you need to coach your child. Please do contact at Teacher Caroline : caroline.zita@ gamil.com WANT TO LEARN English? Learn English with native speaker! -4 skills, Business English, IELTS graduation, IELTS foundation, Custom Program. We are going to open our new intake at 2th of December and offer 20,000 kyats Discount. Contact our Friendly Customer Service Officers for complete information. Ph: 09-73162586, 09-4211-19895, 01-230-5699, 01-2305822. Email: info@ edulinkaustralia.com . Add : Bldg 6, Junction Square, Kamaryut, Yangon. Training Decent Myanmar Training School Personal Management & Business Management Trainings Basic English Grammar IELTS preparation English for Specific PurposeESP. (1) Spoken English (2) Business Writing (3) Business English (4) English for Marketing (5) English for HRM (6) English for Media (7) English for IT (8) English for Law (9) English for Marine Engineering (10) English for Medicine 29/ B, Rm 7, Myay Nu St, Myaynigone. Ph:01-512467, 09-722-32047. Expert Services Real Estate : We have Lands for sale suitable for making Industrial buildings in large area. Buyers can Contact Us on 09-450059037. 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(1)Financial statements preparation (profit & loss) (2) Financial statements/ performance analysis (3)Strategic planing (budgeting/forecasting) (4)Implementation of internal controls (5) H.D.D + SSD Display 13.3 1 Year 6 Month International Warranty Price : 580000. Ph : 09501-6694 Toyota IQ 2008 130 akhs Push Start. Mileage 65000. Contact 01-650164, 09-731-10110 Macbook Pro 13" Retina Display Intel Core i5 Ram 8GB S.S.D 128GB Mac OS 10.9. Price : 1430000. Ph : 09-4200-50651 MSI Board P4 Dual Core CPU 3.2 ghz Ram 2 Gb Hdd 500 GB VGA 512 MB DVD RW (ASUS) Viewsonic 19 ' UPS Green Tech 650 W. Ph: 09-4211-11780. Samsung Galaxy S4 / S3 / S2 / Grand / Note 1, 2 HTC One / Butterfly Sony Z / SP / S / P. Ph : 09-3100-8866. iPhone 5S/5/4/4S. Ph : 09-2540-04420 Intel Core i5 Ram 8GB H.D.D + SSD Display 13.3 1 Year 6 Month International Warranty. Price : 580,000. Ph : 09501-6694. Macbook Pro 13" Intel Core 2 Duo Ram 4GB H.D.D 750GB Mac OS 10.8.5 + Windown 7. Price : 599,000. Ph : 094200-50651. HTC One Silver Color With Original Accessories. Price : 490000. Ph : 093100-8866 Travel Virgin Land Tours - Visa Services : Worldwide Air Ticketing, Worldwide Hotel Reservation, All Kind Transportation Rental, Inbound & Outbound Tour Operator, Tour Guide Services. Ph. 01-861-0252, 09-5123793, 09-520-2643. BELTA CAR Rental Rate with Professional English Speaking Tour Car Driver*600000 Ks/ month (exclude fuel OCTANE) contact: Mr.Sonny: 09-4200-48040 & Ms. MyaMyaAung (Tourist Guide): 09-4015-43732 The Any-ways Travel & Tours Co : 1225, Pinlon Rd, 35 Ward, North Dagon (Email :- anywaysmyanmar@ gmail.com) was established since early October, 2013. The foreign visitors (Tourists, Businessorotherpurpose) are advised to contact us and enjoy our services, such as ticketing,hotel reservation, tour programming, holding seminars,car rental and etc. Welcome anyone contact to Ph : 09-5117890, 01-581878 ASIAN BLISS Myanmar Car Rental Service. Ph:01-543-942, 09-5191785, 09-731-18957. NYAN MYINT THU Car Rental Service : Ko Nyan Myint Win Kyi (MD) - 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph : 01-246551, 01-375284. ph:09-2132778. email: nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, nmt@nyan myintthucarrental. com, colwinkyi@ gmail. com. Web:www. nyanmyintthucarrental. com HousingforRent HLAING THAR YAR, FMI City, 80' x 60', 2 Story building, 2 living room, 4 MBR, 2 SR, with Ph, Aircon, Hot, cool water, nice to live. Ph : 09-73181377. 3 STOREY Building with full facilities. Ph: 01241756, 370334, 09510-3207. (1). Near Bogyoke Market, 2500 sqft, 2 MBR, 1 SR , fully furnish, 3000 USD. (2).Near Park Royal hotel, 1250 Sqft, 2 MBR, 1 SR, fully furnish, 2500 USD. (3). Near Park Royal hotel, 2500 Sqft, 3 MBR, fully furnish, 4000 USD. Ph: 09-4921-4276. (1) THUWUNNA, Duplex for Sale, 2 storeys building, 40 x 70 ft, Thuwunna VIP-1, Main Rd (2) North Oakklapa, Main Rd (Wai Pon La Rd) Near Medical School Shop House, 1200 Sqft, Hall type, . (3) Yankin, Shwe Ohn Pin Housing, 900 Sqft. 3 rooms, fully furnished, Near Sedona Hotel. Ph:09-732-41848, 09-8601-042. BAHAN, Golden velly, (1) near ISY school, 2RC, 2400 Sqft, 2 MBR, 2 SR, fully furnish, 4500 USD (2).near City Mark, 2 RC, (5600 Sqft) , 6 MBR, fully furnish (10000 USD) (3). 3 RC, 5000 Sqft, 3 MBR, good for office, 4500 USD. Ph: Ph: 09-4921-4276. (1)Kyee Myint Dine, Pan Hlaing housing, Pan Hlaing St, first flr, 25' x 37', 2BR, 3 Aircon, 1Ph, 1heater, pressure pump, 2 exhaust fans, highly decoration, 750 Lakhs, Negotiable, (2)Pazun Daung, Mahabandoola Rd, 8th flr, 25'x60', 3BR, 1 Aircon, 800 Lakhs, Negotiable, Ph-09-401604409. CENTRAL CITY Residence near Park Royal, marble/ hardwood premium fittings, modern design. 4 rooms 3 bathroom (2 master w/ attached bath) 1955sqft $4850/month. jasonwongjp@gmail. com, 09-4211-02223. PRIME OFFICE, Pansodan Rd, 2500 sqft, office layout w/ boardroom and manager's office. Clean open design, foreign quality fittings. Full building generator. $ 6 2 5 0 / m o n t h . jasonwongjp@gmail. com, 09-4211-02223. Condo (Pyin Nya Waddy) 1 MB, 2 Single Rooms, 1 Single room with bath. Fully furnished, Available to move in 1st week of January' 2014. Lift, Satellite, Internet. Ph : 09-732-41848, 09-5079048, 09-8601042 Pansodan Business Tower Rd, 2500sqft, building generator, office layout w/ boardroom and manager's office. Modern, open design, imported fittings. $6250/ month. jasonwongjp@ gmail.com, 09-421102223 THAMADA CONDO 1600sqft fully furinished condo behind the Thamada Cinema, 5 minutes from Traders and Park Royal Hotel. Suitable for office use as well as residential. Free Parking slot available. 3500$/month, negotiable. Contact ebrahiemaadil@ hotmail.com, 09-5030604 a spacious Two Storey House on University Avenue Road for rent, conveniently located on the center of the road and near to Inya Road. 3 Living Rooms, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 2 Guest Toilets, 1 Dining Room, an Indoor Kitchen plus an Outdoor Kitchen, a Well Maintained Garden, Freshly painted rooms with teak floors, For further inquires, call Mobiles: 09-25400-2213. (No Brokers Please) PRIME OFFICE, Panso dan Rd, 2500sqft, office layout w/ boardroom and manager's office. Clean open design, foreign quality fittings. Full building generator. $ 6 2 5 0 / m o n t h . jasonwongjp@gmail. com, 09-4211-02223 HousingforSale Land & Building for Sales by owner:- 40' x 60' area land & Wood Building Water, Electricity OK & ready for staying No.294, South Dagon18(B) Aung Min Ga La St (Concrete Rd) Ph:01 573881, 09-514-8138 We have Lands for sale suitable for making Industrial buildings in large area. Buyers can Contact Us on 09-450059037. (There is no pay for Agents & Third party ... Warmly welcome the buyers ) Southern Dagon - 18, Land and Good Wood Building for Sales 20 x 60-Aung Min Ga La street(18b)-250 Lakhs, 40 x 60, Aung Mingalar St (18b)-500 Lakhs, Ready for Staying, Water, Electricity. Selling by the Owner himself: Ph:-01--573881, 09514-8138 General if you are thinking to give a book-gift to your loved ones. Meiji Soe's "Culture & Beyond Myanmar" is a unique of its king revealing Myanmar Culture, Beliefs and Superstitions in sector by sector together with photos. Available at Book Stores & MCM Ltd. Ph: 253642, 3922928, 392910. Email: distmgr@ myanmartimes.com.mm SHWE KYIN Slipper shop, Yangon. Ph: 01240966 ext 333, 09515-7156. THE MYANMAR TIMES dECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 FREE Employment & MS Office. Good in English & Myanmar. Pls submit application (CV, cover letter, references) to : HR Department Solidarites Int'l/ Or drop your application on an envelope at Solidarites Int'l office : 44-A, Tharyarwaddy Lane, Bahan, Yangon or per email: recruitment@ solidarites-myanmar. org, cc:mon.admin@ solidarites-myanmar. org, Closing date : 10th December myanmar Red Cross Society is seeking (1) Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Officer 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw : 2 years of relevant experience in Disaster Management. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Proficiency with GIS (geographic information systems) helpful. Good communication & IT knowledge skills. (2) Monitoring & Reporting Officer 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw : 3 years relevant experience in monitoring and reporting field. Effective English language skills & computer knowledge. Red Cross Volunteers are preferable. Pls send application letter, CV and related documents to Myanmar Red Cross Society Head Office, Yazathingaha Rd, Dekkhinathiri,NayPyiTaw. Or mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com medecins du Monde (MDM) is seeking Project Manager 1 post in Myitkyina, Kachin State: Any graduate (Public Health, Medical Science, Social Work, Public Administration, Program Management). 3 years experience in NGO's, possibly in Health programs, out of which 2 years in senior management position. Fluent in English. Excellent computer literacy. Pls submit CV & a cover letter to MDM Country Coordination Office, Yangon, 47-B, Po Sein St, Bahan, Yangon. 542830, 09731-71002, Email: office.mdmmyanmar@ gmail.com medecins Sans Frontieres - Switzerland (MSF-CH) is seeking (1)Human Resources & Administrative Assistant in Yangon Office. Education: Certificate or diploma in business, hotel or HR Management or similar education. Experience in a similar position of at least 2 years in a private company or in NGO. Fluent in English & Myanmar. (2)Medical Doctor - 1 post in Sittwe, Myauk Oo, KyaukTaw Rakhine State: Recognized medical doctor diploma/ degree with valid SAMA. Previous working experience with humanitarian organization & interested in public health in remote population are assest. 1 year clinical experience essential. Fluent in English & Myanmar. Pls submit your application (motivation letter, updated CV and copy of professional diplomas) to HR Manager, Medecins Sans Frontieres Switzerland (MSF-CH) 101, Dhamazedi Rd, Kamaryut, Yangon, Email: [email protected]. myanmar Red Cross Society is seeking (1) Field Coordinator (CBHD focus on MNCH) 1 post in Mindat, Chin State: University graduate (in public health or management or related fields). 3 years experience in programme manage ment with experience in planning, monitoring & reporting & in budget control. 3 year's experience in supervision, manage ment of staff & volunteers within the NS or any other related NGO. (2)Manager 1 post in Hpa-An, Kayin State: University degree in related field. 5 years experience in senior management. For all posts : Effective computer knowledge. Red cross volunteers are preferable. Pls send application letter, CV & related documents to Myanmar Red Cross Society Head Office, Yazathingaha Rd, Dekkhinathiri,NayPyiTaw. Or mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com 6584, Email : yangon@ canhope.org KELVIN CHIA Yangon Ltd is a foreign legal consultancy firm. We invite motivated and committed individuals to join us as: Administrative Executive : Good written & spoken communication skills in English. Mature & capable of supervising & directing subordinates. Must be well-organized, meticulous, have initiative & execute instructions promptly. Some accounting background & experience preferred. Interested applicants are invited to send their full resume stating their current and expected salaries, together with a recent photograph to [email protected]. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. yangon Oil and Gas Services Co., Ltd is seeking HSE Supervisor 2 posts in Sagaing Division : Degree in relevant Engineering discipline such as HSE, Petroleum or Mechanical. 5 years' experience in the development & implementation of HSE programs. Computer skills with working knoweldge of Microsoft Software. Pls send full CV, detailing skills, knowledge & experience with recent color passport sized photograph to yogsmyanmar@gmail. com by email or submit hard copy to room 1406, 14th Flr, Sakura Tower not later than 15th December 2013 (or) until suitable candidate is defined. MiTA Myanmar @ ISBC Company is urgently looking for Myanmar nationals for the following positions: (1). Maintenance Engineer experience. Application letter by email to savoy. [email protected] or 129, Dhammazedi Rd, Yangon. Tel: (951) 526298, 526289. Please mention the desire position on the application letter. Urgent Need Accountants, General Clerks, Marketing & Sales Persons (M/F)Age above 30 years US$ 1,000/Month, Free Accomodation, Food, Transport Yearly Bonus, Local Allowances, Festival Allowances. To work in Nigeria, Lagos. 25 Myanmar are working there No agent fees, Air Ticket Free, During Vacation with pay CPA or ACCA or M.Ba or B.Com or D.Ma or LCCI or any Accounting Academic. Good for English Speaking, Computer Skill & MYOB. Ph :01573881, 09-514-8138. East Meets West is seeking a Program Assistant based in Yangon. Fluency in Myanmar & English. Proficiency in Italian preferred. Good know ledge of MS Word, excel and email. Experience in the healthcare sector is advantageous. Pls submit CV & cover letter to EMW Yangon Office: Rm. 01, Bldg. 27, Shwe Ohn Pin Housing, Yankin Tsp. 09420036369 / 098600282 danica@ eastmeetswest.org / mickytauktun@gmail. com KELVIN CHIA Yangon Ltd is a foreign legal consultancy firm. We invite motivated & committed individuals to join us as,(1) Lawers who will work on a variety of corporate & commercial matters & transactions in Myanmar . If you are a Myanmar - qualified lawyer with strong English language skills, you are invited to apply to join our Myanmar prctice group. Myanmar nationals admitted to int'l bars are also welcome to apply. Training will be provided. Applicants may email to [email protected] & submit your curriculum vitae. HoriZon Int'l School is looking for (Shukhinnthar Campus) (1).Office secretary - F 1 post : Age under 30, Bachelor’s Degree in any field or Diploma in the relevant field, Sufficient work experience in the related field, Good command of English, Computer literate, Customer care skills, (2).Assistant Teacher - F 2 posts : Age 20 to 35, University graduate, Proficient in English, Comfortable working with young learners, Able to devote oneself to teaching, Friendly, enthusiastic & patient. (3).Receptionist - F 1 post : Age under 30, Bachelor’s Degree in any field or Diploma in the relevant field, Sufficient work experience in the related field, Good command of English, Able to handle phone communication, BENEFITS: Attractive Salary, Lunch is also provided , An opportunity to work for an institution where students have lots of outstanding int'l achievements, Enhance ment training. Pls bring CV along with a copy of your credentials to: 235,Shukinthar Myo Patt Rd, Taketa, Yangon. Ph: 450396, 450397, Closing date : December 15th, 2013. BAGAN CAPITAL, an investment and advisory firm, is seeking an Office Manager (Yangon head office). Duties: Supervise office staff, manage accounts, maintain office records and supplies, perform general clerical tasks, deal with inquiries, organize office operations, systems and procedures. MUST BE: Fluent in English and Myanmar (native), able to type in Myanmar, able to travel locally within Yangon state, have excellent interpersonal skills, be experienced with software such as Excel & Word, have basic accounting & math skills, able to multitask, be detailoriented, have excellent time management skill. Must provide own accommodation. Must have no criminal record. Email CV to: recruitment@ bcfmyanmar.com Orion Business Group is seeking Education Consultant - 4 Posts : 1 to 2 years experience in educational consulting field, Welcome to apply fresh graduate MBA or DMA , Excellent in English, Support Marketing director to run effective marketing strategy for education service, Can consult & communicate well with any level of customers (2)Marketing Executive - 6 Posts : Diploma or certificate in marketing, Excellent in English, Experience in marketing field prefer, Fresh graduate who has a great enthusiasm in marketing can also welcome to apply, Good communication & negotiation skills, Flexible and can work as a team. Pls submit application with CV, recent passport photo & copy of all relevant documents to 512/B, Waizayantar Rd, 4 Ward, South Okkalapa. Ph:09-731-13092, 09-317-43835. hr1@ orionbusinessgroup. com within two weeks. (1). English - Japanese Translator - (JLPT Level 1 and English language skill) Salary 10 Lakh & above http://goo.gl/ JfkQxU (2).Japanese - Burmese Translator (JLPT Level 1 ), Salary 5.5 Lakh http://goo. gl/4YP3ar (3)Company Introduction. Consult ing company. Off day is generally Sat, Sun and public holidays. Fill application form at, http:// goo.gl/ZS2epe or Send Resume to DJ Myanmar Ltd : 4th flr, Left Room, Bldg 13/B, Shankone St, Myaynigone, Yangon, info@dream job myanmar.com by post. URGENT NEED : Accountants, General Clerks, Marketing & Sales Persons - M/FUS$ 1,000 /Month, Free Accomodation, Food, Transport Yearly Bonus, Local Allowances, Festival Allowances. To work in Nigeria, Lagos. 25 Myanmar are working there No agent fees, Air Ticket Free, During Vacation with pay CPA or ACCA or M.Ba or B.Com or D.Ma or LCCI, Good for English speaking, Computer skill & MYOB Ph:01-573881, 09-5148138 “Audier & Partners, a Vietnam-based international law firm with offices in Vietnam, Mongolia and Myanmar is looking to hire business lawyers for its Yangon Office. Profile: Myanmar nationals holding advanced law degrees, minimum 1-year work experience in law firms/government entities, full English proficiency (reading, writing, speaking), computer software proficiency. Pls submit CV to grangerat@ audierpartners.com” INTER GROUP of companies : an int'l management consulting company is looking for (1).Junior Consultant 1 Post : Diploma or Degree in Business Management and/ or Finance, Good communication, presentation & inter personal skills, Comfor table with engaging clients, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Prior knowledge on trade matters, logistics and shipping documents required. Pls submit detailed CV in person or by email, stating your current & expected salary, date of availability, reason for leaving and a recent passport photo to 7(D), 1st Flr, Pyay Rd, 6 miles, Hlaing, Yangon, Ph: 09-731-0 5353, 09731-05340, Email: [email protected] Pls state the Job Title that you are applied for in the subject of your email. Savoy Hotel, Yangon is urgently looking for (1) Sous Chef - minimum 3 ~ 5 years experience in the same position (2) Driver - minimum 3 years experience (3) Bell Man - minimum 2 years experience and good English skill (4) Storekeeper - minimum 2-3 years experience (5) Security - minimum 2 years experience. Application letter by email to [email protected] or 129, Dhammazedi Rd, Yangon. Tel: (951) 526298, 526289. Please mention the desire position on the application letter. Aryu Thukha Specialist Hospital, Lashio is seeking suitable person for the following positions. (1). Nurses 3 posts (2). Laboratory technician 2 posts (3). Radiographer 2 posts. Requirements :Dip. In Nursing, B.Med.Tech. (Lab technology), . B.Med.Tech. (Medical imaging). Interested candidates can enquire at 09-502-6602 World Trade Associate Trading Company Ltd is seeking Sales and Marketing M 4 Posts : Degree or Diploma holder in related field. Good personality, polite, neat and tidy. Pls contact : 40/42, 136 St, Tarmwe, Yangon. Ph: 01 200151 , 01 200288 , 09510-9966. UN Positions unesco Myanmar Project Office is seeking Administrative Assistant: University degree at Bachelor or higher level in public of business administration or a related field. Excellent in English language proficiency in comprehension & ability to speak, read and ability to speak, read and write, including ability to draft correspondence and minutes of the meetings. 5 years experience in handling administrative & secretarial tasks. Computer literacy with automated office systems and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite. Excellent typing skills in Myanmar language are essential. Pls submit a cover letter (referencing the job Announcement No. JA3613) accompanied by full resume stating details of educational qualifications & working experience, present income, home & office telephone numbers. Email:kk.lwin@ unesco.org; with copy to: adm.bgk@unesco. org, UNESCO Yangon Project Office, UN Bldg 6, Natmauk Rd, Tamwe, Yangon, UNICEF Myanmar is seeking Fixed-term Appointment Education Specialist (NO-C), based in Yangon : Advanced University degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant in the following areas: Education; Primary Education or a Social Sciences fields relevant to international development assistance. 5 years of progressively professional work experience at national and international levels in field programmes relevant to Education programmes. Fluency in English and Myanmar is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Pls send application with updated CV or Personal History form, educational credentials and references to jobs. [email protected] by 17 December 2013. UNICEF Myanmar is seeking Fixed-term Appointment Chief, Field Office (NO-C), based in Mandalay : Advanced University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Develop ment or other relevant disciplines with specialized training in conflict resoluttion. 5 years of relevant professional work experience, Fluency in English & Myanmar. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Creating & Innovating. Pls send application with updated CV or Personal History form, educational credentials and references to jobs. [email protected] by 11 December 2013. IOM Int'l Organization for Migration is seeking Assistant Project Manager (Medical Services & Social Mobilization) 1 post in Myawaddy, Kayin State. Pls submit an application letter and an updated CV with a maximum length of 3 pages including names & contact details of referees (copies of certificates and further documents are not required at this stage) to Int'l Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Myanmar - Yangon Office, 318-A, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Ph: 210588, 09-732-36679, Email: hryangon@iom. int, Closing date :9 December, 2013. Ingo Positions world Vision Int'l - Myanmar is seeking Community Development Facilitator (CMCB Project) in Thayetchaung - Coastal Zone: University Degree. Working experience in community development. Compe tent in used of Microsoft Word, Excel & Power Point. Good command of Myanmar and English. Must provide a clean criminal background. Pls submit resume (clearly identify the post you apply) by post to HR Department, World Vision Int'l - Myanmar or in person to application drop-box at (18), Shin Saw Pu Rd; Ahlone, Sanchaung PO or send to [email protected] Closing date : December 16, 2013 world Vision Int'l Myanmar is seeking (1) Community Develop ment Facilitator in Kyangin - Ayeyarwaddy Region: University Degree, Working experience in community development. Compe tent in used of Microsoft Word, Excel & Power Point. Good command of Myanmar & English. (2)Customer Services Coordinator in Kyangin - Ayeyarwaddy Region : University Degree. 2 years experience in the field of customer services in commercial/ public institutions/ INGO. (3) Education Quality Specialist (Education Department) (Re-Open) in National Office, Yangon : University Bachelor Degree in any discipline. Computer skill & background in education development is essential. Extensive experience of training & working with child related issues are essential. Must provide a clean criminal background. Pls submit resume (clearly identify the post you apply) by post to HR Department, World Vision Int'l - Myanmar or in person to application drop-box at No (18), Shin Saw Pu, Sanchaung PO or send to myajobapps@ wvi.org Closing date : December 10, 2013 medecins Sans Frontieres Switzerland (MSFCH) is looking for Head of Mission Assistant 1 post in Yangon : Proven experience in the field or humanitarian areas of humanitarian aid, with other non-government organisations: experience working with authorities at anationalandinternational level. English & Myanmar required. French is an asset. Preferably a medical or paramedical qualification & universitylevel studies. Pls submit application (motivation letter, updated CV & copy of prefessional diplomas) to : HR Manager, MSFCH, Switzerland, No.101, Dhamazedi Rd, Kamayut, Yangon, Ph: 502509, 503548, E-mail: msfchrangoon-web@geneva. msf.org solidarites Int'l is seeking Administrative Manager 1 post in Bhamo, Kachin State: University level or equivalent in Accounting/ M a n a g e m e n t / Administration. 3 years experience in a similar position with NGOs. Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint presentation. Fluent in EnglishandMyanmar.Pls submit application (CV, cover letter, references) by email : recruitment@ solidarites-myanmar.org solidarites Int'l is seeking Water Facility Construction Manager 1 post in Monywa, Sagaing : 5 years experience in water construction. University degree or diploma in civil engineering or equivalent. Knowledge of IT management, AutoCAD Local Positions Centure Myanmar, a leading office furniture provider in Myanmar, is seeking - Sales manager (1 post) - Sales Executive (2 posts) - Marketing Executive (1 post) Showroom manager (1 post) - Showroom Sales (2 posts) - Sales Trainee (2 posts) - Secretary/ Assistance (1 post) Driver (2 posts). We offer a young and international working atmosphere and search for competent and dedicated employees to grow with our expanding business. Be part of the team and send your application letter and CV to mailhrdepartment@ gmail.com Parkway Cancer Centre isseeking MedicalDoctor Female 1 post : M.B,B.S Graduate with SA MA registration, 2 years experienceinmedicalfield, Good communication in English, Must be able to use computer, internet and Microsoft application with excellent skills, We welcome the candidates who are trust worthy, self-motivated with positive working attitude. Interested persons are invited to submit: CV with relevant certificates, documents, recommendation letter attach and documents, and expected salary to Rm(G-07), Ground Floor, Diamond Center, Pyay Rd, Kamayut. Tel : 532 438, 532 447, 09 513 (2 positions) - Packaging Industry (2). Sales Engineer (2 positions) – Packaging Industry. Work Location: Yangon, Myanmar; Training in Bangkok, Thailand. To know more about above positions & OTHER VACANT positions and sending CV, please visit: https://mitaservices. com.sg/jobs-career/ myanmar/ Savoy Hotel, Yangon is urgently looking for (1) Bar Supervisor - 2 ~ 3 years experience, good English and good personality (2) Storekeeper - minimum 1 ~ 2 years experience, LCCI (Level II) (3) Driver - minimum 3 years experience (4) Security - minimum 2 years 64 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 A ‘bluffer’s guide’ to the th 27 Southeast Asian Games 27 Th SeA GAMeS MyanMaR 2013 Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing ChInlOne WHEN it was announced that Chinlone would make its debut at the 2013 SEA Games and that its inclusion alongside other sports native to the region such as the Vietnamese martial art of Vovinam would be in preference to more internationally recognised Olympic disciplines, it drew criticism from nations such as the Phillipines. However the Filipino martial art of arnis has only featured at two SEA Games, both of which were held in Manila. In a games designed to reintroduce Myanmar to the international stage, the inclusion of an authentic cultural icon of the country seems not only appropriate but laudable. Where does it originate? When and how chinlone originated in Myanmar is a question open to debate. Believed to be over 1500 years old, it may be related to the ancient Chinese game of cuju or tsuchu, the game FIFA recognises as the oldest form of football. It is certainly linked to similar games across Southeast Asia known as takraw in Thailand, sepak raga in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, sipa in the Philippines, kator in Laos and da cau in Vietnam. As chinlone is predominantly played with the foot, many international onlookers consider the sport a Myanmar version of football. However, with no goals or opposing side required, the nature of this sport and its part in Myanmar culture is starkly different. Not only can the game be seen played on every street or open space in the country but a silver chinlone was discovered enshrined within the relic chamber of Baw Baw Gyi Pagoda in the old Pyu Matt RoEBUcK [email protected] Our ‘bluffer’s guide’ to the SEA Games focuses on those sports that may never make it to the Olympics but whose elite will get their chance to compete for international gold this December. This week we focus on a sport that’s inclusion though causing some controversy makes the 2013 SEA Games not only an event with a Southeast Asian character but one with a distinctly Myanmar flavor. The Myanmar chinlone team celebrates after winning gold at the 27th SEA Games in Nay Pyi Taw on December 5. ernment High School held a sports competition including chinlone, complete with a subjective marking system. On June 29 1953, the All Burma Chinlone Conference was held in Yangon. Delegates from 33 districts attended the conference and agreed upon the game’s universal laws and regulations. What’s it all about? Traditionally non-competitive, chinlone is often described as a combination of sport and dance. As a team sport with no opposing team, the focus is not on winning or losing, but how beautifully one plays the game. The primary objective in chinlone is to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible without touching it with the hand. At grassroots level the game is truly one for the whole community; both men and women play and will often feature on the same team. Adults and children can also play together and it is not unusual to see elders of 80 years joining a game. How do you play? Chinlone literally translated means cane-ball. The game is played barefoot or while wearing specialist chinlone shoes that allow the players to feel the woven, rattan ball. The balls make a distinctive clicking sound when kicked using the six points of city of Sre Kestra near Pyay. Traditionally, playing chinlone was a means of exercising the body when one’s back and limbs became cramped following long periods of sitting, standing or working. Sir JG Scott, the man who introduced football to Myanmar, was also a fan of chinlone. The Scotsman, whose thighs were covered in traditional Myanmar tattoos and had adopted the local non-de-plume Shway Yoe, did not at that time consider chinlone a game. As to him a game required two or more competitors striving for supremacy but chinlone’s co-operative nature made it predominantly an enjoyable, collective means of exercise. Since Scott’s time things have changed. Just as gymnastics has developed from a means of exercise into an adjudicated sport, so has chinlone. In 1908 the Rangoon Gov- contact: the top of the toes, the inner and outer sides of the foot, the sole, the heel, and the knee. In the team game, six players must pass the ball between each other as they walk around in a circle. When a player moves to the centre, they are supported by their team mates to create a string of moves. The typical playing circle is 6.7 metres (22 feet) in diameter. The ideal playing surface is dry, hard-packed dirt, but almost any flat surface will do. When the ball drops to the ground it’s dead, and the play starts again. In the SEA Games, two teams perform 10 minute sets. Each set is scored individually and the winners are determined in a best of three format. Should scores be tied in any one individual set then extra time is played with an additional 5-minute set. The 27th SEA Games chinlone competition was conducted in accordance with the rules of International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF). Each country entering a team is likely to enter three of the four events. Each of these events has their own particular format and rules and include a two-circle event that has been created especially as a spectacle for the 27th SEA Games. How do you win? What sets chinlone apart from other similar ball sports is the sheer range of artistic expression executed through an astoundingly dexterous level of footwork and spirituality. Players have identified over 200 different ways to kick the ball, with many of the techniques having elements in common with traditional Myanmar dance and martial arts. As one must consider the beauty of the game, there is a correct form and position to deliver every kick. How one holds their hands, arms, torso and head as they execute the kick is all important and a move can only be considered to have been properly completed if the form is good. Some of the trickiest kicks are played from behind the back where the player is unable to see the ball. To play chinlone well, the whole team must be absolutely in the moment. Serious players often talk of entering a focused state of mind they refer to asjhana, a state similar to that achieved through meditation. What should you be saying? I hope someone performs the mandala move. – A kick that is notoriously difficult to complete Personally I’m not keen on these shoes and shorts. Chinlone should be played barefoot, wearing a gadann kyaik. – a men’s longyi that has been tucked around the thigh, allowing the chinlone player freedom to move. Where is it played? Chinlone games feature as part of many Buddhist festivals heldthroughout the year. The largest of these chinlone festivals lasts for over a month and attracts hundreds, maybe thousands of teams. Live music from a traditional orchestra accompanies the players, who attempt to play in time to the tempo of the piece. Live commentary also adds to the performance, including witty wordplay designed to entertain the crowds. The introduction of chinlone at the SEA Games has led to the rules and regulations for the sport to be drafted in the English language for proliferation of the sport. With the aspiration of forming an ASEAN Chinlone Federation, Myanmar chinlone coaches and referees have been touring neighboring countries seeking to develop the level of international interest, proficiency and competition. How many medals are available? With four events each for men and women, chinlone offers eight gold medals in the Games. What’s the betting? Myanmar obviously starts as the favourites but watch out for the Thai and Malaysian teams who are betting on the application of transferable skills as they enter their reserves from the sepak takraw competitions in a bid to medal. Where will it all happen? The chinlone events will be hosted by the in WunnaTheikdi Indoor Stadium, Naypyitaw starting on December 4 and will be concluding on December 9. Did you know? Want to play chinlone but not sure you have the required dexterity or spirituality of mind? Well, there’s an app for that. The organisers of the 27th SEA Games have celebrated the inaugural chinlone event by introducing a game to be downloaded on phones using the Android platform. The game features SEA Games mascots from current and past events and 500 offline levels to master. Matt Roebuck is a sports writer and sports development consultant based in Yangon. He is the author of the book The Other Olympics, published in 2012. 66 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 S Phelps keeps mum on US$1 million Rio question WIMMING legend Michael Phelps, winner of the most medals in Olympic history, would not be drawn last week on whether he may come out of retirement for the 2016 Rio Games. Dubbing the issue the “million-dollar question”, the 28-year-old, winner of 18 gold, two silver and two bronze medals, was visiting Brazil to shoot a commercial with football legend Pele but dodged making any commitment on a possible return to the Olympic arena. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen in three years. I don’t even know what is gonna happen tomorrow,” said Phelps when pressed on a possible return to top competition. It’s “the million-dollar question”, he laughed. Phelps, who landed four golds at the 2012 London Games, has been in training in Baltimore and in June top rival Ryan Lochte intimated there could yet be an Olympic rematch between them. Phelps said, “I’ve said 100 times if I feel like coming back ... I could. But I’m not saying I am going to.” Phelps’ long-term coach Bob Bowman fueled speculation of a comeback for the star last month by revealing the multiple champion signed up for drug-testing in May. That would enable him to return to competition in March and Bowman said he believed Phelps had it in him to return to the top of the sport. But Phelps would only say he was looking to get back into shape generally and did not know if that would lead to a top-level return. On his last visit to Rio eight months ago Phelps gave swimming tips to children from the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro. Phelps said that had been an enjoyable experience and was delighted to see young fans turn out to greet him and Pele in Sao Paulo. “I always enjoy interacting with kids, and to be with a legend like Pele makes it even better. The kids were so engaged when Pele walked into the room. “Being healthy and staying active is very important to me and I want to teach the kids the same message.” – AFP SAO PAULO US swimmer Michael Phelps (L) and Brazilian former football star Pele hug each other during an activity to promote healthy living and lifestyle among children, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on December 4. Photo: AFP Rodman heading back to N Korea to train basketball team FORMER NBA star Dennis Rodman, the new friend of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, will this month make a third visit to the reclusive state to train its basketball team, a source involved in the trip said on December 4. The heavily tattooed former Chicago Bulls star is organising friendship exhibition games between North Korea and ex-NBA players in January. “We’re going back, most likely on December 18-21. Dennis is going to train the North Korean team and get them ready for the big match in January,” said Rory Scott, a spokesman for the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, which is sponsoring the games. “We’ll be announcing the details of the US NBA players that we’re taking out in January. He’s going to spend a few days training the North Korean team,” Scott told AFP. “I’m going with him, we’re taking a documentary crew.” Rodman announced in September that the first game will be on January 8, Kim’s birthday, and the other on January 10. Rodman has struck up an extraordinary friendship with Kim since making his first trip to North Korea in March, when he declared the young ruler a “friend for life”. Kim, who was educated in Switzerland, is reported to be a huge fan of basketball and especially of the Chicago Bulls, with whom Rodman won three NBA titles alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s. – AFP LONDON IN PICTURES The Sixth Man: The “Cameron Crazies” taunt Caris LeVert (23) of the University of Michigan as he waits to inbound the ball against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 3 in North Carolina. Photo: AFP Former basketball player Dennis Rodman and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watch a basketball game in in North Korea in March 2013. Photo: AFP www.mmtimes.com Sport 67 Continued from page 68 Mandela the secret weapon in 1995 final For South Africans, winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup final marked the emergence of the “Rainbow Nation,” for New Zealanders, it was the day Nelson Mandela single-handedly outpsyched the mighty All Blacks. The Jonah Lomu-inspired New Zealanders were red-hot favourites going into the decider, breezing through the group stages and humiliating England in the semi-finals. In contrast, the Springboks scraped through on the back of an unconvincing 19-15 semi-final win over France, raising fears they would be blown away in the final at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. Then Mandela, in one of the most audacious political gambles of his career, appeared before the mostly white crowd of 62,000 wearing a Springbok jersey to shake the players’ hands before kick-off. The-then All Blacks coach Laurie Mains said the entire stadium was electrified at the sight of South Africa’s first black president sporting a garment that was indelibly associated with the apartheid regime. “We had no idea it was going to happen,” Mains told AFP, just months before Mandela died aged 95 after a long illness. “When Nelson Mandela appeared from under the grandstand with a Springbok jersey on, the crowd literally erupted. “It was the most awesome experience I’ve had at a rugby stadium. Clearly it was a huge boost, not just to the crowd but to the Springbok team.” Lomu, who was named player of the tournament, said it was intimidating to meet Mandela decked out in his opponents’ colours. “It felt like the pressure was all on us because they had Nelson Mandela on their side,” he recalled ahead of the 2007 World Cup. At the time, Mandela had been president for barely a year and many “It was incredibly intense. The All Blacks may well have felt like they were taking on the whole world. “The atmosphere in that ground could not possibly be repeated, ever, because you’d never again get such a great moment in history and such a great man creating that moment.” To their credit, the All Blacks maintained their composure to keep the scores level after 80 minutes but succumbed to a Joel Stransky drop-goal deep into extra-time. Mandela then took to the field again, this time to present the William Webb Ellis trophy to Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar. The defeat spelled the end of Mains’ international coaching career, but he says he still feels proud to have been on the sidelines as history was being made. “Put the rugby aside, put the result aside for the moment, I feel deeply honoured and humbled that I was part of such a great occasion in world sport,” he said. Nor does he bear any ill will to Mandela, the Springboks’ secret weapon on the day, whom he subsequently met when he returned to Johannesburg to coach Super rugby in 2000-2001. “The balance and compassion that that man showed after what he had been through is an example for all leaders in the world,” he said. “My everlasting impression of Nelson Mandela is that if we could have a few more of him, then the world would be a much better place to live in.” – AFP WELLINGTON ‘It was the most awesome experience I’ve had at a rugby stadium.’ Laurie Mains Former New Zealand rugby coach “I am pleased with the draw as we didn’t get into a Group of Death scenario and we also shan’t have to travel huge distances,” said Alex Sabella, the Argentina coach. “It’s a good group for us,” said Nigeria assistant coach Daniel Amokachi. “Argentina are the world powers, but you cannot afford to underrate Iran or Bosnia. Overall, it’s a good draw.” Former England boss Fabio Capello was happy after he saw his Russian charges draw seeded Belgium, South Korea and Algeria in Group H. “I’m pleased with the draw. Some of the other groups consist of much stronger teams,” said Capello, while conceding “Belgium is currently one of the strongest European teams.” France, champions in 1998 but forced to come through the playoffs, will meet Group E seeds Switzerland as well as Ecuador and Honduras in a mixed-bag group. Japan, meanwhile, saw themselves lumped in with seeded Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece in Group C. After a poignant homage to the late Nelson Mandela, the draw began to the exhilarating sound of samba at the northeastern beach resort of Costa do Sauipe. The draw build-up had been dominated by news of stadium delays and anti-World Cup campaigners threatening public protest. Yet Mandela’s death changed the tone as participants remembered how he saw in sport a means of fostering social progress. whites still regarded him as a terrorist over his support for armed struggle against apartheid. He also risked alienating black supporters, for whom rugby union, and the Springbok jersey in particular, had long been a hated symbol of white supremacy. But on June 24, 1995, the gamble paid off and the chant of “Nelson, Nelson” reverberated around the stands while millions more watched television screens transfixed. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and presenter Fernanda Lima draw the groups for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil, on December 6. Photo: AFP Sport 68 THE MYANMAR TIMES DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2013 SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin | [email protected] Rodman going back to North Korea SPORT 66 Spain face Dutch in World Cup repeat, England draw Italy COSTA DO SAUIPE R EIGNING champions Spain will begin their defence of the World Cup with a rematch of the 2010 final against the Netherlands, while England were paired with Italy in the December 6 draw. Spain, who won their first title in South Africa four years ago, start their Group B campaign against the threetime runners-up on June 13 in Salvador. They will also meet Chile, who they beat in the group stage in 2010, in Rio and Australia in Curitiba. “I said to people this morning we were going to get Holland and we did, in the first game no less,” said Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque. “Holland will demand that we start at our highest level.” Hosts and five-time champions Brazil were drawn to face Croatia in the opening game, scheduled for Sao Paulo on June 12 – assuming the venue is ready after a fatal accident last week delayed prospective completion until April. The Brazilians will then take on Mexico and Cameroon in a Group A that appears on the face of it unthreatening, if not easy. “We must pay close attention to the opening phase,” said Brazil’s 2002 title-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. “We must play every game as if it were the final right from the outset.” England, meanwhile, will start off with a Group D meeting against fourtime champions Italy in the heat of Amazonian venue Manaus on June 14, though it is at least an evening kickoff. That match is a repeat of the Euro 2012 quarter-final, which Italy, who knocked England out of the 1978 World Cup qualifiers, won on penalties. “It’s a tough group, there’s no doubt about that,” said England coach Roy Hodgson, whose team also face Uruguay, a third former champion in their group, and Costa Rica. “In Italy and Uruguay it’s almost as though we have got two number one seeds in our group.” Italian opposite number Cesare Prandelli said the group looked a tough call. “It is the Group of Death, a very difficult group. We are worried about the distances we shall have to cover. The game against England will be very important,” Prandelli added. After the Italians, Hodgson’s side then takes on Uruguay in Sao Paulo on June 19 and Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on June 24. A notable subplot will see Germany go up against the United States, now coached by former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann in Recife on June 26 in their final pool match. “That’s one of those crazy stories that football writes,” Klinsmann told German broadcaster ARD. Germany, whose third and last title came in 1990, also drew Ghana and Portugal in Group G. Klinsmann coached Germany to third at the 2006 World Cup with current German boss Joachim Loew his then assistant.” “So, we will be meeting old friends,” smiled Loew. Argentina, champions in 1978 and 1986, meet sole newcomers Bosnia in Rio on June 15 and then will face Iran and Nigeria. Continued on page 67 IN PICTURES Striking gold: The Myanmar women’s chinlone team celebrates winning the first medal of the 27th Southeast Asian Games on December 4 at Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium, Nay Pyi Taw. Myanmar defeated neighboring Thailand 534-375 to take home gold. The opening ceremony for the Games takes place on December 11. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing