Voters go to the polls on November 7
THE government ended months of speculation last week when it announced that Myanmar’s first election in 20 years will be held on November 7. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
UEC announces 330 constituencies
THE 330 constituencies that will make up the civilian segment of the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house of parliament) after the election were announced by the Union Election Commission on August 11. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Election date: voters give their views
I’m not surprised at the timing of the announcement but I have little knowledge about the different parties beyond the announcements from the commission [UEC] so I haven’t decided who to vote for. I think the timing is not too late but it is later than I expected. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Buddhist missionary group launches border projects
THE Buddhist Association for the Promotion of Theravada Buddhism in Border Regions earlier this month launched missionary projects in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin and Mon states, the group’s chairman said last week. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Buddhist exams
THE Sule Pagoda-based Association of Abhidhamma Propagation will hold its 43rd annual Abhidhamma exams in Yangon from September 4 to October 9, said U Thein Hlaing, an official from the pagoda’s board of trustees. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
ASEAN economic meet
ECONOMIC ministers from ASEAN and the plus-eight dialogue partner countries will attend the 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting in Danang, Vietnam, from August 22 to 28. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Dhamma Yaung Chi calls for blood
DHAMMA Yaung Chi, a Buddhist association based in Yangon’s Bahan township, is calling on volunteers to donate blood at its group donation event on August 21. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Chin party fighting political ignorance
A SENIOR official from the Yangon-based Chin Progressive Party says a lack of political knowledge in remote areas of Chin State is hampering the party’s efforts to sign up members. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Election to be three-horse race: NPA
THREE political parties will fight it out for the majority of seats at the general election later this year, a veteran politician has predicted. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
University conducting research into rice yield
FARMERS are to be encouraged to switch to a little-used method of rice growing that could increase their yield. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Myanmar exports flowers to Singapore
BOOSTING what could be a budding new industry, a Myanmar company has just made a third delivery of flowers to Singapore. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
MMU announces minimum application requirements
MYANMAR Maritime University (MMU) has announced it will only accept course applications for the 2010-11 academic year from students with a matriculation mark of at least 400. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Work underway at Dagon Seikkan truck depot
IN another step towards boosting the country’s economy within the Southeast Asian region, work is going ahead on a major container truck park and depot in Dagon Seikkan township. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
White elephant arrives in capital
THE white elephant captured in Rakhine State in late June was last week unveiled in Nay Pyi Taw and will reside there in a specially built “White Elephant House” beside Uppatasanti Pagoda. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Insein fire destroys housing complex, 20 homes
A FIRE in Insein township on August 10 destroyed more than 20 dwellings and left 189 people homeless but no injuries were reported. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Hardwood ownership permitted
PRIVATE citizens are now allowed to own hardwood species of trees, including teak, an official from the Department of Forestry said earlier this month. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Pa-O to contest at least three seats
TAUNGGYI-BASED Pa-O National Organisation will contest at least three seats in the Shan State Hluttaw at this year’s election, said U Khun San Lwin, the party’s chairman. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Malaysia Airlines to introduce daily flights to Yangon starting September
A “SURGE” in demand for flying on the Yangon to Kuala Lumpur route has prompted Malaysia Airlines to introduce daily flights between the two cities from next month, a Yangon-based representative of the airline said last week. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Malaysia stops visa on arrival scheme due to torrent of overstays
MALAYSIA has stopped issuing visas on arrival to tourists from seven countries including Myanmar, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said in a statement. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Shan party eyes State Hluttaw government
YANGON – Sai Aik Paung is perhaps one of only a very few independent political figures in Myanmar who is confident of success in the country’s elections, scheduled for November 7. (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
Leprosy-free, but stigma still hurts
“PEOPLE are afraid of us; when I go into town they give me a dirty look,” says U Mg Mg Khin, 73, a leprosy patient at the Mayanchaung Welfare Centre, Halegu township, in Yangon Division. “I have to hide my hands and legs whenever I go into town.” (Volume 27, No. 536 - August 16 - 22, 2010)
