PHOTO: AUNG HTAY HLAING

Three-way
mobile war
on horizon
THE telcos need to attract customers
like U Nay Linn Zin if they want to
succeed.
A frequent airtime user, he is
a successful businessman and not
afraid to pay for quality service. He is
also sick of hauling up to six diferent
handsets along with him on business
trips in the hope that at least one will
nd a strong connection.
Inside Myanmar, he has only ever
had one choice for mobile service: state-
owned Myanma Posts and Telecommu-
nications (MPT). But as of August 2, U
Nay Linn Zin for the rst time has
another option. Ooredoo is launching
services after an exhaustive six-month
licensing process that began in January
2013 and was followed by licence nego-
tiations that were nalised in January
2014. Finally, there was an intense tow-
er build in the rst half of the year that
is continuing in some areas.
However, U Nay Linn Zin says he is
not ready to make the switch from MPT
just yet. He realises there will likely
be benets to changing to Ooredoo,
but is also keen to check out Telenors
performance he uses the Norwegian
rms DTAC service in Thailand on his
business trips. He would also prefer to
spend his money on a Myanmar com-
pany, such as MPT, provided it can ofer
reasonable connections.
Analysts agree that Ooredoos launch
is just the start of the competition.
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) legal
rm senior consultant Mark Robinson
said despite Ooredoo getting out of the
block rst there is plenty of space for
competitors to catch up. There may be
some advantage to Ooredoo launching
a month or two ahead of Telenor, and
also ahead of MPTs anticipated re-
launch, as customers are often reluctant
to switch providers too frequently but
the market is still wide open.
WWW.MMTIMES.COM ISSUE 740 | AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
1200
Ks.
HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION
Ooredoo kicks off new
era for telecoms sector
CEO Ross Cormack speaks to The Myanmar Times exclusively about the companys
network rollout and strategy for seeing of competition from Telenor and MPT. INTERVIEW 4-5
A woman holds an
Ooredoo SIM card at
KKA mobile phone
shop on the corner
of Anawrahta Road
and Mahabandoola
Garden Street in
downtown Yangon
on July 31. Ooredoo
shipped SIM cards to
stores in advance of
its August 2 launch,
prompting a buying
frenzy at some stores
in Yangon, Mandalay
and Nay Pyi Taw. The
K1500 cover price
includes access to a
kick-of promotion
that gives users free
calls, text messages
and internet use
through to August 14.
Rival rm Telenor is
expected to launch
its network in
September, senior
ofcials say.
PAGES
4-5
MORE ON NEWS 4
ANALYSIS
JEREMY
MULLINS
[email protected]
2 THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
online editor Kayleigh Long |
[email protected]
THE INSIDER: The local lowdown & best of the web
Market forces
YCDC is said to be planning a
crackdown on street vendors from
October, with existing markets to
become the only permissible place for
such commerce, according to reports
in local media last week. While this is
apparently the sort of announcement
YCDC is wont to make from time
to time with little follow-through, it
does seem a) misguided and b) like
potentially devastating news for a
hell of a lot of people people whose
rst choice at a careers fair probably
wouldnt have been cross-legged
water chestnut hawker, but thats
just how it worked out. The move is
reportedly intended to curb trafc
jams and free up room on the crowded
pavements, which often only allow
one person to pass at a time. Now,
Im no urban planner, but I cant help
but wonder if the reason sidewalks
have largely become a single-le affair
is something to do with the fact that
roads have been widened in order to
provide parking, which in turn allows
more cars. Just a thought.
Operation Protective Edge
Now, in case you missed it, we here
at The Myanmar Times received a
letter (and a hefty 40-page Operation
Protective Edge information pack) from
the embassy the other week, decrying
our apparently biased coverage of
Gaza. This was in response to the AFP
wire story that was selected for use in
our world section.
Taking aim at a local publication
such as ours seems, to me at least, like
a bizarre use of time and resources.
Id have to check the minutes, but I
daresay the proposal that we establish
a bureau in Ramallah was shot down
before we could even carry out a cost-
benet analysis.
The Israeli embassy in Myanmar
has continued with its campaign to
ensure the masses understand the
true nature of the situation unfolding in
Gaza, taking a proactive approach and
sharing Myanmar translations about
Hamas atrocities via its Facebook page.
Theyve opted for an unusually high
level of interaction (compared with the
other Israeli diplomatic missions of the
ASEAN region, at least), encouraging
fans to post a photo of their passport
with a sign saying I stand with Israel
as a show of online solidarity. Obviously
the Gaza conict is immensely
complicated and I wouldnt venture
to voice an opinion on any of it. I will,
however, say I was heartened to read
Owl hurt by Hamas re recovering,
which was the actual headline of an
article in the Times of Israel last week.
Anyway, someone at the embassys
been hard at work writing back to
individual comments so if you have
any questions, I suggest you direct
them that way.
In brief:
Reggae night at 50th Street ofcially
the whitest thing Ive ever seen, says
attendee
Man repeatedly namedrops
prominent rebel gures in anecdotes
that only serve to demonstrate that
they probably hate him
Woman bemoans lack of organic
vegetables in Yangon, should get some
real problems
Man justies not giving money to a
begging street child by making vague
reference to an article he read once
about how theyre categorically all
employed by criminal syndicates
Missed connections:
I met you in the immigration queue
and I could have sworn when I
asked what sort of visa you were on
you winked when you said multiple
entry. If you remember me, I was the
30-something consultant in chinos. I
hope that narrows it down.
Yangon Living 101:
Use a toothbrush container. No
matter how nice your house is,
cockroaches almost certainly crawl
on it at night.
Next week:
Release of Ooredoo SIMs drives prices
of black market national registration
cards

Street vendor nonplussed at reports of
YCDC crackdown, has plenty of other
options
Shar Htut Eaindra
from NOW! Magazine.
Photo: Pyay Han (ColorMax)
Style
Statement
Oh Wei magazine, date unknown. Cover features images of refugees from
east Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1948
Archives provided by Pansodan Gallery
Once was Burma ...
Page 2
News 3 www.mmtimes.com NEWS EDITOR: Thomas Kean | [email protected]
Third wave reforms leaves
two ministers floundering
THE decision to change ministers
in two key portfolios last week was
taken because they had failed to live
up to President U Thein Seins ambi-
tious plan for a third wave of re-
forms, which seeks to tackle corrup-
tion and improve the public service,
sources said last week.
The Presidents Ofce announced
on July 29 that Minister for Infor-
mation U Aung Kyi and Minister
for Health U Pe Thet Khin had been
allowed to resign of their own vo-
lition. However, sources said that
they had been removed from the
cabinet.
The following day, the presi-
dent nominated Deputy Minister
for Information U Ye Htut to take
over from U Aung Kyi and Deputy
Minister for Health U Than Aung
to replace Dr Pe Thet Khin. He
also appointed Major General Tin
Aung Chit from the Commander-in-
Chief s Ofce as deputy minister for
border afairs to ll the vacancy left
by U Maung Maung Ohn, who was
appointed chief minister of Rakhine
State in late June.
U Thein Sein has repeatedly
warned in his public addresses that
he would not hesitate to remove of-
cials who fail to support his reform
agenda. During the regular reshuf-
es that have marked his tenure, the
president has often mentioned that
he has not made enough progress on
building good governance and clean
government and hinted at the corrup-
tion that still pervades his cabinet.
But presidential spokesperson
and new minister for information
U Ye Htut insisted that the pair
had not been removed because of
corruption.
The president is accelerating
the third wave of reforms and some
goals are still yet to be accomplished.
The two ministers, U Pe Thet Khin
and U Aung Kyi, realised that they
have problems and difculties tak-
ing part in the third wave of the re-
form process and completing those
goals, he told The Myanmar Times.
The president acknowledges
and respects everything they have
accomplished ... [but] the president
thinks that some changes are need-
ed in the government to achieve bet-
ter outcomes so he accepted their
letters of resignation, he said.
While the removal of U Aung Kyi
came as a surprise, U Pe Thet Khin
had been under pressure to leave for
some time.
Earlier this year the president at-
tached U Pe Thet Khin to the Presi-
dents Ofce, with Vice President Sai
Mauk Kham taking on most of the
ministerial duties, a source close to
the Presidents Ofce conrmed. De-
spite this, the president had refused
to U Pe Thet Khin from the govern-
ment altogether.
I was informed that [U Pe Thet
Khin] would be removed one year
ago because of management prob-
lems in the ministry, said U Myint
Oo, a senior member of Myanmar
Medical Association.
When I met him at a meeting
last month, it seemed he did not
have a ministers decision-making
power. He had to report to parlia-
mentary committee secretaries U
Mya Oo and U Maung Maung Wint
before he did anything.
He said the ministers manage-
ment skills were not signicantly
diferent than those of other minis-
ters.
I think he was removed because
he could not build good relations
with other people of authority.
U Myo Zaw Thant, a personal as-
sistant to U Than Aung, said he was
condent his boss could do a good
job. The [tasks of a minister] are the
normal things for my boss, he said.
The reshufe comes after Presi-
dent U Thein Sein red former Min-
ister for Religious Afairs U San Sint
on June 19. U San Sint was later ar-
rested and charged with misusing
state funds. Additional reporting
by Lun Min Mang
Former minister for Health Dr Pe Thet Khin (left) and former Minister for Information U Aung Kyi. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
EI EI TOE LWIN
[email protected]
Can U Ye
Htut tame
the media
industry?
THE appointment of U Ye Htut as the
new minister for information garnered a
mixed reaction from Myanmar journal-
ists last week, with some saying that his
long experience in the sector will help
heal the acrimony of recent months.
President U Thein Sein nominated
Deputy Minister for Information U Ye
Htut to the post on July 30, a day after
former minister U Aung Kyi resigned.
His appointment was conrmed by
parliament on August 1.
I think he is better disposed toward
the media than U Aung Kyi because he
has had a long relationship with the
journalists, said U Than Htay, a joint
secretary at the Myanmar Journalist
Network.
His appointment comes at a critical
time for the ministry and the sector,
with two recently enacted media laws
yet to come into efect and a number of
journalists in jail or facing legal action.
Press Council member U Thiha Saw,
who is also an editorial director at The
Myanmar Times, said U Ye Htut will
focus on enacting new broadcasting
and library laws and the by-law for the
News Media Law.
However, he said U Ye Htut has a
mixed reputation in the sector. While
he is an important conduit for govern-
ment news and opinion, which has
been helpful for reporters, he also regu-
larly criticises Myanmar journalists for
their perceived lack of ethics.
A prolic social media user, U Ye
Htut has been nicknamed the Minister
for Facebook. After rising up through
the military, he was transferred to the
Ministry of Information in 2005 and
played an important role in relaxing
pre-publication censorship. He de-
clined to comment on his impending
appointment when contacted by The
Myanmar Times last week.
Not all are enthusiastic about his ap-
pointment. U Ye Htut is seen as a major
proponent of the public service media
bill, which will prop up failing state-run
newspapers with government support.
The law has been criticised by the press
council because, the council argues, it
will undermine private sector media.
U Zaw Thet Htway, a leading mem-
ber of Myanmar Journalist Union, said
he did not think that U Ye Htuts ap-
pointment would bring any improve-
ment. I dont think his appointment is
a step forward for the media, he said.
YE MON
[email protected]
Minister for Health Dr Pe Thet Khin and Minister for Information U Aung Kyi were replaced for failing to stick
with the presidents much-promoted third wave of reforms, which is focused on corruption and red tape
The president
thinks that some
changes are needed
in the government
to achieve better
outcomes
U Ye Htut,
Minister for information
Three-way mobile
war on horizon
4 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Six months, 1000 staff, one network
MOBILE users can now receive calls
from phone numbers starting with
997 the rst three digits of an Oore-
doo number after the rm launched
its network on August 2. Yet the road
to the launch has not always been
easy for Ooredoo, which has had to
manage a massive infrastructure
rollout, connection agreements with
rivals and even a boycott call from
extremist groups. Ooredoo Myanmar
chief executive ofcer Ross Cormack
sat down with The Myanmar Times
Jeremy Mullins and Aung Shin ahead
of the launch to discuss what Oore-
doo has done so far and its plans for
the future.
Firstly, congratulations on get-
ting this far. If you were to give
Ooredoo a letter grade from A to
F based on its performance so far,
what would it be?
I think we were given a huge chal-
lenge by the government. The govern-
ment right from the very beginning
from the bids stage, actually chal-
lenged all the operators of the world
to come out with something that met
the needs of Myanmar, which was to
deliver afordable communications
everywhere. And so weve got quite a
steep hill to climb.
What were doing is bringing the
latest technology to Myanmar to
meet Myanmars needs the people
of Myanmar and the government of
Myanmar.
What are you particularly proud
of?
In terms of the service well be de-
livering customers, the HD, the
crystal-clear voice communications.
Im proud of the fast internet for all.
Wherever we have coverage, you can
have fast internet. The third thing
Im proud about is that were able to
deliver services for a very afordable
level. Im proud of that.
Im proud of [the fact that] as you
look around weve got real Myanmar
people in our business. We depend
on Myanmar people. Weve got 800
Myanmar people on our team, which
is approximately 80 percent of our
people. So that makes a diference.
With the benet of hindsight,
what did Ooredoo not do that
well? What could you have done
better?
I will also preface these remarks by
saying weve had fantastic help eve-
ry time we said help! we had help,
including any ministers in govern-
ment [who] have been very accessible
for us to get decisions, any regional
chief ministers and their ministers
have all been very accessible, all the
township councils have been very ac-
cessible.
But were dealing with rules that
are not fully understood across the
country. So if I had my time again
we could have done how we did our
[tower] permit applications more
smoothly. It was very lumpy when we
were getting started but now its run-
ning like a machine.
Are you on track to meet the per-
formance targets set by the gov-
ernment?
Absolutely, yes. What we said was we
would launch within six months of
our licence. So here we are launching
the pre-kick of promotion on August
2. This cements the promise we made
to the government about having prod-
ucts and services out there. Well be
in the three big cities at launch. We
obviously will be pleased to roll out
more quickly as soon as we can.
So three cities Yangon, Man-
dalay, Nay Pyi Taw?
Yes. We cover a lot of Yangon but not
the whole of Yangon yet. Weve still
got one or two signicant gaps which
are being closed as we speak.
I am told an agreement with Tel-
enor on interconnect, to enable
Ooredoo users to call Telenor us-
ers and vice versa, came pretty
easily but it took a little longer to
get the interconnect with MPT.
Was it them using pricing power
or market power?
When youve built a network over
many years you actually have a very
complicated network. We know this
from other countries. Weve been in-
cumbents in other markets and actu-
ally its very difcult.
You end up with a history of dif-
ferent technologies, layer upon layer
upon layer, and in a country where
you havent had to interconnect with
other operators you have someone
coming along and says, I just want
to plug in to your interconnect, and
of course youre not set up for it. So
its actually harder.
There have been anti-Ooredoo
messages spread around Face-
book, most on purported Muslim
links. How do you counter these
rumours? Whats your message?
Its very simple: Were a telecom op-
erator. Thats all we do.
The government challenged us
like I mentioned at the beginning,
and weve been building a network as
fast as we can that more than meets
their expectations. If we get our ser-
vice right were condent people will
enjoy using it, and if they enjoy using
it they will get other people to come
and join as well. So thats one level.
Theres another level which is
what a telco generally does in society.
We employ quite a few people di-
rectly but also indirectly our industry
typically employs a huge proportion
of people who add to the value chain,
whether theyre tower companies,
whether theyre infrastructure com-
panies, vendors [or] people doing
maintenance.
The other stuf we do that is just
our way of life is that we reach out to
other communities. We do that natu-
rally because its our business model.
Some people call it CSR but we call it
meaningful community engagement.
Ooredoo Myanmar CEO Ross Cormack speaks about the challenges of the rollout and the companys future plans
By the end of the year or early next
year well see three players in the
market, he said.
Mr Robinson said developments
at MPT are particularly worthy of at-
tention. The rm signed a deal with
Japans KDDI and Sumitomo in July
to overhaul its services, and MPT
could emerge as a strong competitor
to Telenor and Ooredoo.
We have to see how quickly
they can get operating, he said. I
wouldnt be surprised to see them get
of the ground soon.
Although management of split
private-public companies can be dif-
cult, MPT has certain innate advan-
tages. It will likely have easier access
to government land to build towers
and also has an existing network and
customer base. Still, its success is not
guaranteed.
MPT is not like incumbents in
other markets that are huge monopo-
lies, said Mr Robinson.
One issue that has followed Oore-
doo is anti-Muslim sentiment that
has even prompted calls for a boy-
cott among some Buddhists because
of the rms Qatari roots. Company
ofcials have said they are aware of
the issue but are concentrating on the
job of providing telecommunications
services, adding mistrust will dissi-
pate as people see the advantages the
company brings. HSF associate Re-
becca Cochrane said the sentiment is
a manageable issue, and pointed to
Ooredoos extensive marketing cam-
paign as part of its eforts to reach
out.
Certainly the initial ood of mes-
sages on social media particularly
from Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw,
where SIMs went on sale quite openly
for days ahead of the launch indi-
cate the boycott calls are having little
efect. Instead, the overriding senti-
ment seems to be one of excitement.
Theres been a lot of fanfare, said
Mr Robinson of Ooredoos launch.
Yet its rival Telenor is not idle, and
it plans to launch in September.
Telenor CEO Petter Furberg told
The Myanmar Times last week that
while he does not usually comment
directly on competitors, he views mo-
bile competition as healthy because
consumers ultimately benet.
We are condent that Telenor
will become the most afordable op-
erator in the market, he said. Mr
Furberg added that because his com-
pany is using both 3G and 2G net-
works, all GSM phones will work on
its network.
In other countries, Telenor has
pursued a middle-market approach
appropriate for the country, said
Mr Robinson. While the service pro-
vider has made much of its attempts
to cast a wide net in Myanmar, he
said there may be room for potential
positioning below Telenor.
Yatanarpon Teleport is supposed
to be the fourth operator in Myanmar.
While it too might secure a foreign
partner or otherwise prove to be a
serious competitor, it is currently the
quietest of the four.
There may also be room for servic-
es similar to those ofered by mobile
providers that use new technologies,
such as WiMax or 4G-type, Mr Rob-
inson added.
But regardless of who pulls ahead
in the race, Myanmar is likely to ben-
et. Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacic
telecom industry principal Naveen
Mishra said mobile penetration is
likely to boom from its present 10
to 15 percent, with a phone going
from a status symbol to an everyday
commodity in perhaps three or four
years.
When there were no competitors
to MPT, there were no reasons for it
to be very active, he said. With the
new licences [being awarded], the
market is going to get very signicant
growth.
The anticipated growth ofers
huge potential to other businesses, he
added.
Myanmar ofers a very large bou-
quet of opportunities for pretty much
everyone in the telecoms ecosystem,
he said, adding this includes every-
one from handset makers to tower
builders.
Yet for all the excitement and vari-
ous teashop predictions about the in-
dustrys future, it is much too early to
pick a winner.
Mr Mishra said that all three pro-
viders MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor
have a good chance of ultimately
leading the market.
And attracting customers like U
Nay Linn Zin is at the heart of the
race.
Additional reporting Zaw Htike
CONTINUED FROM NEWS 1
MPT is not like
incumbents in other
markets that are
huge monopolies.
Mark Robinson
Senior consultant,
Herbert Smith Freehills
A man uses a mobile phone outside a store selling Ooredoo SIM cards in
downtown Yangon last week. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
Workers attach an Ooredoo sign to the front of a mobile phone store in downtown Yangon on July 31. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
INTERVIEW
News 5 www.mmtimes.com
Six months, 1000 staff, one network
Ooredoo Myanmar CEO Ross Cormack speaks about the challenges of the rollout and the companys future plans
By having community engage-
ment are you are able to coun-
ter the negative messages on the
ground? Is that the crux of the
idea?
Were aware of [the negative messag-
es] but our real activity is just to do
our day job. Our day job is telecoms.
But what were also describing [in
terms of CSR activities] is what we do
in every country we operate in.
We believe that actually once peo-
ple understand the telecoms theyre
getting is world class, theyll start to
be focused on enjoying that and get-
ting the best from that.
MPT is the sole incumbent right
now, and probably has the best
customers in terms of average rev-
enues per user. How will Ooredoo
tempt them to its side?
Put very simply, weve asked custom-
ers what they want, and if we get that
right were giving customers what
they say they want, at a more aford-
able price. So I would encourage
everyone to try the service over the
next couple weeks and see what they
think.
Your chief operations ofcer left
mid-June. Can you discuss why
he left?
We have about 800 Myanmar and
about 200 plus internationals. And
we bring those people from other
countries. Some come from other
parts of Ooredoo, some come from
the market with specic skills. So at
any one time weve got people com-
ing and going because its a start-up.
When we started in the Park-
royal [Hotel], we sat in a room, we
had nothing apart from 10 people,
and said how do we go from here to
having an ofce full of people [and
operating a telco] . So weve had
a number of people come through,
senior positions and also more pro-
ject positions, and they come and go
regularly.
Your network obviously did not
come cheap. Correct me if Im
wrong, but Ooredoo previously
announced it plans to spend
US$15 billion over 15 years.
Yes, I have not been repeating that
because I think it caused us more
trouble than it was worth. But it was
a true number for the total re-invest-
ment of the company over a 15-year
period. Its the cost but its still a real
number. Its the cost of employing
people and buying stuf and operat-
ing stuf and looking after customers.
So from a business plan that was the
total cost over 15 years ... [but] eve-
rybody just thought we were bloody
rich. So it was the wrong statement
to make but it was true.
Is it fair to say youre probably
spending a little more than your
competitor?
Youd have to ask them. Were spend-
ing in a very focused way on what we
think makes a diference.
You personally have worked in a
few other markets. How does this
market compare to those?
Its the worlds last frontier telecoms
market so its the most exciting Ive
ever done. Also the most complicated
that Ive ever done simply because
the country doesnt have a process
for doing a lot of the stuf we need
to do. So weve had to learn and the
countrys had to learn and weve had
to learn that together.
But having said that, my goodness,
do you feel that you are able contrib-
ute to making a diference? Yes, you
do. And I know a lot of my dear col-
leagues feel the same way. Im only
half-joking when we do all-hands
meetings and I stand on my desk
and everybody gathers around and
I tell them, You will be telling your
grandchildren about what youre do-
ing here because you will be making
a diference for your country.
The governments been very
much behind us. Right from the rst
press conference they held about the
selection of Telenor and us, they held
a dinner in the evening with YTP,
MPT, and the two new guys on the
block. They had four ministers and
the regulator and we sat around a
table, about 16 of us at a round table
eating Myanmar food for ve hours,
and we just chatted as human be-
ings. They said, Guys, we chose you
because we need help. And they told
us about their vision for their coun-
try. And they said, So we need you to
damn well deliver what you said you
were going to deliver.
Editors note: This interview has
been edited for length and clarity.
Ooredoo marks launch in Yangon
THE long-promised new era in tele-
communications nally landed in
customers hands on August 2 with
the launch of the Ooredoo network.
The launch bookended a process
that began more than two years ago,
when state-run media announced it
was looking for international consult-
ants to run a mobile licence tendering
process.
That process ultimately yielded two
foreign rms Ooredoo and Telenor
and has now broken a decades-old
state monopoly in the telecoms sector.
In a taste of what is to come, Oore-
doo marked the launch with a promo-
tion aimed at enticing customers to
try their service over the coming two
weeks, with the commercial launch to
take place on August 15.
After buying a SIM card, custom-
ers in service areas will enjoy 900 free
minutes of voice calls and 900 free
text messages to any phone on the
Ooredoo network, as well as 90 free
minutes and 90 free texts to phones
on other networks. Customers also
get 20 megabytes of data downloads
a day and free access to Facebook. At
the time of launch, coverage areas
include all of Mandalay and Nay Pyi
Taw and most of Yangon.
Though August 2 was when the
network went live, a handful of retail-
ers in Yangon and Mandalay began
selling Ooredoo SIM cards last week.
While the cards are supposed to sold
for K1500, reports from both cities in-
dicated that some retailers have been
taking advantage of high demand by
charging as much as K10,000 for a
card.
Ooredoo CEO Ross Cormack said
at a ceremony in Yangon on August 2
that he was aware of the over-charg-
ing but condent the company had
distributed enough SIMs to discour-
age any black market in the longer
term. He said Ooredoo has already
established a network of more than
6500 dealers nationwide.
If one shop is asking for too
much, you just need to walk next
door, he said.
Some of the early Ooredoo sub-
scribers in Yangon reported that the
internet speed was slower than they
were told to expect, but a spokesper-
son for the company said that this
was likely due to them being outside
the coverage area, which is expanding
rapidly.
Mr Cormack said that the compa-
ny would have Yangon and 68 other
cities and towns covered by August
15, and promised that Ooredoos net-
work would reach 80 percent of the
country by the end of 2015.
The company is working hard to
expand its coverage beyond initial
availability to include cities such as
Pyay, Magwe and Meiktila in order to
enable more people to experience life-
enriching technology, he said.
Ooredoo has been at the center
of controversy in recent weeks, as
some Buddhist monks, including U
Wirathu, have called for a boycott be-
cause of the companys Qatari roots.
When asked about the boycott,
Mr Cormack sought to downplay the
issue. We are a Myanmar company,
and our products will benet all the
people of Myanmar, he said.
Ooredoo said in a statement that
the services ofered during the pro-
motion are only a fraction of what
the company plans to provide users
in the coming months.
These will include initiatives that
serve the Myanmar peoples high
demand for education, applications
that help improve mental healthcare,
solutions that help the countrys un-
banked and technology that improves
the productivity of the nations large
agriculture sector, it said.
BILL OTOOLE
[email protected]
AUNG KYAW NYUNT
[email protected]
Ooredoo Myanmar chief executive officer Ross Cormack (left) speaks during a
press conference in Yangon on August 2. Photo: Yu Yu
Ooredoos pay-
as-you go pricing
Calls to same network:
K25 a minute
Calls to other network:
K35 a minute
SMS:
K25 per message
Internet:
K25 per megabyte
Note: Effective August 15
Workers attach an Ooredoo sign to the front of a mobile phone store in downtown Yangon on July 31. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
It's the worlds
last frontier
telecoms market
so its the most
exciting [launch]
Ive ever done.
Ross Cormack
Ooredoo Myanmar CEO
6 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
U San Sints bail
application rejected
Former Minister for Religious Affairs U
San Sint has had an application for bail
rejected by Dekkhinathiri District Court
in Nay Pyi Taw.
His lawyer, U Tin Tun, said the court
had rejected the application on July
30 despite him presenting copious
evidence that it was justied on health
grounds.
I presented a book as big as the
Myanmar Encyclopaedia outlining his
medical problems to the court but the
court dismissed it, U Tin Tun said.
He said U Sant Sint has been suf-
fering from heart disease, eye disease
and a bulbous growth on his bones.
The hearing ran from 10am to
3:25pm. As the former minister left
court, he told the journalists waiting
outside that he was not well.
The court did not give a reason for
dismissing U San Sints bail application.
U San Sint has been accused of
misusing public funds, abetment and
sedition. He was sacked on June 19 by
President U Thein Sein and arrested
shortly afterward. If convicted he faces
up to life in prison.
The next session in the hearing will
be held on August 6. Pyae That Phyo,
translation by Win Thaw Tar
IN BRIEF
Media by-laws wait govt approval
By-laws for two new media laws have
been drafted and could be introduced
within two or three months, a member
of the Press Council says.
The by-laws are for the Printing and
Publishing Enterprise Law and News
Media Law, which were both enacted in
mid-March.
Interim press council member U
Thiha Saw said the council drafted the
by-law for the News Media Law, while
the government drafted the by-law for
the Printing and Publishing Enterprise
Law.
Both drafts were then examined by
the ministry and the press council.
[Both] have been nished and sent
to the ministry. If the ministry agrees
on the drafts, there are two steps left:
approval from the Attorney Generals
Ofce and then cabinet, U Thiha Saw
said.
The process could take two to three
months to complete, he said. When
the by-law of the News Media Law is
enacted, a new press council will be
elected. The current press council
was formed in 2012 and comprises 22
members.
In July, Myanmar Consolidated
Media Ltd (MCM), publisher of The My-
anmar Times, announced that U Thiha
Saw had joined The Myanmar Times as
editorial director. Sandar Lwin
Speaker seeks middle ground
on proportional representation
AT the end of three days of tense dis-
cussion about the proposed introduc-
tion of proportional representation
for Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house,
seats in the seven regions dominated
by the ethnic Bamar, speaker Thura
U Shwe Mann asked representatives
for their opinion on the proposal.
It was already clear where the dif-
ferent groupings in parliament stand
on the issue. The Union Solidarity
and Development Party, along with
most Bamar political parties, are
for proportional representation. The
National League for Democracy and
ethnic parties are rmly against it. Of
the 39 speakers who debated U Aung
Zins proposal, 18 spoke in favour and
18 against. The three military speak-
ers remained mostly neutral.
Those arguing for proportional
representation said it would mean
no vote is wasted and would ensure
diversity in the parliament a col-
ourful hluttaw, with many smaller
parties represented. Objectors, mean-
while, pointed to provisions of the
constitution that would appear to
preclude using the system in the low-
er house, and warned it would harm
national unity if proportional repre-
sentation is used in the 2015 election.
Ethnic MPs had boycotted the
vote on whether to discuss the pro-
posal, and some also refused to take
part in the debate on July 25, 28 and
29. Finally, when MPs had to decide
on July 29 whether to approve the
proposal, all of the major groups
were present.
Strictly speaking, U Aung Zin had
proposed the formation of a commit-
tee or commission to draft a law to
introduce an electoral system based
on proportional representation that
can develop a system of democracy
suitable for Myanmar.
But when Thura U Shwe Mann,
after praising the discussion as an
example of democracy, asked MPs
whether they would approve the pro-
posal, he said: Whether we want to
adopt proportional representation or
rst-past-the-post voting, or a system
integrating both of those systems
I believe we should form a commis-
sion because we cant decide it in the
hluttaw.
He then asked, Does the hluttaw
agree to form a commission to set an
election system that is suitable for
Myanmar?
NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi was quick to note the diference,
asking which proposal MPs were be-
ing asked to support: U Aung Zins or
the speakers?
Thura U Shwe Mann responded
that he cannot agree to adopt pro-
portional representation across My-
anmar because it will afect national
unity, national reconciliation, the
rule of law and internal peace. In-
stead, he will follow the recommen-
dation of a committee or a commis-
sion comprising experts on the issue.
He then asked again, Does the
hluttaw agree to the proposal that the
Pyithu Hluttaw will form a committee
or a commission to identify an elec-
tion system suitable for Myanmar?
The proposal was approved with-
out objection, receiving support even
from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
other members of the NLD. After-
ward, however, many MPs were still
in doubt as to what it was they had
actually agreed to.
Some political observers de-
scribed the speakers strategy as a
political trick. U Yan Myo Thein,
an expert on Myanmar politics, said
Thura U Shwe Mann was concerned
about what the result would be if he
put the proposal to a vote. By instead
proposing the formation of a com-
mission to examine all voting sys-
tems, he had received support from
all MPs.
I think it is a way of moving the
NLD toward a proportional repre-
sentation system. The NLD members
who were on a similar commission
recently formed in the Amyotha
Hluttaw resigned so [the USDP] has
learned from this. I wouldnt be sur-
prised if they ask Daw San Suu Kyi to
sit on the commission, U Yan Myo
Thein said.
That Daw Aung San Suu Kyi sup-
ports the speakers stance is not in
doubt. After the discussion she told
reporters that she will write and sign
a letter to be distributed to all MPs
explaining her support for the speak-
ers proposal.
U Pe Than from Rakhine National
Party said the speakers proposal had
also been a relief for ethnic parties,
who had feared they would not have
the numbers to reject the original
motion.
U Thein Nyunt from Thingang-
yun said the most likely outcome is a
system that mixes proportional rep-
resentation and rst-past-the-post.
It has been approved to adopt
proportional representation in the
coming election. The commission
will propose the extent to which
proportional representation will be
used and it will be decided in the Py-
idaungsu Hluttaw, he said.
Because it is the Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw that will decide, it is al-
most certain that the Union Soli-
darity and Development Party, by
having the largest number of seats,
will have the nal choice. The ques-
tion then is how opponents of pro-
portional representation will react.
Their options include boycotting the
2015 election and staging mass pro-
tests, as ethnic parties have already
threatened.
It looks like [the USDP] is try-
ing to win through strength of
numbers, U Pe Than said. If they
approve it in the hluttaw, we will ob-
ject to it with the help of the people.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
EI EI TOE LWIN
[email protected]
After acrimonious debate, Thura U Shwe Mann steers modied proposal through the Pyithu Hluttaw
President agrees to respect
press council mediation role
PRESIDENT U Thein Sein has agreed
to settle any future media disputes
through the press council, following
a spate of cases in which journalists
have been arrested and jailed.
The president met members of the
press council in Nay Pyi Taw on Au-
gust 1. He told members that while he
would try to ensure jailed and charged
reporters do not sufer loss, he also
had to respect the independence of the
judiciary.
His governments failure to respect
the role of the press council, which is
designed in part to mediate on dis-
putes, had prompted some council
members to consider resigning but the
president appears to have averted that
possibility for now.
The president told us that he will
acknowledge the council and in future
the council will solve media disputes
with the Presidents Ofce and the
Ministry of Information, U Kyaw Min
Swe told The Myanmar Times follow-
ing the meeting.
Under the News Media Law, any-
body wishing to take legal action
against a journalist or publication is
required to rst attempt mediation
through the council.
At the August 1 talks, both sides
also agreed to hold a meeting between
the leaders of the executive, legisla-
ture, judiciary and media.
We agreed to hold a meeting to
improve understanding between the
four estates, he said.
Minister for Information U Ye Htut
said the government discussed ways of
improving communications from its
ministries and also explained its prob-
lems dealing with journalists who do
not adhere to ethical standards.
The press council reported that the
president promised to set up a system
so that each ministry responds to jour-
nalists questions in a timely manner.
The meeting was the second to take
place between the president and the
press council.
YE MON
[email protected]
ANALYSIS
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann speaks during a parliament
session in July 2012. Photo: AFP
It looks like [the
USDP] is trying
to win through
strength of
numbers.
U Pe Than
Rakhine National Party MP
8 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Members push for new political prisoner committee
FED up with government stalling,
members of the state-led Remaining
Political Prisoner Scrutiny Committee
have proposed the formation of a new
body to lobby for the release of new po-
litical prisoners.
The government claims it achieved
a pledge to release all political prison-
ers by the end of 2013, despite around
30 conrmed political prisoners still
being in jail on December 31, according
to the committee.
About 30 more have been sentenced
so far this year and an estimated 100
are on trial, but the committee has met
only three times and members say the
government is not interested in listen-
ing to its recommendations. They have
also accused government bodies of fail-
ing to cooperate with eforts to exam-
ine the claims of prospective political
prisoners and not allowing them to
visit prisons as part of their work.
At a meeting on July 26 at the My-
anmar Peace Center, members pro-
posed the formation of a new body to
rebuild momentum behind the issue.
Committee member U Nyo Tun,
who is also from the Former Political
Prisoners Society, said the proposal was
discussed by members at the meeting
and further talks are planned. Minister
for the Presidents Ofce U Soe Thein,
the chair of the committee, did not at-
tend the meeting, and while Deputy
Minister U Aung Thein was present it
remains unclear whether the govern-
ment will support the move.
We plan to discuss how and in
what form we should continue, U Nyo
Tun said, adding that the new body
would focus on political prisoners
jailed this year.
These prisoners include journalists
and land rights activists. Committee
members have also previously indi-
cated that monks on trial following the
Mahasantisukha Monastery raid may
be eligible for political prisoner status.
There still many things to consider,
including what form the committee will
take and what it will focus on, said U
Ye Aung, another committee member.
But the situation no longer
matches the title of the current com-
mittee so we plan to change the name
and cooperate with political prisoner-
related organisations, the govern-
ment and other civil society groups,
he added.
President U Thein Sein promised to
free all political prisoners by the end
of 2013 during a visit to the United
Kingdom in June of last year. While he
announced several amnesties and the
majority were freed, political prisoner
groups say he has made no efort to
tackle the problem this year.
YE MON
[email protected]
Ethnic groups send mixed
messages on draft ceasefre
ETHNIC leaders have made a num-
ber of decisions on a draft nationwide
ceasere agreement but say they want
further guarantees from the govern-
ment on minority rights, particularly
the introduction of a federal system.
The July 25-29 talks in the Kachin
State border town of Laiza the head-
quarters of the Kachin Independence
Organisation brought together the 16
members of the Nationwide Ceasere
Coordination Team, which is negotiat-
ing the ceasere with the government
on behalf of armed ethnic groups. Sev-
eral armed groups that are not part of
the NCCT joined for a separate meet-
ing on July 30-31.
While a single draft comprising
seven chapters was agreed upon at
talks in Yangon in April, about one-
quarter of the text still needs to be
revised and the denitions of 20-30
words nalised. The government
hopes to have the agreement signed in
September, after which a framework
for political dialogue will be set, pav-
ing the way for political talks early in
the New Year. The NCCT is scheduled
to meet the government peacemaking
committee led by U Aung Min in My-
itkyina on August 3, while formal dis-
cussions are to take place in Yangon
on August 12.
But following the Laiza meeting,
ethnic leaders warned that political
dialogue can only start when the gov-
ernment guarantees ethnic minorities
equal rights and self-determination.
They said they made 10 decisions
on key points of the draft but warned
the peace process would struggle to
move unless the government accepts
the principles of the ethnic groups.
Democracy alone does not guar-
antee our rights. We must establish
a genuine federal union, said Naing
Han Thar from the New Mon State
Party.
While the government insists it is
ready to sign the ceasere, Naing Han
Thar said the delays were due to the
government and military not wanting
to accept a genuine federal union.
U Min Zaw Oo, a director at the
Myanmar Peace Center, said the state
peacemaking team was united behind
the draft ceasere, and the govern-
ment has already discussed the text
with the parliament and military.
He said the government had not
refused to accept equality for ethnic
groups but the issue would be dis-
cussed further at the political dialogue
stage.
Despite the combative talk, eth-
nic leaders also showed at the Laiza
talks that they are willing to make
concessions. One decision made was
to remove the word revolutionary
from the title of the ceasere draft.
The term has been a constant source
of disagreement with the govern-
ment, which argues that not all ethnic
groups are revolutionary in nature.
The word will still appear in the text
of the agreement, however.
We are not giving in. We decided
to take it out because we want to be
able to sign the ceasere agreement,
said Salai Lian Hmung from the Chin
National Front.
Ethnic leaders also accepted the
governments proposal to call the politi-
cal dialogue conference, which will fol-
low the signing of the ceasere agree-
ment, the Union Peace Conference.
Moreover, they decided to add a
statement that political dialogue will
include all nationalities and is not
only between the government and eth-
nic armed groups.
But ethnic leaders refused to ac-
cept the expression to make political
dialogue between eight groups the
government, hluttaw, the army, eth-
nic armed groups, political parties,
businesspersons, experts and civil so-
cieties, which the government peace-
making team has proposed.
Instead, ethnic leaders substituted
the eight groups for three groups: the
government, national ethnic armed
groups and political parties. They said
they did this because they were con-
cerned that the government was add-
ing groups to the dialogue process so
that it would have more allies at the
talks.
However, they said other groups
will be able to participate in certain
parts of the political dialogue.
We dont mean that they can-
not participate. There are some sec-
tors in which they need to take part,
said Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, gen-
eral secretary of the Karen National
Union.
The other decisions were not re-
vealed in detail but afect issues such
as military forces, transitional meas-
ures and a proposed joint monitoring
mechanism.
Ethnic leaders said they were tak-
ing great care with the agreement be-
cause they are concerned that if they
rush it will break down shortly after
it is signed.
We dont want the kind of agree-
ment that can be broken the day after
it is signed. We need to consider the
future of our people, including their
livelihoods, education and health,
said Salai Lian Hmung.
Following the NCCT conference, a
meeting of ethnic armed groups that
are not members of the NCCT was
held on July 30-31. This is included the
All Burma Students Democratic front
(ABSDF) and Restoration Council of
Shan State, the political wing of the
Shan State Army-South. However, the
United Wa State Army, the National
Democratic Alliance Army known as
the Mong La group and the National
Socialist Council of Nagaland did not
attend the conference, which featured
155 participants from 18 ethnic armed
groups.
WA LONE
[email protected]
ManagingDirector, Editor-in-Chief MTE&MTM
Ross Dunkley
[email protected]
Chief Operating Ofcer Wendy Madrigal
[email protected]
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Leaders agree to several changes to draft ceasere but call for further guarantees on equality, self-determination
A senior member of the Karen National Union speaks at ceasefire talks in Laiza on July 29. Photo: Zarni Phyo
Democracy alone
does not guarantee
our rights.
Naing Han Thar
New Mon State Party
60
Estimated number of political prisoners,
according to the Remaining Political
Prisoner Scrutiny Committee
News 9 www.mmtimes.com
Pedestrians
killed in
wild chase
Hit-run drivers to face life ban
THE head of Yangons trafc police
force has warned that hit-run driv-
ers will have their licences suspend-
ed for life if they are caught.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Lin
Htut said on July 25 that police will
take a zero-tolerance approach to
those who fail to stop after an ac-
cident.
We will ban them from having a
licence for life, he said.
However, he indicated this may
not apply to those who fail to stop
because they are worried about be-
ing injured or even killed by
angry bystanders and instead hand
themselves in to police later.
Some people run away after an
accident because the people nearby
tried to start a ght, he said. But
others just try and avoid taking re-
sponsibility.
One lawyer said bystanders often
beat drivers for no reason after an
accident. While this is then reported
to police, the chance of catching
those responsible is almost zero, he
said.
Who will take action if the driver
dies or is injured? So many drivers
ee and later come to the police sta-
tion voluntarily, he said.
Police gures show that in 48 of
the 140 accidents reported in Yan-
gon between July 1 and July 24 the
responsible drivers ed the scene.
But Police Lieutenant Zaw Myo
Htun from the Yangon trafc police
said the average is more like 50 per-
cent. In most cases those who ee
do not own the car and are instead
renting the vehicle.
If the drivers do not own the
car, they dont care about the car
and they always run away. Taxi and
bus drivers normally do this some
run away together with their family,
Pol Lt Zaw Myo Htun said. They do
not want to face problems and take
responsibility for the accident.
In many cases, police are unable
to nd the culprits, particularly if
there are no eyewitnesses to record
the registration number.
Even if witnesses remember
the registration, they might have
some of the numbers wrong. Only a
few witnesses can say exactly so it
is hard for us to nd the criminals
even more so if the accident hap-
pens at night, he said.
For many families, this means no
one is ever held responsible for the
loss of their loved ones.
On July 6, Ko Thant Sin Htuns
father was hit by a truck on Strand
Road near Pansodan Jetty. He said
the police have still yet to nd the
driver.
My father would go for a walk
every evening, Ko Thant Sin Htun
said. But that day he had not come
home by 8pm so we went to look
for him near Pansodan Jetty. We
couldnt nd him so we inquired at
the police station. Finally we found
him in the hospital.
Despite almost a month elaps-
ing since his fathers death, Ko
Thant Sin Htun said he believed
the police would catch the culprit
soon.
Onlookers crowd around a damaged taxi on Phone Gyi Road in downtown
Yangon. Photo: Ye Naung
AYE NYEIN WIN TOE WAI AUNG
A MAN is facing charges of culpable
homicide and rash driving after al-
legedly killing two pedestrians who
were sitting on a trafc island on Sule
Pagoda Road. The 24-year-old Toyota
Probox driver also allegedly injured
ve people and collided with four cars
at about 10pm on July 28.
The man was reversing in front of
the Myanma Posts and Telecommuni-
cations ofce on Mahabandoola Road
when he hit a Honda Fit and a Nissan
AD Van, police said. The driver then
went the wrong way up Mahaban-
doola road, hitting two parked cars, a
Honda Civic and a Toyota Corolla van,
as a police ofcer who had seen the
original crash clung on to the bonnet.
After turning onto Sule Pagoda
Road, the driver again lost control of
the car near the junction of Sule Pagoda
Road and Bogyoke Aung San Road and
mounted a trafc island, hitting six peo-
ple, police said. A 25-year-old man and
50-year-old woman who were sitting on
the trafc island were killed, while four
people were injured, along with Police
Lance Corporal Thet Paing Soe.
The driver and his four passen-
gers abandoned the car and caught a
taxi, and the driver was later arrested
around midnight in Sanchaung, police
said. Toe Wai Aung, translation by
Khant Lin Oo
Strong monsoon winds
damage homes
About 40 buildings were damaged
and one person injured when strong
monsoon winds hit Yangons Mingalar-
don township on July 29, the townships
General Administration Department
reported last week.
The zinc roofs of 21 houses were
destroyed and another 12 huts in the
relocated quarter were damaged,
department deputy head U Pyae Phyo
Aung said.
The wind also took the nails off
the zinc roof of two staff houses in the
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigations
compound in the township. A total of
nine lampposts fell down but they have
been repaired, he said.
The roofs of ve huts in Lay Daung
Kan quarter were also blown off, he
said.
One man received a cut to his leg but
no serious injuries were reported, U
Pyae Phyo Aung said.
Residents had helped look after the
affected families by providing them
with food and repairing their homes, he
added. Aye Sapay Phyu
Mandalay activists
plan 8888 ceremony
Political parties and activists have been
invited to a forum at the monastery of
the monk who led the 8888 uprising in
upper Myanmar to mark the 26
th
an-
niversary of the protest, during which
up to 3000 people are thought to have
been killed.
Activists who led the uprising said
that they will donate robes and rice
to 26 monks at Galon Ni Sayadaws
monastery in memory of the monks,
citizens, students and comrades who
died in the unrest.
The purpose is to discuss with
activists who fought during 8888.
We will also encourage the younger
generations [to get involved in politics]
and discuss Myanmars current politics
and political activities, said U Soe Win
Myint, a former protest leader.
He said the event was being held
with support from 88 Generation stu-
dents in Yangon.
We will continue to work so that
younger people become politically
active, U Soe Win Myint said. Si Thu
Lwin, translation by Khant Lin Oo
IN BRIEF
10 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Sangha avoids confrontation in Dala
THE Yangon Region religious author-
ities have warned a prominent say-
adaw that they will remove him from
his monastery by force if he does not
follow a State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee order to leave. However,
they said they are yet to enforce the
order despite the deadline to leave
having passed because they do not
want a repeat of the Mahasantisukha
Monastery raid.
U Kuthala from Kan Oo monas-
tery in Dala township has been ac-
cused of dismantling the monasterys
century-old teak structure, selling the
timber without approval and replac-
ing it with a new building. He also
allegedly sold a Buddha image and
later claimed that he had donated it
to another monk.
The allegations have been levelled
by U Bhaddanta Pawarabhivamsa,
a former abbot of the monastery.
He said that when he was studying
abroad in 2007 he entrusted the mon-
astery to U Kuthala, a former student,
but has now accused him of failing to
adhere to the contract they signed.
U Bhaddanta Pawarabhivamsa
said the contract contained provi-
sions that required U Kuthala to
maintain the original building.
I gave it to him as a place to live,
not to own and do as he liked, U
Bhaddanta Pawarabhivamsa said.
After considering the case, the
State Sangha Maha Nayaka Commit-
tee then ordered U Kuthala to leave
the monastery by July 6. While he has
not yet left, U Gunarlinkarra, deputy
chair of the Yangon Region Sangha
Maha Nayaka Committee, said sen-
ior Sangha ofcials were giving him
some time to nalise his personal af-
fairs. He said they were wary of us-
ing force because of the criticism of
the June 10 raid on Mahasantisukha
Monastery in Tarmwe township.
I asked him to leave the monas-
tery peacefully. We didnt force him
to sign the pledge to leave the monas-
tery, U Gunarlinkarra said.
U Bhaddanta Pawarabhivamsa
wants to remove him and appoint a
new abbot. If he doesnt follow the
decision of the [State Sangha Maha
Nayaka Committee], we will use our
authority to make him leave But
we are trying to implement all cases
peacefully because monks are cur-
rently criticising us over the Mahas-
antisukha case.
U Kuthala told The Myanmar
Times last week that the accusations
were untrue and accused the other
monks of jealousy. He said he had re-
placed the original teak monastery in
2009 using donations from residents
because it had been badly damaged by
Cyclone Nargis the previous year.
Also, the land prices in Dala
have surged since 2010 so some peo-
ple want to do business on the land
owned by the monastery. They have
created conict between me and U
Bhaddanta Pawarabhivamsa, he said.
I will leave the monastery as he re-
quested me but I need some time be-
cause I have to settle some issues, in-
cluding the debt for the new building.
U Aung Naing, 34, from Dalas
Tabinshweti ward, said most resi-
dents wanted U Kuthala to stay on at
the monastery.
Because of him the monastery
has been developing. But [the State
Sangha Committee] decided to re-
move him from monastery at the re-
quested of [U Bhaddanta Pawarabhi-
vamsa], he said. It is their right but
we dont understand their rules and
their actions seem very strong so
residents cant accept their decision.
U Gunarlinkarra said failure to
leave would see U Kuthala disrobed
and charged.
The State Sangha Committee has
made its decision. We are watching
him and deciding whether to take ac-
tion, he said. If it is necessary then
ofcials from the general administra-
tion department will take responsibil-
ity for carrying it out.
Shwe Nya War Sayadaw U Pan-
yasara said it was hard for ordinary
people to grasp the internal politics
of the Sangha and many decisions
made by the State Sangha Committee
appear on face value to be unfair.
They will be more likely to believe
the presiding monk, he said. The
committee needs to be shrewd when
handling these matters, such as urging
all to work for Buddhism rather than to
decide what is true and what is false.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
U Kuthala stands in front of the new building at Kan Oo Monastery in Dala township last week. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
School water supplies
being fixed, govt insists
WORK to ensure schools are sup-
plied with clean water will nish
by the end of July, Deputy Minister
for Education U Zaw Min Aung told
parliament last week.
The ministry is assessing how
schools store and distribute water
and what work is necessary to en-
sure children only drink and use
clean water.
UNICEF and UNDP will help the
ministry build reservoirs and install
pipe systems in schools where run-
ning water is available, with large
schools prioritised, he said.
While the national education
budget has increased dramatically
since U Thein Seins government
came to power, it is still not enough
to ensure schools have basic infra-
structure, parents said.
My kid has been asked to come
back home to go to the toilet because
the school doesnt have enough toi-
lets, said the mother of a grade four
student from a school in Pyinmana.
An Amyotha Hluttaw represent-
ative from Bago Region Constitu-
ency 8 said that in some schools
children rely on their parents to
supply them with drinking water
and toilets cannot be used due to
water shortages.
U Khin Maung Lay said more
than half of the schools in his con-
stituency do not have access to
wells.
In Myanmar 1.8 million people,
most of them children, die from
diarrhoea each year. Using only
safe drinking water can decrease
the number of diarrhoea cases by a
third, according to health experts.
The government has laid down
a policy of getting safe water into
every home and using toilets of an
international standard by 2017.
Translation by
Myat Su Mon Win
HTOO THANT
[email protected]
AUNG
KYAW
MIN
[email protected]
I gave [Kan Oo
monastery] to [U
Kuthala] as a place
to live, not to own
and do as he liked.
Bhaddanta Pawarabhivarnsa
Abbot of Kan Oo monastery
Following criticism over its handling of the Mahasantisukha raid, the sangha committee is treading carefully in another ownership dispute
IN DEPTH
12 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
New rapporteur highlights need for aid access in Rakhine
A SENIOR United Nations ofcial
says Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF)
should be allowed to resume work in
Rakhine State without hindrance, as
she warned that health conditions in
Rakhine State IDP camps have be-
come deplorable.
The government invited MSF-Hol-
land to resume work in Rakhine State
on July 24, during UN special rappor-
teur for human rights in Myanmar
Yanghee Lees rst visit to Myanmar.
As she left the country on July 26,
Ms Lee told The Myanmar Times in an
exclusive interview that she believes
the international community should
push the government to let MSF im-
plement its activities freely.
I want to be positive: The mere
fact that they are invited back to work
is one step forward. And I think that
the international community should
raise this issue and push the govern-
ment to set up terms of agreement
that will allow MSF to carry out its
mission the best they can. The health
situation in Rakhine is really alarm-
ing, she said. It is a very dangerous
situation.
Ms Lee said the expulsion of MSF
had left gaping holes in medical data,
including records of births, deaths and
malnutrition in many of Rakhines
IDP camps, where MSF focused much
of its activities.
Monsoon season had also taken a
toll on the camps. Ms Lee said that
she waded through knee-high water to
reach some residents, raising further
concerns over sanitation.
The Nobel Prize-winning group
was expelled from Rakhine State in
late February amid accusations it was
biased in favour of the states Muslim
population. A month later, the major-
ity of INGOs pulled out of the state
after their ofces were targeted by Ra-
khine extremists. Most were later al-
lowed to return, but the state govern-
ment said it would not allow MSF to
resume its activities in Rakhine.
The Rakhine State government and
the Ministry of Health invited MSF to
return on July 24. Marcel Langenbach,
director of operations for MSF in Am-
sterdam, said that the group was cau-
tiously optimistic about this develop-
ment.
It remains unclear what MSF will be
permitted to do if it returns to the state
and what conditions will be placed on
its activities. Hard-line Rakhine groups
have already threatened to stage pro-
tests if MSF is allowed to return.
Ms Lee said that the situation in
Rakhine remains tense for all aid
organisations and that INGO and UN
workers operate on a tightrope.
It is difcult for UN and INGO
workers because the mistrust and the
hostility between the two [Buddhist
and Muslim] communities is high.
And they INGO and UN agencies
are trying to work with both com-
munities. Then we have the state gov-
ernment who are suspicious of the UN
and INGOs work, she said.
Ms Lee met with newly appointed
chief minister U Maung Maung Ohn
but said that she was not provided
with any detailed information on how
the state government aimed to ad-
dress the states humanitarian issues.
She was given only a brief overview of
the Rakhine State Action Plan but was
not able to read the full report.
Three days after Ms Lees depar-
ture, the government issued its re-
sponse to her initial ndings.
A statement from the Presidents Of-
ce on July 29 cautioned her over her
use of the word Rohingya, warning that
continued use of the term could hinder
eforts to address humanitarian and
rights issues in Rakhine State.
The statement said Ms Lee needed
pay serious consideration to [using]
the term if a long-term solution
to problems in Rakhine are to be
achieved.
The term has been maliciously
used by a group of people with wider
political agenda. The people of Myan-
mar will never recognise the term.
Ms Lee said that she was told re-
peatedly not to use the term during
her visit, but said that human rights
laws respecting the freedom to self-
identify drove her to do so.
As a human rights independent
expert, I am guided by international
human rights law. In this regard, the
rights of minorities to self-identify on
the basis of their national, ethnic, reli-
gious and linguistic characteristics is
related to the obligations of states to
ensure non-discrimination against in-
dividuals and groups, which is a cen-
tral principle of international human
rights law, she said.
I also note that various human
rights treaty bodies and intergovern-
mental bodies, including the Commit-
tee on the Rights of the Child, which
I chaired for four years and of which
I was a member for 10 years, the Hu-
man Rights Council and the General
Assembly use the term Rohingya.
But the statement also welcomed
Ms Lees recognition of the Rakh-
ine community, which it said Tomas
Quintana, the former special rappor-
teur whose later visits had been met
with hostility, particularly in Rakhine
State had consistently ignored.
Derek Tonkin, founder of non-prof-
it Network Myanmar and a former
British ambassador to Thailand, said
that Ms Lees comments reafrmed
broad continuity with her predeces-
sor but were likely to be better re-
ceived in Nay Pyi Taw.
The diference [with Mr Quintana]
lies in the more sympathetic style of
her presentation, and the balance of
concern and sympathy she struck be-
tween Rakhine and Muslim commu-
nities, while making it clear that it is
the Muslim community which has suf-
fered the most.
Ms Lee was appointed as the UNs
special rapporteur in June 26. She will
present her full report to the UN Gen-
eral Assembly in October.
MSF submits terms
to Ministry of Health
THE Ministry of Health and Mdecins
Sans Frontires-Holland are negotiat-
ing the terms of a new memorandum
of understanding that would enable the
aid group to return to Rakhine State, a
ministry ofcial said last week.
However, the process could take
up to one month, a separate ministry
spokesperson said.
MSF have submitted a draft MOU
[Memomrandum of Understanding]
to the Ministry of Health. We are wait-
ing for comments from other minis-
tries [before moving forward], said
U Than Htike, a deputy director of
the ministrys International Relations
Department.
MSF-Holland conrmed it submit-
ted the latest draft of its memorandum
of understanding on July 4. We have
submitted two previous drafts of our
MOU to the ministry regarding its re-
newal in November 2012 and January
2014, it said.
On July 24, the government invited
MSF to re-start work in Rakhine State,
almost ve months after it had forced
the group to leave.
In an announcement published in
state-run media, the Rakhine State gov-
ernment invited UN agencies and IN-
GOs, including MSF, to participate in
development, humanitarian, education
and healthcare programs in accordance
with the wishes of the Rakhine people.
The invitation was made to imple-
ment the Rakhine Action Plan, which
was developed following meetings on
June 26-27 with members of the Emer-
gency Coordination Centre (ECC), UN
ofcials, civil society representatives
and ofcials from the Myanmar Peace
Center, it said.
The government ordered the Nobel
Prize-winning organisation to leave
Rakhine State in late February amid
accusations it was biased in favour of
the states Muslim population. A month
later, all INGOs pulled out of the state
after their ofces were targeted by Ra-
khine extremists. All were later allowed
to return except MSF-Holland and Mal-
teser International.
U Aye Nyein, the head of Rakhine
States Health Department, said Nay
Pyi Taw had not issued any instructions
to allow MSF to resume operations. He
said that this would likely only occur
after the new agreement is signed.
MSF has, however, reached out to
the Rakhine State government. On July
29, it wrote to new Chief Minister U
Maung Maung Ohn asking his opinion
on the groups possible return but he
has not yet replied.
However, the Arakan Civil Society
Network said the chief minister told
them in a meeting on July 28 that he
would closely monitor the activities of
all UN agencies and INGOs, and would
ensure their activities are not discrimi-
natory and do not cause tension.
MSF said in a statement on July
25 that it was cautiously optimistic
about the governments invitation to
return to Rakhine.
Given that for many people in
Rakhine access to medical services re-
mains a major challenge, we hope that
MSF can restart treating patients as
soon as possible, said Marcel Langen-
bach, director of operations for MSF in
Amsterdam.
However, he said it was important
that the government gives aid agencies
unfettered access to ensure people can
receive medical care.
We understand that this is a sen-
sitive environment, particularly with
regard to inter-communal tensions,
Mr Langenbach said. This makes it
all the more important that independ-
ent international organizations can
play their role in treating those most
vulnerable.
SHWE YEE SAW MYINT
[email protected]
TIM
MCLAUGHLIN
[email protected]
Aid agency needs a new memorandum of understanding with the central
government to be able to resume activities in Rakhine State, say ofcials
We understand that
this is a sensitive
environment.
Marcel Langenbach
MSF director of operations
UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee addresses a
press conference at Yangon airport on July 26. Photo: AFP
IN DEPTH
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that OSRAM GmbH a company
organized under the laws of Germany and having its principal
ofce at Marcel-Breuer-Strasse 6, 80807 Munich, Germany is the
Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks:
ORBIS DULUXSTAR
(Reg: Nos. IV/3866/2002,
IV/6016/2008 &
IV/5238/2014)
(Reg: Nos. IV/7868/2008 &
IV/5241/2014)
(Reg: Nos. IV/7197/2005, IV/6014/2008 & IV/5240/2014)
Te above three trademarks are in respect of:-
Lighting installations and apparatus for lighting, electric lamps;
parts and fttings for all the aforesaid goods
OSRAM
(Reg: Nos. IV/1004/1987 & IV/5239/2014)
In respect of:- Electric lighting goods and equipment, electric lamps
of all kinds and allied goods, electric discharge devices of all kinds,
including thermionic valves, photoelectric cells and gas flled relays.
Te above two trademarks are in respect of:-
Installations and apparatus for lighting, electric lamps; parts and
fttings for all the aforesaid goods
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 OSRAM GmbH
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
(Reg: Nos. IV/2276/1991,
IV/6012/2008 &
IV/5242/2014)
(Reg: Nos. IV/1928/1990 &
IV/5243/2014)
DULUX
14 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Census ethnicity data release
delayed until after election
CENSUS results on Myanmars eth-
nic populations will not be published
until after the 2015 general election,
an ofcial in charge of the census has
told The Myanmar Times.
The revelation, which comes fol-
lowing concerns that gures on
ethnicity and religion could prompt
further communal conict, has
prompted some observers to con-
clude the results are being held back
for political reasons. However, those
involved in the process say the delay
is due to data-input difculties af-
ter a higher-than-expected number
of people chose not to identify as
one of 135 set ethnic groups on the
questionnaire.
The ethnic information cannot be
released [as early as planned], said
Daw Khaing Khaing Soe, director of
the Ministry of Immigration and Pop-
ulations census technical team.
She said entering the details of
those who self-described their ethnic-
ity through the other option, rather
than choosing one of the listed groups,
would be a very long process.
The question of ethnic identity
was one of the most controversial
elements of the census, which was
conducted in March and April. Prior
to the count, many international ex-
perts called for the question to be
removed, or the entire census post-
poned, because of concerns it would
exacerbate religious and ethnic
tensions.
Those answering the question
could choose from one of 135 of-
cially recognised ethnic groups a
classication described by Human
Rights Watch as deeply awed or
the other option, which enabled
them to describe their ethnicity in
their own words.
While the government had prom-
ised to allow anyone to self-describe
their ethnicity, at the last minute it
bowed to public pressure in Rakh-
ine State and decreed that nobody
would be allowed to enter Rohing-
ya on the census form. While some
Muslims in Rakhine State opted to
identify instead as Bengali, most re-
fused and were therefore skipped. In
Kachin and Kayin states, some com-
munities were also missed because
they were in areas too insecure for
enumerators to enter.
Despite Rohingya respondents
being excluded, sources close to the
census said a far higher number of
people than expected had chosen
to identify as other. The range of
ethnic identities people had used to
describe themselves was far more
diverse and complex than expected.
The [gures on ethnic identity]
were supposed to come out before
the election, but it now it wont be
until afterward. Far more people
self-identied as other than antici-
pated, one source said.
Each other response has to be
entered by hand, which organisers
said accounts for the delay in tallying
results. However, one source told The
Myanmar Times the government
did not seem to be any great rush
to get the information processed and
made public before the election.
U Kyaw San Wai, a senior analyst
at the Rajaratnam School of Interna-
tional Studies in Singapore, said he
believed a primary reason for the de-
lay is the governments desire to min-
imise risk ahead of the 2015 elections.
I would say that given the sen-
sitivities of ethnicity, especially in
Rakhine State with regards to the
Rohingya, the government might be
trying to pre-empt any possible sec-
tarian unrest or ramications the
data might have, he said.
However, Rakhine State is not
the only area of the country where
the results on ethnicity may have
important political implications.
There are many preconceptions
and passionate views among ethnic
minorities on ethnic identity, and
ethnic groups have rough estimates
of how big they are and where they
are located. If the census data disa-
grees with these estimates, it might
lead to accusations that the govern-
ment had manipulated the results in
favour of the Bamar in an attempt to
perhaps undermine ethnic minority
parties, he said.
Tom Kramer of the Netherlands-
based Transnational Institute, which
published a report condemning the
timing and methodology of the count,
said many ethnic groups feared the
use of the 135 ethnic groups would
further diminish the political status
of minority peoples.
The scheduling of the census in
the year before a key general election
and before political agreements
have been achieved in the ceasere
talks has only deepened concerns,
Mr Kramer said.
Unreliable data that results from
the census could have [a] negative
impact on political debate and eth-
nic nationality representation in the
legislatures, he said.
But delaying the release of the
results will only put of the potential
for fallout, he said.
Instead of just delaying the re-
lease of the information regarding
questions of ethnicity and identity
from the census, an inclusive debate
about identity and citizenship in the
country should rst take place, and
the failings and difculties with the
census need to be recognised.
The census cost an estimated $74
million, with much of the funding
coming from international donors,
notably the British, Norwegian, Aus-
tralian and Swiss governments.
Matt Smith of Thai-based group
Fortify Rights said the delay conrms
that the collection of data on ethnicity
has political implications.
Donors, UNFPA and the govern-
ment repeatedly claimed the census
was apolitical and in no way relat-
ed to the elections, as if they could
magically will that to be true just by
saying it. Of course the census is po-
litical, he said.
Despite continued criticism of the
census process, and an acknowledg-
ment of problems in Rakhine and
Kachin, organisers say the count has
been an overall success. Ofcials also
say they are working to nd ways to
include data about people who want-
ed to identify as Rohingya so that
they are not missed completely.
Daw Khaing Khaing Soe also
promised there would be consulta-
tions with ethnic minority groups
on the census results before the g-
ures are released.
A report from international ob-
servers was given to the government
at the end of July and is due for pub-
lication imminently.
Initial data on the number of men
and women in the country is due to
be released at the end of August.
INTERNATIONAL experts commis-
sioned by the United Nations Popula-
tion Fund to advise on the census have
recommended the government ll in
data gaps by using Ministry of Immi-
gration and Population estimates.
Preliminary results of the count set
to be released by the end of August but
data from Rakhine, Kachin and Kayin
states is still incomplete. This will not
contain any of the most sensitive data,
including population breakdowns
based on ethnicity or religion.
The International Technical Advi-
sory Board (ITAB) revealed its recom-
mendation for lling the data gaps at
a press conference following a meeting
with the government and UNFPA in
Nay Pyi Taw late last month.
ITAB co-chair Werner Haug said
census ofcials made broad estimates
about the population of certain areas in
the lead-up to the census, which can be
used to map areas left out by the cur-
rent count. Under the mapping system,
the country was broken into more than
80,000 zones of about 100-150 house-
holds each.
The national census, which received
technical and nancial support from
the UNFPA, was scheduled to run from
March 30 to April 10. However, prob-
lems quickly arose in Kachin State,
where enumerators were not permitted
to enter areas controlled by the Kachin
Independence Army, and in Rakhine
State, where many Muslim communi-
ties were skipped altogether because
they wanted to self-identify as Roh-
ingya rather than Bengali.
It remains unclear how accurate
the census gures will be if ministry
estimates based on existing data are
used. In an interview with The Myan-
mar Times in May, ITAB co-chair Paul
Cheung said that the most technically
sound solution would be to do another
round of enumeration in the skipped
areas. However, he said conditions on
the ground must be taken into account.
Technical solutions are straight-
forward, but political dynamics may
not make them feasible. What is politi-
cally acceptable may also not be techni-
cally sound, he said.
Mr Haug indicated that there is still
a possibility that such a recounting
could take place.
We are also advising the devel-
opment of options for surveying the
missed areas to collect information
on the socio-economic prole of these
specic groups of the population that
were excluded from the enumeration,
he said.
Preliminary census data, including
the populations and genders of each
state, will be released later this month.
Data on ethnicity will be tallied and
analysed at a later point, ofcials said.
Between May and October 2015, the fo-
cus will shift to all those respondents
who self-described their ethnicity by se-
lecting the other option, rather than
one of the 135 ofcial categories.
We will analyse the ethnic groups
thoroughly and we need to take some
time to release it, Department of Popu-
lation director general U Myint Kyaing
said.
ITAB members said they would pro-
vide limited assistance to the govern-
ment on this task as it is more political
than technical.
In analysing the ethnic group, we
will help only with technical advice
because dening the ethnic group is
not relevant according to international
standards. The Myanmar government
should decide about ethnic groups ac-
cording to the nature and conditions of
Myanmar, said one ITAB member.
FIONA
MACGREGOR
[email protected]
The government
might be trying
to pre-empt
any possible
sectarian unrest or
ramications the
data might have.
U Kyaw San Waier
Rajaratnam School of
International Studies, Singapore
A Ministry of Immigration official examines completed census forms in Nay Pyi Taw in May. Photo: Zarni Phyo
Experts
recommend
estimates to
finalise count
CENSUS
Ofcials say an unexpectedly high number of handwritten responses that did not t into the 135 ofcial
ethnicity categories is to blame, but observers say political considerations may have also played a role
AYE NYEIN WIN
[email protected]
BILL OTOOLE
[email protected]
News 15 www.mmtimes.com
Team to begin Hkakabo Razi
summit attempt this week
NINE members of the Yangon Uni-
versities Hiking d Mountaineering
Association have their sights set
on planting the Myanmar ag on
Mt Hkakabo Razi in Kachin State
and possibly ending any speculation
about whether it is Myanmars tall-
est mountain.
The all-male group, who range
in age from 24 to 33, are trekking to
the base of the Himalayan mountain
this week from the town of Putao
and expect to summit the mountain,
which has an ofcial height of 5881
metres, or 19,296 feet, by the end of
August.
The team has been training for
the assault on Hkakabo Razi since
the end of 2011 and climbed the
5200m-plus Haba peak in Chinas
Yunnan Province in April as prepa-
ration. The trek will take about 16
days and the team believes it will
need another ve days to climb from
the base to the summit, if the weath-
er is obliging.
When the team returns to Yan-
gon, most likely at the end of Sep-
tember, there may well be a storm
brewing, however over the actual
height of Hkakabo Razi.
Last year a joint US-Myanmar
expedition took global positioning
satellite (GPS) measurements from
the top of the nearby Gamlang Razi
peak, which topped out at 5870m.
The ofcial height of Hkakabo
Razi is 5881m comes from a Sur-
vey of India map drawn up in 1925.
Satellite imaging conrmed the g-
ure in the lead up to two summit
attempts in 1995 and 1996, the lat-
ter of which was the rst successful
summit.
But post-World War II Russian
and Chinese maps put Hkakabo
Razis elevation at a mere 5691m,
Google Earth puts it at 5780m and
a Harvard Map Library researcher
using two data-set extrapolation
techniques estimated it at 5758m in
2013.
The US-Myanmar expeditions
GPS measurement used a reference
point some 1000 kilometres (600
miles) away in Lhasa, China. While
still an appropriate distance from
the summit for a reference point, it
reduced the accuracy to plus or mi-
nus two metres, expedition leader
Andy Tyson said in 2013.
Despite the controversy over
Hkakabo Razis height, the YHMA
team insists it is not climbing the
mountain to settle the dispute.
Team leader Ko Aung Myint Myat
said the groups main objective is to
plant a Myanmar ag on the summit
for the rst time.
We will climb Hkakabo Razi to
put the Myanmar ag as an ethnic
Myanmar person at the top of the
mountain, he said. We believe we
can do it because we trained for it
systematically.
Takashi Ozaki, a famous Japa-
nese climber, and U Nama John-
son, an ethnic Tibetan whom Oza-
ki recruited from a remote village
near Hkakabo Razi, were the rst
people to summit the mountain, in
1996.
Mr Ozaki later died trying to
summit Mt Everest in 2011.
THE government has implemented
only half of the social security systems
mandated under a law enacted in April,
the deputy minister for labour, employ-
ment and social security told parlia-
ment last week.
Daw Win Maw Tun told the Pyithu
Hluttaw that only the health and social
care, family assistance and employ-
ment injury benet insurance systems
were in operation.
Meanwhile, invalidity benet, su-
perannuation pension benet and sur-
vivors benet insurance, and unem-
ployment benet insurance are yet to
be ofered.
While Daw Win Maw Tun did not
say why the three systems have not
been introduced, a Social Security
Board director told state-run broad-
caster MRTV last week it was because
of nancial constraints.
The Social Security Law requires
compulsory payments from those
working for rms employing two or
more workers in the manufacturing,
entertainment, transportation, ports,
extractive industries and nancial sec-
tors, as well as all foreign-owned enter-
prises. The new law extends coverage
to casual workers but only if they regis-
ter with the Social Security Board.
Insurance contributions are xed at
between two percent to six percent of
a persons income, with contributions
equally shared between employer and
employee.
As with income tax, however, social
security is usually only paid by larger
companies and their employees. Small
businesses and casual workers rarely
pay it. To date, the Social Security
Board, which manages the program,
has K17.8 billion saved, MPs were told.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
EI EI TOE LWIN
[email protected]
Members of the Yangon Universities Hiking and Mountaineering Association climb the Haba peak in Chinas Yunnan
Province in April as training for an ascent of Mt Hkakabo Razi in Kachin State. Photo: Supplied
AYE SAPAY
PHYU
[email protected]
Social
security
plans stall
SKorean shoe factory
offcials face charges
THE Ministry of Labour, Employment
and Social Security has initiated legal
action against ofcials from a South
Korean shoe factory in Hlaing Thar-
yar township that closed abruptly at
the end of June and has refused to
compensate laid-of workers, a deputy
minister says.
Deputy Minister Daw Win Maw
Tun said the owners of Master Sports
have been deliberately stalling in the
face of ministry eforts to resolve the
conict with its workers.
She said that the ministry is also
doing what it can to place them in
other jobs. Another shoe factory has
already said it will soon take 1000
workers, while 11 other factories col-
lectively requested more than 600
workers.
This is more than the number
of people who have lost their jobs
at Master Sports so I am sure that
all of those workers can get new
jobs soon, she said at a July 25
press conference.
Master Sports has been accused
of pressuring workers to sign agree-
ments waiving their right to com-
pensation from the company. Under
Myanmar law, they would receive
compensation of an additional one
months wages.
U Win Shein, director general of
the Factories and General Labour
Laws Inspection Department, said
the factorys managers had told the
755 workers they would only be paid
their June salary if they waived their
right to the additional months salary.
Only 58 workers signed the agree-
ment. The 755 workers are collec-
tively owed more than K130 million
(US$134,000) in salary and compen-
sation, according to the ministry.
Forcing workers to sign a pledge
not to ask for any compensation for
losing their jobs is not in accordance
with the law. We have charged two
ofcials from the factory, U Win
Shein said, adding that one South
Korean and one Myanmar citizen
have been charged.
The ministry has asked the com-
panys South Korean managing di-
rector to come to Myanmar to re-
solve the problem and also held talks
with the South Korean ambassador
in Nay Pyi Taw on July 12. However,
it has not seen any progress until
now, he said.
However, a lawyer for the Mas-
ter Sports workers, U Htay, said
the Ministry of Labour had not
done enough to include workers in
negotiations.
If [the government] invited and
discussed the dispute with the fac-
torys 13 labour representatives then
I think it would be reconciled much
more quickly, he said. From the
workers side, they hope to solve the
problem through negotiation rather
than going to the court.
At the July 25 meeting, Daw Win
Maw Oo told U Htay that she wanted
to meet the 13 labour representatives
and would arrange talks as soon as
possible.
ZAW HTIKE
[email protected]
5881
Ofcial height, in metres, of
Mt Hkakabo Razi in Kachin State
News 19 www.mmtimes.com
After abuses in China, rights
groups call for labour treaty
THE plight of dozens of Myanmar
workers freed from atrocious condi-
tions in garment factories in Fujian
Province has cast a fresh spotlight
on migration to China, as the govern-
ment begins initial negotiations for a
formal labour agreement with its gi-
ant neighbour.
While workers from Myanmar
have sought employment in China
for decades, no government-approved
and regulated system is in place to
facilitate the outow of workers. As
a result, migrants are forced to go
through illegal channels that often
leave them vulnerable to abuse and
exploitation.
Pointing to recent cases of mi-
grants facing shocking abuse in Chi-
nese factories, human rights groups
are pushing for both governments
to work together to create a system
and regulations that protect workers
rights.
In a joint statement published on
July 23, the International Labor Or-
ganization [ILO] in Yangon and the
88 Generation highlighted the case
of 42 migrants who recently returned
to Myanmar after eeing atrocious
working conditions in two unnamed
garment factories in Fujian.
The workers were lured to the fac-
tory with the promise of US$200 a
month in salary and free room and
board, the groups said.
However, they reported that the
garment factory in China did not pay
them their due wages and gave no ex-
planation for deductions from their
salaries, the statement said. They re-
ported being beaten when they asked
for their salaries and told of one mi-
grant who died because they were
charged so much for health care that
he did not visit the clinic.
Though many in the group wanted
to quit, their employers refused to ar-
range transport back to the border.
Given their status as illegal mi-
grants, the group was wary of making
the trip without assistance.
The migrants contacted their fam-
ilies in Myanmar, who in turn sought
help from the ILO, the 88 Generation
and Anti-Trafcking Police Force. The
migrants were then able to persuade
their employers to arrange transport
back to the border on July 11.
It seems the employer got nerv-
ous and preferred to move them
quickly, said Jackie Pollack, a spokes-
person for the ILO ofce in Yangon.
The Chinese embassy in Yangon
did not respond to questions about
the trafcking case last week. How-
ever, Ms Pollack said it was far from
an isolated incident.
We had previously heard cases
of Myanmar migrants being cheated
by brokers in Ruili, and other cases
of abuse, but now the cases are com-
ing from further aeld, like the recent
ones from Fujian, she said.
In the past month both the ILO
and the 88 Generation have been
contacted by relatives of dozens of
migrant workers trapped in abusive
or exploitative jobs in China, she said.
A lack of reliable data makes it
difcult to estimate both the num-
ber of Myanmar migrants in China
as well as the prevalence of abuse.
But the ILO said the cases highlight
the need for concrete rules and
regulations for sending migrants to
China.
Given the large numbers of My-
anmar workers in China, the ILO and
88 Generation urge the governments
of both countries to develop agree-
ments and mechanisms to protect
the rights of these workers and to dis-
cuss possible legal channels through
which the workers can be recruited
and employed, the groups said in a
statement.
Deputy head of the Myanmar
Overseas Employment Agency Fed-
eration U Soe Myint Aung said his or-
ganisation and the Ministry of Labour
are committed to developing such
a system but said it was only in the
initial stages.
He told The Myanmar Times
that in the coming year representa-
tives from the federation will hold
regular meetings with their counter-
parts from the China to discuss the
proposed system. A date for the rst
meeting had not yet been set.
Both the ILO and the Chinese em-
bassy in Yangon said last week that
they had not been informed about the
proposed negotiations, but Deputy
Minister for Labour U Htin Aung re-
vealed the government plans to sign a
memorandum of understanding with
China in an address to parliament on
June 26.
Ms Pollack warned that rising de-
mand in China for cheap labour will
only exacerbate the need for a formal
system for sending Myanmar workers
to China.
Chinas industrial zones are facing
a labour shortage but there is no legal
system in place for migrants from My-
anmar to ll these positions, she said.
This leaves migrants in a vulnerable
position where they are nding it
hard to demand their rights.
A monk from Myanmar walks past the Chinese customs house at the China-Myanmar border town of Jiegao. Photo: AFP
BILL
OTOOLE
[email protected]
FOCUS
Case of 42 migrants who escaped atrocious conditions in Fujian highlights need for bilateral agreement
Govt urges
Singapore,
HK to sign
agreements
on workers
MYANMAR wants better protections
put in place before it resumes issuing
overseas work permits to women so
they can nd jobs as domestic workers
in Singapore and Hong Kong, the dep-
uty minister for labour, employment
and social security told parliament last
week.
The government wants Singapore
and Hong Kong to sign a Memoran-
dum of Understanding with the Myan-
mar Overseas Employment Agencies
Federation to guarantee safe working
conditions, U Htin Aung told the Amy-
otha Hluttaw.
The agreement would set guidelines
on areas such as minimum pay, holiday
entitlements and how workers can seek
legal redress.
We suspended the issuing of of-
cial documents to send workers abroad
to protect Myanmar workers so
they can enjoy their rights fully and
to ensure [they are] not exploited and
[vulnerable to] forced labour, U Htin
Aung said.
In February, a group of 19 young
women made history by becoming the
rst Myanmar citizens to legally travel
to Hong Kong to work as maids. How-
ever, the government stopped granting
permits after reports emerged that an
Indonesian maid had been abused by
her employer in Hong Kong. Fewer
than 100 Myanmar women had been
sent by the end of June when the pro-
gram was temporarily stopped.
When the ministry stopped allow-
ing women to take jobs as domestic
workers in Singapore at the end of
February because of similar concerns,
Myanmar had allowed 130 women to
travel to Singapore to take up jobs as
domestic workers.
There are 202 agencies in Myan-
mar that are allowed to send workers
abroad, of which 12 specialise in do-
mestic workers, who are employed to
cook, clean and look after children and
the elderly. While the potentially dan-
gerous working conditions have scared
some of, Singapore and Hong Kong re-
main attractive because of higher pay
and standards of living.
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
HTOO THANT
[email protected]
Chinas industrial
zones are facing
a labour shortage
but there is no legal
system in place
for migrants from
Myanmar to ll
these positions.
Jackie Pollack
International Labour Organization
MoD to build
apartments for
retired soldiers
THE government plans to spend tens
of millions of dollars from the militarys
welfare fund to provide housing for re-
tired servicemen, the deputy minister
for defence told MPs last week.
Each apartment is likely to cost K10
million to K12 million (US$10,300 to
$12,370), Major General Kyaw Nyunt
said, adding that this would be ofset
by using the lump-sum gratuity that
military staf receive upon retirement,
which is currently more than K5.5 mil-
lion per person. More than K50 billion
($51.55 million) from the welfare fund
is likely to spent if each apartment
costs K10 million, he said.
He made the comments in re-
sponse to a question from U Mann
Kan Nyunt, an Amyotha Hluttaw rep-
resentative from Kayin State, who said
that military personnel often struggle
in retirement because their gratuity
is not enough to even buy a low-cost
apartment. Htoo Thant, translation
by Zar Zar Soe
20 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
US to train security
officials in NayPyiTaw
THE United States plans to further
its nascent engagement with the My-
anmar military next month through
a workshop for about 30 mid-level
security ofcials at the National De-
fence College in Nay Pyi Taw.
The workshop will be led by US
instructors, and is part of Washing-
tons eforts to help the Tatmadaw
and other security forces profes-
sionalise and encourage it to come
under civilian command.
The ve-day workshop is being
funded by the Asia-Pacic Center for
Security Studies, a Department of
Defense research centre in Hawaii.
This workshop will provide
an opportunity for participants
to expand their understanding of
the concepts and best practices
of modern civil-military relations,
including promoting civilian con-
trol of the military and improving
trust and understanding between
civilian and military leaders, said a
spokesperson from the US embassy
in Yangon.
Military-to-military cooperation
between the US and Myanmar has
so far been limited to workshops and
training as the two countries work to
rebuild ties after years of sanctions
and isolation. Fledgling military
engagement began with a similar
course undertaken by the US De-
fense Institute of International Legal
Studies (DIILS) in August 2013.
But Washington remains con-
cerned by the Tatmadaws formal
role in politics and the current struc-
ture of the military, which does not
have a civilian commander-in-chief
or civilian oversight.
Under the 2008 constitution, the
military is led by a serving ofcer
currently Senior General Min Aung
Hlaing who does not answer to the
president. Both sit on the powerful
11-member National Defence and Se-
curity Council.
Lieutenant General Anthony
Crutcheld, deputy commander of
the US Pacic Command, addressed
the issue in a speech to Tatmadaw
ofcials at the National Defence Col-
lege in June.
Simply put, militaries possess
capabilities that are too powerful to
be placed at the discretion of just a
few people. Rather, they must be at
the service of all people and used in
accordance with the democratic will
of the people, Lt Gen Crutcheld
said.
The new course comes as a grow-
ing number of voices in Washington
have begun to question the pace and
direction of Myanmars reforms. On
July 9 Republican Ed Royce, chair of
the House Foreign Afairs Commit-
tee, called for the Obama adminis-
tration to end military-to-military
cooperation until the Myanmar gov-
ernment addresses concerns about
its treatment of Rohingya Muslims
in Rakhine State.
However, Senator Mitch McCon-
nell, one of the most vocal American
politicians on Myanmar and a long-
time supporter of Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi, last week expressed support
for military-to-military cooperation
focused on education.
Security assistance and profes-
sional military education are not
simply rewards to partner countries,
as some view such programs, the
Republican leader said in a July 24
speech to the US Senate.
They are tools with which we
advance our own foreign policy ob-
jectives. Helping the Burmese mili-
tary to reform is in our interest but it
cannot be done through mere exhor-
tation. It needs to be done through
training and regular contact with
the highest professional military
standards.
Tatmadaw soldiers examine weapons in Thandwe township in October 2013. Photo: Kaung Htet
TIM MCLAUGHLIN
[email protected]
Sisters accused of pawning
fake gold jewellery
Two sisters have been charged with
pawning fake gold objects at pawn
shops in Insein township, police say.
The pair allegedly pawned 19 pieces
that appeared to be made of gold but
were actually copper covered in a layer
of gold. Police were informed after one
of them pawned a 6-gram ring at Zay
Kome pawn shop in Insein township for
K200,000.
Man cheated on Florida
property deal
A woman has been accused of eecing
a Dagon township man of US$51,000 by
promising to buy him an apartment in
the US state of Florida.
U Win Thike Aung said he gave
the money to the woman, who was
introduced to him by his son-in-law,
at an ofce in Botahtaung township in
December 2013. He decided to buy an
apartment for his daughter after the
woman told him that prices in Florida
were cheap. Police have charged the
woman with cheating and dishonestly
inducing delivery of property.
Man faces charge after
train hits his cow
A man has been charged with delaying
a train after the locomotive hit and
killed his cow.
The Yangon-Pyay train was heading
north when it hit Ko Thant Zin Aungs
cow near Phar Lone village in Yangon
Regions Taikkyi township at about
4:20pm on July 29. The cow died and
in the process delayed the train by 20
minutes. Taikkyi police have charged Ko
Thant Zin Aung under the railways act.
Foreigner accused of
selling fake diamonds in 2010
An Indian national has been accused of
selling a woman fake diamond
earrings.
Daw Khine Sandar Lwin from
Mayangone township said she bought
the four sets of diamond earrings from
the man, who she had known for 18
years, in January 2010 for K215 million
(US$221,000).
She led a complaint to police on
July 31, a day after discovering that
the pieces were fake. Toe Wai Aung,
translation by Khant Lin Oo
CRIME IN BRIEF
Farmers transferred to distant prisons
FARMERS who have been jailed for
leading a campaign to plough con-
scated land in Sagaing Region have
been transferred to distant prisons,
relatives say.
Residents in Kanbalu township
say nearly 400 farmers from Mayem-
on, Htaut Shar Eian, Payegyi, Ngapy-
aw Tine, Kha Ohn Tar and Bukone
villages are facing charges, while
about 90 farmers have already been
sentenced and are in Shwebo Prison.
The charges stem from plough
protests that saw them reoccupy
land seized in 1997 by military-
owned Myanmar Economic Corpo-
ration and Shwebo No 2 Supply and
Transport Battalion.
On July 27, 15 convicted farmers
were transferred to prisons in My-
ingyan, Meiktila and Nyaung Oo in
Mandalay Region, Pakokku in Mag-
we Region and Taungoo and Bago in
Bago Region.
I am not pleased that my hus-
band has been sent away. It makes
it difcult for us to visit them and
the authorities should reconsider it.
I want to know why they are making
trouble for the families of those in
jail, said the wife of one of the jailed
farm leaders.
The previous military regime reg-
ularly transferred political prisoners
to jails far away from their relatives
but the practice appeared to have
largely stopped under President U
Thein Seins government.
When President U Thein Sein
took ofce, he gave a commitment
that prisoners would be held in jails
close to their families. This is not in
accord with the presidents commit-
ment and is deliberately designed to
embarrass families of jailed famers,
said local human rights activist Ko
Myo Win.
An ofcial from Shwebo Prison
conrmed on July 29 that the pris-
oners had been transferred.
It is true that farmers who are
the alleged leaders of the protest
were moved from Shwebo Prison.
But we dont know why We did it
in accordance with the instructions
of our superiors.
Translation by Zar Zar Soe
MAUNG ZAW
[email protected]
Security assistance
and professional
military education
are not simply
rewards to partner
countries.
Mitch McConnell
US senator
US instructors will lead workshop including about 30 mid-level security ofcials
TRADEMARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE
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Singapore carrying on business as manufacturers and merchants
and having its principal ofce at 3 Senoko Way, Singapore 758057,
Singapore is the owner and sole proprietor of the following
Trademark:-
Myanmar Registration Number. 4/7923/2010
Used in respect of : -
Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks;
isotonic drink; all included in Class 32.
Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent
intentions of the above mark will be dealt with according to law.
Tin Ohnmar Tun, Tin Tiri Aung & Te Law Chambers
Ph: 0973150632
Email:[email protected]
(For. Allen & Gledhill LLP,
Attorneys at Law, Singapore)
Dated. 4
th
August, 2014
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carrying on business and having its principal ofce at Snaroyveien
30, 1360 Fornebu, Norway is the owner and sole proprietor of the
following Trade mark :-
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Used in respect of :-
Insurance; fnancial afairs; monetary afairs; real estate business;
telecommunications services
Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent
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Tin Ohnmar Tun, Tin Tiri Aung & Te Law Chambers
Ph: 0973150632
Email:[email protected]
(For. Telenor ASA)
Dated. 4
th
August, 2014
Govt unveils foreign
scholarship program
A RECENTLY launched government
scholarship program to send promis-
ing students to foreign universities
may struggle to attract the best candi-
dates due to its strict eligibility criteria,
experts have warned.
President U Thein Sein launched
the scholarship program on July 27 to
enable Myanmar citizens to undertake
further study at international universi-
ties in the 2014-15 academic year.
Upon completion of the program,
they must return to work in the civil
service for at least twice as long as they
studied abroad, or face steep penalties.
Candidates must be Myanmar citi-
zens and born of parents who are also
both citizens, while they must also be
single for all levels of study, including
master and doctorate programs.
While the program has been widely
welcomed, experts said the terms and
eligibility criteria reect the govern-
ments thinking on who will make the
best contribution upon completing
their studies abroad.
It appears [the authorities] are
worried about students staying abroad
and not coming back, said U Tin
Maung Than, a research coordinator at
the Myanmar Development Resource
Institute (MDRI).
But I think this is just a stereotype
and not based on evidence, he said.
Look at how many medical doctors
who are full citizens have left. In my
opinion, the level of citizenship of their
parents is not a valid concern.
Excluding married men and
women from the scholarship scheme
is impractical and would dramati-
cally reduce the pool of potential
candidates.
If I had to arrange [the program],
I would set a policy that gives me a
broad spectrum of choice. I would not
limit the potential candidates.
But writer Ko Tar, who runs the pri-
vate Lumbini Academy in Yangon, said
he thought the governments concerns
are valid.
If both parents are Myanmar citi-
zens, there is a larger probability that
the students will come back. Previous-
ly, some [foreigner registration card]
holders did not come back, he said, re-
ferring to those who took part in schol-
arship programs in the socialist era.
He said those who are not eligible
for this program still have plenty of
other opportunities to attain scholar-
ships to study abroad.
Each scholarship program has its
own criteria and you cant necessarily
compare one with another, he said.
But for outstanding young people,
there are many opportunities They
can get something else instead.
It remains unclear how many schol-
arships will be awarded, which univer-
sities recipients will be able to attend
and what the total cost of the program
is.
The scholarships will be awarded
by a selection board, although the gov-
ernment has not revealed who will sit
on the board.
An ofcial from the Minister for Ed-
ucations Ofce said the scholarships
could be awarded to study any subject
and will cover the entire cost of a re-
cipients tuition fees, as well as accom-
modation, travel and food expenses.
The application form just asks
which subject the candidate is inter-
ested in studying. All subjects are eli-
gible, said the ofcial.
Public servants will be allowed
to apply with the permission of their
ministry but will not receive special
treatment.
Those who are best qualied will
receive the scholarships, the ofcial
said.
The scholarship program covers
undergraduate and postgraduate stud-
ies. Undergraduate applicants must be
16 to 20 years old and have achieved at
least 500 marks on their matriculation
exams or equivalent, or GCE A Lev-
els. Graduates of any age can apply for
scholarships to cover master and doc-
torate studies.
Scholarship recipients must sign
a pledge to return to Myanmar and
work in the civil service for twice the
length of their study period, and those
who fail to do so will have to pay three
times the cost of their scholarship in
compensation.
Application forms are available at
all universities, degree colleges and
colleges, and should be returned no
later than August 30.
SANDAR
LWIN
[email protected]
IN PICTURES
PHOTO: PYAE THET PHYO
A member of a Nay Pyi Taw-based free funeral society donates blood to
mark the second anniversary of the groups founding. Pay Sut Thu Myar
Free Funeral Service Society members gave blood at the capitals 1000-
bed public hospital on July 26. On August 3, they plan to donate rice, oil
and educational materials to orphans staying at a monastery in Nay Pyi
Taws Pobbathiri township.
Strict eligibility criteria might exclude some worthy applicants, MDRI ofcial says
I would set a policy
that gives me a
broad spectrum of
choice. I would not
limit the potential
candidates.
U Tin Maung Than
Myanmar Development Resource
Institute research coordinator
22 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
TRADEMARK CAUTION
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under the laws of Singapore, and having its registered ofce at 65
Ubi Avenue 1, OSIM Headquarters, Singapore 408939, hereby
declares that the Company is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of
the following Trademark:
Reg. No. IV/4184/2010 (15 June 2010)
Te above trademark is used in respect of Medical apparatus
and instruments; medical diagnostic apparatus; physiotherapy
apparatus; furniture for medical and therapeutic purposes;
orthopedic articles; refexology machines for medical purposes;
blood pressure monitors; massage apparatus and appliances;
massage hairbrushes; nerve muscle stimulators; hand-held
massagers; eye, body and foot massagers; massage chairs for medical
and therapeutic purposes; kneading, massaging and tapping
machines for medical use; apparatus for the therapeutic toning of
the muscles; apparatus for use in exercising muscles for medical
use; urine monitors for medical use; nebulisers; orthopaedic
footwear [shoes]; orthopedic soles; inner soles [orthopaedic] for
footwear; abdominal belts and pads; orthopaedic belts; cushions,
mattresses and pillows for medical purposes; pillows for orthopedic
use; heating cushions [pads], electric, for medical purposes; hot air
therapeutic apparatus; electromedical or electrotherapy apparatus
and instruments for slimming treatments; deep heat massage
apparatus; electrically operated massagers; esthetic massage
apparatus; gloves for massage; vibration generating apparatus for
massage; motor vibrated massage apparatus; temperature monitors
and sensors for medical use; thermometers for medical purposes;
parts and fttings for all the aforesaid goods; all included in Class
10 in Class 10:
Furniture; massage beds; massage chairs; massage tables;
cushions; mattresses; pillows; neck pillows [other than for medical
or surgical use]; neck rolls [other than for medical or surgical
use]; reclining chairs; chairs [seats]; sofas; all included in Class
20 in Class 20 and
Advertising, direct mail advertising, marketing, promotional and
publicity services; retail and wholesale services in relation to massage
apparatus and appliances, sports, exercise and ftness apparatus,
medical, diagnostic and health care apparatus, therapeutic and
physiotherapy products, health supplements, clothing, headwear,
footwear, home furnishings and furniture; the bringing together,
for the beneft of others, of a variety of goods namely massage
apparatus and appliances, sports, exercise and ftness apparatus,
medical, diagnostic and health care apparatus, therapeutic and
physiotherapy products, health supplements, clothing, headwear,
footwear, home furnishings and furniture, enabling customers
to conveniently view and purchase those goods in a retail outlet,
wholesale outlet, distributor outlet or from a catalogue by mail
order or by means of telecommunications; administration of the
business afairs of retail stores; management of a retail enterprise
for others; arranging and conducting exhibitions for advertising,
commercial or trade purposes; arranging and conducting of trade
shows; providing information on sale of goods; provision of business
and commercial information; marketing studies and research; cost
price analysis; business management assistance; business appraisals;
business management and organization consultancy; business
search; business research; provision of assistance (business) in the
establishment and operation of franchises; business consultancy
concerning franchisees and licensees; advisory, information and
consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid
services also provided on-line from a computer database or via
the global communications network; all included in Class 35 in
Class 35:
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the above mark or
other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law.
For OSIM International Ltd.,
U Soe Phone Myint
Advocate
BM Myanmar Legal Services Limited (Baker & McKenzie)
1203, 12th Floor, Sakura Tower,
339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon,
Te Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Dated: 4 August 2014
24 News THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Views
Singapore: the good,
the bad and the sad
SITTING in a pleasant watering
hole last week, no fewer than three
people assured me that the media
in Singapore is the most heavily
censored in the region.
After listening in silence, while
other bar ies chimed in with ro-
bust concurrence, it became im-
possible not to interject a note of
reality.
Yes, the coverage of domestic
politics in the Singapore press is
controlled and partisan, though far
less than it once was. However, its
reportage of foreign afairs is im-
partial and unsurpassed by other
regional publications.
The reason is not hard to dis-
cern: The Straits Times, Singapores
agship newspaper, has staf corre-
spondents based around the region
and even farther aeld, in Beijing,
Tokyo, Delhi and Washington.
So, instead of merely reading
wire copy and secondhand ac-
counts from the New York Times or
the Guardian, the papers rsthand
reportage includes perceptions and
sensibilities of those who know this
region.
Let me now disclose that I once
worked for the Straits Times, as bu-
reau chief in Washington and Ha-
noi, and that only one of my stories
was ever killed although some
were provocative and not wholly
pro-Singapore.
So, yes, domestic coverage is
awed, but foreign reportage is ex-
cellent. In many ways, that discord-
ant paradox sums up the island re-
public itself: Its never quite what it
seems to be.
Recently, there was an attempt
to illustrate this in a couple of ar-
ticles in the Globalist, an online
publication, based in Washington,
whose editor-in-chief, Stephan
Richter, I knew when living there.
Richters views bore an intel-
lectual veneer that had an outside
chance of being validated sometime
after the Antichrist arrives. He re-
minded me of the comic denition
of a globalist: a man who puts gold-
sh farts in a spirit level.
That said, the Globalist stories
about Singapore are worth read-
ing because they capture its strange
yin-yang dichotomy, especially last
months article entitled Dazzling
Singapores Deep Contradictions.
Its author, John West, rst notes
the things that always impress rst-
time visitors: the MRT subway sys-
tem, lavish hotels like the Fullerton
and the Rafes, the giant Singapore
Eye Ferris wheel, spify Marina Bay
and Sentosa Island and their huge
new casinos.
He does not contrast these with
the four oors of whores at Or-
chard Towers, or with down-and-
dirty Desker Road or Geylang. Nor
does he mention that the Singapore
Eye is bankrupt and that the casinos
are bringing all manner of strife.
But he does rightly note that
scratching below the surface
reveals a system struggling for
survival.
The fact is that there is some-
thing rotten in the state of Sin-
gapore and it is not the smell of
durians; it is the exhaust of an ad-
ministration led by the long-ruling
and now tired and stale Peoples Ac-
tion Party (PAP).
West is also correct when he
says that after modern Singapores
founding father, Lee Kuan Yew
now 90 kicks the bucket, the loss
of moral authority and historical
legitimacy will test his successors.
Indeed, it is already doing that
and they are not scoring highly in
the test.
But when West goes on to voice
support for the conspiracy theory
put out by the Australian academic
Michael Barr in his book The Rul-
ing Elite of Singapore, he dilutes his
argument and puts himself on the
level of those misguided bar ies.
For Barrs claim that the system
of rule in Singapore is a deliberate
project initiated and managed by
Lee Kuan Yew, designed to empower
himself and his family is a tad over
the top, to put it diplomatically.
So, too, are the comments in an-
other Globalist article, The upright
and welcoming jewel of Southeast
Asia, by Guy Pfefermann, which
sadly regurgitates many now dis-
credited myths about the city state.
Writing that it is spotlessly
clean, for instance, merely indi-
cates that Pfefermann can never
have walked the side streets of Lees
former constituency in Chinatown
and Tanjong Pagar before 9am.
But the most regrettable aw in
the Globalist articles, as in many
others, is their repetition of the ca-
nard that Lees government turned
a poverty-stricken swamp into the
most prosperous nation in South-
east Asia.
Modern Singapore is undeni-
ably prosperous but it always was.
Take a look at the many YouTube
videos of the pre-Lee era city in the
1940s and 50s.
It was a thriving entrept, with
modern boulevards and hotels, a
bustling harbour and major air-
port, and many banks and company
HQs. These all made Singapore the
regions nancial hub and tourist
mecca.
Poverty-stricken swamp? That
still-parroted PAP claim, in the im-
mortal words of HL Mencken, is
rumble and bumble, ap and doo-
dle, balder and dash.
More and more Singaporeans
know it and know that the PAP has
brought them a kind of afuent so-
cial schizophrenia in a plush and
glitzy dentists waiting room.
Yes, its comfortable and every-
ones smiling and trying to look
happy, but pain and discomfort
surely lie ahead.
That contrapuntal situation,
aside from giving Singapores me-
dia a strong pro-and-con avour,
also leads to the high suicide
rates and the strong yearning to
emigrate.
ROGER
MITTON
[email protected]
Myanmar Peace Center official U Hla Maung Shwe (right) talks to an ethnic leader at peace talks in April. Photo: Thiri
Is this the worlds
wordiest ceasefre?
AT 20 pages, with seven chapters and
about 120 diferent points, its hard not
to agree with the international conict
resolution expert who recently called
Myanmars draft nationwide ceasere
agreement as the worlds lengthiest
ceasere deal.
Negotiating parties have spent the
past nine months coming up with the
current version of the agreement. At the
beginning of the talks there were sev-
eral diferent drafts. It took some time
for negotiators to consolidate these into
a single document, a feat achieved in
April.
The nationwide ceasere agreement
is supposed to be a ceasere text. To me,
it is really more of a political document,
and this may explain why it has taken
some time to get to where we are now.
The Nationwide Ceasere Coordina-
tion Team (NCCT), which is negotiating
on behalf of 16 armed ethnic groups,
has been meeting again in Laiza the
Kachin Independence Organisation
headquarters in recent days. The next
round of talks with the Myanmar gov-
ernment is expected to take place in
Yangon sometime in August.
As early as March this year, the
Myanmar Armed Forces, or Tatma-
daw, stated that it wanted to sign the
ceasere agreement before August 1.
Through this, military leader showed
their commitment to peace. Given the
current situation, however, that objec-
tive will not be realised.
The nature of the conict and ne-
gotiations, which involve multiple
stakeholders, is such that no one actu-
ally knows when the talks can be con-
cluded. Frustration sometimes tends to
supersede patience and perseverance.
But all groups have little choice but to
remain patient and focus on reaching
agreement.
Frustration aside, all parties are now
unofcially aiming for a September
deadline which to me is very realistic
with the probable commencement of
the political dialogue in January 2015.
But lets take a glance at the agree-
ment, and see both what it contains and
what remains to be negotiated.
As in any agreement, it starts out
with a preamble with a pledge aimed
at achieving durable peace based on
equality and dignity. There is also a
commitment to working collabora-
tively, transparently and accountably
toward peace.
The rst chapter is about basic prin-
ciples. Here, all sides are to agree on un-
ion, rather than secession, and respect
of sovereignty. Other key basic princi-
ples include a commitment to peaceful
dialogue rather than war, inclusiveness
and recognition of diversity, and estab-
lishment of pledges toward federalism
rooted in multi-party democracy.
The second chapter focuses on the
aims and objectives of the agreement,
including the long-awaited political dia-
logue process and a ceasere monitor-
ing mechanism.
The third chapter deals directly
with ceasere issues. It talks about
joint ceasere monitoring mechanisms,
troop relocations, freedom of movement
without weapons for troops, freedom of
movement for civilians, protection of
civilians and humanitarian assistance.
One word that is often repeated here is
collaboration.
The fourth chapter is an agreement
to draw up codes of conduct once the
agreement is signed, which is a crucial
step for strengthening ceaseres. With-
out these and the joint ceasere moni-
toring, it would be impossible to main-
tain an efective ceasere.
The next chapter focuses on political
guarantees and the holding of a political
dialogue. It sets out the key steps toward
peace, starting with the nationwide
ceasere agreement, followed by the de-
velopment of the framework for politi-
cal dialogue, which is the basis on which
political dialogue will be implemented.
The deadlines for this chapter are
ambitious. It says the framework for
political dialogue must be jointly de-
veloped within 60 days of the signing
of the ceasere agreement and politi-
cal dialogue must commence within
90 days. In some other countries it has
taken anywhere from four months to
a year to develop a similar framework.
In order to make the deadline feasi-
ble, stakeholders have begun informal
consultations on the framework in par-
allel with ceasere negotiations.
The sixth chapter is about transi-
tional arrangements and future plans.
One of the most important agreements
will be the suspension of the Unlawful
Associations Act for all signatories to
the agreement, which has been a thorn
in the side of the peacemaking eforts.
Chapter 7 the nal chapter deals
with the ofcial language, validity and
signing of the agreement.
How much remains to be nalised?
After several rounds of negotiations,
both sides have agreed in principle on
75 percent of the text. The remaining
25pc therefore needs revisiting.
The majority of the outstanding is-
sues are in the chapters dealing with
the basic principles and transitional
arrangements. Some others concern po-
litical guarantees in the draft. There are
also some 20 to 30 words to be dened
or redened in the agreement, such as
federalism, federal army, revolu-
tion, union and existing as in ex-
isting laws just to name a few.
Despite some reservations and mis-
conceptions, all sides have indicated
that they will sign the agreement. It
is for this reason that the negotiations
have been given such prominence.
The purposes of the ceasere are
crystal clear. In October 2013, I wrote,
The NCA is a pragmatic attempt to end
all hostilities in what has been a horribly
destructive war. It will afrm the com-
mitment of all armed groups, includ-
ing the Tatmadaw, to peace and to the
peaceful settlement of problems that
confront Myanmar. It is a chance for
political leaders on all sides to leave a
legacy of peace a legacy sorely lacking
in Myanmar for generations to come.
These are crucial political considera-
tions and objectives for all stakeholders.
Aside from these, the nationwide cease-
re agreement contains all the right
language, attitude and commitment for
peace. Importantly for ethnic armed
groups, it does not force them to give
up their weapons or territory if they
sign the agreement. Even at rst glance,
then, the agreement is not a bad deal.
Aung Naing Oo is associate director of the
Peace Dialogue Program at the Myanmar
Peace Center. The opinions expressed here
are his personal views.
AUNG
NAING OO
[email protected]
Modern Singapore
is undeniably
prosperous but it
always was.
News 25 www.mmtimes.com
Views
Taking on Muslim-owned media
COMMUNAL, or religious, violence
started breaking out in 2012, shortly
after President U Thein Seins govern-
ment took ofce. Rather than a ght
between two groups of diferent faiths,
it is more like a minority is being ter-
rorised. This has been accurately re-
ected in much of the reporting on
the violence and the international
community in particular has spoken
with one voice on the issue. During his
visit to Asia in May, President Barack
Obama also highlighted the persecu-
tion of Muslims. This is the bitter but
indisputable truth.
While many have criticised the ma-
nipulators behind the scenes, nobody
has come out with evidence show-
ing that the government has been
involved. There have, however, been
accusations that it has encouraged
those spreading hatred and inciting
violence, and even deliberately turned
a blind eye to those instigating riots.
The recent arrest of journalists at
Bi Mon Te Nay might appear to be a
violation of media, rather than reli-
gious, freedom. However, in this case it
is both, because the owners are Muslim.
The arrests have cast further doubt over
whether the government and Ministry
of Home Afairs are involved in oppress-
ing minorities of diferent faiths.
In recent weeks, the ministrys Spe-
cial Branch [SB] police summoned some
journal publishers and editors and ques-
tioned their nancial dealings. It was
widely condemned by local journalists,
who argued it was a threat aimed at the
media. They also questioned whether it
was in line with the law for SB rather
than the Bureau of Special Investigation
to handle such an investigation.
Mon Te Nay and Bi Mon Te Nay,
two journals with the same owner-
ship, were included in the investiga-
tion. The police questions mainly fo-
cused on whether they have received
nancial support from international
Islamic organisations, such as the Or-
ganization of Islamic Cooperation or
local Muslim businessmen. The two
journals denied the accusations.
But others see it diferently. Ko Ye
Min Oo, an information ofcer at an
organisation that calls itself National
Political Watch Group, was quoted
in the Myanmar Herald on July 11
as saying that some publications are
giving undue prominence to diferent
nationalities.
He said his group had collected
data that shows about four or ve on-
line and print media groups have re-
ceived nancial support from Islamic
organisations such as the OIC. Howev-
er, he said, We dont need to identify
them so we just released an announce-
ment discussing the issue generally
and urging the Union Government to
scrutinise these organisations.
The National Political Watch Group
comprises laypeople and some monks,
including former political prisoner
Shwe Than Zin Ko Win Maw and the
monks from Magwe Monastery who
organised the campaign against tel-
ecoms operator Ooredoo.
Its accusations are very frighten-
ing but are bereft of strong evidence.
If the group was so sure it was right,
it would publicly state the names of
these publications. Despite the lack of
strong accusations, it could have a sig-
nicant efect on those who have been
accused.
And that is what we have seen.
Bi Mon Te Nays editorial team was
arrested by SB on July 7 under the
Emergency Provisions Act, the same
day as President U Thein Sein gave a
speech about the Mandalay conict
warning that the government would
take legal action against publications
that fan the ames of conict. Bi Mon
Te Nay had reported an announce-
ment from the Movement for Democ-
racy Current Force on its cover under
the headline Public elected Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi and ethnic democratic
forces as an interim government. SB
said this article was designed to syn-
chronise with the day that the MDCF
planned to stage a protest.
Bi Mon Te Nay was not the only
publication to print articles along
these lines. It was, however, the only
one to face legal action.
When they appeared in court on
July 22, those who were arrested by
SB were not allowed to speak. But U
San Tin, husband of Bi Mon Te Nays
publisher, and designer Ko Zwal
were questioned. Again, this focused
mainly on supposed nancial links
to both internal and external Islamic
organisations.
It is very clear why SB arrested the
journalists. Though it was ostensibly
for their reporting on the MDCF an-
nouncement, actually SB targeted the
publication for supposed nancial
dealings with Islamic organisations.
Thats why SB later made such an ef-
fort to also catch the owner of the pub-
lication, Ko Kyaw Min, even though he
doesnt have any direct connection to
the newsroom or editorial decisions.
In this case, the performance of the
SB ofcers was unusually impressive. Ko
Kyaw Min and his wife, Daw Ei Ei San,
along with their two children and Ko
Yin Min Tun, were detained in Mae Sot
and nally handed to SB by Thai police.
Recent reports say Daw Ei Ei San and
their two children are now at home.
On July 20, presidential adviser U
Nay Zin Latt wrote an article in the
Democracy Today newspaper citing
the announcement of the National
Political Watch Group. When even the
presidents adviser is airing these ac-
cusations that are based on imsy evi-
dence, it has to raise doubts about the
sincerity of the president.
It is expected that the authori-
ties could reveal surprising true facts
[about the case] soon, he wrote. Now
authorities have investigated ofcials
from that journal. This is a risky gam-
ble and it is sure that the potential up-
side is not going to be small.
Mon Te Nay, Bi Mon Te Nay and
other Islamic publishers entered the
media industry after pre-publication
censorship was lifted in August 2012.
But they are little diferent from
any other publication. Mon Te Nay
and Bi Mon Te Nay have separate
editorial teams and most of their staf
are Buddhists. Like other newspapers,
they regularly publish news in favour
of the opposition, especially Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi, while criticising the gov-
ernment. This is not unusual.
But the two journals also printed
translations of international news ar-
ticles about Muslims in Rakhine State
and communal violence that has bro-
ken out in Myanmar. When they re-
ported on Rakhine, they used the term
Rohingya, in line with international
media, instead of the Bengali that
dominates among Myanmar publica-
tions. They would also translate and
publish brief news about international
Islamic issues. Thats all.
Both journals have stopped pub-
lishing now.
The motives and desires of the Min-
istry of Home Afairs, SB and presiden-
tial adviser U Nay Zin Latt have become
clear. It is not hard to see whether this
case is about publishing a report on the
MDCF or oppressing a religious mi-
nority. They couldnt conceal it for too
long. Translation by Zar Zar Soe
President U Thein Sein delivers a speech at Yangon University. Photo: Boothee
SITHU AUNG
MYINT
[email protected]
26 THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Business
Farmers in Yangon Regions Twante township work in their fields. Photo: AFP
TAX dodgers are being warned that au-
thorities will begin a crackdown later
this month.
An anti-tax avoidance campaign will
be launched in August and announced
in state-run newspapers in a bid to in-
crease the Ministry of Finances revenue
generation by 20 percent for the 2014-
15 scal year, said Internal Revenue
Department director of the Companies
Circle Tax Ofce U Tin Tun Naing.
The action plan calls for severe
charges [for dodgers] following the
public announcements, he said.
A tax advisory board recently found
20 percent of Yangons enterprises in in-
dustrial areas or 400 of the total 2000
enterprises paid no tax last year, while
many others are thought to have paid
less than they actually owed.
Tax authorities in Yangon Region
will work with the Yangon City Devel-
opment Committee who handle local
business registrations and Ministry of
Home Afairs to launch the crackdown
and chase tax avoiders, according to a
notice.
At the most severe end, tax dodgers
who still claim innocence despite being
convicted could be sent to prison from
three to seven years, and have their
businesses closed.
U Tin Tun Naing said tax policies
formerly were designed to levy pen-
alties of 10pc for those who uninten-
tionally failed to pay taxes and 50pc
on those who failed intentionally, but
the increased measures are warranted
to deal with the problem. Some busi-
nesspeople had been taking advantage
of IRDs exibility, and its weakness in
staf capacity and technology, he added.
IRD has compassion for people who
make little revenue, but now we are go-
ing to imitate international practices,
he said. Reforming the laws is not the
main way to raise revenues but a seri-
ous action plan will be efective.
About 8200 of 20,000 registered
rms nationwide did not pay tax in
the 2013-14 scal year, though many of
those are simply inactive, he said. How-
ever, others are used for social stature.
If someones son wants to get mar-
ried, and they want to put managing
director on the name in the invitation
cards, they register a company that
doesnt do anything, he said.
Proof that taxes are paid are part of
requirements to extend business regis-
tration, but often companies negotiate
with township authorities to avoid pay-
ing much of their taxes, using methods
such as showing articially low prots
on their nancial statements.
Businesspeople told The Myanmar
Times that there are lots of tax avoid-
ance methods, though there are some
solutions as well.
U Soe Tun, a rice exporter and man-
aging director of Farmer Auto Sales
Centre, said traders cannot easily avoid
paying taxes if they use banks for all of
their activities.
We want everyone to follow the
rules and pay taxes, he said.
U Soe Tun added that tax ofcers
should actively visit companies in the
pursuit of tax dodgers, in a similar man-
ner to sales and marketing shops.
Campaign
aims to
snare tax
dodgers
AYE THIDAR KYAW
[email protected]
Landowners join rural exodus
BIG cities are luring small and me-
dium-scale farm owners to sell their
land and follow labourers in pursuit
of higher incomes.
Some 90 percent of landown-
ers have 5 acres or less, according
to a previous survey by the Myan-
mar Rice Federation, but farmers
groups say the trend is changing
as smaller landowners gravitate to
urban opportunities.
Farmers also complain of inade-
quate access to capital, being in debt
most of the year and insufcient
family income, and often see work-
ing in the cities as the solution, said
U Thein Aung, chair of the Freedom
Farmer League, a farmer-advocacy
group.
Land is often snapped up by larg-
er land-owners, meaning smaller
farms are disappearing, while large
farms grow in size, he added.
Small-scale framers have begun
disappearing speedily, while the big-
ger farmers have become bigger and
bigger, he said. Its tough for small
farmers to survive with what they
earn from growing rice.
One factor is the small yields of
Myanmar paddy elds. While some
experts peg annual rice yields at 2.5
tonnes per hectare, many farmers
achieve far less, he said.
A June World Bank report on
Myanmars rice market said only
Cambodia had a lower 2010-12 aver-
age yield per hectare of 2.41 tonnes,
while Vietnam had highs of 5.6
tonnes.
U Thein Aung is a farmer in his
own right, and has recently pur-
chased 10 acres from his neigh-
bours, bringing his farm to 30 acres
total though he says it is still not
enough.
I still have to struggle, he said.
My current income is no more than
K300,000 a month.
If I work only on 20 acres of
land, the prot I have is not totally
enough for my family and I still,
now, have to struggle working on
30 acres of land to make both ends
meet, said U Thein Aung.
Look landowners conrm they
are feeling pressure to leave.
Bago Region medium-scale farm-
er U Aung Htay said he reckons
about 30pc of small landowners in
his area have sold their land and left
in the last three years.
Sometimes, no matter how hard
a farmer works, its impossible to
make ends meet, he said.
U Aung Htay has a small busi-
ness in addition to his 15 acres of
land, he said. He added the business
is the main reason he is able to sur-
vive nancially.
If I didnt have my business I
would also have left for the cities,
he said.
Small and medium scale farmers
warrant increased support, especially
given the importance rice production
plays in the rural economy, he said.
When the rice price increases a
little, people get annoyed, but if the
price for tea or snacks increases, no-
body notices, he said.
Myanmar Farmer Association
chair U Soe Tun said that mechani-
sation is the future for farmers.
The movement of labourers and
small and medium landowners to
urban areas will likely continue,
and only mechanisation will allow
production to continue growing, he
said.
However, he added that farm-
ers also need access to capital to
purchase the machinery, requiring
a strong commitment from the gov-
ernment. Still, the exodus is likely to
continue.
U Soe Tun points to Twante
Township in Yangon Region. Three
years ago, he said the average farm
size according to a MFA survey was
about 5 acres now it is probably
closer to 30 acres. Some landowners
have increased their holdings, and
others have sold and left.
ZAW
HTIKE
[email protected]
Small-scale
farmers have begun
disappearing
speedily, while the
bigger farmers have
become bigger.
U Thein Aung
Freedom Farmer League chair
Paddy yields in selected ASEAN countries, 2010-2012
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o
d
i
a
P
h
i
l
i
p
p
i
n
e
s
T
h
a
i
l
a
n
d
V
i
e
t
n
a
m
2.41
2.68
2.85
3.82
3.72
4.73
5.60
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Source: World Bank: Myanmar Rice Export Opportunities report
27 BUSINESS EDITOR: Jeremy Mullins | [email protected]
Exchange Rates (August 1 close)
Currency Buying Selling
Euro
Malaysia Ringitt
Singapore Dollar
Thai Baht
US Dollar
K1308
K305
K782
K30
K971
K1309
K306
K786
K31
K973
Insiders contemplate
banking without
Standard Chartered
BUSINESS 30
Residents sell rights
to low-cost housing,
despite the rules
PROPERTY 34
A PLANNED partnership between All
Nippon Airways and a private Myan-
mar airline, Asian Wings, has been
cancelled because of concerns over
the viability of the project, the two
sides announced on July 30.
The two airlines signed a partner-
ship agreement in August 2013 under
which ANA, Japans largest airline
group, was to pay US$25million for
a 49 percent stake in Asian Wings. It
was touted as the rst deal between
an international airline and a domes-
tic carrier and the ensuing joint ven-
ture would have had 10 Airbus A320
aircraft in operation by 2018.
However, Asian Wings conrmed
that ANA was later put of by the
small size of the domestic market
and strong competition from more
than half-a-dozen other domestic
carriers.
It is true that ANA cancelled the
deal because the market is too small
and competition is getting high.
There are now 10 local airlines,
said Asian Wings chief executive of-
cer U Kyi Win.
The decision was taken after ANA
conducted a market survey follow-
ing the signing of the agreement, he
said, adding that Asian Wings is now
on the lookout for other partners.
We are losing [money] this mon-
soon season but we look forward to
another foreign partnership in the
future. To date we have invested
about $25 million in our airline.
ANA indicated in a statement an-
nouncing the end of the deal that it
had sought to change the terms of
the original arrangement and Asian
Wings had refused to budge.
Competition between new and
old airlines in Myanmar has inten-
sied. It brings rapid changes in
environment calling into a question
the assumptions made at the time
of original decision, said a Travel
Daily Asian report, quoting ANAs
statement.
Ultimately negotiations for capi-
tal participation with Asian Wings
were unable to reach an agreement
and the investment plan was can-
celled as a result, it said.
Asian Wings Airways was regis-
tered in September 2010 as a Myan-
mar-owned private airline. Inves-
tors are said to include air ticketing
agency Sun Far and tycoon U Tay Za,
owner of rival Air Bagan.
Asian Wings launched its ights
in early 2011 and services 13 domestic
destinations with two aircraft.
U Kyi Win denied the airline has
any links to U Tay Za.
An Asian Wings airplane sits on the tarmac. Photo: AFP
Competition grounds
ANA, Asian Wings deal
AUNG
SHIN
[email protected]
Agreements inked
for onshore blocks
MYANMA Oil and Gas Enterprise
(MOGE) signed contracts for
four onshore blocks on July 30
after several months delay, ac-
cording to a statement from the
Ministry of Energy.
The four contracts are the
first of the 10 production shar-
ing contracts (PSCs) and three
improved petroleum recovery
contracts that need to be signed
before exploration can begin on
the blocks.
The Ministry of Energy held
a tender for 16 onshore blocks,
with the winners announced
in October 2013. However, the
agreements needed to be signed
before exploration and produc-
tion could begin on the blocks.
State-owned MOGE nally
inked four of the much-delayed
agreements on July 30. Two of
the agreements were improved
petroleum recovery contracts
with British Virgin Island-regis-
tered MPRL E&P and Myanmar
Petroleum Exploration and Pro-
duction (MPEP), which are both
part-owned by prominent Myan-
mar oil and gas businessperson
Michael Moe Myint.
The two other signed agreements
are production sharing agreements
headed by Italian rm Eni.
MPEP is Enis local partner in
two blocks.
The companies must now con-
duct environmental and social im-
pact assessments in their respec-
tive blocks within six months, the
statement said.
The rms also need Myanmar
Investment Commission approval
to proceed after completing the
assessments.
The companies will cooper-
ate with local authorities to de-
velop the regions, MOGEs state-
ment said.
MPRL chief executive officer
U Moe Myint welcomed the sign-
ing of the contracts in a follow-up
statement. He said, The award
and signing of Blocks IOR-4 and
IOR-6 now enables us to further
leverage our 18-year track record
of rehabilitating mature fields in
Myanmar.
MPRL will conduct a number
of activities on the sites in the
next 12 months, including pilot
programs in enhanced oil recov-
ery, production acceleration and
further exploration drilling ac-
tivities, as well as working on its
environmental and social impact
assessments.
MPRL has managed the Mann
field since 1996 in a joint venture
with MOGE.
MOGE will also receive $26.01
million after having the four
agreements signed, the ministry
statement said.
MOGE will have the right to
purchase 15 to 25pc of the share
for each block when production
starts. Another 5pc of production
will be transferred to MOGE as
research and development fee
according to the contract, with
Myanmar receiving 83pc of profit
from every onshore block in the
production stage.
Italy-based Eni officials had
not returned requests for com-
ment as of deadline.
AUNG SHIN
[email protected]
[We will] further
leverage our 18-
year track record
of rehabilitating
mature elds in
Myanmar.
U Moe Myint
MPRL chief executive
TRADEMARK CAUTION
Superstation, Inc., a Company incorporated and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia, United States of America, and having
its registered offce at One CNN Center, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, the United States of America, hereby declares that the Company is the
Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademarks:
4/3605/2005 (17 Nov 2005) in Class 9,
4/3606/2005 (17 Nov 2005) in Class 16,
4/6212/2005 (21 Nov 2005) in Class 35, 38, 41 & 42
4/3607/2005 (26 Nov 2005) in Class 9,
4/3608/2005 (26 Nov 2005) in Class 16,
4/6213/2005 (21 Nov 2005) in Class 35, 38, 41 & 42
The above trademarks are used in respect of: AUDIO AND VIDEO ANALOG AND DIGITAL RECORDINGS ON TAPE, DISC,
RECORDS, DVDS, CDS, CASSETTES, OR OTHER RECORDING MEDIA; MOTION PICTURE FILMS; MOTION PICTURE
FILMS PREPARED FOR BROADCAST ON TELEVISION, CABLE TELEVISION, DIGITAL TELEVISION OR SATELLITE
TELEVISION OR FOR THEATRICAL VIEWING; APPARATUS FOR RECORDING, PRODUCING, EDITING, REPRODUCING
AND TRANSMITTING SOUND, VIDEO, DATA AND IMAGES; AUDIO CASSETTE, CD PLAYERS AND DVD PLAYERS AND
RECORDERS; RADIOS, TELEVISIONS; COMPUTERS, NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS, ELECTRONIC SCANNERS; COMPUTER
MEMORY CARDS AND DRIVES; COMPUTER SOFTWARE; CAMERAS, CAMERA FILM; TELEPHONES AND PAGERS;
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT (PDA); ELECTRONIC DIARIES; ELECTRONIC BOOKS; COMPUTER AND VIDEO
GAME PROGRAMS, APPARATUS AND SOFTWARE; COMPUTER GAME EQUIPMENT CONTAINING MEMORY DEVICES
NAMELY, DISCS, SOLD AS A UNIT FOR PLAYING A PARLOR-TYPE COMPUTER GAME; CALCULATORS; MOUSE PADS;
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING BINOCULARS, TELESCOPES, PERISCOPES, MICROSCOPES, MAGNIFYING LENSES
AND GLASSES, PRISMS, SUNGLASSES AND EYEGLASSES, APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, SIGNALING, MONITORING,
ANALYZING, RECORDING LIGHT, SOUND, LENGTH, HEIGHT, SPEED, FLUID FLOW, TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY,
PRESSURE, WEIGHT, VOLUME, DEPTH, MAGNETISM, ELECTRICITY, SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS, DATA AND IMAGES;
RULERS, COMPASSES, SCALES, DECORATIVE MAGNETS, MAGNETS, BATTERIES; ENCODED CARDS; HAND-HELD
KARAOKE PLAYERS; PRE-RECORDED, MOTION PICTURE FILM CASSETTES TO BE USED WITH HAND-HELD VIEWERS
OR PROJECTORS; PRE-RECORDED AUDIO TAPES AND BOOKLETS SOLD TOGETHER AS A UNIT; COMPUTER PROGRAMS,
NAMELY, SOFTWARE LINKING DIGITIZED VIDEO AND AUDIO MEDIA TO A GLOBAL COMPUTER INFORMATION
NETWORK; ENCODED MAGNETIC CARDS, INCLUDING KEY CARDS, PHONE CARDS, CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS,
IDENTIFICATION AND SECURITY CARDS; CONSUMER ELECTRONICS OF ALL KINDS; AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
OF THESE GOODS in Class 9:
PAPER AND PAPER ARTICLES; CARDBOARD AND CARDBOARD ARTICLES; PRINTED PUBLICATIONS INCLUDING
BOOKS, MAGAZINES, NEWSLETTERS; CARTOONS AND CARTOON POSTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, ALMANACS,
CALENDARS, STATIONERY, LETTER AND ENVELOPE SETS; POSTCARDS, GIFT CARDS, PLACE CARDS, GREETING
CARDS, ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS; NOTE PADS, NOTEBOOKS, RULERS, ALBUMS, ADDRESS BOOKS, BOOK AND PAPER
BINDERS, AUTOGRAPH BOOKS, COMIC BOOKS, MEMO PADS, COLORING BOOKS, ACTIVITY BOOKS, SKETCHER BOOKS,
STICKER ALBUMS, ARTISTS MATERIALS, INCLUDING CANVAS, DRAWING PADS, PAINTS, BRUSHES; MODELING CLAY;
STAPLERS, ERASERS, PENCIL SHARPENERS, PENS, PENCILS, MARKERS, CRAYONS, HIGH-LIGHTERS, CHALK; PENCIL
CASES; PAPER WEIGHTS; OFFICE SUPPLIES; SCHOOL SUPPLIES; EDUCATIONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS;
STICKERS, DECALS, APPLIQUS, TRADING CARDS; PAPER HATS, PAPER NAPKINS; PARTY BAGS, GIFT WRAP, PAPER
GIFT WRAP BOWS, PAPER CASE DECORATIONS, PAPER TABLE CLOTHS, PAPER TABLE DECORATIONS, PAPER TABLE
MATS; BOOKENDS in Class 16:
ON-LINE RETAIL SERVICES, MAIL ORDER CATALOG SERVICES, AND RETAIL STORE SERVICES FEATURING A WIDE
VARIETY OF CONSUMER GOODS in Class 35:
COMMUNICATION SERVICES; TELEVISION, CABLE TELEVISION, DIGITAL TELEVISION, SATELLITE TELEVISION
AND RADIO BROADCASTING SERVICES; PROVIDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS TO AN INTEGRATED DIGITAL
PLATFORM IN THE NATURE OF A SECURE BROADBAND COMPUTER NETWORK FOR THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION,
TRANSFER, AND MANIPULATION OF MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION, AND OTHER MEDIA CONTENT in Class 38:
EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION AND/OR DISTRIBUTION AND/OR
PRESENTATION OF PROGRAMS FOR TELEVISION, CABLE TELEVISION, DIGITAL TELEVISION, SATELLITE TELEVISION
AND RADIO; SERVICES IN THE NATURE OF A CONTINUING COMEDY, DRAMA, ACTION, ADVENTURE AND/OR
ANIMATION PROGRAM SERIES AND MOTION PICTURE FILM PRODUCTION, PROVIDED THROUGH CABLE TELEVISION,
BROADCAST TELEVISION, BROADCAST RADIO AND THE GLOBAL COMPUTER INFORMATION NETWORK in Class 41: and
COMPUTER SERVICES, COMPUTER ON-LINE SERVICES, INCLUDING PROVIDING AN ON-LINE MAGAZINE; PROVIDING
AN ON-LINE COMPUTER DATA BASE AND INTERACTIVE DATA BASE; PROVIDING A WEBSITE FEATURING
INFORMATION ON ENTERTAINMENT AND AMUSEMENT AND PROVIDING ON-LINE LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES;
PROVIDING TEMPORARY USE OF ON-LINE SOFTWARE; AMUSEMENT AND THEME PARK SERVICES in Class 42.
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the above marks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law.
For Superstation, Inc.,
U Soe Phone Myint
Advocate
BM Myanmar Legal Services Limited (Baker & McKenzie)
1203, 12th Floor, Sakura Tower,
339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Kyauktada Township, Yangon,
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
Dated: 4 August 2014
TBS VERY FUNNY
Business 29 www.mmtimes.com
CB Bank is keen to start a program
where the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) guarantees some of its trade
nance lending, but is still waiting for
higher-level approval, said CB manag-
ing director U Pe Myint.
Trade nancing is in its infancy in
Myanmar, with few loans being given
for trade, generally leaving exporters
and importers to pay at the same time
as shipment.
Rather than paying immediately,
many businesses would prefer to im-
port and export through a letter of
credit system, where a bank guaran-
tees the seller of goods will receive its
payment from the buyer on time. The
bank is then on the hook if the buyer
fails to pay, but by having this ar-
rangement the exporter is able to ship
products before receiving payment.
Normally foreign banks do not
accept ofers for letter of credit trans-
fers from CB Bank because they dont
know it well, said U Pe Myint.
The agreement with the ADB will
see the development bank guarantee
CBs letter of credit for trade, making
CBs letters of credit more acceptable
internationally, he said. He added the
ADB will step in if CB is unable to
meet its trade obligations.
However, the program is being
held up on the ADB side, as it waits
for government approval to proceed,
said U Pe Myint.
Ministry of Commerce trade de-
partment director U Than Aung
Kyaw said the letter of credit system
has been approved since May 2013 for
imports and only recently for exports.
He added the ministry is on the
lookout for rms undervaluing their
shipments when applying for import
or export licences in order to avoid
paying taxes.
Businesspeople told The Myan-
mar Times they are keen to take part
in more sophisticated trade nancing
arrangements.
Rice trader U Soe Tun said im-
proved nancing will make it easier
to export, but not fully remove all
problems. Current trading often ties
up large amounts of capital, making
it difcult to expand business, he said.
Even if Myanmar traders use the
letter of credit money transfer system,
however, trades will continue with ar-
ticial prices through Singapore, he
said. There are so many problems
that still need to be solved to promote
Myanmars foreign trade.
Trade fnance plans stalled
Thai bank
joins SME
program
ZAW
HTIKE
[email protected]
THAILANDS Kasikorn Bank has
inked a deal to provide loans to small
and medium enterprises, aiming to
kickstart businesses that historically
have seen little credit.
The Thai bank will provide an
undecided amount in loans to local
banks for on-lending to small and me-
dium enterprises (SMEs), in a program
partly under the auspices of the Union
of Myanmar Federation of Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
The programs rst phase will
see small business receive between
K300 and K500 million in loans, said
UMFCCI vice president U Zaw Min.
Businesspeople will be ofered the
loans through ve government and
non-government banks, including
SMIDB and CB Banks.
SMEs have received increased
interest in recent years from in-
ternational institutions. SMIDB in
particular had previously received
its financing mostly through state-
run banks, but some foreign insti-
tutions have increasingly cooperat-
ed through providing lending and
expertise.
The Japan International Coopera-
tion Agency (JICA) is conducting a
survey to compose a list of best prac-
tices to provide loans and interest
rates.
UMFCCI has also signed up other
foreign corporations and technical
advisors to the program, including Ja-
pans Sumitomo Mitsui Bank.
Kasikorn and Sumitomo Mitsui are
also among the 25 foreign banks still
vying for licences to set up shop in My-
anmar this year. There are three other
Thai banks and two other Japanese
banks in the hunt.
AYE THIDAR KYAW
[email protected]
A container ship sails past
Bohtataung port. Photo: Staff
FOREIGN rms will be likely be invited
to compete to form a joint venture to
distribute fuel in October, said My-
anma Petroleum Products Enterprise
(MPPE) director U Myint Zaw.
Private fuel importing has been al-
lowed since 2010, but foreign rms
have so far been prevented from set-
ting up shop. The successful rm in the
joint venture with state-owned MPPE
will rst be invited to update 12 state-
owned petrol stations as a rst step,
then move into expanding locations,
he said.
There are no limits for the foreign
partner after we have signed the joint
venture, said U Myint Zaw.
The three main reasons to invite a
partner are to improve quality, quantity
and price of imported fuel.
These are the challenges we face
right now, he said. We want competi-
tion to improve the market quality.
The Ministry of Energy was once a
main petrol vendor in the country with
over 260 stations, but divested all but
12 of its stations as part of the post-2010
reform process. There are about 1012
privately owned station in the country
at present.
The ministry is also planning to
take action against petrol stations that
do not meet standards and regulations.
Foreign
fuel tender
to come in
October
AUNG SHIN
[email protected]
30 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Eyeing the most
popular electronics
ANALYSIS
ROBUST quality is crucial for domes-
tic electronic consumers, say shop
owners.
People coming to our shop are
mostly looking for quality. If they
see something thats afordable, they
buy it, said U Saw Moo Ler Htoo, as-
sistant manager at Technoland com-
puter sales.
Buyers of most electronic rarely
upgrade, he said. They often purchase
products with plans to use them un-
til the end of the devices lifespan
though mobile phones are the excep-
tion.
Chinese rm Huawei currently
dominates sales at the Technoland
shop, with Samsung in second by vol-
ume, he said.
One reason is that customers are
keen to change their handsets at a
minimum of once a year, meaning
they need afordable products,
Samsung is the second-most popu-
lar due to its brand value.
Although U Saw Moo Ler Htoo has
a relatively small sample size at his
shop, his ndings are backed up by a
survey conducted by local rm Cata-
lyst and its international partner GfK.
The rms recent retail audit in
Myanmar says Huawei is the most
popular brand of phone and people
are price-conscious when buying
electronics.
GfK Thailand managing director
Craig Grifn said that more mature
markets such as Singapore are reach-
ing saturation for electronics, but My-
anmar ofers lots of long-term growth
opportunities.
Smaller retailers will likely con-
tinue expanding into chains, he said.
The concentration of retail outlets
will take place over a period of 10 to 20
years, he said. In Philippines, Vietnam
and Indonesia the top three to ve elec-
tronics operators are local rms that
started as independent shops.
The opportunity is there for the
local guy to become huge, he said.
GfK Asia regional retail director
Lawrence Yeow said the aim of its
recent audit into electronics is to as-
sist businesses with making proper
decisions.
The rm also called its work an
audit rather than survey, as it col-
lected sales data rather than simply
surveying companies, he added.
SOME local bankers are linking
Standard Chartereds decision not
to proceed in the race for a Myan-
mar banking licence to reports of a
possible management shakeup at its
United Kingdom headquarters.
Industry observers said the
United Kingdom-based bank has
the most international reach of the
42 banks with a Myanmar repre-
sentative ofce. However, Standard
Chartered did not appear on a July
15 list by the Central Bank of Myan-
mar (CBM) revealing the names of
25 banks participating in the second
phase of attempts to get a licence.
Myanmar plans to allow be-
tween ve and 10 foreign banks
to open representative ofces this
year, though they will face restrict-
ed licences partly in a bid to foster
growth in local banks.
While its moves locally have
been closely watched, the rm is
also drawing international head-
lines over a rumoured change in
leadership.
The board of Standard Char-
tered notes rumours in some media
outlets on succession planning for
the group chief executive, and chair-
man, said a statement issued to the
London stock market on July 31.
The board wants to be absolute-
ly clear that it is united in its support
of both [chief executive] Peter Sands
and [chair] Sir John Peace, and the
management team, in delivering
the refreshed strategy, restoring the
bank to protable growth and deliv-
ering returns for our shareholders.
The Financial Times had report-
ed that Mr Peace himself is weighing
a succession plan under which long-
serving Mr Sands would be replaced,
and may himself resign once a new
chief executive joins.
Joe Barker-Bennett, a consultant
at Myanmars Tun Foundation bank,
said Standard Chartereds decision
to withdraw from the Myanmar li-
censing race is a reection of the
concerns over leadership at its Lon-
don headquarters.
[Myanmar] is totally unim-
portant to the decision making [at
Standard Chartered] and the two
guys at the top of the tree. Why
[Standard Chartered has] ducked
out of here is they need to put in
US$75 million worth of capital for
which they will get very little return
for the foreseeable future, he said.
Mr Barker-Bennett said rather
than allowing in foreign banks
who would be inclined to push at the
bounds of their restricted licences
it would be better to relax restric-
tions on local banks in areas such as
interest rates and what constitutes
acceptable collateral.
Do you want your banking in-
dustry controlled, and the decisions
made by activist shareholders and
analysts in London, or by people
who are actually on the ground, un-
derstand the economy and are work-
ing on it on a day-to-day basis? he
said.
Other local bankers claimed it
will be difcult to postpone the in-
troduction of foreign banks.
U Phyo Aung, managing director
at Ayeyarwady bank, said that while
some local bankers oppose foreign
banks, Ayeyarwady has taken the
view that they are coming and so it
is best to prepare.
He added that it would have been
useful to learn from Standard Char-
tered, as it has lots of global experi-
ence including in Myanmar many
years ago, when its predecessor
Chartered Bank of India, Australia
and China was active in Yangon.
Standard Chartereds head of
corporate afairs for Thailand and
Greater Mekong, Raymond Francis,
said that the bank has decided not
to apply for an onshore branch li-
cence at present due to commercial
reasons.
We will seek to establish a
branch in Myanmar when and where
appropriate and when it makes com-
mercial sense to do so, he said.
Central Bank of Myanmar director
Daw May Toe Win declined to com-
ment on Standard Chartereds ab-
sence, other than pointing to the July
15 press release listing banks through
to the next part of the process.
Meanwhile, UK ambassador to
Myanmar Andrew Patrick said the
decision by Standard Chartered to
withdraw was their own, not the re-
sult of any UK policy or request.
They are an independent com-
mercial entity, and entitled to make
their own decision, he said, adding
the introduction of foreign banks
will increase foreign investment in
the country. Additional reporting
Aye Thidar Kyaw and AFP
Taking stock of
StanCharts absence
SU PHYO WIN
[email protected]
Interesting electronic facts
Huawei is the most popular smart-
phone maker
50pc of desktop computer market is
under K500,000
Samsung and LG have 50pc of wash-
ing machine market share though
Panasonic does alright too
Phone sales strongest in post-Thing-
yan period
December is peak sales time for most
electronic such as fat-screen TVs,
digital cameras and CRT-TVs
ACER and Lenovo have 80pc market
share for desktops
84 pc of all phones sales are in Yangon
Source: Catalyst and GfK Consumer
Electronic retail audit
JEREMY
MULLINS
[email protected]
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that Uni-Charm Corporation a
joint-stock company duly organized under the laws of Japan,
Manufacturers and Merchants of 182, Shimobun, Kinsei-cho,
Shikokuchuo-shi, Ehime-ken, Japan is the Owner and Sole
Proprietor of the following trademarks: -
Lifree
(Reg: No. IV/1843/2008)
in respect of:- Drugs for medical purposes, sanitary napkins, panty
liners (sanitary), sanitary pants, menstruation tampons, napkins for
incontinents, pads for incontinents, pants for incontinents, sanitary
masks, absorbent cotton, breast pads, and deodorants other than
for personal use Class: 5
MOONY
(Reg: No. IV/1844/2008)
in respect of:- Disposable diapers or nappies of paper or cellulose
for babies; wetting tissue papers; tissue papers; kitchen paper;
disposable paper wipes; stationary; magazines [periodicals];
photograph stands; paper, cardboard and goods made from
these materials, not included in other classes; printed matter;
bookbinding material; photographs; adhesives for stationery or
household purposes; artists materials; paint brushes; typewriters
and offce requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching
material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging (not
included in other classes); printers type; printing blocks
UNICHARM
(Reg: No. IV/2297/2008)
in respect of: - Babies diapers of textile; babies diaper covers;
babies pants; clothing for babies; bibs, not of paper; clothing;
footwear; underwear; headgear - Class: 25
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 Uni-Charm Corporation
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
Experts point to trouble in London to explain the banks hesitance in Myanmar
Business 31 www.mmtimes.com
IN BRIEF
Kerry critises Indias WTO stance
Americas top diplomat told Indias
new Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
August 1 his countrys position on key
WTO trade talks was at odds with his
desire to open up the Indian economy.
John Kerry met Mr Modi for the rst
time on August 1, a day after the World
Trade Organization said its members
had failed to agree a landmark global
customs pact following Indias insist-
ence that it be allowed to stockpile
food.
Mr Kerry has voiced optimism about
expanding cooperation between the
worlds two largest democracies after
Modis right-wing government won a
decisive electoral mandate. AFP
Thai company CP opens Australia
food and beverage outlets
Thailands Charoen Pokphand Foods is
planning to roll out up to 500 quick-
service Thai restaurants in Australia,
a market it sees as ripe for a fast-food
explosion, reports said Tuesday.
The food arm of Thailands largest
agriculture-based company also plans
to expand into the booming ready-to-
eat meals segment as its Australian in-
vestments grow to more than Aus$200
million (US$188 million) over the next
ve years.
The best-practice model for res-
taurants and franchises globally is in
Australia, regional general manager
Richard Lovell told The Australian
newspaper ahead of opening the com-
panys rst restaurant in the country,
1000Wat, in Melbourne. AFP
Gunmaker targeted in graft probe
US gunmaker Smith & Wesson was hit
with $2 million in nes last week for
bribing ofcials in Indonesia, Pakistan
and other countries to gain sales deals.
The US Securities and Exchange
Commission accused the company,
whose handguns are popular in law
enforcement and military services, of
facilitating bribes of US$11,000 worth
of cash and free guns to Pakistan po-
lice ofcials in 2008 to obtain a supply
contract.
One year later, the SEC said,
Smith & Wesson employees made or
authorized bribes in Indonesia to win
a contract with a local police depart-
ment, though the deal ultimately fell
through. AFP
CHINESE President Xi Jinpings anti
corruption drive has breached the high-
est ranks of power. The most important
beneciary may be the economy.
This weeks Communist Party an-
nouncement of a probe into former
security chief Zhou Yongkang shows
Xi has amassed enough backing to take
down a top gure and his network of
supporters. That greater clout can now
be deployed to embed policy shifts that
reduce the states role in the economy
and help sustain growth, said BNP Par-
ibas SA and Bank of America Corpora-
tion analysts.
Implementation of the broadest
economic reforms since the 1990s has
been gradual since plans including
opening stateowned enterprises to
more competition were unveiled after a
November conclave of party leaders. Mr
Xi is trying to sustain expansion amid
a property slump and rising bad debts
in the worlds secondlargest economy,
which is projected to grow this year at
the slowest pace since 1990.
This is denitely benecial for SOE
reform it wont be hard to drive it
anymore, said Chen Xingdong, chief
China economist at BNP Paribas in Bei-
jing. The Zhou investigation signals Xi
has consolidated power, as its not the
decision of a single person, Chen said.
The probe escalates an 18month
campaign against corruption to the
highest level in the partys 65 years in
power, representing a tightening grip
on power by Mr Xi. Mr Zhou was a
member of the partys most powerful
Politburo Standing Committee until
November 2012, when Mr Xi took over
as party chief.
The Politburo discussed the econo-
my on July 29, the same day the Zhou
probe was announced, saying after a
meeting that more efort is needed
to maintain steady economic growth
and that the country must balance re-
form, development and stability in the
second half, the ofcial Xinhua News
Agency reported.
Reforms will concentrate on invest-
ment management, simplifying ad-
ministrativeapproval procedures and
opening monopolies to competition,
Xinhua said.
China earlier this month picked six
SOEs, including State Development
and Investment Corporation and Cofco
Corporation, for trials that would allow
moreindependent business manage-
ment, freer hiring of top executives or
mixedownership structures.
All reform roads lead to and
through SOE reform, said Stephen
Green, head of Greater China re-
search at Standard Chartered Plc in
Hong Kong. Leveling the playing eld
between SOEs and private companies
in competitive parts of the economy
such as real estate, steel and auto pro-
duction will have a huge impact on
productivity and job generation, Mr
Green said.
The more than 100 companies di-
rectly controlled by the central gov-
ernment accounted for a quarter of
industrial output in 2011, according to
a report by Fan Gang, head of the Na-
tional Institute of Economic Research
and a former academic member of the
monetary policy committee of the Peo-
ples Bank of China.
Since Mr Xi came to power, Chinese
authorities have targeted tigers and
ies, parlance for cadres from the top
to bottom ranks, in a bid to root out
corruption. Among them have been
several people with connections to
Zhou and Chinas oil industry, where
Mr Zhou spent three decades and rose
to lead state owned China National
Petroleum Corp. in the 1990s. Mr Zhou
later oversaw hundreds of thousands of
police and paramilitary forces with an
annual budget of more than $100 bil-
lion.
Shares of PetroChina Co, the listed
unit of CNPC, rose 3.1pc in Shanghai
on July 29, the most in ve months.
With some highprole arrests
under its belt, we believe the focus of
the new government can start to shift
from the antigraft campaign to real
institutional reforms, which are badly
needed for Chinas longterm econom-
ic health, Lu Ting, Bank of Americas
head of Greater China economics in
Hong Kong, said in a note.
The anticorruption drive has hurt
some areas of the economy, reducing
demand for luxury goods and hospital-
ity services. It may have also played a
role driving real estate prices lower by
discouraging ofcials from buying mul-
tiple properties.
While news of the Zhou probe is
welcome from an economic perspec-
tive, going after additional tigers may
increase political tensions and hurt the
economy, said Xu Gao, chief economist
at Everbright Securities Company in
Beijing. Bloomberg
China graft probe to help economy
Then-Chinese state councilor and minister of public security, Zhou Yongkang
(centre), talks to then-President Hu Jintao (left) and Premier Wen Jiabao (right) at
a 2003 Beijing meeting. Photo: AFP
BEIJING
32 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
OPINION
Caution urged over a
sovereign wealth fund
SWEEPING reforms have increased
the opportunity for foreign investors
to develop Myanmars 11.8 trillion cu-
bic feet of natural gas and 50 million
barrels of crude oil, potentially worth
more than US$60 billion over the next
30 years. This anticipated inux of in-
vestment in the petroleum sector raises
concerns that Myanmar should imple-
ment resource management strategies
to mitigate problems generally associ-
ated with the resource curse.
The resource curse is a paradox that
refers to countries with an abundance
of natural resources counterintui-
tively experiencing negative economic
growth for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing government mismanagement and
declining economic competitiveness.
Among leading proposed resource
management strategies is a suggestion
by former World Bank Chief Economist
and Nobel Prize in Economics winner
Joseph Stiglitz that Myanmar should
establish a sovereign wealth fund
(SWF) to manage petroleum revenues.
Sovereign wealth funds are special
state-owned investment funds, sepa-
rate from normal national budgets,
which generally use foreign exchange
reserves, such as a countrys petro-
leum prots, to achieve a variety of
economic or strategic goals.
Multiple countries have established
resource-funded SWFs with mixed re-
sults; however Myanmars current po-
litical and economic landscape cannot
support the creation of a responsibly
managed SWF at this stage in the
countrys national development for
three primary reasons.
Myanmar lacks basic prerequisites
for establishing a well-managed
SWF
According to Martin Skancke, the Di-
rector General of the Norwegian Min-
istry of Finance, SWFs must be funded
with actual budget surpluses, other-
wise assets in a SWF will not represent
actual savings.
Myanmar currently maintains a
budget decit and investing in a SWF
would detract from the countrys abil-
ity to meet existing nancial obliga-
tions. Put simpler, investing in a SWF
without existing savings would be like
someone borrowing from a bank to
gamble at a casino.
Aside from budget surpluses, after
decades of isolation, Myanmar also has
very little international nancial or le-
gal management experience applicable
toward creating a well-managed SWF.
Sean Turnell, an Australia-based
expert on Myanmars economy, com-
mented in a 2012 research report that
the countrys economic governance
is limited to a handful of individu-
als skilled in policy formulation, and
fewer still schooled in the attributes
necessary for institution building.
Mr Turnell added that the Interna-
tional Monetary Fund and World Bank
have found few, if any, legally qualied
counterparties in the Myanmar gov-
ernment that can assist the drafting
of laws, like SWF guiding legislation,
without the potential bias of foreign
consultants.
Myanmar can diversify its econo-
my to prevent resource curse con-
cerns without a SWF.
Resource-dependent countries that fail
to diversify their economies can suf-
fer a range of negative economic con-
ditions, including exchange rate and
commodity price stability problems. As
a result, multiple petroleum-rich states
aim to create economic diversication
by using SWFs to make wide-ranging
international investments.
Nonetheless, there is wide consen-
sus that countries should prioritise
establishing domestic economic di-
versication over creating a nancial
safety net to protect against economic
volatility caused by not diversifying.
Myanmar has existing options for
economic diversication, including
signicant teak, hardwood, gemstone,
beans, pulses and garment industries.
In addition, tourism grew by 40 per-
cent from 2011 to 2012 and Myanmar
is currently working on a master tour-
ism plan with the Asian Development
Bank and the German-based Hans
Seidel Foundation to further expand
tourism infrastructure and services.
Myanmar was formerly known as
the rice bowl of the world. Accord-
ing to the International Rice Research
Institute, the country can improve and
regain its agricultural sectors former
status by expanding access to credit
for farmers, increasing storage and
production facilities, and improving
transportation systems.
Lastly, SWF experts Ashby Monk and
Adam Dixon have argued that funds,
do not ofer an alternative to develop-
ing a capable and active workforce, and
establishing a SWF would not increase
the human capital required to build a
sustainable, vibrant economy.
Myanmar lacks anti-corruption
safeguards necessary to protect a
SWF.
Contrary to theories that SWFs can
safeguard wealth with foreign assis-
tance, a report by Quartz said SWFs
do not consistently lead to reductions
of corruption in petroleum states and
SWFs can serve as slush funds for ad-
ditional corruption.
In fact, a survey of 2,662 invest-
ments by 29 SWFs made between 1984
and 2007 by a team of Harvard Busi-
ness School (HBS) researchers found
that the political process can intro-
duce short-run pressures on SWFs
to accommodate public demands for
job creation and economic stabilisa-
tion within the country and lead to
political intervention that sharply de-
viates from a SWFs originally stated
objectives. The HBS team also found
that each point of additional national
corruption, rated by the International
Country Risk Guide, a widely accepted
metric of state corruption, creates a
10.8pc greater likelihood that coun-
tries will direct investments domesti-
cally, and perhaps away from initial
fund objectives.
Given Myanmars history of cor-
ruption, if Myanmars leaders could
successfully bias fund objectives to
make domestic investments, as de-
scribed above, a Myanmar SWF could
be used as a seemingly legitimate way
for corrupt leaders to redirect SWF
investments towards illegitimate
crony interests under the guise of do-
mestic economic development.
Ultimately it is important for My-
anmar to develop safeguards to guide
the use of its petroleum wealth and
maximise economic growth. However,
Myanmar currently lacks the basic in-
puts, needs or governance to responsi-
bly manage a SWF.
This article is an abridged version
of, Global Analytical Lessons for
Evaluating a Myanmar Sovereign Wealth
Fund, published in the University of
Washingtons Pacific Rim Law and
Policy Journal.
OLIVER GILBERT
[email protected]
Myanmar currently
lacks the basic
inputs, needs or
governance to
responsibly manage
a SWF.
BNP Paribas bank revealed a net loss
of 4.3 billion euros (US$5.75 billion)
for the second quarter on July 31,
holed by charges for a record US ne
for breaking sanctions against Iran,
Sudan, Myanmar and Cuba.
The French bank, a leading bank
in Europe, said the overall loss was
also weighed down by charges for
new compliance procedures to ensure
that such errors do not occur again.
Shares in BNP fell in initial reac-
tion to the results but then rallied for
a slight gain of 0.06 percent to 49.91
euros by midafternoon trading.
The results showed the impact of
the record US ne of $8.9 billion (6.6
billion euros) after the bank pleaded
guilty to the charge at the beginning
of July.
But excluding such exceptional
items, net prot leapt by 23.2pc from
the same gure last year to 1.9 billion
euros driven by the nance and in-
vestment bank activities.
This result reects a very high
level of commercial activity given the
context which was difcult for our
teams in the second quarter, manag-
ing director JeanLaurent Bonnafe
told a press conference, referring to
turmoil over the sanctions case.
That case, which caused France to
appeal for clemency to US President
Barack Obama and also cost heads
at the top of the BNP Paribas man-
agement, put the bank into the rst
quarterly loss since the collapse of US
bank Lehman Brothers.
BNP Paribas, knowing that it faced
heavy penalties for allowing coun-
tries to get round a US ban prevent-
ing them from doing transactions in
dollars largely for trading in oil and
gas, had put aside provisions of 798
million euros. In the results on July
31 it took an additional charge of 5.75
billion euros for the ne and 200 mil-
lion euros for setting up new compli-
ance procedures. AFP
BNP posts loss after giant fne
PARIS
BILLION
$8.9
BNPs ne for breaking sanctions
TRADE MARK CAUTION
Novartis AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland, of CH-4002
Basel, Switzerland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
EYEFILE
Reg. No. 6524/2013
in respect of Class 44: Information in the feld of ophthalmology
provided online via a global communication network; providing
medical information in the feld of ophthalmology.
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 Novartis AG
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated: 4 August 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
JANSSEN R&D IRELAND, a Company incorporated under
the laws of Ireland, of Eastgate Village, Eastgate, Little Island,
County Cork, Ireland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
PREZYNCRO
Reg. No. 6539/2013
in respect of Class 05: Human pharmaceutical preparations.
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 JANSSEN R&D IRELAND
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated: 4 August 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that Aspen Global Incorporated a company
organized under the laws of Mauritius and having its principal offce
at c/o Kross Border Trust Services Limited, St Louis Business Centre,
Cnr Desroches & St Louis Streets, Port Louis, Mauritius is the owner
and sole proprietor of the following trademark:-
GRACIAL
(Reg: Nos. IV/1729/2001 & IV/7560/2014)
in respect of:- International Class: 5
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 Aspen Global Incorporated
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that Aspen Global Incorporated, a company
organized under the laws of Mauritius and having its principal offce
at c/o Kross Border Trust Services Limited, St Louis Business Centre,
Cnr Desroches & St Louis Streets, Port Louis, Mauritius is the Owner
and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:-
(Reg: Nos. IV/1680/2011 & IV/7559/2014)
in respect of:- International Class: 5
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 Aspen Global Incorporated,
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
JOB WATCH
Vacancy Notice
Re-advertisement
UNFPA because everyone counts. The United Nations Population Fund: Delivering a world where every pregnancy is
wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young persons potential is fulflled.
Interested in being part of a multi-cultural team delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe,
every young person's potential is fulflled in Myanmar? Come and join us, because at UNFPA, everyone counts. We are
seeking a creative, dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our growing effort to drive forward to the next level of
UNFPA country programme on population, gender equality and reproductive health and rights for the people in Myanmar.
If youre looking for an opportunity to make a difference, thrive in a challenging yet rewarding teamwork environment, we
wish to hear from you.
Position Type of Contract Grade Duty Station Deadline
Sr. National Programme Offcer Fixed-Term NOC Yangon 12 August 2014
National RH Field Offcer Service Contract SC9 Myitkyina 6 August 2014
Applications should be addressed to UNFPA Representative. Attention: International Operations Manager, Room A-07,
UNFPA, No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon.
Email: [email protected]
For further details, please see the vacancy announcement posted at UN billboard. No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon and also
at UNFPA website (http://myanmar.unfpa.org)
Applications will be considered only when meeting all requirements set in detailed vacancy announcement.
Resource Management Offcer (Vacancy # 140821)
The World Bank is seeking a Resource Management Offcer to take the lead responsibility for overseeing the resource
management, administration, accounting, IT, and security management functions to support Myanmars growing program
and portfolio. The positions will be based in Yangon or Naypyitaw (depending on the business need). The incumbent will
work under the direct supervision of the Country Manager and the general direction the EAP Chief Administrative Offcer
(based in Washington DC), and ensure that the RM unit provides professional, effcient and effective services in business
and resource planning, budgeting, works program planning, risk management and internal controls. The RM Offcer will
contribute to the integration of the country and regional strategies with unit work plans, in close collaboration with the
country management team. The RM Offcer will coach and mentor RM colleagues in the country offces on institutional
practices and policies and appropriate analytical methodologies and tools. The RM Offcer will play a key role in the
evaluation of cost effectiveness and impact of the resource allocation decisions and work programs including identifcation
of cost drivers and alternative country business priorities. This is a locally- recruited position with a 3- year renewable term
appointment with extensive opportunity for career development
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities:
Financial Management of Country Offce Expenses
Responsible for effective fnancial management of the country offces expenses
Business Planning and Indicators: Assists Country Offce management in the formulation of staffng strategy and its
resource implication; Assists in planning of expenses for day to day running of the country offces; Contributes to the
development of indicators for the country offce; May provide assistance in the country work program planning; In case
of country offce relocation or renovation, plans for capital budget;
Cost Analysis and Effectiveness: Compiles and analyzes performance measurement data at the country offce level;
Measures cost effectiveness performance and proposes solutions to issues identifed.
Monitoring: Independently monitors and reviews budgets, external funding, chargeback, expenses, performance
indicators etc., identifying/resolving issues, and discussing them with country offce management, working groups and
other RM staff; Ensures that unit has optimum cash balance to include funds management and cash fow projections;
Reviews accounting transactions, reconciliation reports, open-item reports, monthly accounting reports
Financial Accounting Controls and Fiduciary Responsibilities
Supports internal controls framework of country offces fnancial transactions and business operations
Within the SAP framework establishes and coordinates specifcation for and implements new or enhanced country offce
specifc reporting systems to meet management and Institutional requirements
Works with Country Manager to ensure a strong control environment in the offce, providing advice on control issues.
Ensures that audit, quality assurance review and COSO recommendations are implemented.
Reporting, Communications and Liaison
Proactively establishes and maintains interface with the client, internal and external. Participates in team meetings.
Advises/liaises with staff in the country offces in order to improve knowledge and awareness with respect to budget
methodologies, policies, internal control policies and procedures;
Administers country offce RM policies and procedures including guidance, advice and interpretation, and recommends
solutions to managers
Ensures compliance with specifc institutional and regional guidelines through ongoing dissemination of information to
the administrative team and the staff of country offces
Provides information and frst level analysis to managers and RM Offcers with respect to the management of resources
Provides support to managers and staff in choosing, accessing and interpreting management reports available in SAP
and other information systems;
Maintains consistency in the application of accounting rules and procedures, including safeguarding of cash and checks;
Team Lead Role
Guides and supervises other RM and Administration staff on agreed processes, and coordinates the integration and
consolidation of country offce inputs during planning and allocation exercises;
Exercises signifcant Team leadership, encourages and promotes team spirit within the RM team and coaches junior RM
staff.
Selection Criteria:
Education: A relevant Advanced Degree, preferably MA/MBA (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, etc.) OR
a relevant Bachelors Degree plus an internationally recognized professional accounting qualifcation (e.g., CPA, CA,
ACCA) OR completion of the RM Board-sponsored Supplementary Education Criteria Program (SEC).
Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: 5 years experience either in Administration, Finance or Operations at the World
Bank, or in an international private or public sector setting
Details (vacancy #140821) are available in the World Bank Careers website:www.worldbank.org/careers. All applications
must be submitted through this website. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender,
nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Closing date
is August 13, 2014
BUSINESS EDITOR: Jeremy Mullins | [email protected]
Property
34 THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
REALTORS say they welcome gov-
ernment plans to create a compre-
hensive policy to rein in runaway
property prices.
Land values particularly in Yan-
gon and other urban areas have
been increasingly rapidly each year
since the 2010 political reforms
opened up the countrys economy,
and some analysts now say local
property prices rival developed in-
ternational markets like Singapore
and Los Angeles.
Yet the jump in values is making
it difficult for businesses to find lo-
cations to operate and for everyday
people to buy their own homes, re-
altors said.
Property prices are extremely
high because of an inequality be-
tween supply and demand, said
Shwe Kan Myae real estate agent U
Khin Maung Aye.
Even though demand is grow-
ing, the supply side is not keeping
up.
Yangon City Development Com-
mission city planning and land
administration deputy head U Toe
Aung said different groups of na-
tional and local government offi-
cials have worked on a comprehen-
sive plan to cool the market since
last year.
Officials hope to have the plan
in place by 2015, but there are wide
range of opinions complicating
drafting a total of five drafts of
the plan have been finished so far,
he said.
My suggestion is that the mar-
ket can be brought under control
through taxes, with vacant land fac-
ing extra taxes, he said.
U Toe Aung added there are cur-
rently no plans for hard caps on
land prices.
Realtors said there are a number
of ways to improve the market.
U Khin Maung Aye said the gov-
ernment should be more accom-
modating when issuing permits to
build, particularly in the outskirts,
and should not restrict construc-
tion based on land types.
If they gave permission to de-
velopers to build on any type of
law, and they will implement more
lowercost apartments suitable for
more families, he said.
Prices even on Yangons out-
skirts have rapidly reason beyond
the means of many mid- and lower-
income families. Realtors contacted
by The Myanmar Times quoted a
range of prices between K70 mil-
lion (US$71,795) to K250 million
for a 2400-square-foot lot in the
outskirts.
Presidential economic advisor
U Aung Htun Thet said the focus
should be on matching supply and
demand to stabilise land prices.
Part of this is the government
needs to implement more and more
land for development, he said.
Thats one part of controlling
prices.
People need land to live, but
rampant speculation has led to lots
of investment in property, and little
actual construction.
Action can be taken by the gov-
ernment in other areas, such as a
strong set of laws for land and con-
dominiums, he said. M ore subdued
land prices would have other side
effects that are beneficial for the
economy.
Myanmar Real Estate Service
Association executive member U
Maung Aye said property invest-
ment is a strong business at the mo-
ment, so lots of people are getting
involved as brokers, dealers and
investors.
People who have quite a bit of
money are active in investing and
buying, much more than selling, he
said. As land prices get driven up,
there are comparatively few people
who can afford it leaving many
without the means to buy a home.
Govt plan aims at
tempering market
MYAT NYEIN AYE
[email protected]
MILLION
K70
The minimum price realtors say
standard plots of land fetch on Yangons
outskirts out of reach for many
AN active resale market for govern-
ment housing projects is compli-
cating eforts to provide afordable
homes to lower-income households.
Units in government-constructed
low-cost housing in North Dagon
township originally cost between
K20 million (US$20,513) and K34.7
million when they were sold early in
2014, but have all climbed by a mini-
mum of K5 million and often much
more, say realtors.
Units were ofered to winners of
a Yangon City Development Commit-
tee (YCDC) lucky draw, who were told
they could not sell the units for ve
years. After ve years, owners had to
report to YCDC and sell only with its
permission.
These rules are meant to protect
against price ination due to specula-
tion, YCDC said in a statement.
U Khin Maung Aye, from Shwe
Kan Myay real estate, said prices for
the original K20 million units have
reached upward of K30 million, and
in some cases near K50 million.
If the authorities do not restrict
the chaotic trading in time, therell be
no benet to the low-income people
targeted, he said. There are many
people who really need a place to
live and the authorities really need to
help them.
Even though there are many inter-
ested buyers, there are few sellers as
people anticipate future price climbs
in the housing projects, said Galaxy
real estate agent Ko Wai Linn.
North Dagons Bo Min Yaung
housing is in particular demand as it
is well-designed and built, he added.
Bo Min Yaung is one of four pro-
jects in North and East Dagon built
by YCDC, also including the Bo Ba
Htoo housing projects in North
Dagon. Units at both these projects
were sold to winners of the lucky
draw in early 2014.
Ko Wai Linn said there are many
reasons that the draw winners want
to resell their apartments.
Some cannot aford the install-
ments, some see a way to meet unex-
pected expenses, while others simply
do not want the property, he said.
A few are selling because they
have nancial problems ... [and]
its an easy way to make money to
meet their difculties.
YCDCs rules for participating in
the lottery stipulated that applicants
could not own another property. They
also did not receive ofcial ownership
until the last installment is paid.
Applicants were also told they
were not allowed to rent out the
apartment, and only the applicant
and their family were allowed to stay.
Yet while the secondary market is
small, YCDC ofcials say they have no
plans to crack down on it.
YCDC Building Department depu-
ty head U Nay Win said the rules had
been drawn up assuming some peo-
ple would try to on-sell their apart-
ments.
There is no need for the commit-
tee [governing the apartments] to be
too strict, he said. During the next
ve years we wont be changing the
rules.
Some residents told The Myan-
mar Times they are interested in sell-
ing, but want to do so quietly.
One taxi driver who requested
anonymity said he will resell his
property as he is unable to aford the
payments.
He met the rst K7 million pay-
ment, but follow-up payments are
proving too expensive, he said.
At rst I dreamed of owning an
apartment for my family, but later I
realised I couldnt aford it, he said.
Applicants can pay either through
a four-year installment plan or
through bank loans.
Fair-cost housing sold
NOE NOE
AUNG
[email protected]
A few [owners]
are selling because
they have financial
problems ... [and]
its an easy way to
make money.
Ko Wai Linn
Area realtor
Secondary market grows for low-income housing, despite government restrictions
A sidecar
passenger takes
in the sights
at Bo Ba Htoo
development.
Photo: Aung Htay
Hlaing
35
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
At first I dreamed of owning an apartment for my family, but later I
realised I couldnt afford it.
Disappointed home owner
Drug-resistant malaria a
growing worry
WORLD 44
HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Pulling up
in style in
Golden Valley
Its the awning that matters. Its the aw-
ning that tells House of the Week its ar-
rived at a top-notch home. And theres
no better time for an awning than the
height of rainy season.
After pulling up in style to this
weeks house, House of the Week was
pleased to alight not in a giant puddle,
which is normal this time of year, but
under a sheltered overhang.
A tour of the house revealed all the
high-end nishings youd expect in a
brand new, three-storey home. There
are four master bedrooms, six bed-
rooms and a complement of a kitchen,
dining room and maid room. Its a big
house at 3600 square feet, with lots of
space for a large family.
It boasts large, pleasant windows
with lots of light, and pleasant views of
trees and rooftops through Yangon. Its
large veranda is a particularly pleasant
place to enjoy some time to relax, in the
brief moments the rain stops.
Its a western-style home with a
range of amenities including nine air
conditioners. Furnishings are not com-
plete, but rental prices are negotiable.
Located quite near downtown, its a
great location. You are paying a premi-
um, though, but it might just be worth it
to keep you out of the rain.
Tin Yadanar Htun
Location : Shwe Taung Kyar Lane,
Bahan township
Price : US$10,000 per month
(negotiable)
Contact : Estate Myanmar
Real Estate Agency
Phone : 09-43118787, 09-43031699
THE Ministry of Industry is consid-
ering ways to improve access to land
for businesspeople, including look-
ing at ending speculation and hous-
ing on industrial property, said dep-
uty industry minister U Thein Aung.
The ministry is creating a list of
land granted to businesspeople, aim-
ing to nd a solution to vacant lands
and plots where people have set up
homes rather than businesses, be-
fore submitting the ndings to the
state, he said.
If the industrial businessmen
cannot perform under the rules with
which they were given the land, the
industrial businessmen will give
their granted land to the govern-
ment, he said at a July 25 meeting in
Mandalay. We will tackle this prob-
lem smoothly.
U Thein Aung said at a May 16
meeting that the high prices of land,
driven up by speculators, is hinder-
ing business development. Some
sell the property for use as housing
instead of for businesses, or let the
property sit idle in hopes of selling
at a higher price.
The Union government has pri-
oritised industrial projects, with 25
diferent sites planned, said U Thein
Aung.
Yet who owns the industrial land
can be difcult to discover, as often
buyers do not register the land when
it changes hands, sometimes in a bid
to avoid transaction taxes.
The new government has about
20 months left [before the 2015 elec-
tion], he said. We want to solve the
problem of high land prices in this
period.
Mandalay-based ofcials said that
much of the industrial land is lying
empty, partly due to speculation.
There are 593 industrial busi-
nesses on the Mandalay Industrial
Zone, though some occupy more
than one 40 by 60 foot plot, said U
Mg Mg Oo, secretary of the govern-
ing committee.
We can say that only 50pc of the
businesses are left, he said.
U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, an ofcial
from the Department of Human Set-
tlement and Housing Development,
said a number of industrial plots
have been turned into houses and
shops.
The strict regulations for the in-
dustrial zone do not allow for private
houses, he said. U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin
added that those buying and renting
land must inform the zones admin-
istrative committee.
Mandalay city has three indus-
trial zones zone 1, 2 and 3. Zone 1
began in 1990, zone 2 was opened in
1998 and zone 3 from 2003.
Diverted industrial land
hinders development for
Mandalay businesses
KHIN SU WAI
[email protected]
Total
plots
Industrial
plots
Housing
plots
Warehouse
plots
Vacant
plots
Other
Zone 1 1758 695 551 56 445 11
Zone 2
1598 829 353 56 260 100
Zone 3 252 77 6 19 141 9
Mandalay industrial zones
The strict
regulations for the
industrial zone do
not allow for private
houses.
U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin
Housing department ofcial
PHILIPPINE President Benigno Aqui-
no last week apresided over the open-
ing of what is billed as the worlds
largest indoor stadium, erected by a
politically inuential religious sect.
The US$175-million Philippine Are-
na, which can seat 55,000 people, was
hailed as a showcase that will serve as
a major venue for concerts and sports
events as well as gatherings for its
owners, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church
of Christ) sect.
You
have all
proven
that
the
Filipino
can
reach great heights, that we can have
achievements as lofty as any in the
world, Mr Aquino said in a speech to
Iglesia members at the July 28 launch.
He hailed the 15-storey structure as
the largest domed arena in the whole
world, saying its capacity was even
double that of the Staples Center in
Los Angeles, a major sporting and en-
tertainment venue.
The Philippine Arena has a total
oor area of about
99,000 square
metres,
or 1.065
million
square
feet.
AFP
Philippine cult opens
worlds largest arena
MANILA
One plot measures 40 feet by 60 feet, and it is possible for a business to span
several plots. Source: Mandalay Industrial Zone Governing Committee
36
Science & Technology
THOUGH only a small number actu-
ally have their hands on the companys
SIM card, consumers in Yangon and
Mandalay already have strong opin-
ions, both positive and negative, about
Ooredoos new services.
Both on social media and speak-
ing to The Myanmar Times, many
were excited about the private rms
historic entry into the market. Its
immensely exciting. Time has come
when people in Myanmar can buy new
shiny mobile SIM cards from a telco
other than MPT, said twitter user Ko
Wai Phyo Kyaw.
However, some consumers are
already expressing concerns about
Ooredoos pricing scheme for internet
usage. Using MPT, customers were
charged K50 for every minute they
were online.
Under the pricing system unveiled
by Ooredoo on August 2, consumers
will be charged K25 per every mega-
byte of data they use - a small detail
that will nonetheless make using mo-
bile internet much more expensive for
cosumers used to MPT.
I like the system of MPT to col-
lect internet charges because I am
familiar with it, and I dont under-
stand Ooredoos system, said U
Kyaw Myo Htut, mobile phone user
from Sanchaung township in Yan-
gon. And we have to consider how
much data we can use. But MPTs
system is not difcult for us because
we just look at minutes.
Seemingly anticipating these con-
cerns, Ooredoo Myanmar CEO Ross
Cormack used the launch event to
emphasise that charging according
to data usage was standard practice
around the world, and that the rates
being ofered by Ooredoo are actually
cheaper than what consumers in other
Southeast Asian nations enjoy.
U Htoo Myint Naung, CEO of the
Yangon-based Technomation compa-
ny, agreed with Mr Cormack.
Around the world wide, internet
charges can be collect by data. So
this system in line with international
standard he said.
The CEO went on to say that as in-
ternet speeds improve, MPT will likely
start charging according to data usage
too, as it is the most accurate measure
of how much someone is using the in-
ternet.
Collecting internet charges ac-
cording to minutes is meaningless,
he said.
Consumers react to new
Ooredoo offerings
AUNG
KYAW
NYUNT
[email protected]
Photo: Yu Yu
THE US space agencys Opportunity
rover has now clocked more miles on
Mars than any man-made vehicle to
reach another celestial body, NASA
said July 28.
Since arriving on the Red Planet
in 2004, the solar-powered robot has
journeyed across 25 miles (40 kilo-
metres) of Martian terrain.
That surpasses the previous re-
cord, held by the Soviet Unions Lu-
nokhod 2 rover, which landed on the
Moon in 1973.
Opportunity has driven farther
than any other wheeled vehicle on
another world, said Mars Explora-
tion Rover Project Manager John
Callas of NASAs Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Cali-
fornia.
This is so remarkable consider-
ing Opportunity was intended to
drive about 1 kilometre and was nev-
er designed for distance.
Opportunity and its twin rover,
Spirit now defunct discovered
wet environmental conditions on an-
cient Mars, some of which are mild
enough to have been favorable for
life.
Opportunity is now exploring the
Endeavour Crater on Mars.
Its next-generation robotic coun-
terpart, the Curiosity rover, launched
in 2012 and is tooling around near
the Gale Crater on Mars. AFP
WASHINGTON
NASA rover breaks out-of-this-
world distance record
Kilometres
40
Distance travelled on Mars by the
Oppurtunity rover since 2004
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that KONCI Marketing GmbH a company
organized under the laws of Germany and having its principal offce
at Baerler Strasse 100, 47441, MOERS, GERMANY is the Owner
and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:-
ORIS
(Reg: Nos. IV/8747/2005 & IV/1407/2014)
in respect of: - Tobacco goods, in particular cigarettes and flter-
tip cigarettes; smokers articles; matches.
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 KONCI Marketing GmbH
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that Aspen Global Incorporated a company
organized under the laws of Mauritius and having its principal offce
at c/o Kross Border Trust Services Limited, St Louis Business Centre,
Cnr Desroches & St Louis Streets, Port Louis, Mauritius is the owner
and sole proprietor of the following trademark:-
THYRAX
(Reg: Nos. IV/1483/1997 & IV/7561/2014)
in respect of:- International Class: 5
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 Aspen Global Incorporated
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that TOTAL SA a company organized
under the laws of France and having its principal offce at 2 place
de la Coupole, La Dfense 6, F-92400 Courbevoie, France is the
owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:-
QUARTZ
(Reg: Nos. IV/5092/2011 & IV/7555/2014)
in respect of:- Industrial oils and greases (other than edible oils
or fat or essential oils), lubricants Class: 4
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 TOTAL SA
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
JANSSEN R&D IRELAND, a Company incorporated under
the laws of Ireland, of Eastgate Village, Eastgate, Little Island,
County Cork, Ireland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
PREZIDUO
Reg. No. 6537/2013
in respect of Class 05: Human pharmaceutical preparations.
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 JANSSEN R&D IRELAND
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated: 4 August 2014
37
Science & Technology
Gadget Round-up
by Myo Satt
Available: Royal Tech
No (238), Mahabandoola Garden (Bar) Street, Kyauktada township.
Ph: 09 73032800, 09 73032900
Speaker
This waterproof Bluetooth speaker is perfect for lis-
tening to music or even talking on the phone while
in your pool or shower. Includes a suction cup on
the bottom to expand placement options.
K15,000
Kworld (Venus)
The colour and design is cute, and the
sound quality is excellent. A stylish yet
sensible pair of headphones.
K3000
Power Bank
This light weight and small battery packs a
charge of 2600mAh. Great for when your device
runs out on the go.
K5000
M-Shoot For Android
For those who need more options for their seles, this
external camera is just the gadget. Connects with Samsung
and Android phones.
K4000
Bluetooth Bracelet
Tired of taking your phone out of your pocket? This bracelet
is for you. This device syncs with your phone, allowing you
to talk and send text messages straight from your wrist.
K34,000
Translation by Thiri Min Htun
IN an apparent response to the
launch of new telecoms operator
Ooredoo, state-owned Myanmar Posts
and Telecommunications (MPT) has
announced a range of new promotions
for the month of August that will allow
MPT customers to call select family
members at discounted rates.
MPT said in a statement on July
30 that the friends and family cam-
paign will allow owners of MPT GSM
and WCDMA cards to add up to three
phone numbers that can be called at
the rate of K25 a minute until August
31, a 50 percent decrease from the
normal rate of K50 a minute.
Subscribers to the service will also
have to pay a K2500 subscription fee.
From today to August 31, we
would like to invite prepaid card
users of GSM and WCDMA mobile
phone owners to register and enjoy
discounts, the provider said.
The timing of the promotion
is significant, as many expect the
private firm Ooredoo to officially
began selling SIM cards following
a special press conference on Au-
gust 2.
Founded by the British in 1884,
MPT has enjoyed almost complete
control over the domestic communi-
cations industry for more than 100
years. This control is now threat-
ened by private competitors like
Ooredoo and Telenor as well as a
customer base that has grown in-
creasingly frustrated with the com-
panys spotty service.
Ooredoo SIM cards are al-
ready on the streets in Yangon and
Mandalay, while Telenor says it ex-
pects to launch its network in Sep-
tember.
The friends and family cam-
paign is one of several promotions
and giveaways the company has
rolled out in recent months to shore
up its customer base.
MPT announces
promotion ahead of
Ooredoo launch
BILL OTOOLE
[email protected]
SAN FRANCISCO
AMAZON announced July 28 the
launch of an online store for 3D printed
items to allow consumers to customize
and personalize items like earrings, pen-
dants, dolls and other objects.
The store ofers more than 200 items
including nylon wallets, wax seals, cook-
ie cutters and bobbleheads.
The introduction of our 3D printed
products store suggests the beginnings
of a shift in online retail -- that manu-
facturing can be more nimble to provide
an immersive customer experience.
Sellers, in alignment with designers
and manufacturers, can ofer more dy-
namic inventory for customers to per-
sonalize and truly make their own, said
Amazons Petra Schindler-Carter in a
statement.
The store allows us to help sellers,
designers and manufacturers reach mil-
lions of customers while providing a
fun and creative customer experience to
personalize a potentially innite num-
ber of products at great prices across
many product categories.
The new store also allows designer
the opportunity to ofer new items that
can be customized. Consumers will be
able to view the item from any angle
with a 360 degree rotatable view.
Amazon will work with companies
that make 3D printed items includ-
ing Mixee Labs and the French-based
Sculpteo.
The online customer shopping ex-
perience will be redened through 3D
printing. When you take into considera-
tion the investment needed for manu-
facturing products, 3D printing ofers
a cost efective alternative that benets
customers by limitless product options,
said Sculpteo co-founder and chief ex-
ecutive Clement Moreau.
With 3D printing, a customers
wants are no longer limited to what is
in stock but instead by what they can
imagine. -AFP
Amazon launches 3D
printing store
Washington
Drones thrill Martha Stewart... and
US prison convicts
Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is singing
the praises of personal drones and
marveling at their untapped potential
although smuggling contraband into
a prison might not be what she has in
mind.
In an essay for Time magazine, the
72-year-old entrepreneur and domestic
goddess confessed to being hooked on
small drones since getting a camera-
equipped model for her birthday and
ying it over a beach in Maine.
My mind started racing and I
imagined all the different applications for
my drone, said Stewart, who has since
used her Parrot device to capture a birds
eye view of a party, a mountain hike and
her landscaped gardens.
It is hard to imagine Andre Le Notre
laying out ... the magnicent Chateau
de Versailles (with) no drone to show
him the complexities of the terrain, she
added, citing the celebrated 17 century
French landscape architect.
In South Carolina, meanwhile, the
state Department of Corrections asked
the public for help July 30 in identifying
a second suspect in a failed attempt to
airlift contraband into a prison lled with
hardened criminals.
Mobiles phones, marijuana and
tobacco made up the illicit payload of
the small drone that crashed before it
could get inside of the Lee Correctional
Institution, which houses about 1,000
convicts.
It was discovered in bushes in April,
and one person has already been take
in into custody. But the case only went
public this week as law enforcement
released surveillance images of a
potential second suspect.
This is denitely a new and
interesting way to smuggle contraband
into a prison, Department of Corrections
spokesperson Stephanie Givens told AFP
by telephone.
In November last year, four people
were arrested in Georgia after a sharp-
eyed prison guard spotted a small drone
being used to ferry 2 pounds (nearly 1
kilogram) of tobacco to waiting inmates.
AFP
BRIEF
38 THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
WorldWORLD EDITOR: Fiona MacGregor
GAZA CITY
ISRAEL and Hamas began a 72-hour
ceasere on August 1, alongside a dip-
lomatic push for a more durable end to
the bloodshed after almost four weeks
of ghting.
Hopes of an end to the bloodshed
rose early that morning after US Sec-
retary of State John Kerry announced
that Israel and Hamas had agreed a
three-day ceasere. Both sides swiftly
conrmed their commitment to a truce,
after 25 days of bloody confrontation.
Just hours before the ceasere came
into force 14 more Palestinians were re-
ported killed by Israeli tank and air re
in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile the Israeli army said that
ve of its soldiers died in mortar re
near the Gaza border, underlining the
need for a negotiated truce.
Israel has accepted the US/UN
proposal for a 72-hour humanitarian
ceasere beginning 8:00am Friday [lo-
cal time], a source in the Israeli prime
ministers ofce said.
While the proposal was accepted by
Hamas, a spokesperson stressed it was
dependent on Israel reciprocating.
Hamas and all the resistance
movements have accepted a 72-hour
humanitarian ceasere from 8:00am
Friday [August 1] which will be re-
spected by all these movements if the
other party also observes the cease-
re, Fawzi Barhum said.
Speaking in New Delhi earlier, Mr
Kerry said after the ceasere went into
force, Israeli and Palestinian represent-
atives, including from Hamas, would
also begin more durable truce talks in
Cairo in a move conrmed by Egypt.
But he said Israeli forces would remain
inside Gaza.
On July 31, Israel vowed it would not
accept any ceasere that did not allow
troops to continue destroying tunnels
used by militants to attack Israel.
The ceasere was a joint US-UN
initiative and will give civilians a much
needed reprieve, Mr Kerry said.
This is a respite, a moment of op-
portunity not an end. Its not a solu-
tion, he warned, saying Israel would
still be allowed to carry out defensive
operations to destroy tunnels.
The 14 latest reported Palestinian
victims included a woman and at least
two children killed by Israeli tank re in
the southern Gaza Strip early on August
1, a spokesperson for the local emergen-
cy services said.
Their deaths brought the toll on the
Palestinian side to 1450 since the Israeli
ofensive in the Gaza Strip began on
July 8. UN gures show that around
two-thirds of the victims were civilians,
drawing sharp criticism from around
the world.
Meanwhile the Israeli army said in
a statement that Five IDF [army] sol-
diers were killed during operational
activity along the border with the Gaza
Strip when a mortar was red at the
forces.
Their deaths bring the Israeli mili-
tary toll to 61 since the beginning of
Operation Protective Edge, the state-
ment added.
The ceasere announcement came
after the UN Security Council expressed
grave disappointment that repeated
calls for a truce had not been heeded,
and demanded there be a series of hu-
manitarian breaks to ease conditions
for civilians trapped in the war-torn
territory.
Egypt has invited Israel and the Pal-
estinian Authority to send delegates to
Cairo for truce talks, after the 72-hour
ceasere in Gaza was announced.
Egypt emphasises the importance
of both sides committing to the cease-
re so the negotiations can take place in
a favourable atmosphere, the Egyptian
foreign ministry said in a statement.
The delegation was expected to
start arriving in Cairo later on August 1.
Frank Lowenstein, the US Middle East
envoy, was also expected to depart that
day for the Egyptian capital, a State De-
partment ofcial said.
Despite rising international concern
over the civilian death toll in Gaza,
Washington said it had agreed to re-
stock Israels dwindling munitions sup-
plies.
The announcement came as the
White House said there was little doubt
that Israeli artillery was the source of
a totally indefensible strike on a UN
school in northern Gaza that killed 16
people on July 30.
The school was sheltering more than
3000 Palestinians made homeless by
the relentless ghting which on August
1 entered its 25th day.
It does not appear theres a lot of
doubt about whose artillery was in-
volved in this incident, spokesperson
Josh Earnest said.
The Israeli army has suggested the
deaths may have been the result of a
misred Palestinian rocket.
The European Union also con-
demned the hit on the school, saying it
was unacceptable that those who had
been forced out of their homes by the
ghting, and at the request of the Israeli
army, had been killed.
These incidents must be investigat-
ed with immediate efect, it said.
With one in seven people of Gazas
1.8 million population forced to ee
their homes due to the ghting, the UN
agency for Palestinian refugees, which
is sheltering most of them, warned it
was stretched to breaking point. AFP
Three days to fnd a truce
WASHINGTON
WEST Africas Ebola-hit nations
imposed stringent new rules to tackle
the worlds worst-ever outbreak of the
tropical virus and agreed to launch
a US$100 million response plan at
an emergency regional summit last
week.
The leaders of Sierra Leone and
Liberia cancelled trips for a US-Africa
summit in Washington and instead
arranged to meet in Guinea on Au-
gust 1 to take the response to a new
level, the World Health Organization
(WHO) said.
The three countries are struggling
to contain an epidemic that has in-
fected more than 1300 people since
the start of the year, hit major cities
and sparked alarm over its possible
spread to other nations.
The WHO raised the death toll by
57 to 729 on July 31, announcing that
122 new cases had been detected be-
tween July 24 and 27.
The Ebola virus disease poses an
extraordinary challenge to our na-
tion, Sierra Leones leader Ernest Bai
Koroma said in a televised address to
the nation.
Consequently ... I hereby proclaim
a state of public emergency to enable
us to take a more robust approach to
deal with the Ebola outbreak.
Mr Koroma conrmed he had can-
celled a trip to the summit of around
50 African leaders in Washington this
week.
He announced a raft of measures
as part of the state of emergency,
including quarantining Ebola-hit ar-
eas and cancelling foreign trips by
ministers.
Sierra Leone, which has seen 233
deaths, on July 31 buried medic Umar
Khan, described by Koroma as a
national hero who saved the lives of
more than 100 Ebola patients before
succumbing to the tropical bug.
The current outbreak of Ebola,
which started at the beginning of this
year, has killed 55 percent of those it
has infected. The virus causes severe
muscular pains, fever, headaches
and, in the worst cases, unstoppable
bleeding.
Although it is not a particularly
robust virus, it isnt airborne and
can be killed with soap and hot
water, it is spread through contact
with bodily uids, meaning any-
one in close quarters with a patient
could be at risk.
Fears that it could spread to other
continents through air travel have
been growing with European and
Asian countries on alert alongside
African countries outside the Ebola
crisis zone.
Leading medical charity Doctors
Without Borders warned the crisis
would only get worse and said there
was no overarching strategy to han-
dle the spreading outbreak of the
disease.
Sierra Leones announcement
comes a day after Liberia, which has
seen 156 deaths, said it was shutting
all schools and placing non-essen-
tial government workers on 30 days
leave.
A Liberian government spokes-
person said President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf had also cancelled her trip to
the US-Africa summit and would in-
stead send a deputy.
Guineas President Alpha Conde
said he would keep to his commit-
ment to be in Washington from Au-
gust 3 but did not say whether he
would personally attend the Ebola
meeting beforehand.
US Christian charity Samaritans
Purse said it was temporarily with-
drawing its non-essential staf from
Liberia, citing regional instability
and ongoing security issues.
The US Peace Corps announced
on July 30 it was pulling hundreds of
volunteers from Guinea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone.
Elsewhere in Africa, Kenya, Ethio-
pia and Democratic Republic of Con-
go, home to some of the continents
largest transport hubs, said they had
enhanced screening at border points
and airports.
Hong Kong announced quarantine
Global fears rise as Ebola spreads
A woman reads a poster about Ebola
on a wall of a public health center in
Monrovia on July 31. Photo: AFP
3000
Homeless Palestinians sheltering in a
UN compound at a school that was hit
during Israeli assaults
Palestinians who
lost relatives in
an Israeli strike
on a compound
housing a UN
school in the
northern Gaza
Strip mourn in
Beit Lahia on July
30. Photo: AFP
39
Pet owners fear
as cat meat trend
grows in Vietnam
WORLD 45
Khmer Rouge trial
begins in Phnom
Penh
WORLD 41
Acid attacks on the
rise in Pakistan
ROZSYPNE
INTERNATIONAL experts were last
week attempting to begin a stalled
investigation at the crash site of
Malaysia Airlines ight MH17 as Ukrain-
ian forces threaten to resume their of-
fensive against pro-Russian rebels after
a one-day halt.
The international probe into the
downing of ight MH17 in eastern
Ukraine inched forward on August 1 as
experts risked attack to reach the site
for the rst time in nearly a week after
Kiev announced a halt to its military
ofensive.
A small team of Dutch and Austral-
ian experts accompanied by interna-
tional monitors accessed the vast site of
the Malaysia Airlines jet on July 31 after
days of erce ghting between govern-
ment forces and rebels had stopped
them reaching the area.
Dutch police heading up the interna-
tional probe said the situation around
the crash site remained perilous despite
the small team managing to access the
scene.
The security situation is still very
unstable, Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg,
head of the mission to repatriate the
remains of the victims, told journalists
in Kiev.
We are not absolutely sure if we can
reach the crash site with the whole team
of experts in the near future, but we are
more hopeful than we were, he said.
In a sign of the continuing insecurity,
an AFP team following some minutes
behind the convoy on July 31 heard loud
blasts just a few kilometres away from
the site and saw black smoke rising
from a village close to where some of the
plane wreckage is lying.
Ukraines military had earlier an-
nounced a day of quiet across the
entire east after a plea from UN chief
Ban Ki-moon to halt ghting around the
crash site, where the remains of some of
the 298 victims still lie in the sun two
weeks after the jet was shot down over
rebel territory.
Kiev has repeatedly blamed pro-
Russian rebels controlling the site for
blocking the probe and warned that
insurgents were still shelling its troop
positions across the region. The rebels
responded that Ukraine had not stuck
to its truce.
On a visit to the Netherlands, Ma-
laysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
appealed for an immediate cessation
in and around the crash site by both
Ukraine and separatist forces.
Ukrainian President Petro Po-
roshenko said the July 31 site visit
went well and gave a guarantee that
experts would be able to work daily at
the scene on August 1 in a phone call
with the Australian and Dutch prime
ministers, calling on rebels to respect
a 20-kilometre (12-mile) ceasere zone
around the debris.
The West says the insurgents likely
shot down the plane with a missile on
July 17, but Russia and the rebels said it
could have been blown out of sky by a
Ukrainian jet.
Russias aviation authorities said a
team of their own experts had arrived
in Kiev and were hoping to reach the
crash site.
Meanwhile, negotiators from Kiev
and Moscow began talks in the Bela-
russian capital Minsk. Past talks have
proved unproductive and there was
little hope for a major breakthrough
despite Russian media reports that the
rebels were also attending.
That came as lawmakers in Kiev rati-
ed agreements with The Hague and
Canberra that could see the two nations
send some 950 armed personnel to se-
cure the location where many of their
nationals died.
However, Australian Foreign Minis-
ter Julie Bishop told journalists in Kiev
that the pact was only an insurance
policy and insisted there were no plans
for ofcials to take armed forces to the
crash site, wary of becoming entangled
in a murky conict that has claimed
over 1100 lives in more than three
months of ghting.
Despite the brief lull, the death toll
has continued to climb, with Ukraines
army saying that 11 soldiers had been
killed over 24 hours while local au-
thorities said clashes in the rebel
stronghold of Lugansk had left three
civilians dead, including a ve-year-
old child.
The rising toll comes against the
background of fresh threats from the
West that they could tighten the screws
still further on Russia over its role in the
Ukraine conict.
In Europe, concerns that tougher
sanctions against Moscow could hurt
the regions economy saw the conti-
nents main stock markets fall on July
31, with German sportswear giant Adi-
das warning its prots could be hit by
worsening relations with key market
Russia.
Some EU diplomats expressed con-
cern that the tighter sanctions may in
fact embolden President Vladimir Putin,
convincing him that he no longer has
anything to lose by further escalating
the Ukraine conict.
NATOs top commander said on July
30 that Russia had boosted the number
of troops along the border with Ukraine
to well over 12,000 and that the gure
was on the rise.
Russia also ratcheted up tensions by
announcing fresh war games involving
surface-to-air missiles along its southern
ank. AFP
Ukrainian tanks stand guard near a field in the village of Debaltseve, in the
Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on July 31. Photo: AFP
Foreign air experts brave
fighting to reach MH17 site
IN PICTURES
PHOTO: AFP/KCNA
North Korean leader
Kim Jong-Un walks
through the Kumsusan
Palace of the Sun in
Pyongyang as he pays
tribute to former
presidents Kim Il-
Sung and Kim Jong-
Il (his grandfather
and father) on July
27 to mark the 61st
anniversary of the end
of the 1950-53 Korean
War.
The picture was
released by North
Koreas ofcial Korean
Central News Agency
on July 27.
Global fears rise as Ebola spreads
measures for suspected cases. One
woman arriving from Africa with pos-
sible symptoms tested negative.
The EU said it was ready to deal
with the threat. France, however, ad-
vised its nationals to avoid travel to
the afected west African nations.
Australia, which has already
warned against travel to the Ebola-hit
countries, said it was well prepared
in the unlikely event that the virus
should reach its shores.
Meanwhile, Japan and Thai health
authorities said they had ordered all
hospitals to monitor patients for any
symptoms, particularly nationals or
foreign tourists who had been in the
outbreak area.
In Britain, Foreign Secretary Phil-
ip Hammond said it was regarded as
a very serious threat.
A British doctor volunteering in
Sierra Leone treating Ebola patients
told Metro newspaper that medical
staf were swamped.
The main challenge here, though,
is that the health authorities just
dont have the infrastructure to cope.
Theyre overwhelmed, Benjamin
Black said.
Togo-based pan-African airline
ASKY, which serves 20 destinations,
has halted all ights to and from Li-
beria and Sierra Leone following the
death of a passenger from the virus.
The 40-year-old man, who trav-
elled from Liberia, died in Lagos on
July 25 in Nigerias rst conrmed
death from Ebola.
The virus crossing borders for the
rst time by plane could lead to new
ight restrictions aimed at contain-
ing outbreaks, the world aviation
agency said.
AFP
Timeline of an epidemic
MARCH 2014
22: Guinea identies the Ebola vi-
rus as the source of a highly conta-
gious epidemic raging through its
southern forests, as the death toll
rises to 59.
Experts had been unable to iden-
tify the disease, whose symptoms
were rst observed six weeks ago,
but scientists studying samples in the
French city of Lyon conrmed it was
Ebola.
27: Ebola spreads to Guineas capital
Conakry.
31: Liberia conrms two cases of the
virus.
APRIL
5: West African countries mobilise
against an epidemic of haemorrhagic
fevers, including Ebola. The meas-
ures include the deployment of medi-
cal teams at Conakry airport.
8: The UNs health agency, the
World Health Organization, says
the Ebola outbreak is among the
most challenging for health
workers since the deadly disease
emerged elsewhere in Africa four
decades ago.
10: International aid organisations
launch a series of emergency meas-
ures across west Africa in a bid to
contain the outbreak.
15: Mali says it is clear of Ebola.
30: Guineas Ebola outbreak is under
control, but the death toll could rise
above the current 74, President Alpha
Conde says during a visit to Geneva.
MAY
26: Sierra Leone conrms its rst
death from Ebola and said it is re-
stricting travel in some areas to stop
the fever from claiming more lives.
JUNE
18: Fresh data from the WHO con-
rms the outbreak to be the deadliest
ever, with 337 deaths since January,
a 60 percent increase in two weeks.
21: The WHO says the recent rapid
spread of Ebola in the three countries
has come in part because eforts to con-
tain the deadly virus have been relaxed.
23: The outbreak is now out of con-
trol with more than 60 outbreak
hotspots in Guinea, Liberia and Sier-
ra Leone, the medical charity Doctors
Without Borders says.
JULY
3: The WHO says at the close of a
regional summit of health ministers
on the crisis it expects the Ebola out-
break to continue for at least several
months.
25: The virus spreads to Africas most
populous country Nigeria, as a Libe-
rian national dies in quarantine in
Lagos. A day later the country places
its ports and airports on alert.
27: A woman sufering from the rst
conrmed case of Ebola in Sierra Le-
ones capital, Freetown, dies.
29: After Nigerias main airline Arik,
pan-African airline ASKY suspends
all ights to and from the capitals of
Liberia and Sierra Leone.
30: Doctors Without Borders warns
there is a risk of Ebola spreading to
other countries.
Liberia announces it is shutting all
schools and placing non-essential
government workers on 30 days leave.
31: Countries across the world an-
nounce stringent new security meas-
ures to contain the epidemic.
Sierra Leone declares a state of
emergency. The WHO raises the
death toll by 57 to 729.
WORLD 42
40 World THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
MALIN
RESCUERS looking for victims of a
landslide in western India that bur-
ied dozens of homes on July 30 feared
the death toll could reach 150 as the
search entered the weekend.
By August 1, 42 people were con-
rmed dead and eight had been pulled
alive from the mud and debris in
Maharashtra state, but with rain and
strong winds hampering rescue ef-
forts, hopes of nding any more sur-
vivors were fading.
Miracles do happen, we will keep
looking, but under current condi-
tions it is very, very bleak, said Alok
Avasthy, a National Disaster Re-
sponse Force (NDRF) commander at
the scene, who added about 160 peo-
ple were thought to have been living
in the dozens of damaged houses.
Relatives told of losing whole fam-
ilies after the hillside gave way early
on July 30 in a remote area of Pune
district, sending tonnes of earth and
trees crashing onto a village below.
I lost my dad, mum, nephew, my
whole family. What will I do? I have
nothing left, said inconsolable Usha
Vilas Gavar, 30, from close to the
scene.
Twisted metal utensils and shreds
of clothes lay among the debris from
the landslide which hit Malin vil-
lage while most of its residents were
sleeping.
The NDRF said eight survivors
had so far been pulled from the site,
but rescue eforts were slow going,
with heavy machinery halted at one
point because of the rains.
Mr Avasthy said that by late on
July 31, the bodies of 42 victims had
been discovered by rescuers, who
were working into the night, after
lights powered by portable genera-
tors were set up.
Among the handful rescued were
Pramila Lembe, 25, and her three-
month-old baby Rudra, who were
recovering with no major injuries
in hospital having been shielded by
their homes tin wall.
I was breastfeeding the baby
when I heard a loud thunder-like
clap. I tried to run but the wall col-
lapsed, Ms Lembe said.
I held the boy somehow. I tried
to shout but heard no one, she
added. The pair were found by res-
cuers about eight hours after the
landslide.
Dramatic footage of the landslide
showed a chunk of hillside giving
way with a cascade of mud, rocks
and trees, sending up clouds of dust
below.
The mudslide must have been
massive and very quick considering
it has covered an area roughly the
size of a football eld with nearly 10-
15 feet [3-4.5 metres] of debris, Mr
Avasthy said.
The NDRF mobilised 378 rescue
workers to help with the search, al-
though its vehicles had difculty ac-
cessing the site along narrow, dam-
aged roads. The army arrived to help
on the afternoon of July 31.
Snifer dogs remained locked up
in a village health centre because the
animals were unable to pick up scents
in the incessant rains, while workers
faced the risk of further landslides.
Indias Home Minister Rajnath
Singh, who visited the site, raised the
issue of environmental damage from
deforestation.
We have to ensure that we main-
tain environmental balance along
with development, he told reporters.
The alarm was rst sounded when
a bus driver failed to see the usual
hamlet dwellings as he drove past the
area, according to the Press Trust of
India news agency.
PTI said the victims were mem-
bers of a tribal community that sur-
vived by paddy farming on hill slopes
in the once densely forested region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi de-
scribed the loss of life as saddening
on Twitter.
While Indias annual rains are a
lifeline for the Indian economy, ood-
ing and building collapses are frequent
during the monsoon season. AFP
Search for landslide victims continues
Villagers look for belongings in the debris of homes at the scene of a landslide in Malin village in Pune district, in Indias
western state of Maharashtra, on July 30. Photo: AFP
Rescue workers in western India are battling strong rain and winds as they hunt for survivors of a mudslide that has claimed up to 150 lives
Miracles do happen
... but under current
conditions it is very,
very bleak.
Alok Avasthy
National Disaster Force
TRADEMARK CAUTIONARY NOTICE
Goh Joo Hin Pte Ltd, a company incorporated under
the laws of Singapore, carrying on business as
Manufacturers and Merchants and having its principal
offce at 2 Link Road, Singapore 619024 is the owner
and sole proprietor of the following Trademarks:-
Reg. Nos. 4/5239/2006 & 4/9852/2010 for
Intl Class 30
Used in respect of :
Farinaceous products, cereals, preparations made from
cereals, rice and preparations made from rice, four, pastry
powder, pastry stuffng pastes, pastries, pudding powder,
sweets and candy (for food), honey and artifcial honey,
sugar, chocolates, cocoa, ice-cream, sauces, tea and tea
extracts, coffee, coffee extracts and coffee essences,
vinegar, favourings (other than essential oils), condiments,
spices, and food preparations; for use as sandwich spreads;
noodles; instant noodles; instant beverages; instant coffee;
instant tea; instant cocoa mix all included in Class 30.
Reg. Nos.4/1074/2010 for Intl Class 29, 4/737/1994
&4/1073/2010 for Intl Class 30
Used in respect of:
Canned abalone; shellfsh; canned clams, canned seafood,
canned food including fsh, meat, sardines; canned fruits;
Used in respect of:
Mineral and aerated waters; fruit juices, beverages (non-
alcoholic); lemonade all included in Class 32
Any unauthorised use, imitation, infringements or
fraudulent intentions of the above marks will be dealt
with according to law.
Tin Ohnmar Tun, Tin Thiri Aung &
The Law Chambers
Ph:0973150632
Email:[email protected]
(For.Allen & Gledhill LLP, Singapore)
Dated. 4
th
August, 2014
GO PUNCH
Reg. Nos. 736/1994& 4/12926/2011 for
Intl Class 32
Used in respect of :
Beer, ale and porter; mineral and aerated waters and
other non-alcoholic drinks; fruit juice lemonade all
included in Class 32.
GO GO
Reg. No. 734/1994
4/12925/2011 for Intl
Class 32
Jo Jo
Reg.No.733/1994
4/12924/2011 for Intl
Class 32
Reg. Nos. 4/6495/2006 & 4/1071/2010 for Intl Class
29, 4/5853/2006 & 4/1072/2010 for Intl Class 30
Used in respect of:
Abalone, meat, fsh, poultry and game; meat extracts;
preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables;
jellies; jams; eggs; milk and milk products; edible oils
and fats; food preserves; bacon; sliced pork; barbecued
pork; pork foss; preserved meats; sausages; anchovy;
dates; roasted, processed or prepared nuts; processed or
preserved peas; satay fsh; preserved cuttlefsh; processed
seaweed; potato chips; potato crisps; potato fritters;
raisins; processed fruits; fruit peel; fruit jellies; fruit chips;
frosted fruits; crystallised fruits; preserved mushrooms;
processed meat; cooked meat; sliced meat, sliced beef,
sliced chicken, sliced fsh; barbecued meat, barbecued
beef, barbecued chicken, barbecued fsh; meat foss, beef
foss, chicken foss; fsh foss; dried pork; grilled pork;
minced pork; shredded pork; tinned meats; salted meats;
food products made from fsh; foods prepared from fsh;
salmon; preserved fsh; salted fsh; sardines; preserved
onions; pickles; sauerkraut; birds nest; birds nest with
rock sugar; essences of chicken; essences of abalone; dairy
products; preserved pickles all included in Class 29.
Farinaceous products, cereals, preparations made from
cereals, rice and preparations made from rice, four, pastry
powder, pastry stuffng pastes, pastries, pudding powder,
sweets and candy (for food), honey and artifcial honey, sugar,
chocolates, cocoa, ice-cream, sauces, tea and tea extracts,
coffee, coffee extracts and coffee extracts and coffee essences,
vinegar, favourings (other than essential oils), condiments,
spices, and food preparations; for use as sandwich spreads;
noodles; instant noodles; instant beverages; instant coffee;
instant tea; instant cocoa mix all included in Class 30.
preserved fruits and vegetables; dairy products, edible
oil and fats; jellies, jam, mushroom, pickles and meat
extracts all included in Class 29.
Coffee, sauces, tea, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, coffee
substitutes; biscuits, honey, yeast, baking powder,
salt, bean vermicelli and monosodium glutamate all
included in Class 30.
World 41 www.mmtimes.com
PHNOM PENH
MANILA
Journalist and lawyer among those honoured in Asias Nobel Prize
TWO former Khmer Rouge leaders be-
gan their second trial at a UN-backed
court in Cambodia last week on charg-
es including genocide of Vietnamese
people and ethnic Muslims, forced
marriages and rape.
The complex case of the regimes
two most senior surviving leaders has
been split into a series of smaller trials,
initially focusing on the forced evacua-
tion of people into rural labour camps
and related crimes against humanity.
The rst trial against Brother
Number Two Nuon Chea, 88, and for-
mer head of state Khieu Samphan, 83,
was completed late last year, with the
verdict, and possible sentences, set to
be delivered on August 7.
At the opening hearing of the sec-
ond trial, judge Nil Nonn read out the
charges against both suspects, includ-
ing genocide and other crimes against
humanity, as more than 300 people
watched the proceedings from the
public gallery.
Mr Nuon Chea did not attend for
health reasons, while Mr Khieu Sam-
phan sat in court alongside his defence
team. Both men deny all charges.
Anne Heindel, a legal adviser to the
Documentation Center of Cambodia
,which researches the countrys bloody
history, said the second trial was
immensely important for survivors.
The subject matter of the rst
proceeding was quite limited, discuss-
ing only a narrow set of events that
occurred while or shortly after the
Khmer Rouge took power.
[This new trial] focuses on crimes
that occurred after the Khmer Rouge
were entrenched and implementing
long-standing plans for transforming
Cambodian society, yet for which no
one has ever been held accountable,
she said.
The mass killings of an estimated
100,000 to 500,000 ethnic Cham Mus-
lims and 20,000 Vietnamese form
the basis of the genocide charges
against Mr Nuon Chea and Mr Khieu
Samphan.
Before these charges were led,
the treatment of the minority Muslim
group and Vietnamese community
was rarely discussed.
Kob Tiyum, a 65-year-old Cham
survivor of the Khmer Rouges 1975-
1979 regime, said the trial would rec-
ognise our sufering.
She lost two of her children, her fa-
ther and her brother who died of star-
vation while working at a labour camp
under the regime.
The Khmer Rouge killed Chams
because they wanted to eliminate the
race. They did not allow us to speak
the Cham language or to pray, she
said after attending the hearing.
Mr Nuon Chea and Mr Khieu Sam-
phan also face a string of other charg-
es for the deaths of up to two million
people through starvation, overwork
or execution during the regime.
Most of these deaths do not fall
under the charge of genocide, which is
dened by the United Nations as acts
committed with intent to destroy, in
whole or in part, a national, ethnic,
racial or religious group.
It is not known how long the
second trial will last, but court
spokesperson Lars Olsen estimated it
may go on until 2016 with hearings
covering crimes committed at Khmer
Rouge labour camps and prisons in-
cluding the notorious Tuol Sleng, also
known as S-21.
This trial is very important for me
as a victim who lost both parents in
Tuol Sleng, said 45-year-old Norng
Chan Phal, one of just a handful of
survivors from the prison.
Those criminals who committed
genocide and killed their own people
must be punished seriously.
Led by Brother Number One
Pol Pot, who died in 1998, the Khmer
Rouge dismantled Cambodian society
in a bid to create an agrarian utopia.
The new trial will also provide the
rst forum for justice for tens of thou-
sands of husbands and wives forced to
marry, often in mass ceremonies, as
part of a Khmer Rouge plan to boost
the population.
The rape charges refer to rape
within the forced marriages.
In its historic debut trial, the court
in 2010 sentenced former Tuol Sleng
prison chief Kaing Guek Eav to 30
years in prison later increased to life
on appeal for overseeing the deaths
of 15,000 people. AFP
Khmer Rouge
trial begins
Former Khmer Rouge leader head of state Khieu Samphan attends the courtroom at ECCC in Phnom Penh on July 30.
Photo: AFP
AN inuential Chinese journalist and
a crusading environmental lawyer
from China are among this years win-
ners of Asias Magsaysay awards, the
organisers announced on July 31.
The Manila-based Ramon Mag-
saysay Award, named after a Filipino
president who was killed in a plane
crash, was established in 1957 to hon-
our people or groups who change
communities for the better and is of-
ten described as Asias Nobel Prize.
Among this years six awardees is
Hu Shuli, 61, founder and editor of
Caijing, a business magazine famed
for its groundbreaking investigative
reporting that has had a profound im-
pact on China.
Its reports on illegal trading, gov-
ernment cover-up of the true extent
of the 2003 SARS epidemic, and
corporate fraud led to the ousting of
high public ofcials, prosecution of
business leaders and stock market re-
forms, the foundation said.
Hers is a journalism that works
within the system but preserves the
critical distance that is journalisms
strength, the award citation said of
Ms Hu.
Another winner was Chinese lawyer
Wang Canfa, 55, founder of the Centre
for Legal Assistance to Pollution Vic-
tims, which has handled thousands of
environmental complaints and beaten
powerful industrialists in court.
As long as we persist, the goal of
establishing Chinese environmental
rule of law will be achieved someday,
the award quoted Mr Wang as saying.
Also honoured were Indonesian
anthropologist Saur Marlina Manu-
rung, National Museum of Afghani-
stan director Omara Khan Masoudi,
Filipino teacher Randy Halasan, and
the Pakistani non-government group
The Citizens Foundation.
This years winners will be invited
to Manila for an awards ceremony on
August 31. AFP
42 World THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
A RECENT spate of acid attacks in
a region of Pakistan previously un-
touched by the crime has sparked
an impassioned debate about rising
Islamisation that is forcing an in-
creasing number of women to stay at
home.
The horric crime, which disg-
ures and often blinds its overwhelm-
ingly female victims, has long been
used to settle personal or family
scores with hundreds of cases report-
ed every year.
But two fresh attacks on consecu-
tive days in the restive southwest-
ern Baluchistan province last week,
where until a few years ago such as-
saults were unheard of, suggests a
new pattern is emerging.
On July 22, two men on a motor-
cycle sprayed acid using syringes on
two teenage girls who were returning
from a market in Mastung town, 40
kilometres (25 miles) from the provin-
cial capital Quetta.
The day before, four women aged
between 18 and 50 had sufered the
same fate in Quetta, in the market
area of Sariab. They were partially
burned.
In accordance with our Baluch
traditions, they were wrapped in big
shawls as well as covering their faces.
That ... saved [them] from severe inju-
ries, said Naz Bibi, mother of two of
the victims.
Asked about the attackers, she
said, I can only request that they
should not treat women in such a
cruel way.
In most acid attack cases around
Pakistan, the majority of victims
know their attackers. When caught,
relatives found guilty speak of pun-
ishing their victims for having sullied
their honour or that of their family
with indecent behaviour.
But, in these latest cases, the vic-
tims had no known connection to
their assailants, which has led cam-
paigners to suggest the attacks are
part of rising religious extremism in
the province.
Vast and sparsely populated but
rich in resources, Baluchistan has
long been racked by a separatist
insurgency that has staunch leftist
secular elements, including strong
participation by women, and which
reveres Communist icons like Ar-
gentine revolutionar y Ernesto
Che Guevara.
Separatists say the attacks on
women are the latest battlefront in
an ideological war between the rebels,
who are ghting for a greater share of
the regions mineral and gas wealth,
and state-backed Islamist proxies who
want to terrorise the population into
acquiescence.
The aim of these inhuman acts is
to prevent women from participating
in education as well as social, political
and economic aspects of life by creat-
ing a climate of terror, said Jahanzaib
Jamaldini, vice president of the Bal-
uch National Party, which is ghting
for greater autonomy.
This week, three more women suf-
fered injuries to their legs and feet in
yet another attack, though police and
senior ofcials have so far said the
latest incident was a case of a fam-
ily feud.
In the Sariab district of Quetta,
the scene of one of the most recent
attacks, Islamist groups like the Ahl-
e-Sunnat Wal-Jammat (ASWJ), are
increasingly coming to the fore.
Dressed in Arab garb, they are
able to roam the area armed with au-
tomatic weapons without fear of mo-
lestation leading many to believe they
are given tacit state backing.
ASWJ controls the area with doz-
ens of armed men, said one young
resident, adding that their presence
scared families into preventing wom-
en from being out in public.
The group said the accusations
were without any basis. We con-
demn these attacks, Ramzan Mengal,
the groups leader in Baluchistan said.
The acid attacks also t a wider
pattern of a steady erosion of wom-
ens rights, especially in separatist and
erstwhile relatively secular strong-
holds.
Al-Furqhan, an obscure militant
group, recently appeared in the one-
time separatist rebel stronghold of
Panjgur district, which borders Iran,
threatening private schools over
the teaching of girls, according to
residents.
In an atmosphere rife with fear, no
suspects have so far been arrested and
no group has claimed responsibility.
The rst recorded acid attack in
Baluchistan came in 2010, with two
more reported in 2012.
Leading English-language daily
newspaper Dawn said in an edito-
rial last week, Baluchistan has been
steadily radicalised over the years,
and a plethora of shadowy, extremist
religious groups increasingly exercise
their malign inuence over society,
diligently seeking to restrict womens
agency, and deprive them of their
rights. AFP
QUETTA
Religious motive in acid attacks
Pakistani activists from a regional Baluchistan Nationalist party chant slogans during a demonstration outside the
Bolan Medical Complex in Baluchistan province on July 23. Photo: AFP
MCDONALDS restaurants in Japan are
turning to time-honoured Asian soul
food, tofu, as the chain scrambles to
minimise the damage from an embar-
rassing tainted meat scandal in China.
Last week the fast-food giants more
than 3000 restaurants in Japan started
selling Tofu Shinjo nuggets modelled
on a traditional side dish that meshes
tofu, vegetables and sh.
For 249 yen (US$2.40), customers
can sink their teeth into four pieces of
the chicken-free creation.
The rollout comes days after the
rm said that its Japanese restaurants
had stopped sourcing poultry products
from a nugget supplier in Shanghai, in
response to a scandal that saw expired
meat sold to fast-food giants.
On July 29, McDonalds Japan presi-
dent Sarah Casanova made a televised
apology, as she warned the appall-
ing incident and subsequent switch to
chicken suppliers in Thailand to plug
the gap would depress company prots.
The disgraced factory and other Chi-
nese distributors had supplied nearly 40
percent of the chicken used for McDon-
alds Japanese restaurants.
A company spokesperson said that,
despite its fortuitous timing, the tofu
ofering had been in the works before
Chinas latest food safety scandal.
It is a part of wider, limited-time-
only ofering for the summer featuring a
Japanese-style menu, she said.
At the chains restaurants in main-
land China, notices posted at every
cash register told customers in Chi-
nese and English, We regret to let you
know that currently we will only be
able to provide a limited menu at our
restaurant.
At McDonalds we strictly comply
with the applicable laws, regulations
and the related standards. Thank you
for your understanding.
In Shanghai, where the factory at the
heart of the scandal has been shut down
by authorities, the chains trademark
Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets were
unavailable. AFP
TOKYO
Chicken-free
McNuggets
THE head of Chinas largest mosque has
been killed after conducting morning
prayers, the local government in far west-
ern Xinjiang said last week, amid inten-
sifying violence in the turbulent region.
Jume Tahir, the government-appointed
imam of the 600-year-old Id Kah Mosque
in the city of Kashgar, was killed on July
30 by three thugs inuenced by religious
extremist ideology, the Xinjiang govern-
ment web portal Tianshan said.
Police launched an all-out investi-
gation and shot dead two of the al-
leged assailants while capturing the
other at about noon on July 30 as
they violently resisted with knives
and hatchets, Tianshan said. It add-
ed Mr Tahirs killing was premedi-
tated and that the suspects intended
to commit a ruthless murder.
Tianshan identied the suspects
by their names in phonetic Chinese.
The ofcial Xinhua news agency in
an English-language report gave their
names as Turghun Tursun, Memetjan
Remutillan and Nurmemet Abidilimit.
Neither Tianshan nor Xinhua initially
identied who among them was shot
dead and who was apprehended. Mr
Tahir was found dead in a pool of blood
outside the mosques prayer house, Ra-
dio Free Asia (RFA) reported.
Xinjiang, home to Chinas mostly
Muslim Uighur ethnic minority, has
seen escalating violence which in the
past year has spilled over into other
parts of China. AFP
BEIJING
Senior imam
murdered
BANGKOK
PARIS
Drug resistant malaria
on the rise in SE Asia
DRUG-RESISTANT malaria parasites
are now rmly established in border re-
gions in four Southeast Asian countries,
imperilling global eforts to control the
disease, experts warned on July 30.
Blood samples taken from 1241
malaria patients found that parasites
which are resistant to the frontline
drug artemisinin have spread to bor-
der areas in western and northern
Cambodia, eastern Myanmar, Thai-
land and Vietnam, they said.
There also signs of emerging resist-
ance in central Myanmar, southern
Laos and northeastern Cambodia, but
none in the three African states Ken-
ya, Nigeria and Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) that were included in
the sampling.
The study, published in the New
England Journal of Medicine, said
doubling the course of antimalarial
treatment, from three days to six,
could help ght the resistance prob-
lem but time was short.
It may still be possible to prevent
the spread of artemisinin-resistant
malaria parasites across Asia and then
to Africa by eliminating them, but that
window of opportunity is closing fast,
said Nicholas White, a professor of
tropical medicine at Oxford Univer-
sity, England.
Conventional malaria control ap-
proaches wont be enough. We will
need to take more radical action and
make this a global public health prior-
ity, without delay.
Southeast Asia has been the source
of growing worries that artemisinin is
losing its edge as the weapon of choice
against malaria.
If so, it will be the third time in
little more than half a century that
a drug will have been blunted by
parasites that became resistant to it,
a process that has claimed millions of
lives.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, para-
sites that were resistant to the drug
chloroquine spread from Asia to
Africa.
Chloroquine was then replaced by
sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), re-
sistance to which emerged in western
Cambodia and then spread to Africa.
SP was followed by artemisinin,
a drug derived by Chinese scientists
from a herb called sweet wormwood.
The artemisinin drugs are argu-
ably the best anti-malarials we have
ever had. We need to conserve them
in areas where they are still working
well, Elizabeth Ashley, a University of
Oxford researcher who led the study,
said in a press release issued by Brit-
ains Wellcome Trust.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) recommends that for uncom-
plicated malaria involving the Plas-
modium falciparum strain of parasite,
artemisinin be used in a combination
therapy, rather than a monotherapy, to
get the best chance of eliminating all
the parasites.
When a therapy is stopped prema-
turely, or fails to kill all the parasites,
the surviving parasites are able to mu-
tate, handing on resistant genes.
The study, carried out at 15 sites
in Southeast Asia and Africa, entailed
measuring blood samples to see the
rate at which parasites were killed.
A benchmark for elimination
called the parasite clearance half-life
ranged from 1.8 hours in the DRC to
seven hours at the Thailand-Cambo-
dia border, a hotspot for resistance
that leapt to notoriety in 2005.
Researchers in Kenya meanwhile
have discovered antibodies to produce
new vaccines targeting the most viru-
lent form of malaria, in a potentially
signicant boost.
For the study, published on July
30 in Science Translational Medicine
magazine, scientists tested a library
of proteins from Plasmodium falci-
parum with antibodies formed by the
immune systems of a group of infected
children in Kenya.
The tests sought to determine
which proteins elicited a response
from the childrens immune systems,
revealing previously unidentied an-
tigens as possible targets for vaccines.
Resistance to malaria drugs is an
increasing problem so vaccines are
desperately needed to battle the Plas-
modium falciparum parasite before
it has a chance to make people sick,
lead author Faith Osier from the Ken-
ya Medical Research Institute said in
a statement.
This study presents us with a large
number of new vaccine candidates
that ofer real hope for the future.
Malaria killed an estimated 627,000
people in 2012, mostly among African
children, according to the WHO.
AFP
We will need to take
radical action and
make this a global
health priority
without delay.
Nicholas White
Professor of tropical medicine
THAI Airways has banned shark n
from its cargo ights as part of a
growing global campaign against the
popular delicacy in Asia.
The carrier joins a host of other
airlines in taking a stand against
shark n, highly prized by many in
the region, especially in Hong Kong
and China where it is commonly
served as a soup at wedding ban-
quets and corporate parties.
As part of the world community
sharing in the great concern for the
protection of endangered species
and the environment, Thai Airways
International has implemented its
own ofcial policy to place an em-
bargo on the shipping of shark n
products, the airline said in a state-
ment on July 29.
Conservationists say booming
demand for ns has put pressure
on the worlds shark populations,
prompting calls for measures to
restrict their trade.
Thai Airways ofcially stopped
ying shark n from July 15 but has
avoided shipping ns for over a year,
according to the statement.
The move brings the carrier into
line with a number of other Asian
airlines including Philippine Air-
lines, which said in April it had
stopped ying shark n cargoes.
Air New Zealand as well as South
Koreas two largest airlines, Ko-
rean Air and Asiana, separately an-
nounced last year that they would
ban shark ns from their cargo
ights, a year after Hong Kongs Ca-
thay Pacic also stopped shipping
them. AFP
Airline joins shark fn boycott
A worker lays out shark fins to dry on a road in Hong Kong on July 31. Photo: AFP
44 World THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that BOON FOODS CO., LTD. and NEW
EXPANSION CO., LTD. a company organized under the laws of
Thailand and having its principal offce at 88 Moo 6, Phragnamdang,
Amphawa, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand and 905 Rama 3 Road,
Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand is the owner
and sole proprietor of the following trademark:-
(Reg: No. IV/1417/2014)
in respect of :- Coffee, tea, cocoa and artifcial coffee; rice; tapioca
and sago; four and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastry
and confectionery; ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-
powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces (condiments); spices; ice;
almond confectionery, caramels [candy], cereal bars, chocolate,
confectionery/sugar confectionery, ice cream, crackers, custard,
fondants [confectionery], fruit jellies [ confectionery], liquorice
[confectionery], lozenges [confectionery]/pastilles [confectionery],
mint for confectionery, chocolate mousses, dessert mousses
[confectionery], peanut confectionery, stick liquorice [confectionery],
peppermint sweets, puddings, pralines, pastries, marzipan 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 BOON FOODS CO., LTD.
and NEW EXPANSION CO., LTD.
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
NOTICE is hereby given that LOREAL a company organized
under the laws of France and having its principal offce at 14, rue
Royale, F-75008 PARIS, France is the Owner and Sole Proprietor
of the following trademarks: -
STUDIO LINE
(Reg: Nos. IV/5266/2006, IV/6295/2011 & IV/8304/2014)
ELNETT
(Reg: Nos. IV/5263/2006, IV/6296/2011 & IV/8305/2014)
ELSEVE
(Reg: Nos. IV/5264/2006, IV/6297/2011 & IV/8306/2014)
The above three trademarks are in respect of:-
Goods falling in International Class 3
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 LOREAL
P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon.
Phone: 372416 Dated: 4
th
August, 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
Notice is given that Peggy Sage (a French Societe a responsabilite
limitee) of Zone Industrielle Les, Fourmis, 74130 Bonneville, France,
is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trade Mark:-
PEGGY SAGE
used in connection with: - Soaps, perfumery, essential oils,
cosmetics, hair lotions and dentifrices.
A Declaration of Ownership of the said Mark has been registered in
the Offce of the Sub-Registrar of Deeds and Assurances, Yangon,
being No. 1738/2001.
WARNING is hereby given that any fraudulent imitation or
unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark in any manner whatsoever
will be dealt with according to law.
Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L
for Peggy Sage
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated: 4 August 2014
World 45 www.mmtimes.com
THE enduring popularity of little
tiger as a snack to accompany a
beer in Vietnam means cat owners
are living in fear of animal snatch-
ers, despite an ofcial ban.
At an unassuming restaurant
next to a carwash in central Hanoi,
a cat is prepared for hungry clients:
drowned, shaved and burned to re-
move all fur before being cut up and
fried with garlic.
A lot of people eat cat meat. Its
a novelty. They want to try it, said
the establishments manager To Van
Dung, 35.
Vietnam has forbidden the con-
sumption of cats in an efort to en-
courage their ownership and keep
the capitals rat population under
control.
But there are still dozens of res-
taurants serving cat in Hanoi and it is
rare to see felines roaming the streets.
Most pet-owners keep them indoors
or tied up out of fear of cat thieves.
Such is the demand from restau-
rants that cats are sometimes smug-
gled across the border from Thai-
land and Laos.
Mr Dung said that he had never
had problems with the law. He buys
his cats from local breeders but
also so-called cat traders, with few
checks on their sourcing.
Little tiger is typically enjoyed
at the start of each lunar month, un-
like dog meat which is eaten at the
end.
On a busy day, the restaurant can
serve around 100 clients.
I know in the United States and
Britain they dont eat cat. But here
we do, Nguyen Dinh Tue, 44, said
as he chewed on a piece of fried cat
meat.
I dont kill the cat! But this place
sells it so I like to eat it, he added.
Vietnams penchant for eating
animals that are considered pets in
many other countries came about
largely as a result of circumstance,
said Hoang Ngoc Bau, one of Ha-
nois few trained vets.
The country was once very poor,
and we had a long war. We ate eve-
rything we could to stay alive, he
told said. Insects, dogs, cats, even
rats ... It became a habit.
Mr Bau decided to become a vet
after his pet dog saved him from
a poisonous snake when he was a
child. From that time, I had a debt
to dogs, the 63-year-old said.
Dramatic changes to society
and cultural attitudes in the once
tightly-controlled communist coun-
try in recent decades mean that a
growing number of Vietnamese now
share his love of animals.
But old eating habits die hard
and pet owners have a battle on
their hands.
No one is breeding dogs and
cats for slaughter. So nearly all the
animals in restaurants are trapped
and stolen, Mr Bau said.
For me and other pet lovers in
Vietnam, theyre our best friend,
added the vet.
Yet some people manage to recon-
cile societys dual afection for cats.
Le Ngoc Thien, the chef at one
Hanoi cat meat restaurant, keeps
a cat as a pet, but when it is big
enough he will cook it and get a new
kitten.
When my cats become old we
kill them because according to our
tradition when a cat gets old we
need to change it and get a younger
one, he said.
Eating cat meat is better than
eating dog as the meat is more
sweet, more tender than a dog, Mr
Thien said.
A cat sells for between US$50
and $70 depending on how large it
is and how it is prepared.
Many pet owners get fed up of the
risks of letting their cats go outside.
Phuong Thanh Thuy owns a Ha-
noi restaurant and has cats to keep
rats in check, but she has had to re-
place them regularly.
My family is sad because we
spend a lot of time and energy rais-
ing our cats. When we lose a cat we
feel pain, she said as a newly pur-
chased batch of kittens played at her
feet. AFP
HANOI BANGKOK
Taste for cat hard to stomach
A growing fashion for cat meat has left Vietnamese pet owners fearful their animals will be stolen and eaten
Cooks prepare cats for diners at a Hanoi restaurant on June 19. Photo: AFP
BY CAT BARTON
A THAI army general has been ar-
rested on suspicion of extortion in a
notorious Bangkok red light district,
ofcials said on July 31, in a rare case
of authorities prosecuting a member
of the military.
Major-General Jenronnarong De-
twan, 56, was arrested by the mili-
tary early on July 30 at a hotel near
the seedy Patpong area charged with
extorting money from street vendors,
the Defence Ministry said.
He is the most senior member of
the military ever arrested for extor-
tion, said the ministrys Lieutenant
Colonel Burin Tongprapai, who led the
arrest.
Patpong is a strip of go-go bars ca-
tering mainly to foreigners attracted
by Thailands huge sex industry.
The military, who took power in a
May 22 coup, began investigating the
general after complaints from street
vendors who hawk everything from
cut-price DVDs to counterfeit hand-
bags and watches.
Mr Jenronnarong has denied the
charge.
But he said he took money from
traders to pay the owners of the copy-
righted goods, according to Mr Bu-
rin, who added the general is now
under both criminal and military
investigation.
The military also arrested four ci-
vilians accused of working with Mr
Jenronnarong. AFP
Army officer
charged with
extortion
THE Philippines is to charter ferries to
speed up the removal of 13,000 nation-
als from Libya, ofcials said July 31 a
day after a Filipina nurse was abducted
and gang-raped there.
The foreign ministry conrmed the
sexual assault of the woman in the Liby-
an capital Tripoli on July 30.
It occurred 10 days after discovery
at a hospital in the port of Benghazi
of the beheaded remains of a Filipino
construction worker who had been ab-
ducted earlier.
We condemn these crimes that have
been committed against our people,
President Benigno Aquinos spokesper-
son Herminio Coloma told reporters in
Manila.
The woman was seized outside her res-
idence and taken to an unknown location,
where she was sexually assaulted by up to
six youths, foreign department spokesper-
son Charles Jose told reporters.
She was released about two hours
later and a Filipino consular team took
her to hospital for treatment, he added.
The Philippines ordered all
13,000 of its citizens in Libya to leave
following the beheading, with a consu-
lar team organising evacuation by land
to neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt.
However, only just over 700 had left
Libya by July 30, according to a foreign
ministry tally, despite the rapidly deterio-
rating situation, with warring militias bat-
tling for control of key population centres.
The Philippines has also barred its
nationals from travelling to Libya.
The government evacuated thou-
sands of its nationals from Libya dur-
ing the 2011 upheaval that toppled the
late dictator Moamer Kadha, some
boarding ferries that took them to Malta
where they later caught ights back to
the Philippines. Many of them later re-
turned to their jobs there.
Just like what we did before, the
Department of Foreign Afairs has hired
ships to ferry and evacuate Filipinos,
Mr Coloma said.
We reiterate our appeal to those
Filipinos still in Libya to comply with
the mandatory evacuation [order], Mr
Coloma said.
Mr Jose, the foreign department
spokesperson, said he had no informa-
tion to share for the time being on how
many vessels would be chartered, which
port would the Filipinos be taken in and
where they will be ofoaded.
Were working on it, he added.
About 10 million Filipinos live and
work abroad, many of them in the Mid-
dle East, in search of better-paying jobs.
Many were hesitant to come home
even if the country where they work was
in crisis or undergoing political conict,
said Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
The government had a re-integra-
tion program to help returning Filipi-
nos displaced by conicts in Libya and
elsewhere, she said. AFP
MANILA
HANOI
Mass evacuation after
gang rape and beheading
VIETNAM was accused of serious vio-
lations of religious freedom by a UN
expert on July 30, despite the commu-
nist country making some progress on
easing tight state control of matters of
faith.
The United Nations Special Rap-
porteur on freedom of religion or belief,
Heiner Bielefeldt, said his 10-day visit
had been unfortunately interrupted
by police and security agents.
Mr Bielefeldt said he was closely
monitored by police and security
agents and not able to speak freely to
people, in breach of the conditions of
his visit.
While stressing that he had not
made a comprehensive assessment of
individual cases, he said, There are se-
rious violations of freedom of religious
belief taking place in this countr.y
Witnesses had told him of concrete
violations, including repeated summons
by police, harassment, house arrest, im-
prisonment, destruction of houses of
worship, vandalism, beatings.
But he also noted positive develop-
ments, adding that the space for prac-
tice [of religions] has been cautiously
widened.
Vietnams Foreign Ministry spokes-
personLe Hai Binh told reporters the Vi-
etnamese government did everything
in its capacity ... to meet demands of the
delegation during his visit to Vietnam.
All religious activity remains under
state control but the government says
it respects the freedom of belief and
religion.
Religious practices were tightly-
controlled for decades by the com-
munist regime but restrictions were
gradually lifted after the doi moi
economic reforms opened up the
country in the 1990s.
According to the Vietnams national
committee for religious afairs, nearly a
third of the population considers them-
selves as religious, equivalent to some 24
million out of a population of some 90
million. AFP
UN rep condemns religious violations
We condemn these
crimes that have
been committed
against our people.
Herminio Coloma
Presidential spokesperson
TRADE MARK CAUTION
JANSSEN R&D IRELAND, a Company incorporated under
the laws of Ireland, of Eastgate Village, Eastgate, Little Island,
County Cork, Ireland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-
PREZINGA
Reg. No. 6538/2013
in respect of Class 05: Human pharmaceutical preparations.
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 JANSSEN R&D IRELAND
P. O. Box 60, Yangon
E-mail: [email protected]
Dated: 4 August 2014
TRADE MARK CAUTION
ABACUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD., a Company
incorporated in the Cayman Islands c/o Trident Trust Company
(Cayman) Limited Fourth Floor, One Capital Place P.O. Box 847,
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies, is the Owner
and Sole Proprietor of the following Trade Mark:-
Reg. Nos. 45/1998, 5792/2000
in respect of Videotext services; viewdata services; communication
services between computers; electronic communication services;
delivery of messages by electronic media; electronic mail services;
message sending; facsimile communication and transmission
services; rental of communication and telecommunication
apparatuses; news agency services; provision of information and
advisory services in relations to all the above services; preparation of
reports relating to all the above services; all included in Intl Class 38.
Reg. Nos. 88/1997, 5792/2000
in respect of:- Computers; computer terminals and workstations;
computer programs; devices for transmitting, processing, storing,
outputting and reproducing text, data, pictures and signals; data
carriers; video display units; all included in Intl Class 9.
Publications relating to computer software and hardware;
computer reference manuals; programmers and users reference
cards; books; printed matter; magazines; cardboard articles;
decalcomanias; writing pads; all included in Intl Class 16.
Arranging of cruises, excursions, expeditions and tours; booking
agency services for travel; holiday travel reservation services;
reservation services for travel; arranging of sightseeing tours;
travel ticket reservation services; transportation of passengers by
air; tour operating; escorting of travellers; travel agency; provision
of information relating to fare; information and advisory services
relating to all of the above services; preparation of reports relating
to all of the above services; all included in Intl Class 39.
Theatre ticket agency services; arranging and conducting of
exhibitions for entertainment purposes; holiday camp services;
booking agency services for concerts, air shows, exhibitions,
conventions, circuses and cinemas; provision of entertainment
and recreation information; provision of information and advisory
services all relating to entertainment services; preparation and
publicaiton of reports; all included in Intl Class 41.
Reservation of hotel accommodation; provision of temporary
accommodation; booking agency for hotel accommodation;
reservation of tourist accommodation; tourist agency services
for booking accommodation; hotel, motel and hostel services;
computer programming; updating of computer software; computer
software design; leasing accessing time to a computer database;
consultancy services in the feld of computer hardware; rental
of computer; rental of computer software; news reporters services;
preparation of reports relating to all of the above services; all included in
Intl Class 42.
Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said
Trademark will be dealt with according to law.
U Nyunt Tin Associates International Limited
Intellectual Property Division
Tel: 959 4500 59 247, Email: [email protected]
For ABACUS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD.
Dated: 4 August, 2014.
ABACUS
World 47 www.mmtimes.com
THE PULSE EDITOR: WHITNEY LIGHT [email protected] THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
BY HTET MYET OO [email protected]






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owntown Yangon is where this
beautiful, frenetic and often-
misunderstood city was born, and
to this day, this is the part of town
where the heart and soul of the city
remain. It can be a bit intimidating though,
cant it? The old adage of less is more
doesnt particularly apply here.
In fact, as if manoeuvring around
the maze of one-way, two-way and no-
way streets of downtown werent tiring
enough, there are more cars, dogs, people
and chaos than ever before, running in
an almost perpetual motion of madness
madness in which I have managed to
nd my own little pockets of peace and
tranquility.
Id like to add the caveat that these are the
places that have come to shape my personal
experience and my love afair with the city, and
this list is meant only as encouragement for
everyone to share their own story.
Thu Kha Yeik Teashop
Corner of Nawaday Rd. and Bo Yar Nyunt St.
If youre the type, like me, whose senses
require a weekly dose of tea and mohinga
or anything that resembles a carb-heavy,
hangover-friendly plate of food, then add this
to your list of must-go places around town.
Their egg-fried bread and pe paratha would
sit happily on my list of favourite things to
eat anywhere Ive been. Friends and family
who have followed up on my recommendation
of Thu Kha Yeik have never come back
unsatised, so if youre just a little bit hungry
and in the area, please head over and eat
yourself silly.
Ko Nyi Nyi Antique Dealer
28th Street (middle block), between Anawrahta
Road and Mahabandoola Road, 0973121974
I was probing for antiques opposite Scott
Market, like everybody else, sweating, delirious
from the heat. I had just bought some metal
containers and was in search of more. The
shopowner told me about his friend who sold
out of his home no gimmicks, just straight up
old objects. Ten minutes later I was alone, neck
deep, now delirious from the dust of of a taxi-
meter from 1930. I am now the proud owner
of way too many metal containers and an avid
one-time collector of Esquire magazines from
the 1940s. This is the most unique experience
youll have in Yangon. Call a day in advance, and
please wear some comfortable pants.
Pattar Myar Myay (Shan Noodle Shop)
25 Aung Tha Pyay Street (behind Yuzana Plaza)
Shan Pyi is somewhere that my family has long
had an association with, a part of the country
that my amay feels particularly attached to.
She grew up in Lashio. Shan food is a cuisine
that I feel particularly grateful for too. The cold
mornings, the family sitting together around
bowls of Shan noodles: This is the food that
takes me back home. At Pattar Myar Myay you
get a smile and a bowl of the best san-see (sticky
rice) Shan noodles in town, and you eat until
your heart is content. This is how Shan food is
supposed to be eaten.
Ko Aungs Antique Furniture Store
Corner of Yankin Road and Maegin Street (near
Yangon Childrens Hospital)
I was fortunate enough to meet Ko Aung back
when I was renovating my apartment, and he
saved me. Only those who have ever attempted
to buy furniture in Yangon will fully understand
what it is that he saved me from. Ko Aung sells
reclaimed, vintage pieces that he sources from
all over the country. Hes humble, he loves what
he does and hes a pretty funny guy. On my most
recent visit, I saw an oxcart parked in front of
his shop alongside a 1920s coat hanger and a
1940s bed frame. He has two shops, two sheds
and too much furniture for his own good.
Thabawa Yoghurt,
Corner of Mahabandoola Road and
Bohtahtaung Pagoda Road
I try and go here whenever I can. Thabawa,
roughly translated in English, means innate
or natural. So here you are, sat on an uneven
sidewalk, paying US$1 for a tradition that came
from India, on the side of a post ofce built by
the British, and it all tastes expletively, insanely
good. I know, its easy to dwell on the things
this city doesnt have, on how we managed to
get here. Ive been there, trust me, but I stopped
trying to gure Yangon out the moment I was
mature enough to understand that the measure
of a great city isnt how many people drink
cofee served out of paper cups. I come, I sit and
it transports me back in time. How many cities
in the world can give you that?
Sapphire Lounge,
Rooftop Alfa Hotel, Nawaday Road
Any description of the visual impact of
Shwedagon Paya could only fall short. Its the
sort of hair-raising, eye-inching experience
that you have to live through to understand
how it feels. Its one of those rare experiences
where the farther you go, the larger it feels.
Its presence is everywhere. The Sapphire
Lounge isnt a place you come only to unwind,
with what happens to be the pagoda in the
background: You come to pay homage to the
view, uninterrupted by loud music or shoddy
artwork. Ive long thought of the view from
Alfa Hotel as a live mural of the city, forever
evolving, always changing. So if youre ever in
need of a little reminder of why youre here over
a beer and a hell of a view, you know where to
go now.
Streetside bookstalls
Corner of Pansodan Rd and Merchant Rd.
The Pansodan/Merchant Street corner is
probably my favourite part of the city, not
least because I live there but also because
its where old town meets the epicentre of
the new city: the taxis, the people, the never-
ending construction. Its always in these great
times of change that little details get lost or
overshadowed. The little bookstalls that line
the pavements where the two streets meet
refuse to go, and long may they last. My many
purchases, including Das Kapital by Karl Marx,
are almost all hardback, and the print date goes
as far back as 1965. Even if all youre looking for
is something nice to line your shelves at home,
theyre another one from the time capsule.
Shwe Kyin Taing Tayar Kyaung Monastery,
Kabar Aye Pagoda Road (near the Shwegondine
yover, opposite Shwe Kaung Hotpot and The
Avenue)
The story goes that in the mid-1860s King
Mindon Min asked Queen Victoria to donate
money toward the building of a monastery in
what was then Rangoon. From that, the Taing
Homecoming:
a returners guide
to Yangon
the pulse 49
www.mmtimes.com
Born in Myanmar, Htet Myet Oo
emigrated to the UK at the age of four.
These are his favourite spots in Yangon,
a city he is rediscovering street by street.
Homecoming:
a returners guide
to Yangon
Tayar Kyaung was erected. The name Taing
Tayar (100 pillars) is of course derived from the
structure of the building, based on the 100-
plus pillars on which it was built. Like most of
the old monasteries in the city, its grand and
its fragile I still get nervous every time I see
through the oorboards. Im not sure how much
longer it will last, but Im hopeful.

Htet Myet Oo was born in Myanmar. He
then emigrated to the UK at the age of four.
Eighteen years later, he returned in 2002 as
a graduate of City University London with a
Bachelor in Economics. He has worked as the
public relations ofcer at the Yangon Heritage
Trust, and is now opening a tea-shop-inspired
Burmese restaurant in downtown Yangon later
this year. Check out his Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/theburmasideofife
Photos: Htet Myet Oo
50 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Inside out
Artist nds hope in a bottle
W
HEN people see the
decorative bottles,
most do a double-take
and wonder how the
artist managed to get
the paint inside at all, let alone execute
a level of detail that sees the forms of
people, animals and landscapes take
shape.
With the entrance to the bottle
being narrow, the level of intricate
detail the artist manages to achieve is
impressive. The image is, essentially,
created in reverse. The artist must
plan each layer of colour, giving careful
thought to how this will appear on the
outside. It is a painstaking operation,
requiring absolute concentration as
well as skill, imagination and tenacity.
Its a form that emerged at the
beginning of the 19
th
century in China.
Bottle art in Myanmar has
traditionally been unique to Bagan.
Now, with the opening of the Myanmar
Culture Valley mall near the west gate
of Shwedagon Pagoda, the form could
be opened up to a whole new market.
The owner of the bottle art shop, Ma
Phyu Phyu Thant, got the idea to sell
bottle art in Yangon after she traveled
to Bagan. Getting the artist on board
was the easy part its the supply of
bottles thats proved the problem.
I have difculty to get bottles to
paint. The wine bottle is easy to get, but
not for beauty. Transparent bottles are
more beautiful than others, she says.
Initially, she used medicine bottles
sourced from hospitals, selected for
their pleasing shape, as well as the key
qualities of being made from clear glass
and therefore easy to paint. But now
the hospitals are increasingly moving
toward using plastics.
I dont know how to arrange to get
sustainable support for the bottles yet,
she said.
Another difculty Ma Phyu Phyu
Thant has encountered with her
current business model is the matter
of having only one artist supplying the
goods.
U Yaw Na Than labours over his
bottle art at his workshop in Bagan,
where his work over the years has
garnered the appreciation of many
tourists.
He has to curve a brush just so,
in order to paint inside the bottle. It
requires an extraordinary amount of
patience not least because the oil
paint required must dry for each layer,
lest the colours blend. For this reason,
the current levels of production are
relatively low.
I take one week to nish ve
bottles, U Yaw Na Than said.
In order to become a master of
bottle art, U Yaw Na Than had to
develop his drawing and painting skills.
This was something he learned from
his brother U Nyo Lay Myanmars
original, pioneering bottle artist.
U Nyo Lay had sufered polio as a
child, which was followed by a string of
health-related misfortunes that severely
impacted his mobility. He taught
himself to draw and paint in the style
of Myanmars grand masters, before
turning to the bottle. He only ever had
two pupils his two brothers. One gave
it up when he got married, leaving U
Yaw Na Than to carry on the family
tradition.
The two brothers have markedly
diferent styles, says U Yaw Na Than. U
Nyo Lay leaned toward the traditional
school of art, lling bottles with
depictions of lotus stems, buds and
blossoms.
I draw only the modern style now.
The traditional style is harder and
needs more time. I am not skillful in
this, U Yaw Na Than concedes.
He says he manages to eke out
a living with his bottle art, bringing
in enough income to support his
family. He hopes his product reaching
Yangon will provide a further boost.
But he worries about the future, and
is concerned his is a disappearing art
form.
I want to teach someone who
wants to learn how to draw the bottle
art. But I have no one [yet], he says.
The image
is essentially
created in
reverse. The
artist must plan
each layer of
colour, giving
careful thought
to how this will
appear on the
outside.
One of U Yaw Na Thans creations. Photo: Chit Su
Ma Phyu Phyu Thants Yangon shop is one of the last strongholds for Myanmar bottle art. Photo: Chit Su
CHIT SU
[email protected]
the pulse 51 www.mmtimes.com
THE cosplay costume is diferent
from other designs and is difcult to
make. Some costumes Ive never seen
in my tailoring life before, says Joker,
a designer.
Ma Joker took out a design award
in local competition Miss People
2006, and in 2011 she opened a
tailoring shop of her own in 13
th
St of
Yangons bustling downtown area. She
has become a well-known tailor in
Yangons small but dedicated cosplay
community.
I dont know why they are so
mad on the hobby. They go crazy
making their costumes and spend all
their money on tailor fees, she said.
Joker started to make the anime
and cartoon outts around two years
ago, when the cosplay events were
rst held in Myanmar. She now
receives more than 10 costume orders
a month from the cosplayers.
Some costumes are difcult to
make because of the ddly accessories
and details or specic types of fabric,
she explains.
My staf are afraid and want to
go away when the cosplay costumes
orders arrive to my shop, she added.
Ma Joker receives K20,000 to
K80,000 for the tailoring fees but, as
one of her regular customers Ko Aung
Pyae Sone noted, this is still cheaper
than most tailors and decidedly
more cost- (and time-) efcient than
ordering from foreign websites.
First I decided to make [outts]
with my sister who is a tailor, but it
is not easy to nd the right colour or
clothes. So I decided to place an order
with a professional tailor, explains
19-year-old cosplayer, Aung Pyae
Sone.
As it is my main hobby, I dont
care how much it will cost, he says.
Ever since Aung Pyae Sone was
child he used to watch Japanese
animation, and dreamed of becoming
an anime character. In 2012, a small
cosplay celebration hosted by the
Japanese Products Expo allowed this
dream to become a reality, if only for
a day. Since then, he has not given
up on cosplay, investing in elaborate
costumes, wigs, boots, make-up and
other props.
While I wear the costume and act
like my favorite anime, I feel in my
mind just like him. I like that feeling,
Aung Pyae explains.
Also, I make new friends from the
cosplay parties and I have a lot of fun
with them, he says.
He is currently preparing
to dress as his favorite anime
character Sora from the
Japanese animation No Game
No Life, when he competes
in the 3
rd
Myanmar Otaku &
Cosplay Festival on August 3.
Like Aung Pyae Sone, many
Myanmar teenagers and young
people were familiar with
Japanese anime characters
before cosplay parties had
come onto the scene in
Yangon.
Since censorship was
lifted and social networks
gained popularity in
Myanmar, young people
have been able to order
imported products (including
phone covers, apparel and
accessories) indirectly through
online shopping sites. Many of
these products featured anime,
cartoon, manga and video games
characters.
Local cosplay group
MMOtaku the rst to
organise a cosplay even in
Yangon gave young anime
lovers a chance to show
their talent. Now, after
some 10 cosplay parties
and festivals, their
numbers
are still
increasing.
MMOtaku organiser Ko Lin Aung
Kyaw said most cosplay enthusiasts
in Myanmar are aged between 14 and
20 years old.
All of the people who were
there [at the early events] made
cosplay their hobby, the 23-year-old
explains. Now [with the third annual
MMOtaku event] there has been
more anime coming out, and [weve
seen] better costume quality but
some of them still need to improve
their make-up skills, he concedes.
Ko Lin Kyaw fell into cosplay at
the age of 21, and now plays host to
three cosplay conventions each year.
For each event, he adds competitions
for the cosplayers to take part in.
With the support of sponsors he has
been able to give out at least four
awards, some of which are worth up
to K200,000.
When I organised [a cosplay
event] for the rst time in 2012, there
were over one hundred people who
joined some were ashamed to do
this, but after that the number has
grown more and more each year,
he said. And, as he says, why not?
Despite the fact that it can be costly,
the cosplay hobby doesnt have other
bad aspects.
To dress convincingly like a
Japan anime character the average
cosplayer spends between K100,000
and K300,000 per costume. This can
include wigs, accessories and other
props. Some choose to compete, while
others are happy just to get into
cosplay and enjoy the spectacle.
20-year-old Pann Lae was the
winner of the Best Female Award at
the 2
nd
Myanmar Otaku & Cosplay
Festival in 2013. She says cosplay is
the most important thing in her life.
She was a model before stepping
into the cosplay world, when her
friend convinced her it was worth a
shot.
A cosplayer should love her
anime and try to look like her anime
while performing on the stage, she
says, sharing her secrets for cosplay
authenticity. If the anime character
is a murderer, the cosplayer should
act like that. Not at all like a studio
model.
The 3
rd
Myanmar Otaku & Cosplay
Festivalwas held on August 3.
Over 100 cosplayers and some
1000 lookers-on took part.
Costume sales boom as
Yangon cosplay turns three
Japanese anime-inspired subculture is gaining some serious traction
among Yangons youth, writes Nandar Aung.
Photos: Supplied
NANDAR AUNG
[email protected]
the pulse 53 www.mmtimes.com
F
URUSATO is a restaurant
that has lived through many
diferent social, political
and economic changes in its
30 years. Situated on West
Shwegonedine road, Bahan township,
it was also Myanmars rst Japanese
restaurant.
We wanted to give a feeling
of home for Japanese workers in
Myanmar who were homesick, said Ma
Yuki Ko, who runs the restaurant.
The restaurant was opened in 1988
by her Japanese mother and Myanmar
father, now 73 and 82 respectively. Ma
Yuki Ko was 15.
At that time, my mother was
working as a beautician and she made
money, but when my father decided to
build a restaurant by his own design,
she has automatically become a
Japanese chef for our restaurant. Me...I
became a waitress, she recalled.
Now, Ma Yuki Ko manages the
whole restaurant.
The building is in traditional
Japanese style, with black woods
ceilings, glass, and sliding doors. It was
designed and built by shop owner U
Maung Maung.
The family had difculty keeping
their restaurant aoat, as Myanmar
experienced political changes and
economic strife.
After my mother threw her
profession of beautician away and
became as a chef, the airport project
was rejected and all Japanese workers
went back to Japan, said Ma Yuki Ko.
The most difcult moment was
during the 1988 revolution when the
restaurant was closed for months, she
said bitterly. During the whole period of
the 88 revolution, her family was afraid
of being robbed, so did not dare to open
restaurant.
We asked our Myanmar neighbors
for help and they gave strength, so my
parents thank Myanmar.
During the 90s, there was more
demand for Japanese food. Sailors and
embassy staf began to spend time at
Furusato, and the restaurant was once
again crowded.
At that time, there were no Japanese
products for cooking, so they had to be
creative to make real Japanese tastes
from scratch.
Ma Yuki Ko said they home-made
all ingredients, with a primary focus on
customer health.
There were big pots behind of
this restaurant, lled with bean curds,
soured vegetables and sauces because
we couldnt buy anything for our dishes
in that time, not like now. My mother
even went to the sauce industry to nd
the best sh-sauce matching Japanese
sauces.
Ma Yuki Ko went to Japan to learn
her parents trade for three years,
then she helped her mother in the
restaurants kitchen.
Now, she has hired chefs. The dishes
are true to the original Furusato taste,
and the recipes have never changed.
[Since 88] we never closed our
restaurant even [when we had] big
problems.
Including 2007, when the world was in
economic crisis mode and Myanmar
was subject to the uctuations in the
US dollar.
There are many Japanese restaurants
in Yangon now, but the family behind
Furusato is not the competitive type.
We do not aim to change the tastes
and service for our customers. We do
not think about incomes or branches
opening. We want to service each
customer deeply, she says.
Ma Yuki Ko says it is now much
easier to source ingredients.
As owner and chef of Furusato for
20 years, Mrs Fujiko Tsuneyoshi said
she truly felt the stress of her husband.
My husband who designed and
built our restaurant was more deeply
interested in restaurant. There were
many difculties, including customers
who didnt give money in worst days,
73-year-old Ms Fujiko said.
However they still boast loyal
customers who continue to dine with
them since 1986.
Ms Fujiko added their restaurant
is newly crowded in the last year or
so because there are more Japanese
people coming to Myanmar.
The restaurant is well-known
among international tourists and is
highly acclaimed in traveller books and
guides.
My friends and customers
suggested that we should expand our
restaurant but we have no idea how.
We just want to maintain my fathers
design for generations, Ma Yuki Ko
said.
She hopes her two daughters, who
are learning to cook in the Japanese
tradition, will continue to run Furusato
for many more years to come.
Myanmars oldest Japanese
restaurant bounces back to life
NYEIN EI EI HTWE
[email protected]
Furusatos interior design is traditional Japanese, complete with sliding doors
and dark wood ceilings. Photo: Zarni Phyo
54 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Abandoned
Ten percent of
Myanmars elderly
are in need
As rainy season drags on, the situation grows
gradually worse for Myanmars ageing homeless
WEEKLY PREDICTIONS
AUTUST 4 - 10, 2014
CANCER | June 21 July 22
Dont be anxious about your unknown future. Your past
might be different from the present, and likewise your
future will not be the same as the present, but you can use
your self-condence to change things for the better.
Women should not feel obligated to change their behaviour
merely based on the needs or interests of men.
CAPRICORN | Dec 22 Jan 19
Do not confuse self-management with destiny. You life will
continue shifting according to your environment, the
circumstances of fortune and misfortune, and your
constructive or destructive drive. Know the value of
becoming a leading light in social situations: Never allow
the light to dim, but keep it steady and bright to illuminate the way
forward.
AUNG MYIN KYAW
4
th
Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon.
Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: [email protected]
SAGITTARIUS | Nov 22 Dec 21
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm:
Every work of genius must be the product of keen passion
and interest. Life affords no higher pleasure than that of
surmounting difculties. Use your imaginative power to
generate new ideas as well as the courage to challenge
cynicism. Empower yourself by developing your listening skills, and wait
for the right time to make social challenges.
PISCES | Feb 19 March 20
Establish your objective. Lead by personal example
whenever possible, and focus on social contributions
rather than personal gain. High morale is an inner feeling
of well-being that is independent of external factors. Keep
your cool and doggedly persist in getting your point across.
Maintain a high level of personal integrity based on emotion.
VIRGO | Aug 23 Sept 22
Prepare for total confusion. Brevity is the soul of wit in
social negotiations, but not all truth will be told. Setting an
example is better than enforcing precepts. There should be
no law in necessity, and no man is so indispensable that he
is able to prove the rule by simple exception. A true word
spoken in common knowledge never leads to ruin, but rather acts as a
foundation for proper action.
TAURUS | Apr 20 May 20
You must be yourself to be at peace. Choose what is right
instead of what is politically correct. Your every action
should have a clear purpose. Learn more about the power
of silence. Take note of the difference between a rash
decision and a prompt one, and take the time to achieve
the right balance in decision making. Consult your conscience, and
forget nothing about yourself.
SCORPIO | Oct 23 Nov 21
Fear can provide the energy to do your best in new situations.
Many people do not see the comfort zone as a limitation, but
rather as providing a free atmosphere for optimistic thought.
Never allow yourself to rewrite the memory of an experience,
especially in the service of careless evil. Self-indulgence has
no power to rule over affairs of the heart.
AQUARIUS | Jan 20 Feb 18
According to Louis Pasteur, chance favours the prepared
mind. The world of achievement has always belonged to
the optimist. Almost every day of your life, you must
negotiate with endurance but sometimes in unexpected
ways to gain social favour. A positive mental attitude will
boost your powers of persuasion and make you a better negotiator. Love
requires a simple heart.
LEO | July 23 Aug 22
Your social situation could soon become unmanageable
and disappointing. Test your decision-making and
problem-solving skills by accepting new challenges that
will help you discover the extent of your brainpower. Use
your mental strength to develop the intellectual
emotions necessary to determine the factors relevant for social
communication.
ARIES | Mar 21 Apr 19
Use virtue to surmount the difculties and hardships of
your lifes journey. You should rst arm yourself with
fortitude and courage. Faith stimulates success, and hope
sustains it. Big changes require balancing your own
pursuits with discipline. Social problems should not be
challenged, but rather managed using your intellectual experiences and
social power.
GEMINI | May 21 June 20
Time is the gift of healing, and healing is the gift of hope.
Power dwells with cheerfulness, hope puts us in a
working mood, while despair has no value and only serves
to dissipate working power. Make sure all the ingredients
are present before putting the cake in the oven. Love
demands nothing but promise, and accepts everything that you have to
give.
LIBRA | Sept 23 Oct 22
Empathy plays a role in all great quests and is necessary
for all creative endeavours. Keep the commitments you
make, and make conditional agreements accordingly to
continue ascending the social ladder. The relentless
pursuit of glamour at all costs is a selsh activity that will
not enhance your status in the community. Disagreements can
sometimes reveal your courage.
F
OR hours, hard rain had been
falling on Yangon.
In his ofce at Yangon
General Hospital, medical
social ofcer U Tun Linn was
reading reports about patients who
sufered from various social problems.
After he was nished reading, U Tun
Linn prepared to leave his ofce. The
rain was still bucketing down, but he
couldnt wait for it to stop he had to
help a recovering patient move into a
home for the aged.
Several days before, 60-year-old
U Tan Khar had been brought to the
hospital after he was found lying on
the ground near Kyautawgyi Pagoda in
Lanmadaw township.
He had been sheltering at night in
a roadside betel nut shack near the
pagoda, and spending his days selling
ice lollies outside a nearby school.
But living in such a imsy,
unprotected shelter while monsoon
rain swept across the city day after day
had taken a toll on his health, until he
was nally struck down by a stroke.
His body was terribly cold
when he was brought to the
hospital, U Tun Linn said.
Doctors were able to provide
treatment that helped U Tan Khar
regain his health over the course of
several days, but they were unable to
trace his family. Afraid that he would
sufer a relapse if he returned to living
in the streets, doctors arranged for
him to move to Thabawataya Yeiktha,
a home for the sick and the aged in
Thanlyin township.
U Tan Khar is one of 11 patients with
social difculties who were brought
to Yangon General Hospital in July.
During most months, four or ve such
patients are brought in.
Some were brought in by family
members who then disappeared, never
returning to care for their ill relative.
Others were found lying sick in the
streets, having been abandoned there
by their children or by other family.
And some didnt have families who
could even be traced or contacted.
We shouldnt always blame their
children, U Tun Linn said. They might
be struggling hard to earn a living and
cant take care of the elderly family
members.
He said Yangon General Hospital
provides whoever is sick with free
medicine, treatment and care and
even serves meals until the patient
gets better.
But the hospital doesnt
accommodate those who have nowhere
else to go. After they are discharged by
the doctors, we have to nd a place for
them to live.
If U Tun Linn is able to nd a
patients family, he sends them home.
If they dont have a home, or if their
families refuse to accept them, he
arranges a place for them to live at
homes for the sick and aged such as
Thabawataya Yeiktha or Sisaryeik.
Some family members are
unwilling to accept these patients.
When we contact them, they dont give
us a warm reception, U Tun Linn said.
In these cases, we try very hard to
persuade the family to allow the patient
back into their home, but there can be a
lot of bitterness.
He recounted the story of one
elderly man who spent most of his
time living on the street but who was
sometimes supported by his daughter.
One day he was brought to the
hospital by someone who had found
him lying in the street in Bayintnaung
township. His daughter never visited
him in the hospital, and after he
recovered, he obstinately refused to live
in his daughters house. Finally, he was
sent to Thabawataya Yeiktha.
This July we saw many patients
who had not been cared for by their
families. The heavy rain afected their
health because they lived outside
instead of inside a warm home, U Tun
Linn said.
He said such patients are often
brought in by social aid groups such
Thway Myittar, which helps homeless
people nd medical help, or by people
working for Yangon City Development
Committee.
Ministry of Social Welfare gures
indicate that in 2012, 9.1 percent of
Myanmars population was aged over
60, and 10pc of those were in need of
social care.
While single people must often fend
for themselves, some elderly couples
are getting by with help from social aid
groups.
In Shwepyithar township on the
outskirts of Yangon, U Ant Sein who
is approaching 100 and his wife
Daw Ohn Shwe, 89, live in a thatched
house built by the Team for the Aged
humanitarian group.
Last week U Ant Sein was lying
sick in the house. He had been
discharged from the hospital in
June after sufering stroke.
The couple used to lived on the
premises of a factory where U Ant
Sein worked as a watchman, while his
wife sold yogurt in Hlaing township to
supplement their income. But health
problems eventually forced to U Ant
Sein to resign.
We had to nd somewhere to live
because we werent allowed to stay
in the factory compound after my
husband stopped working, said Daw
Ohn Shwe, who was waiting for her
eldest daughter to bring dinner as she
did nearly every evening.
Fortunately, my customers who
always bought my yogurt helped build
this house on rented land. They pay
the monthly rental fee and provide
K20,000 worth of rice and food every
month.
The couple has three daughters, but
the eldest is the only one who regularly
visits.
Life is hard. All my daughters
struggle hard to live with their families.
They cant come and see us, and we
cant help them either, Daw Ohn Shwe
said.
Normally, we eat what the
neighbours give us. Sometimes, I feel
they are better than my children.
ZON PANN PWINT
[email protected]
An elderly woman wades through an open sewer in Yangon. Photo: Yadanar
the pulse food and drink 55 www.mmtimes.com
Flash in the pan
Quick veggie meals
for lent
T
HIS week, Im looking
to Chinese cuisine for
inspiration on some hearty
vegetarian dishes. Hard
tofu (Pae Pyar in Burmese)
is used for a multitude of vegetarian
dishes.
I pan-fried it in a black bean paste
that is, at once, both salty and spicy.
The caramelised fried onions
(shallots) set a strong contrast against
the powerful taste of the sauce. This
is very simple and can be prepared in
no time at all.
A few weeks ago, I found a few
varieties of pastes available from
Lee Kum Kee brands at a large
supermarket. I took the opportunity
to stock up on my favorites ones, so I
can be ready at a moments notice to
throw together something quick and
delicious.
The second dish is a shitake
mushroom stew, but I keep it very
simple. I love the texture and
strong, earthy avours of these
mushrooms. This is a dish that
might be best served alongside some
fresh, good-quality Chinese steamed
buns.
FRIED HARD TOFU WITH SPICY
AND SALTY BLACK BEAN PASTE
STEW
6 servings
INGREDIENTS
4 hard tofu
1 cup of fried shallots/onions (you
can buy the ready-made pack at any
supermarkets)
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoon of spicy black bean
sauce
cup of vegetable oil
PREPARATION
Wash the hard tofu and drain it
well. Cut it into ve even pieces per
block and pat dry with kitchen paper.
Crush the garlic.
Add the oil to the wok or
frying pan and crank it to a high
heat. When the oil is hot enough,
fry the tofu for a minute. Once
this is done, turn the heat down to
medium.
Keep frying the tofu until it
becomes golden. Turn the pieces over
from time to time. Transfer the slices
onto a plate and drain the excess oil
by lining the plate with kitchen paper.
Be sure not to fry the tofu for
too long as it can become rigid and
chewy.
Leave three tablespoons of oil
in a wok and add the fried shallots
and black bean paste. Fry this on a
medium heat for a minute. Bring the
fried tofu back into the wok and add
a cup of water. Stir well, and turn the
heat down. Simmer for half an hour
with a closed lid.
In order to ensure that the shallots
do not stick to the bottom, stir the
ingredients from time to time. When
its sizzling, its ready.
Serve with steamed rice.
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
12 shitake dried mushroom
2 onions
1tablespoon of brown sugar

1
/4 cup of vegetable oil
PREPARATIONS
Rinse the mushrooms to make
sure there is no dirt or dust left on
them. Soak them in two cups of hot
water. When they become soft and
squelchy, take them out. Keep the
water. Slice the mushrooms finely.
Dice the onions and set aside.
Add the oil to the saucepan and
bring the mushrooms to a medium
heat. Sautthe onions for a minute,
or until they become translucent.
Add the mushrooms and sautfor
another minute. Add sugar and let it
sit for another minute. Take a cup of
the mushroom water and allow it to
boil. Once it reaches bubbling point,
turn the heat down. Replace the
lid and let the contents of the pot
simmer for half an hour.
If it becomes too dry, add more
of the mushroom water. Once the
mushrooms are sizzling, salt for
taste and serve with wither steamed
plain rice or Chinese steamed buns.
SWEET SHITAKE
MUSHROOM STEW
PHYO ARBIDANS
[email protected]
PARAMI Pizza, the latest ofering
from the Union-Gekko hospitality
juggernaut, provides a family-friendly
venue poised to cater to the appar-
ently booming expat population out
toward 8 Mile.
Recently opened, the restaurant
was near-full on the Thursday night
when we paid our visit.
The interior of the building, which
sits on the corner of Parami and
Malikha, has been gutted and given a
stripped back, rustic look with tables
either fashioned from shipping pallets
or made to look as though they were.
At the counter there are strategically
placed bags of imported our, just
in case you forgot it was an Italian
restaurant.
The two long tables with bench
seats make it a good location for
group dining however, the restau-
rants acoustics leave something to
be desired. No one there appeared to
be talking that loudly, but there was
still a bit of a din. If dining in a large
group, you would be well advised to
ensure whoever youre sitting next
to is someone you want to talk to,
because theyre probably the only one
youre going to be able to hear prop-
erly. If planning to go with a group,
its probably best to call ahead.
The menu has something for
everyone, from salads and generous
entree portions to pastas and pizzas.
The tuna carpaccio was slightly tart,
but fresh and reasonably priced. The
panzanella salad contained all the
expected ingredients, all of which
were fresh and tasty, and they didnt
scrimp on the cheese or croutons. The
quality of cheese and use of Italian
basil show a commitment to authen-
tic avours. The mushroom risotto
was somewhat lacklustre, but entirely
edible.
The Parami team reportedly
imported an oven, in order to achieve
an authentic woodred avour a
welcome idea given that the vast ma-
jority of pizza in Asia could perhaps
be more correctly classied as cake,
and should really be stripped of the
right to use the word pizza by some
sort of international Italian standards
enforcement board.
Now, of course, when it comes to
pizza in Yangon the question has to
be: how does it stack up next to Papa
Pizza?
This is where opinions diverged.
The tomato paste Parami used
seemed somewhat sweeter than
Papas, and the dough was pretty
much on par. Paramis four cheese
pizza pales in comparison to Papas
three cheese, despite the latter having
one less type of cheese. The ham,
however, was miles better in terms
of quality, according to one compan-
ion.
Parami has a well constructed
drinks menu, with a strong wine list.
Its cocktail menu has something to
cater to all tastes but, somewhere
between US$6 and $10 a pop, the bill
can tend to mound up quickly. When
it comes to beer selection, its slim
pickings more an indictment on
Myanmars import regulations than
choices made by whoever designed
the menu, Im sure.
As for desserts, we cant testify to
their quality as there were none avail-
able on the night. The explanation for
this was somewhat confusing, as the
tiramisu was in plain sight behind a
counter. The waitress helpfully sug-
gested another cocktail, which was
not really the same thing but we took
her advice.
All in all, Parami is a solid pick for
anyone with a hankering for a hearty
Italian meal up that end of town.
Outposts of the
(ever-expanding) empire:
Parami Pizza open for business
Parami Pizza
No (11/8), Corner of Malikha
Road and Parami Road
Mayangone Township.
01 667 449
Food: 6
Beverage: 7
Service: 8
Value for money: 7
X factor: 6.5
Restaurant Rating

GWAY PYAN GYI

For those going vegetarian
for Buddhist lent, Phyo
has a few suggestions for
dishes that forego meat,
but dont compromise on
avour.
food
Photos: Phyo
Restaurant Review
The restaurant boasts decent cocktails in a rustic setting.
Socialite
THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 -10, 2014
Opening of City of
Small photo exhibition
Thursday 31
st
July, photographer
Thet Htoo opened his newest
photographic exhibition City of
Small, a series of intimate images
exploring urban migration in
Myanmar. The Witness Yangon
Documentary Arts Space will be
open every Thursday evening for
social events allowing the people
of Yangon the chance to engage
with photography and lm over
a few drinks. Address : 3
rd
Floor,
Pyan Hlwar Building, 4A Parami
Road (Chawtwingone Junction).
First Mojito Night
On July 20, The Lab launched his rst Mojito
Night. Now and on every Wednesday, there
is no reason not to put some cuban sun and
minty lime in the Yangon rainy night. Probably
the best Mojito selection in town (strawberry,
passion fruit, creole, and more) with a buy-
one-get-one-free deal all night long.
Jess and Kate
Shiivani and Raman Clmence and FG
Andrew, future president of
Sierra Leone
Stacy, Susiana and Saskia Adeana, Rommeland Jack
James and Jeffery Abdul Kassy
Bo Kyaw and Ko Myo Min Ko Myo Min Karen, Valentina and Aude
Pyae Phyo
Matyas
Daniel Collins and Zoe Hauser
Spike and Borbala
Lynn Bo Bo
Htoo Tay Zar and Hnin Yadana Zaw
Khun Lat and Khun Li
www.mmtimes.com
Socialite
Open-mic of my MOJO
A month ago, on July 3
rd
, TS1 was
hosting the rst MY WORD, an
open-mic organized my MOJO
and featuring talented Myanmar
and foreign musicians. A groovy
night that
should be
re-edited
very soon.
Htoo Tay Zar and Hnin Yadana Zaw Thet Htoo
Khin Maung Kyaw and Sai Kong Kham
Ada and Suu
Lamir Oo and Kyat Thiri Nyunt
Lin, Kevin and Nay Ye
Yu Yu and Sindhu
Josh, Ottilie and Marie
Rachel and Alan Rachel and Namsai
Laura Ahnut, Luke (Break the Chance), Bong Bong, Naw San (Mongolid)
58 the pulse travel THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES
Domestic
6T = Air Mandalay
W9 = Air Bagan
YJ = Asian Wings
K7 = AIR KBZ
YH = Yangon Airways
FMI = FMI AIR Charter
Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
7Y = Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
Subject to change
without notice
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday
Domestic Airlines
Air Bagan Ltd. (W9)
Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102
Air KBZ (K7)
Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport),
Fax: 372983, Hot Line: 373766
Air Mandalay (6T)
Tel : (Head Ofce) 501520, 525488,
Fax: 525937. Airport: 533222~3, 09-73152853.
Fax: 533223.
Asian Wings (YJ)
Tel: 951 515261~264, 512140, 512473, 512640.
Fax: 951 532333, 516654
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.
FMI Air Charter - Sales &
Reservations
Tel: (95-1) 240363, 240373 / (+95-9) 421146545
Mann Yadanarpon Airlines (7Y)
Tel: (+95-1) 656969,
Fax: 656998, 651020.
YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 828 2 7:00 8:10 FMI A2 1,2,3,4,5 8:50 9:50
FMI A1 1,2,3,4,5 7:30 8:30 FMI A2 6 10:00 11:00
FMI A1 6 8:00 9:00 FMI B2 1,2,3,4,5 13:00 14:00
FMI B1 1,2,3,4,5 11:30 12:30 FMI A2 7 17:00 18:00
FMI A1 7 15:30 16:30 FMI C2 1,2,3,4,5 18:05 19:05
FMI C1 1,2,3,4,5 16:45 17:45
YANGON TO MANDALAY MANDALAY TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
Y5 775 Daily 6:15 7:25 Y5 233 Daily 8:05 9:15
W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 6:20 8:25 YH 918 Daily 8:30 10:25
YH 917 Daily 6:10 8:30 W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 8:40 10:05
6T 401 1,3,6,7 6:20 8:25 6T 402 1,3,6,7 8:45 10:45
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 8:40 K7 223/7Y 112 Daily 8:55 11:00
YJ 201 2,3,4 6:30 7:55 W9 201 Daily 9:10 11:05
YJ 233 1,6 6:30 7:55 YJ 212 5 11:30 16:30
YJ 211 5,7 6:30 7:55 W9 153/YJ 7153 7 12:45 19:30
YH 826 4 7:00 8:40 W9 153/YJ 7153 2,5 12:45 18:50
YH 824 1 7:00 8:40 YH 827 4 13:20 14:25
YH 828 2 7:00 9:10 YH 825 1 13:20 14:25
YH 828 6 7:00 11:25 7Y 742 2,5 14:00 18:18
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 11:20 YJ 235 6 14:00 15:25
W9 201 Daily 7:30 8:55 YH 730 6 14:00 19:00
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 13:45 YH 829 6 14:15 15:40
7Y 841 4,6 10:00 14:15 YJ 235 1 14:25 15:50
YH 727 1 11:00 13:10 YJ 203 2 14:25 15:50
YH 729 4,6 11:00 14:00 7Y 852 1,3,7 14:25 18:40
YH 729 2 11:00 14:30 7Y 842 4,6 14:30 18:15
YH 737 3,5,7 11:00 13:10 YH 730 2 14:30 19:00
W9 151/YJ 7151 1,3,6 11:00 14:45 YH 829 2 14:50 16:15
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 12:25 W9 7152/YJ 152 1,3,6 15:05 16:30
7Y 631 2,4,6 11:15 12:40 YJ 213 7 15:15 16:40
YH 731 3,5,7 14:30 16:40 7Y 632 2,4,6 16:15 17:40
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 16:35 YH 728 1 16:30 17:55
6T 501 2,4 14:30 16:30 YH 732 3,5,7 16:40 18:45
6T 501 6,7 14:45 16:45 6T 502 2,4 16:50 18:55
YH 731 1 15:00 17:10 K7 225/7Y 222 Daily 16:50 19:00
6T 501 1,5 15:30 17:30 6T 502 6,7 17:05 19:10
W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 16:00 17:25 YH 738 3,5,7 17:10 18:35
W9 7211/YJ 211 4 16:00 17:25 YH 732 1 17:10 19:15
Y5 234 Daily 17:45 18:55 YH 730 4 17:45 19:10
6T 502 1,5 17:50 19:55
Y5 776 Daily 19:35 20:45
YANGON TO NYAUNG U NYAUNG U TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 917 Daily 6:10 7:45 YH 918 Daily 7:45 10:25
6T 401 1,2,3,4,6,7 6:20 7:40 W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 7:55 10:05
6T 411 5 6:20 7:40 6T 401 1,2,3,4,6,7 7:55 10:45
W9 7143/YJ 143 Daily 6:20 7:40 K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 8:05 11:00
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 7:50 YH 918 4 8:35 10:40
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 17:25 6T 412 5 8:40 10:00
YH 731 3,5,7 14:30 17:25 YH 732 3,5,7 17:25 18:45
6T 501 2,4 14:30 17:20 6T 502 2,4 17:35 18:55
6T 501 6,7 14:45 17:35 K7 225/7Y 222 Daily 17:40 19:00
YH 731 1 15:00 17:55 6T 502 6,7 17:50 19:10
6T 501 1,5 15:30 18:20 YH 732 1 17:55 19:15
W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 16:00 18:10 W9 211 1,2,3,5,6 18:25 19:45
W9 7211/YJ 211 4 16:00 18:10 W9 7211/YJ 211 4 18:25 19:45
6T 502 1,5 18:35 19:55
YANGON TO MYITKYINA MYITKYINA TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YJ 211 5 6:30 9:20 YH 827 4 11:55 14:25
YJ 233 1,6 6:30 9:20 YH 825 1 11:55 14:25
YJ 201 2,3 6:30 9:20 YH 829 6 12:50 15:40
YH 826 4 7:00 10:05 YJ 203 4 12:25 15:15
YH 824 1 7:00 10:05 7Y 852 1,3,7 13:00 18:40
YH 828 6 7:00 10:00 YJ 212 7 13:20 16:40
YH 828 2 7:00 13:25 YH 829 2 13:25 16:15
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 12:45 W9 7152/YJ 152 1,3,6 13:35 16:30
W9 7151/YJ 151 1,3,6 11:00 13:15 7Y 632 2,4,6 14:50 17:40
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 13:55 W9 7154/YJ 154 7 16:35 19:30
7Y 631 2,4,6 11:15 14:35 W9 7154/YJ 154 2,5 16:35 18:50
YH 826 4 14:00 16:40 YH 827 4 16:40 19:05
YANGON TO HEHO HEHO TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 917 Daily 6:10 9:15 YH 918 Daily 9:15 10:25
6T 401 2,4 6:20 8:35 6T 402 1,2,3,4,6,7 9:35 10:45
6T 401 1,3,6,7 6:20 9:20 K7 223/7Y 112 Daily 9:45 11:00
K7 222/7Y 111 Daily 6:30 9:30 W9 201 Daily 9:55 11:05
YJ 201 3 6:30 11:30 7Y 741 2,5 13:15 18:18
7Y 851 1,3,7 7:05 10:35 YH 730 2 12:25 19:00
W9 201 Daily 7:30 9:40 YJ 235 1 13:40 15:50
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 13:03 YJ 203 2 13:40 15:50
7Y 841 4,6 10:00 13:30 7Y 841 4,6 13:45 18:15
YH 729 6 11:00 17:50 7Y 852 1,3,7 15:10 18:40
YH 729 2 11:00 12:25 YJ 213 5 15:20 16:30
YH 727 1 11:00 12:25 YJ 203 3 15:25 16:35
YH 737 3,5,7 11:00 12:25 YH 728 1 15:45 17:55
YH 731 3,5,7 14:30 15:55 YH 732 3,5,7 15:55 18:45
K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 14:30 15:45 6T 501 2,4 15:55 18:55
6T 501 2,4 14:30 15:40 K7 224/7Y 221 Daily 16:00 19:00
6T 501 6,7 14:45 15:55 6T 501 6,7 16:10 19:10
YH 731 1 15:00 16:25 YH 738 3,5,7 16:25 18:35
6T 501 1,5 15:30 16:40 YH 732 1 16:25 19:15
6T 501 1,5 16:55 19:55
YH 730 6 17:50 19:00
YANGON TO SIT T WE SIT T WE TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
6T 611 6,7 11:15 12:40 6T 608 1 13:00 15:00
6T 607 1 11:15 12:40 6T 612 6,7 13:00 14:25
6T 605 5 11:15 13:15 6T 606 5 13:35 15:00
W9 7311/YJ 311 4 11:30 13:20 W9 7311/YJ 311 4 13:35 15:00
W9 311 2 11:30 13:20 W9 311 2 13:35 15:00
YANGON TO MYEIK MYEIK TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 633 3,4,5,7 7:00 9:15 YH 634 3,4,5,7 11:25 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 Daily 7:00 9:05 K7 320/7Y 532 1,3,5 11:20 13:25
K7 320/7Y 532 2,4,6,7 11:30 13:35
YANGON TO THANDWE THANDWE TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
6T 605 5 11:15 12:10 6T 605 5 12:25 15:00
6T 607 1 11:15 13:50 6T 608 1 14:05 15:00
YANGON TO DAWEI DAWEI TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 633 3,4,5,7 7:00 8:25 YH 634 3,4,5,7 12:15 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 1,3,5 7:00 8:05 K7 320/7Y 532 1,3,5 12:20 13:25
K7 319/7Y 531 2,4,6,7 7:00 8:10 K7 320/7Y 532 2,4,6,7 12:25 13:35
YANGON TO LASHIO LASHIO TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YJ 211 7 6:30 8:55 YJ 202 3 12:50 16:35
7Y 741 2,5 9:00 10:38 YJ 213 5 14:15 16:30
YH 729 4,6 11:00 13:00 7Y 742 2,5 16:40 18:18
YH 729 2 11:00 13:30 YH 730 4,6 16:45 19:00
YH 730 2 17:15 19:00
YANGON TO PUTAO PUTAO TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
YH 826 4 7:00 11:00 YH 827 4 11:00 14:25
YH 824 1 7:00 11:00 YH 825 1 11:00 14:25
W9 7153/YJ 153 2,5,7 11:00 15:05 W9 7154/YJ 154 7 15:25 19:30
W9 7154/YJ 154 2,5 15:25 18:50
YANGON TO CHIANG MAI CHIANG MAI TO YANGON
Flight Days Dep Arr Flight Days Dep Arr
W9 9607/ YJ 7607 4,7 14:20 16:10 W9 9608/ YJ 7608 4,7 17:20 18:10
the pulse travel 59 www.mmtimes.com
This weighing machine and horoscope
reader has been at Bogyoke Market
since the 1970s. Its the unique
centrepiece of a drinks stand at the
southern edge of the main hall. Its
rarely used, but if you fancy checking
out your weight or glimpsing into
the future, you can operate it by
dropping one of the old square-shaped
coins (available for K200) into the
slot. It just might be the only vending
machine in the country.
Words and photos by Ewan Gaoblai
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
3K = Jet Star
QR = Qatar Airways
KE = Korea Airlines
NH = All Nippon Airways
SQ = Singapore Airways
MU=China Eastern Airlines
DD = Nok Airline
BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines
TR = Tiger Airline
Subject to change
without notice
International Airlines
Air Asia (FD)
Tel: 251 885, 251 886.
Air Bagan Ltd.(W9)
Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102
Air China (CA)
Tel : 666112, 655882.
Air India
Tel : 253597~98, 254758. Fax: 248175
Bangkok Airways (PG)
Tel: 255122, 255 265, Fax: 255119
Condor (DE)
Tel: + 95 1 -370836 up to 39 (ext : 303)
Dragonair (KA)
Tel: 95-1-255320, 255321, Fax : 255329
Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)
Tel: 95 9 400446999, 95 9 400447999,
Fax: 01 860 4051
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
Tel : 387648, 241007 ext : 120, 121, 122
Fax : 241124
Myanmar Airways International(8M)
Tel : 255260, Fax: 255305
Silk Air(MI)
Tel: 255 287~9, Fax: 255 290
Thai Airways (TG)
Tel : 255491~6, Fax : 255223
Vietnam Airlines (VN)
Fax : 255086. Tel 255066/ 255088/ 255068.
Qatar Airways (QR)
Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831, Fax: 379730
Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG)
Tel: 371867~68, Fax: 371869.
Nok Airline (DD)
Tel: 255050, 255021, Fax: 255051
Tiger Airline (TR)
Tel: 371383, 370836~39 Ext: 303
Day
1 = Monday
2 = Tuesday
3 = Wednesday
4 = Thursday
5 = Friday
6 = Saturday
7 = Sunday
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES
YANGON TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
PG 706 Daily 6:15 8:30 TG 303 Daily 7:55 8:50
8M 335 Daily 7:40 9:25 PG 701 Daily 8:50 9:40
TG 304 Daily 9:50 11:45 8M 336 Daily 10:40 11:25
PG 702 Daily 10:30 12:25 TG 301 Daily 13:00 13:55
TG 302 Daily 14:55 16:40 PG 707 Daily 13:40 14:30
PG 708 Daily 15:20 17:15 PG 703 Daily 16:45 17:35
8M 331 Daily 16:30 18:15 TG 305 Daily 17:50 18:45
PG 704 Daily 18:25 20:20 8M 332 Daily 19:15 20:00
TG 306 Daily 19:45 21:35 PG 705 Daily 20:15 21:30
YANGON TO DON MUENG DON MUENG TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
DD 4231 Daily 8:00 9:45 DD 4230 Daily 6:30 7:15
FD 252 Daily 8:30 10:15 FD 251 Daily 7:15 8:00
FD 254 Daily 17:50 19:35 FD 253 Daily 16:35 17:20
DD 4239 Daily 21:00 22:45 DD 4238 Daily 19:25 20:15
YANGON TO SINGAPORE SINGAPORE TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 231 Daily 8:00 12:25 SQ 998 Daily 7:55 9:20
Y5 233 Daily 10:10 14:40 3K 581 Daily 8:50 10:30
SQ 997 Daily 10:35 15:10 MI 533 2,4,6 11:35 12:55
3K 582 Daily 11:20 15:50 8M 232 Daily 13:25 14:50
MI 533 2,4,6 13:45 20:50 MI 518 Daily 14:20 15:45
MI 517 Daily 16:40 21:15 TR 2826 Daily 17:05 18:25
TR 2827 Daily 19:05 23:40 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 17:05
YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR KUALA LUMPUR TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 501 1,3,5,6 7:50 11:50 AK 504 Daily 6:55 8:00
AK 505 Daily 8:30 12:50 MH 740 Daily 10:05 11:15
MH 741 Daily 12:15 16:30 8M 9505 Daily 10:05 11:15
8M 9506 Daily 12:15 16:30 8M 502 1,2,3,5,6 12:50 13:50
8M 9508 Daily 15:45 20:05 8M 9507 Daily 13:30 14:40
MH 743 Daily 15:45 20:05 MH 742 Daily 13:30 14:40
AK 503 2,4,6 19:30 23:45 AK 502 2,4,6 17:50 19:00
YANGON TO BEIJING BEIJING TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
CA 716 1,3,5,7 23:50 0550+1 CA 715 1,3,5,7 19:30 22:50
YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU GUANGZHOU TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 711 2,4,7 8:40 13:15 CZ 3055 3,6 8:40 10:25
CZ 3056 3,6 11:25 16:15 CZ 3055 1,5 14:40 16:30
CZ 3056 1,5 17:30 22:15 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15 15:50
YANGON TO TAIPEI TAIPEI TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
CI 7916 1,2,3,5,6 10:50 16:15 CI 7915 1,2,3,5,6 7:00 9:55
YANGON TO KUNMING KUNMING TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
CA 906 Daily 12:15 15:55 MU 2011 3 8:25 11:40
MU 2012 3 12:20 18:20 CA 905 Daily 10:45 11:15
MU 2032 1,2,4,5,6,7 14:50 18:20 MU 2031 1,2,4,5,6,7 13:30 14:00
YANGON TO HANOI HANOI TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
VN 956 1,3,5,6,7 19:10 21:30 VN 957 1,3,5,6,7 16:50 18:10
YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
VN 942 2,4,7 14:25 17:15 VN 943 2,4,7 11:50 13:25
YANGON TO DOHA DOHA TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
QR 919 1,4,6 8:35 11:10 QR 918 3,5,7 20:30 6:35+1
YANGON TO PHNOM PENH PHNOM PENH TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 403 3 16:50 19:15 8M 404 3 20:15 21:40
YANGON TO SEOUL SEOUL TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
0Z 770 4,7 0:35 9:10 KE 471 Daily 18:45 22:35
KE 472 Daily 23:35 8:05+1 0Z 769 3,6 19:50 23:25
YANGON TO HONG KONG HONG KONG TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
KA 251 1,4,6 01:10 05:45 KA 250 3,5,7 21:45 23:30
YANGON TO TOKYO TOKYO TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
NH 914 Daily 21:45 06:50+1 NH 913 Daily 11:00 15:40
YANGON TO GAYA GAYA TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 601 3,5,6 7:00 8:20 8M 602 3,5,6 9:20 12:30
YANGON TO DHAKA DHAKA TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
BG 061 1,4 19:45 21:00 BG 060 1,4 16:30 18:45
YANGON TO INCHEON INCHEON TO YANGON
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 7702 Daily 23:35 8:05 8M 7701 Daily 18:45 22:35
8M7502 4,7 0:35 9:10 8M 7501 3,6 19:50 23:25
MANDALAY TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO MANDALAY
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
PG 710 Daily 14:05 16:30 PG 709 Daily 12:00 13:20
MANDALAY TO SINGAPORE SINGAPORE TO MANDALAY
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
MI 533 4,6 15:55 20:50 MI 533 4,6 11:35 15:00
Y5 233 Daily 8:05 14:40 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 18:55
MANDALAY TO DON MUENG DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
FD 245 Daily 12:45 15:00 FD 244 Daily 10:50 12:15
MANDALAY TO KUNMING KUNMING TO MANDALAY
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
MU 2030 Daily 14:40 17:30 MU 2029 Daily 13:55 13:50
MANDALAY TO GAYA GAYA TO MANDALAY
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
8M 603 4 11:10 12:15 8M 604 4 13:15 16:20
NAY PYI TAW TO BANGKOK BANGKOK TO NAY PYI TAW
Flights Days Dep Arr Flights Days Dep Arr
S
treet S
cen
e
60 the pulse tea break THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
ACROSS
1 Not now or the
future
5 Tolkien villains
9 Tea-producing state
in India
14 Creative input
15 Not a happy fate
16 Neutral shade
17 Very pleasing
20 Arm counterparts of
fibulae
21 Parceled out
22 Continuing
indefinitely
25 Van Gogh lost one
26 Primitive percussion
instrument
28 Filly, after maturing
32 Collapsible
topper
37 Ready for a break
38 Good time for a walk
hand-in-hand
41 Chats
42 Become very thin
43 Lid lump
44 Mortal danger
46 Appliance with
blades
47 Violent storm
53 Birds of a region
58 Helper,
essentially
59 Like some suburban
roads
62 Bring to mind
63 Saharalike
64 Masseuses
supplies
65 Palindromists
principle
66 Long-gone bird
67 Twiggy digs
DOWN
1 Excite, as interest
or curiosity
2 Grown up
3 View from the Left
Bank
4 Golden Horde
member
5 ___ man out
6 Sturgeon product
7 Carbonated
beverage
8 Grin bearer
9 More than hate
10 Small paving stone
11 Recipe directive
12 Malaria
symptom
13 Pinochle combo
18 Poetic time after
dusk
19 Feeling happy
appreciation
23 Turkish
commander (Var.)
24 Give money, and
expect it back
27 Absolute
28 Kind of
computer
29 Stirring solo
performance
30 Its overhead
31 Honers target
32 Withdraws
(with out)
33 Land map part
34 Hard to hang
on to
35 Tool for deciduous
foliage
36 Cousin of a
zebra
37 Gumshoe
39 Send out matter
40 Dell, poetically
44 Revere in history
45 Cluster of nine
46 Diamond side
48 Daisy ___ of
Dogpatch
49 Blame for,
as a crime
50 Murphy who played
Klumps
51 Unloads
52 Secret encounter
53 Lookout,
perhaps
54 On the qui ___
(watchful)
55 Macintosh screen
symbol
56 Bag-shaped fish trap
57 Prominent 70s
hairstyle
60 Get ___ of (discard)
61 Words of
commitment
Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker
SWEET! By Henry Quarters
SUDOKU PACIFIC
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS
PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ
CALVIN AND HOBBES BY BILL WATTERSON
Avenue 64 Hotel
No. 64 (G), Kyitewine
Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392,
01 656913-9
ASIA PLAZA HOTEL
YANGON
No. 277, Bogyoke Aung
San Road, Corner of
38
th
Street, Kyauktada
Township, Yangon,
Myanmar.
Tel : (951) 391070, 391071.
Reservation@391070
(Ext) 1910, 106.
Fax : (951) 391375. Email :
[email protected]
General Listing
Chatrium Hotel
40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe.
tel: 544500. fax: 544400.
The Essentials
Emergency Numbers
For more information about these listings, Please Contact - [email protected]
Ambulance tel: 295133.
Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022.
Police emergency tel: 199.
Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764.
Red Cross tel:682600, 682368
Trafc Control Branch tel:298651
Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384,
591387.
Immigration tel: 286434.
Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390
Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605
Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037.
Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067-
407007.
Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept)
tel: 254563, 370768.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344.
Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9.
Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112.
HOSPITALS
Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811.
Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807
Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888.
Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096.
Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811.
Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809.
Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837.
Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494,
384495, 379109.
Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861,
220416.
Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123,
281443, 256131.
ELECTRICITY
Power Station tel:414235
POST OFFICE
General Post Ofce
39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel:
285499.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Yangon International Airport tel: 662811.
YANGON PORT
Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722
RAILWAYS
Railways information
tel: 274027, 202175-8.
UNITED NATIONS
ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae
(Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp,
Tel : 01-566538, 566539
IOM 318 (A) Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp, Yangon.Tel 01-210588,
09 73236679, 0973236680,
Email- [email protected]
UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd,
Kamayut Tsp.
Tel : 534498, 504832
UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St,
Mayangone tsp.
Tel: 666903, 664539.
UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan
tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739.
UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd,
Bahan tsp. tel: 546029.
UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd,
Sanchaung tsp.
Tel: 524022, 524024.
UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl,
Traders Hotel.
Tel: 254852, 254853.
UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan,
tel: 52910~19
UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders
Hotel. P.O. Box 1435,
Kyauktada. Tel: 375527~32,
unicef.yangon@unicef. org,
UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward
7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903,
9660556, 9660538, 9660398.
email: [email protected]
UNOPS 120/0, Pyi Thu Lane,
7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp.
Tel: 951-657281~7.
Fax: 657279.
UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O.
Box 650, TMWE Tel: 542911~19,
292637 (Resident Coordinator),
WFP 5 Kan Baw Za St, Shwe
Taung Kyar, (Golden Valley),
Bahan Tsp. Tel : 2305971~6
WHO No. 2, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile,
Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 650405-
6, 650416, 654386-90.
ASEAN Coordinating Of. for
the ASEAN Humanitarian
Task Force, 79, Taw Win st,
Dagon Tsp. Tel: 225258.
FAO Myanma Agriculture
Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel:
641672, 641673.
EMBASSIES
Australia 88, Strand
Road, Yangon. Tel :
251810, 251797, 251798.
Bangladesh 11-B, Than
Lwin Road, Yangon.
Tel: 515275, 526144,
email: bdootygn@
mptmail.net.mm
Brazil 56, Pyay Road,
6
th
mile, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 507225,
507251. email: Administ.
[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.
Tel: 549609, 540964.
email: RECYANGON @
mptmail.net.mm
Candian Embassy
9
th
Floor, Centerpoint
Towers, 65 Sule Pagoda
Road, Yangon, Tel :
01-384805 , Fax :01-
384806, Email : yngon@
international.gc.ca
China 1, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon.
Tel: 221280, 221281.
Danmark, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17.
Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon.
Tel: 222886, 222887,
Egyptembassy86@
gmail.com
France 102, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon.
Tel: 212178, 212520,
email: ambaf rance.
rangoun@ diplomatie.fr
Germany 9, Bogyoke
Aung San Museum Road,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 548951, 548952,
email: info@rangun.
diplo.de
India 545-547, Merchant
St, Yangon. Tel: 391219,
388412, email:indiaembassy
@mptmail.net.mm
Indonesia 100,
Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 254465,
254469, email: kukygn @
indonesia.com.mm
Israel 15, Khabaung
Street, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 515115, fax:
515116, email: info@
yangon.mfa.gov.il
Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road,
Golden Valley, Yangon.
Tel: 527100, 527101, fax:
514565, email: ambyang.
mail@ esteri.it
Japan 100, Natmauk Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 549644-8,
540399, 540400, 540411,
545988, fax: 549643
Kuwait
62-B, Shwe Taung Kyar
St, Bahan Tsp.
Tel : 01-230-9542, 230-
9543. Fax : 01-230-5836.
Lao A-1, Diplomatic
Quarters, Tawwin Road,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 222482, Fax: 227446,
email: Laoembcab@
mptmail. net.mm
Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road, Yangon.
Tel: 220248, 220249,
email: mwkyangon@
mptmail.net.mm
Nepal 16, Natmauk
Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel:
545880, 557168, fax:
549803, email: nepemb
@mptmail.net.mm
Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu
St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel: 01 9669520 - 17
Fax 01- 9669516
New Zealand No. 43/C,
Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 01-2306046-9
Fax : 01-2305805
Netherlands Diplomatic
Mission No. 43/C, Inya
Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805
North Korea 77C, Shin
Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 512642, 510205
Pakistan A-4, diplomatic
Quarters, Pyay Rd,
Yangon. Tel: 222881
(Chancery Exchange)
Philippines 50, Sayasan
Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 558149-151,Email:
p.e. [email protected]
Russian 38, Sagawa Rd,
Yangon.
Tel: 241955, 254161,
Royal Embassy of Saudi
Arabia No.287/289, U
Wisara Rd, Sanchaung.
Tel : 01-536153, 516952.
Serbia No. 114-A, Inya
Rd, P.O.Box No. 943,
Yangon. Tel: 515282,
515283, email: serbemb
@ yangon.net.mm
Singapore 238,
Dhamazedi Road, Bahan
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 559001,
email: singemb_ ygn@_
sgmfa. gov.sg
South Korea 97
University Avenue, Bahan
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 527142-
4, 515190, fax: 513286,
email: myanmar@mofat.
go.kr
Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win
Rd, Yangon. Tel: 222812,
Switzerland
No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5
mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing
Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 534754, 507089.
Thailand 94 Pyay Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel:
226721, 226728, 226824
Turkish Embassy
19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St,
Mayangone Tsp,Yangon.
Tel : 662992, Fax : 661365
United Kingdom 80
Strand Rd, Yangon.
Tel: 370867, 380322,
371852, 371853, 256438,
United States of
America 110, University
Avenue, Kamayut Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 536509,
535756, Fax: 650306
Vietnam Bldg-72,
Thanlwin Rd, Bahan Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 511305
ACCOMMODATION-
HOTELS
No. 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
No.7A, Wingabar Road,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : (951) 546313,
430245. 09-731-77781~4.
Fax : (01) 546313.
www.cloverhotel.asia.
[email protected]
Confort Inn
4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd
& U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut,
tel: 525781, 526872
PARKROYAL Yangon,
Myanmar
33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon tsp.
tel: 250388. fax: 252478.
email: enquiry.prygn@
parkroyalhotels.com.
Savoy Hotel
129, Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut tsp.
tel: 526289, 526298,
Sedona Hotel
Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin. tel: 666900.
Strand Hotel
92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377.
fax: 289880.
Summit Parkview Hotel
350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon
Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966.
Sule Shangri-La Hotel
223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel:
242828. fax: 242838.
No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan
Rd, Tamwe Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Ph: 542826, Fax: 545650
Email: reservation@
edenpalacehotel.com
Royal White Elephant Hotel
No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing
Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar.
(+95-1) 500822, 503986.
www.rwehotel.com
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
Hotel Yangon
91/93, 8
th
Mile Junction,
Tel : 01-667708, 667688.
Inya Lake Resort Hotel
37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.
tel: 662866. fax: 665537.
KH Hotel, Yangon
28-A, 7 Miles, Pyay Rd,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 95-1-652532, 652533
MGM Hotel No (160), Warden
Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon,
Myanmar. +95-1-212454~9.
www. hotel-mgm.com
Marina Residence
8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630.
ACCOMMODATION-
HOTELS (NAY PYI TAW)
Tel: 09-7349-4483,
09-4200-56994.
E-mail: aahappyhomes@
gmail.com, http://www.
happyhomesyangon.com
Happy Homes
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd,
Yankin Tsp.
Tel: 650933. Fax: 650960.
Email : micprm@
myanmar.com.mmwww.
myanmar micasahotel.com
ADVERTISING
SAIL Marketing &
Communications
Suite 403, Danathiha Center
790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd
& Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw
Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 211870, 224820,
2301195. Email: admin@
advertising-myanmar.com
www.advertising-myanmar.
com
WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING
INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991
MAR K E T I NG & COMMUNI CAT I ONS
A D V E R T I S I N G
ACCOMMODATION
LONG TERM
Golden Hill Towers
24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda
Rd, Bahan Tsp.
tel: 558556. ghtower@
mptmail.net.mm.
Reservation Ofce (Yangon)
123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd,
Dagon Township
Tel : 951- 255 819~838
Royal Kumudra Hotel,
(Nay Pyi Taw)
Tel : 067- 414 177,
067- 4141 88
E-Mail: reservation@
maxhotelsgroup.com
No.6, Botahtaung Jetty,
Botahtaung Township,
Yangon. Tel: (951)9010555,
9010535 Fax : (951) 9010536
[email protected]
www.vintageluxuryhotel.com
Sakura Residence
9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp.
tel: 525001. fax: 525002.
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
Hotel Grand United
(Chinatown)
621, Maharbandoola Rd,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 372256-58
(21
st
Downtown)
66-70, 21
st
Street (Enter
from Strand Rd), Latha
Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1)
378201
(Ahlone Branch)
35, Min Ye Kyaw Swar
Rd, Ahlone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 218061-64;
Email: grandunited.
[email protected], www.
hotelgrandunited.com
THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
FLORAL SERVICES
Floral Service & Gift Shop
No. 449, New University
Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN.
Tel: 541217, 559011,
09-860-2292.
Market Place By City Mart
Tel: 523840~43,
523845~46, Ext: 205.
Junction Nay Pyi Taw
Tel: 067-421617~18
422012~15, Ext: 235.
Res: 067-414813, 09-492-
09039. Email : eternal@
mptmail.net.mm
FITNESS CENTRE
Balance Fitnesss
No 64 (G), Kyitewine
Pagoda Road, Mayangone
Township. Yangon
01-656916, 09 8631392
Email - info@
balancetnessyangon.com
Life Fitness
Bldg A1, Rm No. 001,
Shwekabar Housing,
Mindhamma Rd,
Mayangone Tsp. Yangon.
Ph: 01-656511,
Fax: 01-656522,
Hot line: 0973194684,
[email protected]
No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl
Street, Golden Valley Ward,
Bahan Township, Yangon.
Tel : 09-509 7057, 01-
220881, 549478 (Ext : 103)
Email : realtnessmyanmar
@gmail.com
www.realtnessmyanmar.com
FOAM SPRAY
INSULATION
Foam Spray Insulation
No-410, Ground Fl,Lower
Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun
taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax
: 01-203743, 09-5007681.
Hot Line-09-730-30825.
ADVERTISING & MEDIA
COFFEE MACHINE
CAR RENTAL
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]
No. 56, Bo Ywe St,
Latha Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 01-246551, 375283,
09-2132778, 09-31119195.
Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@
gmail.com,
Car Rental Service
CONSULTING
Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2
Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon.
Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730
[email protected]
www.thuraswiss.com
Myanmar Research | Consulting | Technology
Zamil Steel
No-5, Pyay Road,
7 miles,
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (95-1) 652502~04.
Fax: (95-1) 650306.
Email: zamilsteel@
zamilsteel.com.mm
CONSTRUCTION
CONFERENCE
Diamond Palace Jewelry
Shop (1) - No. 663/665,
Mahar Bandoola Rd,
Tel : 01-371 944, 371 454,
Shop (2) - No.1103/1104/
1105, Ground Fl, Taw Win
Center, Tel : 01-8600111
ext :1103, 09 49307265
Shop (3) - No.B 020,
Ground Fl, Junction
Square Shopping Center,
Tel : 01-527 242 ext : 1081,
09 73203464
Shop (4) Ground Fl,
Gamonepwint Shopping
Mall, Kabaraye Pagoda
Rd, Tel : 01-653 653 ext :
8205, 09 421763490
Shop (5) - 229/230, 1st
Fl, Ocean Shwe Ghone
Daing Super Center,
Yangon. Tel : 09-312
91904, 09-732-03376.
[email protected]
www.seinnandaw.com
www.facebook.com/
seinnandaw
The Lady Gems &
Jewellery
No. 7, Inya Rd, Kamayut
Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-2305800,
09-8315555
GEMS & JEWELLERIES
Best Jewels
No. 44, Inya Road,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-2305811, 2305812.
Ruby & Rare Gems
of Myanamar
No. 527, New University
Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon.
[email protected]
www.manawmayagems.com
Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.
The Natural Gems of
Myanmar & Fine Jewellery.
No. 30(A), Pyay Road,
(7 mile), Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 01-660397, 654398
spgems.myanmar@
gmail.com
YourMost ReliableJeweller
Strand Bar 92, Strand
Rd, Yangon, Myanmar.
tel: 243377.fax: 243393,
[email protected]
www.ghmhotels.com
Lobby Bar
PARKROYAL Yangon,
Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya
Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp.
tel: 250388.
BARS
50
th
Street
9/13, 50th street-lower,
Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160.
Kham Le
22, Thukha Waddy St,
Suneyan Park, Yankin, Ph:
01-8605223, 8605224.
Yves Rocher
147, Shwe Gone Taing Rd,
West Yay Tar Shay Ward,
Bahan, Ph: 01-8604930~31
General Aircon
83-91, Ground Flr, Bo Aung
Kyaw St, Kyauktada.
Ph: 01-706223, 373462.
The First Air conditioning
systems designed to keep
you fresh all day
Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd.
No.437 (A), Pyay Road,
Kamayut. P., O 11041
Yangon, Tel: +(95-1)
502016-18,
Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933.
Nay Pyi Taw- Tel:
067-420778, E-mail :
sales.ac@freshaircon.
com. URL: http://www.
freshaircon.com
AIR CONDITION
Media Relations,
Event Management &
Strategic Communications
Hotline : 09 730 81 787
Email : tharapa.myanmar
@gmail.com
MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE
Nandawun Compound,
No. 55, Baho Road,
Corner of Baho Road
and Ahlone Road, (near
Eugenia Restaurant),
Ahlone Township. tel:
212 409, 221 271. 214708
fax: 524580. email: info@
myanmarbook.com
Yangon : A-3, Aung San
Stadium (North East Wing),
Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp.
Tel : 245543, 09-73903736,
09-73037772.
Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St,
Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan
Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : 09-
6803505, 09-449004631.
Naypyitaw : Level (2),
Capital Hyper Mart,
Yazathingaha Street,
Outarathiri Tsp. Tel : 09-
33503202, 09-73050337
FASHION & TAILOR
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]
CO WORKING SPACE
No. (6), Lane 2
Botahtaung Pagoda St,
Yangon.
01-9010003, 291897.
[email protected],
www.venturaofce.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Learn to dance with
social dancing
94, Bogalay Zay St,
Botataung T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-392526,
01-1221738
GAS COOKER &
COOKER HOODS
Worlds leader in
Kitchen Hoods & Hobs
Same as Ariston Water
Heater. Tel: 251033,
379671, 256622, 647813
BEAUTY & MASSAGE
California Skin Spa
NO 32.B, Inya Myaing Road,
Yangon. (Off University
Road) Tel : 01-535097,
01-501295. Open Daily :
(10 AM - 8 PM)
Myanmar Telephone
Directory & Yellow Pages
15/C, Inya Myaing Road,
Bahan, Ph: 525380, 525384
Yangon Directory
599, Room 7,
Mahabandoola Street,
Thein Gyi Bazar E Complex,
Latha, Ph: 245358,
The Best Conference,
Exhibition & Workshop at
Reasonable Cost in Yangon
MitaMyanmarInvestmentTrade
TechnologyConference.com
[email protected]
09420110451,09420110666
Myanmar
Investment
Conference
25-27 Sept
BOOK STORES
150 Dhamazedi Rd.,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 536306, 537805.
Email : yangon@
monument-books.com
15(B), Departure Lounge,
Yangon Intl Airport.
#87/2, Crn of 26
th
& 27
th

St, 77
th
St,Chan Aye Thar
Zan Tsp, Mandalay.
Tel : (02) 24880.
Marina Residence, Yangon
Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109
Beauty Plan, Corner of
77th St & 31st St, Mandalay
Ph: 02 72506
Lemon Day Spa
No. 96 F, Inya Road,
Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476.
E.mail: lemondayspa.2011
@gmail.com
No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi
Condo, Room F, Yaw Min
Gyi Rd, Dagon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: 09-425-307-717
YANGON
La Source Beauty Spa
80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp.
Tel: 512380, 511252
Beauty Bar by La Source
Room (1004), Sedona Hotel,
Tel : 666 900 Ext : (7167)
MANDALAY
La Source Beauty Spa
No. 13/13, Mya Sandar St,
Chanaye Tharzan Tsp.
Tel : 09-4440-24496.
www.lasourcebeautyspa.com
Beauty Spa & Reexology
42 (A), Amaka (10)
Kyaung St, Pyay Rd,
Hlaing Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-507070, 01-507141,
09-51 09435, 09-51 43568
24 Hrs International Clinic
Medical and Security
Assistance Service
@ Victoria Hospital
No.68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: +951 651 238
+959 495 85 955
Fax: +959 651 398
www.leomedicare.com
24 Hours Laboratory
& X-ray, CT, MRI, USG
Mammogram, Bone DXA
@ Victoria Hospital
No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile,
Mayangon Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel: (951) 9 666141
Fax: (951) 9 666135
Japan-Myanmar
Physiotherapy Clinic.
Body Massage - 7000 Ks
Foot Massage - 6000 Ks
Body & Foot Massage -
12,000 Ks
No.285, Bo Aung Kyaw Rd,
Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon.
09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tel : 09-8615036
No.(68), Tawwin Street,
9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon.
Hunt line: +95 1 9666 141,
Booking Ext : 7080, 7084.
Fax: +95 1 9666 135
Email:
info@witoriya hospital.com
www.victoriahospital
myanmar.com,
Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/
WitoriyaGeneralHospital
Pearl Dental
29, Shwe Taung Tan St,
Lanmadaw Tsp.
Ph : 01-226274,
09-730-39011
9:30 AM TO 9:00 PM
Bahosi
Bahosi, Housing Complex,
Bogyoke Aung San Road,
Lanmadaw Tsp,
Tel: 01-2300502, 2300530.
Dent Myanmar
Condo (C), Room (001),
Tatkatho Yeikmon Housing,
New University Avenue Rd,
Bahan Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 09 8615162, 09 8615163,
542 375, (Ext 1155)
SSC
7, East Shwe Gone Dine Rd,
Bahan, Ph: 544128.
Myittar Oo Eye Hospital
499, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp.
Ph: 09-527381.
GENERATORS
No. 589-592, Bo Aung
Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein
highway Road. Hlaing
Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951-
645178-182, 685199, Fax:
951-645211, 545278.
e-mail: mkt-mti@
winstrategic.com.mm
HEALTH SERVICES
Crockery
No.196/198,
Ground Floor,
Shwe Bon Thar St(Middle),
Pabedan Tsp, Yangon,
Tel: 253214, 0973098782,
09420049459
DELIVERY SERVICE
CROCKERY
Express Delivery &
Logistic Service
YGN Tel : 01-2301865
MDY Tel : 09-4200-66638
NPT Tel : 09-4920-5684
www.sbs-myanmar.com
Express Courier & Cargo
One Stop Logistic Solution
Ygn, Hot Line: 01-374457
DUTY FREE
Duty Free Shops
Yangon International
Airport, Arrival/Departure
Mandalay International
Airport, Departure
Ofce: 17, 2
nd
street,
Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing,
Hlaing Township, Yangon.
Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.
98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda
Road, Bahan Township,
Yangon. Tel: 542979,
553783, 09-732-16940.
Fax: 542979
Email: asiapacic.
[email protected].
THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
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
Executive Serviced Ofces
www.hinthabusinesscentres.com
Tel : 01-4413410
SERVICE OFFICE
SwissBusinessOfceCenter
36-38 (A), Ground Flr,
Grand Myay Nu Condo,
Myay Nu St,
Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: +95 (01) 230 60 67~71,
Tel: +95 (0) 9 250 294 669
Email: sales@sboc-
yangon.com
Capital Hyper Mart
14(E), Min Nandar Road,
Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136.
City Mart (Aung San) tel:
253022, 294765.
City Mart (47
th
St Branch)
tel: 200026, 298746.
City Mart (Junction 8)
tel: 650778.
City Mart (FMI City Branch)
tel: 682323.
City Mart (Yankin Center
Branch) tel: 400284.
City Mart (Myaynigone)
tel: 510697.
City Mart (Zawana Branch)
tel:564532.
City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar)
tel: 294063.
City Mart (Chinatown Point)
tel: 215560~63.
City Mart (Junction Maw Tin)
tel: 218159.
City Mart (Marketplace)
tel: 523840~43.
City Mart
(78
th
Brahch-Mandalay)
tel: 02-71467~9.
IKON Mart
No.332, Pyay Rd, San
Chaung. Tel: 535-783, 527705,
501429. Email: sales-ikon@
myanmar.com.mm
Junction Maw Tin
Anawrahta Rd, Lanmadaw,
Ph: 01-225244.
Junction Square
Pyay Rd, Kamayut,
Ph: 01-527242.
Junction Zawana
Lay Daung Kan St,
Thingangyun, Ph: 573929.
Ocean (North Point)
Pyay Rd, 9 mile,
Ph: 01-652959.
Ocean (East Point)
Mahabandoola Rd,
Ph: 01-397146.
Orange
Myittar Yeik Mon Housing,
Tamwe, Ph: 09-8623381.
SUPERMARKETS
STEEL STRUCTURE
Design, Fabrication,
Supply & Erection of Steel
Structures
Tel : (+95-1) 122 1673
Email : Sales@WEC-
Myanmar.com
www.WEC-Myanmar.com
PLEASURE CRUISES
REAL ESTATE
For House-Seekers
with Expert Services
In all kinds of Estate Fields
[email protected]
09-332 87270 (Fees Free)
09-2541 26615 (Thai Language)
PAINT
TOP MARINE PAINT
No-410, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 09-851-5202
Sole Distributor
For the Union of
Myanmar Since 1995
Myanmar Golden Rock
International Co.,Ltd.
#06-01, Bldg (8), Myanmar
ICT Park, University Hlaing
Campus, Hlaing Tsp,
Yangon. Tel: 654810~17.
Worlds No.1 Paints &
Coatings Company
Mon - Sat (9am to 6pm)
No. 797, MAC Tower II,
Rm -4, Ground Flr,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303,
09-4200-91393.
info@centuremyanmar.
com.
www.centure.in.th
OFFICE FURNITURE
LUGGAGE
Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330
09-4200-77039.
[email protected]
Home Outdoor Ofce
99 Condo, Ground Floor,
Room (A), Damazedi Rd,
Kamayut Township,
Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : 09-2504-28700
[email protected]
Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe
Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896
Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe
Gabar Housing, Mindama
Rd, Mayangone Tsp,
Yangon. email: eko-nr@
myanmar.com.mm
Ph: 652391, 09-73108896
Room No. 1101, 16
th
Flr,
Tower B, Maw Tin Tower,
Corner of Anawrahta Rd
& Lanthit St, Lanmadaw
Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar.
Tel : (95-1) 218489. 218490
218491
Fax : (95-1) 218492
Email : marketing @
kaytumadi.com, contact@
kaytumadi.com,
[email protected].
web : www.rockworth.com
MARINE
COMMUNICATION &
NAVIGATION
Top Marine Show Room
No-385, Ground Floor,
Lower Pazundaung Road,
Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon.
Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597
150 Brand NEW
International Standard
Rental Apartments
Hotline : 09 43 200 845
09 250 516 616
email : rental.starcity@
gmail.com
www.starcityyangon.com
HOUSING
Pun Hlaing Golf Estate
Gated Golf Community
HOUSE RENTAL
APARTMENT RENTALS
SERVICED APARTMENTS
Available Immediately
RENTAL OFFICE
OPEN DAILY 9-5
PHGE Sales & Marketing,
Hlaing Tharyar Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 951-687 800, 684 013
[email protected]
www.punhlainggolfestate.com
LANGUAGE
Master Burmese Faster!
Professional Burmese
Language Course for All
Levels
436, Top r, Thein Phyu Rd,
Mingalar Taung Nyut Tsp,
Yangon.
Tel : 09-4316 8422
www.moemyanmar.com
Email: register.mmlc@
moemyanmar.com
HOME FURNISHING
22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile,
Mayangone Tsp.
tel: 660769, 664363.
Franzo Living Mall
15(A/5), Pyay Rd, A1(9miles),
Mayangone Tsp, Yangon.
Tel : 01-664026, 01-656970,
09-43205018
www.facebook.com/franzo
livingmall.
Email:palazzofurniture@
gmail.com
HOTEL SUPPLY
Premium Chef Uniform
Building B-1, Room 001,
Myittar Street, TamweLay,
TamweTsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01-556703, 09-
5408885, 09-5067816
Email:
theworkwearmyanmar@
gmail.com
Schenker (Thai) Ltd.
Yangon 59 A, U Lun
Maung Street. 7 Mile
Pyay Road, MYGN. tel:
667686, 666646.fax:
651250. email: sche
[email protected].
Legendary Myanmar Intl
Shipping & Logistics Co.,
Ltd.
No-9, Rm (A-4), 3
rd
Flr,
Kyaung St, Myaynigone,
Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 516827, 523653,
516795.
Mobile. 09-512-3049.
Email: legandarymyr@
mptmail.net .mm
www.LMSL-shipping.com
Crown Worldwide
Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702,
7
th
Flr Danathiha Centre,
Bogyoke Aung San Rd,
Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288,
210 670, 227650. ext: 702.
Fax: 229212. email: crown
[email protected]
REMOVALISTS
22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd,
Bahan Tsp. tel 541997.
email: leplanteur@
mptmail.net.mm.
http://leplanteur.net
Heaven Pizza
38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St.
Yaw Min Gyi Quarter,
Dagon Township.
Tel: 09-855-1383
World famous Kobe Beef
Near Thuka Kabar
Hospital on Pyay Rd,
Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp.
Tel: +95-1-535072
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
No. 5, U Tun Nyein
Street, Mayangone T/S,
Yangon.
Tel : 01-660 612, 657928,
01-122 1014, 09 508 9441
Email : lalchimiste.
[email protected]
G-01, City Mart
(Myay Ni Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106
G-05, Marketplace by
City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext: 105
a drink from paradise...
available on Earth
@Yangon International
Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd,
Dagon Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 09-421040512
Quality Chinese Dishes
with Resonable Price
@Marketplace by City Mart.
Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109
Good taste & resonable
price
@Thamada Hotel
Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41
Ext: 32
RESTAURANTS
Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg
608, Rm 6(B), Cor of
Merchant Rd & Bo Sun
Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel:
377263, 250582, 250032,
09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.
Acacia Tea Salon
52, Saya San Rd,
Bahan Tsp.
Tel : 01-554739
Pizza Mazzi
Ocean Center (North
Point), Ground Floor,
Tel: 09-731-83900 01-
8600056
Monsoon Restaurant
& Bar 85/87, Thein Byu
Road, Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.
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)
Delicious Hong Kong Style
Food Restaurant
G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni
Gone Center).
Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114
UnionBarAndGrill
42 Strand Road,
Botahtaung, Yangon.
Tel: 95 9420 180 214, 95
9420 101 854
www.unionyangon.com,
[email protected]
Horizon Intl School
25, Po Sein Road, Bahan
Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795,
551796, 450396~7.
fax : 543926, email :
contact@horizonmyanmar.
com, www.horizon.com
SCHOOLS
Yangon Intl School
Fully Accredited K-12
International Curriculum
with ESL support
No.117,Thumingalar
Housing, Thingangyun,
Tel: 578171, 573149,
687701, 687702.
English Education Centre
Nursery - Primary
(15 months - 12 years)
55 (B), Po Sein Road,
Bahan Township.
Tel : (951) 546097, 546761.
Email: [email protected]
I nternational
M ontessori
M yanmar
TRAVEL AGENTS
Get your Visa online for
Business and Tourist
No need to come to
Embassy.
#165. 35th Street,
Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: +951 381200, 204020
[email protected]
VISA & IMMIGRATION
WATER TREATMENT
WEB SERVICE
Commercial scale
water treatment
(Since 1997)
Tel: 01-218437~38.
H/P: 09-5161431,
09-43126571.
39-B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone.
WATER SOLUTION
Water Treatement Solution
Block (A), Room (G-12),
Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye
Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp.
Hot Line : 09-4500-59000
Aekar
Company Limited
Web Services
All the way from Australia
world-class websites/
web apps for desktop,
smartphone & tablets,
online shopping with
real-time transaction,
news/magazine site,
forum, email campaign
and all essential online
services. Domain
registration & cloud
hosting. Talk to us: (01)
430-897, (0) 942-000-4554.
www.medialane.com.au
WATER HEATERS
The Global leader in
Water Heaters
A/1, Aung San Stadium
East Wing, Upper
Pansodan Road.
Tel: 01-256705, 399464,
394409, 647812.
Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd
Ph: 01-9010378, 9010382,
www.exploremyanmar.com
www.exploreglobaltravel.
com
Asian Trails Tour Ltd
73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp.
tel: 211212, 223262.
fax: 211670. email: res@
asiantrails.com.mm
Wat er Heat er
Made in Japan
Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker
and Cooker Hood
Showroom Address
Sany
No. 74, Lann Thit Road,
Nant Thar Kone Ward,
Insein Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-
4026-68668, 09-4026-68600
Email : sanymyanmar@
gmail.com.
HEAVY MACHINERY
Serv-Smart
#77/2b, DhammaZedi Rd,
Corner of U Wisara Rd,
SanchaungTsp, Yangon.
Tel: +95 931 323 291
[email protected]
www.serv-smart.com
Orange
Mahabandoola St, Top of
19
th
St, Latha
Ph: 01-397146.
Orange Super Market
103, Thu Damar Rd,
Industrial Zone, North
Okkalar, Ph: 9690246
Executive Serviced
Ofce, Registered
and Virtual Ofce, Hot
Desking, Meeting Rooms
Tel: +(95) 1 387947
www.ofcehubservices,com
Luggage
No.196/198,
Ground Floor,
Shwe Bon Thar St(Middle),
Pabedan Tsp, Yangon,
Tel: 253214, 09420049459,
0931569998
Horizon Restaurant & Bar
KH Hotel Roof top
No. (28-A), 7 Miles,
Pyay Road, Mayangone
Township, Yangon.
Ph: 95-1-652532, 652533
Re a l Es t a t e Age nt
No Fees for Cl i ent s,
Contact Us : 09 2050107,
[email protected]
INSURANCE
Fire, Motor and Life
Insurance
44, TheinPhyu Road,
Tel : 01- 8610656
Mob : 09-5055216
Email: maythet@gw-
insurance.com
www.gw-insurance.com
Relocation Specialist
Rm 504, M.M.G Tower,
#44/56, Kannar Rd,
Botahtaung Tsp.
Tel: 250290, 252313.
Mail : info@asiantigers-
myanmar.com
Matrix System
No.77, Lanthit Street,
Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon.
Tel: 01-221944, 225374.
[email protected]
Property General
HOW TO GET A FREE AD
BY FAX : 01-254158
BY EMAIL : [email protected]
BY MAIL : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM
AS LITTLE AS K.5,000.
BUY SPACE ON THESE PAGES
CALL: Khin Mon Mon Yi - 01-392676, 392928
FREE
Housing for Rent
FULLY furnished 4BR
homes with modern
western style kitchen.
4BR house divided into 3
spacious 2BR apartments
in a gated compound.
Easy access to & from
the downtown area.
Shops, supermarkets
& restaurants 10 mins
away. All apartments
have en-suite and large
living space. Shared
entrance and furnished
living room, dining room
furnished and kitchen
includes refrigerator, gas
cook top microwave and
cabinet lockable cabinet
for each apartment,
Washing machine.
Facilities management,
minimart, swimming pool
and bbq area. Please
contact Phyo 09-4210-
27567
(1).PANSODAN TOWER,
1800 sqft, 2 privates
Rooms, 2 Hall, 2 Bath
Rooms & 2 Toilets,
2lifts, parquet foor (New
Rm) (2). 2RC, Near by
diamond condo, 2MBR,
3BR, Parquet foor. Ph:
09-731-54071.
BAHAN, Moe Ma Kha St,
a pleasant location inside,
30' x 110' , 3 stories. fully
furnished containing 5
bedrooms with air-cons,
3 BR, toilets, spacious
living room, dining
room, kitchen, 6 AC. car
garage, servant quarter.
USD $5200 per month
(negotiable). Ph:09-500-
0520, 09-2560-29866,
TAMWE, Po Sein
Rd, 65'x80' USD
$5000(negotiable). Ph :
09-2506-49342, 09-507-
3521.
BAHAN, Moe Myint San
Codo, 2400 sqft, Fully
furnished, Ph: 09-518-
8320.
INYA RD, 2 RC, 3008 sqft,
3 MBRE, 2 BR, 1 living,
1 dinning, 1 praying,
1 kitchen, 1 common
toilet,1 car garage, 2
store room, 1 ph line,
AC 6, water heater 5,
Internet line, All bedroom
are bathroomattached.
Price 3500 U$, quite &
power save place. 30/I,
Inya Rd, kamayut, near
Inya hotel. Ph: 09-512-
6285, 09-3224-9796.
KAMAYUT, (1)Pyay Rd,
Diamond condo, 1600
sqft, 1 MBR, 2 BR, 3 AC,
f.f, US$ 3200. (2)New
University Avenue Rd,
Walk up apt(4 F),f.f 1250
sqft, 1 MBR, 1 BR, US$
1200. (3)8 Miles, MTP
Condo, 1500 sqft, 2 MBR,
Ph, 3 AC, f.f. Owner : 09-
518-8320.
(1).7-MILES, Pyay Rd,
Sitawgyi Condo 3400sqft,
Hall Type (2).Pansodan
Condo, 50sqft, 2 Rooms,
3 Aircon with lift (New)
(3). Mingalardon Industry,
100'x100' new factory,
80'x80' store. Contact :
09-731-54071
(1).Near Inya Lake,
50'x40', 3MBR, F.F, 2RC,
60 Lakhs (2).Golden Velly,
60'x80', 1MBR, 3BR, F.F,
2RC, $7000 (3).Near
Yuzana Plaza, 1250Sqft,
2MBR,1BR, Lift, 10Lakhs
(4).Near Sakura Tower,
1500Sqft, 1MBR, 1BR,
F.F, lift, 10Lakhs (5).Near
Park Royal, 1200Sqft,
2BR, F.F, 9Lakhs (6).MAC
Tower, 2000Sqft, 1MBR,
2BR, F.F, Lift, $2500 . Ph:
09-4211-77105.
(1)Near Haldan Center,
1400Sqft, 1MBR,1BR, F.
F, Lift, 17Lakhs (2)Near
50 St, 1500Sqft, 1MBR,
2BR, F.F, Lift, 15Lakhs
(2) Near Yankin Center,
1260Sqft, 1MBR, 2BR,
F.F, Lift, 18Lakhs (3)MTP
Condo, 1500Sqft, 2MBR,
1BR, f.f, Lift, 20 Lakhs
(4).Near Yae Kyaw St,
1000Sqft, 1MBR, 1BR,
F.F, Lift, 12Lakhs, (5).
Ga Mone Pwint Condo,
1800Sqft, 1MBR, 2BR,
f.f, Lift, $4000.
Ph:09-4921-4276
M A Y N I G O N E ,
Sanchaung, Min St,
First fr, all furniture, 1 BR,
1 kitchen, 1 bathroon. 1
month US$ 600. Shan
Shan : 09-731-92603,
Moe Hein : 09-4250-
18442.
HLAING THAR YAR
Industrial Zone (2), land -
1.5 acre, building - 30,000
sqft, running condition.
Negotiable for all options.
Please fee free to contact
to 09-4308-3781 or
[email protected].
OFFICE SUITES for
Lease, Pearl Centre,
Bahan Township, Kabar
Aye Pagoda Road. 500-
10,000 sqft available at
affordable rates. Contact:
09-4303-0288 slee888@
gmail.com
MINGALARDON, near
airport, land only,
60'x180, Ph: 01-514802,
530756
A CONDO of 1450 sqft to
rent with 3 fully funished
bedrooms and air.cons.
Washing machine, fridge
and internet will be
provided . Price : 18lakhs
(1,800,000) contact: 09-
732-05178
Housing for Sale
MAWLAMYINE. 2RC
(water + electricity
included), 60'x80', on
Bogyoke Aung San
Rd, near Mawlamyine
University. Price:
negotiable. Ph: 09-515-
8738.
GOOD LOCATION V.I.P
Quarter in Taunggyi 2
stories RC Building with
car garage 2 stories on
land area 0.08 Acre, near
school, on main road. Ph:
09-204-2457.
KAMAYUT, (1)Pyay Rd,
Diamond condo, 1600
sqft, 1MBR, 2BR, 3AC,
4800 Lakhs. Owner : 09-
518-8320.
HOTEL LAND, Hotel
Premission 8 Acre or
(3.24 Hectare) of land at
Prime location with 360
degree view to Inle Lake.
Ph: 09-2042-457.
Education
GUIDE for ABE Level
6- Graduate Diploma in
Business Management
students, Strategic
Marketing Management
Strategic Human
Resource Management,
Managing in Organiza
tion Corporate Strate gy
& Planning, International
Business Case Study.
Contact: 09-319-45385
TEACHING and guide,
KG to Primary 6, For
Int'l school, (MIS. YIS.
MISY. ILBC. CISM. ISM.
PISM. TOTAL. Horizon.)
Ph:09-4200-87050
MATHS Tuition for all
international school
students fromclass 4th to
10th. I did my PG in maths
from India and having
8+ years of teaching
experience. I can teach
only in English & Hindi
language. Interested
students pls contact at
shilpi_19sep@rediffmail.
com or shilpi.19sep@
gmail.com
MATHEMATICS, Is
your child from ILBC,
YIS, ISY, ISM, Yangon
Academy, MIS, MISY,
SIS, PISM, ALBA, DSY
or all international schools
(KG to Sec 3 or Grade 9)
weak in Maths, doesnt
understand problem
solving, no one can help
himor her in practicing or
learning? If your child is
willing to learn & practise,
I will teach himor her to
develop the required skills
to improve in Maths from
present situation. Please
contact and come to Daw
Naing Naing Aung, B.Com
(Q), No.(6), Thuketa St,
Baukhtaw, Yankin. Ph:
09-500-4993, 544594.
OIEC IGCSE Training
Centre : IGCSE Training
Class Primary- Secondary
Training class, Enlish
grammar class, English
Listening class, English
speaking practice class,
Myanmar Language
class . Ph: 09-513-9298,
09-732-55281
LITERATURE &language
art study for SAT up to 12
Grade , it is right to enjoy
reading classic novel,
short stories and critical
thinking . Writing for story
map,summery, play script
, biography, factual writing
can be practiced. If you
had tried as much as you
can to follow the lesson
and you will get good
experiences and skill.
This program will help
you capability and fll your
luck of knowledge..Middle
school students can study
in a small class. U Thant
Zin : 28-3/B, Thatiphtan
St, Tarmwe. Ph: 09-3102-
1314, 09-503-5350.
GALAXY International
Education Center :
Kindergarten (Focus on
Scholastic Curriculum).
Age 2 to 6 years old.
Monday to Friday on 9:00
a.m to 3:00 p.m. weekend
English Courses. Age 5
to 15 years old. Saturday
and Sunday on 9:00 a.m
to 12:00 a.m. Contact
Vs: No.(5/6), Thiri Gone
Avenue, Opposite of
Aung Yadana Hospital,
Thingangyun, Yangon.
Ph:09-31855521, 09-
730-29538.
HOME Tution & Guide:
For Pre - KG, Primary
& Secondary level.
Specialize in Maths &
Biology Tr. Daw Khin Swe
Win (B.E.H.S Thuwunna)
Rtd. Ph: 09-730-99679.
HOME TEACHING For
Int'l school students
KG to Primary 6 MIS,
MISY, ILBC, ISM,
CI SM, TOTAL , YI S,
Horizon. Ph:09-4200-
87050.
GIVE your child the
best possible start to
life at International
Montessori Myanmar
(English Education
Center), accredited by
IMC Bangkok (Since
1991). Learning through
play. 55(B), Po Sein Rd,
Bahan, Yangon, Tel:
546097, 546761. Email:
[email protected]
IGCSE, Secondary 3, 4
Physics, Maths B, Pure
Maths. Practice with 15
years old questions. Ph:
09-4500-25213.
SAYA Saw Aung (Ex.A.P),
Chemistry Classes for
Int'l School (Sec-Levels),
IGCSE, Cambridge Int'l
AS & A Level & SAT-2,
Ph: 09-500-5470.
SAYA U Kyaw Thu(UKT),
English : Grade 10 & 11,
Grammar & speaking,
Tourism English, TOEFL
& IELTS. Ph: 09-730-
93768.
SECONDARY, IGCSE
(Cambridge & Edexcel),
IB all subjects available
Home tuitions, Regular
tuitions, Exampreparation
classes. Ph: 09-508-8683
MG HLAING MIN TUN:
BE (Naval Architecture)
(Myanmar Maritimes
University). I train and help
matriculation students
with their studies at their
home. I will be a huge help
for any student who wants
to learn all the questions
but facing diffculties in
doing it. With my help
and your deligence, it
will be a lot easier to gain
distinctions. Let's do all
the sums and let's beat
the exam. Ph: 09-4210-
20496.
FOR IGCSE Physics :
Home tution. Pls contact
: 09-4200-94493.
FOR THE STUDENTS
formInt'l schools such as
Horion, ILBC, YIS, ISY,
MIS, MISY, Total, Home
tutions for primary and
secondary classes. Pls
contact : 09-4200-84493.
IN YOUR Matriculation
exam, you know all the
problems because you
have practised them,
like, thirty times & you
gain high marks in your
exam. J ust do all the
problems & sums & you
fnd diffculties, I'll help you
with that. Hlaing Min Tun
: BE (Naval Architecture)
(Myanmar Maritime
University) 23 years old.
Ph: 09-4210-20496.
IELTS (Basic, 7.5 &
above IGCSE (Physics,
Chemistry, English);
Business English &
Business Management
Course (100 hours);
Teacher Solomon, Song
language school, 365,
3rd Flr, Cor of Maha
Bandoola Rd & Seikkan
Thar St. Kyauktada, Ph:
09-541-7781
IGCSE (all subjects) For
IGCSE students sitting
in May 2014 (or) Oct/
Nov 2014 (or) Jan 2015,
an international school
graduate who passed
with all distinctions in
GCE O level and who has
been producing students
with highest possible
marks, some obtain all
distinctions with the help of
co-teacher. The teachers
have 12 years of teaching
experience & the students
can successfully sit for the
examafter preparing with
us. Ph: 09-513-9298, 09-
732-55281
Expert Services
REGISTERED Tourist
guide in English, French
is available for immediate
appointment, please ring
09-3019-9028.
CORPORATE Profile
Writing Service, Wanting
to have a business profle
which does not merely
give information about
your business yet it goes
an extra mile to seal new
business opportunities in
a professional manner?
Golden Miracle Co.,
Ltd: 09-512-0462 for
professional profile
writing service.
Experienced business
profle writers across
different industries.
A business profle is
more than a bunch of
information, rather, it
is something which
gives you a head start
to limitless stream of
opportunities.
ZCL(Y.U.F.L) Translation
Service, Translate from
English to Myanmar,
Myanmar to English.
Ph: 09- 250- 666325
email : atar1990@gmail.
com
E X P E R I E N C E D
Domestic Helper avail
able know how to care for
infants, old-age people,
cooking, washing,
ironing, etc. Interested
please call: 09-2506-
49927, 09-2505-98349.
SKYPE VOIP, Skype
10$: 11000 Ks, Unlimited
World :12500 Ks, Korea
400 Minutes : 7500 Ks,
Malaysia 400 Minutes:
10000Ks, Unlimited
Singapore or US :
8000Ks, MEB Talk2 (10
Euro) : 12500 Ks, Rynga
& Free Call (10 Euro) :
15500 Ks 40(B), 3rd
Flr, Yangon-Insein Rd,
Hledan. Ph : 09-509-
1820.
RENTAL Services
of Condos, Landed
Houses, Offces and
Commercial Properties.
Our lists can be checked
in http://goo.gl/tyCuoe.
Myat Estate Agency,
Hotline: 09-4308-3781.
SUN (General Painting
Group) Unitex - 80, 150,
200, 220. Orient-160,
250, 280. Premier-225,
350, 700. Nippon-400,
500, 750. Ph:09-4207-
24608 , 09-731-31261
TRAINED House
Maids Services : We
provide experienced
stay-in housemaids to
do washing, ironing,
cleaning, taking care of
infants, old-people etc..
Interested please call :
09-315-75765.
LYNN Home Medical
Service : 09-3212-1352.
GOLDEN LAND Real
Estate : For sale, buy
& rent, Pls contact to
Ph: 3940532, 09-730-
08848, 3920853
For Rent
COLD STORAGE, 100
M/T capacity situated at
Hlaing Thar Yar Industrial
are at reasonable rate.
Aye Chan Win Co.,
Ltd : 85, Htay Thinn
Ah Twin Wun U Chain
Rd, Zone 2, Yangon.
Ph: 682011, 685846,
09-500-8845. Email:
ayechanwincoltd2611@
gmail.com
TAXI 2007 Model,Probox
GL, Yankin, Deposit
2 Lakhs, Owner fee
9,000./-Daily. Ph: 09-
502-8640.
For Sale
TOYOTA Fielder, E E/....
Model 2002, 1500cc, 115
Lakhs. Ph: 09-516-5340,
09-4210-6276.
CAR, KIA Sorento, Brand
New 2013 SUV, Cosmic
Blue colour, 2.2 Diesel
Manual and Automatic,
7 Seater. Call for more
inquiries 09-731-07892.
RARE COIN AUCTIONS,
Over 100 years old
Myanmar Coins, Inida,
China & America Coin
are available. Try
this address- http://
downloadzilla.weebly.
com Ph:09-731-250 43.
Language
HOME Tutuion in English,
Myanmar language.
Can be arranged at
learner's suitable time
and residences. Ph: 09-
3019-9028.
WANT TO LEARN
Myanmar Language ?
group class and one
by one.you will got the
surprise within one
month can talk fuently.
Please contact Ms.May:
09-4921-4276.
JAPANESE Language 4
skills JLPT N5 To N1 We
are avaliable Monday To
Friday Classes, Sat &
Sun Classes and Home
teaching. Ph:09-4440-
12654
TEACHING Myanmar
language for foreigners
Near Myay Ni Gone City
Mart, Sanchaung. Tel:
09-4200-30782 http://
www.facebook.com/
ronald.large.92
TEACHING English
for adults Near Myay
Ni Gone City Mart,
Sanchaung. Ph: 09-
4200-30782
OXFORD English
Language centre :
Daw Khtheleen Thein,
B.A(Eng), Dip in ELT,
TESOL (Canada), Dip
in Franch. Starters,
Movers, Flyers. IELTS
(Preparation). Four
skills. No. 10, Marlar
Myaing St, Yankin. Ph:
09-5026470.
Training
YOGA CLASS only
for females by Indian
instructor. Interested
persons pls contact
at shilpi_19sep@
rediffmail.com or shilpi.
[email protected]
Travel
MYAT THU Car Rental,
Various types of car rent
for daily or monthly use.
Alphard, Surf, Prado,
Super Custom, Grand
Carvin. Ph: 09-4500-
20233, 09-540-1236
Email : mt.carbusiness@
gmail.com
TOE TET PAING Car
Rental Service "Any kinds
of car for your any trip.
We can fully provide to
be satisfed" Contact:09-
4210-78565, 09-
4480-00375 Email :
toetetpaingcarrental@
gmail.com
OUR POWERFUL
Travel arrange
Inbound & Outbound
Tour packages, Air
Ticketing (International
& Domestic), Car
Rental Services, Hotel
Reservation, Guide
Services & other
travelling services.
Call : 01-378045, 09-
4306-5349 Email:
powerfultravel72@
gmail.com, powerful
[email protected]
"ASIAN Bliss Myanmar"
Travel & Tour (Car
Rental Services) Bldg
289,room 3 east yankin
09-519-1785, 09-731-
18957
Public Notics
Mi TA Myanmar
Investment, Trade &
Technology Conference,
Workshop and Exhibition
will be held during
25-27 Sept 2014
UMFCCI, Yangon.
The Best Conference,
Exhibition & Workshop
@ Reasonable Fees
in Myanmar! for more
info, please visit: www.
Mi taMyanmarI nve
stmentTradeTechnology
Conference.com, Ph:
09420110451, 09-4201-
10666, Email: maizar@
mitaservices.com.sg
We provide the following
Training, CISCO, CCNA,
CCNP, MICROSOFT,
MCSA, MCSE, LAB,
EC-COUNCIL CEH,
SECURITY ADMIN.
www.facebook.com/
imcscompany, 09-4500-
16040.
House For Rent
Newly renovated 6 bedrooms,
all with attached bathroom. Full
Aircon, Generator, Auto Gate,
Large Parking Area, Large Land-
scape Garden, Open Kitchen, Able
to do long term contract, for only
5,000,000 per month.
Call 09-4200-15888.

Employment
FREE THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
Embassy
EMBASSY of the
Republic of Korea is
seeking (1)Admi n
Assi st ant - M/F 1
Post : Fluent in both
written &spoken
English, self -motivator,
computer literate, good
knowledge in Korean
language is preferable.
University degree
holder, Minimum 2
years of experience
in Administration.
( 2 ) E c o n o m i c
Resear cher - M/F
1 Post : Fluent in
English 4 skills, self-
motivator, Computer
literate. University
degree holder,
having knowledge in
collecting & updating
information especially
in Economic & Energy
feld. Send updated
CV to 97, University
Avenue, Bahan.
Ph: 01-527142~4
or through the mail
koreaembassymm@
gmail.com .
Ingo Positions
MYANMAR Red Cross
Society is seeking(1)
Project Assistant - 1
post in Nay Pyi Taw/
Yangon: Relevant
educational background
(accounting, fnance,
administration or
equivalent). 2 years
experience in a similar
position. Effective
English language skills.
Effective computer
knowledge. (2) Fi el d
Offcer - 1 post in Minbya
Tsp: Bachelor's degree.
1 years experience in
disaster management.
Effective English
language skill & computer
knowledge skill. (3)Field
Supervisor - 1 post
in Nant San Tsp: Any
graduate or University
degree holder. 2
years experience in at
INGOs / NGOs. Good
knowledge of Microsoft
Word, Excel & Power
Point is desirable.
Good knowledge of
English is an asset. Red
Cross Volunteers are
preferable. Please send
application letter, CV
& related documents
to Myanmar Red
Cross Society Head
Offce, Yazathingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw. Or
mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com, Closing date:
10-8-2014.
JHPIEGO has worked
to prevent the needless
deaths of women and
their families is seeking
(1) MNCH Qual i ty
Improvement advisor:
8 years experience in
developing MNCH HR
structures and policies
with a Bachelors degree
in health, education, or
related feld; Masters
degree preferred.
(2)MNCH Cl i ni cal
Advisor: 5+ years of
mid- to senior-level
experience designing
& implementing clinical
feld-based programs
in MNCH. (3)Midvifery
Educati on Advi sor:
5+years demonstrated
experience implement
ing & managing feld
based education
programs in MNCH with
an advanced clinical
or educational degree
in midwifery or nursing
(MPH preferred). (4)
In-Servi ce (Cl i ni cal )
Trai ni ng Advi sor:
Midwife or health
worker with 5 + years
of experience as a
midwifery clinician and
tutor. With knowledge
of clinical training
content. (5)Monitoring
& Evaluation Manager:
8 years experience
(preferably in MNCH)
plus a masters in public
health, epidemiology,
statistics, or related
social science degree
(6)HR for Health / MNH
Qqality Inprovement
Advosor: 8 years
experience in program
development / manage
ment experience in
program development
/ management in pre-
service education with
a bachelors degree in
health, education, or
related feld. Please
submit a detailed CV
& a letter of interest,
including the position for
which you are applying,
on or before August
22, 2014 to career@
myanmarhumancapital.
com. www.jhpiego.org.
Pls contact Ma Tazin Aung
at 09-3635-5516. www.
myanmarhumancapital.
com
THE Association of
Medical Doctors of Asia
is seeking in Namtu
Tsp at Lashio (1)Field
Of f i cer: Bachelor's
degree in health
related discipline or an
equivalent combination
of relevant education
and experience. 3 years
relevant professional
experience in a similar
role. Excellent in
English and Myanmar,
Knowledge of Shan.
Strong computer skill.
(2)Community Develop
ment Facilitator Team
Leader (CDF-TL)" for
Namtu at Lashio Field
Offce: Any degree holder
with 2 years professional
experience in community
development work,
preferably in the
NGO/INGO sector.
Good computer skills.
Good command of
English and Myanmar
languages, knowledge
of Shan and/or Palaung
language is an asset.
(3)Ad mi n i s t r at i v e/
Financial Offcer 1 Post
in Yangon: University
degree in Accounting/
Financing with 2 years
experiences (INGO
experience would be an
asset). Strong computer
skill. Good written and
oral communication skill
in Myanmar and English.
Please apply by sending
a cover letter, C.V. with
2 references & a recent
passport photo to Admin/
Finance Unit, AMDA
Myanmar Country Offce,
19 B, Thukhawaddy St,
Yankin, Yangon. Tel:
578353, Email: afo.
namtu.amda@gmail.
com Closing date: For 1
& 2 : 14 August, For 3
:11 August.
JHPIEGO has worked
to prevent the needless
deaths of women &
their families is seeking
: (1)Moni tori ng &
Evaluation Offcer :
3 years experience in
M&E plus an advanced
degree in public health,
epidemiology, statistics,
or related social science.
(2)Program Offcer : 3
~ 5 years experience in
MNCH plus a bachelors
degree (3)Program
Assistant : 3 years
of MNCH experience,
handling administrative
& programmatic matters,
and a bachelors degree
(4)IT Offcer : 3 ~ 5
years experience as a
system administrator
and a degree in
Information Technology,
or related feld (with
equivalent certifcations
& experience) (5)
Logi st i cs Of f i cer:
4 years in Logistics
management plus a
bachelors degree (6)
Procurement Offcer:
3 years experience
plus a bachelors degree
(MBA preferred) (7)Field
Coordinator : Advanced
degree in public health or
education with 3+years
experience. Please
submit a detailed CV
& a letter of interest,
including the position for
which you are applying,
on or before August
22, 2014 to career@
myanmarhumancapital.
com. www.jhpiego.org.
Pls contact Ma Tazin Aung
at 09-3635-5516. www.
myanmarhumancapital.
com
(1) FIELD OFFICER
(Minbyar) 1 Posts (2)
Field Supervisor (Nant
San) 1 Posts (3)M & E
Offcer (NayPyiTaw)
1 Post (4) Proj ect
Assistant (NayPyiTaw/
Yangon) 1 Post. Please
send application
letter, CV and related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society (Head
Office) Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw. Email:
Ormrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com For more
information & application,
please visit to www.
myanmarredcros s
society.org Please
mention Position Title
in subject if you apply.
THE International Rescue
Committee (IRC) is
seeking Supply Chain
Coordi nator 1 post
in Yangon: University
degree in Supply chain
Management, Supply
Chain, Business Manage
ment or related feld.
3 years progressive
management & leader
ship experience.
Pls submit a Cover
letter & CV to the HR
Department by email at:
MaiMyaMyintZu.Tin@
rescue.org or IRC offce
: 33/A, Natmauk Lane
Thwe (1), Bocho (2)
Quarter, Bahan, Yangon,
Closing date : 5
th
August
2014.
MYANMAR Red Cross
Society is seeking (1)HR
Offcer 1 post in Nay Pyi
Taw-Yangon (Yangon
75%) : University Degree.
3 years experience. Well
developed computer
skills, with demonstrated
competence in Excel,
Word & Power point
(English & Myanmar),
Page Maker. (2)Deputy
Manager (Admin &
Finance) 1 post in
Hpa-An Orthopaedic
Rehabilitation Centre
Hpa-An, Kayin State:
Myanmar National.
University degree. 3 years
experience. Effective
English language skills
& computer knowledge.
Please send application
letter, CV & related
documents to Myanmar
Red Cross Society Head
Offce, Yazathingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,
Nay Pyi Taw. Or
mrcshrrecruitment@
gmail.com, Closing date:
4.8.2014.
(1)DY. DIRECTOR(Admin
& Finance) - 1 post (2)
Nati onal Consul tant
- 1 post (3)HR Offcer-
1 post. Application
process: Please send
application letter, CV
& related documents
to Myanmar Red
Cross Society (Head
Office) Yazatingaha
Rd, Dekkhinathiri,Nay
Pyi Taw. Ormrcshr
[email protected]
For more information &
application, please visit to
www.myanmarredcross
society.org Please
mention Position title
in subject if you apply.
Local Positions
BES GROUP Myanmar
is seeking Engineers for
the following Positions.
Scope to undertake
commercial construction
Yangon. Very High Level
of English Language
Skill. Having overseas
work experience
highly regarded. Initial
application by email
only. Senior Electrical
Engineers with Auto Cad
skill. Senior Mechanical
Engineer with Auto Cad
Skill. Senior Mechanical
Engineer Plumbing with
Auto Cad skill. Senior
construction Scheduler
with Q/S skills. Q/A
engineers. Supervisor/
junior engineers all
trades. Salary offered
will be in line with
experience. Start date
J uly September. BES
Group email: hrbes.
[email protected]
ELEGANT Myanmar
Travels & Tours is
seeking Operat i on
Assistant - M/F 2 posts
: Any graduate, Please
submit CV, Photo with
necessary documents to
20/E, Pearl St, Mya Yeik
Nyo Hotel Compound,
Bahan. Ph:01-401261,
09-4211-07472. email :
info@elegantmyanmar.
travel
GREAT Golden Glory
Co., Ltd. is seeking
(1) Techni cal Sal es
Representative - M/F
2 Posts: Graduate in
B.E. (Chemical) or
B.Sc. (Chemistry, IC or
Microbiology). 25 ~ 35
years of age, Fluent
in written & spoken
English. Good computer
skill. (2) Assi stance
Accountant - F 1 Post:
Graduate in BA. Eco.
or B.Com, LCCI (Level
1, 2). 25 ~ 30 years of
age, Fluent in written &
spoken English. Good
Computer skill. (3)
Customer Service - 1
Post: Any graduate.
Fluent in written &
spoken English. Good
computer skill. Those
who are qualifed and
interested, please
contact to: - Great Golden
Glory Co., Ltd : 85-87, 3
rd

Floor, 32
nd
St, Pabedan,
Yangon. Tel: 387366,
387431, 376841. Email:
[email protected],
3gmyanmar@gmail.
com. Closing Date: 22
August 2014.
TRADING Company is
seeking (1)Assi stant
Engineer (Civil) - M
1 post, (2)Busi ness
Devel opment Execu
tive - M 1 post, (3)
Senior Accountant - F
1 post (4) Cashier - F 1
post (5)HR Department
Ph: (01)651888,
651999. email : hr.ho@
pristinemyanmar.com
F&N Foods Pte., Ltd
(Yangon Branch Offce)
is currently seeking
highly energetic and
motivated candidates
for (1)Admin Manager
- 1 post (2)Fi nance
Manager - 1 post.
Please apply with full
CV/Resume indicating
expected salary, position
of interest, qualifcations,
educational background
and recent photo not
later than 7.8.14. For all
posts : Good command
in English & computer
skill. Only short list
candidate will be notifed
by phone for interview.
Please submit to 39,
Aung Theikdi Avenue,
(1) Lane, Ward (3),
Mayangon, Yangon. Tel:
01-522674 (or) Email:
100plusmyanmar@
gmail.com
B A G A N
T H I R I P Y I T S A YA
Sanctuuary Resort is
seeking: (1) Front Offce
Manager - 1 post, (2)
F&B Manager - 1 post:
For all posts: 3~5 years
experience in related
feld, any graduate,
fuent in both written and
spoken English, Good
communication skill,
leadership skill, problem
solving and Computer
literate. Interested
candidate shall submit
an application letter,
CV with a recent photo,
copies of NRC & Labour
registration card,
Educational certifcate
& others testimonials
to HR Department not
later than 14th August
2014. Address: Bagan
Archeological Zone,
Old Bagan, Mandalay
Division. Email:
pm.thiribagan@gmail.
com Tel: 061 60048~49
BOXCO, one of Indias
Top Freight Forwarder,
Logistics & Supply Chain
Management service
provider maintaining
extensive network across
the globe covering over
100 countries. We are
looking for suitable
candidates in areas of
Agencies, Forwarding
& Logistics operations
for our extensive
business activities in
Myanmar. Candidates
with experience in above
related felds may apply
for following positions: (1)
Seni or Management.
(2) Marketing & Sales.
(3) Customer Service.
(4) Documentati on.
Freshers open to Learn
and with Can Do attitude
are also welcome to
apply. Applicants should
submit an Application
letter, Curriculumvitae,
Recent Photograph
with other relevant
documents to: uditm@
boxcoworld.com
THE WELL established
Sales & Distribution
Company is seeking
(1).Sales Promoter - 5
posts : Preferable female,
Age 20 ~ 25 years, Any
University graduate, 1
~ 2 years experiences
especially in FMCG,
Good communication
English skills (2). Driver -
3 posts in Yangon :Basic
High school education,
Age above 30, Valid
driving license with 2 ~ 3
years experiences work
as a professional driver,
Thorough knowledge of
road rules & regulations,
Able to travel, Salary
offered will be in line
with experience. Please
submit a detailed CV via
email : fmcgmyanmar@
gmail.com and Please
mention "position title" in
subject if you apply OR
call 09- 4211-25584, 09-
2542-30 851
PRO 1 ONE STOP
Home Centre is seeking
(1)Proj ect Sal es &
Marketing Manager (2)
Project Marketing Asst;
Manager (3)Proj ect
Sal es & Marketi ng
Asst; (4)Supervi sor
(5)Asst; Manager (6)
Asst; Supervisor (7)
Purchasing & Account
Assistant (8)Buyer /
Purchaser (9)Surveyor
(10)WareHouse Asst;
(or) Store Asst; (11)
Stock Control (For
Inventory) (12)Dri ver
(13)General Worker.
Ph: 640469 email :
[email protected]
WE ARE urgently looking
for (1).Skilled Photo-
Shop & Graphi cs
Desi gner - F/M (2).
Architect - M/F : uses
skillfully 3D-Max & Auto-
Cad - F/M - Compulsory
4 skills English. Age 25
to 35 years. University
Graduate with general
computer literate. Email:
patrickrobert09 @ gmail.
com
JOB VACANCY
As a leading global company, Daewoo International Corporation
(Myanmar E&P) is seeking an energetic, reliable and qualifed person to
fll a position for its ongoing operations of Oil & Gas Industry in Myanmar.
Subsea Engineer (1 post)
University Graduate (prefer relevant Engineering discipline)
Minimum 3 years professional experience in a relevant feld
Demonstrated competency in Subsea Control Systems, Subsea
Pipeline, Subsea Xmas Tree, Subsea Manifolds & Structures,
Subsea IRM
Knowledge in CMMS systems and functions
Strong analytical ability, communication and presentation skills
Profciency in English language and Computer MS Offce Suite.
Application closing date is 18
th
August 2014
Interested persons who meet the above mentioned qualifcations are
invited to submit their CV, application letter, recent photo and copies of
academic transcripts to the following address:
HR & Admin Department
Daewoo International Corporation (Myanmar E&P)
International Business Center
No. 88, Pyay Road, 6 Miles, Hlaing Township, Yangon.
Or e-mail to [email protected]
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
ASAHI GLASS CO.,LTD , Japanese Firm ,biggest manufacturer
of glass in the world is looking for appropriate candidates for the
staff, especially for Marketing in Myanmar.
Applicants to be
1. University graduate
2. Age between 30 and 45 years, preferable.
3. Versed in English and Myanmar Languages
4. With experiences in foreign companies as marketing staff-
more than 5 years, preferable.
5. With Technical knowledge is for architecture is preferable.
Interested persons should send an application letter along with a
current CV, passport sized photograph and copies of any refer-
ences or testimonials to the address below before Aug 22,2014.
Room No..802, Shwe Hnin Thar Tower (A), Shwe Hnin Thar St,
Hlaing Tsp.Yangon.
Gmail- [email protected]
JOB VACANCY
Finance Offcer
Salary range
745.000 1.404.000 Kyats per month
(Depending on skills and experiences)
DanChurchAid (DCA)DCA is an international development and
humanitarian organisation working in more than 20 countries. Cur-
rently DCA is seeking to recruit a qualifed and enthusiastic person
to fll the position of Finance Offcer located based in Yangon with
occasional monitoring visits outside. A detailed J ob Description
is available on request from Ms. Hlaing Phyu Min, [email protected]
The applicants should submit motivated application (why are you
qualifed for this position), CV and contact details of two referees
with any other relevant documentation to HR Unit by email hpmi@
dca.dk and [email protected] not later than 15th August 2014. Please
quote reference: DCA Finance Offcer application. (Please note
that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.)
66 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014
NEW Zealand is to slap a seven-year jail
term on anyone caught match-xing un-
der a new law due to take efect before
it hosts the Cricket World Cup and Un-
der-20 FIFA World Cup next year.
The Match-Fixing Bill, introduced
to parliament on July 31
st
with unani-
mous political support, would apply
the lengthy sentences to anyone caught
trying to inuence or benet from the
outcome of a match or race.
Match-xing is a growing problem
internationally and has been described
as the number one threat to the integ-
rity, value and growth of sport, Sports
Minister Murray McCully said.
As we have seen from recent events,
New Zealand is not immune to this
threat.
Former New Zealand cricketer Lou
Vincent was recently banned for life
from the sport after admitting to x-
ing, while Chris Cairns, who has denied
match-xing, remains under investiga-
tion.
Opposition sports spokesperson Tre-
vor Mallard said the bill made an impor-
tant change to existing laws to make it
very clear that match-xing is a crime.
This puts it beyond any doubt whatso-
ever.
An International Centre for Sport
Security report released earlier this
year estimated that more than US$140
billion is laundered annually through
sport betting and 80 percent of global
sport betting is illegal.
AFP
Seven years in the
slammer for match xers
New Zealand rules
San Antonio
American football rumours take
ight about San Antonio Raiders
The Oakland Raiders, whose stadium
lease expires next year, are reportedly
looking at San Antonio as a possible
new home should the National Football
League team decide to relocate.
The San Antonio Express-News,
citing unnamed sources, said Raiders
owner Mark Davis and two others with
the team met with key people in the
Texas city, including former mayor
Julian Castro and city manager Sheryl
Sculley.
The Raiders would play in the
Alamodome, which opened in 1993 and
seats 65,000 for American football.
AFP
London
Former manager Moyes escapes
trouble from bar-room brawl
Former Manchester United manager
David Moyes will face no action following
an investigation into reports he was
involved in a bar-room altercation, British
police announced on July 31
st
.
After careful consideration of all
the circumstances in this case it has
been decided that no further action
will be taken against anyone, said a
spokesperson from Lancashire Police.
Moyes, who was sacked by United in
April, was investigated after 23-year-old
builder Josh Gillibrand claimed to have
been attacked at a wine bar in the town
of Clitheroe in northwest England on May
21. AFP
Liberia
Football halted nation-wide amid
Ebola virus fears
The Liberian football association LFA said
on July 29 it has suspended all activities in
the country as a measure to prevent the
spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
LFA had decided to cease operations
of football activities considering that
football matches are contact sports and
Ebola is spread through body contacts
with an infected person, LFA chief Musa
Bility said in a statement.
Meanwhile the nance ministry in
Liberia, where 127 people have died of
the disease, said it had placed several
senior ofcials under observation for
three weeks after a top ministry ofcial
died from the virus. AFP
IN BRIEFS
IN PICTURES
Brotherly love
Prince William (R), Duke of Cambridge, and
Prince Harry play 5-a-side football during
their visit to a Coach Core project at Gorbals
Leisure Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, on July
29, 2014. Photo: AFP
Liverpool wins in
Yankee stadium
L
IVERPOOL rallied twice
against Manchester City
and triumphed 3-2 in a
penalty shoot-out July
30 after their pre-season
friendly at baseballs Yankee Stadi-
um ended 2-2 with extra-time.
Stevan Jovetic scored twice for
Manchester City, but Jordan Hen-
derson and Raheem Sterling an-
swered for Liverpool in the clash
between last seasons top two teams
in the English Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers Liverpool
dominated in the shootout, with two
saves from Simon Mignolet.
Montenegros Jovetic opened the
scoring in the 53
rd
minute after a de-
fensive miscue from Liverpool mid-
elder Steven Gerrard.
Jesus Navas had red a cross from
the right and Gerrard was unable to
block it. The ball trickled through
his legs and Jovetic pounced to re
it home.
Henderson equalised six minutes
later with a ne nish after solid
work from Sterling and Daniel Stur-
ridge.
But Jovetic restored the Premier
League champions lead in the 67
th
.
It was the second match in a row
that Jovetic scored two for the Pre-
mier League champions. He netted
a brace in Sundays 5-1 friendly tri-
umph over Italys AC Milan in Pitts-
burgh.
England international Sterling
tied the score at 2-2 in the 85
th
with
a well-taken strike and had a
goal disallowed in injury time for
ofside.
After a lively performance
throughout, Manchester City were
lacklustre in the shoot-out, with
Aleksandar Kolarov, Yaya Toure and
Navas all failing to convert from the
spot.
The match drew a crowd of
49,653 to Yankee Stadium, home of
stories Major League Baseball team
the New York Yankees.
Manchester City are the major-
ity owners, along with storied Major
League Baseball franchise the Yan-
kees, of Major League Soccer expan-
sion club New York City Football
Club, which is slated to begin play
in 2015 at the baseball ground in the
Bronx.
On the night, however, Liverpool
fans outnumbered City supporters
at the match which was part of the
International Champions Cup a
friendly tournament featuring eight
European clubs all preparing for the
start of their own domestic cam-
paigns.
Manchester City had the better of
possession in the scoreless rst half,
but Liverpool had arguably the best
chance to score when Rickie Lam-
berts header from point-blank range
was denied by City keeper Willy Ca-
ballero. AFP
NEW YORK
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and Matija Nastasic (#33) of Manchester City vie
for the ball during the International Champions Cup 2014 at Yankee Stadium
on July 30. Photo: AFP
3-2
Final score in Liverpool victory over
Manchester City
Sport 67 www.mmtimes.com
H
OLLYWOOD unleashed
Borat on Kazakhstans im-
age, so the oil-rich Central
Asian nation hit back with
Italian rider Vincenzo
Nibali and it believes his Tour de
France victory helps put the record
straight.
Nibalis triumph on the Champs
Elysees on July 27 concluded an eight
year campaign by his Astana Pro Team
named after the Kazakh capital and
funded by the countrys sovereign
wealth fund to get people talking
about the worlds biggest landlocked
nation.
This has been a very successful
project, if you took the mathemat-
ics, how many times
Astana was named
in social media and
in newspapers
and on TV, said
Kairat Kelimbe-
tov, president of
Kazakh Cycling,
governor of the
countrys cen-
tral bank and
a former deputy
prime minister.
The teams
t r i bul at i ons
with drug-
tainted riders
and nancial
crises could
have reinforced
the reputation built by Sacha Baron
Cohens 2006 mockumentary Borat:
Cultural Learnings of America for
Make Benet Glorious Nation of Ka-
zakhstan.
The country ruled by President
Nursultan Nazarbayev since inde-
pendence from the Soviet Union in
1991 also struggles with a poor human
rights image.
The power of sport is very strong,
Kelimbetov told AFP in an interview
after the Tour victory by the teams
star Italian rider.
Astana is part of a big PR strategy
to just give people an idea that there
is a state in central Asia, that is big,
the size of Western Europe, the ninth
biggest in the world, and we are part
of the global community, he added.
The cycling team has made
global headlines with a
modest budget of
US$15 million
out of the
$100 million a
year spent on the
Astana Presidential
Sports Club, according
to Kelimbetov.
And the
Club aims to make itself seen and
heard even more in cycling and other
sports.
The Club has seven professional
sports teams, including a $50 million
a year ice-hockey squad and a football
team, all with the aim of projecting a
positive image of Kazakhstan abroad
and encouraging sport at home.
It is like a Real Madrid in Kazakh-
stan, said Kelimbetov.
The Astana Arlans boxing team
won the inaugural World Series of
Boxing title last year. The Club also
supports Ilya Ilyin, a double Olympic
champion weightlifter, and Denis Ten,
who won gure skating bronze at the
Sochi Winter Olympics this year.
The cycling team was set up in
2006, just as Borat was being re-
leased, though Kelimbetov said
there was no link between the two.
The club was set up to support
Kazakhstans star rider Alexander
Vinokourov who won the Tour of
Spain that year for the team.
But soon after he was in-
volved in a doping scandal in
2007 that led to a two-year ban.
Vinokourov, a national hero in
Kazakhstan, is now Astanas general
manager.
Astana later signed Alberto Con-
tador who won the Giro dItalia and
Vuelta a Espana in 2008. In 2009, sev-
en-time Tour de France winner Lance
Armstrong came out of retirement
and joined Astana.
Contador won the 2010 Tour de
France but had the title taken away
after failing a drug test. Armstrong,
later stripped of his record seven Tour
de France titles for doping, left that
year in a dispute over the return of
Vinokourov.
That was when Kelimbetov took
control to sort out its nances and
its scandals. The team set up a
programme with cyclings governing
body, the UCI, to avoid doping viola-
tions.
Actually Astana was probably the
rst team who really started ve years
ago to clean up the house and we are
now following all these rules, he said.
Kelimbetov said that before his ar-
rival, the authorities had considered
closing the cycling team.
As a leading voice on the Astana
Presidential Sports Club, Kelimbetov
said it was determined to prove that
Nibali was not a one-of. We would
like this to be a long sporting story,
he said. AFP
PARIS
Is Nibali a winner for Kazakhstan?
After its Astana team win the Tour de France Kazakhstan hopes to bury the Borat image forever
Vincenzo Nibali is congratulated by his Astana teammates as he crosses the
finish line and wins the Tour de France on July 27. Photo: AFP
Vincenzo
Nibali
winning the
Tour de France on
July 27. Photo: AFP
Sport
68 THE MYANMAR TIMES AUGUST 4 - 10, 2014 SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin | [email protected]
Kazakhstan hopes the Tour de
France buried Borat forever
SPORT 67
Could Rooney
be Englands
next captain?
Horseplay a rich mans game
WAYNE Rooney has what it takes to
succeed Steven Gerrard as captain of
England, his former Manchester Unit-
ed teammate Rio Ferdinand believes.
The England skippers vacancy is
available after Gerrards retirement
from the international scene following
the World Cup.
Other possible contenders being
considered by manager Roy Hodgson
are thought to include goalkeeper Joe
Hart and Gary Cahill, but Ferdinand
believes Rooney is the man.
I think Wayne has grown and he
is growing into that role, Ferdinand,
who captained England for 13 months
from February 2010, was quoted as
saying in various British media on
July 30.
Ferdinand added, hes experienced
now, he has played at the top level and
hes won a lot of things.
He knows the game. Hes got the
right tools for that. And I think you
have to look at who is going to start.
Rooney has scored 40 international
goals since making his debut as Eng-
lands youngest-ever player against
Australia in February 2003.
Heavy scrutiny followed the
28-year-olds underwhelming perfor-
mances in his countrys rst-round
knockout in Brazil but he answered
some of his critics with a second-half
goal in the defeat to Uruguay.
You look at other countries, the
natural progression would be Wayne
getting it now, Ferdinand continued.
With other countries its usually
the guy with the most caps, or who is
most inuential.
And I think Wayne is the most in-
uential player that England have got
at the moment, now Steven has gone.
It would seem like a natural
progression.
With Gerrard gone, the pressure on
Rooney to deliver will only increase,
but Ferdinand believes wearing the
armband should not be a burden.
With the captaincy, especially in
England, we maybe go a bit overboard
on it, Ferdinand added.
You need as many leaders out on
the pitch as you can get.
AFP
G
RIPPING his mallet, Peng
Zhichun gallops toward
goal on a Chinese polo
eld, one of a growing
number of the countrys
wealthy elite discovering the joys of
the saddle and the whip.
New clubs are opening, people
are more into equestrian sports, into
polo, there are more international
players coming, so its growing re-
ally fast, the young man, dressed
in an expensive leather helmet,
boots and white trousers, said after
dismounting.
Mr Peng, who was taking part in
a luxury lifestyle event in the north-
ern port of Dalian earlier this month,
spent several years in the United
States and is typical of Chinas
emerging upper class, with a keen
interest in travel and Western leisure
activities.
Among the privileged minority,
chosen sports are indicative of status
usually tennis and golf to start of
with, graduating to skiing or riding.
It is fertile ground for luxury
brands such as the Swiss watch man-
ufacturers for which the country has
become a major market.
In June, Shanghai hosted a stage
of the Longines Global Champions
Tour for the rst time, a ve-star
showjumping event, the highest in
the International Equestrian Federa-
tions rankings.
At Beijings Tango Polo Club
members are select and wealthy,
says deputy chair Chen Xie, and their
numbers are growing steadily.
Polo is special. Members have to
be rich enough to aford the mem-
bership. Courage is also needed as
you can see, the sport is quite fast,
intense and dangerous on the eld,
he said.
The major customers are those
above white-collar workers, say, en-
trepreneurs, or at least golden-col-
lars.
It is undoubtedly a rich mans
game. Club members have spent
as much as three million yuan
(US$500,000) on a polo pony, and in
one case 80 million yuan on a race-
horse, Chen said sums which are
lifestyle expenses rather than invest-
ments.
Horses are like humans, they go
down in value when they pass their
peak. China has a long equine his-
tory, with the rst cavalry troops
recorded in the Spring and Autumn
Period of 770BC-476BC and ceramic
horses unearthed alongside the later
Terracotta Warriors.
Chen also claims polo had its ori-
gins in Tang dynasty China before a
British army ofcer imported it from
India, although he acknowledges
that We all agree modern polo start-
ed from England.
Nonetheless indigenous Chinese
horse breeds are too small for many
modern equestrian disciplines, he
admits.
The countrys main equine
stock is descended from Mongolian
strains, but for centuries the animals
of the steppe were bred primarily for
stamina, rather than explosive speed.
Most polo ponies are imported
with three-quarters of animals at the
Tango club coming from Argentina.
China imported fewer than 300
horses in 2005 but the number has
risen tenfold in less than a decade.
Now the country has about 500
riding clubs and half a million ama-
teur enthusiasts, according to Wut-
zala, an ethnic Mongolian who uses
only one name and runs the www.
horse.org.cn website.
But equestrian sports are far be-
yond most peoples budgets, he says,
with riding courses generally cost-
ing 250 to 400 yuan per hour plus
coaching fee and needing 30 hours
to complete.
For more populist disciplines in
particular racing the picture is dif-
ferent. Gambling is illegal in China
except where it is run by the gov-
ernment or the proceeds donated to
charity, and the state-sanctioned lot-
teries do not ofer betting on foreign
horse races, unlike football games.
The ruling Communist Party asso-
ciates racing with what it sees as the
decadence and national humiliation
of foreign occupation in the rst half
of the 20th century.
In Shanghai, the colonial-era
racecourse, once one of the largest in
the world, was replaced by Peoples
Square the site of the local govern-
ment headquarters and a park.
The global industry salivates
at the prospect of a vast new mar-
ket opening up, and in recent years
French gambling representatives
have visited China several times to
promote Tote-style betting on races,
with the bookmakers nancing the
sport.
But while rumours of a relaxation
in the rules have seen entrepreneurs
invest in infrastructure, they have
been left with abandoned courses
hosting neither races nor spectators.
AFP
Polo players jostle in Dalian, China on July 5. Photo: AFP
SHANGHAI