‘Your vote can lead to change’: NDF
NATIONAL Democratic Force (NDF) opened its first branch office in Yangon at a ceremony on August 22 in North Okkalapa township. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
NDF urges citizens to vote
NATIONAL Democratic Force (NDF) opened its first branch office in Yangon at a ceremony on August 22 in North Okkalapa township. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
A wild weekend in the country
WEARING a frilly dress and heavy makeup, the man strides down the aisle clutching a golden bowl in one hand and a golden cock in the other. His audience is made up mainly of old ladies, and when he starts to dance they go ballistic, deploying clenched fists and knobbly elbows in the crush to reach the front of the crowd. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Former captain goes it alone
Please tell us about your background. My parents are U Boe Thar and Daw Shwe Nu. I am a Rakhine Buddhist and was born on January 23, 1953 in Munaung township. I passed the matriculation exams in 1970 and then entered the army. I graduated with a BA (Higher Grade Pleader, HGP) from the Defense Services Academy. In 1990, I retired from the army and entered the education sector. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Election date gives parties a boost but support still low
THE announcement that the country’s first general election in 20 years would take place on November 7 has boosted interest in the poll but parties say they are still worried about a low turnout on voting day. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Wunthanu NLD to contest five seats
MANDALAY-BASED Wunthanu NLD (Union of Myanmar) will contest five constituencies at the November 7 general election, an official said last week. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Pyithu Hluttaw
THE Pyithu Hluttaw is the lower house of the national parliament based in Nay Pyi Taw. Together with the Amyotha Hluttaw, or upper house, it makes up the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Election Vox Pop
The National Unity Party is already here now and another new party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, has its head office in Nay Pyi Taw. But other than that there has been little activity here and none have approached me canvassing for votes. I think like me most people are busy working and they don’t have much time to spend listening to the parties. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Parties ‘consult’ to avoid overlap
DEMOCRATIC parties have not yet reached a formal alliance but said last week they had “consulted” before submitting candidate lists to the Union Election Commission to avoid fielding candidates against each other. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Shan leader farewelled
YOU, U Shwe Ohn, have transferred to next life at 6:12pm on the evening of August 20, 2010,” says the man standing in front of the prostrate body. “Therefore, our Union Democratic Party allows you to resign. As you are no longer connected to the party, you can go wherever you like.” (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Parties prepare for Aug 30 deadline
PARTIES were last week scrambling to organise candidates and registration fees ahead of the August 30 deadline. Most political leaders said the limited timeframe – the deadline was announced on August 13, along with the election date – had affected the number of candidates they would register. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Kayin party seeks end to conflict
LEADERS of a Kayin State-based political party say they hope participation in the November 7 election will help bring about an end to decades of ethnic conflict. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Parties gear up for Pyithu Hluttaw fight
COMPETITION in the November 7 election is expected to be most intense in the race for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, particularly in the seven Bamar-dominated regions, party leaders said last week. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Police to target speeding drivers
A COMBINATION of speeding drivers and wet and oil-slicked roads have led to a 10 percent increase in traffic accidents this rainy season, police say. Now they are cracking down, posting anti-speeding squads ready to fine drivers and take away their licences. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Medical Research Department offers free pap smears
MORE than 2000 women have so far received free pap smear tests for cervical cancer at a screening clinic opened by the Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar). (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Visa on arrival to stop September 1
THE Department of Immigration and National Registration’s announce-ment that it would stop issuing visas on arrival to foreign tourists from September 1 is expected to negatively impact on tourist arrivals, industry sources said last week. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Hoteliers support Pathein flights
REGULAR charter flights are being organised to attract more visitors and improve services at one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Prepaid entrance fees on trial at National Museum
THE Ministry of Culture has started trialling a prepaid card system for collecting archaeological zone entrance fees at the National Museum in Yangon. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Japan gives funds to rebuild primary school in delta
THE Japanese government has provided more than US$100,000 in assistance for the reconstruction of a primary school in Kyun Galay village, Yangon Division, that was damaged as a result of Cyclone Nargis, the embassy said in a statement last week. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
Delta has highest disability rate in country
STROKE is a major cause of disability in Ayeyarwady Division, which has the highest proportion of people with a disability in the country, a survey has found. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
YIS opens early childhood centre
YANGON International School opened the first phase of its Pun Hlaing campus development with a ceremony on August 21. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
HIV-free children bring hope to parents
MA Ni cried for days when she found out she had contracted HIV from her husband, an injecting drug user, three years ago. But when the 37-year-old North Dagon township resident unexpectedly found out she was pregnant, she stopped worrying about her own health, fearing only that her daughter would be born HIV-positive. (Volume 27, No. 538 - August 30 - September 5, 2010)
