Deadline reveals election dynamics
THE passing of the August 30 deadline to register candidates for this year’s general election has confirmed the massive challenge some parties are facing, both in terms of funding and candidate numbers. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
An old head on young shoulders
At 33, you’re much younger than most politicians. Why have you decided to contest the election? Being a politician is my dream. Initially I didn’t plan to run in this year’s election; I was going to wait another five years. But some senior politicians and academics said that “people should take part in politics to prevent parties or candidates from winning a seat ... (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Rakhine party pulls out of Sittwe seats
ONE of two major Rakhine political parties has announced it will not contest constituencies in the state capital Sittwe to avoid “social conflict”. U Myint Zaw, general secretary of the Rakhine State National Force, said the “unanimous” decision was in line with the party’s guiding philosophy of ensuring peace and stability in the region. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Election knowledge: Amyotha Hluttaw
THE Amyotha Hluttaw is the upper house of the national parliament and will be based in Nay Pyi Taw. Together with the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house, it makes up the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Election Vox Pop
I read most but not all political stories in local journals. Frankly I’m not that satisfied with the articles but I appreciate the work of the journalists for trying as hard as they can. I read about five journals every week. I want to read more about political parties’ policies, objectives and ideology. I also want to know what they will do for the benefit of voters. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Democratic Force leader denies breaking election agreement
THE chairman of the National Democratic Force has hit out at criticism that the party broke an informal agreement with other democratic groups to not field candidates in the same constituency at this year’s election. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Unsustainable fishing depleting stocks: dept
DEPARTMENT of Fisheries last month released 1 million giant seabass (Ka Ka Tit) fry into mangrove forests at Chaungtha in Ayeyarwady Region as part of efforts to rebuild depleted fish stocks. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Election Briefs
SHAN Nationals Democratic Party will compete in 157 constituencies across the country, the party’s chairman U Sai Aik Paung said last week. The majority of the candidates – 114 in all – will contest constituencies in Shan State, while the other 43 will stand in Kachin State and Sagaing and Mandalay regions. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Writers, journalists association officials quit to contest election
FOUR senior members of the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, including the association’s chairman, resigned late last month to participate in the November 7 election, an official told The Myanmar Times last week. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Fashion industry mourns sudden loss of acclaimed make-up artist Aung Aung
CELEBRATED make-up artist Aung Aung, who worked with local actors and celebrities for roughly two decades, passed away on September 2 at the age of 47. The beautician was admitted to the Asia Royal private clinic that morning after he began coughing and vomiting up blood and died at about midday. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Shwedagon trustees evict illegal residents
SHWEDAGON Pagoda’s board of trustees has started cracking down on people living at the pagoda illegally. U Ba Shwe said trustees had last month evicted “many families” living illegally in eight buildings near the pagoda’s eastern entrance. He said the trustees had asked the families to leave back in June 2007 and .. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Buddhism centre opens in Bagan
ALMOST 10,000 people flocked to Bagan in Nyaung Oo township last week for the opening of the Bagan Theravada Research Centre. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Air Mandalay set for relaunch
A REBRANDED Air Mandalay will resume domestic flights by the third week of September after being grounded for almost two months, the company’s chief operations officer told The Myanmar Times last week. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Group encourages bio-fertiliser use at Inle
A LOCAL community group is helping to protect the environment of Inle Lake in southern Shan State by conducting educational programs that encourage residents to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
UNICEF to promote breastfeeding
UNICEF has embarked on a pilot project to encourage young mothers to breastfeed their children more. The project, which runs from August to December, will be carried out in two selected townships, Oaktwin and Phyu in Bago Region, the agency said. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
New Yangon-Bagan bus line
TRAVELLERS to Bagan and Pakokku will have a new bus service from September 5 – as well as a motorboat connection to reduce their travelling time. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Thousands forced to evacuate as nine Bago quarters flooded
THOUSANDS of Bago residents were forced to evacuate their homes last week after heavy rain upstream pushed the Bago River 16 centimetres above its danger level, flooding nine quarters in the town. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Dhammcakka plans Twante meditation institute
THE International Dhammacakka Foundation has announced it will construct a meditation institute in Twante township, Ayeyarwady Region, to teach Theravada Buddhist meditation techniques. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Japan govt gives funds for schools
THE Japanese government has provided more than US$195,000 for the construction of two monastic schools in Shwe Pyi Thar township, Yangon Region, the embassy in Yangon said in a statement last week. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Gem emporium to be held next month
THE Ministry of Mines is set to host a gem emporium early next month at a hall in Nay Pyi Taw’s Zabuthiri township that is being constructed by Htoo Trading. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
After market fire, shop owners continue to shun insurance
WORKERS last month finished clearing rubble from the site of the Chindwin Yadanar Market in Monywa, Sagaing Region, but shopkeepers remain in the dark about the market’s future. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
Rains to continue after monsoon, dept says
FURTHER heavy rainfall is expected for most areas of the country during the late- and post-monsoon periods, even after the rainy season officially concludes at the end of September, an official from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said last week. (Volume 27, No. 539 - September 6 - 12, 2010)
