In Bago, democrats find an eager audience
“We need to have an office, a presence, in the township to campaign effectively because only then people will know for sure there is a party and we have candidates standing for election. They can come and ask questions and find out about our policies,” (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Parties set to finalise election candidates
The commission announced on August 13 that registered parties are required to submit their candidate list – and pay the K500,000 registration fee – from August 16 and 30 and are allowed to withdraw an application until September 3.
According to the announcement, the commission will scrutinise the Hluttaw candidate lists from September 6 to 10. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Independent candidates prepare to register for polls
“I will contest as an independent candidate in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State. I was born in Mon State and have worked there in both business and with non-government organisations,” U Hla Shaing said, adding that he would run for the Mon State Hluttaw. He said he would campaign on a platform of development for Mawlamyine and Mon State and would prioritise providing 24-hour electricity and bringing the price of acquiring telephone and hand phone connections in line with international standards. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
UDP patron U Shwe Ohn dies of lung cancer
Born in 1923, U Shwe Ohn entered politics at the tender age of 13 when he participated in student protests in 1936. He attended the historic Pinlon Conferences of 1946-47 first as a Shan representative and then as a journalist with the Myanma Ahlin newspaper. He was present when the conferences – organised by Bogyoke Aung San – culminated in the signing of the Pinlon Agreement on February 12, 1947, paving the way for independence the following year. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Democratic Force opens Mandalay branch
Dr Than Nyein said NDF members felt they would be failing in their duties if they did not stand in the country’s first polls in two decades when people are ready to cast their votes. “We will not go backwards nor run away. ... We are not people who will retreat because of difficulties,” (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Mon State party targets 50 constituencies
“We will select candidates who are eager to work for the betterment of their constituency,” he told The Myanmar Times in Mawlamyine. “We consider two other points when selecting candidates: that they are in a township we can win and that they observe the party’s policies.” (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
USDP fires first salvo in election race
The official said the USDP had already selected 149 candidates for Yangon Division – the maximum permitted for a single party – of which 45 were for Pyithu Hluttaw constituencies, 12 for Amyotha Hluttaw constituencies and 90 for the Yangon Regional Hluttaw. An additional two USDP candidates will stand for the Yangon Regional Hluttaw as representatives of the Rakhine and Kayin ethnic groups, which both get to elect a special representative in the regional legislature as they have more than 60,000 residents in Yangon. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
USDP opens Mandalay office
THE Union Solidarity and Development Party cut the ribbon on their Mandalay headquarters on August 20 at a ceremony attended by U Phone Zaw Han and Dr Kyaw Myint. Both are planning to contest seats in Mandalay in the election on November 7. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Debate kicks off ‘Year of Youth’
“Youth are the future and the leaders of tomorrow. Young people are easily tuned to new technologies and innovation. They can help bridge gaps to foster the development of inclusive societies. Their contributions must be recognised and encouraged,” Mr Parajuli said in a statement. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Hajj charter flight bookings open
TRAVEL companies and airlines have begun promoting charter flights to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Myanmar Airways International marketing executive Daw Aye Mra Tha said the airline is offering five direct flights to Jeddah, which is the gateway to Mecca, in November and December. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Tourist arrivals soar in first half of 2010
Most visitors to Myanmar – about 109,641, or 67pc of the total – were from Asian countries: 31,795 from Thailand; 19,580 from China; and 10,206 from South Korea. “In June and July, we received cancellations from Germany for October and November because of concerns over the election, even though the election date was not known at that time,” said a spokesperson for a leading tour company in Yangon. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Youth turn to astrology for answers on study, work
“A lot of people come and ask about studying abroad. To study, to work and to get treatment for health abroad, they come and ask [astrologers],” said Sayama Daw Hsu Hsu Hlaing (Waida), an astrologer based in Tarmway township,Yangon. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
NGO provides free cleft lip operations
“When I took trips to rural areas I found many cleft cases, especially in children. Most of them cannot afford the operation fees and some of them were just trying to ignore their condition. I felt sorry for them and I had the idea to treat them for free,” (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Environment focus at Youth Day event
YOUNG people in Myanmar celebrated International Youth Day by trying to raise environmental awareness at a conference held at Myanmar Info-tech in Hlaing township on August 14. Ma Tin Myat Htet, a member of civil society group Myanmar Youth in Action, said the main objective of the conference was to involve young people more in the development of their community. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Beach to get ‘media centre’: hoteliers
A MEDIA centre with an internet connection will be established at Ngwe Saung Beach before the end of the year to provide information to hotels, travellers and locals, the Ngwe Saung Zone branch of the Myanmar Hoteliers Assocation said last week. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
Do more to encourage donor support, urges top UN official in Myanmar
“Australia has nearly tripled the level of aid from three years ago. The United Kingdom and the US are also doing the same, and so is the European Union. These are very important donors. They are contributing immensely,” said Mr Parajuli. In 2008, total international support for Myanmar amounted to some US$350 million. In 2009, the figure rose to $500 million. (Volume 27, No. 537 - August 23 - 29, 2010)
