Activists urge EU to get tough

Transcription

1 HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION 1200 Ks. ISSUE 699 OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 NEWS 9 Donors abandon returning workers Dozens of people were left stranded at Yangon International Airport after returning from Malaysia with the help of businesses and social groups. SPECIAL REPORT 16 Broadcaster blues Private investors in Sky Net, MRTV-4 and private FM radio stations will have to renegotiate existing deals in line with a new broadcasting law. FEATURE 18 A tactical retreat? Recent comments by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing have sparked renewed debate about the military s formal role in politics. PROPERTY 28 Lakeside twin towers near completion Shangri-La s long-delayed serviced apartment project is set to open but don t expect any bargains tenants in the penthouse apartments will pay at least US$10,000 a month, the company says. Connect with SMS newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm IN PICTURES facebook facebook.com/themyanmartimes PHOTO: GREG HOLLAND AN ALL-STAR LINEUP: London Lord Mayor Roger Gifford, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Set Aung and new British ambassador to Myanmar Andrew Patrick hold custom-made football jerseys bearing the Myanmar numeral 8 at an event in Yangon on October 11 during Mr Gifford s three-day visit. Activists urge EU to get tough Rights groups call for strong language on Myanmar s human rights record in a new United Nations resolution that the European Union is drafting and is expected to submit to the UN General Assembly next month. NEWS 3

2 2 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Page 2 online editor Kayleigh Long kayleighelong@gmail.com THE INSIDER: The local lowdown & best of the web MISS BEHAVING A protest against the outcome of this year s Miss Universe Myanmar pageant came to naught, despite online groups declaring a demonstration would be held at City Hall on October 10. The initial hype had been grossly overstated, with just the usual commuters present and not a banner in sight. The outcome of the landmark pageant, that will see 25-yearold Moe Set Wine go forth as Myanmar s first candidate in the Miss Universe competition since 1961, was deemed controversial due to her having competed previously overseas under her Chinese name. The US-educated marketing graduate has also previously won the prestigious Miss Perfect Skin award, as well as Miss Famous. Since her Miss Universe victory, state-run New Light of Myanmar says Moe Set Wine has been taking health and physical exercises and learning knowledge. A senior editor at The Myanmar Times applauded the New Light s reportage, saying he d not seen an issue given such comprehensive coverage since their ongoing series of articles about white elephants in mid More on Miss Universe on pg.40 IDLE HANDS The government shutdown gripping the US has proved to be a surprising boon for at least one website. According to NPR, SeekingArrangement. com (a site that facilitates mutually beneficial relationships between sugar daddies and sugar babies ) has seen a 50 percent jump in their average daily signup since the shutdown began. APEC SWAG RETURNS After falling out of favour during the global economic turmoil, APEC s propensity for dressing up its leaders in silly shirts has returned with gusto at the summit in Bali. US Secretary of State John Kerry was there in place of President Obama, sporting a purple shirt made of a silk-like Balinese fabric called endek. While the fabric was woven in When Myanmar was Burma... Archival material provided by Pansodan Gallery Article about the Burma Socialist Programme s fitness initiative in September issue of Forward magazine, a state propoganda journal. Indonesia, it came from China, a win-win outcome given APEC s stated goal of tearing down trade barriers. Chinese President Xi Jinping came in communist red while Russian President Vladimir Putin who also dispensed with the APEC shirts tradition in Vladivostok last year wore green. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has a series of albums of love songs to his name, brought out his guitar when he learned that it was Putin s 61st birthday. Cheered on by Xi, he strummed Happy Birthday. It was a surprise, Putin said. The musical tradition was carried on at the summit, with two male singers performing a stirring rendition of Psy s Gangnam Style at a gala dinner. BAD KOREA MOVE North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a sternly worded statement to European nations including the notoriously neutral Switzerland, cautioning them that their refusal to supply his nation with ski lifts constitutes an intolerable mockery of the social system and the people of the DPRK, as well as a serious human rights abuse that politicizes sports and discriminates against Koreans. Despite having the technological capability to build medium-range warheads, it would seem the DPRK either doesn t have the know-how or materials for the production of ski lifts something that is proving a significant impediment to the completion of Kim Jong Un s pet project. The ski resort in Masik Pass is intended to top off a bumper year for the hermit state, as it celebrates the 68th anniversary of the formation of the Korean Workers Party. The Independent has reported signs near the construction site intended to spur workers on, sporting slogans such as Let s Absolutely Finish Building Masik Pass Ski Resort Within This Year By Launching A Full Aggressive War and Full Battle. Style Statement Nwe Darli Htun for NOW! magazine. Photo: Lwin Ko Teik

3 News 3 Rights groups urge tough line on new UN resolution European Union begins drafting new resolution following diplomatic pressure from the United States TIM MCLAUGHLIN timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com INTERNATIONAL rights groups are calling for the European Union to take a hard line against Myanmar s human rights violations in a new United Nations resolution that the 27-member bloc is drafting. As The Myanmar Times has previously reported, in the first week of September the EU received a démarche from the United States urging it to move ahead with a new resolution on Myanmar, despite reluctance from some EU member states to do so. The European Burma Network, a group of 15 Myanmar rights organisations, said in a statement on October 10 that the diplomatic note, along with the possibility of a resolution being drafted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), had prompted the EU to begin writing a new resolution. The US embassy in Yangon declined to comment on the resolution. The EU also refused to answer specific questions about the resolution or démarche. In a statement to The Myanmar Times on September 27, it said the body was reflecting at the moment on how best to acknowledge the progress made while recognising the challenges that remain. Myanmar has been subject to a UN resolution since Myanmar argues that no resolution is warranted and says it was told that the EU would end the practice of tabling a draft resolution against Myanmar in 2013 in exchange for Myanmar helping the EU draft the 2012 resolution. The draft is likely to be put to a vote during November after it is circulated to other member states for input but no firm date has been set. During the drafting process a number of rights groups have urged the EU to take a more serious tone with Myanmar, saying that last year s resolution was too weak. Fortify Rights said in a lengthy statement last week that the resolution should condemn the wide range of ongoing human rights violations by the government and armed forces of Myanmar and provide clear benchmarks for measurable improvement, including establishing the presence of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Myanmar. The UK Campaign for Burma, meanwhile, said the resolution should consider all human rights violations in Myanmar but pay special attention to the crimes of rape and sexual violence. Burma Campaign UK said that it had received increased reports of rape and sexual violence by the Tatmadaw and other security forces since President U Thein Sein took power. The upcoming UN General Assembly resolution on Burma is an opportunity to include strong wording calling for an end to impunity for crimes of rape and sexual violence, the group said. Daw Zoya Phan, campaigns manager for the organisation, added, This is a matter of urgency one rape is one rape too many. Myanmar was one of 80 countries that declined to endorse the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative put forward by British Foreign Secretary William Hague at the UN on September 24. The European Burma Network criticised the EU for having seriously considered not drafting a resolution despite Myanmar failing to meet any of the 21 points laid out in last year s resolution. It should be of great concern that two-and-a-half years into the reform process, it said, there has been so little progress in addressing so many of the concerns consistently raised in the annual UNGA resolution. IN PICTURES PHOTO: PYAE THET PHYO Parties discuss funding with UEC EI EI TOE LWIN eieitoelwin@gmail.com THE chairman of the Union Election Commission has advised political parties on how to circumvent a ban on donations from foreign organisations. Commission U Tin Aye suggested to party leaders at a meeting in Yangon on October 11 that they instead set up non-government organisations to accept foreign support. Representatives from 30 parties were present at the meeting, which took place in the Yangon Region Hluttaw. As well as party funding, participants discussed voter education, the party registration process, electoral roles and other issues. U Tin Aye said he will do as much as he can to address the problems parties are facing before the 2015 election. He said he sympathised with parties facing funding difficulties but could not remove the ban on foreign Almost 200 residents of Nay Pyi Taw s We Gyi village attended the opening day of a trial in which 10 men are accused of detaining and beating police officers. The men, who have been in police custody since September 28, appeared in court for the first time on October 11 to face three charges. The men allegedly detained the police as they carried out a pre-dawn raid in We Gyi on September 19. donations because it is enshrined in the constitution. If parties are having funding problems, they should establish an NGO and register it with the Ministry of Home Affairs. They can do regional development projects by signing a memorandum of understanding with donors and cooperate with the relevant ministry, he said. Political parties discussed a range of issues related to funding, including the practice in some countries of People don t trust us because we can t do anything for them. U Aye Lwin Chairman, Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics the government providing financial support. We face many problems because we don t have enough funding. We have to work so hard to pay just for our office rental, said U Aye Lwin, the chairman of the Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics. If the government wants to see a multi-party democratic system develop they need to support political parties so that they can compete in free and fair elections and people trust them. At the moment people don t trust us because we can t do anything for them, and we can t do anything because we don t have any money, he said. The constitution says parties that are directly or indirectly receiving and expending financial, material and other assistance from a foreign government, a religious association, other association or a person from a foreign country can be deregistered.

4 4 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Myanmar: From pariah to ASEAN chair DANIEL ROOK MYANMAR won a new diplomatic prize last week for its dramatic political reforms, taking the helm of Southeast Asia s regional bloc despite warnings from some critics that the move was premature. The one-time international pariah was formally awarded the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2014 on October 11, at the end of the group s summit in the oil-rich sultanate of Brunei. President U Thein Sein said the theme of Myanmar s chairmanship would be moving forward in unity in a peaceful and prosperous community. Sadly, respect for human rights has never been an important qualification for being ASEAN chair. Phil Robertson Human Rights Watch The former general has earned international plaudits and the removal of most Western sanctions for a series of reform steps but the military and its political allies remain firmly in control of the country, while religious violence and the continued arrests of activists have tempered optimism about the political changes. Around 250 people have been killed and more than 140,000 left homeless in a number of outbreaks of Buddhist- Muslim violence around the country since June Addressing the Brunei summit, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said the communal violence remained a concern. The ASEAN chairmanship, as well as general elections in 2015, will be very important milestones for the future of Myanmar, he said. It s important that the ASEAN countries as well as all United Nations member states fully encourage Myanmar authorities so that they can do more on this participatory democratic transition, Mr Ban added. Critics said the decision to hand the ASEAN reins to Myanmar highlighted the bloc s wider disregard for human rights. Sadly, respect for human rights has never been an important qualification for being ASEAN chair, said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch. Myanmar s human rights record is still highly problematic but this is nothing that ASEAN ever had a problem with, Mr Robertson said. No one should forget that with a few exceptions, ASEAN continues to be a grouping of frequently dictatorial rights-abusing states. In April, Human Rights Watch accused Myanmar of a campaign of ethnic cleansing against members of the Rohingya Muslim minority an President U Thein Sein shakes hands with Brunei s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the closing ceremony and handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to Myanmar as part of the 23 rd ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan on October 10. Photo: AFP accusation rejected by U Thein Sein as a smear campaign. For years Myanmar was a source of embarrassment for ASEAN s more democratic states, overshadowing other problem members such as communist Vietnam and Laos, which have significant human rights issues of their own. In 2006, Myanmar was forced to renounce the ASEAN rotating presidency in the face of criticism over its human rights record and the then-ruling junta s failure to shift to democracy. The Philippines one of the harshest critics within ASEAN of the former military government noted in Brunei that the Myanmar military had relinquished some of its powers. President Benigno Aquino told U Thein Sein that the Philippines would support Myanmar s chairmanship. Along with the ASEAN chairmanship, Myanmar will host the East Asia Summit in 2014, which brings ASEAN members together with the United States, China and Russia, among others. US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to students in Brunei on October 10, said Myanmar s reforms were incomplete, a day after the country released dozens more political prisoners. Relations between the US and Myanmar a traditional ally of China have improved markedly since the end of military rule, with US President Barack Obama making a historic visit to Yangon in November AFP

5 Government agrees to ethnic armed group conference Armed groups plan to discuss a proposed nationwide ceasefire draft at a conference in Laiza News 5 Cyclone to bring rain, strong winds EI EI TOE LWIN eieitoelwin@gmail.com THE government has agreed to let armed ethnic groups hold a conference at the Kachin Independence Organisation headquarters of Laiza prior to a proposed nationwide ceasefire ceremony. The pre-ceasefire conference was requested by the KIO at talks held in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina from October 8 to 10, and was included in the seven-point agreement signed on October 10. During three days of talks at Majoi Hall in the city s Manaw compound, negotiators focused mainly on the nationwide ceasefire agreement proposed by the government, as well as the framework for subsequent political dialogue. The agreement also included statements committing both sides to ending all armed fighting, establishing a joint monitoring committee, developing a plan for the voluntary return and resettlement of IDPs, and reopening roads within the state. The government also agreed to a proposal from a senior member of the KIO delegation, General Sumlut Gun Maw, to hold a conference with ethnic armed groups to smooth the way for the subsequent nationwide ceasefire. General Sumlut Gun Maw (standing) of the Kachin Independence Army speaks during peace talks in Myitkyina on October 8. Photo: AFP He said the KIO is not opposed to the nationwide ceasefire but wants to have time to examine a draft of the agreement before the ceremony. The main thing is we want to have a draft of this [ceasefire] before the ceremony. If we get it, we can analyse the draft and discuss it with other ethnic groups. After the discussion we will decide whether we will attend the ceremony or not, General Gun Maw told The Myanmar Times on October 8. Chief government peace negotiator U Aung Min said in a statement following the talks that he is confident that we are turning the corner. The challenges are complex and are rooted in more than half a century of violence, he said. We re working not just toward a just and sustainable peace but toward a new political culture, one built on compromise, mutual respect and understanding, he added. U Aung Min pledged to provide all necessary support for the convening of the ethnic conference and asked to be allowed to attend as an observer. The government delegation included Lieutenant General Myint Soe from the Ministry of Defence, as well as other government officials and members of parliament. The KIO delegation was led by the group s chairman, Sumlut Gam. Ten political, civil society and community leaders observed the talks, along with United Nations special envoy Vijay Nambiar and Chinese special envoy Wang Ying Fan. The latest deal with the KIO, which built on a previous agreement in May, includes provisions to work to end all armed fighting. However, the talks did not bring about a ceasefire to end fighting in Kachin State that broke out in June 2011 and has displaced about 100,000 people, according to the United Nations. The two sides also discussed the future of political dialogue a key demand of the Kachin, who have long argued that negotiations should address their demands for more political rights as well as greater autonomy. With AFP A CYCLONE in the Bay of Bengal heading toward India will bring rough seas and heavy rain to Myanmar s coastal areas, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said last week. The department forecast that Cyclone Phailin would have wind speeds of between 161 and 193 kilometres an hour (100 to 120 miles an hour) near the cyclone centre. It was expected to make landfall on the east coast of India on the evening of October 12, according to the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center based in Hawaii. The department warned on October 11 that the cyclone could cause occasional squalls up to 80km an hour (50 miles an hour) and rough seas off the Ayeyarwady delta and the Rakhine State coast. It advised that trawlers, vessels and ships should shelter in a safe place from the storm. U Tun Lwin, a former director general of the department, said that peripheral clouds from Cyclone Phailin could affect the Rakhine coast and strong winds were expected. The United Kingdom-based Tropical Storm Risk website forecast on October 11 that the storm will make landfall on India s east coast as a severe category 5 cyclone, with wind speeds of more than 251km an hour (156 miles an hour). Aye Sapay Phyu

6 9 SPECIAL REPORT: POL 6 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 An army officer pays the price for honesty KO Kyaw Han Htun dreamed of being a computer programmer. He loved technology and computers, but for a Yangon resident in 2003, job prospects in the field were slim. Instead, he joined the army. Did he like it? Not yes and not no, Ko Kyaw Han Htun said on October 9, a day after being released from Myaungmya prison in an amnesty. He moved around the country with his battalion and it was while he was away from home that he accidentally found himself talking to a member of the All Burma Students Democratic Front. The ABSDF was formed in 1988 by students who fled to the border following a military crackdown. It was a student contact and I did not know until after that I was talking to [someone from the ABSDF]. Ko Kyaw Han Htun was terrified, living in fear for the next ten months that his actions would be discovered and that his family would be punished along with him. I turned myself in and admitted to my superiors what I had done, U Kyaw Han Htun said, adding that he hoped his proactive confession would protect his family from any repercussions. I was so worried all my family would be put in jail because of [what I had done]. He was arrested and sentenced to 17 years in jail for his crime. Just 24 at the time, he was sent to Mawlamyine jail, in Mon State. While the majority of inmates at the prison were former army officers, there were some civilians as well, Ko Kyaw Han Htun said. I would meet my family once a month, he said. His parents and elder brother would bring him food and supplies for bedding. Inside and unable to maintain his former level of physical activity, U Kyaw Han Htun fell ill. An abscess-like infection developed on his right fibula and he endured months of painful swelling that prevented him from walking or standing. After four years and five months behind bars, Ko Kyaw Han Htun was recognised as a political prisoner and released last week. Now I cannot think of the future at all, he said. I want to do computer programming still, but now it is so long ago that I think I have forgotten everything I learned. Bridget Di Certo and Tin Yadanar Htun Amnesty praised as govt frees more ethnic prisoners Most of the 56 people freed on October 8 had been jailed for contacting illegal organisations, including the Kachin Independence Organisation and Shan State Army-South eieitoelwin@gmail.com EI EI TOE LWIN 111 The number of political prisoners the Former Political Prisoners group estimates are still in jail THE release last week of a further 56 political prisoners was seen as a boost for peace efforts, since most of those freed had been jailed for links to ethnic armed groups. Activists are also urging the government to release the remaining prisoners and to make no new arrests. Most of the prisoners freed on October 8 were linked to the Kachin Independence Army and Shan State Army-South, the Former Political Prisoners (FPP) group said. President U Thein Sein freed the prisoners on humanitarian grounds and encouraging them to be able to serve the national interest after understanding the goodwill of the state, state media said. The releases took place at Insein Prison in Yangon, as well as jails in Kalay, Lashio, Meiktila, Mong Hsat, Taunggyi, Katha, Khamti, Myaungmya, Bhamo, Hsipaw and Kengtung. Most had been convicted for high treason or offences under the Unlawful Association Act, which bars contact with illegal organisations. Most were jailed for contact with ethnic armed forces: 27 from the KIO and 23 from RCSS/SSA, as well as some with the Chin and Palaung. Others are civilians and A man walks free from Kalay Prison in Sagaing Region on October 8 as part of an amnesty of 56 political detainees. Photo: AFP one [former] military officer, said FPP spokesperson U Thet Oo. Another FPP member, U Ye Aung, who is also on the government s political prisoners committee headed by Minister for the President s Office U Soe Thein, said he was satisfied with the amnesty. The government released the prisoners according to our proposed list, he said. President U Thein Sein pledged on July 15 to release all political prisoners by the end of this year. He ordered this current amnesty the day before he left for Brunei to attend the 23 rd ASEAN Summit. On the same day, peace talks opened in Myitkyina between the government and the KIO. U Sai Nyunt Lwin, general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), also welcomed the release but called on the government to refrain from further arrests of activists. He said cases against those charged with similar offences should be dropped, adding that 25 Shan political prisoners were still behind bars. U Ye Aung said the committee was mainly focused on prisoners jailed under the previous government, not those jailed under the current administration. We will continue to discuss these issues when we next meet with government committee. If the government continues to make arrests, the president s pledge doesn t make sense. Ex-military officer Ko Kyaw Han Tun, 28, who was released from Myaungmya prison in Ayeyarwady Region, said he was surprised when he heard that he would be freed. I was sentenced to 17 years. I was transferred to Myaungmya prison from Mawlamyine. Right now, I have no plans for the future. The United Nations also praised the president s decision, and urged the government to review the cases of other detainees, to remove conditions placed on those already released, and to review and remove laws inconsistent with Myanmar s international human rights commitments. These releases need to be accompanied by legislative reforms, including the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act, to ensure that new prisoners of conscience do not take the place of old ones, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, Tomas Quintana, said in a statement. He also called for the president s commitment to include the release of four INGO workers being detained in Buthidaung Prison since June and July 2012, as well as human rights defenders in Rakhine State such as U Tun Aung and U Kyaw Hla Aung, who have also been arbitrarily detained since June 2012 and July 2013 respectively. The Former Political Prisoners group estimates that 111 political prisoners are still behind bars. The committee formed to oversee the release of all political prisoners was scheduled to meet again on October 12 to discuss further amnesties. 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7 ITICAL PRISONERS Bittersweet freedom for a Shan grandfather News 7 BRIDGET DI CERTO bridget.dicerto@gmail.com TIN YADANAR HTUN yadanar.mcm@gmail.com IT has been five months since U Yan Yoe Chon s family were able to visit him. He grins as he imagines their shock at hearing the political prisoner would return to his home in Namhkam, Shan State, after being freed on October 8. But even his smile with gaps where his teeth were knocked out by military interrogators cannot mask the toll of 10 years and two months in prison. The 70-year-old former shopkeeper had his first taste of freedom last week after more than a decade behind bars for a crime he still doesn t fully comprehend. The military intelligence officers said there had been an explosion and I was responsible. U Yan Yoe Chon Former political prisoner At 9am in the morning, 10 military intelligence officers came to my house. I was the only one home and I was watching television when they took me, U Yan Yoe Chon said last week, recalling the day that would irrevocably change his life. They said there had been an explosion and I was responsible, he said, referring to a minor blast in August 2003 that damaged a home in Namhkam township. The military intelligence people came to arrest me because the home owner accused me of making the explosion. The tall, broad-shouldered father of four, who also has two grandchildren, was taken directly to a military office where he was questioned. Aside from the gaps in his mouth where teeth once stood, U Yan Yoe Chon is deaf in his left ear and has a long keloid scar across his forehead just under his hairline. All are permanent reminders of the torture and beatings he sustained during that preliminary interrogation. U Yan Yoe Chon gave up the information that his torturers sought only to discover his entire family were then arrested and detained. Three days later, his family were released, but U Yan Yoe Chon soon found himself in front of a military magistrate. I appeared for seven days in that court in Muse township, Shan State, he said. They charged me with two Former political prisoner U Yan Yoe Chon speaks at the Former Political Prisoners office last week. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing counts making threats and plotting. The magistrate said my sentence would be a minimum of five years and a maximum of seven. U Yan Yoe Chon then tried to engage a lawyer to act on his behalf a decision that angered the military intelligence officers who in turn instructed the ethnic Shan s sentence be increased to 30 years. He was taken to Lashio prison, close to his village. His family was able to visit regularly and bring food, bedding and medicine. In 2005 U Yan Yoe Chon was moved to a Mandalay jail. He laughed when asked what the bedding and bathroom facilities were like in Mandalay there were none. The longer journey meant fewer visits from his family and no medicine at the times when he needed it. In May, he was relocated again, this time to Insein Prison in Yangon. Here the fare was poor-quality rice, with meat served only two days a week. Just four days later, he was shifted to Taung Son jail. This jail is very hard, U Yan Yoe Chon said. In this jail, all prisoners worked many difficult and uneasy jobs, but I am very old. The laborious work ranged from farming and masonry to laundry. When the Former Political Prisoners group learned of U Yan Yoe Chon s plight, it petitioned for his relocation to Mawlamyine in Mon State, where prison labour was more lenient. One of few remaining political prisoners listed as a civilian, U Yan Yoe Chon was released last week. UN rep calls for end to release conditions Special rapporteur Tomas Quintana commends amnesty but says government must remove restrictions on former political prisoners BRIDGET DI CERTO bridget.dicerto@gmail.com UNITED Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tomás Quintana has commended last week s amnesty but called on the government to remove restrictions on former prisoners and ease their way back into society. The government released 56 political prisoners on October 8, the latest in a series of amnesties that have freed hundreds of political detainees from the country s jails. However, under Myanmar law convicted persons face a web of restrictions upon their release that can prohibit their reintegration into society, Mr Quintana warned. Administrative obstacles should... be removed which hinder former prisoners freedoms to relocate to different states and regions in Myanmar, restrict them in running for public office, as well as hinder their acquisition of passports and professional work licences, Mr Quintana said. The release of prisoners of conscience must be without any conditions. In an official statement, Mr Quintana said the releases were not only important for the victims and their families, but also for the ongoing process of democratic transition and national reconciliation. Speaking to The Myanmar Times separately, Mr Quintana said via that the legal framework needs to be updated and amended to reflect modern international standards and ensure that convicted persons are treated fairly both during and after detention. One law that the government has promised to amend is the Prisons Law, which dates to the colonial period. Mr Quintana said this would be an important development but expressed concern at the lack of a firm time frame for the law s introduction. United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tomas Quintana. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing The draft law is currently being vetted by the Attorney General s Office and will be sent back to the Prisons Department soon, Mr Quintana told The Myanmar Times. He further reiterated his recommendation for Myanmar s ratification of the Convention against Torture and associated international instruments. [Freed prisoners] fear they will be arrested another time. They do not feel secure. Ko Bo Kyi Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) I support the passing of a new Prisons Law as one of the necessary measures to tackle the practice of using torture to extract confessions, to improve access to health care and to guard against prisoners being transferred to remote prisons which family members have difficulty accessing, Mr Quintana said. He said conditions in Myanmar s jails appear to have improved but cautioned that his observations were based on visits that were limited in scope and where the government had received advance warning of his arrival. I note the improvement in conditions of detention compared to when I first conducted prison visits in 2008 and I hope that these improvements will continue, particularly with regard to access to adequate food and health care. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) resumed prison visits this year with two key projects focusing on rehabilitating and improving water and sanitation in correctional facilities and material input for strengthening healthcare in detention. ICRC was forced to suspend prison visits in 2005 because the government insisted that the group s staff be accompanied by officials from governmentlinked organisations. However, in November 2012 the government said in a statement that it would once again grant ICRC access to prisoners. An ICRC representative said last week that under its agreement with the Myanmar government information from the visits can only be shared between the two parties and therefore it cannot comment publicly on the conditions inside Myanmar s prisons. Ko Bo Kyi, joint secretary for the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), reiterated Mr Quintana s concerns about reintegration of released prisoners. The [released political prisoners] face lots of challenges, Ko Bo Kyi said. They fear they will be arrested another time. They do not feel secure. They face depression and they are like strangers to their families. Children do not respect them. They feel useless because society marginalises them, he said, linking mental health burdens with the prison experience. Additionally, a released prisoner s right to work is severely curbed. Ko Bo Kyi gave the example of a lawyer, who, upon conviction will lose his licence and cannot practice. The majority of people are from poor families, they do not have any vocational certificates so can only work in general labour. But even menial work can be difficult for former prisoners to secure, he said, as some companies refuse to hire workers with a criminal history.

8 8 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief (MTE) Ross Dunkley Editor-in-Chief (MTM) Dr Tin Tun Oo Chief Operating Officer Wendy Madrigal Director Non-core Assets Wai Linn General Counsel and Deputy Editor-in-Chief Zaw Myint EDITORIAL Editor MTE Thomas Kean Editor MTM Sann Oo Chief of Staff Zaw Win Than Editor Special Publications Myo Lwin Business Editor MTE Philip Heijmans World Editor MTE Bridget Di Certo The Pulse Editor MTE Manny Maung Sport Editor MTE Tim McLaughlin Online Editor MTE Kayleigh Long Views A woman ploughs a field near Monywa in Sagaing Region on August 30. 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Tel: (067) 23064, capitalbureau@myanmartimes.com.mm DUMRONG LEENANURUKSA AND GRAHAM H MCDOWELL newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm PRESIDENT U Thein Sein has on several occasions urged the people of Myanmar everyone from farmers to government officials to abandon their old mindset and adopt new approaches to tackling the country s many challenges. While it is easy to talk about the need for change, it is never as easy to alter one s behaviour. One example of the old mindset in Myanmar is the distinction drawn between agriculture the cultivation of crops for food and other purposes - and animal production the exploitation of animals for production of food and other products. In most countries, animal production is an integral part of agriculture. Since at least the advent of military rule, however, Myanmar has not had a single ministry with oversight of different areas of agriculture. There is widespread recognition of the urgent need to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, which is responsible for plant production and related areas, and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development, which is responsible for animal production and fisheries. There is a major problem in this division of Dear editor, Peter Soe-Wynn makes an eloquent case ( True democracy impossible without constitution change, September 30) for constitutional change in Myanmar. Peter clearly favours an elected president but interestingly supports the Electoral College model which Myanmar currently enjoys rather than the more popular model of a directly elected president. It is for each country to decide which model they should choose. But he might also reflect on the anomalies of parliamentary representation in the United Kingdom where he lived for so many years. In the UK we have no elected head of state, and most British citizens much prefer our present constitutional monarchy to responsibility: Activities that do not fit neatly into either ministries remit become sensitive issues and are avoided by officials. One farcical example was the attempt to improve production of a particular crop by relying on open fertilisation by bees. The project was developed in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation but because bees were required for fertilisation it was necessary for the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to be involved. The latter failed to cooperate, the project did not proceed and improved crop productivity did not occur. Another problem is training. In Myanmar, nobody specialises in animal production. Those involved in animal production are veterinarians. This is inefficient, as veterinarians require clinical skills and a different skill set is required for animal production specialists. It is also expensive, as it takes five years and more expensive training infrastructure to train a veterinarian, compared to three or four years for a specialist in animal production. This approach leads to shortfalls in the numbers of both veterinarians and animal production specialists. Although members of the Myanmar Livestock Federation apparently support the need to develop a degree course in animal production to meet the demands of sector, the matter is Activities that do not fit neatly into a single ministry s remit become sensitive issues and are avoided by officials. any other alternative, although they have never been given a choice. Not, of course, that the UK has a written constitution in any case. Peter argues that the retention of 25 percent of seats in parliament for military representatives is a travesty of democracy. On the other hand, if we consider Myanmar as a state in transition to full democracy, we might well reflect that other countries like Thailand and Indonesia have also passed through this phase of military representation in their own transitions. The real question is to decide what the pace of transition should be, conscious that too rapid a transition might well be inimical to the achievement of full democracy in the shortest possible term, which must surely be the desired objective. LETTERS considered a sensitive issue because of the organisational structure under which Myanmar s universities operate. The Yezin Agricultural University, administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, delivers courses in crop production and related fields, whereas the University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, which is administered by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, trains veterinarians. Despite the urgent need, neither offers a degree course in animal production. This course should be delivered from a school or faculty of agriculture Peter might also like to reflect on the fact that the UK House of Lords is not elected, which means that 54.25pc of the UK s 1421 parliamentarians in both houses of parliament are not chosen by the people, compared with a modest 25pc in Myanmar. I accept though that the UK House of Commons is all-powerful in most respects and that the most the House of Lords can do is to delay the passage of bills. Even so, comparisons with the Westminster model are often illusory. The model suits us in the UK. But I would be the last person to recommend it for Myanmar. If Peter would care to check, I think he will find that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi s two sons, Alexander and Kim, both held British citizenship from birth as they were born in the at a comprehensive university that also offers a degree course in veterinaryscience through a faculty or school of veterinary science. Building upon the model used successfully at most universities around the world, this institution should have strong interaction between these and other faculties. President U Thein Sein has spoken of the need to reform agriculture in Myanmar but the time required for change is likely to be protracted. The matter is of such a high priority that the president should take the bold action necessary to create one or more comprehensive universities in Myanmar that offers courses for veterinarians and agriculturalists with specialist training in animal production. This is but one of many bold steps that need to be taken to improve agricultural production. Unless these bold steps are taken, however, Myanmar s rural economy will languish and the benefits promised by the government under its reform program will not materialise. Dumrong Leenanuruksa is an academic staff member and former vice president of Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Graham McDowell is a former deputy vice chancellor of La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. UK and their father Michael Aris was a British citizen. I am not aware that they did at any stage renounce British in order to acquire Myanmar citizenship, nor that the UK government had to grant them British citizenship in 1989 in order to ensure that they were not stateless when their Burmese passports, granted as a courtesy, were revoked. In the same way, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself during her many years of residence in the UK never applied for British citizenship and I doubt that there was ever any question of the Myanmar authorities renouncing her Myanmar citizenship, which would have made her stateless. Regards, Derek Tonkin Chairman, Network Myanmar

9 News 9 Donors abandon returning workers NOE NOE AUNG TIM MCLAUGHLIN DOZENS of migrant workers returning from Malaysia were stranded for hours at Yangon International Airport last week after the organisations that brought them back abandoned them after they touched down. The group of 175 migrants, including 81 who had been detained in Malaysia for working there without documentation, were brought back to Myanmar on October 8 with support from the Sitagu Social Service Association, Kanbawza Bank and Myanmar Airways International. Officials from the organisations and the Ministry of Labour were present when the workers arrived to shake hands and take photos but quickly departed, leaving a group of about 40 workers with no way of reaching their homes in Mon and Kayin states. The group had few possessions and little money, and many of the workers had not spoken to their relatives in months. We were told that they [the donors] would send us to our homes. And we thought someone would tell us something [about] transportation plans to get home. But now we have waited for an hour and I think everyone is gone without telling us what should we do, said Ko Aung Thu Ya from Hpa-an township in Kayin State. Speaking to The Myanmar Times on October 9, Sitagu Social Service Association secretary U Myat Thu said donors were only responsible for ensuring the workers arrived in Yangon. U Myat Thu, who is also managing director of Asia Royal Hospital, said that he had heard the bad news about workers being stuck at the airport, but that he was unable to stay and offer assistance because he had two meetings to attend. Ministry of Labour officials at the airport said they had not received instructions to arrange transport for the stranded workers. Concerned journalists eventually lent them phones to call relatives and tried to arrange temporary accommodation through social organisations. Eventually members of the 88 Generation were contacted and came to the airport to pick up the workers. The workers were taken to the 88 Generation office, where they spent the night. That evening Ministry of Labour officials visited the office and offered K5000 to each of the workers to cover their transport home. The incident highlighted the shortcomings of the corporate-sponsored programs to bring workers home, which began appearing after violence broke out between Myanmar workers in Malaysia in June and gained further impetus when the country launched a crackdown on undocumented workers in September. Groups such as Ayeyarwady Foundation, run by tycoon U Zaw Zaw, and U Aung Ko Win s KBZ, which owns Myanmar Airways International, have leapt at the opportunity to generate positive publicity Workers brought back from Malaysia by donors sit outside the entrance to Yangon International Airport on October 8. With no money or phones, the workers were stranded for several hours until 88 Generation members collected them. Photo: Boothee through the programs. While most Myanmar choose to stay in Malaysia, the programs are a rare chance at a free ride home for the grateful workers who take up the offer. I ve wanted to leave Malaysia since June when the violence happened there. And in September, Malaysian police arrested several workers. I was not arrested. But I didn t want to stay there anymore, said Ko Moe Zaw Tun, a worker who was employed at a factory in Kalang. Ko Zaw Win Khaing, who worked in Malaysia illegally for six years, was arrested last year and spent the past four months in an internment camp in Malacca, south of Kuala Lumpur. I stayed in prison for five months and then after I was released, I stayed in Malaka as I couldn t contact my family and had nowhere to go, he said. There are still many more Myanmar workers in the camp. When I came back, there are around 800 workers still left in Malacca camp. I have no idea how many workers will be in other camps, he said. Some of them are expecting to work there again and most of them want to come back.

10 10 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Fishermen return from slavery ordeal MYAT NYEIN AYE FISHERMEN forced to work on Thai boats have spoken of being rescued from a nightmare, thanks to the intervention of the government. The 37 men were working aboard boats seized by Indonesian authorities and were freed after the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta took up their case. The government also paid for their return home. The men, from Tanintharyi, Bago, Ayeyarwady, Mandalay and Magwe regions and Mon and Kayin states, were met at Yangon airport by government officials on October 9 and taken to their homes, a government spokesperson said. The government arranged their return home, at a cost of about US$20,000, the spokesperson said. U Win Kyaing, general secretary of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation, said some of the men were working aboard the Thai boats of their own volition but others had been trafficked. The Indonesian authorities had not arrested them, but the helmsmen of their boats. The men who had been trafficked faced many problems, including the non-payment of wages, said U Win Kyaing. The Indonesia government contacted our embassy in Jakarta after the men had been detained at Sumba, Indonesia. Onshore they would keep us locked up, 10 to a room, until we went to sea again. Ko Htun Htun Trafficked fisherman Some of the 37 men who returned from Indonesia sit at Yangon International Airport on October 9. Photo: Thiri Three other men from Tanintharyi detained in Indonesia have returned to work on Thai fishing boats, said U Aung Myin Kyaw, departmental head of Myeik district. Ko Htun Htun, of Kawthoung township in Tanintharyi Region, said he had been trafficked. There were 40 of us in Indonesia who had been working on Thai fishing boats. About 20 had been trafficked, including me. Indonesia was fine, but the Thai fishing boats were a nightmare, he said, saying he considered himself lucky to have been detained by the Indonesians. His ordeal lasted three months, during which he was not paid and regularly threatened with starvation. [On the boat] we just received a handful of rice and half an egg, twice a day. Onshore they would keep us locked up, 10 to a room, until we went to sea again, he said. Other fishermen who worked voluntarily received wages of 4000 or 5000 Thai baht ($128-$160) a month, said Ko Aung Soe, 38, from Mawlamyine township in Mon State. Since I had no job, I went to Kawthoung and met with a broker. They sent to me to the Thai border and I worked on Thai boats, sorting fish, he said. The men were in Indonesia about five months, he said. Another fisherman, Ko Hlaing Win from South Dagon township, Yangon, said he was also trafficked to the Thai border after working for a palm oil company in Kawthoung. After two months I had received no pay, so I quit and met a broker. They sent me off in a truck, saying it would take me to a local job with good pay, he said. But the next morning I found myself on the Thai border. B BRAUN With workforce of more than 47,000 employees in over 50 countries, B.Braun is among the world s leading providers of healthcare solutions, with products and services that can be found in use at anytime on every continent. B.Braun is a family business that advances through a special culture of dialog with partners, customers, users, patients, and, of course, with our employees. To support the company operation in Yangon, we are looking for talents who share ingenuity energy and drive for success to be part of this dynamic elite. 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Ensure frequent and effective communication with the headquarters in Asia Pacific Requirements: Prefer a Medical Doctor or a Pharmacist Minimum 2 years of experience in the healthcare industry Excellent communication skills in English Must have excellent interpersonal skills Good in Microsoft Office tools, planning and analytical skills Business Development Manager (B.Braun Myanmar Representative Office, Yangon) Responsibilities Identify, research, evaluate, and pursue business development opportunities that will contribute to the organisation's short and long-term business goals. Develop and execute dedicated growth strategy for the key strategic business area that is aligned with global strategy. Identify, evaluate, negotiate, and manage business opportunities, for example sales, projects, consulting engagements, partnerships, alliances, mergers, or acquisitions that will contribute to the organisation's short and long-term business goals. Manage the most complex, large, or difficult market research or analysis projects; evaluate findings, prepare reports, and make recommendations to senior management about the viability of alternative opportunities. Establish long-term professional relationships with potential clients, customers, and partners (for example in government or industry associations) to promote the organisation's products and services. Lead meetings and negotiations with potential clients and business partners to pursue business opportunities and protect the organisation's business interests. Refer sales leads and customer feedback to appropriate contacts within the organisation and liaise with other functional and operational area members to ensure that these referrals are followed-up promptly. Lead, direct, evaluate, and develop a team of business development analyst professionals to ensure that projects are conducted credibly and that recommendations and reports are accurate and timely. 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12 12 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 RNDP members arrested following riots BILL O TOOLE botoole12@gmail.com AT least 20 members of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party have been arrested for their alleged role in deadly mob violence that gripped Thandwe township earlier this month. The party s chairman, however, insists RNDP members were not involved in the violence. The arrests are just the latest in a long line of oppressive acts by the central government against the Rakhine people, U Aye Maung told The Myanmar Times last week. The RNDP only wants peaceful co-existence... [These members] were not involved in the violence, he said. These men were not commanding riots. They are not commanding anything... They are oppressed. U Aye Maung and several other party members had a chance to visit the RNDP prisoners in Thandwe earlier this week. The detainees told him they had been beaten while being interrogated after their arrest. He said he had recently heard the group has been moved to another prison while they await trial, the date of which has not yet been set. The parliamentarian said he is confident his party s members will be found innocent once more facts become clear. However, several Muslims who witnessed the rioting told The These men were not commanding riots... They are oppressed. U Aye Maung Chairman, Rakhine Nationalities Development Party Myanmar Times that they saw RNDP members participating in, and often leading, the mobs that destroyed dozens of homes in the Thandwe area. At least five Muslims were killed in the rioting, including a 95-yearold woman and an 89-year-old man in Thabuchai village. An estimated 90 homes were burned to the ground and about 200 citizens left homeless by the violence. State media reported last week that 44 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement. In the aftermath, Thandwe residents and members of the Union Government openly speculated that the violence was likely orchestrated by a group or groups. The area has little history of ethnic tension or violence. When he visited the area on October 3, President U Thein Sein said he believed outsiders were to blame. The RNDP, which holds 14 seat in the upper and lower houses of the national parliament, has previously been accused of stirring up anti-muslim sentiment. Earlier this year, the party s leaders sponsored an amendment to the election law that would tighten the rules on who can vote. Some activists and politicians said the motion was designed to disenfranchise Rohingya Muslims in the state, most of whom hold temporary ID cards. Mandalay family to pursue more charges against killers PHYO WAI KYAW pwkyaw@gmail.com HLAING KYAW SOE hlaingkyawsoe85@gmail.com TWO men convicted over the brutal stabbing of a young mother in Pyigyitagun township could face further charges, as the victim s relatives say evidence submitted during a recent murder trial showed she had been sexually assaulted. On October 4, Mandalay district court sentenced U Aung Ko Lat to eight years imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of Ma Win Khin on January 18. A second man, U Zaw Myo Aung, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for abetting the offence. The victim s brother, U Thein Win, testified that on the night of the killing he met U Zaw Myo Aung and the two went to a pub and a theatrical performance, which was also attended by U Aung Ko Lat. U Thein Win said U Zaw Myo Aung, who knew the victim s husband, asked if he was at home, to which he replied that he was not. The group later separated at the theatre, U Thein Win added. Ma Win Khin was at home with the couple s four-month-old child when the intruders attacked her later that night. Her body was later found with 13 stab wounds. Neighbours apprehended U Zaw Myo Aung as he attempted to flee the scene on a motorcycle. U Aung Ko Lat was later arrested elsewhere. The victim s husband, U Khin Maung Si, was working as a bus conductor in Muse township at the time. A relative, U Sein Kalar, said on October 7 that the family intends to pursue additional charges against the pair. He said the family had been asked about pursuing other charges before the trial but didn t because we U Khin Maung Si, the husband of Ma Win Khin, who was murdered on January 18, holds their baby daughter. Photo: Phyo Wai Kyaw don t understand the legal process. He also said that they did know the extent of the crimes against Ma Win Khin until hearing evidence during the murder trial including the test results that showed traces of semen were found on her body. Her mother plans to consult with the lawyer to file new charges for them, U Sein Kalar said. U Maung Ko, an influential figure in the ward who lives nearby the victim s house, said on October 7 that he had seen the body in the presence of the police at 2pm the following day. He said her clothing was torn and the buttons had been ripped off, and her hands were held above her head. It seems her hands were held [so as] not to repel the attack, he said. The authorities took photos of the body. I m ready to help as a witness but I didn t get the chance [during the first trial]. U Win Hlaing, a National League for Democracy member from Pyigyitagun township who has helped the family in their quest for justice, expressed concern for the future of the victim s child. I want the judiciary to settle [the case] so as not to cause the public to suffer. Translation by Thiri Min Htun Despite violence, Muslims to press on with Eid festivities this week CHERRY THEIN t.cherry6@gmail.com MUSLIMS in Yangon will publicly mark the festival of Eid al-adha this week despite concerns over the impact of recent religious violence in Rakhine State, Islamic leaders say. In 2012, Muslim associations in Yangon cancelled public celebrations of Eid, one of the two holiest days in the Islamic calendar, because of growing tension following clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State. Five people were killed and hundreds left homeless following a fresh outbreak of violence in Thandwe township earlier this month. However, representatives of Islamic associations said last week they decided to press on with plans to mark Eid, which this year falls on October 14, after the regional government promised heavy security. We are worried about security but the Yangon Region government promised to take care of it. We will definitely hold the event but we don t know exactly what will happen on the day, said U Myo Win, the director of Smile Education and a member of Yangon s Islamic Centre. The Yangon Region government could not be reached for comment last week. Eid al-adha is a special day for all Muslims, who mark the occasion by donating to poor and needy people regardless of their religion. Also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, it marks the willingness of the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ismael, out of religious devotion, U Myo Win said. However, in Myanmar it has attracted criticism because of the ritual slaughter of animals according to Halal rules, which many Buddhists decry as brutal. U Myo Win said widespread misunderstandings about the nature of Eid had been exacerbated by the recent religious tension. People kill animals for their food every day in markets but most condemn Muslims for the practice on Eid, he said, adding that the slaughter allows Muslims to share food with the poor. Some Muslim residents of Yangon told The Myanmar Times last week they hope to be able to mark Eid this week but expect it to be a relatively subdued affair. They also expressed deep concern over the regular outbreaks of violence between Buddhists and Muslims over the past 18 months. Sometimes I feel confused about the aim of those inciting the conflict. Is it to eliminate all Muslims [in Myanmar] or incite violence between ethnic groups? In Thandwe, for example, the Kaman [Muslim minority] is one of the country s recognised ethnic groups, said U Maung Tin, a member of an interfaith association. He said the activities of some new Buddhist associations, including the proposal of a law banning inter-faith marriage, have exacerbated the tension and confusion. It is very complicated and controversial... I want to know what the real point of their activities is. I feel it is to discriminate against other religions. If [Buddhist associations] really want peace, why are they propagating hate speech that just creates more problems for both communities? he said. There have been some recent attempts to heal the divide between Buddhists and Muslims, most recently through the interfaith conference on security, peace and co-existence, which was hosted by the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy in cooperation with the Institute for Global Engagement on October 1-2. U Myo Win said he appreciated the efforts of leaders from both sides to improve dialogue around the controversial issue. However, he called for more action from Buddhist leaders to control renegade members of the Sangha, whom he accused of spreading hate speech. I believe the conference is meant to reduce tension, anger and hatred in the community and increase understanding, sympathy, empathy and loving kindness, he said. But he said the topics, which were discussed in English, should be translated into Myanmar so they are accessible to everyone. Why not offer translation for ordinary people because the issues always start at the grassroots?

13 Return community land: farmers PHYO WAI KYAW HLAING KYAW SOE News 13 Malaria target within reach FARMERS in Mandalay Region s Amarapura township say village authorities are unwilling to give back their land, nationalised in the 1980s, because they are earning money renting it out. The confiscation was imposed because they failed to supply rice to the state as required under a socialist-era policy, and village administrators now lease out the so-called community farmlands. They are campaigning for the land to be given back on the grounds the now-discontinued policy was unfair and that the current community ownership only benefits administrators. U Kyaw Min, a farmer from Tamote Soe village tract in Amarapura township, said many farmers still remained landless. I have now been granted land tenure to farm again, thanks to the recommendations of other villagers. But there are many farmers whose lands were nationalised and which have yet to be handed back. They have not been granted tenure, he said. He said four acres owned by his mother Daw Tin Oo were confiscated because of failure to supply 50 baskets of rice. The village administrator keeps the lands as community farmlands and leases them. I could hardly make ends meet. I heard some lands were being handed back, and I am trying to get back my lands back as well, said 76-yearold Daw Tin Oo. U Phoe Ko Lay, 80, who used to Daw Tin Oo from Tamote Soe village, who had her land confiscated during the socialist era for failing to give rice to the government. Photo: Phyo Wai Kyaw farm in Mone Taw village, said the father of another resident, U Tin Naing Win, was also dispossessed for failing to supply enough rice. U Tin Naing Win said he was willing to pay the necessary fees to have his land tenure rights restored. I still have my ownership documents. Our family have been living for years without our land. But [officials from Shangyi village] don t want to give it back. The administrator of Shangyi village, U Hlaing, said on October 8 said that he had not spoken with U Tin Naing Win but would investigate the complaint. U Ko Ko Aung and U Win Hlaing, members of the National League for Democracy in Mandalay s Pyigyitagun township, said they would help the farmers recover their lands. The so-called community farmland confiscated 30 years ago has not benefited either the original owners or the villages, but some authorities are profiting from the lands. Times have changed. Now, we see some people are trying to keep power for their own profit, U Ko Ko Aung said. The president is moving toward poverty reduction. But farmers cannot be free from poverty without land, said U Win Hlaing. The local authorities don t have to wait for guidelines from higher authorities. They can hand back the land themselves. Translation by Zaw Winn yamon89@gmail.com YAMON PHOO THIT MYANMAR has slashed the percentage of the population who get sick or die from malaria, Minister of Health Dr Pe Thet Khin has announced. By sharply reducing both the prevalence and the death rate from the disease, the country has met an important international health target. United Nations member states agreed in September 2000 to set a number of ambitious goals to measure economic and social progress. One goal was to cut the toll taken by malaria by half by Speaking at the advocacy meeting on malaria research on October 7 at Yangon s Department of Medical Research, Dr Pe Thet Khin said this had already been achieved. According to Dr Thar Tun Kyaw, director of the ministry s disease control unit, the prevalence of malaria was about per 1000 population in 1990, declining to 8.31 by the end of The death rate in 1990 was per 100,000, down to 0.29 in The UN s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) include combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The MDG target entails reducing malaria deaths by 2015, and then cutting the incidence of the disease. There has been a reduction of more than half in prevalence and death rates, said Dr Thar Tun Kyaw. Myanmar s National Malaria Control Program, which was set up in 1952, carries out activities such as promoting public awareness; distributing mosquito nets; spraying potential mosquito breeding sites; diagnostic testing and treatment; preventive therapies for infants, children and pregnant women; and tracking drug resistance. According to the World Health Organisation, malaria is endemic in 284 out of 330 townships in Myanmar and about 68 percent of people reside in at-risk areas. Malaria is also a major public health problem in the wider Southeast Asian region, with approximately 1.3 billion people at risk. The WHO estimates that there were nearly 42 million cases and more than 60,000 deaths in the region in 2010, while estimated global prevalence is 219 million cases, with more than 600,000 deaths. More support for Myanmar s efforts to combat the disease is coming from the Global Fund, which in June announced it would provide more than US$315 million to help Myanmar combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria for the next four years. Dr Thar Tun Kyaw said the funding would help to continue anti-malaria efforts past the MDG target.

14 14 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 An accidental journey into insight meditation SPECIAL REPORT MICHELLE SCHANER THE first time I learned about SN Goenka and Vipassana meditation, I was a clueless backpacker staying in a hippie retreat on the Thai-Myanmar border. A woman arrived at the retreat a few days after I did. During a conversation with her I noticed her eyes looked so peaceful, so happy, that I could not stop staring. Partly it was admiration, but I was also more than slightly jealous. Why didn t I have that? I did yoga. I was nice to people (most of the time). I wanted that calm, that joy. What was it? Where could I get it? So, I asked: Why are you so happy? She explained that she had just finished a 10-day course of silent meditation. At that time I had no idea about meditation. I also doubted that I could be silent, even for an hour. But still, she tore off a small section from a nearby piece of paper and wrote down a website When you are interested, she said, check it out. I folded the paper into sections, put it in my pocket and forgot about it. He taught people around the world a simple truth: how to be truly happy by being present in the moment. Six months later I was working in Taiwan. I happened to strike up a conversation with a woman from Canada who had come to Taiwan to study meditation. She, too, had this peaceful expression in her eyes, this joy. What exactly was her meditation? I asked. She took out a pen and wrote down the name of a website on a small piece of paper: I still didn t look up that website. It would take another year and a half and a good deal more drama and suffering before I came across that second piece of paper again. And when I did I still found a way to contemplate not checking it out. After all, I was heading back to Ohio via Texas to visit family. Surely there would not be a meditation centre anywhere I would be travelling. Confident that there would be no way I could possibly be forced to be quiet for 10 days, I logged on to And there it was: a 10-day retreat in Texas, at one of only four centres in the United States at that time. Starting the day after I arrived. I admit that on that first 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in 2001, I did not find right away that peaceful, joyful glow those other women had. But I did not leave. I was happy amid the silence. During 10-plus hours of meditation each day, and during the lectures given every night, I was guided by recordings of the deep, booming voice of an elderly man from Burma. Just remain aware, the voice would say. Just remain aware. Each time we sat, my mind wandered away, but then the voice would return. Start again, he would say. Start again. By the end of my stay, something very significant and inexplicable shifted inside my mind. I was not different, but I was aware of something subtle my reactions to those around me and their reactions to me. Back then I never planned to come to Myanmar, nor did I know much about it. I also didn t know how far, or how deep, I would go into my own mind over the next 12 years nor how far and deep I was capable of going. It was not until this past January, with my sixth 10-day course, that I realised the gift I had been given. In the intervening years I never truly understood the shift that had taken place, how meditation would come to influence every aspect of my life. But whenever I got lost again as we all do, and will again I did not fall as I had before. I simply started again. That booming voice I and so many others around the world listened to on our path to Vipassana meditation belonged to renowned teacher SN Goenka, who died September 29 at the age of 90. Goenkagyi (as his students in the West could call him) believed that death was inevitable, a liberation, something to look forward to just another part of the endless wheel of dhamma. His teachings, based on the teachings of the Buddha, were about The Art of Living, of training your mind to stay present and focused and using the body to focus concentration. He taught people around the world a simple truth that we are all seeking: how to be truly happy by being present in the moment. Which is probably why when I first heard the news of his death this week I was not at all sad, just curious as to what he experienced before passing on, and what all that meditation and merit will mean for those of us left behind. His passing made me reflect on my own journey through Vipassana, on how much further I have to go and how little it is that I know. Some of my happiest and most hopeful moments have occurred while sitting silently in some of the many meditation centres Goenka has left behind, listening to his deep, kind voice encourage me, and all the other meditators, to just remain aware, just remain aware to never get discouraged or depressed if the meditation is not going well, and most of all to never give up. Rather, as Goenkagyi would say, simply start again. SN Goenka s relatives scatter some of his ashes on the Yangon River on October 8. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing Final wish fulfilled as Goenka returns home t.cherry6@gmail.com CHERRY THEIN RENOWNED Vipassana teacher SN Goenka always wanted his beloved home of Myanmar to be his final resting place. Last week, that wish came true. The ashes of the Mandalay-born teacher whose method of teaching Vipassana meditation has influenced people from all over the world were scattered at his meditation centres around Myanmar and floated on the Ayeyarwady River at three different locations. SN Goenka s relatives and students carried his ashes to Yangon from Mumbai, India, stopping first at the Dhamma Joti Vipassana Meditation Centre in Bahan township on October 7. The first ashes were floated on the Yangon River at around 11am on October 8, and an offering ceremony was held at Parkroyal Hotel in the afternoon. The ashes were then taken to Myitkyina in Kachin State on October 9 and floated on the Ayeyarwady River. The ceremonies continued to Mandalay, where some ashes were scattered at the Dhamma Mandala Vipassana Meditation Centre at a ceremony organised by students. On October 10, the founder of the Sitagu Buddhist Academies, Sayadaw Ashin Nyannisara, led the final ceremony on the Ayeyarwady River near Mandalay. SN Goenka s relatives said their final goodbyes with a memorial and donation ceremony at his home in Mumbai, India, on October 12. Students from all Vipassana meditation centres in Myanmar will hold a group meditation event from 8:15am to 9:15am on October 13 at Dhamma Joti to remember Sayagyi, as SN Goenka was widely known in Myanmar, to honour his teachings and to share merit with him. Dhamma Joti was founded in 1993 and was the first mediation centre SN Goenka opened in Myanmar. 172 The number of Vipassana meditation centres established by SN Goenka A teacher from the centre said last week that generations of students have benefited from his dedication to sharing the dhamma, or teachings of the Buddha. He left Myanmar in 1969 and came back 22 years later in 1991, said the teacher, who runs classes for children at Dhamma Joti. He was in and out of the country while travelling around the world to teach the technique and opening centres, and came back to rest in Myanmar 22 years later. I think most people didn t realise that he has been working to share the dhamma for 44 years. He felt very proud to be born in Myanmar, [the country] that preserved and purified the dhamma. I believe that it was his wish to keep the dhamma wheel going, she said. SN Goenka s return to Myanmar coincided with the 20 th anniversary of the Bahan centre s establishment. Satya Narayan Goenka is credited with bringing the traditionally monastic practice of meditation to the layperson and in later years to the West through his teachings and writings. He founded 172 Vipassana meditation centres in countries all over the world, as well as the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai. Born in 1924 in Mandalay, SN Goenka initially took up a career in business. He suffered serious headaches until he started practising meditation under the guidance of teacher U Ba Khin in In 1969 he moved to India to pay respect to his parents, who were of Indian descent. While there, with the blessing of U Ba Khin, he began giving 10-day meditation courses to his parents and relatives, then to the general public. He opened his first meditation centre at Igatpuri, India, in 1976 and then began travelling the world and opening more centres. He returned to Myanmar in 1991 and taught Vipassanna in Yangon s Daw Dhammathi nunnery, in North Okkalapa township. In 1993 he opened Dhamma Joti International Vipassana Meditation Centre in Bahan township. Today there are 20 meditation centres in Myanmar, in Yangon, Hlegu, Bago, Maubin, Mawlamyinegyun, Mandalay, Mogok, Pyin Oo Lwin, Monywa and Thanbyuzayat.

15 News 15 Govt under fire over president s USDP role Party chairman and speaker Thura U Shwe Mann looks on as NLD MP grills government minister over presence of president and ministers in party executive soethanlynn@gmail.com SOE THAN LYNN THE government has been forced to respond to accusations that the president and six ministers are violating the constitution because they have retained their positions in the leadership of the Union Solidarity and Development Party. The normally reserved chamber observed a vigorous back-and-forth on October 3 between Minister for the President s Office U Soe Maung and National League for Democracy representative U Win Myint, who accused the minister of failing to answer the question clearly. Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker and USDP chairman Thura U Shwe Mann made no attempt to intervene in the debate, leaving the minister to answer U Win Myint s questions on the involvement of the president and government ministers in USDP activities. U Soe Maung told the Pyithu Hluttaw that their presence in the party s central executive committee is in accord with sections 64 and 232 of the constitution, which ban the president, vice presidents and ministers from taking part in party activities during their term of office. U Win Myint, however, pressed him for a clearer response, noting that while most newspapers have reported that Thura U Shwe Mann is the party s chairman, one 6 The number of government ministers in the Union Solidarity and Development Party executive journal, Myanma Herald, quoted a senior party member as saying that the real leader or chairman is the president. He is still in the position of party leader. We also don t know about the six ministers who are on the party s central executive, U Win Myint said. I would like to ask whether the president and six union ministers are working in accord with the constitution. U Soe Maung said the president and ministers are obeying the respective constitutional sections, so they are working in the party officially. This still did not satisfy U Win Myint, who said he would like to just hear a clear answer. The minister responded again but U Win Myint complained that his wording was based on the English version of section 64 and section 232 and noted that under section 452 the Myanmar text is considered the definitive version. U Soe Maung replied, They don t take part in party activities. U Win Myint responded, It means they are still officially in the party although they don t take part in party activities. Your answer shows they are involved in the party. So is it in accord with the constitution? This is in accord with both section 64 and section 232 of the constitution, the minister said. After the meeting, U Win Myint said he was still not satisfied and would continue seeking a definite solution to the issue. U Soe Maung, on the other hand, said that there is no reason to answer this question again. Translation by Zar Zar Soe A troupe performs at Kyaukse elephant dance festival in Photo: Si Thu Lwin Extra cash lures troupes to elephant dance festival SI THU LWIN sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com THE financial stakes will be higher than ever before at this year s Kyaukse elephant dance festival, with winners of the annual competition competing to take home as much as K800,000 (USD$800). Community leaders in Kyaukse, a town south of Mandalay, have increased the prizemoney by as much as K200,000 ($200) for each of the festival s dancing categories. The festival will be celebrated at Shwethalyaung Pagoda on October 18, one day before the full moon of Thadingyut, a national holiday that marks the end of Buddhist Lent. The colourful competition sees groups of people wearing elephant costumes perform various dances. A spokesperson from the town s general administration department said the increase in prize money has encouraged more dancing troupes to begin preparing for the event. We have to begin preparing at least 20 days in advance for this competition, said the leader of the Padaut Myaing troupe. We have nearly 40 members in our team. In previous events, the prizes couldn t cover the high cost [of performing] but we wouldn t dream of not competing in the festival. We really live for it. Translation by Zar Zar Soe

16 16 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 FOCUS: BROADCAST LAW New law to challenge broadcasters Draft broadcasting law will force ministry and existing broadcasters to renegotiate deals signed under the military regime SANDAR LWIN A DRAFT Broadcasting Law that would allow private ownership in the sector for the first time is to head to parliament later this month but is likely to cause legal complications for existing private broadcasters that were controversially established under the military regime. The draft also contains severe punishments for violations and journalists have indicated they will lobby for the penalties to be watered down. The draft has been prepared by the Ministry of Information, which plans to submit it to parliament in mid-october, director general of the Directorate of Myanma Radio and Television U Tint Swe said on October 1. The draft would force existing private broadcasters to re-apply for their licence and amend the terms of agreements made with the military government to be consistent with the new provisions. Those likely to be affected include television broadcasters MRTV-4 a joint venture with the Ministry of Information and Sky Net, which is owned by Shwe Than Lwin, as well as a number of FM radio stations. These existing broadcasters were allowed to operate by the military government in spite of laws, which remain in place today, banning any private ownership in the broadcast sector. U Ko Ko, a member of the Interim Press Council, said the new law will offer greater security to these companies, which have been operating in a legal grey area. The existing broadcasters will be able to get full legitimacy by applying for their licence again and put to rest any controversies about their existence, he said last week. Since the 2008 constitution does not allow the introduction of any laws with retrospective effect, existing broadcasters will be forced to comply with the terms of the broadcast law irrespective of past agreements. Since retrospective effect is not allowed by the constitution, none of the contracts and agreements made with the military government can be turned into laws later on, said U Pe Khin, an attorney and legal adviser to one of the broadcasters likely to be affected. The ministry has carefully Sky Net presenters mark the second anniversary of the network s launch in November Photo: Ko Taik considered the issue of existing broadcasters already, however. U Tint Swe said that the draft has been crafted from a practical perspective and with consideration for the existing media landscape. We received technical input from international organisations, including UNESCO, and adjusted their advice based on the practical situation in our country. And we have The existing broadcasters will be able to... put to rest any controversies about their existence. U Ko Ko Interim Press Council discussed the draft several times with existing broadcasters, said U Tint Swe, a former head of the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division. But the director of one broadcaster said he believed the significance of the constitution s ban on retrospective effect should not be overstated. The law for the broadcast media has come out only at this time. I believe that everybody has to follow the law nobody is above the law but now even the highest law, the constitution, is [likely] to be amended, said U Khin Maung Htay, a director of Forever Group, the ministry s private partner in MRTV-4. In my opinion, there is no problem with following the new laws, he said. According to the draft, a 13-member broadcasting authority will include five union ministers two of whom are serving military officers would set nationwide policies for the industry and a national broadcasting council with members nominated by the president and two parliamentary speakers would issue rules and regulations, a code of conduct, orders and directives. While detailed rules and regulations are yet to be released, punishments for breaches of the rules include a temporary suspension of the specific program, limits on broadcast time, a fine up to K50 million and, in extreme cases, the termination of a broadcasting licence. Already embroiled in a dispute with journalists over print media laws, the heavy punishments and broadcasting authority provision in the broadcast law are also likely to set the Ministry of Information on a collision course with some in the industry. In my opinion, the draft is too restrictive. However, there may be changes to some of the restrictive provisions during the discussion process [in parliament], said U Toe Zaw Latt, the Myanmar bureau chief of Democratic Voice of Burma. In terms of media freedom, we will have to wait and look at what is issued by the national broadcast council. But the policy forming an authoritative body of union ministers above the national broadcasting council is not satisfactory, U Ko Ko said. The draft law also encourages the development of non-profit community broadcasters with a relatively simpler licensing process, while prohibiting private commercial broadcasters from simultaneously owning print and broadcast media businesses or more than one broadcaster in a single market. The draft does allow government bodies to run broadcasting businesses free of licence fees and is unclear on whether the single market provision applies to state bodies. The government currently operates several daily newspapers and broadcasting channels. Licences were issued according to rules, insists ministry PYAE THET PHYO pyaethetphyo87@gmail.com THE Ministry of Information has been forced to respond to allegations that deals with existing private radio and television broadcasters were not made in accordance with the law. At a press conference in Nay Pyi Taw on October 8, Deputy Minister for Information U Paik Htwe said the two television networks and six private FM radio stations granted licences between 2004 and 2010 were set up in accordance with the law. All of these agreements were submitted to the Myanmar Investment Commission according to the terms in the contract. Then they were submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Revenue and the Attorney-General s Office. All of these businesses were awarded licences step by step in accordance with the law, he said. While State Law and Order Restoration Council Law 9/89 also known as the State-owned Economic Enterprises Law gives the state the sole right to carry out broadcasting service and television service, U Paik Htwe said the licences had been issued legally. The State-owned Economic Enterprises Law also bans privatesector involvement in the telecommunications sector but did not stop the government from issuing two operating licences to foreign telecoms firms earlier this year. MRTV director general U Tint Swe said the 12-year deal with Forever Group would expire in 2016, while Shwe Than Lwin s 33-year contract for Sky Net runs until Mandalay FM has a 30-year contract to 2038, while Golden Wave s Shwe FM, Myanmar Album Media Group s Cherry FM, Thein Than Kyaw s Padamya FM, Myanmar Online s Pyinsawady FM and Htoo Trading s Bagan FM each signed three-year deals in 2010, he added. Debate over the status of the broadcasters arose in part because of plans to introduce a broadcasting law (see related story above). On October 4, Eleven Media Group, a trenchant critic of the ministry and private broadcasters, published an article criticising inaccuracies in the draft law. The deputy minister rejected the claims in the article but U Tint Swe said all contracts with private broadcasters are being re-examined in light of the new law to see whether they need to be amended. He added that it was unclear whether the review would be completed this year. The director general also clarified the tax status of the broadcasters, revealing that Forever Group, the private 33 The length, in years, of Shwe Than Lwin s licence to operate the Sky Net television channel, including three years tax free partner in the MRTV-4 joint venture with the Ministry of Information, has paid K billion in tax since Shwe Than Lwin s Sky Net, which was set up in 2010, began paying tax in July, after a three-year tax exemption period ended, he said. U Tint Swe said tax exemptions, which can range from two to 15 years, are granted to ventures where significant start-up capital is required. Between and August 2013, Mandalay FM has paid K million in tax, while Shwe FM has paid K million, Cherry FM K million, Padamya FM K million, Pyinsawady FM K million and Bagan FM K million. But U Tint Swe said tax payment and collection concerns the Ministry of Finance and it is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Information. We made agreements [with private companies] to run the business. Translated by Thiri Min Htun

17 4 6 November 2013 Traders Hotel,Yangon, Myanmar Supply Chain Management Conference 2013 Seek partnerships and secure business deals at Myanmar s inaugural Supply Chain Management Conference Under the patronage of Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Transport of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Myanmar Supply Chain Management Conference aims to be the place where people, innovative technologies and best practices converge to define the realm of SCM in Myanmar. Working closely with Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), this conference will give you insights into visionary projects and plans of the Asia s last frontier. Come and join us from 4-6 November 2013 to understand the nature of the slated projects and the myriad of investment opportunities available within Myanmar today. Come and share what you have to offer to the land that is on the edge of transformation. Opening address by H.E. U Nyan Htun Aung, Minister for Transport, Republic of the Union of Myanmar The distinguished speaker lineup includes: U Kyaw Oo Mr Sumit Chandna Deputy Chief Civil Engineer SVP & Head, Buying & Merchandising, Supermarkets Myanmar Port Authority Aditya Birla Retail Mr Bimo Brahmanto Director, Global Purchasing, Supplier Quality Beauty Palace Mr Donald Hicks Johnson & Johnson Llamasoft Inc Mr Bob Travers Mr Argus Ang Myanmar Distribution Group Procter & Gamble RVi Institue Organiser: Marketing Partner: MSCM13AdW260xH360.indd 1 Associate Director Up to 20% discount for international group delegations. Call us at for more information. President & CEO U Aung Maw Thein Managing Director Exclusive rate for local Myanmar delegates, call us for more information Book now! Limited seats available! Executive Director Mr Philippe Ruffier Regional Supply Chain Director General Motors ASEAN Meimei Chua USD 530 Register today and enjoy great savings, contact Ms. Hla Soe Nwe at , or Nann Thi Thi Tun at or thithi@sphereconferences.com for more information CEO Follow us Patrons: Co-organiser: Associate MyanmarSCM Supporting Associations: Media Partners : 4/10/13 3:52 PM

18 18 News THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 FEATURE A tactical retreat? Officers stand at attention during a ceremony to mark Armed Forces Day on March 27. Photo: AFP Senior General Min Aung Hlaing s recent comments on the military s role in politics are fuelling debate on one of the country s prickliest issues SOE THAN LYNN soethanlynn@gmail.com THE Tatmadaw will continue to play a significant role in Myanmar s political life for some time to come, politicians concede, as an effort begins to revise the constitution. The constitution gives the military a veto over any changes to the constitution including those that would amend or excise their role. But some in the government say they believe the departure of army officers from the political sphere will occur as the nation and its institutions acquire maturity. Though never quite absent from politicians minds, the question came into focus once more with remarks made by Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. On a recent visit to Thailand, he was quoted as telling Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that the participation of the Tatmadaw in Myanmar s political life will be reduced. And as the 109-member constitution review committee assumes its responsibilities, some people are asking: When? Asked about Senior General Min Aung Hlaing s statement, deputy information minister and spokesperson for the president U Ye Htut said the military s role in politics had always been open to change. Former Senior General Than Shwe said the constitution could be changed as needed when all groups involved in our democracy are mature, he said recently to reporters. The president has said the constitution can be amended if that is the people s will. That is also the position of the Tatmadaw. But U Ye Htut added, We can t say when [the withdrawal of the military from politics] will start because it depends on the maturity of all groups. Until then, the army s place in politics is enshrined in the constitution. According to the Basic Principles of whole in the political process. However, they also say that the Tatmadaw needs to show maturity and recognise when it should withdraw from the political scene. The Tatmadaw led national resistance and defended the country s freedom but it was also misused for more than 50 years, said Amyotha Hluttaw representative U Aye Maung, chairman of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party. In order to defend the state we need a holds around 50pc of seats in the upper and lower houses of the national parliament. While the party initiated the current constitutional review process, its views are unclear and those of its MPs vary significantly. When asked who should decide whether the political environment is mature enough for the military to withdraw from politics, the USDP Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Thapaung, U Win Than, said he believes that it is not a task for the In order to defend the state we need a professional armed force that is separate from the political sphere. Now... the Tatmadaw seems to be heading in that direction. U Aye Maung Chairman, Rakhine Nationalities Development Party the Union, the consistent object of the union is to enable the defence services to be able to participate in the national political leadership of the state. One of the three presidential candidates is nominated by military representatives in the national parliament. The constitution also allocates 25 percent of seats in all parliamentary bodies to serving military personnel, who are nominated by the commander-in-chief. MPs say the key to eventually reducing the Tatmadaw s political role lies in involving not just political parties within and outside hluttaw but also civil society and citizens as a professional armed force that is separate from the political sphere. Now, under Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Tatmadaw seems to be heading in that direction. He said the Tatmadaw should withdraw step by step without causing damage or disruption. That would be better than having the politicians drive the Tatmadaw out. They could look at the way this issue has been handled in other countries, and act in such a way as to retain public confidence, he said. The attitude of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will be crucial in any proposed changes to the constitution, as the party Tatmadaw or government alone. People involved in political life include not just political parties in and outside hluttaw, but also national NGOs, the media and the people as a whole. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw should consider how to measure the maturity of the people and who should be the judge, he said. Maturity, in the view of U Win Than, also means the ability to deal with social and inter-communal conflict and establishing internal harmony. The conditions are not yet in place, he said. Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Ye Tun of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party said MPs from ethnic minority parties are likely to have a different view. In practical terms, [maturity] means equal rights for ethnic minorities. The Tatmadaw wants to stay involved in politics because they fear disunity, and they think federalism could lead to disunity. But federalism strengthens the state and forms the foundation for the unity of the ethnic groups. I believe the 25pc [of parliamentary seats] for the military will be decreased gradually, he said. Federalism as we see it will decrease centralisation in legislation, administration and the judiciary in the states and regions. It can lead through negotiation to the development of the regions instead of seeing everything from the racial point of view. The view among many politicians is that the military s role in politics will not be removed by the constitution review committee, which has been told to submit its recommendations by the end of this year. We won t see maturity in 2015 because mutual suspicions are still running high. There are still many differences among the ethnic armed groups over the question of federalism. It will take time to negotiate their demands, U Ye Tun said. However, politicians said the next election could provide a groundswell of support for constitutional change that will be hard to ignore. The current situation is unlikely to change soon, U Aye Maung said. This hluttaw is bound by the 2008 constitution but the hluttaw elected in 2015 will have more room to manoeuvre. Translation by Thiri Min Htun

19 Ministry of Health relaxes rules for doctors SHWE YEE SAW MYINT MEDICAL regulations have been relaxed to make it easier both for Myanmar doctors to study and work abroad, and foreign doctors to practise here, health ministry official Dr Nwe Ni Ohn has announced. Last month the minister agreed to relax 71 percent of the rules, making it easier for our medical professionals to work and study abroad, Dr Nwe Ni Ohn told The Myanmar Times. She said the government had changed the rules in order to implement the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) on professional services. Myanmar signed on to the agreements in 2010, with the aim of facilitating the flow of foreign professionals within the ASEAN region. Other professional arrangements cover architecture, engineering, and dental and nursing services. Under the former regulations, Myanmar medical professionals were forbidden to work abroad, but will now have the chance to work in ASEAN countries. The government also announced on October 10 the removal of the names of 1010 doctors from the blacklist, according to U Myo Win Aung, a director in the President s Office. The blacklisted doctors had been stripped of their medical licences and forbidden to return to Myanmar for various reasons so as to safeguard the national interest of the state, state media reported Chin State facing food shortage after rains CHIT SU newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm HEAVY rain during this year s harvest has destroyed crops in Chin State and left residents facing severe food shortages, local politicians say. This year it rained late and heavily in Chin State, said U Zo Zam, a representative in the Chin State Hluttaw and chairman of the Chin National Party. Many farms were ruined and farm products are gone. The hardest-hit townships include Tlangtlang, Tiddim, Mindat, and Paletwa, he said. In the more remote areas, NGO and government aid workers are having trouble reaching affected villages because roads have been washed away. The damage caused by the rains has doubled the price of rice, with a pyi a small basket of rice weighing about 2 kilograms rising from K500 to K1000. U Zo Zam said the shortage could worsen if the weather is too dry when farmers plant their next crop in March This situation is getting worse and worse. But we can t take any measures to protect ourselves because this is a natural disaster, he said. The Food Security Information Network confirmed in its July update that food shortages are pronounced in Chin State. Monsoon paddy harvests were insufficient to cover food needs in 2012 and communities were already facing a longer than normal food gap, it said, before heavy rain in July hurt this year s paddy production. It noted, however, that low yields and crop failures have grown increasingly common in the state due to the continued reliance on shifting cultivation as opposed to more sustainable farming systems. Shifting cultivation places stress on land, resulting in lower and lower yields as the fallow period for land grows shorter, the network said, adding that NGOs are working to help communities develop more sustainable forms of agriculture. In July, reports of food shortages persisted, with indications that shortages are significant enough to force households to change consumption patterns, it said. Notably, several villages in Thantlang township requested food assistance in July, despite having received assistance from the government several months ago. The food shortages of the past 18 months are a significant setback for residents only just recovering from 2009, when a plague of rats capable of destroying a farm in five minutes spread across the state after bamboo in the region flowered. While international donors provided food to communities affected by the rat plague, Ko Shane Tun, general secretary of the Chin Progressive Party, said fewer organisations are interested in helping Chin State this year. The food shortage is galvanising local politicians, however. Chin political parties will discuss the food shortage in Chin State in cooperation with one another and we will ask to talk about it in the hluttaw, he said. One local newspaper has reported that the World Food Programme, which handed out rice in 2009, is providing support to 26 villages in Tlangtlang township. But Ko Shane Tun said people in the most remote areas are depending on jungle fruits and roots. He said that assistance from aid organisations, while important, is not enough to solve the problem. The WFP could not be reached for comment last week. We cannot depend only on NGOs because their projects are limited, U Zo Zam agreed. The government has to help solve this problem. News 19 New Light corruption case opens TOE WAI AUNG newsroom@myanmartimes.com THREE former employees of the state-run New Light of Myanmar accused of stealing almost US$300,000 have been charged with four offences under section 3 of the Public Property Protection Act. Manager U Tun Tun Latt, assistant manager U Win Myint and assistant distribution manager U Kyaw Min Oo are accused of misappropriating K288.6 million of the paper s income from advertising and sales between 2008 and The three will face the charges in the Yangon Western District Court. U Hlaing Win, the paper s chief editor, submitted a complaint to police after an audit team discovered the funds were missing in January He originally asked police to charge the men with three offences under the Penal Code but charges were later filed under the Public Property Protection Act. Translation by Win Thaw Tar The number of doctors removed from a government blacklist on October 10 Some had refused to serve in rural areas, taken leave without permission, or had failed to return to Myanmar from trips overseas, said ministry spokesperson U Sein Win. Others had been accused of hospital mismanagement or corruption, or medical errors. This is the largest number of names ever removed from the blacklist, said U Sein Win. The MRA agreement does not give Myanmar doctors automatic recognition in other ASEAN counties. Foreign doctors who pass a registration exam set by the Myanmar Medical Council may be permitted to practise here for a limited period of time, and Myanmar doctors wishing to work in other ASEAN must pass similar exams there. Education and training standards would need to improve before most Myanmar doctors are ready to work abroad, said Dr Myint Oo, an adjunct assistant professor at the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University in Boston. Myanmar must improve its medical education system in order to achieve equality with other countries.

20 20 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Business Production of gold set to double, officials say KYAY MOHN WIN DESPITE the amount that national gold production increases in 2013, it would likely grow two-fold in comparison with previous years if mining is resumed in Kachin and Kayin states, where it is seeking peace, a government mining official said. This year s increase is due to largescale production in Yamaethin in Mandalay Region and Kalaw in Shan State. But the production in Kachin and Kayin has declined since 2011, U Aye Zaw, Director (Production) of No. 2 Mining Enterprise of the Ministry of Mining, told The Myanmar Times. He said that of 200 mining blocks in Kachin State, only 10 remain open, while only one or two of 150 in Kayin State are extracting gold. If some areas are open following peace being made in those two states, gold production would almost instantly increase by 40 percent beyond current production, he said. Myanmar s total gold production currently comes from known deposits in two states, Kachin and Kayin, as well as four regions, Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago and Tanintharyi. Mining contracts currently require that each functioning gold mining firm must supply at least 24 ticals (0.24 viss; 1 viss equals 1.6 kilograms) to the state each year, he continued. This year s supply is 300 viss, which is double of last year s, U Aye Zaw said. This is partly because of outstanding debts from last year, and increases in productions of Sagaing and Mandalay Regions. Neverthess, some miners extract outside of their leases and keep unrecorded yields, thus avoiding having to make government payments. Translated by Zaw Winn World Bank revises GDP gr PHILIP HEIJMANS pheijmans13@gmail.com AYE THIDAR KYAW ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com THE World Bank last week revised its 2013 economic forecast for Myanmar up to 6.8 percent, from 6.5pc, following better-than-expected results in gas production, services and construction. They also warned however that possible risks, including government stability and high inflation driven by high food and property costs, could offset economic gains moving forward. Myanmar has benefitted from gas exports that earned US$4 billion in the fiscal year, surpassing $3.5 billion last year, according to bank s East Asia and Pacific Economic Update. Foreign direct investment this year has also risen sharply from 3.7pc to 5.2pc in the same period. BILLION $ 4 Myanmar s total gas exports in the 2012/13 fiscal year Gas production is expected to increase significantly, with new fields coming on stream in , while many development partners, including the World Bank, are likely to ramp up their support to Myanmar, the report states. It also said that exports would improve with Myanmar s recent reinstatement into the EU s Generalized System for Preferences for least-developed countries, which will give it dutyfree access to the lucrative EU market for most goods. The forecast of 6.8pc gross Despite having robust economic growth, Myanmar s gains may be threatened by high inflation and government instability. Photo: Staff domestic product (GDP) growth in 2013 comes after posting an impressive 6.5pc last year. It also echoes a prediction by the Asian Development Bank earlier this month, who improved Myanmar s GDP outlook from 6.7pc to 6.8pc. The government has said it expects the economy to grow this year by 8.9pc. Despite the optimism, the World Bank expressed worry about government stability and rapidly growing inflation. The outlook remains positive in the short to medium term, but there are also challenges, particularly from the political front, the report states. An emerging challenge is likely to be the capacity of the government to remain focused on the economic reform agenda in the run-up to the fast approaching watershed elections in 2015, it said. It also said that where Myanmar enjoyed low inflation rates averaging 2.8pc in , an increase in food prices and housing rental costs have sent inflation up to 6pc in December 2012, with indications that it may have reached 7pc in August. According to a Central Bank official, the weakening of the kyat against

21 BUSINESS EDITOR: Philip Heijmans 21 Myanmar gets first MasterCard BUSINESS 23 PROPERTY 26 How to attract foreign tenants in Yangon Exchange Rates (October 11 close) Currency Buying Selling Euro Malaysia Ringitt Singapore Dollar Thai Baht US Dollar K1300 K297 K777 K30.75 K971 K1320 K302 K780 K31.25 K973 owth to 6.8% the US dollar in the past year has further increased inflation. The dollar now trades for about K970, compared with K850 a year ago, he said. I think there is 7pc [inflation] at the moment and we have to try to reduce it. Too much inflation is bad obviously but it should around 2pc in a country, he said. Inflation hit 20-30pc during the 2003 banking crisis, although far short of the 60pc level recorded in the 1990s when the government resorted to printing money now euphemistically called quantitative easing when used by Western governments to account for spending. Sean Turnell, an expert in Myanmar s economy at Australia s Macquarie University, said the current inflation undermines the nation s competitiveness as the misallocation of resources through arbitrary changes in price relativities put a dent in the real purchasing power of money, especially among those on fixed or low-wage incomes. The World Bank report sounds plausible in terms of a representative basket of consumer goods, he said by . Prices in other areas, especially with respect to real estate, have risen much faster and higher of course, he said. On the other hand, the current US dollar exchange rate of K970 seems an appropriate ballpark that is not too low to invite inflation. It gives a boost to the competitiveness of Myanmar s exports and import substitutes, while at the same time making the country a more attractive location for foreign investment, he said. For the moment there is probably not a lot the central bank could do about surging property prices, he said. U Aung Thura, chief executive of Thura Swiss consultancy firm, said the economic growth could be further hindered by the lack of an educated workforce able to implement the flooding of new legislation passing through the Capitol. Myanmar doesn t have experienced people in a lot of areas, so although we are always talking about reforms and they look good on paper their implementation will be difficult, he said. The main danger is that so many things are being done at the same time and nothing is being done particularly well, so a better approach might be to slow the process down a bit. Joint-ventures law has banks worried about stability AYE THIDAR KYAW ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com PHILIP HEIJMANS pheijmans13@gmail.com DOMESTIC banks are concerned they may be put out of business if a proposed banking law, which would allow foreign entities to inject large sums of capital into the market through joint ventures, is passed by parliament. Central Bank Governor U Kyaw Kyaw Maung last month announced that the bank is drafting a Financial Institution Law, which would allow foreign-owned banks to buy stakes in domestic banks. If the bill passes, bankers expect the incoming investment could We need a lot of [financial] support from the government. If we cannot get support from the government, the number of banks will become smaller U Thura Assistant General Manager at MEB unsettle the sector and leave some of the country s 19 privately owned banks out in the cold. U Thein Tun, chairman of Foundation Bank and the newly elected president of the Myanmar Banks Association (MBA), said working through the law was the top priority among the country s banks, which must decide whether to begin scouting for potential investors or risk falling behind. This is a subject we have to consider very seriously whether we are going to make a joint-venture or go and operate independently, he said. If the government allows outside banks to have commercial operations and they introduce new products, then we will not be able to compete given the scale of their investment. With foreign investment an inevitable part of a growing economy, he said the association would attempt to level the playing field by approaching the government to request subsidies for banks that choose to remain independent. We need a lot of [financial] support from the government. If we cannot get support from the government, the number of banks will become smaller, he said. U Thura, assistant general manager at Myanma Economic Bank (MEB), said it is going to be difficult for domestic banks to prepare for the passage of the law as it is not yet clear what capacity at which foreign banks can operate in Myanmar. The important thing is that we have to certain of the substance of the law and have time to be able to defend our livelihood before they come in, he said. Although it is too early to tell how the finance sector will shape up, some commercial banks such as MEB and Co-operative Bank, have already begun vetting foreign suitors for possible partnerships. We will cooperate [with foreign entities] when we get a chance, said Rona Rakhit, head of business development at Co-operative Bank, adding his bank has held discussions with banks from Japan and the United Kingdom. We will see in due time. Let s see what happens when some foreign banks come in and we will react based on that, he said. A total of 24 foreign banks from China, India, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere in the region hold representative offices in Myanmar, according to the Central Bank s website. International banks that hold representative offices in Myanmar include United Bank of India, Maruhan Japan Bank Plc, AB Bank, U Thein Tun. Photo: Staff Standard Chartered, CIMB Bank Berhad and First Commercial Bank. Despite the rush of foreign investment across other sectors, some banks said they would prefer to wait for the government to pass laws that allow for 100 percent foreign ownership in Myanmar. We have not decided as of now because we want everything to be owned by our company and don t want to have to join with local banks, Kim Bun Socheat, managing director and chief executive officer of Cambodian-owned Acleda MFI Myanmar Co Ltd, told The Myanmar Times. Equity is still low compared to foreign countries so if we wanted to join [a domestic bank] we would need to offer a lot of support financially as well as technically in order to raise the capacity, he said. Central Bank sources said they have yet to decide on a timeline that would allow foreign banks to operate autonomously in Myanmar. Even though some banks will feel the sting of modernisation, Mr Socheat said the changes would ultimately benefit customers as new capital would mean expanding outreach with new branches and introducing international-standard services. A draft of the law is expected to be distributed in parliament sometime next week. Onshore tender winners announced AUNG SHIN koshumgtha@gmail.com THE Ministry of Energy announced the winning bidders of a tender for 18 onshore oil and gas blocks at a press event in Nay Pyi Taw on October 10. Winners included British Virgin Island-registered MPRL E&P, owned by Myanmar tycoon U Moe Myint, ONGC Videsh from India, Eni from Italy, Malaysia s Petronas Carigali, Pacific Hunt Energy Corporation from Canada, JSOC Bashneft from Russia and Thailand s PTTEP. The tender was opened in January with 59 companies passing prequalification requirements, it was announced in April after a month-long tender evaluation committee assessed the bids. After the prequalification round, a total of 26 international companies submitted 54 final proposals for 16 onshore blocks before the August 23 deadline, said U Pe Zin Tun, director general of the Energy Planning Department under the Ministry of Energy. However, in what was widely viewed as a lack of confidence in the bidding process, Minister for Energy U Than Htay and his deputy, U Htin Aung, were removed from their posts just before the submission deadline. We have discussed the data overview of onshore blocks, as well as the terms and conditions of final proposals, Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) for new oil and gas fields and Improved Petroleum Recovery Contracts (IPR) for old oil fields with pre-qualified listed companies over the past three months, U Pe Zin Tun said. MPRL collected blocks IOR-4 and IOR-6, both old oil fields in Pyay (Bago Region) and (Myanaung, Ayeyarwady Region), while Petronas Carigali will farm the IOR-7 block in Shwepyithar township; all IOR fields are improved recovery contracts. We are going to further discuss PSC and IPR agreements with these companies, U Pe Zin Tun said. The selected companies must still do environmental and social impact assessments, including corporate social responsibility programs, within six months of signing an agreement, which will probably happen in November or early December. Awarded Companies and Related Blocks for Myanmar Onshore Blocks Bidding Round No. Blocks/Area Awarded Company PSC Blocks 1. B-2 (Zebyutaung-Nandaw) ONGC Videsh Limited, India 2. K (Yamethin) Eni, Italy 3. O (Pathein) Petroleum Exploration (PVT) Ltd., Pakistan 4. EP-1 (Kyaukyi- Mindon) Brunei National Petroleum Co., Sdn. Bhd., Brunei 5. EP-3 (Thegon-Shwegu) ONGC Videsh Limited, India 6. IOR-5 (Htantabin) Petronas Carigali, Malaysia 7. C-1 (Indaw-Yenan) Pecific Hunt Energy Corp., Canada 8. H (Taungoo-Pyinmana) Pacific Hunt Energy Corp., Canada 9. J (Mawlamyine) Petroleum Exploartion (PVT) Ltd., Pakistan 10. MOGE-4 (Myintha) CAGO S.a r.l., Luxenbourg 11. EP-4 (Mayaman) JSOC Bashneft, Russia 12. RSF-5 (Ondwe) Eni, Italy 13. MOGE-3 (Padaukpin-Natmi) PTTPE South Asia Ltd. + Palang Sophon Offshore, Thailand IPR Blocks 14. IOR-4 (Pyay) MPRL E & P Pte Ltd., British Virgin Islands 15. IOR-6 (Myanaung) MPRL E & P Pte Ltd., British Virgin Islands 16. IOR-7 (Shwepyitha) Petronas Carigali, Malaysia IN BRIEF Dutch Assistance organisation to work with SMEs in Mandalay Dutch development assistance organization Programma Uitzending Managers (PUM) announced last week that it will begin collaborating with small and medium-sized enterprises in Mandalay Region. Thijs van Praag, chief executive officer of PUM, said that the non-profit organisation struck a deal last month with the Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide technical assistance to people looking to apply new technologies and industrial machineries in the region to their businesses. PUM is [comprised of] retired experts and Dutch entrepreneurs, who aim to provide support in undeveloped countries, he said. We recognised the country s initiative to develop the SMEs Development Centre and our ambition is to help the needs of developing countries, said Joost Van Kesteren, PUM s country representative in Myanmar. The announcement was made on October 5. Sithu Lwin

22 22 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Securing a loan with mortgages case-by-case The Fine Print Legal tax insight HNIN YU MAY hnin@pwplegal.com SEBASTIAN PAWLITA sebastian@pwplegal.com THE new Foreign Investment Law permits the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) to allow foreign investors to secure a loan with a mortgage in Myanmar on a case-by-case basis. It does not say so explicitly, but it is understood that foreign lenders may be the beneficiary of such a mortgage. Previously, mortgages with a foreign beneficiary were prohibited. However, the MIC does not seem to have approved any mortgage and it is expected the MIC will proceed cautiously as land issues are very sensitive. A lot is still unclear. In Myanmar, citizens can obtain a land grant from the state which resembles ownership. Foreign-invested companies, in contrast, can only obtain a normal lease. If a citizen leases land to a foreigninvested company, can a foreign bank lending money to this company obtain a mortgage over the land grant, or is the bank reduced to taking a mortgage over the lease? A mortgage over the land grant would be much better for the bank. Usually, the grant holder would of course not agree to it. However, he might agree if he has a personal interest in the success of the business of the borrower. If the company (borrower) defaults, the bank (lender) could sell the land grant without court intervention to any citizen interested in using the land for whatever purpose the land grant permits. However, the MIC can only grant its consent to the mortgage if the mortgagee has the capacity to successfully continue the business. This suggests that the MIC has no room to allow a mortgage over a land grant of which the object is realisation through sale. As in other common-law jurisdictions, mortgages over a lease are in principle possible if the lessor agrees. The lender is less protected than with a mortgage over a land grant, though. The beneficiary of a mortgage over a lease has, if the borrower defaults, the choice of using the property himself. However, the property may only be used for the purpose defined in the original lease agreement, and only for the remaining term of the original lease. If, eg, the land was leased in order to operate a factory on it, it may not be used for another business even if this business might be more profitable than the operation of the factory. Given that borrowers tend to default when their business runs into trouble, a lender secured by a mortgage over a lease will often only be able to recoup the loan if he either continues to operate the business of the borrower and is better at it, or finds someone willing to pay money to take over the business and try their luck. It may work, of course: for instance, a bank might find a capable hotel manager who succeeds in turning a lossmaking hotel into a profitable one. In order to avoid all these difficulties, a foreign lender could instead try to obtain a share pledge or a guarantee from a Myanmar bank which, in its turn, is secured by a mortgage over a land grant. Sebastian and Hnin are consultants with Polastri Wint & Partners Legal & Tax Advisors. Mining Law to get an overhaul, officials say TIM MCLAUGHLIN timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com SOE THAN LYN soethanlynn@gmail.com THE 1994 Mining Law is set for a sweeping overhaul that could see nearly 70 percent of the existing law amended, an official said last week. U Nay Win Tun, an Amyotha Hluttaw representative and chairman of the Mining and Resources Affairs Committee, said the changes would see the new bill reworked to meet international standards while giving more Myanmar companies the opportunity to work in the sector. The new mining bill has two significant changes. First, it was drafted under international criteria and second, it will level the playing field among Myanmar investors in the mining sector, he said. A draft of the new law has not yet been made public. The Gemstone Law, which pertains to precious stones, is also being amended. The committee submitted its proposed amendments to the Amyotha Hluttaw on October 1. The Mining Law amendments will be debated by MPs within two weeks, U Nay Win Tun, who also serves as the chairman of Ruby Dragon Mining, said. However, it could take months for a final version to emerge from parliament, because the amendments will also 30% Myanmar government entitlement of all extracted minerals under the current law have to be approved by the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house. The existing law, and the delay in amending it, have significantly dampened early excitement that Myanmar s economic opening would mean a quick score for international mining companies looking to capitalise on the country s abundant mineral resources that remain relatively unexplored. Last year mining conferences in Yangon drew hundreds of international company representatives eying Myanmar s rich deposits of gold, zinc, copper, nickel and tin, but most walked away disappointed by the restrictive legal framework and the lack of preparation and capacity by the Ministry of Mines. Instead of staking their claim in Myanmar, most have decided to take a wait-and-see approach, pursuing projects elsewhere while they keep an eye on Nay Pyi Taw to see what the new law will look like when it is signed before moving forward. According to Alisher Ali, chairman of the Yangon-based investment banking advisory firm Mandalay Capital, the inadequate law is the biggest reason that there has been lacklustre foreign direct investment in the mining sector. Mr Ali added that proper changes to the law would make the environment more conducive to foreign companies, and that Myanmar was a country of significant potential, with the right framework in place. The oil and gas sector is testimony to how the country has been a magnet for FDI, and mining can do the same. There is the same level of interest if the legislation is correct, he said. One of the biggest stumbling blocks for potential foreign miners is Myanmar s production sharing contract (PSC) between the private party and the Ministry of Mines. Under the current Mines Law, the Ministry of Mines acts a non-equity partner but is still entitled to around 30pc of minerals extracted, plus the relevant income tax and royalties owed. Yet another area of concern for foreign investors is the rule banning exports of ore, coal and gold, a protectionist measure meant to ensure that processing is done in-country. There are also issues surrounding the ability of companies to move from one phase of an operation to the next, like from exploration to site development, without new contracts. In the current system these are separate contracts, so the mining companies have a concern that they might spend a lot of money in exploration without being legally certain they can take the next step, said Edwin Van der Bruggen, a partner at the law firm VDB Loi in Yangon. Perhaps the most contentious issue for both local and domestic mining operations is land ownership and resettlement. In the current system, the mining company has to agree on compensation with the occupiers of land, but there is no guidance on how much that compensation should be, Mr Vanderbruggen said. These problems have been highlighted by the ongoing dispute at the Letpadaung copper mine in central Myanmar. The mine, the country s largest, is a joint venture between the Chinese backed Wanbao Mining and the military-controlled Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited. It has been the site of tensions as local residents continue to protest government land confiscations. This is a really difficult issue to address so I would not be surprised if the new law remains silent on this point, he said. Bagan Capital launches MFI PHILIP HEIJMANS pheijmans13@gmail.com HONG Kong-based private equity firm Bagan Capital announced last week that its local arm, BC Finance Ltd, launched microfinance operations in Myanmar. Earlier this month, the firm began offering credit and deposit accounts at its branch in Bago Region and expects to have a loan portfolio in excess of K5 billion (about US$5 million) in 12 months, Jeremy Kloiser-Jones, chief executive officer and founder of BC Finance told The Myanmar Times. Clients will span urban and semirural areas, expanding to rural areas in the future as we develop our presence, he said in an . He said that the average loan size for individual clients would be K250,000 to K300,000 and that the firm is open to offering more for small- and mediumsized enterprises. Bagan Capital has offices in Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. NUSA DUA US and China in trade battle at APEC THE United States last week intensified its drive to clinch an ambitious Asia-Pacific trade pact by the end of the year, raising the hackles of a newly assertive China at a regional summit in Indonesia. Clashing agendas by the US and China overshadowed the gathering of leaders. US President Barack Obama had to pull out of the APEC summit because of the deepening political and financial crisis at home, and several leaders in Bali expressed grave concern about the threat of a US debt default. In his stead, US Secretary of State John Kerry lobbyied to secure agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership grouping 12 APEC nations. Significantly, the TPP excludes China. And Indonesia, Southeast Asia s largest economy, has stayed out. In a statement, the US and its TPP partners agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year a comprehensive and balanced regional agreement. The next-generation pact would take into account the diversity of our levels of development, but feed into broader pacts that have been mooted, such as an APEC-wide agreement, the statement said. Without Mr Obama, Mr Kerry was forced at APEC to repeatedly insist that the Asia-Pacific region remained a top priority, and tried to wrest back the initiative on the trade front. The US has championed the TPP as setting gold standards to deal with complex changes to the 21 st -century economy, such as how to police cloud computing and patents. But China, and even some developing nations included in the TPP, have expressed concern that it will lay down trade rules mainly benefiting the richest countries and most powerful firms. China will commit itself to building a trans-pacific regional cooperation framework that benefits all parties, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the APEC business forum, which came after he oversaw tens of billions of dollars in trade deals on visits to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. AFP

23 CB Bank, MasterCard rollout country s first international card AYE THIDAR KYAW ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com CO-OPERATIVE Bank (CB), in partnership with MasterCard, launched Myanmar s first prepaid cards that can be used outside of the country at an event on October 8. Myanmar citizens can make card payments online or through ATMs, restaurants, hotels and hospitals where MasterCard is accepted throughout its network of 210 countries, MasterCard said in a press release. MasterCard has been working closely to enable CB Bank to roll out its first prepaid MasterCard card. CB bank is already certified and has undergone full system testing as part of its efforts to be connected to the global payments network, the release states, adding that it obtained a licence to operate travel cards in September Cardholders must deposit between US$50 and $5000 into a prepaid account and hold a minimum balance of $20 to use the card outside of Myanmar, said U Kyaw Lynn, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer at CB bank. Processing fees for international payments are K8000 for each transaction with a further $2 monthly fee. A woman withdraws money using the country s first internationally accepted debit card. Supplied: MasterCard IN BRIEF Business 23 Gibraltar betting on US online gaming with new casino contracts The tiny British territory of Gibraltar is bidding to snap up a giant slice of the nascent US online gaming market as states gradually begin to relax a ban on internet betting. Gibraltar is the largest jurisdiction in the world, the most successful jurisdiction in the world in the provision of online gaming, he argued. Gibraltar has 26 registered online casinos and gaming operators, including such giants as British bookmakers Ladbrokes. The Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings last month reached a deal with Wynn Interactive to develop Wynn s online gaming offering as New Jersey and Nevada open up for business. South African car component makers race to meet orders South African auto component makers said last week it may take weeks to make up for production lost during a crippling strike as more labour action loomed. It s still difficult to tell at the moment, but we think it may take between five and eight weeks to catch up with the lost production, said Robert Houdet, director of the National Association of Automobile Component and Allied Manufacturers. He said companies will have to use airfreight to meet export delivery times. AFP TOKYO Japan to ease visa criteria for skilled foreigners THE Justice Ministry of Japan has decided to ease criteria for a points-based preferential immigration system as some conditions are too strict and have failed to attract many foreign residents since its introduction in May The points system was introduced to encourage foreigners with high levels of skill and talent who work in Japan to stay for a long period of time. Under the system, foreign residents are given points in accordance with skills, and those with high points can receive preferential immigration treatment from the government. The introduction of the system was partly urged by the nation s business community to help Japan compete with other Asian nations in obtaining competent human resources. However, the system has not been widely used, with some foreign residents saying, The criteria are far too strict. The ministry will revise the system next month and put the revised system into effect from December. The current points system applies to foreigners working in three professions in Japan: academic researchers, engineers and corporate managers. Only 17 people have used the system in the first 11 months between May last year and early April. The annual income criterion is too strict, making it difficult for us to use the system, one foreign resident complained. The Yomiuri Shimbun

24 24 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 THILAWA Compensation for affected Thilwada residents stalled NOE NOE AUNG RESETTLEMENT and compensation plans for Thilawa Special Economic Zone have been stalled by disagreement among existing residents at the site, the Thilawa Zone Development Committee said last week. Residents from Thanlyin township, affected by the SEZ development, held a press conference at the office of the Myanmar Journalist Network (MJN) on October 10 detail challenges they face in ironing out the plans with local officials. Officials do things like threatening or forcing us to sign letters, U Mya Hlaing, a farmer from Alwan Sut village said. They told us we won t get the compensation if we don t sign these [blank] papers. If we ask for the compensation without signing, we will have to go to court, he added. Residents allege pressure to sign resettlement agreements for those living in the phase 1 development zone began in the last week of September. U Set Aung, deputy minister of national planning and economic development and the Thilawa SEZ management committee chairman met have met with residents four times over the past 5 months to negotiate the resettlement and compensation plans but agreement between the parties seems to be far off. Township administrative officers and township officials from the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development tried to force me to sign a blank paper. I didn t sign as the paper is blank and we can t trust [them], resident Daw Than Than said. Though the residents were informed of the resettlement plan, they said officials used technical jargon that made it hard for them to understand the exact terms and conditions of compensation. We just realized that there is no compensation for our land and [we don t know] what the actual plan is, U Mya Hlaing said. Representative of the villages said that they are also fighting red tape in proving the longevity of their cultivation of the subject land. Authorities have raised suspicions that new comers have moved to the area in an attempt to cash in on the compensation plans. Residents are demanding compensation for their land which is equal to the current market price. In my opinion, government should ve made a real discussion with the residents instead of calling them to a press conference to discuss, Ko Bo Bo of the Paung Ku civil society group said. U Set Aung could not be reached for comment, but has previously said residents would be compensated for possessions they cannot take with them. PARIS Alcatel-Lucent to rid 10,000 jobs, cut costs TELECOM equipment maker Alcatel- Lucent is to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide to reduce costs by 15 percent within two years and focus on new technologies, it announced last week. Unions greeted the news with dismay, slamming the so-called Shift plan as violent for France where some 900 employees will lose their jobs and Industrial Renewal Minister Arnaud Montebourg asked the company to scale back the cuts in the country. The French-US firm has lurched from crisis to false dawn to crisis since it was formed by a 2006 merger, and is restructuring and refocusing its activities to reverse losses. Chief executive officer Michel Combes, who informed the company s European works council of the Shift plan, said it was time for tough measures. We launched the Shift plan in June to give Alcatel-Lucent an industrially sustainable future, he said. To carry out this plan we must make difficult decisions... The Shift Plan is about the company regaining control of its destiny, he said in a statement. The cuts represent about a seventh of the company s global work force of 72,000. A protest took place on October 8 in western France, in front of the plant of Alcatel-Lucent, after the group announced 10,0000 job cuts. Photo: AFP BILLION $1.2 Alcatel s losses in the first 6 months this year Alcatel-Lucent said 4100 jobs would be cut in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 2015, 3800 in the Asia Pacific region, and 2100 in North and South America. About 900 jobs will be axed in France, and according to French economic newspaper Les Echos, two sites in the cities of Rennes and Toulouse will be closed and plants elsewhere sold. AFP TORONTO BlackBerry faces split in bizarre sale process BLACKBERRY will probably be broken up amid a bizarre bidding process that makes it hard to value the smartphone maker, according to a Canadian pension fund that s considering an offer. It s the most bizarre sales process I ve seen in a long time, Alberta Investment Management Chief Executive Officer Leo de Bever said in a phone interview last week. We re looking at it but nobody s come to us with a proposal that makes any sense. You can be sure that pretty much all the usual suspects are looking at this. Now, how seriously that s the question. Leo de Bever Chief Executive Officer at Alberta Investment Management BlackBerry has dropped 11 percent to US$8 a share since Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. announced last month a tentative bid to take the company private for $9 per share. Investors are betting Fairfax, the Canadian insurer that is BlackBerry s biggest shareholder, will struggle to find backers or financing for its takeover of the Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone company by the November 4 deadline. Mr De Bever, 65, said there are discussions among investors about valuing particular BlackBerry units and a split of the company may be in the cards. We were looking at the individual assets because that s how you understand the whole company, Mr de Bever said. But it doesn t necessarily mean that we want to take a carving knife to BlackBerry. The odds are that s what s probably going to happen. Alberta Investment, which manages $67 billion for 310,000 current and retired government workers in Alberta, would be more willing to consider an investment in BlackBerry if there was a strategic buyer such as Google involved, de Bever said. Aimco, as the fund is called, also wants to see the value of the company s units disclosed, and a business plan for developing those units in the future, Mr de Bever said from Edmonton, Alberta. Fairfax, led by CEO Prem Watsa, hasn t named any backers for its $4.7 billion bid and hadn t secured financing at the time the proposed offer was announced. Paul Rivett, president of Torontobased Fairfax, didn t immediately respond to phone calls and s last week seeking comment. We do not intend to disclose further developments with respect to the process until we approve a specific transaction or otherwise conclude the review of strategic alternatives, Lisette Kwong, spokeswoman at BlackBerry, said in an statement. The driver will have to be someone who really understands the assets, Mr de Bever said. You can be sure that pretty much all the usual suspects are looking at this. Now, how seriously that s the question. Looking and doing something are two totally different things. If pension funds were to invest in BlackBerry, it would probably be in a coalition with other private equity investors, he said. He declined to name other investors in talks with Fairfax and BlackBerry. Bloomberg WASHINGTON US loses $1.6 billion from a shutdown costing $160m a day Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange before the closing bell on October 8 following a poor showing by the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 when they both dropped by close to 1 percent. Photo: AFP THE partial US government shutdown has closed the gates to Alex Thevenin s place of business: the Grand Canyon. Her family-owned Arizona Raft Adventures in Flagstaff lost US$80,000 last week in income from a group excursion down the Colorado River that didn t happen. Ms Thevenin s and five other small whitewater businesses will lose almost $1 million because of cancelled trips in the final few weeks of the 2013 rafting season, said John Dillon, executive director of the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association in Flagstaff. We had a great year until September 30, Mr Dillon said. The shuttering of large parts of the federal government on October 1 amid a fight over funding US President Barack Obama s healthcare law is hurting businesses big and small. Some, such as Ms Thevenin s, have already taken a hit to their bottom line. Others will suffer from slowed economic activity stocks declined on October 7, with the Standard & Poor s 500 Index at almost a onemonth low, and a Gallup poll released October 4 showed consumer confidence had dropped to its lowest point since December The shutdown cost $1.6 billion last week in lost economic output, according to IHS Inc, a Lexington, Massachusetts-based global marketresearch firm. As the showdown enters its eighth day, the office closures are now draining an average of $160 million each workday from the $15.7 trillion economy. Two more days of the Washingtonmade calamity would put the shutdown s financial harm on par with a natural disaster last month. September s heavy rains, flash floods and mudslides across 17 Colorado counties caused at least $2 billion in economic damages, according to Equecat Inc, a California-based catastrophe-risk modeller. Based on the IHS estimate, the shutdown costs will surpass $2 billion on October 9. Congress s failure to approve a federal budget or a stopgap spending measure sidelined an estimated 800,000 federal employees last week. As many as 350,000 of those employees returned to work Monday, with regular pay schedules. Active-duty military employees also are collecting checks. Yet the economic impact of the shutdown goes beyond the federal work force. The National Association of Government Contractors found in an October 1 survey of 925 members that 29 percent planned to delay hiring because of the stalemate and 58pc said it will have a negative effect on business. In Greenbelt, Maryland, John and Carol Mattimore figure they can live off savings for three months if out-of-work NASA employees begin removing their children from the couple s home daycare. About 97pc of NASA s 18,000 employees are idled. We don t want to lose our business, Mr Mattimore said. The parents of their eight charges are extremely stressed emotionally and financially, said Ms Mattimore. I m worried they re not going to afford daycare if this keeps up. We thought about giving them free tuition for a week, but I m not sure how much that helps them, and we have bills to pay ourselves. Some defence contractors that planned to furlough employees won a reprieve when the US Defense Department returned most of its civilian workforce to the job. That meant some contractors could continue doing federal employee-supervised work and gain access to more government work sites. Yet the biggest contractor, Lockheed Martin Corp, based in Maryland, on Monday sent home about 2400 employees because either a civilian government worksite is closed or it received a stop-work order from an agency. The Department of Energy directed contractor Savannah River Remediation to furlough 1440 of its 1804 employees for the duration of the shutdown, said James Giusti, a spokesman for DOE s Savannah River Site, a nuclear reservation that covers 310 square miles. He said employees who maintain the liquid waste facilities in a non-operating mode remain at work. Bloomberg

25 NICOSIA Bank of Cyprus posts record losses THE recession-hit Mediterranean island of Cyprus largest lender, the Bank of Cyprus, on October 11 announced a record loss of 2.21 billion euros (US$3 billion) in 2012, up more than 60 percent on its 2011 losses. Cyprus agreed in March to a 10 billion euro ($13.5 billion) rescue package negotiated with the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund to bail out its troubled economy and oversized banking system. The deal included the closure of the island s second-largest bank Laiki and a 47.5pc haircut on deposits above 100,000 euros at the Bank of Cyprus. Events following Eurogroup s decision on Cyprus have significantly impacted the Bank of Cyprus Group, the BoC said in a statement. It said profit before penalties and restructuring costs was 620 million euros ($840 million) in 2012, down 22pc from the year before. There was also a significant 441pc spike in provisions for bad debt to 2.30 billion euros ($3.1 billion) from 426 million euros ($577 million) in 2011, driven by the deterioration of the bank s loan portfolio. AFP LONDON Britain ramping up for mortgage-boosting plan BRITISH Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne began the second phase of his mortgage-boosting plan as concerns remain that it will fuel a property bubble. Royal Bank of Scotland s Natwest unit, Lloyds Banking Group s Halifax and Bank of Scotland will start offering Help-to-Buy mortgages this week, with Virgin Money Holdings UK Ltd and Aldermore Bank planning to start in 2014, the Treasury in London said in a statement on October 8. The program allows people to buy a home costing as much as 600,000 pounds (US$964,000) with a deposit of as little as 5 percent. The first phase came into effect in April, and Prime Minister David Cameron last week brought forward the start of the second from January, dismissing criticism that the plan may help fuel a bubble. Halifax said this month that house prices rose for an eighth month in September and lawmaker Andrew Tyrie, who heads the Parliament s Treasury Committee, said on October 9 that intervention in the property market risks causing distortions. David Cameron. Photo: APF The government has yet to allay the committee s concerns, Mr Tyrie, a member of Cameron s Conservative Party, said in an ed statement as the panel published a report in London. Given the checkered history of interventions in residential property, great care will need to be taken in both the construction and running of this scheme. Under the mortgage plan, the government guarantees as much as 15pc of the purchase price in return for a fee from the lender. Mr Cameron said that the government had to act to help prospective homebuyers. Too many hardworking people are finding it impossible to buy their own home, the premier said in an ed statement. Buying your first home is about far more than four walls to sleep at night. It s somewhere to put down roots and raise a family. It s an investment for the future. Halifax customers will be able to apply for mortgages under the program starting October 11. The bank is offering a two-year fixed-rate of 5.19pc. That s more than the 1.94pc fixed rate it offers first-time buyers who can put down a 40pc deposit, according to the bank s website. Similarly, RBS is offering two- and five-year fixed rates at 4.99pc and 5.49pc. That compares with a two-year fixed-rate of 1.95pc for first-time buyers who are able to put down a 40pc deposit, according to its website. HSBC Holdings said Tuesday that it will also participate in Help-to-Buy later this year. Bloomberg IN BRIEF Business 25 Panasonic to exit plasma TV display business: report Panasonic will stop making plasma television screens by early next year, a report said Wednesday, as the struggling electronics giant undergoes a huge corporate overhaul. Japan s leading business daily Nikkei said Panasonic will shutter production at its main plasma screen plant in Amagasaki in western Japan by the end of March as it puts the factory up for sale. The move would fall in line with a broader industry shift away from plasma units, with Hitachi and Pioneer also exiting the market in recent years. In response to the report, a Panasonic statement said nothing had been decided but discussions about business strategy were ongoing. AFP Canada announces aviation agreements with 7 countries Canada announced last week a series of air transport agreements with seven countries that will result in more flight options and routes for its airlines. In addition to more flights to and from the countries, the bilateral agreements will allow flights to accommodate passengers from partner airlines, in a process known as code-sharing, according to a statement. Agreements were reached with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Macedonia, South Africa, Turkey and Ecuador. AFP WASHINGTON Sales drop beginning to slow for JC Penney JC Penney, the department-store chain working to rebound from a US$985 million loss, said its sales decline slowed in September and that the improvement will last through the end of the year. Sales at stores open at least 12 months fell 4 percent in the fiscal month ended October 5, the Plano, Texas-based company said October 8 in a statement. Same-store sales dropped 12pc in the quarter through August 3. Chief Executive Officer Mike Ullman is working to turn around the chain after his predecessor s failed attempt to BILLION $ 2 Amount of total liquidity JC Penny expects to have at the end of the fiscal year transform JC Penney into a destination for younger, wealthier shoppers. Mr Ullman has reinstituted sales events, revived popular private-label brands such as St. John s Bay and tried to clear out slow-selling merchandise from the chain s home sections, all while raising cash through borrowings and a share offering to shore up the retailer s balance sheet. The company, which raised $785 million in cash from a share sale last month, said it expects to have more than $2 billion in liquidity at the end of the fiscal year. Bloomberg

26 26 Business Property THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 How to reel in foreign tenants in Yangon s rental market STAFF WRITERS PURPLE walls, hobbit-hole attics, and grimy, exposed concrete flooring are just some of the reasons landlords in Yangon can have a hard time renting their properties to foreigners. Backing away from overzealous application of traditional styles may be the key for landlords looking to capitalise on growing demand for apartments from the increasingly lucrative expat tenant market, according to realtors. [If] you keep everything very neutral and simple, it will be more appealing to everyone, David Ney, real estate advisor with York Road Realty told The Myanmar Times. Mr Ney, who has been working in real estate in Yangon for threeand-a-half years, said his international clients were not always impressed with Myanmar choices in fitting out a rental apartment. Some decorating choices can dampen an apartment s potential to be leased by foreign renters, Mr Ney said, citing an example of a certain type of tiling used in Yangon apartments that, when fitted together, bear an unmistakable similarity to the Nazi swastika. At first you don t see it, but then you take photos of it and it shows, and you realise you re wall-to-wall covered [with tile swastikas]. An innocent mistake, but one that will ruin an apartment s chances of being rented out. Even if it weren t particularly offensive, it s all just something that s in your face and most clients I have are not interested in it, Mr Ney said. Gaudy lights that play music or can change colour, blindingly bright-coloured walls and filthy or cracked ceilings and flooring are other major deterrents for prospective foreign renters. On a broad scale, you re really narrowing your market base down to where only five or Making even marginal investments in your apartment can make the difference when trying to lease to foreign tenants. Photo: Boothee 10 people like it, Mr Ney added. A Myanmar landlord should be able to get the price they are asking, but rent it much faster. Places that are fixed up with basic or all amenities, cleaned before showing and painted have much less time sitting on the market than a place that requires the tenant [to do work themselves]. Mr Ney said that installation of hot water systems and air-conditioners and maximising natural light in an apartment were all small and cheap steps that find favour with foreign renters. Using high-quality materials and workers the first time around also saved money over the long term as work did not need to be redone or updated, Mr Ney added. Nailing down an aesthetically pleasing interior can make all the difference, not only between Places that are fixed up... before showing and painted have much less time sitting on the market. David Ney York Road Real Estate renting and not renting an apartment, but also the asking price a landlord can reasonably expect for rent. Asking for some basic installments, such as an air-conditioning, decent flooring and a refrigerator, can cause rent hikes as much as K300,000 a month, which is sometimes a mark-up of more than 50 percent of the original asking price, U Robin Saw Naing of Pronto Services real estate agency said. The problem is owners just don t want to invest [in their property]. Some have never been outside Myanmar so they don t know what requirements expats have for their apartments. One such cultural misalignment lies in the bathroom. In older buildings, they tend to be too small. They are also often equipped with squat-toilets, or have tanks filled with stale water a draw for mosquitoes. U Robin Saw Naing said that such differences often result in him turning down clients because their units will simply be too difficult to rent to an expatriate. Another Yangon-based real estate agent, U Sai Khun Naung, whose company has the same name, said that while foreigners are aware it is a tough rental market, their overriding concern is price. Security, electricity and furniture are secondary concerns. A full service apartment is more than US$1500, U Sai Khun Naung said, adding that midrange accommodation was unlikely to be furnished or serviced by elevators and doormen. Once the basic interior is mastered, the best option for midprice range expat renters is to furnish an apartment themselves, U Robin Saw Naing said. An unfurnished apartment gives possible tenants greater bargaining power. Tenants may be able to save between K200,000 to K300,000 each month furnishing an apartment themselves and then selling furniture in the always-active second-hand market when the lease is up, he added. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Myanmar is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the following positions: Sr. Title and level Duty Station Position Deadline 1. Off-Farm Income Generation Officer (LICA 6) Yangon National 14 October Administrative Assistant (Facility Management) (LICA3) Yangon National 14 October Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Data Management) Yangon National 15 October 2013 (LICA 7) 4. Driver (LICA1) Yangon National 18 October Programme Assistant (LICA3) Yangon National 22 October 2013 The benefit package for the above positions includes an attractive remuneration, 30 days annual leave and 10 holidays per year, medical insurance, learning and development opportunities and a challenging working environment with 200 national and international colleagues. For Sr. 1, 2, 3 and 5: all applications must be made through the UNOPS E-recruitment System ( unops.org) and click on the post you are interested in applying for. or Sr. 4: applicants are kindly requested to submit by manual application (paper) to HR Unit, UNOPS Myanmar at No. 12(O), Pyithu Lane, 7 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon. If you have further queries, please contact Ext: 149 Request for Proposal (RFP) Reference No.: UNFPA/MMR/13/01 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Myanamr Country Office cordially invites the potential suppliers to submit the proposal for printing services (under the UNSPSC code - Printed Media, Signage and Accessories, Advertising, Reproduction Services, Graphic Desigh). The suppliers can register and submit the proposal through before 13:00 hrs. on 25 October, 2013 Yangon ready for construction and mining conference NYAN LYNN AUNG 29.nyanlynnaung@gmail.com MYANMAR is set to host its first international construction, power and mining conference in Yangon at the end of the month, hosting more than 150 international brands, according to a press release issued by the event s organizers. The conference, Construction, Power and Mining Myanmar 2013, will take place from October 31 to November 2 at the Myanmar Convention Center and will host international firms including Turkey s ASKA Power Generation Co Ltd, US-based machinery manufacturer Caterpillar and Thailand s Beumer Co Ltd. The conference will give potential buyers the opportunity to shop for international grade construction and mining equipment as well as giving international firms a first look into Myanmar.

27 HOUSE OF THE WEEK Spacing out in style This huge 10,000-square-foot house on Highland Avenue in Mayangone township is beautifully furnished with new tiles, a modern red-and-white colour scheme and a cream façade complete with an arched driveway. The ground floor has two large living rooms, while upstairs are two double-bedrooms, one single room and a maid s room. Although not fully furnished, the house is equipped with an air-conditioner in nearly every room. The kitchen is complete, and decorated with lacquered cabinets and exposed brick walls. The master bathroom, meanwhile, is fully equipped with a modern bathtub and sink. Ei Thae Thae Naing Location : Highland Avenue Road, Mayangone township Price : US$5000 (for rent) Contact : (Mya) Pan Tha Khin Real Estate and General Service Phone : , , THE real estate mantra of location, location, location should also be applied to setting prices for property in Mandalay, say agents following a move in Yangon Region to encourage property buyers to pay tax. A committee established in Yangon to establish maximum property values in Yangon Region, ostensibly to boost tax collection, set its values based on roads and townships. The new values were due to come into effect from October 1. Real estate agents in Mandalay say they are broadly in favour of bringing Property Business 27 Set Mandalay land prices carefully, realtors say PHYO WAI KYAW pwkyaw@gmail.com similar limits to the city but hope the values will be set fairly. It is not easy to rate land price even by the township, said U Tin Maung, a senior property agent from Tun Thitsar real estate agency. Although the going price of a 40-foot by 60-foot piece of land on 62 nd Street, one of the best streets in the city, is K1 billion, a similarly sized plot behind it is worth only K300 million. It would be fairer to set prices according to the street, and we have told the relevant authorities this, he said. He added that prices within townships could vary greatly. Translated by Thiri Min Htun Yangon added to world monument watch list BILL O TOOLE botoole12@gmail.com THE historic centre of downtown Yangon was selected last week for entry in the World Monuments Fund s 2014 Watch List, a biannual list of heritage sites which are threatened or in need of preservation. Today in historic downtown Yangon, alongside ancient Buddhist pagodas and monasteries are churches of various denominations, over a dozen mosques, a Hindu Parsi and a Sikh temple, a Jewish synagogue, and the country s only Armenian church, said a statement from the WMF. This religious heritage is complemented by the largest collection of late-19 th -century and early 20 th -century colonial architecture in Southeast Asia. The statement goes on to say what many Myanmar activists and historians have been repeating for several years: New waves of development in Yangon are threatening these historic sites. Modernising the city while protecting and promoting its tangible and intangible heritage represents a key challenge. Beautiful, century-old residential and commercial buildings, dilapidated from long neglect, are being torn down at an alarming rate. While the WMF does training and restoration at many of the sites on their watch lists past and present, their operations in Myanmar will be more focused on advocacy in the international community for the time being, according to the statement. The announcement was warmly greeted by the Yangon Heritage trust, an organisation that has been working to preserve Yangon s architectural heritage since We are delighted that World Monuments Fund has decided to include Yangon in its 2014 watch, said U Thant Myint-U, founder and chair of the trust, We have a tremendous opportunity to make Yangon one of the most beautiful cities in all of Asia. It will be a great Modernising the city while protecting and promoting its... heritage represents a key challenge. Aaron David Miller Former Middle East asset for the future, for tourism and business, for the economy, and for the hundreds of thousands of people who live and work downtown. The restoration of Myanmar s historic sites has in the past been a contentious point between the government and international heritage groups. In 1996, UNESCO denied Bagan s application to become a World Heritage Site, claiming that recasting and restoration carried out by the military government had damaged the integrity of the site. The British State Secretariat is among Yangon s most significant historic buildings. Photo: Staff At least for the moment, members of the Yangon city government have signalled they are willing to work with international partners to preserve the city. U Toe Aung, director of urban planning for the Yangon City Development Committee, said in a statement last week.

28 28 Business Property THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Shangri-La project nearly ready to open The lake-front luxury towers are finally nearing completion after years of work, but units will come at a hefty price with some costing US$15,000 STUART DEED stuart.deed@gmail.com IT S a good time to be entering the serviced apartment business in Yangon. Try to book a long-term stay at any of the city s established serviced apartment buildings and you will be joining a waiting list. Even after a space has been secured the price will be painfully close to what the better hotels charge. For the long dormant Shangri-La twin tower project now named the named the Shangri-La Residences, on 15 acres at the southern edge of Kandawgyi Lake it is hard to imagine the timing of its opening being better. The Shangri-la Residences will add 240 serviced apartments to an underserviced market by the first quarter of 2015, with half available by the end of this year, said Phillip Couvaras, general manager of Traders Hotel, who has been overseeing the project. 240 The number of serviced apartments the new towers have on offer Competitors such as Sakura Residences, on Inya Road in Bahan township, has 115 units, while Golden Hill Tower, also a twin tower development, has 212 apartments. The overflow from established serviced apartment operators has even seen some short-term innovators pop up, such as the Eco Apartments at Pearl Condominium in blocks D and E, which are considerably cheaper and start at US$1800 for a one-bedroom unit, although it might not come with a window to the outside world. It might be a matter of years until other new competitors, such as the Yoma/FMI Landmark development or the Hoang Anh Gia Lai project on Kabar Aye Pagoda Road in Yankin township, are available. Of course, getting a room at Yangon s newest serviced apartment complex is not going to come cheap try $6500 a month to rent the cheapest two-bedroom unit, rising from there for three- and four-bedroom apartments. Adding wireless internet will cost about an additional $100 a month but the apartments will come fully furnished, including plates and cutlery, washing machine, dryer and dishwasher, as well as a large flatscreen television. There are also 10 penthouse apartments in total, eight of which will be rented at a minimum of $10,000 a month. There are four that face northeast and command uninterrupted views over the lake and will cost about $15,000. The development will also include 40 two-bedroom units at 156 square metres each; 114 three-bedroom units ( square metres); 38 three-plusone apartments (196 square metres); and 38 four-bedroom apartments at 209 square metres in size, according to a marketing handout. As expected, the penthouses are considerably larger starting at 295 square metres (three bedrooms, a total of six units), increasing to 434 square metres for the largest four-bedroom units. All pricing is approximately on par with the market rate for similar space at the Golden Hill Towers, Sakura Residences or MiCasa but the Shangri-La site The street view of the new Shangri-La Towers under construction. Photo: Boothee will have an ace up its sleeve location. The development is walking distance to the downtown area and will offer quick transport north when the Shwegondaing overpass is finished. Add to that facilities such as a large swimming pool, a large landscaped garden with a playground, a gymnasium, tennis courts and loads of parking. Interest in the apartments has come, however no agreements have been concluded as an opening date is yet to be set. The site is a work in progress. Workmen stream everywhere carrying out a multitude of tasks on the buildings, the swimming pool and the grounds a feature that Mr Couvaras said he believes will make Shangri-La stand out in the future. It s going to have lush landscaping, which is one of the things that we wanted to be beautiful the gardens. he said. Mr Couvaras said that the developers even went as far as to remove a questionable design feature from the original project, which stood vacant for more than a decade the ornate top, which featured tall pillars commonly found fronting nouveau riche homes. That funny thing from the top has been torn down and is flat now. it s looking really classic now and It completely changed the perspective of the building by taking the top off. WASHINGTON Macau s Melco to invest in Philippines casino project DEVELOPER Melco Crown Entertainment is raising its investment in a US$1 billion casino project in the Philippines to offer more gaming tables and luxury hotel rooms, the company said on October 9. The City of Dreams Manila project, to open in mid-2014, will now require an initial outlay of $680 million, its chief executive Lawrence Ho said in Manila. We think it s going to be money well spent. As a company we make sure that there s good value in terms of where we put the money in, he said. The casino is a joint venture with the SM Group of Chinese-Filipino billionaire Henry Sy, the Philippines wealthiest man. The project is one of four holders of government franchises to build four $1 billion casinos. They will be sited in a gaming enclave constructed by the government on reclaimed land in Manila Bay and called Entertainment City. Manila hopes the four-casino cluster will enable it to vault past Singapore as the world s second-largest gaming destination after Macau. A Melco statement said amendments to Philippine gaming regulations had allowed it to increase the number of gaming tables during the start of its commercial operations. AFP MILLION $ 680 Cost of initial outlay of the project. MUMBAI Residents are resigned to living in Mumbai s dangerous buildings THE top two storeys have already been torn down and workmen with sledgehammers are hacking at what s left, but at Mumbai s Botawala Chawl apartment complex four families refuse to leave. They are among many in the Indian city stuck in dilapidated or poorly built structures, whose plight was highlighted last month when a residential block came crashing down killing 60 people sleeping inside. The builders haven t given us anything in writing, said 57-year-old tenant RK Tiwari, who has verbally been promised an apartment in a replacement high-rise block. As long as we don t get anything on paper, we won t move. Her dilemma is just one of a complex array of reasons why people continue to live in dangerous buildings in India s densely populated financial capital, where land and affordable housing are scarce. Corruption, negligence, and outdated laws have all contributed to the troubled housing situation in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, where six major building collapses in recent months have killed more than 160 people. While a heavy monsoon has exacerbated the problems, poor maintenance and shoddy construction have been highlighted since the collapses. Experts say rogue developers are cashing in on the desperate need for cheap housing. A recent survey by the municipal government found 959 dilapidated buildings in the city although some say the real figure is likely much higher while more than half of Mumbai s population of over 18 million people is said to live in slums. Some families pay as little as 500 rupees (US$8) a month in rent, but the strict controls on hikes that keep prices down mean landlords have little impetus to pay for little if any building maintenance. On some collapsed buildings, including Altaf Manzil, potentially damaging structural changes and other alterations had been carried out, such as the addition of marble floorings. There s a constant state of upgradation, said Naresh Fernandes, author of the new book City Adrift: A Short Biography of Bombay. AFP IN BRIEF Britain rolls out new phase of property scheme Britain last week launched the latest phase of its initiative to boost the property market, despite fears that it could help spark a housing bubble. The coalition government said in a statement that its Help to Buy scheme has been extended to offer mortgage guarantees for existing as well as newly built homes that cost up to 600,000 (US$966,000) for a set time period. Thanks to the program, buyers only need to find 5 percent deposits but they will not be allowed to take part if the intention is to own more than one property. State-rescued lenders Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group will start offering the new Help to Buy mortgages this week, and will be joined this week by newcomers Virgin Money and Aldermore. AFP

29 Science & Technology 29 DURBAN Experts in Africa cautious on potential malaria vaccine EXPERTS in Africa, the continent worst-hit by malaria, reacted with optimism but also caution on Tuesday to news that the first vaccine against the killer disease may soon reach the market. GlaxoSmithKline said it was seeking approval for a prototype vaccine that reduced the risk of malaria by almost half among children aged between five and 17 months, and by around a quarter among infants aged between six and 12 weeks. This is the first vaccine against malaria, Sophie Biernaux, a malaria vaccine leader at GSK, told AFP in Durban. This is good news as longas the vaccine shows a required level of efficy Mr. John Gikapa Technical advisor to SANRU If the British drugmaker s application is successful, the vaccine could be rolled out within two years. The mosquito-borne disease kills an estimated 660,000 people each year, 90 percent of them in Africa, with the majority being children under five. This is great hope for Africa, Nilton Saraivo, a manager of Angola s national anti-malaria programme, told AFP. But others were more cautious. In Gabon, one of the countries where clinical trials were conducted, researcher Bertrand Lell said the vaccine s efficacy is not very large compared to vaccines such as the one against polio. But given the prevalence of malaria in Africa, you can imagine the impact it will have on people if the mortality rate is down 50 percent, said Mr. Lell, of the Lambarene Centre for Medical Research. In the Democratic Republic of Congo which has the world s secondhighest malaria death rate after Nigeria SANRU, an organisation that distributes mosquito nets to fight malaria, said it was too early to declare victory. It noted that the vaccine did not offer a complete shield, although trials including assessment of a booster shot are ongoing. This is good news as long as the vaccine shows a required level of efficacy, said John Gikapa, technical advisor to SANRU. The research was carried out at 11 centres in seven African countries, covering more than 15,000 infants and children. GSK said it would now file an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under a process aimed at marketing new drugs for poorer countries. The European medications watchdog will then give a scientific opinion on the vaccine s safety and efficacy. This opens the way for it to be considered by the World Health Organization (WHO), which in turn can fast-track its licensing in individual countries in Africa. The vaccine called RTS,S is a frontrunner in the race to develop the first immunisation for malaria. The results for the Phase III trial were unveiled Tuesday at a conference in South Africa. They are sure to raise as many questions as answers. As well as offering less protection for very small children, the vaccine s effectiveness declined over time, data showed. There are a number of possible hypotheses for these differences in effectiveness, said Lucas Otieno of the Kenya Medical Research Institute, one of the principal investigators in the trial. The theories include possible interference with the vaccine by maternal antibodies and the impact of other vaccines administered around the same time, he said. AFP LA CIOTAT World s oldest cinema to reopen doors this week People watch a movie at the world s oldest cinema theater L Eden during its official re-opening on October 9, 2013 in La Ciotat, southern France. Photo: AFP THE world s oldest movie theatre, where the first films of the pioneering Lumiere brothers were screened in 1899, reopens in a sleepy southern French town Wednesday after an extensive facelift. Gleaming, velvet seats replace dusty chairs, fresh yellow paint and mosaic tiles adorn the facade while oak floors take the place of old carpets. The Eden Theatre, which closed in 1995, is all set for an inauguratory gala event in La Ciotat, a town near the sprawling port city of Marseille. It was at the seafront theatre that the Lumiere brothers, Auguste and Louis, screened their first moving pictures to 250 dazzled spectators on March 21, The brothers had previously showcased their work in other places, first at their rich, industrialist father s home and then at other cinemas, but these have since disappeared. Over the decades, the Eden became both a cinema and theatre, and several French film stars such as Yves Montand and Fernandel performed there in the early days of their careers. But it hit hard times in the 1980s when the then owner was killed by crooks trying to steal his money, and movie buffs just stopped going. After that, the building opened only for one week every year to host a festival showcasing the first ever French-language movies, until its closure in Supporters of the historic monument never gave up their fight to get it reopened, but it was not until Marseille was named European Capital of Culture for 2013 that local authorities finally agreed to renovations that cost six million euros (US$8.1 million). The Eden will operate as a normal cinema run by a private operator, and visitors will also be able to wander through a permanent exhibition outlining the origins of animated pictures. Outside, the facade will be adorned with a laser installation at night depicting a train, to mark the 50-second-long film Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat filmed by the Lumiere brothers in The black-and-white, silent movie shows a steam train pulling into a station, and passengers getting in and out. The story goes that when it was first screened, spectators were so terrified at the image of a train moving towards them that they leapt out of their chairs and ran out in panic, though many people have suggested this is an urban legend. French media reports had said actresses Juliette Binoche and Nathalie Baye and film director Roman Polanski were among the stars expected to attend Wednesday s inaugural ceremony. But organisers said Mr. Binoche would not be present. The challenge for the Eden will be to make the 166-seat theatre economically viable, and fans of the building say it should be a larger cultural project that offers educational tours for school children, screens restored films and hosts film festivals. AFP TEHRAN Social media will stay blocked in Iran IRANIAN Telecommunications Minister Mahmoud Vaezi rejected on Monday any official plans to legalise Facebook and Twitter, although President Hassan Rouhani pledged to reduce online censorship, ISNA news agency reported. The ban on networks such as Facebook and Twitter was not supposed to be lifted, said Mr. Vaezi. Tehran blocks access to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and numerous other sites, including blogs and pornography hubs, as it tries to stop Iranians from surfing content authorities seen as undermining the Islamic regime, or as being immoral. The authorities provide some private or state-owned companies a national VPN which allow them to access to the global internet. Despite being banned, Facebook and Twitter accounts are affiliated to some Iranians officials. When asked about these officials, Vaezi simply replied, You should ask them. Iran s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is believed to have a Facebook page. There is also a Twitter account in the name of Mr. Rouhani, although one of his advisers have said it was not a personal account. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accounts on both Facebook and Twitter. He regularly updates his Facebook page, where he posts in Farsi and sometimes interacts with some of his more than 400,000 fans, and he posts in English on Twitter. In early October, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey asked Mr. Rouhani: Are citizens of Iran able to read your tweets? Mr. Rouhani s account answered that the president would do his best to ensure that the people of Iran will comfortably be able to access all info globally as is their right. In an interview with CNN aired on September 25, Mr. Rouhani said he planned to reduce restrictions so that within [certain] sort of moral frameworks that we have for ourselves... we are able to access these social network sites. On September 17, the two networks became briefly accessible, but later Iranian officials explained this had been due to technical glitch. According to official figures, of the total population of 75 million in Iran, more than 30 million people use Internet. AFP

30 30 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 World WORLD EDITOR: Bridget Di Certo LONDON Malala Inc: The global operation emerges PAKISTANI scho olgirl Malala Yousafzai has become a formidable force for rights in the year since the Taliban shot her, but an equally formidable public relations operation has helped her spread her message. Malala Yousafzai appears before an interview with CNN s Christiane Amanpour on October 10, 2013 in New York City. Photo: AFP The 16-year-old campaigner for girls education has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, addressed the UN, published an autobiography and been invited to tea with Queen Elizabeth II, achieving a level of fame more like that of a movie star. Last Thursday she won the EU s prestigious Sakharov human rights prize, drawing a fresh threat of murder by the Taliban. But Malala and her family have help when it comes to balancing her recovery and her schooling with the demands of being a young stateswoman in demand from the international media. One of the world s biggest public relations firms, Edelman, has a team working on her behalf while politicians, journalists and book publishers are making her into something of a global brand. Those close to Malala reject claims from some in Pakistan that she is being manipulated. I was worried about all the expectations placed on her before I met her, Jonathan Yeo, a British painter whose portrait of Malala went on display in the National Portrait Gallery in London in September, told AFP. A lot of people wouldn t want to deal with it, or have the presence of mind to deal with it, or be swayed by the things around it, said Mr Yeo. But my worries that any of those things might be going on were immediately reassured by her and her family. He added, There s no one with any ulterior motives, all the money is going to charity, there is no political agenda, she is still devoted to her country and still religious. A source who worked with the family told AFP, From what I have seen, although she is only 16 it is very much driven by her personally. Malala had already been in the public eye for years before a Taliban gunman boarded her school bus on October 9, 2012, asked, Who is Malala? and shot her in the head. It was Malala s father Ziauddin, a school principal and himself a seasoned campaigner for education, who first helped propel the precociously talented girl from the Swat valley in northwest Pakistan into the limelight. At his encouragement Malala started writing a blog for the BBC s Urdu service under a pseudonym in 2009, when she was aged just 11, about how the Taliban were banning girls education in Swat. The New York Times filmed a documentary about her that same year. But it was only after the shooting, and Malala s subsequent miraculous recovery in a British hospital, that she became a truly global figure. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a UN special education envoy, visited her in hospital shortly afterward and took up her cause with a petition which he presented to the Pakistani government. Mr Brown later arranged for Malala to speak at the United Nations in July. Behind the scenes Mr Brown was also helping Malala and her family come to terms with their new reality. He has quite a close relationship with the family, particularly Malala s father, a source close to Mr Brown told AFP, adding that Mr Brown and his wife Sarah were helping the family with things that have been fairly overwhelming. At the request of Malala s father, Mr Brown also personally asked consulting firm McKinsey to lend employee Shiza Shahid, a friend of the Yousafzai family, to chair the Malala Fund, the organisation that runs Malala s education campaign and has won donors including Angelina Jolie. The Malala machine really grew in November 2012 when the PR agency Edelman, whose clients include Starbucks and Microsoft, started working for her family. A spokesman for Edelman told AFP it was carrying out the work on a pro-bono basis and now had a team of five people supporting Malala. Edelman said its role primarily involves providing a press office function for Malala and helping to advise the family on how to engage with the huge media and public interest in Malala s campaign. There is now a two-month waiting list for an interview with Malala, the firm said. The global spotlight has provoked a backlash in parts of Pakistani society, with some accusing Malala of acting as a puppet of the West while the Taliban have renewed the threat to her life. Elsewhere there have been concerns at the level of public exposure. It could be a burden. Imposing that on a child might not be ethical, said Tilman Brueck, the head of Stockholm peace research institute SIPRI. Malala herself insists the circus around her has not affected her personality. My world has changed but I have not, she says in her autobiography I Am Malala. The Pakistani Taliban last Thursday said the teenage activist had done nothing to deserve a prestigious EU rights award and vowed to try again to kill her. She has done nothing. The enemies of Islam are awarding her because she has left Islam and has became secular, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told AFP by telephone. Her struggle against Islam is the main reason of getting these awards. Malala is the enemy of Islam and Taliban and she wrote this book against Islam and Taliban, he said of the teenager s autobiography. AFP IN PICTURES OSLO Chemical weapons watchdog scoops Nobel THE watchdog now overseeing the destruction of Syria s chemical arsenal has won the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to rid the world of the devastating weapons. In a surprise choice last Friday, the Nobel committee honoured the UNbacked Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for its extensive efforts in banishing the scourge of chemical arms. Recent events in Syria, where chemical weapons have again been put to use, have underlined the need to enhance the efforts to do away with such weapons, the Norwegian jury said in its statement. Despite the news, it was business as usual as a second OPCW team arrived in Damascus Friday, doubling the number of inspectors there to 60. We will celebrate the Nobel Peace Prize when our mission in Syria is successfully completed, Jerry Smith, the Head of Field Operations for the OPCW mission in Syria, said in a statement to AFP. The nearly 31-month conflict between Syrian President Bashar al- Assad s regime and rebels fighting to overthrow it has killed 115,000 people. A UN Security Council resolution requires Syria s chemical arsenal be destroyed by mid A devotee of the Chinese Bang Neow S annual Vegetarian Festival in the southe evening of the ninth lunar month and objects and commit other painful acts UN chief Ban Ki-moon estimated that up to 100 experts will be needed to destroy Syria s sarin, mustard gas and other banned chemical arms by the deadline. The OPCW was founded in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention signed on January 13, 1993, a treaty with 189 members representing more than 98 percent of the world s population. The convention is one of the most successful non-proliferation agreements in history, said Karl Dewey, a London-based expert with defence consultancy IHS Jane s. The OPCW was not considered among the front-runners for the prize until the eve of the announcement. This marks the second consecutive year an organisation has won the prestigious award. Last year s prize went to the European Union. Paul Walker, a chemical weapons expert at the environmental group Green Cross International, said the prize was a testament of the OPCW s unique brand of effective practical diplomacy. The Nobel jury directly criticised the United States and Russia for failing to destroy their chemical weapons by April 2012, as required by the Chemical Weapons Convention. AFP

31 31 Mongolia s eco-nazis target foreign firms WORLD 37 Corruption scandal rocks Singapore evangelists WORLD 33 Bribery racket riddles China s top schools WORLD 35 IN BRIEF hrine holds pistols piercing his cheeks before taking part in a street procession during the rn Thai town of Phuket on October 10, During the festival, which begins on the first lasts nine days, religious devotees slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp to purify themselves, taking on the sins of the community. Photo: AFP ISTANBUL HRW: Syrian Islamist rebels killed at least 190 civilians, kidnapped hundreds LOVEDAY MORRIS SYRIAN Islamist rebel groups last week were accused of killing at least 190 villagers in the country s pro-government heartland and kidnapping hundreds more, as the emergence of jihadist forces fuels further sectarian strife. Civilian residents, including dozens of women and children, were gunned down or stabbed during a coordinated, planned attack on villages in the mountains of Latakia province in August, New York-based Human Rights Watch said. More than 200 residents taken hostage still remain in custody of Islamist rebels, the group added. The offensive, led by al-qaeda s Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS), targeted villages largely home to Alawites, members of the Shiite offshoot sect to which President Bashar Assad belongs. At one stage, rebel forces claimed that they were within 19 kilometres (12 miles) of Qardaha, the town from which Mr Assad s family hails. General Salim Idriss, head of the Free Syrian Army a rebel organization that is not affiliated with Islamist extremists was filmed visiting the front. Residents told us that in the early morning hours on August 4, they woke up to gunfire and mortar fire, said Lama Fakih, a Beirut-based researcher for Human Rights Watch who visited a number of the villages during the first week of September after reinforced government troops managed to regain control from rebels. Many described how they desperately tried to flee as fighters were shooting at them. They told us how they were injured, or how family members were killed, or how they saw their neighbors lying dead in the streets. The 105-page report was compiled from more than 35 interviews with residents, emergency response staff, and fighters and activists on both government and opposition sides. It highlights one in a long string of mass killings during the more than twoand-a-half-year-old war. Investigations by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry lay blame on the government for the majority of the killings, but the Latakia offensive is the most serious by rebels, and it comes as jihadist groups have gained influence. While rebels have been accused of war crimes in the past, there is strong evidence that the targeting of civilians in Latakia amounted to a crime against humanity, which must be proved to be systematic and planned, Ms Fakih said. A video of the Human Rights Watch s visit showed destroyed and burned homes and overturned rooms. One man describes fleeing, leaving his wife and paralysed son at home. He points out blood splatter still on the walls and bullet marks in the bedstead, where he says his son was shot where he lay. The group called for an arms embargo against those rebel forces responsible for funding, arming and planning the operation, including ISIS, Ahrar al-sham, Jabhat al-nusra, Jaish al-muhajireen wal- Ansar and Suquor al-izz. The UN Security Council last Thursday backed a plan by UN leader Ban Kimoon for a joint mission with the global chemical arms watchdog to destroy Syria s weapons, diplomats said. Mr Ban has said up to 100 experts in a UN-Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) mission will be needed to carry out an operation to eliminate Syria s banned arms. After the first Security Council talks on Ban s recommendations, Russia s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said that no objections were raised. The council s 15 envoys had agreed that the UN and the OPCW are doing a great job, said France s UN ambassador Gerard Araud. Good cooperation by the Syrian government has been noted, Mr Churkin told reporters. A chemical weapons attack in Damascus in August, which left hundreds dead, sparked an international crisis that led to threats of a US military strike against Syrian government targets. The Washington Post and AFP Kuala Lumpur Kerry lauds multi-faith Malaysia as world model US Secretary of State John Kerry lauded Malaysia last week as a modern, innovative and multifaith model for the world. Mr Kerry said Malaysia s young people were an inspiration for the Arab Spring. Here in Malaysia, people of different heritages have been in conversation for a long time, he said. He cited the symbolism of Kuala Lumpur s Petronas Towers the world s tallest twin skyscrapers having blended modern engineering, traditional Muslim design, Malaysian vision, a US architect and Asian builders. Together... are a soaring reminder that Malaysia is much more than a marketplace. It is a human and economic mosaic and it is a model for the world, Mr Kerry said. Geneva WHO launches drive against mercury thermometers The World Health Organization and campaigners launched a drive last week to try to wipe out mercury in medical thermometers, a day after nations signed a UN treaty to control the toxic liquid metal. Mercury is one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern and is a substance which disperses into and remains in ecosystems for generations, WHO head Margaret Chan said. The WHO said its campaign would tackle mercury antiseptics and skinlightening cosmetics, and help deal with the health impact of its use in small scale gold mining. Delegates from some 140 countries and territories signed a UN treaty on mercury, in the city of Minamata. The location was highly symbolic, as Minamata was the scene of a mercury scandal in the 1950s. Tens of thousands were poisoned about 2000 have since died by eating fish and shellfish from waters polluted by discharge. Washington Snowden given integrity in intelligence award US fugitive Edward Snowden has been honoured with a prize awarded annually by former CIA staff for exhibiting integrity in intelligence, the group said. The Government Accountability Project said Snowden received the Sam Adams Award a symbolic candlestick at a ceremony in Moscow last Wednesday. Former National Security Agency senior analyst Thomas Drake, former Department of Justice ethics adviser Jesselyn Radack, former FBI agent Coleen Rowley and former CIA analyst Ray McGovern were present, the group said. The group said the award is given annually by a group of retired CIA officers for members of the intelligence community who exhibit integrity in intelligence. Mexico City Officials won t meet Dalai Lama: Tibetan group Mexico leader Enrique Pena Nieto has no plans to meet the Dalai Lama when the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader begins a tour of the country this week. It is the first time in four visits that no representative of Mexico s government will meet with the Dalai Lama as the country aims to boost ties with China. We do not feel that the environment is favorable for this and we do not want to create political controversy that would hurt the visit, Casa Tibet Mexico founder and president Marco Antonio Karam told AFP. Mr Karam s group represents the Tibetan people in Latin America. He said no government official had requested to meet with the Dalai Lama. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Fenwal Inc., a company incorporated in United States of America and having its principal office at Three Corporate Drive, Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047, U.S.A is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: - FENWAL (Reg: Nos. IV/1381/1990, IV/5587/2011 & IV/2149/2013) in respect of:- Apparatus for collecting, storing, processing, testing, and/or administering blood and/or other liquids; syringe tip covers, closures and sealers; caps and other devices for closing and holding containers and tubes of blood, parenteral solutions and similar liquids and such containers and tubes; surgical, medical, dental and veterinary instruments and apparatus and parts therefor; diagnostic apparatus and parts therefor 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 Fenwal Inc., P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 14 th October, 2013

32 32 World Asia-Pacific THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 SEOUL S Korea aware of North entertainer executions An undated picture shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (centre) inspecting the construction site of a children s hospital near completion in Pyongyang. Photo: AFP / KCNA via KNS SOUTH Korea s spy chief has said he is aware of the alleged execution of members of the North s national orchestra, said to include a singer rumoured to be leader Kim Jong-Un s former girlfriend. Several members of the orchestra and other state music troupes had been executed by firing squad for taping themselves having sex, Japan s Asahi Shimbun said last month in a report that was picked up by South Korean broadcasters and websites. Asahi said the rare execution of state performers including a woman thought to be Kim s exgirlfriend in August had been ordered to squash rumours about the decadent lifestyle of North Korean first lady Ri Sol-Ju while she was an entertainer. North Korea has angrily denied reports of the executions, calling the media accounts an unpardonable crime. Last week South Korea s spy agency chief commented for the first time on the accusations. We are aware of the execution of some 10 people associated with the Unhasu Orchestra, two lawmakers quoted Nam Jae-Joon as saying at a closed door parliamentary session, according to Yonhap news agency. Mr Nam, director of the National Intelligence Service, said the agency had no information as to whether Ms Ri had any connection with the execution. The North s state news agency KCNA has said the reports on the executions were the work of psychopaths and confrontation maniacs in the South Korean government and media. This is an unpardonable, hideous provocation hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership, a KCNA commentary said last month. In an apparent attempt to further negate the rumours, North Korean radio on Wednesday aired a performance by the orchestra, Yonhap reported. AFP MANILA Muslim leader charged for bloody Philippine siege FUGITIVE Muslim leader Nur Misuari has been charged with rebellion following deadly attacks by hundreds of his armed followers on a southern Philippine city, the justice minister said Wednesday. A court in the southern city of Zamboanga has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Misuari and three of his commanders for the siege of the city that began on September 9, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters in the Philippines. At least 244 people were killed in the three weeks of fighting that followed, with the government alleging that Mr Misuari masterminded the operation even though he was not physically present. I m convinced that we have sufficient and strong evidence this time around to prosecute successfully Nur Misuari, Ms de Lima said. Hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters occupied parts of Zamboanga for three weeks, taking scores of civilian hostages and battling military and police in a bid to disrupt government peace talks with a rival Muslim rebel group. The MNLF were eventually driven out and their hostages freed but more than 116,000 people were forced to flee their homes and about 10,000 houses were razed. The violence was the country s worst since President Benigno Aquino took office in Although the government acknowledges Mr Misuari was not among the attackers, it says it has proof he ordered the operation. His three commanders, Habier Malik, Bas Arki and Assamin Hussin, are accused of leading the attack and are also still at large. Rebellion carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Rebellion charges were also laid against 57 other MNLF members who were captured during the fighting. Asked if police knew where Mr Misuari is hiding, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Sindac told AFP he could not reveal such operational details. Last week police raided Mr Misuari s Zamboanga home and found explosives and documents. Mr Misuari and his men were also charged with violations of international humanitarian law over the hostagetaking as well as setting fire to houses, Ms de Lima said. Mr Misuari s MNLF signed a peace treaty in 1996 that granted limited self-rule to the southern Philippines Muslim minority. However the group opposes a planned final peace deal between the government and the remaining major Muslim rebel group, the 12,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front. AFP BEIJING Chinese official sacked for extravagant wedding A LOW-RANKING official in Beijing was sacked for hosting a lavish wedding banquet, Chinese state media said, becoming the latest target of a high-profile official crackdown on corruption and waste. The costly celebration came as China s new leaders have vowed to tackle widespread official graft, which President Xi Jinping has warned could undermine the ruling Communist Party. Ma Linxiang, a deputy village chief in a suburb of the capital, saw his son married off at the China National Convention Centre while bing feted by famous performers, the official news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday. It quoted Mr Ma as saying he spent 200,000 yuan (US$33,000) to treat friends and neighbours to two days of banquets, with the rest of the costs paid by the bride s family. The extravagant wedding has caused negative social effects and has violated the government s rule opposing extravagance and waste, Xinhua added. The Beijing News said the wedding may have cost 1.6 million yuan altogether calling that a conservative estimate. Mr Ma remains under investigation although there is currently no evidence that he embezzled public funds, Xinhua said. The much-publicised anti-corruption campaign by China s new leaders has netted a raft of low-ranking officials and a handful of senior figures, but no systematic reforms have yet been introduced. AFP

33 Asia-Pacific World 33 SINGAPORE Scandal rocks rich Singapore church A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR scandal involving a Christian pastor, his singer wife and a glamorous financial executive has gripped Singapore, with allegations of fraud and tantalising glimpses into the expensive process of making a pop star. Kong Hee, 47, the pastor and founder of the 20,000-strong City Harvest Church, is on trial alongside five other church officials for an alleged scheme to siphon off S$24 million (US$19 million) to finance the singing career of his wife, Sun Ho. The accused allegedly misappropriated another S$26 million to cover up the original diversion. Ms Ho, 41, an established Mandarin pop singer who co-founded the evangelical megachurch with her husband in 1989, moved to Los Angeles in 2009 to launch an English-language singing career before the scandal scuttled her showbiz ambitions. She does not face any charges herself, appearing stoically with her husband for his court appearances as her music videos continue to draw hits on video-sharing site YouTube. The video for her song China Wine in which she dances in a nightclub alongside the rapper Wyclef Jean has attracted more than 1 million views so far. In another video, the reggae-tinged Mr Bill, she plays a skimpily-clad Asian wife who calls herself a geisha and sings about killing her African- American husband, played by the male supermodel Tyson Beckford. Evidence reportedly produced in court showed that the church had earmarked more than US$10 million as its marketing budget in line with Shakira s marketing budget and less than the budget for Beyonce to boost her Hollywood foray. The Straits Times said the documents also showed more than US$1.6 million was spent on production fees for Wyclef Jean. City Harvest Church s former finance manager Serina Wee (left), pop-singer Sun Ho Yeow and her husband, church founder, Kong Hee, leave the district courts in Singapore in late August. Photo: AFP The church has defended Ms Ho s attempt to become an international music star as part of a crossover campaign to spread God s message to the secular world through pop music. But prosecutors say Mr Kong and his subordinates engaged in a practice called round-tripping by channelling money alloted for a church building fund into sham bonds in churchlinked companies so they could finance Ms Ho s music career. They falsified church accounts to make it appear the bonds were redeemed, prosecutors say. All six accused deny the charges. The trial, which went into recess on September 20 and will resume in January, exposed complex money dealings and drew attention to the financial might of evangelical Christian churches in the largely Buddhist and Taoist city-state. The trial also created a buzz in the mainstream press and on social media thanks to the church s photogenic former financial manager, Serina Wee, a 36-year-old mother of three whose stylish courtroom outfits have turned her into a fashion icon. Ms Wee faces a total of six charges of criminal breach of trust for her role in the alleged scam, and four other charges for falsifying accounts. In essence, the prosperity gospels appeal to the culture of self-improvement and upward social mobility in capitalist societies. Terence Chong Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Jeaney Yip, an Australia-based academic who has studied the marketing methods of fast-growing churches, said they make Christian teachings attractive by drawing on pop culture. Whatever s in fashion, whatever s stylish, whatever looks cool is used and infused in megachurch practice, Ms Yip said. Because of the religious and humanitarian element to giving, I do not think churchgoers generally question or pay attention to how the funds are managed, said Ms Yip, a lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School. The issue is not in the giving; it is in the management of the funds received that deserves accountability and transparency. City Harvest, which has 20,000 followers in Singapore and 49 affiliates in eight Asian territories, acquired a stake in one of the city-state s biggest convention centres in 2010 for S$310 million and holds its weekly services there. Terence Chong, a sociologist at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, said some independent churches like City Harvest preach the prosperity gospels which seek to convince followers that offerings made to God through donations and voluntarism will be rewarded with spiritual and material blessings. Singapore is one of the world s wealthiest societies, with a per capita income of S$65,048 (US$51,800) in 2012 according to official data. In essence, the prosperity gospels appeal to the culture of self-improvement and upward social mobility in capitalist societies, Mr Chong said, adding that the followers tend to come mostly from the emergent middle class. The church s website exhorts members to donate money as a form of worship and lists acceptable credit cards. As we give, we have faith that He will never shortchange us, the website says. He will certainly bless our lives abundantly in return, because we can never out-give God! AFP MANILA Six dead in Philippine toxic rat urine scare 132 infected with leptospirosis, the flooding-related disease behind the nation s 2009 epidemic A BACTERIAL epidemic caused by water contaminated with rat urine has hit a flood-ravaged region in the northern Philippines, killing six people and overwhelming local hospitals, a health official said last week. At least 132 people were infected with leptospirosis in and around the northern city of Olongapo, following deadly flash floods in the area last month, health department epidemiologist for the area Jessie BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN Fantone told AFP. This is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to rat urine in flooded urban areas, Mr Fantone told AFP in a tele phone interview. While the floods that struck the area late last month have subsided, the disease can incubate in the human body for up to 30 days before flu-like symptoms appear, Mr Fantone said. He said the infection, which in its most serious form is also known as Weil s disease, can eventually lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis. The health official said it was likely many patients ignored early symptoms, or self-medicated believing it was influenza, instead of seeking professional treatment. One of the dead had ingested the bacteria while swimming through floodwaters, unlike the rest who caught it through skin Southeast Asia agrees on anti-haze system SOUTHEAST Asian leaders on Wednesday approved a new system aimed at cracking down on illegal forest fires blamed for the region s worst smog crisis in years. The Haze Monitoring System, developed by Singapore, is intended to hold plantation companies accountable for controversial land clearance activities which cause the annual fires. It will use land concession maps and high-resolution satellite images of the blazes to determine the culprits. We hope the respective ministries will upload the digitised concession maps as soon as possible, said Singapore s Environment Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. It will send a strong signal to all companies that they will be held accountable, he wrote on his Facebook page after the system was approved by the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a summit in Brunei. Several big palm oil companies have been accused of lighting fires on their concessions to clear land in Indonesia s Sumatra island. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has said it would investigate some of its members over the allegations. The group which produces a soughtafter certification for producers deemed sustainable bans its members from using burning to clear land. In June Singapore and Malaysia exposure, he added. Mr Fantone said the 90 infected people who remain hopitalised were all likely to survive, but local health authorities expect the number of cases to rise as more people seek treatment. A leptospirosis epidemic in 2009 infected more than 1000, killing 89, after Tropical Storm Ketsana wrought deadly floods on large areas of the Philippine capital. AFP were blanketed by the putrid, choking smog for days, affecting tourism, forcing schools to close and causing a rise in respiratory illnesses. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had to apologise to both countries at the time. Analysts had warned that if the smoke becomes an annual crisis, some multinational companies might consider relocating operations and expatriate families out of Singapore, a regional financial centre. Southeast Asia suffered its worst haze outbreak in , which cost the region an estimated US$9 billion. It was hit with a serious recurrence in AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION MUNDIPHARMA AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland, of St. Alban-Rheinweg 74, CH-4020 Basel, Switzerland, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:- LIGNOPAD Reg. No. 7626/2013 Reg. No. 7627/2013 SOVENOR Reg. No. 7629/2013 in respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical preparations and substance, namely analgesics. RepiGel Reg. No. 7628/2013 in respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical preparations and substance, namely disinfectants and antiseptics. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for MUNDIPHARMA AG P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013

34 34 World Asia-Pacific THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 SYDNEY Abbott wins in Australia sexism awards STUDENTS from Sydney University have been handed Australia s annual gold Ernie award for sexism for distributing beer holders branded It s not rape if it s my birthday, organisers said last week at the awards ceremony. Gaffe-prone Prime Minister Tony Abbott was also among the recipients, taking the The Clinton category for repeat offences. The politics award went to his conservative colleague Mal Brough, a former Queensland parliamentarian, for naming a quail dish on a menu at an election fundraiser after ex-premier Julia Gillard due to its small breasts, huge thighs and a big red box. But Wesley College, among several prestigious church-run residential dormitories at Sydney University accused of sexual harassment and wild initiation rituals in recent years, won the traditional boo-off at Wednesday night s gala dinner in Sydney. Their gold Ernie was awarded for claims from an ex-student, published last November, that residents of the college handed out beer holders with the slogan It s not rape if it s my birthday during campus orientation week. Ernies founder Meredith Burgmann said the past two years of the awards had been the worst I can remember in 21 years due to Gillard s appointment as prime minister, with many of the nominations and a number of the winning remarks about her. The sheer vitriol of some of the attacks on Julia Gillard is hard to stomach, said Ms Burgmann. The Mal Brough menu was a particularly worthy winner. Fairfax journalist Paul Sheehan won the media Ernie for a piece about Gillard s famous misogyny speech in parliament in which he described her as snarling and noted that Abbott then her opponent and the target of her remarks unlike the prime minister, has raised three daughters. Radio shock jock Alan Jones took The Fred prize for faux pas by a celebrity for claiming Gillard s elderly father had died from shame remarks that, when echoed in parliament by Mr Abbott, triggered her furious sexism speech. Mr Abbott s Clinton prize, named after former US president Bill Clinton, came after he was nominated for 11 separate remarks reflecting what Ms Burgmann described as outdated and old-fashioned views about women. They included saying a candidate s sex appeal should win her votes and his daughters would live at home until such time as they get married. Ms Gillard, Australia s first female prime minister, was toppled shortly before last month s elections after just three years at the top. AFP INDUSTRIAL DESIGN CAUTION ENERGY SUPPORT CORPORATION, a company incorporated and having its registered office at 1, Aza-Kamikobari, Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan, is the owner and proprietor of the following Designs in the respective titles: CUTOUT SWITCH TOKYO Japan s dolphin-killing town opens marine park Reg. No. 4/4066/2013 ( ) In above Design, Fig.1 is a perspective view; Fig.2 is a front view; Fig.3 is a rear view; Fig.4 is a top plan view; Fig.5 is a bottom plan view; Fig.6 is a right side view; Fig.7 is a left side view and Fig.8 is a cross-section view taken along line A-A in Fig.4. The CUTOUT SWITCH Design is applied for circuit switching and for protection of a transformer and the length of the portion omitted with dot-dashed lines is 100 cm or 50 cm or any appropriate length on the drawings. LOAD BREAK SWITCH Fig.1 perspective view Fig.2 front view Fig.3 rear view Fig.4 top plan view Fig.5 bottom plan view Fig.6 right side view Fig.7 left side view THE Japanese town made infamous by the Oscarwinning documentary The Cove will open a marine park where visitors can swim with dolphins, but officials said Monday its annual slaughter of the creatures will continue in a nearby bay. And unrepentant organisers say they want tourists to be able to eat dolphin and whale meat as they watch the captive animals frolic. The town of Taiji has begun researching a plan to section off part of a cove and turn it into a place where people can swim in the water and kayak alongside small whales and dolphins, Masaki Wada told AFP. But, the local government official insisted, far from having caved in to pressure from conservationists who want an end to a yearly hunt that turns waters red with blood, the project was aimed at helping to sustain the practice. We already use dolphins and small whales as a source of tourism in the cove where dolphinhunting takes place. In summer swimmers can enjoy watching the mammals that are released from a partitioned-off space. But we plan to do it on a larger scale. This is part of Taiji s long-term plan of making the whole town a park, where you can enjoy watching marine mammals while tasting various marine products, including whale and dolphin meat, he said. The park will be separate from Hatakejiri Bay, the place where fishermen of Taiji corral dolphins, select a few dozen for sale to aquariums and marine parks, and stab the rest to death for meat. The plan calls for the creation of a whale safari park stretching roughly 28 hectares (69 acres) by putting up a net at the entrance to Moriura Bay in northwestern Taiji, the official said. The 2009 film The Cove brought Taiji to worldwide attention, winning an Oscar the following year, after graphically showing the killing of dozens of trapped animals, including by using underwater cameras. Activists continue to visit the town to protest the hunt. Taiji, in western Wakayama prefecture, is looking to open part of the park within five years, Mr Wada said. Black whales and bottlenose dolphins caught in waters near the town would be released into the area, which would be developed as a nature park that also includes beaches and mudflats, he said. Wakayama prefecture said the town caught 1277 dolphins in 2012 and has licence to capture 2026 this season, which began in September and runs until August next year. Tokyo-based conservationist group Iruka & Kujira (Dolphin & Whale) Action Network (IKAN) said the plan was unfortunate for the town. The whole plan is based on the concept that they can exploit dolphins and whales freely as their resource, but the mammals don t belong to 2026 Number of dolphins to be slaughtered in at Taiji Taiji, said Nanami Kurasawa, the IKAN secretary general. Marine mammals migrate across oceans, and international public opinion is that wildlife should be allowed to live as they are. The plan will only ignite more protests over dolphin-hunting, she said. People in Taiji argue that dolphin-hunting is part of a 400-year-old whaling and culinary tradition. They charge that campaigns against it are cultural imperialism that neglects the parallels between killing dolphins and killing cattle. But Ms Kurasawa said demand for dolphin meat is dwindling and only 100 people of the 3400 population are engaged in dolphin hunting businesses. AFP Reg. No. 4/10806/2013 ( ) The LOAD BREAK SWITCH Design is applied for turn-on and turn-off of the electrical circuits. The two-dot lines in the drawings indicate indeterminate length of the parts on which they appear. Fraudulent or unauthorized use of the Designs shall be dealt with according to law. U Than Maung, Advocate For ENERGY SUPPORT CORPORATION C/o Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd, # , 15th Floor, Sakura Tower, Yangon, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Dated 14 October, 2013 utm@kcyangon.com

35 BEIJING Feature World 35 TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, of 129, Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwonsi, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (South) is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: - (Reg: Nos. IV/2093/1997 & IV/2164/2013) in respect of:- All goods in Int l Classes 14, 37, 38, 42 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 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 14 th October, 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Samsung C&T Corporation, of , Seocho-Dong, Seocho- Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: - In one of Beijing s most elite schools, pupils take a few minutes to do exercises to relax their eyes. Photo: The Washington Post Brains and bribes needed for China s top schools WILLIAM WAN FOR years, Yang Jie s friends warned her to save up for her daughter s education. Not for tuition or textbooks, but for the bribes needed to get into the city s better public schools. A strong-willed, self-made businesswoman, Ms Yang largely ignored their advice. Success in life, she told her daughter, is achieved through hard work. But now, with her daughter entering the anxiety-filled application process for middle school, Ms Yang is questioning that principle. She has watched her friends shower teachers and school administrators with favours, presents and money. One friend bought a new elevator for a top school. His child was admitted soon after. Almost everything, from admission to grades to teacher recommendations, is negotiable in Chinese schools if you know the right person or have enough cash, parents and teachers say. As a result, many believe, the education system is worsening rather than mending the vast gap between the elite and everyone else in China. As middle-class parents in Haidian, one of Beijing s most competitive school districts, Ms Yang, 42, and her husband had some money but few connections to help their daughter get into an elite school. Then, this summer, a dance teacher pulled Ms Yang aside. He said he knew people at the middle school her daughter had been aiming all her efforts at attending. And suddenly, Ms Yang admits, she started looking into how much savings she and her husband could cobble together if the dance teacher s friends were to ask for compensation for their help. She still hasn t decided what to do. Their dilemma, she said, boils down to this: If everyone else is playing the game, how can I refuse? Public Vs private In Chinese cities, the best schools are the public ones. Private schools are often aimed either at foreign expats or children barred from city schools, like the offspring of low-income Chinese migrant workers. Even by Western standards, the top public schools are often astounding. During a recent tour of Beijing s Jingshan School, administrators showed off a US$326,000, one-storeyhigh telescope for astronomy lessons, housed in a rotating room with retractable ceiling; flat-screen televisions in every class; pricey computer labs; an Olympic-size pool; and a stateof-the-art hydroponics garden. The school recently began requiring doctorate degrees for all upper-grade teachers. Meanwhile, just kilometres away, at a private school for migrant families, kids walked off a dirt road into a ramshackle facility with cracked walls, overcrowded classes and a single bathroom consisting of cement holes in the ground. Gifts Vs Bribes The hyper-competitiveness has driven many parents to curry favour in any way possible delivering organic rice to a teacher worried about food safety, bringing back lavish gifts from abroad. When all else fails, store gift cards are always a safe bet. Sometimes, you open these cards on National Teachers Day and find crazy amounts inside, one Beijing teacher said. It s human nature, said one parent who regularly sends her son to school with gift cards. Like many adults interviewed for this story, she asked for anonymity to talk frankly about school corruption. If the teacher is choosing between two kids on equal footing, the effect of a gift may be small, but it could make all the difference. Ms Yang used to send gift cards, too, worth $20 or $30 modest in comparison to the $200 or $300 from other families. But she eventually stopped even that. It didn t seem to make a difference, she said. I decided to save the money instead for things that actually contribute to my daughter s education, like cram classes. Getting into a good middle school means a shot at Beijing s top high schools. A top high school means proper preparation for China s infamously rigorous college admissions exam, called the gaokao. A good gaokao score means a secure job, higher income, better housing, better marriage prospects. Education in this communist country is supposedly free and funded by the government. But elite schools benefit from hefty fees and donations. These days, admission to a decent Beijing middle school often requires payments and bribes of upwards of $16,000, according to many parents. Sixfigure sums are not unheard of. And most top schools charge a school choice fee ranging from $5000 to $40,000 for children living outside of specific school districts. The central government has repeatedly banned such fees. But they have not only remained, they ve risen in recent years. Lacking the resources of wealthier, better-connected families, Ms Yang and her daughter decided early on to target seats reserved at most top schools for those with speciality skills. That s why Qianyi took up dancing three years ago. The dance instruction has cost Ms Yang $5000 in the past six months alone a huge strain for a woman who earns $20,000 a year and whose husband is unemployed. Neither Ms Yang nor her husband attended college; she did finish a vocational high school. Yet, she managed to start her own company with a friend, selling imported sensors. Today s China, however, is a different country from that of her youth, exponentially more Sometimes, you open these cards on National Teachers Day and find crazy amounts inside. Beijing school teacher competitive. Millions vie in megacities for limited jobs, housing and mates. Yang said she is beginning to see the dancing teacher s offer less as a moral dilemma concerning bribery and more as a purely practical decision. The system, the pressure, the bribes, it s all unfair, she said. But in the end, the only thing I can do is what s best for my daughter. The Washington Post (Reg: Nos. IV/2092/1997 & IV/2163/2013) in respect of:- All goods in Int l Classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 28, 35, 36, 39, 41 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 Samsung C&T Corporation P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 14 th October, 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that Cosmo Sekiyu Kabushiki Kaisha (Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.) a company incorporated under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 1-1, Shibaura 1-Chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo , Japan is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks:- COSMO LUBE (Reg: No. IV/2157/2013) COSMO OIL LUBRICANTS (Reg: No. IV/2158/2013) (Reg: No. IV/2159/2013) (Reg: No. IV/2160/2013) The above four trademarks are in respect of:- petroleum, gasoline, fuel gas, industrial oil, lubricating oil, etc., Class: 4 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 Cosmo Sekiyu Kabushiki Kaisha (Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd.) P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 14 th October, 2013

36

37 International World 37 CAUTIONARY NOTICE ULAN BATOR Mongolia s eco-nazis target foreign miners A SILVER swastika hanging around his neck, Boldbaatar Gombodorj points out his targets on a map of Mongolia like a World War II commander: little flags representing foreign mining firms that he and fellow eco-nazis accuse of destroying their country. Mongolia s mining boom has brought the vast, sparsely populated country immense wealth but also inequality and ecological damage, and now fringe ultranationalist environmentalist movements are emerging in response. Herders have roamed Mongolia s steppe for centuries, while the country only threw off the Soviet yoke after decades of domination, creating fertile ground for a mix of communal land rights and nationalism that can turn into unashamed racism. Here we want people with Mongolian hearts and Mongolian blood, says Mr Gombodorj. Those who pollute the rivers and springs taint their purity, and they should be punished by death, he adds, citing the revered Mongol warrior Genghis Khan, whose portrait adorns the walls. Mr Gombodorj, a 56-yearold retired soldier whose first name means hero forged from steel, sports a thick moustache and cauliflower ears from wrestling, the national sport. He says the swastika is an ancient Mongol symbol and that his group, Fight for the Security of Mongolia, does not support fascism. But other campaigners openly identify themselves as neo-nazis and reference the Third Reich. When Mr Gombodorj joined the army he knelt on the ground, held a Mongolian flag to his forehead and swore to defend every inch of our land. And now it is being sold into the hands of foreigners, he says. Ariunbold Altankhuu, a leader of Mongolian neo-nazi environmentalist group Tsagaan khas (White Swastika), salutes in Ulan Bator in September 12. PHOTO: AFP He is ready to embrace violence for his cause, he adds. A few weeks ago his group ended up in a tense standoff with armed guards at a South Korean-owned mine. We would have fired if they had, says Mr Gombodorj. Mining makes up a fifth of Mongolia s economy and it has enjoyed one of the world s highest growth rates since the authorities invited in foreign companies to extract its gold, copper, coal and iron ore. One of the biggest and most high-profile projects, Anglo- Australian giant Rio Tinto s Oyu Tolgoi mine, is expected to produce an average of 430,000 tonnes of copper and 425,000 ounces of gold annually for 20 years, and to generate up to one-third of the government s revenue. The foreigners dictate what the relationships should be within Mongolian society and they dictate what laws should or should not be implemented, says Mongolia s bestknown eco-warrior, Tsetsegee Munkhbayar, who heads the group Fire Nation. In Tsagaan Khass, or White Swastika, the most radical group of all, members greet their leader Ariunbold Altankhuum with a Nazi salute while clicking their heels. They dress in black, while some sport swastika tattoos and others wear rings adorned with the Germanic Iron Cross. In their office, tucked in the basement of a Soviet-era building in central Ulan Bator and overseen by a bust of Genghis Khan, Mr Altankhuum told AFP the group was filling the role of local authorities who have failed to stand up to foreign firms. Tsagaan Khass show up at sites unannounced to inspect licences, check on Mongolian workers wages and ensure that the revenues benefit locals, he says, and if dissatisfied with what they find, they sometimes sabotage operations, confiscating keys or puncturing vehicles tyres. But, wearing a Gestapostyle black leather greatcoat, Mr Altankhuum insists, We are not a gang of gangsters. The mining firms violate the rights of Mongolian citizens, he says. They dig a hole and then leave behind terrible environmental damage. The influence of such groups is difficult to gauge, with Tsagaan Khass claiming to have more than 3000 supporters, and Mr Gombodorj declining to say how many people belong to Fight for the Security of Mongolia. Their hard-core approach has not gone mainstream, but Mongolians may become increasingly polarised if mining inequality persists, says Jargalsaikhan Damdadarjaa, a prominent economist, commentator and broadcaster. It is a matter of balancing environmental conditions and mining interests, and it is not always done properly. Rules and regulations are not enforced as [well] as the people want, he says. That brings this controversy amongst the population. Mr Munkhbayar, of Fire Nation, won the US-based Goldman Environmental Prize in 2007 for his work in shutting mines near the Ongi river, one of the country s largest. He spent time in jail and his group resorted to force, firing at equipment at a mine in the southern province of Ovorkhangai, and shooting arrows at a government building when leaders refused to meet them. These are necessary methods when other means have proved unsuccessful, Mr Munkhbayar insists. Over the past 20 years, more than 4000 water sources have been identified as drying up and 1300 have disappeared. The main reason is mining activity, he says. When we go into the countryside, we are welcomed like saviours. AFP Alois PICHLER, of Schwarzenberg 5, 3341 Ybbsitz, Austria, is the sole Owner and Proprietor of the patent entitled:- A Method for removing a cable core from a cable sheath (Vietnam Patent No. 4510) Myanmar Reg. No. 4286/2007 Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Patent will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for Alois PICHLER P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A. of Viale Shakespeare, 47, Roma, Italy, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- Reg. No. 4000/2010 in respect of pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides. 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 Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A. P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION 7-Eleven, Inc., a Company incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, United States of America, of One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh Street, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas 75201, U.S.A, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:- (The said Trade Mark consists of the word 7-ELEVEN with colored stripes as depicted above) Reg. No. 6462/2006 in respect of The operation of retail store services; convenient store services and other related services and the good sold therein, as well as the advertising media, papers, pens, pencils, playing cards, stationery, cardboard and goods made from these materials, such as books, magazines, diaries and coaster. 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 7-Eleven, Inc. P. O. Box 60, Yangon makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013

38 CHEMLAB Contact to , , , Senior Business Development Executive (Based in Yangon) B.Sc in Chemistry or related Sciences or Marketing Minimum 3 years experience in sales/ marketing/business development preferably gained in the chemical industry,oil & gas, food or environment-related industries. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proficient in written & spoken English. Possess own transport and willing to travel. We offer competitive remuneration package (salary + commission) and career advancement opportunities to the successful candidate 38 World International THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 TIRANA 17-year-old Alfred Vukaj sits inside a prison for teenagers on September 20, 2013 in Kavaje, after he killed a person and injured two others in a vendetta for his uncle killed years ago. Based on a code of revenge dating back to the 15th century, when a man kills another, a male member of the victim s family must respond in kind. Photo: AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that ISUZU JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA (also trading as Isuzu Motors Limited) a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 26-1, Minami- Oi 6-Chome, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademarks:- (Reg: No. IV/5843/2013) (Reg: No. IV/5842/2013) REWARD (Reg: No. IV/5845/2013) FORWARD (Reg: No. IV/5846/2013) The above four trademarks are in respect of:- Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water (Reg: No. IV/5844/2013) in respect of :- Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting; machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines; scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fireextinguishing apparatus; vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water; building construction; repair; installation services. 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 ISUZU JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA (also trading as Isuzu Motors Limited) P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: Dated: 14 th October, 2013 Doomed lives of Albania s children of vendetta SINCE they were born, nineyear-old Nikolin and his older brother Amarildo, 12, have never left their house in Albania. They do not play outside, nor do they go to school. The boys are imprisoned because of a blood feud, or vendetta, with neighbours that has made them fear for their lives. Their uncle killed a neighbour in a 1993 dispute and, although he was jailed for 25 years, the victim s family living only a dozen metres away has vowed to avenge the death. Albanians still respect the tradition of vendetta, which dates back to the 15 th century and spares no male in a family, including babies. The brutal custom is widely followed in the poor mountainous regions in the north of the country, but also in some villages and towns in other regions. Nikolin and Amarildo spend most of their lives in a cold, sombre room at their home in Mazrek, a village about 150 kilometres (93 miles) north of the capital Tirana. They are surrounded by photographs of dead relatives on the walls, their small window covered with iron bars. The bitter feud has already AUSTIN A PHARMACIST who recently provided the state of Texas with barbiturates to use during executions by lethal injection has demanded the return of his stock after being drawn into a legal battle. Jasper Lovoi, of the Woodlands Compounding Pharmacy, said in a letter released Monday last week he would never have sold the drugs to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) if he had known that the company s identity would be published. The drugs are at the centre of a federal court case involving three death row inmates who have sued the southwestern US state over a change in the source of a lethal injection drug. In a lawsuit filed last week in Houston, Thomas Whitaker, Perry Williams and Michael Yowell called for a halt to executions led to some casualties and the two youngsters, who are entangled through no fault of their own, could be next. Outside, we are facing death, Amarildo whispers. He says he dreams of having a ball and playing with his only friend, the brother that shares his fate. The boys mother, Vjollca, recently committed suicide, unable to stand her family s captive life any more. She was 29. I found her hanged in the barn, Amarildo says, his voice choking as he fights back tears. The rival family gave them three days to mourn and bury her, promising not to kill them during that time. The boys only link with the outside world is their teacher, Liljana Luani, who comes twice a month to teach them to read and write. The children of vendetta are condemned to death, says Ms Luani, who has asked the Albanian authorities to bring an end to what she calls an unacceptable crime for a country that wants to integrate into Europe. Almost 600 Albanian children were unable to start the new school year in September, hiding at home from vendetta threats, which sometimes now extend to women and girls, Gjin Marku, who monitors the problem for a local organisation, told AFP. Police say there have been 225 victims of blood feuds in Albania in the last 14 years, but activist groups estimate the real number could be much I did not want to kill him, just to prevent him from passing in front of my school. Alfred Vekaj Albania vendetta proponent higher. In Albania, vendetta was developed due to a weak judiciary system that pushed people to settle scores on their own, sociologist Suela Dani explains. During the communist era in Albania, from the end of until Texas can show the integrity and legality of the substances it planned to use. The suit alleged the change to the source of the drug added an unacceptable risk of pain, suffering, and harm, arguing that the pharmacy was not subject to stringent FDA regulations. The Attorney General s office later responded by saying the state intended to go forward with the drugs it has purchased for the executions. However, Mr Lovoi is now requesting the return of the barbiturates in question, which had been purchased by Texas in order to boost its dwindling stock of pentobarbital, an anaesthetic commonly used to euthanise animals. Mr Lovoi said he had sold the drugs to Texas on condition of anonymity. He said World War II until 1992, a strict application of the death penalty in cases of vendetta allowed the regime to suppress it. Since communism fell, the maximum punishment has been life imprisonment, but a lack of confidence in the justice system has led to an escalation in blood feuds. Ms Dani said all the state structures must make a real commitment to ending the ruthless practice, which can derail the lives not just of those targeted but also of those seeking vengeance. When his uncle was killed, Alfred Vekaj, 17, swore he would get even. Every morning on my way to school I saw a man from the family that had killed my uncle and one day I hid my grandmother s gun in my school bag, he says. I did not want to kill him, just to prevent him from passing in front of my school any more. But Mr Vekaj missed his target and killed a passer-by. At least I am alive, he told AFP from his prison cell in Kavaja, the city where he is serving an eight-year sentence. AFP Lethal injection drugs dispute in court in dealings with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice he had been led to believe the sale would be on the down-low. Now that the information has been made public, I find myself in the middle of a firestorm, he added. Had I known that this information would be made public, I never would have agreed to provide the drugs to the TDCJ. I must demand that TDCJ immediately return the vials of compounded pentobarbital in exchange for a refund. US states that use capital punishment faced a supply problem in 2011 when production of the drug used since the introduction of lethal injections in the 1980s stopped. Now certain states, including Texas, which has executed more than 500 inmates in three decades, turned to pentobarbital. AFP

39 International World 39 MOSCOW Greenpeace activists in inhuman jail: lawyer Moscow law and freezing conditions set in for 30 international detainees Supporters in Washington on October 5 protest the detention of Greenpeace activists in Russia. Photo: AFP BRIEFS Tokyo Mizuho loans to gangsters bar it from honour award JAPAN S Mizuho Financial Group has declined an award it was set to receive for transparency after getting told off by regulators for lending money to gangsters. Mizuho Bank, Japan s thirdbiggest, has been under fire since news came to light that it had processed hundreds of transactions worth about 200 million yen (US$2.0 million) for anti-social forces, a common term for Japan s yakuza mobsters. A group of securities analysts had selected Mizuho Financial Group as the best banking firm for information transparency, saying the company was praised for its attitude for proactively disclosing information that may not necessarily benefit the firm or even about the company s weak points. But Mizuho FG declined the honour, the Securities Analysts Association of Japan said Monday as it released the annual report. It would have been Mizuho s third honour for transparency. The Financial Services Agency admonished the bank last week for taking no substantial steps in dealing with the issue after it was first discovered two years ago, and pointed to serious problems with its compliance monitoring. AFP Kathmandu Nepal police bust massive rhinoceros-poaching gang POLICE in Nepal have arrested 14 rhinoceros poachers including the alleged mastermind of a cross-border smuggling ring, a national parks official said last week. Tikaram Paudel, an official at the Chitwan National Park which is home to most of the country s rhinos, said police arrested Buddhi Bahadur Praja, the alleged kingpin of a network extending from Nepal to Tibet, in mid-september. He would supply the rhino horns to Kathmandu-based smugglers who would supply them to Tibetans, he said. Police have accused the 55-year-old smuggler of killing 12 rhinos over the past six years. Police arrested four more smugglers and eight poachers living in villages near the country s national parks. A 14 th man was arrested for supplying weapons. Around 534 rhinos roam Nepal s protected areas, according to a census in The animals are killed for their horns, which are prized for their supposed medicinal qualities in China and Southeast Asia. A single horn can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the international black market. AFP GREENPEACE crew members charged with piracy over a protest against Arctic oil drilling are being kept in inhuman conditions and transported to and from Russian jails like chickens at a bad poultry farm, a lawyer said Monday. Last week, Russian investigators charged all 30 crew members of Greenpeace s Arctic Sunrise ship with piracy, sparking protest rallies around the world. The activists, who come from 18 countries including Britain and the United States, have been placed in pre-trial detention for two months in the cities of Murmansk and Apatity, nearly 2000 kilometres (1240 miles) north of Moscow and above the Arctic circle. At a news conference Monday, a Greenpeace lawyer, Sergei Golubok, said many of the activists did not have access to drinking water or were starving because they could not eat the food in their jails. Their detention conditions could not be called anything but inhuman, Mr Golubok told reporters by video link from Murmansk. The activists detained in Apatity have to endure hours-long trips in cold prison vans to hearings in Murmansk, he said. People are kept in them like chickens at a bad poultry farm, he said. No one is receiving adequate health care, he added, noting that some of the activists had to forego prison food over religious considerations. The activists have also complained of constant video surveillance in their cells including the toilet, he said. Pre-trial detention centres, which are called Investigation Isolators (SIZO), are not much different from common jails notorious for their filthy conditions and prison abuse. People are kept like chickens at a bad poultry farm. Sergei Golubok Greenpeace lawyer The activists problems are compounded by the fact that most of them are foreigners and do not speak Russian, said Mr Golubok. Simple tasks such as withdrawing money from their bank accounts or asking prison guards for permission to open a window become nearly impossible. They cannot talk to their relatives by phone because they should speak a language that the detention centres staff are able to understand, Mr Golubok said. A rights activist told AFP last week that the Greenpeace activists were close to shock over the conditions in their cold smoke-filled cells. One of the activists suffers from asthma, while another one does not have a thyroid gland. Essentially, they ve been cut off from the outside world, Mr Golubok said. Last week, the Italian ambassador in Moscow convened a meeting with the ambassadors of several European countries to coordinate their steps to try to secure the activists release. A representative of New Zealand s foreign ministry acknowledged, however, that there was little they can do now. Our officials are not able to intervene in the judicial process of another country and nor can they try to circumvent the process, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told AFP in ed remarks. This is a legal matter currently before the courts in Russia. AFP TRADE MARK CAUTION Pfizer Products Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut and having its principal place of busines at Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, USA, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademark:- ZELDOX Reg. Nos. 4/4216/1998, 4/1561/2001, 4/2197/2003, 4/2198/2003 in respect of Pharmaceutical for the treatment of neurological conditions and all goods in Int l Class 5. 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: , , Fax: info@untlaw.com For Pfizer Products Inc. Dated: 14 th October, TRADE MARK CAUTION DKSH International AG, a company incorporated under the laws of Switzerland, and having its principal place of business at Wiesenstrasse 8, 8034 Zurich, Switzerland, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademark:- COMBIZYM Reg. Nos. 4/6760/2007, 4/4441/2010, 4/3108/2013 in respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical preparations; medicaments for the treatment of digestive disorders. 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: , , Fax: info@untlaw.com For DKSH International AG Dated: 14 th October, 2013 TRADE MARK CAUTION Pfizer Products Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut and having its principal place of busines at Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademark:- RELPAX Reg. Nos. 4/4215/1998, 4/1558/2001, 4/5360/2004 in respect of A pharmaceutical compound used in the treatment of migraines. 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: , , Fax: info@untlaw.com For Pfizer Products Inc. Dated: 14 th October, TRADE MARK CAUTION C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., a company incorporated under the laws of New York, and having its principal place of business at 235 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following Trademark:- TOVIAZ Reg. No. 4/3494/2010 in respect of All goods in Class 5 including Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes. 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: , Fax: , info@untlaw.com For C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V. Dated: 14 th October, 2013.

40 O Y U R F I N G E R S O N I T THE PULSE EDITOR: MANNY MAUNG manny.maung@gmail.com THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 T E G Miss Universe, amiss There were a lot of other perfect contestants. I have no idea why [she] got the top prize Pageant audience member MISS Universe Myanmar has only just been crowned, but already a movement is afoot to unseat her from her precarious place in the spotlight. Moe Set Wine was chosen as the national competition s winner on October 3 at Yangon s National Theatre, and is set to compete for the country in the upcoming international competition in Moscow from November 9. But in the days since her glamorous coronation (October 5), an online movement has sprung up arguing her mixed heritage makes her unfit to represent the country internationally, with a number of Facebook groups created to ridicule her. One group, called Moe Set Wine Troll has since starting up last week amassed almost 20,000 likes. Their caption quotes Moe Set Wine, I feel like a soldier, with their response to it being, ie. kind for insulting to the people. The flames were further fanned when she was photographed stepping out of a Lamborghini, owned by the notorious and much-despised Nay Shwe Thway Aung the 21-year- old grandson of former lwinmarhtun.mcm@gmail.com LWIN MAR HTUN general Than Shwe. Nay Shwe Thway Aung himself made headlines six months ago for slapping and punching a traffic police officer for not clearing traffic for him quickly enough at a busy traffic intersection in Yangon. Moe Set Wine s appearance with him has further angered the public, who say she isn t entitled to the Miss Universe Myanmar crown. One of the contest s organisers, general manager Thein Yu Wai of Hello Madam media, confirmed that Moe Set Wine s father is Sino- Myanmar and mother is Sino-Shan. But while she told The Myanmar Times that people had the right to demonstrate freely in a democratic country, she added that both Moe Set Wine and her mother were born in Myanmar and that there were no plans to look for a replacement beauty queen. We chose Moe Set Wine according to votes by the audience and the decision of judges, said Thein Yu Wai. We have no plan to choose a Miss again. Whether from disappointment in the contest rules or simply a dislike of the contest winner, some audience members and contestants have criticised the scoring system used to pick Moe Set Wine. At first I hoped [contestant] Hnin Yamone Oo would get the top prize, said Thet Naing Oo, an audience member who watched the finals of the pageant. Although she was included in the top 5 finalists, her answers did not satisfy people in the question and answer section. Even though Hnin Yamone Oo was not perfect, there were a lot of other perfect contestants, he added. I have no idea why Moe Set Wine got the top prize. Moe Set Wine garnered the most audience votes, earning her the Miss Famous award, but organisers were quick to point out that the final night s competition was only one aspect of the overall decision, with contestants behaviour during a series of charity activities before

41 the pulse 41 Hidden in smoke Smoking shisha is increasingly popular in Yangon but its risks may far outweigh those of cigarettes the final competition. The Miss Universe Myanmar Organization rules state that judges must give 70 percent of their marks for contestants performances during the activities, and the other 30pc for the final contest, in keeping with events in other countries. The system of giving marks was the same as the international rules, said L Khun Yee, one of the pageant s judges. In foreign countries, judges don t give the top prizes to the pretty women only a Miss has to pretty but also needs to be polite and also gentle-minded. She said standards of behaviour were where most contestants lost marks, adding that many lacked discipline and some need much more etiquette training before they would be ready to compete on the international stage. She said the judges didn t dare send such contestants to represent Myanmar. The main point was the beauty, but they also need ability, education and politeness. It s very important to possess good manners, she said. The activities for the top 20 contestants weren t just to prepare the finalists, however; they were also to prep the judges. L Khun Yee does not have international judging experience but said she learned from Miss Thailand, who was in charge of the training rounds from the start. Miss Thailand helped us with everything and she selected 10 great contestants for the final. It was easy to give a mark in our final day as judges, said L Khun Yee. But she also added that Miss Thailand s involvement in the Myanmar competition wouldn t lead to bias in the final international competition. John Lwin, owner and trainer of Star and Models, said that although nine contestants from his agency made the top 20, none brought home awards. He said his models were accused of lacking good manners by Miss Thailand; he also criticised the points breakdown, saying too much emphasis was put on the run-up and not enough on the final performance, and said the current system meant the winners were virtually decided before the final even began. I ve worked as a model in foreign competitions and I ve organised model contests in foreign Moe Set Wine s entrance into the international beauty comp has become a scandal. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing countries also. But I m never seen that kind of 70/30 system. L Kyun Yee dismissed criticism of Moe Set Wine and the competition itself as no more than sour grapes. Some contestants who did not win any prizes from the competition said the judges were not fair and the Miss Universe Myanmar Beauty Pageant was a fake competition. We don t care what they said because they lost, and that was the only way for them, L Kyun Yee said. Moe Set Wine didn t reply to a request for comment on the story, but her fellow finalist, Hnin Yamone Oo from Stars and Models, said that although she did not win any prizes she was satisfied with the results and gained a lot of good experience from the contest. She also said she would rise above making allegations herself. If people have done good things, they can get back good advantages. If not, people have to face their bad deeds. So I won t tell who s good and who s bad. Translation by Thae Thae Htwe NYEIN EI EI HTWE AND MANNY MAUNG EVEN as more people become aware of the dangers of smoking it s hard to miss when almost every cigarette packet has a warning emblazoned on it the new socially acceptable vice among hip Myanmar youth is shisha smoking. The shisha, a water pipe also known as a hookah, is a vessel where tobacco is smoked through a bendable hose, or pipe, which is filtered through a water chamber. The tobacco is often flavoured with a fruit flavour and emits a pleasant odour rather than the harsh tobacco smell often associated with cigarette smoke. Perhaps it s for this reason that hookah smoking is growing in popularity, especially among young women. Ma Sue Choe, 22, said she discovered smoking shisha when she lived in San Fransisco in It s different from cigarettes which taste toxic, she said. My friends and I would go to a bar to catch up a couple of times a week and it felt more social to share a pipe while we talked. I like the taste and the smell of shisha but it s not easy for me to explain to my parents why I like it. While there hasn t been any research conducted in Myanmar as to the uptake of hookah smoking among youth, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in June of this year that there has been a widespread increase in hookah smoking around the world. Part of that could be due to the hookah industry marketing itself as a better alternative to cigarettes. In Yangon, however, it s also seen as a status symbol. Shisha isn t so readily available and there is a lot of cost involved more than if I were to buy a packet of cigarettes, said Ko Aung Zin Latt, 28. We have to go out to a restaurant or bar to smoke, and it s fashionable. Ko Aung Sit The, 30, agrees, and said he believed smoking shisha was better for his health than cigarettes. There is not as much tar as cigarettes and there s only 1 percent nicotine, he said. But local doctor Christoph Gelsdorf said that while there is a perception among young people that smoking from a hookah is safer than cigarettes, the research in the health industry so far suggests otherwise. Most typically what is smoked is a moist fruit preparation mixed with tobacco, which increases the risk of lung cancer and respiratory illness, he said. The use of charcoal to heat the tobacco is another risk, containing carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer causing chemicals. A report by the World Health Organization says water-pipe smoking delivers the same amount of nicotine into the blood stream as cigarette smoking. And due to the mode of smoking through a water vessel hookah smokers may absorb higher amounts of toxins than those who smoked just cigarettes. Additionally, a study earlier this year that compared cigarette and hookah smokers found that water-pipe smokers had higher levels of toxins that cause red blood cell damage, Dr Gelsdorf said. So clearly shisha smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarettes, and may in fact be more dangerous in some ways.

42 42 the pulse THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Ancient temple city faces modern danger WILLIAM DAVIES THE spires of Bagan have survived wars, earthquakes and centuries of tropical sun, but in recent years Myanmar s ancient capital has faced a distinctly modern threat scaffolding and cement. The temples, some of which are around 1000 years old, are one of the country s most treasured religious sites and a top attraction for foreign tourists flocking to the country as it emerges from decades of military rule. While many have largely withstood the ravages of man and nature, haphazard renovation work has also seen new temples built on the foundations of crumbling structures, and experts say they bear little resemblance to the originals. Several hundred monuments have been completely rebuilt. It has obviously damaged the historical landscape, architect Pierre Pichard, a former UNESCO consultant, told AFP. It is totally contrary to what is accepted internationally in terms of good practice. Pichard helped restore the temples after a huge earthquake struck the As a Buddhist in Myanmar, seeing these old piles of brick is not graceful or respectful to Buddhism U Kyain Construction foreman region in central Myanmar in 1975, but was forced to leave the site in the early 1990s when the rulers effectively closed the country to the outside world. After asking Buddhists for donations, the junta then started rebuilding the temples, many of which were just piles of bricks. Around 2000 have so far been renovated, many with hastily done stone and plaster work, using bright orange bricks and other modern materials. A huge number of trees have also been planted across the vast plain dotted with pagodas and temples. One of the characteristics of Bagan in the past was to be able to see hundreds of monuments in the middle of fields, and now we see them less, said Pichard. These trees are an aberration in terms of the environment because the climate is very dry and they need to be watered during the dry season. Today new building works have been halted, but some structures are still being renovated, and archaeologists have been allowed back into the country to oversee the work. Experts warn that much of the damage cannot be reversed, and could threaten Bagan s chances of winning World Heritage status. Waiting for the next earthquake One engineer who worked at the site after the 1975 earthquake, but stopped when the foreign experts left, said a lot of the restoration work was done quickly and cheaply to maximise the profits of local building firms. People donated to get a close relationship to the generals, he told AFP on condition of anonymity. Most of the new reconstructions are by the road where they can be easily seen. Those in the centre have been badly reconstructed, as no one visits them. We are waiting for the next earthquake. The new ones will fall down as they used very poor mortar. Over the centuries, the buildings have deteriorated in the tropical weather, been damaged by successive earthquakes and looted by lightfingered visitors. These pagodas were built a long time ago, and the rainwater has managed to get between the bricks and damage them, so we are filling up the holes, said U Kyain, who is overseeing restoration work on the roof of the Dhammayazika Pagoda. In its heyday Bagan was one of the most important centres for learning in Asia, if not the world. The Burmese kings and rulers built thousands of temples, more than 3000 of which are still standing today. The structures are mostly built from brick, and over the years gold leaf roofs have been added to some. Renovations a tribute to Buddha Constructed in 1197 by King Narapatisithu, after he received four holy relics from the king of Sri Lanka, the Dhammayazika Pagoda is one of the most impressive in the whole of Bagan, and survived the 1975 earthquake largely unscathed. Since that fateful July day, U Kyain has helped rebuild many of the temples. Many of Bagan s pagodas have been shoddily repaired with modern materials, experts say. Photo: AFP The people of the world might see the renovations as us destroying the original form of the ancient monuments. As a Buddhist in Myanmar, seeing these old piles of brick is not graceful or respectful to Buddhism. The temples, he added, are still in use by pilgrims who come to pray. The new generation of Buddhist people in Myanmar renovate and rebuilt the pagoda to show their respect to the old people who built these pagodas and to express their emotion to Lord Buddha. The restoration work does not seem to put off visitors, who start arriving early each day as haze rises from the spires of thousands of temples against a backdrop of distant hills bathed in the morning sunlight. More and more foreigners are coming every year, often passing the newly built structures to visit their more ancient neighbours. And despite the controversial renovations, Bagan could still win World Heritage status one day, said Tim Curtis, head of the culture unit at UNESCO s office in Bangkok. Quite a bit of the restoration would not have been what we would have recommended, he said. But it was also important to recognise that Bagan which is on a tentative list to be considered for the coveted status is a living heritage site, he said. These temples are places of worship. They are not just heritage sites or archaeological sites they are living cultural expressions. AFP Archaeologists say trees that have been planted around Bagan are inauthentic and don t belong in the dry zone. Photo: AFP Nobel Prize for Literature goes to master of short stories WADE GUYITT THIS year s Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to Canadian short story writer Alice Munro, whom the committee described as a master of the contemporary short story. Munro, 82, has published 13 volumes of short stories and one novel, Lives of Girls and Women, itself arguably a set of linked stories. The committee said Munro brings as much depth, wisdom and precision to every story as most novelists bring to a lifetime of novels. Her work primarily explores a number of recurring themes, predominantly relationships familial or illicit within the strictures of rural, small-town southwestern Ontario, an area sometimes referred to as Alice Munro country. As one of her narrators said in summarising the fictional town of Jubilee, Ontario, her stories show that People s lives, in Jubilee as elsewhere, were dull, simple, amazing, and unfathomable deep caves paved with kitchen linoleum. While the award belies criticisms Alice Munro is the 2013 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Photo: AFP the Nobel is too often awarded to lesser-known writers with strong political stances, Munro tossed aside such distinctions in a 2003 interview. There are no such things as big and little subjects. The major things, the evils that exist in the world have a direct relationship to the evil that exists around a dining room table when people are doing things to each other. She has often said she never intended to write short fiction forever. The stories of her first collection were written in stolen moments over several years while raising two children and published at the age of 37. But from the start she was recognised as an innovator of the form she would later come to champion. While her stories regularly return to the same themes sexual awakening, social shame, her mother s Parkinson s disease she is celebrated for her ability to break apart the unified-time-and-place conventions short stories are usually known for, making jumps of perspective which sometimes span entire decades and the spectrum of emotion in a single sentence. Partway through the 1985 story Miles City Montana, which lovingly chronicles the events of a road trip taken by the narrator, her husband and their two young children, the narrator abruptly reveals the marriage later dissolved: I haven t seen Andrew for years, don t know if he is still thin, has gone completely gray, insists on lettuce, tells the truth, or is hearty and disappointed. In a discussion with the New York Times in 2009, she said, There s a lot of comment that I write about ordinary people None of them seem ordinary to me, because they all want something very much. Many of her stories appeared first in The New Yorker, a magazine which has owned first right of refusal to her work since Her most recent book, Dear Life, came out in She has claimed it will be her last, but has made similar statements in the past only to publish again. Fellow Canadian writer Margaret Atwood has called her the kind of writer about whom it is often said no matter how well known she becomes that she ought to be better known. Prior to making the decision public, the Nobel committee said, it was unable to reach Munro directly: She happened to be staying at her daughter s house, and the time difference meant she was asleep. So they simply left a message on her answering machine. In the hours following the announcement, a number of writers, critics and readers celebrated the panel s decision while noting several secondary significances, claiming the award is the first to go to a bookseller (she once worked in a bookstore, Munro s, still operating in Victoria, BC, today); the first in many years to go to a writer primarily known for short stories; the first for a Canadian (Saul Bellow was born in Canada but moved to the US as a child); and only the 13 th of 110 to go to a woman. Shortly after being woken by her daughter with the news, Munro told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation s Radio One she was never thought I would win. On being told she was joining only a mere dozen other women as Nobel laureates for literature, an honour awarded to a living writer for a lifetime s work she said, Can this be possible? Really? That seems to be dreadful.

43 the pulse 43 Living well in Myanmar Exercise your ability to prevent Alzheimer s disease livingwellmyanmar@gmail.com CHRISTOPH GELSDORF, MD ONE of the most frustrating aspects of getting older for my ageing patients and their caregiver s is the concurrent slowdown in cognitive capacity. In its most advanced form this decline in mental function is diagnosed as dementia, most commonly caused by Alzheimer s disease. Alzheimer s dementia is a global problem, known to affect more than 25 million people but likely even more prevalent than that, given its underdiagnosis in poor countries. A person suffering from Alzheimer s initially has trouble with memory and then slowly progresses toward difficulty with problem-solving, self-care and processing surroundings. Patients are typically confused and therefore become angry, and relationships even with life-long loved ones can become strained. Sadly for all involved, there is no cure for Alzheimer s, nor are there really any effective treatments. But what if we had a medicine that could reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer s? And what if that treatment was also good at protecting your heart and preventing cancer? It turns out we might have such a medicine, and it s called a healthy lifestyle. Evidence compiled through medical research shows that the things we know to be good for the rest of your body, namely exercise and diet, also work to What if [Alzheimer s] treatment was also good at protecting your heart and preventing cancer?... protect your brain. In one study, published in Lancet Neurology, researchers followed the lifestyles of people in Finland from when they were 50 to when they were 70 years old. Those who were active, meaning that they exercised more than twice a week for minutes to the point of breathlessness and sweating, reduced their risk of Alzheimer s by 60 percent. The age of the participants in the study indicates that it s never too late to get started with physical activity. A healthy diet also appears to be protective against Alzheimer s. I ve written previously about the Mediterranean diet and the opportunity we have to adhere to something similar in Myanmar [Issue 687, July 22-28]. Well, it turns out that following a Mediterranean diet beans, nuts, fish, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and wine reduces your Alzheimer s risk as well. What about giving your brain a workout? It s now been 10 years since the New England Journal of Medicine released a study suggesting a link between leisure activities and reduced occurrence of dementia. Subsequent research continues to support the use it or lose it theory, indicating that maintaining an active mind is protective. The activities evaluated are quite varied reading, gardening, sewing, continuing education, music, crossword puzzles and so on suggesting that there should be an agreeable cognitive activity for most personality types. I should emphasise that the research on leveraging one s lifestyle to prevent dementia is still evolving. Studies that provide a definitive link are difficult to complete, both because lifestyle is hard to evaluate and because there is limited financial benefit to the biomedical industry in researching healthy behaviour. Nevertheless, the trend is certainly toward exercise, diet and cognitive activity preserving brain function in old age. Since we are very certain that these can protect you against other diseases, the recommendation is solid. So try to get more exercise into your weekly routine. Find ways to eat more vegetables and beans. Consider improving your English or your Myanmar, or starting a hobby that requires creativity. Your brain and body will benefit now and repay you later in life. Christoph Gelsdorf is an American Board of Family Medicine physician who sees patients in Yangon and California. He is an honorary member of the Myanmar Medical Association.Reader thoughts and questions are welcomed. The Rose of Sharon will consist of the same members from Metalzone. Photo: Aung Ko A new rose forms as Metal Zone disbands NANDAR AUNG nandaraung.mcm@gmail.com ONE of Myanmar s oldest and most popular rock bands, Metal Zone, has said it will form a new group, minus their current manager U Zaw Win, said lead guitarist Ko Zaw Latt. Ko Zaw Latt said the new band, Rose of Sharon, will continue to play rock music and will consist of the same four members with Ko Zaw Latt remaining on lead guitar, Ko Phoe Zaw on bass guitar, and the brothers, La Wan on keyboard and Mar Tu on the drums. Metal Zone s members decided to part from manager U Zaw Win on September 23 after more than 10 years together as a band and about 18 years of knowing each other personally, said Ko Zaw Latt. We won t say why we split [with the manager] because it is over, Ko Zaw Latt told The Myanmar Times. We will all still make music together as brothers and as a new band, Rose of Sharon. The split has come as a surprise, with many fans venting their frustration on Facebook and demanding to know what happened. But the band has remained silent about the reasons behind their decision. U Zaw Win, the founder and manager of Metal Zone, told The Myanmar Times that he was not happy about the decision, but would be moving forward with a band from Mandalay in the Metal Zone studio. It is better that they separate from me in a good way, he said. I m unhappy with them because they didn t finish the work they accepted. I don t really have anything to say about them. U Zaw Win will be working with the band, Dream Lover from Mandalay, which gained popularity for its album featuring vocalist Lin Lin with the song, Iron Butterfly. First I decided to close the Metal Zone studio but my family and my partner suggested that I should not do that. Then, I noticed the band in Mandalay and decided to join them for the future, U Zaw Win said. Rose of Sharon said they are not looking for a new manager.

44 These 8 have more than 50 years of experience working with us. AUNG TUN - Image Setter Operator, Printing Factory 5 years & 11 months 'I'm proud of the quality of the newspaper we produce. We have always embraced technology and I hope soon to be training on new state-of- the-art equipment.' KAY KHINE OO Sales & Marketing Representative 6 years & 6 months 'We are the engine room of the paper and keep it fed by selling advertising. That's important and I take my job very seriously.' U THANT ZIN - DTP Operator 12 years & 7 months 'I'm happy at my job and I enjoy working with so many people for such a long time now. Even those who have left the company never forget it. They always come back to visit us.' MOE THUZAR Finance Department 11 years & 4 months 'I've seen the company grow from 30 people to more than 300. Everyone gets paid well and on time at The Myanmar Times.' KHINE SU YIN Deputy HR Manager 6 years & 7 months 'I started in the distribution department, then became an editorial secretary and now I'm a deputy manager in HR. I love working at The Myanmar Times.' THOMAS KEAN - Editor 5 years & 6 months 'I've chronicled the changing face of Myanmar through The Myanmar Times. We have been at the forefront of publishing here for a long time now and you could say that we have been a benchmark for the sector. That is quite an achievement.' U KO KO - Senior Translator 7 years & 1 month 'We are wordsmiths and it is here that new words in the Myanmar language are first born. We are at the epicentre of this continuing evolution.' NAN TIN HTWE - Reporter 3 years 'My career is moving forward rapidly and I am now a senior reporter.' Another good reason why we treasure our greatest asset. Towards our 15 th year in 2014

45 the pulse local 45 Too many cars, not enough cartoons Since the 1930s, street-side cartoon shows during lighting festival made light of political and social issues, often to the chagrin of past governments. Now they re threatened again this time by Yangon s increased traffic zonpann08@gmail.com ZON PANN PWINT DURING the annual October festival of Thadingyut, Nant Thar Street in Yangon s Ahlone township is usually brightly decorated. Coloured lanterns are hung from the trees; political and social cartoons are posted on boards up and down the street for passersby to ponder and enjoy. It s a homegrown community celebration, with residents coming together to keep this tradition alive for themselves, their neighbours and anyone else who happens to visit. This year, however, there will be a break with tradition, and no one is quite sure if or when it will resume. Unlike in the past, it s not the censors who are keeping the cartoons out of the public eye. Quite the opposite: The same liberalisation of society that has allowed the cartoon shows to flourish again recently has come hand-in-hand with increased economic development, and one offshoot of that has been more cars along Nant Thar Street, just as elsewhere in Yangon. Organisers say festooning the sidewalks with art is no longer safe, lest someone be injured in an accident. The number of cars on the street is increasing, said U Kyaw Min, who lives on Nant Thar Street and owns Zezawa bookstore. Cartoon boards along the street take up too much space and the street can t provide enough space. There s no space for cars that normally park on the street to park elsewhere, he said. And that means Cartoons quench people s weariness U Than Zin Festival organiser An annual cartoon street exhibition in Yangon during the Thadingyut period, is under threat from too many cars on the road. Photo: The Myanmar Times no space for pedestrians to pull over and look at the cartoons.t The lack of space due to traffic, and worries over unreliable weather patterns Monsoon season is drawing to a close, said U Kyaw Min, but intermittent rain is another factor mean cartoon shows on Nant Thar Street are being halted indefinitely. The Thadingyut lighting festival this year falls on October 19. Held on the full moon in October, it celebrates Buddha s descent to earth after preaching the dhamma to his mother in heaven for three months, and brings people of all neighbourhoods out into the streets to light candles. Houses are decorated with paper lanterns; at night, hot-air balloons are launched to light up the sky. The tradition of holding a streetside cartoon show in Yangon dates back to 1934, U Kyaw Min said, although the shows weren t associated with Thadingyut at first. The first such show was held not on Nant Thar Street but on 13 th Street, home of the genius of satirical cartooning, U Ba Gyan. And it was not during Thadingyut but during another lighting festival, celebrated during November s full moon, called Tazaungdaing. Marked by gifts of robes, slippers or other supplies, Thadingyut and Tazaungdaing bookend the period after the Lenten period of rainy season in which monks do not travel overnight from their monasteries. At that first show in 1934, 13 th Street was decorated with waxed paper lanterns on which the famous cartoonist U Hein Son drew cartoons which had been rejected by newspapers. Taken directly to the man and woman on the street, the art provided a powerful political commentary on the various government failings of the day, all of which were brought to light and made light of by U Hein Son s wit, U Ba Gyan s daring and the candles inside each lantern that transformed them into a string of illuminated images. U Ba Gyan pioneered a tradition of hanging paper lanterns on which cartoons were drawn along the street during Tazaungdine festival, U Kyaw Min said. The cartoon shows soon became an annual tradition on 13 th Street. Although U Ba Gyan passed away in 1953, other cartoonists and residents kept this tradition alive whenever possible, although some years they were prohibited from doing so by the authorities. The shows took a long sabbatical after 1988; there were only sporadic returns during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2012, 13 th Street or, as it is now known, U Ba Gyan Street was again decorated with cartoons, this time 370 by 120 cartoonists, with a contest held as well. And despite the periodic clampdowns of the past, the practice spread elsewhere too, particularly in recent years. Cartoonist U Ba Gyan earned the admiration of Myanmar people who yearn for cartoons, U Kyaw Min said. In 2010 he started his own street cartoon show during Thadingyut. For three consecutive festivals, passersby could stroll along Nant Thar Street and take in over 100 cartoons making light of political and social situations of the day. In all, some 50 seasoned cartoonists showed their work along the street over the past few years. This year the residents of Nant Thar Street plan to celebrate Thadingyut without the cartoon element, by serving free food and drink to visitors and offering provisions to monks. Other streets, however, are picking up the torch er, lantern. Migathi Street in South Okkalapa township and 50 th Street in Pazundaung township each started their cartoon shows in U Min Zaw Oo, an administrator of No 10 ward in Pazundaung township, said he was still waiting for permission to hold a cartoon show on 50 th Street this year. We will be told next week whether we are allowed to hold a cartoon show, he said. He said increasing vehicle traffic on 50 th Street poses a threat to the tradition, but the majority of residents are eager to hold a show during Thadingyut. Even activist Min Ko Naing said he would offer some of his cartoons in future after visiting last year s show, said Daw Phyu, owner of Seesar Store on Bogyoke Aung San Road and one of organisers of last year s show. On 50 th Street last year, a show timed to coincide with the relaxation of press censorship attracted many visitors. Some had heard of the show beforehand; some were simply in the neighbourhood already, stumbled across the cartoons printed on vinyl and hung from steel posts, and stayed to read, point, laugh and discuss. Residents and artists in Yuzana Garden City in Dagon Seikkan township also held a three-day cartoon show during Thadingyut in This year s version will feature over 220 cartoons by 60 cartoonists, including work by some artists who are now deceased, said artist and organiser U Thant Zin. The cartoons will be printed on vinyl and displayed on 7 Street (B) in Yuzana Garden City from October 18 to 20. He said it s important to keep these traditions alive, whether the artists pens are pointing out government failures or the traffic problems of Myanmar s biggest city. Cartoons quench people s weariness, he said. As an artist, I am happy to see visitors to the street laugh at cartoons. The worries of their everyday lives will be eased for a while during a visit. Farmers united in song NUAM BAWI hknuambawi@gmail.com COMPOSERS could win up to K5 million by creating a song that honours the nation s farmers, the agriculture ministry has announced. The ministry, which is organising the competition together with the Myanmar Music Association, is offering a total of 10 prizes worth altogether K13.5 million for original music that celebrates agriculture. The prize-winning composition will feature in Farmer TV Channel, which was launched in September. Farmers can sing along when they are taking a break from work, said U Tin Oo Lay, the president of Myanmar Music Association. Entries should be no more than six minutes long and must be original work. Contestants should send the lyrics, notes and two audio CDs to the Myanmar Music Association. Farmer Channel editor U Myat Soe Hlaing told The Myanmar Times, The winning songs should show how much our farmers love their country, and how much the country values its agriculture. Why should our agricultural workers go abroad to work for low wages if our produce can be sold for a profit? I m in my 60s and I m happy to spend the rest of my life in my home town. This is not just a competition it s a chance for musicians to honour our farmers. The first prize is K5 million, the second prize is K3 million and the third K2 million. Winners of the remaining seven prizes will receive K500,000 each. The songs can feature aspects of agriculture and farming, and will be judged on lyrics, melody, arrangement and title. Trial for Vitamin C ad continues NANDAR AUNG nandaraung.mcm@gmail.com THE case of the dancing policeman goes on. Three people accused of impersonating a traffic officer in an advertisement for a vitamin product now face their sixth hearing. Dancer Ko Min Min Tun, who donned a traffic police uniform to perform dance moves at the junction of Anawrahta and Sule Pagoda roads last July, is one of the main suspects, along with Daw Thet Khine, general manager of Mango Marketing Services, which organised the shoot, and film director U Zaw Ko Ko. When he became aware of the footage, Police Major Thar Htay of the Yangon Region traffic force ordered their prosecution for impersonating a police officer. The stunt had caused the force to lose prestige, he complained. I didn t know that we would need permission to use the police uniform U Zaw Ko Ko U Zaw Ko Ko said he was unaware that they were doing anything wrong. I didn t know that we would need permission to use the police uniform in an advert, he said when the case first came to light. I know that when we shoot an advert, we need to inform and get permission from the Myanmar Motion Picture Organisation. Then, when the shoot is over, we have to go to the Ministry of Information to get approval from the censors and often, the ministry will make changes. Now we know we need to get permission from the traffic police station, too. Daw Thet Khine, U Zaw Ko Ko and Ko Min Min Tun first appeared in court on July 17 at the Kyauktada township court and were granted bail. A second hearing took place on July 30, and further hearings in August and September. Now the three face their sixth hearing, scheduled for November, with a possible seventh appearance on November 23.

46 46 the pulse tea break THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker SUDOKU PACIFIC DRINK UP? By Lou Holman ACROSS 1 Tripoli s country 6 Begins to blossom 10 PC exit keys 14 Ornate wall hanging 15 There s day dawning 16 Actor Weathers 17 Not much of a sacrifice 20 Beauty that s only skindeep? 21 Heading for a chore list 22 There Will Be Blood subject 23 Cathedral features 25 Juice, say 27 Certifiable, so to speak 30 She has one, but he doesn t 31 Computer workstation operating system 32 Any of several Norse royals 34 Once a time 36 Word attached to approximate dates 40 It may be delivered in a chophouse 43 Disdain 44 Colored portion of the eye 45 Dressy wrap 46 Small cavern, in poetry 48 School carnival sponsor, perhaps 50 Calligraphy tool 51 Oryx and Crake novelist Margaret 54 Bluish-green shades 56 Aloha shirt accompaniment 57 Forest growler 59 New Orleans campus 63 Big attraction at the train show? 66 Cookie choice 67 Half of an argument 68 Nigerian currency 69 Tenderfoot 70 Middle East gulf 71 Russian playwright Chekhov DOWN 1 Bringing up the rear 2 The Joy of Cooking writer Rombauer 3 Bart Simpson or Dennis the Menace, e.g Big Three conference site 5 Not on the level 6 High-jump need 7 Curriculum parts 8 Art ( 20s style) 9 Home to Ikea 10 Friendly attachment 11 Rich flavor 12 First blond Bond 13 In a sneaky way 18 Play (feign unconsciousness) 19 Restorative drinks 24 de corps 26 Walks offstage 27 Choosy choose Jif 28 Actor Baldwin 29 Woodworker s groove 31 Like most green tomatoes 33 Sign of summer s end 35 Dinghy device 37 Sow s opposite 38 Show concern 39 Of the same kind 41 Prepare for the bath 42 Passing concern? 47 Black Sea seaport 49 Woman with a degree 51 Give out by share 52 Wet-eyed 53 Telegram sender 54 Big news on the sports page 55 McSorley s Bar painter John 58 Battery fill 60 Entrance into a mine 61 Fifth Roman emperor 62 Enthusiastic liveliness 64 Oozing stuff 65 Dawson, Dykstra or Deighton DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ CALVIN AND HOBBES BY BILL WATTERSON PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Laugh all the way to the bank when you rent this space. The tea break page is being re-formatted in readiness for our move to a daily cycle. It may look something like this in the future. Our market research shows that a page like this attracts a large number of readers, who loyally read it every day. Ring Khin Thandar Htay our National Sales Director to book this space permanently and laugh all the way to the bank with the extra business coming in your door. Telephone us now on

47 PHYO S COOKING ADVENTURE the pulse food and drink 47 No egg on your face with these cracking recipes phyocooking@gmail.com NOT many foods are more versatile or easier to prepare than the humble egg. But they don t get a lot of attention, which is why these next few weeks I ll be putting all my eggs in one basket and serving up nothing but my favourite eggbased recipes. Let s begin with the classic duck Egg sandwiches Photos: Phyo egg salad. Duck eggs are more flavourful than chicken eggs, making this meal a quick fit for the Tiffin box, but equally appropriate for a family gathering at the dining room table. I ve been making this recipe for over 20 years and have never grown tired of it. I m sure you ll find it will become a fixture in your home too. Showing off the versatility of eggs, the second recipe is a homage to the simple pleasure of a well-made egg sandwich. When I make these I add mustard seeds to the mashed curried eggs to spice up the flavour. For afternoon tea or as a quick snack for kids or adults, it s a perfect way to put a new twist on an old favourite. DUCK EGG SALAD SERVES 4 5 duck eggs 2 onions, peeled 3-4 bunches mixed salad leaves 1½ tablespoons soybean oil or peanut oil 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Salt 1 green or red chilli, chopped (more if you like heat) PREPARATION Wash the duck eggs. Put them in a pot of cool water then heat the water and boil the eggs for 8-10 minutes. If you like your yolks runny, reduce boiling time. Meanwhile, cut the tops and bottoms off onions and soak them in water for few minutes. Remove from water and slice them. Wash salad leaves thoroughly and dry well. When eggs are done, remove from pot and immerse them in cool water. When they are cool to the touch, peel off shells and slice hardboiled eggs. Combine oil, lime juice, pepper and salt in a jar and shake well to mix. In a large bowl, layer salad leaves, chopped chilli, onion slices and egg slices. Pour the dressing over and mix slowly.serve with BBQ or rice. EGG SANDWICHES SERVES 4 4 chicken eggs 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 tablespoons black mustard seeds ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt 8-10 slices bread Butter 3-4 bunches mixed salad leaves ½ carrot, grated PREPARATION Put eggs in pot of cool water and then heat until boiling. Boil for nearly 10 minutes to ensure they re not runny inside. Remove from heat, let cool, peel and mash in large bowl. Add mayonnaise, curry powder, mustard seeds and black peeper into bowl and mix thoroughly with mashed egg. Add salt to taste. Butter two pieces of bread and scoop 1½ or 2 tablespoons curried egg mash into the middle of one of them. Add salad leaves, rocket leaves and/ or grated carrots as desired. Close sandwich and serve. TIPS To make perfect hardboiled, softyolked eggs for curry, cover all eggs with cold water and heat to boiling. Let boil for a minute, then remove pot from heat and let sit for 6 more minutes. Rinse in cold water to cool. Soaking onions in water before slicing them helps to reduce eye irritation. Adding salt to duck eggs brings out flavours. FOODIE QUOTE If you re afraid of butter, use cream Julia Child NEXT WEEK Son-in-law eggs Shoring up the Shan fare MANNY MAUNG manny.maung@gmail.com PITCHING themselves as the first Shan-style fine dining restaurant in Myanmar, prices at Shan Yoe Yar start from about K1500 and rise up to about K16,000-K20,000 on average for a main. Having a quick look at the breakfast menu which is served from 6am until 4pm a classic bowl of Shan noodles starts at K2200. Considering most local restaurants charge from about K500 a bowl, it s fair to say the prices may be a bit steeper than what locals are used to. That said, the décor at the restaurant is immaculate. Open since May this year, Shan Yoe Yar is a beautifully renovated teak mansion in Lanmadaw township. Away from the more touristy areas, most of the customers have so far been Korean and Japanese tour groups and the more affluent Myanmar, said the restaurant director. The space downstairs is open-plan dining while upstairs, private rooms can be hired out for those who can afford a bit more privacy. I opted to sit downstairs with the masses, choosing deep-fried tofu (K1500) and Shan-style sour pork sashimi (K2000). I wasn t entirely what to expect from the sour pork, especially if it was raw, so I asked it to be grilled just in case the sourness wasn t from the fermentation process. The tofu came with a light tamarind dipping sauce that whetted my taste buds and the sour pork surprisingly soft and moist to chew, not at all tough as I had been expecting. I also chose Shan-style mashed potatoes (K2000), that were a bit more gloopy than your average mash, but way more exciting having had fresh herbs tossed through it. The waiter suggested I try the traditional beef salad, but when I saw on the menu that it was mostly made up of grilled beef organs, I instead opted for the Par Sout, herbstuffed catfish steamed grilled in banana leaves (K18,000). The pounded leek root salad (K6000) was the most outstanding dish for, with the Shan delicacies Photos: Manny Maung zesty flavours of lemongrass and lemon juice providing the necessary zing to compliment the heavier dishes. I was stuffed, but saw my through a round of complimentary dessert steamed pumpkin in rose-water infused and sweetened milk. I had never had tried the combination before, but it worked well. Hopefully Shan Yoe Yar can maintain its quality but the main thing I would suggest is for them to put up a sign outside in English. So far, they have a bright neon sign in Myanmar a bit hard to work out for an average traveller wandering by. Shan Yoe Yar War Tan Street, Lanmadaw township, Yangon. Ph: shanyoeyarfoods@gmail.com Food: 8 Drink: 7 Atmosphere: 7 X-factor: 7 Service: 8 Value for money: 7 Total Score: 7.5/10 Wine Review WHITE WINE Tommast Viticoltori Le Rosse Pinot Grigio 2011 Crisp, light and subtle sherbet notes help balance this wine. Very dry finish, but perfect for the low acidity. Will be great for the dry season. RED WINE Score 8/10 K22,000 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Good lustre and has a tart finish like cranberry juice. The perfect wine to match Mediterranean fare such as pasta or Papa Pizza. Score 8/10 K18,000

48 48 the pulse socialite THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 SP Gems promotion event Sony Broadcast Equipments launch Ma Thin Thin Kyaw, Daw San San Ma Yin Yin Myint Myint and Ma Mie Mie Kyaw Ma Aye Wa A customer Mee Pwar Thone Paung Alister Chapman Ma Khin Thit Lwin Brands chicken soup lucky draw S.H.H Wedding planner office launch Nay Win U Phyo Min Kyaw Models Ma May Zon Zaw Min Daw Tu Tu Myint Thein, Ma Honey Cho and Ma Thida Zaw Min Tiger Air inaugural ceremony Baby Maung Kanesh Kaneswaran Avili U Win Swe Tun Jenis Tse, Ko Zaw Min Tun, Crystal Koh and Ma Thiri Staff members Pango Lin safety equipments launch Lotteria new branch launch Staff Models Eaindra Kyaw Zin Yadana Kyaw Oo Ko Zaw Zaw Lin Ma Win Min Khaung, Sai Sai Kham Leng and Ko Kyaw Min Tun

49 the pulse socialite 49 NYEIN EI EI HTWE Shwe Taung and Fosroc contract dinner STRIVING to raise her social profile still further, Socialite greeted October by attending three events in a single day. First to be graced with her presence on October 1 was the launch of safety equipment by Pango Lin, swiftly followed by an inaugural event for Tiger Air at Yangon International Airport, leaving the evening for a dinner party at Traders Hotel given by Shwe Taung and Fosroc Company. The next day saw her at the Monsoon lucky draw program at Taw Win Centre. On October 3, she attended the S.H.H wedding planning office at Thuwunna township, a Sony Broadcast equipment launch at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, and the Korean National Day celebration at Sedona Hotel. On the following day, she went to the SP Gems promotion event at its 7 Mile showroom, and then back to Sedona Hotel for the Brands chicken soup lucky draw. Ma Khine Thazin and Braxton Li Ma Thinzar Hmwe Officials Korea National Day celebration U Aike Htun and friends Ma Khin Mar Nwe and Ma Swe Swe Hlaing Authorities Taw Win Center Monsoon lucky draw U Khin Maung Gyee U Aung Ko Latt U Pee Paw Ko Aye Zaw Moe KIA car showroom launch Hlaing Win Tun Eaint Moe Moe Thin Zaw

50 50 the pulse travel THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES YANGON TO NAY PYI TAW MANDALAY TO YANGON YH 909 4,7 6:30 8:05 K ,3,5 7:30 8:45 YANGON TO MYEIK Flight Days Dep Arr FMI A1 1,2,3,4,5 7:30 8:30 FMI A1 6 8:00 9:00 FMI B1 1,2,3,4,5 11:30 12:30 FMI A1 7 15:30 16:30 FMI C1 1,2,3,4,5 16:30 17:30 NAY PYI TAW TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr FMI A2 1,2,3,4,5 8:50 9:50 FMI A2 6 10:00 11:00 FMI B2 1,2,3,4,5 13:00 14:00 FMI A2 7 17:00 18:00 FMI C2 1,2,3,4,5 18:00 19:00 YANGON TO MANDALAY Flight Days Dep Arr W :00 8:05 YH 917 Daily 6:00 8:20 YJ 901 2,3,4,7 6:00 7:25 YJ 891 Daily 6:10 8:15 Y5 234 Daily 6:15 7:30 6T 401 Daily 6:20 8:25 K7 222 Daily 6:30 8:40 YH 909 1,2,3,5,6 6:15 7:55 K ,5 6:45 8:10 K ,4 6:45 8:10 YJ :00 8:25 W9 251 Daily 7:00 9:05 6T :00 9:40 YJ 001 2,4 7:30 9:35 YJ :30 8:25 W ,2,3 7:45 9:10 8M ,4,7 9:00 10:10 W :30 11:55 K7 624 Daily 10:30 11:55 YJ 751/W :30 12:25 YJ 201 2,3,4 11:00 12:25 YJ :00 12:25 YJ 761 1,2,4,6 11:00 12:55 YJ 751/W :00 12:55 YH :00 13:10 YH 729 2,4 11:00 13:10 YH 737 3,7 11:00 13:10 YH :00 14:00 YJ :00 12:55 YJ :15 13:40 W ,2,3 14:45 16:40 K7 224 Daily 14:30 16:35 6T 501 2,3,4,5,6,7 13:45 15:45 YH 731 1,2,4,6 15:00 17:10 6T :30 17:30 YJ :30 16:40 Flight Days Dep Arr YJ 902 2,7 7:40 9:45 YJ 902 3,4 7:40 10:40 YH 910 1,2,3,5,6 7:55 10:00 Y5 233 Daily 8:10 9:25 YJ 892 Daily 8:30 10:25 YH 918 Daily 8:20 10:15 YJ 143/W ,2,3 9:20 10:45 6T 402 Daily 8:45 10:45 K7 223 Daily 8:55 11:00 W ,5,6,7 9:10 11:05 W9 144 Daily 9:20 10:45 W ,2,3 9:25 11:20 YJ :25 10:20 Y ,5,6,7 9:30 10:30 YJ :50 10:45 YJ :30 11:55 K ,4 10:35 12:00 K ,5 10:55 12:20 YJ :30 12:55 K ,4,7 12:50 16:00 YJ :30 17:35 W ,3 15:45 17:10 YJ 202 2,3 15:30 16:55 6T 502 2,3,4,5,6,7 16:05 18:10 YH :10 17:35 YH :30 17:55 YJ 762 1,2,4,6 16:35 18:00 W ,5,6,7 16:40 18:45 K7 225 Daily 16:50 19:00 YJ :55 18:45 W ,2,3 16:55 19:00 YJ :55 18:20 YH 732 1,2,4,6 17:10 19:15 K7 625 Daily 17:10 18:35 YH :10 19:15 8M ,4,7 17:20 18:30 YH :10 19:15 YH :20 18:45 W :30 19:35 W :35 19:00 YH :00 18:25 YJ 752/W :30 18:55 YJ :45 18:40 6T :50 19:55 YANGON TO NYAUNG U Flight Days Dep Arr YH 917 Daily 6:00 7:35 YJ 901 2,4,6 6:00 8:10 YJ :00 9:05 YJ 891 Daily 6:10 7:30 YH 909 1,2,3,5,6 6:15 8:40 6T 401 Daily 6:20 7:40 K7 222 Daily 6:30 7:50 6T 501 2,3,4,5,6,7 13:45 16:35 W ,5,6,7 14:30 17:10 W ,2,3 14:45 17:25 K7 224 Daily 14:30 17:25 YH 731 1,2,4,6 15:00 17:55 6T :30 18:20 NYAUNG U TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr YH 917 Daily 7:35 10:15 YJ 891 Daily 7:45 10:25 6T 401 Daily 7:55 10:45 YH 910 4,7 8:05 9:25 YJ :25 9:45 YJ :25 10:45 YH 910 1,2,3,5,6 8:40 10:00 YJ :20 10:40 K7 222 Daily 8:05 11:00 6T 502 2,3,4,5,6,7 16:50 18:10 W9 129 Daily 17:25 18:45 W ,2,3 17:40 19:00 K7 225 Daily 17:45 19:00 YH 732 1,2,4,6 17:55 19:15 YH :55 19:15 6T :35 19:55 YANGON TO MYITKYINA Flight Days Dep Arr YJ :00 8:50 YJ :00 9:50 YJ :00 9:50 K ,4,7 7:30 11:05 W :30 13:25 K7 624 Daily 10:30 13:25 YJ 201 2,3,4,7 11:00 13:50 MYITKYINA TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr YJ :05 11:55 YJ :05 12:55 YJ 202 7,4 14:05 17:35 YJ :05 18:05 YJ :05 13:25 YJ 202 2,3 14:05 16:55 K7 625 Daily 15:40 18:35 W :05 19:00 YANGON TO HEHO Flight Days Dep Arr YH 917 Daily 6:00 9:05 YJ 891 Daily 6:10 9:00 6T 401 Daily 6:20 9:20 K7 222 Daily 6:30 9:30 W ,5,6,7 7:30 9:40 W ,2,3 7:45 9:55 YJ 751/W :30 11:40 W ,3, 10:30 11:40 YJ 761 1,2,4,6 11:00 12:10 YJ 751/W ,5 11:00 12:10 YH 737 3,5,7 11:00 12:25 YH :00 12:25 K ,6 11:45 13:00 YH :00 16:35 6T 501 2,3,4,5,6,7 13:45 14:55 W ,2,3 14:45 15:55 W ,5,6,7 14:30 15:40 K7 224 Daily 14:30 15:45 YH 731 1,2,4,6 15:00 16:25 6T :30 16:40 HEHO TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr YH 918 Daily 9:05 10:15 YJ 892 Daily 9:15 10:25 6T 402 Daily 9:35 10:45 K7 223 Daily 9:45 11:00 W ,5,6,7 9:55 11:05 W ,2,3 10:10 11:20 YH :25 19:15 K ,3,5 13:50 15:05 W ,3 15:00 17:10 YJ 762 1,2,4,6 15:50 18:00 YH :25 17:35 W ,5,6,7 15:55 18:45 YH :45 17:55 6T 501 2,3,4,5,6,7 15:10 18:10 K7 224 Daily 16:00 19:00 W ,2,3 16:10 19:00 YH 731 1,2,4,6 16:25 19:15 YH :25 19:15 YH :35 18:45 YH :45 17:55 YJ 752/W :15 18:25 YJ 752/W :45 18:55 6T :55 19:55 K ,6 17:25 18:40 YANGON TO SIT T WE Flight Days Dep Arr 6T 605 2,4,5,7 11:15 13:15 K7 426 Daily 12:30 13:50 6T 607 1,3,6 11:15 12:40 SIT T WE TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr 6T 606 2,4,5,7 13:35 15:00 K7 427 Daily 14:05 15:25 6T 608 1,3,6 13:00 15:00 Flight Days Dep Arr K7 319 Daily 7:00 9:05 YH 633 3,5 10:30 12:45 YH :00 12:25 Domestic Airlines Air Bagan Ltd. (W9) Tel : , , , Fax : Air KBZ (K7) Tel: ~80, ~39 (Airport), Fax: Air Mandalay (6T) Tel : (Head Office) , , Fax: Airport: ~3, Fax: Asian Wings (YJ) Tel: , , ~3. Fax: Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) Tel: , , Fax: Yangon Airways(YH) Tel: (+95-1) , , , Fax: FMI Air Charter - Sales & Reservations Tel: (95-1) , / (+95-9) Domestic 6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan YJ = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ MYEIK TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr YH 634 5,3 14:55 16:55 YH :35 16:35 K7 320 Daily 11:30 13:35 YANGON TO THANDWE Flight Days Dep Arr 6T 605 2,4,5,7 11:15 12:10 6T 607 1,4 11:15 13:50 6T :15 12:40 THANDWE TO YANGON Flight Days Dep Arr 6T 605 2,4,5,7 12:25 15:00 6T 608 1,3,6 14:05 15:00 YH = Yangon Airways FMI = FMI AIR Charter Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines Subject to change without notice

51 the pulse travel 51 YANGON TO BANGKOK PG 706 Daily 7:15 9:30 8M 335 Daily 8:20 10:05 TG 304 Daily 9:50 11:45 PG 702 Daily 10:30 12:25 TG 302 Daily 14:55 16:50 8M 331 Daily 16:30 18:15 PG 704 Daily 18:20 20:15 Y5 237 Daily 18:05 19:50 TG 306 Daily 19:45 21:40 YANGON TO DON MUENG FD 2752 Daily 8:30 10:20 FD 2756 Daily 12:15 14:05 FD 2754 Daily 17:50 19:35 YANGON TO SINGAPORE MI 509 1,6 0:25 5:00 8M 231 Daily 8:00 12:25 Y5 233 Daily 10:10 14:40 SQ 997 Daily 10:25 14:45 8M 6232 Daily 11:30 16:05 3K 586 Daily 11:30 16:05 MI 517 Daily 16:40 21:15 TR ,3,4,5,7 19:05 23:35 TR ,6 15:35 20:05 YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR 8M 501 1,3,6 7:50 11:50 AK 1427 Daily 8:30 12:50 MH 741 Daily 12:15 16:30 MH 743 Daily 15:45 20:00 YANGON TO BEIJING CA 906 2,3,4,6,7 14:15 21:55 YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU 8M 711 2,4,7 8:40 13:15 CZ ,6 11:20 15:50 CZ ,5 17:40 22:15 YANGON TO TAIPEI CI ,2,3,4,5,6 10:50 16:15 YANGON TO KUNMING MU ,3 12:20 18:35 MU ,4,5,6,7 14:40 18:00 CA 906 2,3,4,6,7 14:15 17:35 YANGON TO CHIANG MAI W :20 16:10 YANGON TO HANOI VN 956 1,3,5,6,7 19:10 21:30 YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY VN 942 2,4,7 14:25 17:10 YANGON TO DOHA QR 619 1,4,5 8:15 11:15 YANGON TO PHNOM PENH 8M 403 3,6 16:50 19:15 YANGON TO SEOUL 0Z 770 4,7 0:35 9:10 KE 472 Daily 23:35 08:05+1 YANGON TO HONG KONG KA 251 1,2,4,6 01:10 06:00 YANGON TO TOKYO NH 914 Daily 21:45 06:50+1 YANGON TO KOLKATA AI 228 1,5 14:05 15:05 MANDALAY TO BANGKOK TG 782 2,3,5,6,7 9:30 11:55 PG 710 1,3,5,7 14:10 16:35 MANDALAY TO DON MUENG FD 2761 Daily 12:45 15:00 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULES MANDALAY TO KUNMING MU 2030 Daily 14:40 17:20 BANGKOK TO YANGON 8M 336 Daily 11:30 0:15 TG 303 Daily 7:55 8:50 PG 701 Daily 8:50 9:40 TG 301 Daily 13:00 13:45 PG 703 Daily 16:45 17:35 TG 305 Daily 17:50 18:45 8M 332 Daily 19:15 20:00 PG 705 Daily 20:15 21:30 Y5 238 Daily 21:10 21:55 DON MUENG TO YANGON FD 2751 Daily 7:15 8:00 FD 2753 Daily 16:35 17:20 FD 2755 Daily 11:10 11:45 SINGAPORE TO YANGON SQ 998 Daily 7:55 9:20 3K 585 Daily 9:20 10:45 8M 6231 Daily 9:10 10:40 8M 232 Daily 13:25 14:50 MI 518 Daily 14:20 15:45 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 17:05 MI 520 5,7 22:10 23:35 TR ,3,4,5,7 17:00 18:25 TR ,6 13:15 14:45 BEIJING TO YANGON CA 905 2,3,4,6,7 8:05 13:15 KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON AK 1426 Daily 6:55 8:00 MH 740 Daily 10:05 11:15 8M 502 1,3,6 12:50 13:50 MH742 Daily 13:30 14:40 GUANGZHOU TO YANGON CZ ,6 8:40 10:30 CZ ,5 14:45 16:35 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15 15:50 TAIPEI TO YANGON CI ,2,3,4,5,6 7:00 9:55 KUNMING TO YANGON MU ,3 8:20 11:30 CA 905 2,3,4,6,7 12:40 13:15 MU ,4,5,6,7 13:30 13:55 CHIANG MAI TO YANGON W :20 18:10 HANOI TO YANGON VN 957 1,3,5,6,7 16:35 18:10 HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON VN 943 2,4,7 11:40 13:25 BANGKOK TO MANDALAY TG 781 2,3,5,6,7 7:25 8:50 PG 709 1,3,5,7 12:00 13:20 DOHA TO YANGON QR 618 3,4,7 21:05 07:00+1 PHNOM PENH TO YANGON 8M 404 3,6 20:15 21:40 SEOUL TO YANGON KE 471 Daily 18:40 22:30 0Z 769 3,6 19:50 23:25 TOKYO TO YANGON NH 913 Daily 10:30 15:30 HONG KONG TO YANGON KA 250 1,3,5,7 21:45 23:30 KOLKATA TO YANGON AI 227 1,5 10:35 13:20 DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY FD 2760 Daily 10:50 12:15 KUNMING TO MANDALAY MU 2029 Daily 13:55 13:50 International Airlines Air Asia (FD) Tel: , Air Bagan Ltd.(W9) Tel : , , , Fax : Air China (CA) Tel : , Air India Tel : ~98, Fax: Bangkok Airways (PG) Tel: , , Fax: Condor (DE) Tel: up to 39 (ext : 810) Dragonair (KA) Tel: , , Fax : Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5) Tel: , , Fax: Malaysia Airlines (MH) Tel : , ext : 120, 121, 122 Fax : Myanmar Airways International(8M) Tel : , Fax: Silk Air(MI) Tel: ~9, Fax: Thai Airways (TG) Tel : ~6, Fax : Vietnam Airlines (VN) Fax : Tel / / Qatar Airways (Temporary Office) Tel: , (ext: 8142, 8210) 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 Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines IC = Indian Airlines Limited W9 = Air Bagan 3K = Jet Star AI = Air India QR = Qatar Airways KE = Korea Airlines NH = All Nippon Airways SQ = Singapore Airways DE = Condor Airlines MU=China Eastern Airlines BR = Eva Airlines DE = Condor AI = Air India Subject to change without notice Day 1 = Monday 2 = Tuesday 3 = Wednesday 4 = Thursday 5 = Friday 6 = Saturday 7 = Sunday MYEIK More to be desired in Myeik STUART DEED COMPETITION can t come to Myanmar s skies fast enough. I ve read detailed, if erratic and possibly insane, public letters concerning the exorbitant cost of domestic flights in Myanmar and the issue is real. Foreign tourists at least have options when it comes to most of the country s major attractions: There are buses to Bagan and Ngwe Saung and trains to Mandalay and Inle, and - while you re more or less bent over the barrel if you want to go even to Ngapali or Sittwe. The same goes for Dawei, Kawthoung and Myeik seaside towns at the edge of the Myeik Archipelago in Tanintharyi Region, where as a tourist your options are to fly or go somewhere else. This is a huge shame and a nasty cost. I recently visited Myeik for the first time on somebody else s dime and while the town was very interesting, I d have baulked at paying US$129 each way itself a special promotion rate. For $258 return I can visit Bangkok several times, flying Golden Myanmar Airways or Air Asia, or visit friends and family in either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Courtesy of the hard work of the people at the Yangon Heritage Trust, the colonial-era buildings in the former capital are rightfully basking in the international spotlight and bringing tourists to Yangon every day. But outside of downtown Yangon I don t think I ve seen so many glorious colonial buildings within walking distance as there are in Myeik. Many of them are in excellent repair and in daily use as homes or businesses. Elsewhere the town is surprisingly bustling motorcycles zip about the streets from early in the morning until late in the evening. A sizeable fishing fleet calls the town home and an evening walk along the waterfront reveals the charming sight of scores of boats floating on the harbour. Sadly, the same waterfront during the day is rather less pretty trash cakes the waterline and betel nutchewing workers and motorcycle taxi drivers loiter. Myeik is a secular town there are multiple brightly painted mosques, sedate churches and golden pagodas that glimmer in the sun at the hilltops. Getting around is easy with motorcycle taxis nearly everywhere. You ll struggle to walk for five minutes without at least one offer. The main food market, unsurprisingly close to the dock, is a lot like Bogyoke Market but about a scale smaller in size. Wet markets elsewhere in the town are stocked with the newly caught bounty of the ocean, with stalls manned by cheeky women more than ready to share a joke with the gawky foreigner stumbling about and getting in everybody s way. It s also easy to negotiate a small boat to cross the harbour to Pahtaw Island and then climb up the main hill to take in a panoramic view of the town. You can also charter a boat to circumnavigate the island at a reasonable price, although I stuck to the basic crossing, and heeded the advice from my hotel to not pay the boatman until we d returned. One thing I found truly odd about Myeik was the scarcity of restaurants in more than two days, including most of a day on foot, I found just three restaurants worthy of the name. And even there we couldn t order the monster prawns and lobster I was sure would be plentiful in Myeik. If I were to go to Myeik again I d hire a motorcycle to go beyond the town s boundaries or hire a boat for a day and strike out for the nearest island in the archipelago if I could get permission. But until airfares fall significantly in price I d have to say that it might be a while before I return to Myeik. A hill on Pahtaw Island offers a scenic view of Myeik. Photo: Stuart Deed

52 52 the pulse international THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Bizarre cuisines: Penis hotpots and snake blood NEIL CONNOR HOLDING aloft a half-metre long horse penis, chef Xiao Shan confidently declares it the most delicious of the ingredients in a Chinese hotpot of male genitalia, one of many supposed Asian remedies to boost the libido. Penises and testicles from donkey, goat, dog, bull and deer, the other contributors to the US$200 feast, are laid out on a kitchen table, like a sorry-looking row of odd-sized sausages and veiny, oval vegetables, all waiting to be sliced up by his looming, intimidating cleaver. The [horse] texture and the flavour are both very good. It is also good for one s health, said Xiao, who has been preparing male organs since he was 13, using skills handed down in his family for several generations. Sourced from some of Asia s wildest and most rugged terrains, the organs are chopped up before being arranged on a bed of lettuce around an elaborate glass stand, more akin to something that might display fairy cakes or scones in a high-class cake shop. The unique dishes at Guolizhuang, China s only penis speciality restaurant chain, are popular among business parties and government officials, Li Yanzhi, manager of the Chaoyang branch said. The vast majority of customers are male, she added, many of them searching for increased potency and sexual prowess at the restaurant, which also serves organs from ram, yak, seal and snake which have two penises. Chinese people believe we can replenish different parts of our bodies by using the same ingredients, which means whatever you eat is nutritious for that part of your body, said Li. Eating penises and testicles can make a man stronger and enjoy a wonderful sex life. Potent in bed There is no orthodox scientific evidence for such claims, but across Asia there are various versions that come with similar boasts. In Pakistan s business capital Lahore, Takatak a dish whose name is derived from the sound of the clanging knives used to make it consists of chopped goat and sheep hearts, brains, kidneys and testes. Basically men eat it so that they can be potent in bed, said Faher Hayat, a chef whose roadside restaurant serves the specialty with onions, tomatoes, ginger, pepper and coriander. The brains give energy to the head, while the testicles have a power of their own. On the side of traffic-clogged roads in Jakarta s old town, men looking to improve their sexual performance flock to stalls to drink snake blood. Customers pick out a snake, which go for 70,000 rupiah ($6) each, before a vendor carefully hauls out the selected serpent, hacks off the head with a meat cleaver and grips the snake s headless body vertically to allow its blood to drip into a teacup or glass. A spoonful of honey is added to sweeten the bitter mixture, seen not only as a virility booster but also as a remedy for diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. At the Beijing penis restaurant, customer Wei Jingsheng, 47, is a devoted believer. It does work very well, said the 47-year-old construction businessman. After I took it, my Every aspect of my life has become fantastic, says one customer after eating at the penis restaurant in Beijing. Photo: AFP A vendor in Indonesia prepares snake blood for his customers. Photo: AFP hair stopped falling out, and now I feel very energetic the whole day. Before, I needed to sleep at noon to not get tired, now I don t need to. Every aspect of my life has become fantastic. Vigour in the wild The restaurant s nutritionist says that its most popular dish is deer, seen as particularly effective due to each breeding male having scores of sexual partners. One deer penis has the same potency as three bull penises, said Du Yuemei, who goes to each table to enlighten guests on the supposed health benefits of the dishes and regale them with tales of the animal s vigour in the wild. The first dishes to emerge steaming hot and the slices slightly shrivelled compared to their earlier appearance are the goat and bull penises. The bull, having curled into a squid-like ring from the heat, had a familiarly beefy flavour, but with a firm texture not easy to swallow. The goat was tendon-like, rubbery and slightly stringy, like a flavourless, flaccid stick of liquorice. Both donkey and horse penis were presented in bacon-like strips, but the neutrally flavoured donkey was dark, while the intense, meaty horse was easily the most distinctive ingredient of the meal. In contrast, the testicles had lighter textures, varying from flaky to somewhere between tofu and pate, and often delicate tastes. The deer penis was slightly frayed and another rubbery offering, while the wild Russian dog had a spicy, almost zesty flavour, despite looking like slices of undercooked pig-skin. It was the only imported dish on the menu and the only animal to have a penis bone, ceremonially presented in a red gift box at the end of the meal for good fortune albeit not the original owner s. AFP WEEKLY PREDICTIONS OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Making things like garbage less relevant in your life will undoubtedly free up more time and energy for truly important things. You should be able to enjoy your successes without bragging. Humility and inner peace go hand in hand. The less compelled you are to try to prove yourself to others the easier it is to feel peaceful inside. PISCES Feb 19 - March 20 Life is a test. Look at your social life and its many challenges as opportunities to grow and roll with the punches. One of the most unavoidable lessons in life is having to deal with disapproval from others. The sooner you accept the inevitable dilemma of not being able to win the approval of everyone you meet, the easier your life will become. ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Make it part of your daily agenda to look for things that are going right, you should give others positive reinforcement. Poet and Harvard professor Robert Hillyer said, Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world. Know that every time you meet with someone is a learning opportunity. TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Unhappiness doesn t and can t exist on its own. There is nothing to hold your negative in place of other than your own thinking. You must be a source of love to have a life filled with love. You will discover something truly remarkable the more love you give; the more love you will receive. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Empty pockets never hold anyone back, but empty heads and empty hearts do. Take notice of the things that you might take for granted these will be valuable to you someday. Keeping strong awareness close to your heart is a wonderful way to maintain your perspective, even in the face of adversity. It s not always easy, but it is usually helpful. CANCER Jun 21 - Jul 22 Feel the joy of giving and will help to make the world just a little bit brighter by your knowledge, skills and enthusiasm. Sometimes, blame is a common aspect in our lives, but blaming others takes an enormous amount of mental energy. Don t have a suffer with pessimistic out look but regain your sense of personal power through awareness and wisdom. LEO Jul 23 - Aug 22 VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 Expand your network to create a value proposition for new contacts which in turn, will drive up different possibilities in relationships. You may be inclined to stretch yourself relationally and be sure to get yourself out of the comfort zone. Stay away from petty arguments and let some issues go. The physical languages are always understood in the language of love. LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Learn to accept what life has to offer with less resistance and let go of problems instead of resisting with all your might. This is how your life will begin to flow and change in accordance with your willpower. Be careful of the decisions you make in love, as it may leave both parties feeling hollow and just a bit used. SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 The measure of yourself is the measure of how much you have got to give, but sometimes, it s an unbalanced system of measure. You can t fool nature and you shouldn t tamper with nature human beings are nature. Accepting that you are an occasionally imperfect being will help you accept the flaws of others. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Develop strong relationships with key people who are decision-makers. The more you effectively fulfill your role as a leader in social organisation, the more enriching other parts of your life will be. Channel some modesty and try and be patient with those who you feel aren t pulling their weight. CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 AUNG MYIN KYAW 4 th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon. Tel: , williameaste@gmail.com Make yourself approachable and trustworthy. Nothing is more disarming and nothing does a better job of clearing the decks relationally. It will definitely be clear in friendships. Be attentive to ideas, be always on the lookout for ideas and enjoy a leisure activity to look in unusual places for ideas. Set aside your pride and listen to consider to source a new creative power for better social transformation. Most people place too much emphasis on titles and position instead of an impact. You must try to be secure enough in who you are. Place effort torward reaching your potential and doing the most good you can, where you are. At work, concentrate on developing your role so that it keeps challenging you. You must be becoming the person others want you to be.

53 EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. Tel : , , , , , , fax: Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , bdootygn@ mptmail.net.mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6 th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: Administ.yangon@ itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 17, Kanbawza Avenue, Golden Velly (1), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb.com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , mptmail.net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , Danmark, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , Fax Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , egye mbyangon@ mptmail. net.mm France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , info@rangun. diplo.de India , Merchant St, Yangon. Tel: , , mptmail.net.mm Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, Ambulance tel: Fire tel: 191, , Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: , Red Cross tel:682600, Traffic Control Branch tel: Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: , Immigration tel: Ministry of Education tel:545500m Ministry of Sports tel: , Ministry of Communications tel: Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: , Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: , Ministry of Health tel: Yangon City Development Committee tel: HOSPITALS Central Women s Hospital tel: , Children Hospital tel: , Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: Worker s Hospital tel: , , The Essentials Yangon. Tel: , , , fax: , indonesia.com.mm Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , ambyang. mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Rd, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: Embassy of the State of Kuwait Chatrium Hotel, Rm: 416, 418, 420, 422, 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe Tsp, Tel: North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , myanmar@mofat. go.kr Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: , , mwkyangon@ mptmail.net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel: , , fax: , Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel: Fax New Zealand No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : Netherlands Diplomatic Mission No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Rd, Yangon. Tel: (Chancery Exchange) fax: , Philippines 50, Sayasan Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , fax: , p.e. yangon@gmail.com Russian 38, Sagawa Road, Yangon. Tel: , , Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. Tel : , , fax : Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Rd, P.O.Box No. 943, Yangon. Tel: , , yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. Tel: , The Embassy of Switzerland No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5 ½ mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Fax: , Ext: 110 Thailand 94 Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Turkish Embassy 19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel : , Fax : United Kingdom 80 Strand Rd, Yangon. Tel: , , , , , fax: United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Fax: Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: Emergency Numbers Yangon Children Hospital tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: , , , Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: , , Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: , , , ELECTRICITY Power Station tel: POST OFFICE General Post Office 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: RAILWAYS Railways information tel: , UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae (Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , Fax : IOM 12th Flr, Traders Hotel, 223, Tel: ext UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel : , UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. tel: , fax: UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: fax: UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. tel: , fax UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel.tel: , UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan, tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, Kyauktada. tel: ~32, fax: unicef. yangon@unicef. org, UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, Mayangone. tel: , , , , , fax: fo.myanmar@unodc.org UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3 rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: ~7. Fax: UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE tel: ~19, (Resident Coordinator), fax: , WFP 3 rd -flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: ~6 (6-lines) Ext: WHO 12A Fl, Traders Hotel. tel: ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Tsp. Ph: FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: , fax: ACCOMMODATION- HOTELS Asia Plaza Hotel YANGON No. 277, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Corner of 38 th Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) , Reservation@ (Ext) 1910, 106. Fax : (951) hotelasiaplaza@gmail.com Avenue 64 Hotel No. 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel : , Chatrium Hotel 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: fax: No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) , ~4. Fax : (01) info@cloverhotel.asia Clover Hotel City Center No. 217, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , Fax : Clover Hotel City Center Plus No. 229, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , Fax : Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: , No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan Rd, Tamwe Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: , Fax: reservation@ edenpalacehotel.com M-22, Shwe Htee Housing, Thamine Station St., Near the Bayint Naung Point, Mayangone Tsp., Yangon Tel : , , Fax : (95-1) grandpalace@ myanmar.com.mm No. 12, Pho Sein Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon Tel : (95-1) , , , , Fax : (95-1) greenhill@ myanmar.com.mm General Listing Hotel Yangon 91/93, 8 th Mile Junction, Tel : , Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: fax: No. 205, Corner of Wadan Street & Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar. Tel: (95-1) ~ 3, ~ 61, Fax: (95-1) info@myanmarpandahotel.com myanmarpandahotel.com PARKROYAL Yangon, Myanmar 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: fax: enquiry.prygn@ parkroyalhotels.com parkroyalhotels. com. Royal White Elephant Hotel No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar. (+95-1) , MGM Hotel No (160), Warden Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar ~9. www. hotel-mgm.com Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: , , Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: fax: Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: , Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: fax: Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: , reservation@winner innmyanmar.com Windsor Hotel No.31, Shin Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung. Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: ~8, www. hotelwindsoryangon.com Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : ACCOMMODATION LONG TERM HAPPY HOMES REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Tel: , aahappyhomes@ gmail.com, happyhomesyangon.com Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: ~4. fax: MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: fax: Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: fax: The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residence 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel (25 lines). ACCOMMODATION- HOTELS (Nay Pyi Taw) Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township. Tel : Hotel Max (Chaung Tha Beach) Tel : , maxhotelsreservation@ gmail.com Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township Tel : ~838 Royal Kumudra Hotel, (Nay Pyi Taw) Tel : , reservation@ maxhotelsgroup.com AIR CONDITION The First Air conditioning systems designed to keep you fresh all day Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd. No.437 (A), Pyay Road, Kamayut. P., O Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) , Mandalay- Tel: Nay Pyi Taw- Tel: , sales.ac@freshaircon. com. URL: freshaircon.com BARS (Nay Pyi Taw) 50 th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel Green Garden Beer Gallery Mini Zoo, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar.

54 THE MYANMAR TIMES october 14-20, 2013 Lobby Bar Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: fax: , Advertising WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991 Marketing & communications A d v e r t i s i n g SAIL Marketing & Communications Suite 403, Danathiha Center 790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd & Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) , , admin@ advertising-myanmar.com com BEAUTY & MASSAGE Marina Residence, Yangon Ph: ~4, Ext: 109 Beauty Plan, Corner of 77th St & 31st St, Mandalay Ph: Monsoon Promotions!! La Source Beauty Spa (Ygn) 80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: , La Source Beauty Spa (Mdy) No. 13/13, Mya Sandar St, Between 26 x 27 & 62 & 63 St, Chanaye Tharzan Tsp, Mandalay. Opening In August Tel : La Source Beauty Spa Sedona Hotel, Room (1004) Tel : Ext : (7167) LS Saloon Junction Square, 3rd Floor. Tel : , Ext : Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , E.mail: No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi Condo, Room F, Yaw Min Gyi Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: Spa Paragon Condo B#Rm-106, Shwe Hinthar Condo, Corner of Pyay Rd & Shwe Hinthar St, 6½Mile, Yangon. Tel: Ext: 112, , BOOK STORES 150 Dhamazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , (B), Departure Lounge, Yangon Int l Airport. 45B, Crn of 26 th & 68 th St, Mandalay. Tel: (02) yangon@ monument-books.com #87/2, Crn of 26 th & 27 th St, Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp, Mandalay. Tel : (02) MYANMAR BOOK CENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: , fax: info@ myanmarbook.com CONSULTING Myanmar Research Consulting Technology Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2 Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon. Tel: +95 (0) info@thuraswiss.com car rental MYANMAR EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE SERVICE HOT LINE: First Class VIP Limousine Car Rental. Professional English Speaking Drivers. Full Insurance for your Safety and comfortable journey Call us Now for your best choice Car Rental Service No. 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha Tsp, Yangon. Tel : , , , Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, coffee machine illy, Francis Francis, VBM, Brasilia, Rossi, De Longhi Nwe Ta Pin Trading Co., Ltd. Shop C, Building 459 B New University Avenue , nwetapintrading@gmail.com communication International Calling Card No.004, Building (B), Ground Floor, Yuzana St, Highway Complex Housing, Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , ~2 info@vmg.com mm, co working space No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon , info@venturaoffice.com, Construction Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7½ miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) ~04. Fax: (95-1) zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm NS BlueScope Pte Ltd Diamond Condo Bldg A, Rm 301, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : khin.thu@ bluescopesteel.com courier Service DTDC Courier and Cargo Service (Since 1991) Yangon. Tel : Mandalay. Tel : dtdcyangon@gmail.com Door to Door Delivery!!! Duty free Duty Free Shops Yangon International Airport, Arrival/Departure Tel: (Ext: 206/155) Office: 17, 2 nd street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: , , FASHION & TAILOR Sein Shwe Tailor, 797 (003-A), Bogyoke Aung San Rd, MAC Tower 2, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Ph: , ~4 Ext: 146, 147, uthetlwin@gmail.com ENTERTAINMENT Dance Club & Bar No.94, Ground Floor, Bogalay Zay Street, Botataung Tsp, Yangon.Tel: , danceclub. hola@gmail.com (Except Sunday) Engineering One-stop Solution for Sub-station, M&E Work Design, Supply and Install (Hotel, High Rise Building Factory) 193/197, Shu Khin Thar Street, North Okkalapa Industrial Zone, Yangon. Tel: ~5, , Fax: supermega97@ gmail.com. FITNESS CENTRE Balance Fitnesss No 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon , info@ balancefitnessyangon.com Life Fitness Bldg A1, Rm No. 001, Shwekabar Housing, Mindhamma Rd, Mayangone Tsp. Yangon. Ph: , Fax: , Hot line: , natraysports@gmail.com No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl Street, Golden Valley Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel : , , (Ext : 103) FLORAL SERVICES Floral Service & Gift Shop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: , , Market Place By City Mart Tel: ~43, ~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: ~ ~15, Ext: 235. Res: , eternal@ mptmail.net.mm Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: , ext. 173 fax: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm. Foam spray Insulation GAS COOKER & Cooker Hoods World s leader in Kitchen Hoods & Hobs Same as Ariston Water Heater. Tel: , , , Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : , , Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St, Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : , Gems & Jewelleries No. 44, Inya Road, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , info@bestjewels myanmar.com, Bestjewelsmyanmar.com Ruby & Rare Gems of Myanamar No. 527, New University Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon. sales@manawmaya.com.mm Tel: , Fax : The Lady Gems & Jewellery No. 7, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : , The Lady Gems & Silk Co operative Business Centre, Room No (32/41), New University Avenue Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : theladygems@gmail.com GENERATORS No , Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Tharyar tsp. Tel: , , Fax: , mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm HEALTH SERVICES 98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: , , , Fax: asiapacific. myanmar@gmail.com. 24 hours Cancer centre No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) hours Laboratory & X-ray No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) Hour International Medical Victoria Hospital No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar Tel: , Fax: /7 on duty doctor: Website: One Stop Solution for Quality Health Care No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) info@witoriyahospital.com Website : Home Furnishing 22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: , Bldg-D, Rm (G-12), Pearl Condo, Ground Flr, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: Ext 814, European Quality & Designs Indoor/ Outdoor Furniture, Hotel Furniture & All kinds of woodworks No. 422, FJVC Centre, Ground Floor, Room No. 4, Strand Road, Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: , contact@ smartdesignstrading.com S.B. FURNITURE No , Dagon Tower, Ground Flr, Cor of Kabaraye Pagoda Rd & Shwe Gon Dine Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: , Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Fl,Lower Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax : , Hot Line One Stop ENT Center No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) Fax : (951) info@witoriyahospital.com Website : LEGAL SERVICE U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: uminsein@mptmail.net.mm

55 OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 THE MYANMAR TIMES INSURANCE EXPATRIATE HEALTH INSURANCE Tel: (09) RISK & INSURANCE SOLUTIONS Tel: (09) MARINE COMMUNICATION & NAVIGATION Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: , OFFICE FURNITURE Open Daily (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) Ext: 303 gmail.com PLEASURE CRUISES Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 5 Days, 7 Days, 9 Days Trips Tel: , info@islandsafari mergui.com. Website: www. islandsafarimergui.com Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governor s Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) fax: (951) RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm REAL ESTATE Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: , PAINT World s No.1 Paints & Coatings Company Real Estate Agent Agent fees is unnecessary Tel : , robinsawnaing@gmail.com realwin2012@ gmail.com Tel : , Sai Khung Noung Real Estate Co., Ltd. Tel : , , , saikhungnoung 1995@gmail.com. For House-Seekers with Expert Services In all kinds of Estate Fields yomaestatemm@gmail.com Tel : (Fees Free) 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: ~17. TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: , , ext: 702. Fax: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm World famous Kobe Beef Near Thuka Kabar Hospital on Pyay Rd, Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp. Tel: Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: Ext 6231 The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: Ext 6243, 6244 INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI MYANMAR (Pre-K, Primary) 55 (B) Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon, Tel: , imm.myn@gmail.com SERVICE OFFICE The Emporia Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp. Lobby Level, Tel: Ext 6294 Executive Serviced Offices Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel: , , , , Tel : Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon Tel , Mob operayangon@gmail.com 22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. RESTAURANTS Good taste & resonable Hotel Tel: , Ext: 32 a drink from paradise... available on International Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (Ext-309), WASABI : No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; , Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) UnionBarAndGrill 42 Strand Road, Botahtaung, Yangon. Tel: , info@unionyangon.com UnionBarAndGrill G-01, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: Ext: 106 G-05, Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: Ext: 105 Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: , Ocean Center (North Point), Ground Floor, Tel : Quality Chinese Dishes with Resonable by City Mart. Tel: Ext.109 Heaven Pizza 38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St. Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township. Tel: Delicious Hong Kong Style Food Restaurant G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: Ext: 114 Indian Fine Dining & Bar Bldg No. 12, Yangon Int l Compound, Ahlone Road. Tel: , , sales@corrianderleaf.com No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon , info@venturaoffice.com, TRAVEL AGENTS Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: , fax: res@ asiantrails.com.mm WATER SOLUTION Aekar Company Limited Water Treatement Solution Block (A), Room (G-12), Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Hot Line : WATER TANK PE WATER TANK Tel : , , , theone@yangon.net.mm WATER TREATMENT No. 5, U Tun Nyein Street, Mayangone T/S, Yangon. Tel : , , lalchimiste. restaurant@gmail.com Car Rental with English Speaking Driver. (Safety and Professional Services). Tel : robinsawnaing@gmail.com SUPERMARKETS No. 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan T/S, Yangon. Tel : , (Ext : 3027) zawgyihouse@ myanmar.com.mm SCHOOLS REMOVALISTS Legendary Myanmar Int l Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , , Mobile legandarymyr@ mptmail.net.mm Horizon Int l School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : , , , ~7. fax : , contact@horizonmyanmar. com, Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: , fax: sche nker@mptmail.net.mm. Your Most Reliable & Friendly Real Estate Agency Tel : , Real Estate Agency Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: , Relocation Specialist Rm 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: , Mail : info@asiantigersmyanmar.com City Mart (Myaynigone Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Chinatown Point) tel: ~63. (9:00 am to 10:00 pm) City Mart (Junction Maw Tin) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Marketplace) tel: ~43. City Mart (78th Brahch-Mandalay) tel: ~9. IKON Mart No.332, Pyay Rd, San Chaung. Tel: , , sales-ikon@ myanmar.com.mm Yangon International School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon. Tel: , Yangon International School New Early Childhood Center Pan Hlaing Golf Estate Housing & U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. Tel: , Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: , (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (47th St Branch) tel: , (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Junction 8 Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) Commercial scale water treatment (Since 1997) Tel: ~38. H/P: , B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone. WATER HEATERS The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: , , , Water Heater Made in Japan Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker and Cooker Hood Showroom Address VISA & IMMIGRATION SANITERY WARE Bath Room Accessories 79-B3/B3, East Shwe Gone Dine, Near SSC Women s Center, Bahan. Tel : , , Get your Visa online for Business and Tourist No need to come to Embassy. # th Street, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , travel.evisa@gmail.com

56 FREE HOW TO GET A FREE AD BY FAX : BY classified@myanmartimes.com.mm, advertising@myanmartimes.com.mm BY MAIL : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon. General HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM AS LITTLE AS K.5,000. BUY SPACE ON THESE PAGES CALL: Khin Mon Mon Yi , Property Education ENGLISH literature & language arts for middle school in touch with SAT. setting.plot.maintheme writing.all kinds of student can be learnt. U Thant Zin, 28, 3 B, Thatipahtan St, Tamwe. Ph: , www. facebook.com/shaping the way SPECIAL for Maths Algebra I&II, Geometry, Calculus Pre- University Level Tr.Kaung Myat: BE(PE) Ph: TEACHERS who have got Teaching experience in Singapore,Intl School (primary & seconday levels) AEIS, PSLE, GCSE, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, English-Myamar Speaking Class for company, Sayar Bryan, (ME) TEACHING ENGLISH: English for Young Learners and High School Graduates Qualified and experienced teacher. Using International Syllabuses. Available for small groups or Individual. Ph: , TEACHERS who have got Teaching experience in Singapore, Int'l School (primary & seconday levels) AEIS, PSLE, GCSE, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, English-Myamar Speaking Class for company, Sayar Bryan, (ME) "SCHOLAR Teaching Organization" founded with ME,BE & Master Degree holder with 12 years experience in teaching field. Role and Responsibility: Making the students develop problem solving skills, critical thinking skills and I.Q & E.Q enriching skills, Int'l School (ILBC, Total, MISY, ISY, PISM, Horizon, ISM, network, MIS, MLA, ES4E, DSY RV). All grades, All Subjects...Singapore MOE Exams (AEIS, S-AEIS, IGCSE, IELTS, TOFEL..Tr.Daniel Caulin : Tr.Bryan : GIVE your child the best possible start to life at International Montessori Myanmar (English Education Center), Accredited by IMC Bangkok (Since 1991), Our Montessori curriculum includes: Practical Life Exercises, Sensorial Training. Language Development, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Botany & Zoology, History, Creative Art, Music and Movement, Cooking, Physical Development, Social & Emotional Development, Learning through play, 55(B), Po Sein Rd, Bahan, Tel: , , imm.myn@gmail.com EXPERIENCE SAT English teacher, who can come to home, needed for 2 International school students. Pls contact , Between 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. IGCSE, Secondary 3, 4 Physics, Maths B, Pure Maths Practice with 15 years old questin. Ph: STUDY HOME for General English (4 skills) Language from Basic. Who want to study home in private time and need study guide only English Grammar for children. Let's join us Now! Contact: IGCSE : For those who are going to take Cambridge IGCSE coming October/ November will be tutored and trained by a professional straight A*s holder with twelve years of teaching experience & an international school graduate. Hp: MATHEMATICS : If your child (Grade 9 to 10 from YIS, ISM, ISY & Yangon Academy) is difficult to learn in Algebra 1, 2 & Geometry, pls contact : Daw Naing Naing Aung, B.Com (Q) No. (6), Thuketa St, Baukhtaw, Yankin. Ph : , SPECIAL for Maths : For Int'l School - Grade IX, X, XI & XII, Geometry, Algebra I & II, Calculus. Tr.Kaung Myat : BE(PE) Ph Expert Services AIR POWER, M & E Engineering Services Pte, Ltd. (Air Con & Electrical - Installation & Services) : 124, Rm 4, Padamya St, Yenatha, Thuwunna. Ph: , , AUNG Professional Translation Professional Translation from Myanmar to English and English to Myanmar. For Legal translation, Technological, Diplo matic, Contract, Advertis ing, Movie, Literature, etc. With various services on paper, electronic file, recording & other relevant matters, both regular & express with expert service. 139, 2nd Flr, Bargayar Rd, Sangyoung, Yangon. Ph: , aung. translation@gmail.com REAL ESTATE AGENT If you're an expatriate needing to find an apartment or house in Yangon, Min Thu can help. He has experience & is very reliable. Call Min Thu on or thecleverson@ gmail.com For Rent NEW BELTA Saloon Car (Model:2008) with English speaking driver who own his car No. 6F/8728 by monthly payment price 5.5 lakhs Kyats only. Contact : Ms Mya Mya Aung : , For Sale ALPHARD, Mark X, Mark II, Crown. Ph: MARK II, Regalia (99mdl), 165 Lakhs. Ph: WIMAX (Bagan). Ph: ENGLISH literature & language arts for middle school in touch with SAT. French class & Spanish can be inquired. U Thant Zin: , www. facebook.com/shaping the way. USED Dell, Acer, ASUS Lenovo, & More Laptops Core i3, i5, i7. Ph : % NEW SAMSUNG Series 5 Ultra Book Intel Core i5 Ram 8GB H.D.D + SSD Display Year 6 Month International Warranty. Price : Ph : MACBOOK Pro 13" Intel Core 2 Duo Ram 4GB H.D.D 750GB Mac OS Windown 7. Price : 685,000. Ph : ORIGINAL 3DS Game Cartridges & accessories - Spirit Camrea: The Cursed Memoir (with box and user guide booklet) Kyats, Rabbid Rumble (with box & user guide booklet) Kyats, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (with box and user guide booklet) Kyats, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (with box & user guide booklet) Kyats, - Project X Zone (with box and user guide booklet) Kyats, 3DS Game Cartridge Holder (24 Slots) Kyats, Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL Kyats. Prices are negotiable. Ph: ". ASUS A42J Intel Core i7 Ram 4GB H.D.D 500GB Garaphic 2GB Price : Ph : SAMSUNG Galaxy S3 LTE (3G/4G LTE Network) 1.5 GHz Processor Quad Core 8MP LED Flash Camera & Camcorder Android 4.1 Jelly Bean 4.8" Touchscreen-Super AMOLED Plus Display Very good internet speed Brand New. Good Price: Ks. Negotiable. Ph: General GUEST Care Hotel : 107(A) Dhamma Zedi Rd, Bahan, Yangon. Tel: , , reservations@ guestcarehotel.com. Square Shopping Center and City Mart@ Thamine Junction, Yangon Facebook.com/ NeoCoffeeandFood com COFFEE CIRCLES Coffeehouse & Restaurant. Menu: Excellent Coffee (In- House Roasting), European & Asian Cuisines, Wines, Cocktails, Bakery & Pastry. Open Daily: 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight. 107(A) Dhamma Zedi Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: , CoffeeCircles@ gmail.com www. thecoffeecircles. com Facebook.com/ CoffeeCirclesMyanmar NEO Coffee and Food. Menu: Coffee, Bakery & Food. Open Daily: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Junction Language FRENCH.a small class for reading.writing. speaking and listening can be inquired. You can practice study or reading skill if you need. French language and civilization get more knowledge for further study. Colledge and University students also study for extra curriculum. Spanish can be in quired. U Thant Zin, 28, 3-B, Thatipahtan St, Tamwe. Ph: , shaping the way BZM English language center. English speaking, listening & grammar class. Only 6 students for one section. Students comfortably can learn in the cozy atmosphere classroom with air-conditioning, sophisticated classroom facilities & lecture chairs. 3 to 5 pm, except saturday. 3 days a week for one section. Also allow one- to - one (home tuition).teacher Zin Mar Myint (got certificate from British council & TKT certificate from cambridge) Ph: Shwe ohn pin villa (new), Yanshin Rd, Yankin. MCP English Classes (taught by native speakers) Fees: ks. Duration: 10 weeks per level. Add: 277, BPI Rd, Insein Ph: ,646397, mcp. lifeskill@gmail.com. (Enroll now for October) TO FOREIGNERS : If you want to learn Myanmar Language at your home. Contact : THE GREAT New for Foreigners : We are offering easiest way to learn Myanmar language at your home. If you would like to learn it, join us Now! we are offering fair fees for you! Ph: Training BOXING: Do you want to learn international boxing. With properly methods from several ages. Contact: Master high class School cuba boxing, osmarino09@ gmail.com, Phone: , Travel PROFESSIONAL English Speaking Tour Car Driver Mr. SONNY Car Rental Service AUNG (Mya Mya Aung) Guide or English translator/interpreter ]!!! I can assist you as your best Tour Car Rental Service. Mr. Sonny: VIRGIN LAND Tours :Visa Services, Worldwide Air Ticketing, Worldwide Hotel Reservation, All Kind Transportation Rental, Inbound & Outbound Tour Operator, Tour Guide Services, Ph: , , GREAT ESCAPE Travels & Tours Our services : (1). FIT tour & Group tour package, (2).Hotel reservation, Guide services, (3).Chinese to Mynamar to Chinese translation service (4). Car rental service (5). Visa Application. Contact person : Kelly Dong : FUTURE WINGS Travels & Tours Co., Ltd, Akhoon Int'l Trading Co., Ltd. Authorized Money Changer : 25, Konzaydan St, Pabedan Tsp. Ph: , , NYAN MYINT THU Car Rental Service : Ko Nyan Myint Win Kyi (MD) - 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph : , Hp: il:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, nmt@nyan myintthucarrental. com, colwinkyi@ gmail.com. Web:www. nyanmyintthucarrental. com Public Notices CASH REWARD for 13" MacBook Pro that was left behind in a taxi on Bor Yar Nyunt Street at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday October 1st. No questions asked but must include all original data. Pls contact (English & Burmese speaker available. NEW PROGRAM at Wisdom Management Centre : Business Psychology & Manage ment, Level : Advanced Certificate, Duration : 12-Week, Fees : 95,000 Ks. Start Date : October 6, 2013 (Sunday) Day : Sunday (9:00 AM 12:30 PM), Trainer: Dr. Myo Min Oo: Ph.D. (New Orleans), D.Min. (Indiana), M.S.B. (Notre Dame), Professor, Christian Theological Seminary. Principal, Wisdom Management Centre Advisor, Gracious Life Ministry International Training Director, Centre for the Study of Human Development. Contact : Miss Marlar - Program Manager, Wisdom Management Center : 8, (6A), Chan Thar St, San Chaung. Ph: , Want to Buy APPLE : Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, imac, Mac Mini iphone 5, 4S, 4, ipod 5, 4 ipad 2, 3, 4, Mini Wifi Only & Wifi + 4G, Apple TV, Apple Mouse A.K Mobile Ko Myo San. No 124, 31 St(Middle) Pabedan. Ph: USED Or Brand New Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, imac, Mac Mini ipad 4 Wifi Only & Wifi + 4G iphone 5, ipod 5 Samsung S4 HTC One. Ph : CHERRY QQ3 (Taxi). Pls contact; WE want to buy Marine Generator operation and maintenance manual books and Marine main engines operation and maintenance manual books(b&w or Yanmar Or UEC, etc..pls contact HousingforRent BAHAN, (1)New University Avenue Rd, new condo, 1500sqft, f.f, US$ 3000 (2)New University Avenue condo, 2000 sqft, f.f US$ Maureen : BAHAN, (1)Near Chatrium hotel, condo 1500 Sqft, 2 MR, 1 SR, 3200 USD. (2). Near Japan Embassy, condo 1200 Sqft, 1 MR, 2 SR, 1500 USD. (3).Near Sedona hotel, apartment, 1100 Sqft, 1 MR, 2SR, fully furnish, 800 USD. (4).Golden velley, 1 storie, 2 MR, fully furnish, 2500 USD. (5).Golden velley, near pearl condo,3 stories, 3 MR, 4000 USD.Ph : CLASSIC STRAND, 3 bed 2 bath, 1600 square feet, 8th floor corner unit full riverview. $3800/month. Strand Rd, 5min walk to Hilton/Center Point offices. jasonwongjp@ gmail.com, MAYANGONE, (1) Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Ga Mon Pyint condo, 2500 Sqft, 2 MR, 1 SR, fully furnish, 4000 USD. (2).9 mile, Ocean condo, 1500 Sqft, 1 MR, 2 SR, 2500 USD. (3).Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, near Parami Rd, 2 stories, 3 MR, fully furnish, 3500 USD. (4). 7 Mile, U Kyaw Hla St, 3 stories, 5 MR, fully furnish, 8000 USD. (5).9 Mile, 2 stories, 4 MR,USD Ph:Ph : MAYANGONE, (1)Nice apartment, 1300 sqft, 1 MBR, 2 SR, furnished, ph line, good electricity, US$ 2500 per month, (2)Mindama Rd, 2300 sqft, Mindama Condo, good electricity, 1 master bedroom, 2 single rooms, ph line, furnished, US Dollar 3800 per month, ph: YANKIN, Near Yankin Centre, 1450 sqft, Fully furnished, 1 MB, 2 BR, No need to pay agent fee, BAHAN,(1).Near Sedona hotel, 1100 Sqft, 1 MR, 2SR, fully furnish, USD 800. (2).Near Japan Embassy, 1100 Sqft, 1 MR, 2 SR, fully furnish, USD (3).Near Park Royal hotel, 1200 Sqft, 1 MR, fully furnish, USD 2500.(4).New University avenue Rd, 1500 Sqft, 1 MR, 2 SR, fully furnish, USD (5).Near Kandawgyi Lake, 20' x 80', 2MR, 1 SR, fully furnish, USD (6). Golden velly, 2500 Sqft, 2RC, 1 MR, 2 SR, USD Ph : MAYANGONE, Double Slab, 4th Flr :131, Cheery S t, T h a m i n e, 2 3 ' x 4 8 ', M B R 1, S i n g l e R o o m 1, Dinning Room. Air Con, Refrigenerator, TV. Ph: , , X 60, 2 RC, Typical classic Myanmar style with 2 MB, 2 BR, teak parquet floor, fully furnished with teak furniture, Newly installed wiring & voltage regulator. Bathrooms have heaters. No need to pay agent fee, Ks. 20 lakhs per month, BAHAN, (1)University Avenue Condo sqft fully furnished (2) University Avenue Condo, 1350 sqft, fully furnished (3)University Avenue Condo, 1200 sqft, fully funished (4) Shwe Ohn Pin Housing, 900 Sqft, fully furnished (5)Mya Thida Housing, 2 Storey house (6)Pyin Nya Waddy Condo, 1650 sqft. fully furnished. Ph: , YANKIN, Near Yankin Centre, 1450 sqft, fully furnished, 1 MB, 2 BR, No need to pay agent fee, Ph: BAHAN (1)Golden valley, 0.3 acre land, 3 storey building, 6 MBR, ph line, new air conditioners, furnished, generator, big car spacious, nice garden, good view, water 2 lines with purify system, suitable for both office and residence. (2) Kamayut, Inya Rd, 1acre land, tennis coat, big garden, 2 storey building, 4 MBR, 2 storey colonial style house, generator, (3) Sanchaung, Pyay Rd, condo pent house, 3000sqft, 2 MBR, 1 BR, Furnished, Ph line, big balcony, good view, 4 aircons, US $4000 per month, Negotiable price. Ph : GOLDEN VALLEY - A luxury modern 3 storey fully furnished house in good quiet locality with a manicured managable garden including pool for relaxing. 4 master bed rooms, 3 rooms with walk-in-wardrobes, 6 A/C and telephone. No brokers. If interested contact (1) BAHAN, Pearl Condo, 1500 sq.ft, 4 A/C, Ph, Furn. 15 Lakhs (2) Sanchaung, Makyikyi Condo, 2400 sq.ft, 2MB, 2BR, f.f, 30 Lakhs, (3) Bahan, New University Ave Condo, 2040 sq.ft, Ph, Internet, f.f, 16 Lakhs, (4)Kamayut, 100'x100', RC2 Storey house, 50 Lakhs. Maureen: HousingforSale KAMAYUT, Pyay Rd, Diamond Condo, Nicely viwe, new, ph, 4 A/C, own meter, 3600 Lakhs. Maureeen : Want to Buy WE want to buy about (100 ft x 100 ft), (Need to join ownerself), Ph:

57 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 Employment FREE UN Positions WFP Myanmar is seeking Programme Assistant in Laokai 1 post : 1 Year (Extendable) : Minimum secondary school education, preferably supplemented by courses in a field related to engineering. Graduate with specialized in engineering subject will be advantaged. 4 years of progressively responsible in rural infrastructure development projects & 1 year at level 4 or equivalent. Experience utilising computers including word processing, spreadsheet & other software packages. Fluency in English & Myanmar. Ability to spell & write correctly in English; ability to maintain accurate and precise records and to interpret & analyse a variety of data & resolve discrepancies.courtesy, tact & the ability to work effectively with people of different national & cultural backgrounds. Pls send the applications with UN P-11 form to HR Unit, World Food Programme, 5, Kanbawza St, Shwe TaungKyar 2 Ward, Bahan, Yangon, P.O Box 650(or) to Myanmar. vacancy@wfp. org COB 17 October IOM Int'l Organization for Migration is seeking(1) Project Evaluator in Yangon: Advanced degree in public health, development, or related field. 7 years experience in programme management, research, and/or evaluation. Excellent writer to technical documents in English. Knowledge of local culture & language an advantage. (2) Community Service Provider in Thaton, Mon State: Must have a clientoriented, result-oriented mind-set and uphold the programme values of caring, innovating, partnering, demonstrating compe tence & working for positive change. Able to spend up to 80% of the time travel to remote, hard-to-reach areas to accomplish his/her responsibilities as noted in this TOR. Background in community development programming. Myanmar plus Kayin and/ or Mon language proficiency. Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiat ion, presentation & supervisory skills. Must have a valid driver's license & able to drive motorcycle. Strong background in malaria project implementation. University degree holder. Local candidates are encouraged to apply. Pls submit CV to IOM Mission in Myanmar - Yangon, 318 (A), Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: , hryangon@iom. int. THE Int'l Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Yangon is seeking Township Community Project Assistant 1 post in Myawaddy, Kayin State. Pls submit an updated CV together with recent passport photo, copy of NRC card, police recommendation letter, township recommendation letter (copies of certificates and further documents are not required at this stage) to Int'l Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Myanmar - Yangon Office, 318-A, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon, Ph: , , , hryangon@iom.int, Closing date : 14 October years experience. Experience in the use of accounting software is an asset. (2)CBDRM Field Officer 1 post in Tarchileik: Bachelor's degree. 2 years experiences. Effective English language skill & computer knowledge. (3)Program Manager 1 Post in Nay Pyi Taw: 10 years experience in programme management with proven competences in planning, imple mentation, monitoring & reporting & in budget control. Proven computer skills in both Myanmar & English. For all posts : Red Cross Volunteers & preferable. Pls send application letter, CV & related documents to Myanamr Red Cross Society Head Office, Yazathingaha Rd, Dekkhinathiri, Nay Pyi Taw. Or mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com N O R W E G I A N Refugee Council is seeking (1)Senior Accountant in Yangon : Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical skills. Solid experience of working with windowsbased computer software & modern control systems. Fluency in English. (2)Deputy Field Officer (ICLA) in Dawei, Thanintharyi :Solid experience of working with windowsbased computer software & modern control systems. Proven skills and experience in report writing. (3)Field Assistant (ICLA) 3 posts in Dawei : BA degree or equivalent preferred. Relevant experience necessary. Fluency in Kayin (sagaw/poe) languages with Englishspeaking skills. General computing skills. Knowledge of various imaging software (Photoshop, Adobe, MS software). Pls submit CV, including application letter & contact detail of 2 referees (no other supporting documents are required for this state), clearly indicating the position on your CV to HR Officer, NRC, 68, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan, admin-hr@ myanmar.nrc.no Closing date for (1) 15 th October (2 & 3) 16 October. CROIX-ROUGE francaise is seeking Hygiene Promotion Trainer Specialist in Yangon: A degree in Public Health and/ or related technical field, supplemented by trainings in participatory hygiene methodologies e.g. PHAST, CHAST, CLTS & SLTS. 5 years professional experience in hygiene trainings in developing countries. Computer literacy. Applications (including CV & letter) should be submitted by rhrecrut.asia@gmail. com MEDECINS du Monde (MDM) is seeking(1) Nurse 4 posts in Myitkyina and IDP Camps (Kachin State): B.N.Sc or Diploma in nursing. 1 year experience as a nurse. Basic English (oral & written). (2)Pharmacist in Myitkyina and IDP Camps (Kachin State): Diploma in Pharmacy or Nurse. One year experience as Pharmacist or 2 years experiences as nurse. Basic English (oral & Written). Specific technical skills. Basic computer skills computer. Pls submit CV & a cover letter to MDM Country Coordination Office, Yangon, 47-B, Po Sein St, Bahan, Ph: , , office.mdmmyanmar@ gmail.com MYANMAR Red Cross Society is seeking (1) PMER Coordinator 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw: Bachelor's degree. (2) Program Coordinator 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw: Bachelor's degree and Diploma related to the position. 3 years experience. (3)Field Coordinator (CBHD focus on MNCH) 1 post in Mindat, Southern Chin State: University graduate. 3 years experience. (4)Finance & Admin Assistant (Township Branch Project) 2 posts in Mindat & Matupi Tsp with frequent travel to project sites : Relevant educational background (accounting, finance, administration or equiva lent). For all posts : Effective English language skills & computer knowledge. Pls send application letter, CV & related documents to Myanmar Red Cross Society Head Office, Yazathingaha, Dekkhinathiri, Nay Pyi Taw. Or mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com, Closing date for 1 & 2 : , for 3 & 4 : ACTED is seeking External evaluator for the project entitled "Enhancing the capacity of civil society to promote women's rights and economic empowerment in Myanmar" in Yangon. Requirements: Pls submit a resume, a cover letter, a tentative work plan & relevant documents to : 661 (A), Myakanthar Lane (1), Kamayut. Ph: or actedmyanmarjobs@ gmail.com or Yangon. finance@acted.org. ACTED is seeking (1) 1 Senior Finance Office (Yangon Office). (2) 1 Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (Yangon Office). (3) 1 DRR Officer (Gwa Office). (4) 1 Senior Engineering Expert (Myitkyina Office). (5) 1 Admin/ Finance Officer (Myitkyina Office). (6) 1 Logistics Officer (Myitkyina Office). (7) 1 CBOs Capacity Specialist (Myitkyina Officer). (8) 3 Field Officers (Myitkyina Office). Salary & benefits: Competitive salary package based on level of skills and experience. Office: 661 (A), Mya Kan Thar Lane 1, Kamaryut, Ph: or actedmyanmarjobs@ gmail.com or yangon. compliance@acted.org. SOLIDARITES is seeking Deputy Logistics Manager (Operationial) in Sittwe, Rakhine State: 4 years professional experience in Logistics field with INGO/ NGO. University Degree or Diploma (preferably in Logistics or related proven experience in similar area.). Knowledge of IT management & MS office. Fluent in English & Myanmar. Pls submit application (CV, cover letter, references) to the attention of: HR Department Solidarites Int'l/ Or drop your application on an envelope at Solidarites Int'l Office - 44 A, Tharyarwaddy Lane, Bahan, Yangon or per recruitment@ solidarites-myanmar.org, cc: to rks.admassist.stw@ solidarites-myanmar.org, Closing date : 21 October, Local Positions CHATRIUM Hotel Royal Lake Yangon - Leading Five Star Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar with its headquarter in Bangkok, is now seeking (1).Guest Relations Manager - M/F (2).Guest Relations Officer (Chinese) - F (3).Guest Relations Officer (Japanese) - F (4).Receptionist - F (5). Bellman - M (6).F&B Service Trainees - M/F. Interested candidates should apply with full CV/Resume indicating position of interest, qualifications, educational background, employment records and recent photo not later than Only short-listed candidates will be notified by phone for interview. Ph: , Ext: HR Dept. Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon, 40, Natmauk Rd, Tamwe. AYAR SWAN AH Co., Ltd. is seekning (1).Business Analyst - M/F 1 post : To assist with the business planning, market research & business analysis, Preparing presentations, s & other documentation for business development and implementation. (2). Business Development Executive - M/F 3 posts :Any graduate, 3 ~ 5 years experience, Knowledge in tender project is a must, Can stay in Nay Pyi Taw & travel (Domestic/ Aboard) (3).Senior Accountant - F 1 Post :B.Com/ LCCI III, 3 years experiences in similar role, Age between (27 ~ 33), To handle full spectrum of accounts and payroll (4).Network Engineer - M 1 post : Diploma in Networking, To develop and control the IT security policy, To maintain & develop the company internal network systems. hr.ayarswanah@gmail. com Closing Date: 31 October MYANMAR GOLDEN Heart Co., ltd is seeking (1)Computer Data Operator - F 1 Post : Age 20 ~ 28, Any graduate, more preferable LCCI (3), 1 year experience in account, good in any accounting software or more preferable in UBS Software, Microsoft Outlook (Word, Excel, & PowerPoint). (2). Sales & Marketing Supervisor - M 3 Posts : Age 23 ~ 28 (3). Sales & Marketing Supervisor (AGTI B-Teach) - M 1 Post : Age 23 ~ 28. For 2 & 3 : Any graduate,1 year experience in sale & marketing filed, (4). Driver - M 1 Post : Age 25 ~ years experience in driving skill. Pls contact with updated CV in English, with 1 passport photo, copy of labor registration card, NRC card and other supportive documents to 103/104, Kyun Shwe Myaing St, Thuwunna.Yangon, Ph : , or nilar. vimpex@gmail.com DZ CARD Myanmar Technology Company is seeking Office Staff - F 2 Posts : University degree. Diploma in IT will be preferred. Communication in English. Able to work with computer skill MS, Excel, Power Point & using with office equipment. Working experience with Sales & Marketing and Computer Technology preferred. Pls send in complete resumes along with date of availability to sangmin.kim02@ gmail.com not later than Only short list candidate will be notified and interview will be arranged in very near future. Ph: ADVERTISEMENT for Travels & Tours Co., Ltd. (1) Tour Operation Manager M/F 1 Post : 3 years experience in travel & tours company. Perfect English language. Perfect able In-bound and Out-bound tours. Strong sales and customer service focus. Above to handle group & individual tour, package & highly motivated & resourceful. (2)Tour Reservation International/ Domestic M/F 1 Post : Any graduate. 1 year experience in tourism related field. Strong sales & customer service focus. Good communication in English. (3)Tour Operation Staff - M/F 1 Post : 1 year experience in tourism related field. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook. Strong attention to detail while working in fast paced environment. Good communication in English. Pls send a detailed resume with recent photo & other relevant documents to HR Manager in person at 140(B) Damazadi Rd, West Shwe Gone Dine Quarter, Bahan, Yangon. Ph: LEGENDARY Myanmar Co.,Ltd. Export/ Import Department (1) Customer Clearance - M/F 2 Post. Travel & Tour Department: (2)Tour Operator - F 2 Posts. (3) Office Staff - M/F 2 Posts. Requirements: 1 year experience in relative field. All applicants must be University Graduate, Spoken & Written English, Excellent interpersonal skill and good computer knowledge. Pls apply CV with 2 recent photo, NRC copy, Labour registration card, Police recommendation letter & other document to, 9, Rm (A-4), 3 rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung. YOUNG Investment Group is looking for (1) Executive Secretary - F 5 Posts : Any graduate plus M.B.A or M.P.A or D.M.A is prefer. 2 years experience. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office & English 4 skills. (2) Chinese Translator - M/F 5 Posts : Age under 30. Fluent in Chinese language. (high level in Chinese high school from Mandalay, Lashio, Taunggyi). Must have matriculation level. (3) Receptionist - F 5 Posts : Any graduate. 2 years of relevant experiences. Good computer skills & English 4 skills. (4) Procurement Staff M 5 Posts : Any graduate. Age 22 ~ 24. Good computer skills & English 4 skills. 2 years of relevant experience. (5)Cashier - F 5 Posts : Any graduate. 2 years experiences. Good computer skills & English 4 skills. (6) Office Staff - M/F 20 Posts: Any graduate. Prefer Proficient in English & Chinese 4 skills & in the use of Microsoft Office. (7)Car Painting & Body - M 5 Posts : B.E.H.S. Experience in car painting & body. (8)Driver- Age 25 ~ 45. B.E.H.S. Must Drive Auto & Manual. Able to travel & drive within the country. Pls submit CV form with a passport photo, NRC card copy, labor registration card copy, other educational certificates copies, quarter & police recom mendation letters to 647 (A), Pyay Rd, Kamayut, Ph: , VICTORY MYANMAR Group Co. Ltd is seeks suitably qualified candidate to fill position of Human Resource Manager. Pls send CV to philip@victorymyanmar. com. GENERAL Manager :Graduate in Management, 3 years experience in management field, Excellent interpersonal, communication skills and strong organizational skills, Ability to work under pressure & work independently to be a high professional standard, Fluent in spoken & written English. Must have ability to plan, execute and meet target. Must be computer literate. Having experience in Marketing will be given priority. Pls submit CV to A3 Rm(002), Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Ph : OR to cntenterpriseltd@gmail. com. FAMILY Entertainment Group Co., Ltd (5 Network) is seeking (1). Regional Sales Manager - M 5 Posts (2)Area Sales Manager - M 5 Posts (3) Senior Accountant - F 2 Posts (4)Sr. News Reporter - M/F 5 Posts (5) Jr.News Reporter - M/F 5 Posts (6)Apprentice News Repoter - M/F 5 Posts (7)Animator - M 2 Posts (8)English Translator M/F 2 Posts (9)Chinese Translator - M/F 2 Posts (10) Network Administrator - M 2 Posts (11)System Administrator - M 2 Posts (12)Database Administrator - M 2 Posts (13)Helpdesk Operator - M 2 Posts (14) Showroom Sales - F 2 Posts (15)Office Staff - M/F 5 Posts (16)Driver - M 5 Posts. 34/B, New University Avenue St, Yangon. Ph: jobs.5nw@gmail. com MAGNA Children at Riskis seeking: (1) Administration & Finance Officer - 1 post in Yangon: Bachelor degree or equivalent. 2 years experience in logistics, finance, and/or human resources and administration. Excellent command of English & Burmese. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. (2) Mobile Health & Nutrition Team Leader - 1 post in Yangon with frequent travel to the field: Minimum bachelor degree or equivalent in medical sciences, nursing, or social sciences. Masters degree in public health an asset. 3 years experience working on nutrition programs. Experience with health worker capacity-building. Strong coordination, human resource management, & training skills.excellent command of English & Myanmar. Pls submit an updated CV including education, qualifications, contact number & contact details of at least two professional references to: augustin@magna. skand cashin@magna. sk. COUPLE in Pearl Condo looking for lady cleaning and cooking (foreigner food), Free Sunday. Call : WE ARE seeking Translator cum Site Coordinator - 2 Posts at Oil & Gas Sites in Sagaing Division. Function: Translation. Main Specifications: Translate and convert from written words from Russian to Myanmar or English and vice versa. Coordinate logistics functions at sites accordingly. 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A LEADING Japanese manufacturer & distributor of, among other products, adhesives including water based polymerisocyanate adhesive systems designed for wood to wood, wood to metal & wood to plastic bonding invites motivated & committed individuals to join the company as: (1) Sales Engineer who will work toplan, develop, & coordinate the Myanmarbased sales & marketing of the company s adhesive products and services in Myanmar: Work experience in adhesives, wood, furniture or chemical industry helpful. Degree (preferably in chemistry, engineering, science, business, etc.) from a good university. Sales & marketing experience & aptitude an advantage. Entrepreneurial, indepen dent & possesses outstanding leadership qualities. Businesssavvy and street smart. Exceptionally driven & ambitious. Good command of Japanese, Myanmar and English languages essential. Pls & submit CV to leinlein79@gmail.com. TOUR & LIMO Services Co is seeking (1) Operations Executive - M/F 1 Post : 3 years relevant experience. Age 25 ~ 35. (2) Operations Assistant - M/F 1 Post : 1 year relevant experience. Age above 20. (3)Marketing Execu tive - M/F 1 Post : 2 years relevant experience. For 1 ~ 3 : Good in spoken & written English. Age 25 ~ 35 years. (4)Drivers - M 5 Posts : 2 years relevant experience. Good in spoken English. Age 25 ~ 40. Pls contact : PEACE Treasure Co., Ltd is seeking (1) Operational Manager/ Team Leaders - 2 Posts : You will lead a team of Property Management staff in managing a portfolio of properties. 3 years of experience in a managerial positioin handling corporate or private real estate. (2) Sales Representatives 10 Posts : You should be a team player, good computer literacy & knowledge of building system software applications. 1 years sales working experience in Real Estate Industries. 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58 58 Sport THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 MOSCOW Russia to spy on Olympic athletes, visitors: researchers Russian President Vladimir Putin holds the Olympic flame in Moscow on October 5. Photo: AFP RUSSIA has installed an all-encompassing surveillance system at the site of next year s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi that will allow security services to listen in on athletes and visitors, security analysts said on October 7. The surveillance system was first developed by the Soviet-era KGB, predecessor of the FSB special services, in the mid-1980s and updated in recent years, said prominent security analyst Andrei Soldatov. Dubbed SORM, the system will give Russian security services free access to all phone and internet communications at the Olympic Games in February without the providers knowledge, according to research by Soldatov and his colleague Irina Borogan. Telecom providers are required to pay for the SORM equipment and its installation, but law enforcement agencies will be able to wiretap without having to show providers court orders allowing the eavesdropping, the analysts said. Operators do not know what and when the FSB is monitoring, Soldatov told AFP. Citing research based on documents published by the Russian government procurement agency and other government records, the analysts said the authorities have been installing the surveillance devices in the Black Sea resort of Sochi since Russia has pulled out all the stops to get the region ready for the Games, spending more than US$50 billion in state and corporate money on infrastructure improvements including mobile networks. There is a promise that visitors will have access to the fastest WiFi networks in Olympic history, for free, the researchers said on their website agentura.ru. But at the same time, the analysts said, national telecom provider Rostelecom is installing DPI (deep packet inspection) systems on all its mobile networks, technology which will allow the FSB not only to monitor all traffic but also to filter it. While many Olympic host countries take steps to monitor communications for security reasons, Russia will take surveillance to a new level, said Soldatov, adding the government will also deploy drones and sonars to detect submarines. The most unique feature of this system is its totality, said Soldatov, adding he was astonished to learn that the defence ministry bought the sonars especially for the Olympic Games. AFP Members of the Myanmar national rowing team carry oars through the Yangon Airport on October 7. Photo: Boothee Athletes return from China training KYAW ZIN HLAING kyawzinhlaing91@gmail.com THE Myanmar national rowing and table tennis teams arrived back from training in Wuhah, China, on October 7. The teams touched down at Yangon International Airport feeling more confident about their chances at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games, they said. Both the table tennis and rowing teams spent 80 days in China undergoing joint training. The table tennis team was coached by four Chinese athletes and coaches. The rowing team trained alongside 20 fellow rowers from China and coaches. Our players are increasing their skills and we have had many valuable experiences with Chinese coaches and athletes, said Aye Kyaw, coach of the Myanmar table tennis team. The table tennis federation sent 4 players to China. Ten table tennis players will have the chance to represent Myanmar at the SEA Games, which open in Nay Pyi Taw in December. Myanmar will face their stiffest competition from regional powers Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. The team will continue training at Gold Camp in the capital following the stint in China. Kyaw Win, a Myanmar rowing federation coach, said that he believed the rowers who travelled to China had gained valuable lessons from Chinese athletes and coaches, benefiting from their strict discipline and routines. Our athletes are stronger and have improved their skills during this trip, he said. He added that China had also donated much needed rowing equipment to Myanmar. A bluffer s guide to the 27 th Southeast Asian Games 27 TH SEA GAMES MYANMAR 2013 SEPAK TAKRAW WHEN sepak takraw first appeared at the 1967 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, its appearance was a watershed moment the first time an event codified in the region had appeared at the games. The sport has only ever been missing from the international competition once since its introduction, when it was overlooked for the program of the 1971 Games in Kuala Lumpur. Where does it originate? Many countries around the region lay claim to the invention of this sport. One of the most popular arguments is that it developed from the circle game common to Myanmar and known as chinlone. Popular opinion also suggests that a similar game may have been introduced to the area by Chinese travellers. Whether based on chinlone, the Chinese game of cuju, or a third option, in 1829, the Siam Sports Federation codified the game and a new identity was born. In 1833, the addition of a net created the game you will see in December. What s it all about? Sometimes called kick volleyball, the alternative name provides a reasonable impression of what you ll see. Sepak takraw is also a pretty accurate name, derived as it is from the Malay word sepak, to strike with foot and the Thai word takraw, meaning ball or basket. This name is more relevant to the game as one of the events included within the MATT ROEBUCK newsroom@myanmartimes.com.mm Our Bluffer s Guide to the SEA Games focuses on those sports that may never make it to the Olympics but whose elite will get their chance to compete for international gold this December. This week we focus on a sport distinct to the Indo-China Peninsula. A sport with many variations across the region and known by many local names, this sport was a trailblazer in creating the unique identity of the SEA Games program is the hoop event, where the net is replaced by a hoop suspended above the court and one team with no opposition attempts to place the ball through the hoop using a variety of different styles. How do you play? The predominant version of the game uses a net and is played on a court of 13.4 by 6.1 metres (44 ft 20 ft), very similar in size to a doubles badminton court. On each side of the net you ll see a small circle drawn on the court, this is the service spot. There is also a semi- circle drawn at each end of the centre line. This creates two-quarter circles on each side of the net. Traditionally made from woven rattan, nowadays the balls are often completed with synthetic fibres. The balls should have 12 holes, 20 intersections and measure at least 17 inches in circumference. First service will be decided by the flip of a coin. From there on in the winners of the last set have the option of choosing who will serve. To serve, one player will stand in the quarter circle and throw the ball to his teammate who is standing at the service circle. That player will then kick the ball across the net and into play. Each team serves three times in a row before the opposition takes its turn. Now in play, the players have three touches to pass the ball between them using their head and feet before returning the ball to the opposition. If the ball hits the floor, doesn t make it over the net or is kicked out of the court then the point is over. Once a team reaches 21 points they have won the set, unless the score is tied on 20 points each, in which case the game will continue until 25 points. How do you win? In order to win the best of three sets game you ll need to develop all manner of specialised kicks. The most difficult and most effective form of serve is nicknamed the horse kick. In order to develop a competitive advantage players have developed several styles of smashes or spikes to make any response from the opposition difficult. Many of the top players have their own unique take on moves such as the Sunback Spike. This particularly aggressive form of attack has seen the ball travelling toward opponents at speeds in excess of 120km/h. A team scores a point when the opposing team fails to return the ball across the net within the 3 touches rule, or the ball is returned across the net but lands outside of the court. What should you be saying? Killer: A common usage to describe the Spiker or a successful spike ball. Regu: A Malaysian word meaning a team. A team comprising of four players; three starters and one reserve is known as a regu, a squad of three regus is known as a Team. Roll Spike: When a player jumps with his back to the net, rotates in the air and kicks the ball over the opposite shoulder from the kicking foot. It is these dramatic and gymnastic abilities that make sepak takraw such an exciting sport to watch. Where is it played? The people of Southeast Asia have taken this sport to the world. The International Sepak Takraw Federation (ITSAF) now represents federations in 32 countries across the world. From Iran to the USA and from Switzerland to Bangladesh they now play this game. As well as the Southeast Asian Games, the sport has appeared in the Asian Games since It was also introduced as a demonstration sport when Chinese Taipei held the 2009 World Games, an event that features sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee but not played at the Olympics. How many medals are available? With five events for men and five events for women, that leaves 10 gold medals to be contested in Takraw. Both genders will compete in the hoop event, regu, double regu, team and double team events. What s the betting? This is a sport where Myanmar will really look to capitalise on home advantage. In 2011 the Women s double regu secured a gold medal and across the six events three other teams secured medals. With additional gold up for grabs and home fans cheering the sides on they ll be looking to challenge the traditional dominance of the Thai sides in this sport. Where will it all happen? The sepak takraw will be hosted at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw. It will start with the hoop event on December 10 and continue with the other competitions until December 21. Matt Roebuck is a sports writer and sports development consultant based in Yangon. He is the author of the book The Other Olympics, published in 2012.

59 Sport 59 LONDON Mind the windows! Prince warns BRITAIN S Prince William warned footballers to watch the Buckingham Palace windows on October 7 as Queen Elizabeth II s official residence staged the first football match in its 308-year history. A match between two of England s oldest amateur teams took place in the 39-acre gardens of the famous central London landmark as part of celebrations to mark the 150 th anniversary of the Football Association. Prince William takes part in a football training session in the garden of Buckingham Palace in central London on October 7. Photo: AFP William, president of the FA and second in line to the British throne, was on hand to oversee the event, although the Queen, his grandmother, was not present. This magnificent home, Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there cannot be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and to celebrate all of you, he told volunteers and guests including FA chairman Greg Dyke and former England striker Michael Owen. William said he was excited to see football on my grandmother s lawn, before joking, One warning, though: If anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her. The palace has played host to pop concerts in the past, as well as two boxing matches, but never a game of football. Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC, both from Chiswick in west London, faced off on a pitch specially prepared by a team led by the head groundsman from Wembley Stadium, Tony Stones. Civil Service are the sole surviving football club from the 11 teams who founded the FA in a public house in central London in 1863 and later drafted the game s 13 original laws. Polytechnic were formed in Prior to kick-off, William shook hands with the players and spoke to match referee Howard Webb, Britain s most high-profile referee, who previously took charge of the 2010 World Cup final. Polytechnic FC (in blue) play Civil Service FC in a Southern Amateur League football match in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, in central London, on October 7. Photo: AFP With Owen standing nearby, the Duke of Cambridge joked, Michael s available as a super sub. Although William did not play in the match he did take part in a training session alongside members of the palace s own football squad. The Civil Service team presented William with two miniature football shirts for his new son, Prince George one red and one white, both with HRH 1 on the back. It was Polytechnic who prevailed in the Southern Amateur League game, however, winning 2-1. Polytechnic s manager, Geoff Brown, said the experience was something very special. Earlier, William had handed out medals to 150 grassroots football volunteers and praised the sport s role in British society. At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society. It binds people from different backgrounds, communities, faiths and abilities and gives them a common interest, a unifying identity, he said. Paying tribute to the volunteers present during a pre-match reception in the palace ballroom, he added, You change lives, you give people meaning, enjoyment, perspective, a release, an outlet; you bring people together and inject fun, laughter, passion, goals and challenges into others lives. Luckily the weather s been good and it hasn t been raining so we did not rip up the lawn. The Duke was concerned that the lawn might suffer, but it s OK, FA Chair Greg Dyke, said. It did help having the Duke of Cambridge as your president. He said his grandmother was very happy as long as we didn t break any windows. AFP

60 60 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14-20, 2013 SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin Sport Russia to spy on Olympic athletes, report says SPORT 58 Marathon set to return to Yangon NEW DELHI KYAW ZIN HLAING YANGON is set to play host to its second annual marathon in January, organisers announced last week. Organisers of the 2 nd Yoma Yangon International Marathon said that they aim to have around 3000 runners at this year, s event, which will take place on January 19, up from 1000 at the inaugural event. I m hoping that this upcoming marathon will be a larger running competition than last year and that many runners from around the world will take part, said Serge Pun, chairman of the SPA group and Yoma, at a press conference on October 8. This year s event will feature a full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and a fun run (5km). We will cooperate with Yangon City Development Committee and prepare properly so all the runners in 2014 have a good experience, he said. For all Myanmar runners the registration fees are K5000. For foreigners, there will be two registration periods. From October 8 to November 1 it will cost $42to register for the full marathon, $35 for the half marathon and $22 for the fun run. From November 2 to December 20, the fees will jump to $55 for the full marathon, $45 for the half and $30 for the fun run. All registration fees will be donated to Myanmar-based charities. Gitau Kariuki of Kenya won last year s event with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 13 seconds. In the women s marathon, Myanmar s Mi Mi Aye finished first with a time of 2 hours, 46 minutes and 7 seconds. Yoma chairman Serge Pun speaks at the Park Royal Hotel in Yangon on October 8. Photo: Zarni Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring a world record-breaking double century on February 24, Photo: AFP The God retires Indian legend Tendulkar to walk away after 200 th Test FORMER Australia captain Ricky Ponting once said that he would probably be batting in a wheelchair if he survived in world cricket as long as Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master finally announced on October 10 that he was hanging up his boots after a 24-year international career which began with his debut in Pakistan in November Feared and respected by opponents, Tendulkar changed the definition of Indian batting, shrewdly combining orthodox and unorthodox shots to dominate any attack on any surface at home or abroad. As one of the game s greatest players, he has the most runs (15,837) and centuries (51) in Test cricket and was also the highest run-maker (18,426) with a record 49 hundreds in the one-day game, which he stopped playing last year. Tendulkar,40, has scored an unprecedented 100 international centuries, holds most coveted batting records except Don Bradman s career average high of 99.94, and finally won the World Cup with India in Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar, the first batsman to complete 10,000 Test runs, said he was convinced the 1.65-metre (5 foot, 5 inches) batsman would achieve greatness when he first saw him bat in the nets more than two decades ago. It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who combines classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does. There is not a single shot he cannot play, he said. Tendulkar shattered batting records, earned millions of dollars and was revered as a demi-god in India and particularly at home in Mumbai. But in the eyes of many fans, humility remains his prime virtue. If there was any arrogance it was in his batting, because he loved to dominate bowlers before injuries to his elbow, back and ankle forced him to adapt his game in the latter years of his career. The way he conducts himself and handles fame and everything that goes with being Sachin is a great example for all sportsmen, Australian great Shane Warne wrote in his book Shane Warne s Century. Technically sound, temperamentally unflappable, quick to adapt to different conditions, Tendulkar came very close to batting perfection in his pomp. He also became an unrivalled source of pride in a country with few international sporting heroes. While little is shared about his private life, he is known as a fast-car enthusiast once reported to take his beloved Ferrari out in the early hours of the morning to beat the traffic in his native Mumbai. Australia s Don Bradman, widely considered the greatest Test batsman of all time, once said Tendulkar s style of batting reminded him of his own, which was based on dominating and demoralising the opposition. Under the guidance of his elder brother and to the bemusement of his late father, a college professor, Tendulkar spent hours honing his skills as a boy along with hundreds of others on a busy park known as the Oval Maidan in central Mumbai. The last few years have been marked by a steady decline, with commentators openly questioning his eyesight and voicing opinions that would once have been heretical that Sachin was no longer worth his place in the team. AFP