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NEWS 9
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 militarys formal role in politics.
PROPERTY 28
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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 Giffords three-day visit.
Page 2
MISS BEHAVING A protest against the outcome of this years 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 Myanmars 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 Lights reportage, saying hed not seen an issue given such
Style Statement
Nwe Darli Htun for NOW! magazine. Photo: Lwin Ko Teik
Article about the Burma Socialist Programmes fitness initiative in September issue of Forward magazine, a state propoganda journal.
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News 3
IN PICTURES
Almost 200 residents of Nay Pyi Taws 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.
4 News
Sadly, respect for human rights has never been an important qualification for being ASEAN chair.
Phil Robertson Human Rights Watch
President U Thein Sein shakes hands with Bruneis Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the closing ceremony and handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to Myanmar as part of the 23rd ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan on October 10. Photo: AFP
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
accusation rejected by U Thein Sein as a smear campaign. For years Myanmar was a source of embarrassment for ASEANs 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
juntas 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 Myanmars 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 Myanmars 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 2012. AFP
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News 5
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. Were 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.
6 News
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 inter-
The number of political prisoners the Former Political Prisoners group estimates are still in jail
111
est 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
one [former] military officer, said FPP spokesperson U Thet Oo. Another FPP member, U Ye Aung, who is also on the governments political prisoners committee headed by Minister for the Presidents 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 23rd 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 presidents pledge doesnt 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 presidents 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 Myan-
A man walks free from Kalay Prison in Sagaing Region on October 8 as part of an amnesty of 56 political detainees. Photo: AFP
mars 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 presidents 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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News 7
LITICAL PRISONERS
Former political prisoner U Yan Yoe Chon speaks at the Former Political Prisoners office last week. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
The military intelligence officers said there had been an explosion and I was responsible.
U Yan Yoe Chon Former political prisoner
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 Shans 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 Chons 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.
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 Generals Office and will be sent back to the Prisons Department soon, Mr Quintana told The Myanmar Times. He further reiterated his recommendation for Myanmars 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)
8 News
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Views
A woman ploughs a field near Monywa in Sagaing Region on August 30. Photo: AFP
Activities that do not fit neatly into a single ministrys remit become sensitive issues and are avoided by officials.
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 considered a sensitive issue because of the organisational structure under which Myanmars 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
LETTERS
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 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. 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 UKs 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 Kyis two sons, Alexander and Kim, both held British citizenship from birth as they were born in the 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
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News 9
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. Ive 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 didnt 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 couldnt 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 News
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.
Some of the 37 men who returned from Indonesia sit at Yangon International Airport on October 9. Photo: Thiri
Onshore they would keep us locked up, 10 to a room, until we went to sea again.
Ko Htun Htun Trafficked fisherman
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
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Providing effective leadership to the team, ensuring that the team operates effectively and that targets, objectives and work programs are delivered to the required standards of performance and governance. Ensuring compliance with statutory duties, regulation and development of detailed annual and operational plans to align with long-term strategy and budgets and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of the organization`s underpinning business process. Establish a high performance culture, which supports transparency, innovation, team working and ensures effective communications and relationships are to be maintained with the team. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activity to identify market opportunities for the products and services. Prepare sales forecasts and budgets, monitor sales volume, revenues and costs against forecasts, and adapt plans to continuously improve the sales performance of the products and services. Identify and train the distributors in Myanmar on the products/services and also prepare customer product workshops with the team. Requirements: Prefer a Medical Doctor or a Pharmacist Minimum 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, especially in sales and marketing Minimum 5 years in the managerial role Excellent communication skills in English Must have excellent interpersonal skills Product Manager-2 positions (B.Braun Myanmar Representative Office, Yangon) Responsibilities Together with sales team in Myanmar, perform a range of activities to effectively market assigned products/services, such as conducting market research; setting prices; launching new products; overseeing advertising campaigns; and monitoring sales performance. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activity to identify market opportunities for the product/service. Monitor, analyze, and evaluate product performance and customer feedback to generate new product ideas, identify product/service features that need to be changed to meet customer needs, and liaise with other areas of the organization to implement these changes. Prepare sales forecasts and budgets; monitor sales volume, revenues and costs against forecasts; and adapt plans to improve the sales performance of the product/service. Train and educate new & existing sales and marketing staff and as well as distributors in Myanmar on the products/services. and also prepare customer product workshops. Ensure right inventory levels are maintained in Myanmar. 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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 News
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 partys 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 partys 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 partys 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.
U Khin Maung Si, the husband of Ma Win Khin, who was murdered on January 18, holds their baby daughter. Photo: Phyo Wai Kyaw
dont 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 victims 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. Im ready to help as a witness but I didnt 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 victims child. I want the judiciary to settle [the case] so as not to cause the public to suffer. Translation by Thiri Min Htun
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News 13
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] dont 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 Mandalays 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 dont have to wait for guidelines from higher authorities. They can hand back the land themselves. Translation by Zaw Winn
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 2015. Speaking at the advocacy meeting on malaria research on October 7 at Yangons Department of Medical Research, Dr Pe Thet Khin said this had already been achieved. According to Dr Thar Tun Kyaw, director of the ministrys disease control unit, the prevalence of malaria was about 24.35 per 1000 population in 1990, declining to 8.31 by the end of 2012. The death rate in 1990 was 12.62 per 100,000, down to 0.29 in 2012. The UNs Millennium Development Goals (MDG) include combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The MDG tar-
get 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. Myanmars 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 Myanmars 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 News
SPECIAL REPORT
SN Goenkas relatives scatter some of his ashes on the Yangon River on October 8. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
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: www.dhamma.org. I still didnt 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 www.dhamma.org. 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
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 Goenkas 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 Goenkas 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.
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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 didnt 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 Goenkas return to Myanmar coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Bahan centres 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 1955. 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 Yangons 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.
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News 15
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 Presidents 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 Myints 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 partys 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 partys chairman, one
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 dont know about the six ministers who are on the partys 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 dont take part in party activities. U Win Myint responded, It means they are still officially in the party although they dont 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 2012. Photo: Si Thu Lwin
16 News
FOCUS: BROADCAST LAW
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 networks launch in November 2012. 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 constitutions 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 ministrys 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.
The length, in years, of Shwe Than Lwins licence to operate the Sky Net television channel, including three years tax free
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partner in the MRTV-4 joint venture with the Ministry of Information, has paid K10.869 billion in tax since 200506. Shwe Than Lwins 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 2009-10 and August 2013, Mandalay FM has paid K192.79 million in tax, while Shwe FM has paid K21.347 million, Cherry FM K39.340 million, Padamya FM K30.217 million, Pyinsawady FM K11.917 million and Bagan FM K21.784 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
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18 News
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 Hlaings recent comments on the militarys role in politics are fuelling debate on one of the countrys prickliest issues
THE Tatmadaw will continue to play a significant role in Myanmars 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 Myanmars 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 Hlaings statement, deputy information minister and spokesperson for the president U Ye Htut said the militarys 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 peoples will. That is also the position of the Tatmadaw. But U Ye Htut added, We cant say when [the withdrawal of the military from politics] will start because it depends on the maturity of all groups. Until then, the armys 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 countrys 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 Tatmadaws 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 militarys 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 wont 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
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News 19
1010
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.
Business
Production of gold set to double, officials say
KYAY MOHN WIN kyaymonewin@gmail.com 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 years 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. Myanmars 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 years supply is 300 viss, which is double of last years, 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 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 2012-13 fiscal year, surpassing $3.5 billion last year, according to banks 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.
$4
BILLION
Gas production is expected to increase significantly, with new fields coming on stream in 2013-14, 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 Myanmars recent reinstatement into the EUs 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, Myanmars 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 Myanmars 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 2012-13, 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
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Buying
K1300 K297 K777 K30.75 K971
Selling
K1320 K302 K780 K31.25 K973
rowth to 6.8%
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 Myanmars economy at Australias Macquarie University, said the current inflation undermines the nations 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 email. 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 Myanmars 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 doesnt 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.
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
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
unsettle the sector and leave some of the countrys 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 countrys banks, which must decide whether to begin scouting for potential investors or risk falling behind.
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 dont 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.
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 countrys initiative to develop the SMEs Development Centre and our ambition is to help the needs of developing countries, said Joost Van Kesteren, PUMs country representative in Myanmar. The announcement was made on October 5. Sithu Lwin
Awarded Companies and Related Blocks for Myanmar Onshore Blocks Bidding Round - 2013
No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Blocks/Area PSC Blocks B-2 (Zebyutaung-Nandaw) K (Yamethin) O (Pathein) EP-1 (Kyaukyi- Mindon) EP-3 (Thegon-Shwegu) IOR-5 (Htantabin) C-1 (Indaw-Yenan) H (Taungoo-Pyinmana) J (Mawlamyine) MOGE-4 (Myintha) EP-4 (Mayaman) RSF-5 (Ondwe) MOGE-3 (Padaukpin-Natmi) IPR Blocks IOR-4 (Pyay) IOR-6 (Myanaung) IOR-7 (Shwepyitha) Awarded Company ONGC Videsh Limited, India Eni, Italy Petroleum Exploration (PVT) Ltd., Pakistan Brunei National Petroleum Co., Sdn. Bhd., Brunei ONGC Videsh Limited, India Petronas Carigali, Malaysia Pecific Hunt Energy Corp., Canada Pacific Hunt Energy Corp., Canada Petroleum Exploartion (PVT) Ltd., Pakistan CAGO S.a r.l., Luxenbourg JSOC Bashneft, Russia Eni, Italy PTTPE South Asia Ltd. + Palang Sophon Offshore, Thailand MPRL E & P Pte Ltd., British Virgin Islands MPRL E & P Pte Ltd., British Virgin Islands Petronas Carigali, Malaysia
22 Business
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.
Myanmar government entitlement of all extracted minerals under the current law
30%
NUSA DUA
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Business 23 IN BRIEF
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 Wynns online gaming offering as New Jersey and Nevada open up for business.
A woman withdraws money using the countrys first internationally accepted debit card. Supplied: MasterCard
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. Its 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
24 Business
THILAWA PARIS
BILLION
$1.2
Alcatels 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
WASHINGTON
You can be sure that pretty much all the usual suspects are looking at this. Now, how seriously thats the question.
Leo de Bever Chief Executive Officer at Alberta Investment Management
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
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 BlackBerrys 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
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 thats 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
al 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 couples home daycare. About 97pc of NASAs 18,000 employees are idled. We dont want to lose our business, Mr Mattimore said. The parents of their eight charges are extremely stressed emotionally and financially, said Ms Mattimore. Im worried theyre not going to afford
daycare if this keeps up. We thought about giving them free tuition for a week, but Im 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 DOEs 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
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NICOSIA
Business 25
LONDON
IN BRIEF
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. Japans 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
The government has yet to allay the committees concerns, Mr Tyrie, a member of Camerons Conservative Party, said in an emailed 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
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
BILLION
Amount of total liquidity JC Penny expects to have at the end of the fiscal year
$2
transform JC Penney into a destination for younger, wealthier shoppers. Mr Ullman has reinstituted sales events, revived popular private-label brands such as St. Johns Bay and tried to clear out slow-selling merchandise from the chains home sections, all while raising cash through borrowings and a share offering to shore up the retailers 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 Business Property
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
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 origi-
Places that are fixed up ... before showing and painted have much less time sitting on the market.
David Ney York Road Real Estate
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
nal asking price, U Robin Saw Naing of Pronto Services real estate agency said. The problem is owners just dont want to invest [in their property]. Some have never been outside Myanmar so they dont 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 2013 2. Administrative Assistant (Facility Management) (LICA3) Yangon National 14 October 2013 3. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (Data Management) Yangon National 15 October 2013 (LICA 7) 4. Driver (LICA1) Yangon National 18 October 2013 5. 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 (https://gprs. 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 95 1 657 281-7 Ext: 149
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HOUSE OF THE WEEK
Property Business 27
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 Myanmars historic sites has in the past been a contentious point between the
government and international heritage groups. In 1996, UNESCO denied Bagans 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.
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 Business Property
240
The street view of the new Shangri-La Towers under construction. Photo: Boothee
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
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. Its 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. its looking really classic now and It completely changed the perspective of the building by taking the top off.
WASHINGTON
MUMBAI
Macaus Melco to invest in Residents are resigned to living in Philippines casino project Mumbais dangerous buildings
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 its going to be money well spent. As a company we make sure that theres 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 worlds 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 THE top two storeys have already been torn down and workmen with sledgehammers are hacking at whats left, but at Mumbais 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 havent 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 dont get anything on paper, we wont move. Her dilemma is just one of a complex array of reasons why people continue to live in dangerous buildings in Indias 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 Mumbais 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. Theres a constant state of upgradation, said Naresh Fernandes, author of the new book City Adrift: A Short Biography of Bombay. AFP
$ 680
Cost of initial outlay of the project.
MILLION
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
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DURBAN LA CIOTAT
This is good news as longas the vaccine shows a required level of efficy
Mr. John Gikapa Technical advisor to SANRU
People watch a movie at the worlds oldest cinema theater LEden during its official re-opening on October 9, 2013 in La Ciotat, southern France. Photo: AFP
If the British drugmakers 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 Angolas 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 vaccines 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
cal 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 1895. 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 Wednesdays 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
World
LONDON
PAKISTANI scho olgirl Malala Yous afzai 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. One of the worlds 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 wouldnt 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, Theres 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 Malalas 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 BBCs 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 Malalas subsequent miraculous
MalalaYousafzai appears before an interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour on October 10, 2013 in New York City. Photo: AFP
IN PICTURES
The 16-year-old campaigner for girls education has been nominated for the NobelPeace 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 EUs 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.
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
OSLO
31
IN BRIEF
Kuala Lumpur Kerry lauds multi-faith Malaysia as world model
about 2000 have since died by eating fish and shellfish from waters polluted by discharge.
US Secretary of State John Kerry lauded Malaysia last week as a modern, innovative and multifaith model for the world. Mr Kerry said Malaysias 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 Lumpurs Petronas Towers the worlds 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.
Shrine holds pistols piercing his cheeks before taking part in a street procession during the hern Thai town of Phuket on October 10, 2013. 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 countrys 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-Qaedas 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 Assads 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 Watchs 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 walAnsar 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 destroySyrias 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 eliminateSyrias banned arms. After the first Security Council talks on Bans recommendations, Russias UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said that no objections were raised. The councils 15 envoys had agreed that the UN and the OPCW are doing a great job, said Frances UN ambassador Gerard Araud. Good cooperation by theSyrian 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
The World Health Organization and campaigners launched a drive last week to try to wipe out mercury in medical thermo meters, 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 smallscale 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
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 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 Mexicos 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 Karams group represents the Tibetan people in Latin America. He said no government official had requested to meet with the Dalai Lama. AFP
(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: 372416 Dated: 14th October, 2013
FENWAL
32 World Asia-Pacific
SEOUL
MANILA
An undated picture shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (centre) inspecting the construction site of a childrens hospital near completion in Pyongyang. Photo: AFP / KCNA via KNS
tional Intelligence Service, said the agency had no information as to whether Ms Ri had any connection with the execution. The Norths 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
BEIJING
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SINGAPORE
Asia-Pacific World 33
City Harvest Churchs former finance manager Serina Wee (left), pop-singer Sun Ho Yeow and her husband, church founder, Kong Hee, leave the district courts inSingapore in late August. Photo: AFP
The church has defended Ms Hos attempt to become an international music star as part of a crossover campaign to spread Gods 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 Hos 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 churchs photogenic
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
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
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.
MANILA
LIGNOPAD
Reg. No. 7626/2013 Reg. No. 7627/2013
Reg. No. 7629/2013 in respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical preparations and substance, namely analgesics.
SOVENOR 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 E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013
34 World Asia-Pacific
SYDNEY
TOKYO
CUTOUT SWITCH
Reg. No. 4/4066/2013 (25-4-2013) 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. Fig.1 perspective view
2026
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
Fig.4 top plan view Fig.5 bottom plan view Fig.6 right side view Fig.7 left side view
Reg. No. 4/10806/2013 (30-9-2013) 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, #1505-1509, 15th Floor, Sakura Tower, Yangon, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar Dated 14 October, 2013 utm@kcyangon.com
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BEIJING
Feature World 35
(Reg: Nos. IV/2093/1997 & IV/2164/2013) in respect of:- All goods in Intl 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: 372416 Dated: 14th October, 2013
(Reg: Nos. IV/2092/1997 & IV/2163/2013) in respect of:- All goods in Intl 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: 372416 Dated: 14th October, 2013
COSMO LUBE
(Reg: No. IV/2157/2013)
Sometimes, you open these cards on National Teachers Day and find crazy amounts inside.
Beijing school teacher
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
competitive. Millions vie in megacities for limited jobs, housing and mates. Yang said she is beginning to see the dancing teachers offer less as a moral dilemma concerning bribery and more as a purely practical decision. The system, the pressure, the bribes, its all unfair, she said. But in the end, the only thing I can do is whats best for my daughter. The Washington Post
(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: 372416 Dated: 14th October, 2013
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ULAN BATOR
International World 37
CAUTIONARY NOTICE
Alois PICHLER, of Schwarzenberg 5, 3341 Ybbsitz, Austria, is the sole Owner and Proprietor of the patent entitled:-
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 Mongolias economy and it has enjoyed one of the worlds 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, AngloAustralian giant Rio Tintos 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 governments revenue. The foreigners dictate what the relationships should be within Mongolian society and they dictate what laws
should or should not be implemented, says Mongolias 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 lo-
cals, 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 countrys 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
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 E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013
(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 E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 14 October 2013
CHEMLAB
Contact to 09420010788,09420010789,09420100178,01534644 Email: thetsuwai9@gmail.com, pcy2860@gmail.com
38 World International
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 victims family must respond in kind. Photo: AFP
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: 372416 Dated: 14th October, 2013
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
AUSTIN
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MOSCOW
Supporters in Washington on October 5 protest the detention of Greenpeace activists in Russia. Photo: AFP
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 countrys 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 countrys national parks. A 14th man was arrested for supplying weapons. Around 534 rhinos roam Nepals protected areas, according to a census in 2011. 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 Greenpeaces 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.
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 ask-
ing 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, theyve 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 Zealands 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 emailed remarks. This is a legal matter currently before the courts in Russia. AFP
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 Intl 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: 959 4500 59 247-8, 951 375754, Fax: 951 254321 Email: info@untlaw.com For Pfizer Products Inc. Dated: 14th October, 2013.
ZELDOX
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: 959 4500 59 247-8, 951 375754, Fax: 951 254321 Email: info@untlaw.com For DKSH International AG Dated: 14th October, 2013
COMBIZYM
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: 959 4500 59 247-8, 951 375754, Fax: 951 254321 Email: info@untlaw.com For Pfizer Products Inc. Dated: 14th October, 2013.
RELPAX
TOVIAZ
U
GE T
YO
GERS O N I F N
IT
Miss Universe,
amiss
Pageant audience member
There were a lot of other perfect contestants. I have no idea why [she] got the top prize
ISS 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 competitions winner on October 3 at Yangons 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
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 Wines appearance with him has further angered the public, who say she isnt entitled to the Miss Universe Myanmar crown. One of the contests organisers, general manager Thein Yu Wai of Hello Madam media, confirmed that Moe Set Wines father is SinoMyanmar 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 accord-
ing 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 nights competition was only one aspect of the overall decision, with contestants behaviour during a series of charity activities before
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the pulse 41
Hidden in smoke
NYEIN EI EI HTWE AND MANNY MAUNG EVEN as more people become aware of the dangers of smoking its 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 its 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 2011. Its 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 its not easy for me to explain to my parents why I like it. While there hasnt 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, its also
Smoking shisha is increasingly popular in Yangon but its risks may far outweigh those of cigarettes
seen as a status symbol. Shisha isnt 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 its 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 theres 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.
Moe Set Wines entrance into the international beauty comp has become a scandal. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing
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 pageants judges. In foreign countries, judges dont 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 didnt dare send such contestants to represent Myanmar. The main point was the beauty, but they also need ability, education and politeness. Its very important to possess good manners, she said. The activities for the top 20 contestants werent 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 Thailands involvement in the Myanmar competition wouldnt 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. Ive worked as a model in foreign competitions and Ive organised model contests in foreign
countries also. But Im 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 dont care what they said because they lost, and that was the only way for them, L Kyun Yee said. Moe Set Wine didnt 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 wont tell whos good and whos bad. Translation by Thae Thae Htwe
42 the pulse
WILLIAM DAVIES
HE spires of Bagan have survived wars, earthquakes and centuries of tropical sun, but in recent years Myanmars 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 countrys 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 Bagans 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 Bagans 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 UNESCOs 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 dont belong in the dry zone. Photo: AFP
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,
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the pulse 43
ONE of the most frustrating aspects of getting older for my ageing patients and their caregivers 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 Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers 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 Alzheimers 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 Alzheimers, nor are there really any effective treatments. But what if we had a medicine that could reduce the chance of developing Alzheimers? 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 its 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 [Alzheimers] 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 20-30 minutes to the point of breathlessness and sweating, reduced their risk of Alzheimers by 60 percent. The age of the participants in the study indicates that its never too late to get started with physical activity. A healthy diet also appears to be protective against Alzheimers. Ive 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 Alzheimers risk as well. What about giving your brain a workout? Its 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 ones 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
NANDAR AUNG nandaraung.mcm@gmail.com NE of Myanmars 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 Zones 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 wont 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. Im unhappy with them because they didnt finish the work they accepted. I dont 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.
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'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.'
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URING the annual October festival of Thadingyut, Nant Thar Street in Yangons 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. Its 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, its 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 cant provide enough space. Theres no space for cars that normally park on the street to park elsewhere, he said. And that means
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 Buddhas 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 werent associated with Thadingyut at first. The first such show was held not on Nant Thar Street but on 13th Street, home of the genius of satirical cartooning, U Ba Gyan. And it was not during Thad-
ingyut but during another lighting festival, celebrated during Novembers 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, 13th 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 Sons wit, U Ba Gyans 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 13th 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, 13th 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
I didnt know
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.
SUDOKU PACIFIC
DILBERT
BY SCOTT ADAMS
PEANUTS
BY CHARLES SCHULZ
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.
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OT many foods are more versatile or easier to prepare than the humble egg. But they dont get a lot of attention, which is why these next few weeks Ill be putting all my eggs in one basket and serving up nothing but my favourite eggbased recipes. Lets begin with the classic duck
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. Ive been making this recipe for over 20 years and have never grown tired of it. Im sure youll 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, its 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 1 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 teaspoon ground black pepper teaspoon salt 8-10 slices bread Butter 3-4 bunches mixed salad leaves carrot, grated PREPARATION Put eggs in pot of cool water and then heat until boiling. Boil for nearly
10 minutes to ensure theyre 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 1 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 youre afraid of butter, use cream Julia Child NEXT WEEK Son-in-law eggs
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, its fair to say the prices may be a bit steeper than what locals are used to. That said, the dcor 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 wasnt 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 wasnt 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
W W HIT IN E E
Wine Review
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.
Score
8/10
K
22,000
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.
7.5/10
R W ED IN E
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
K
18,000
Ma Thin Thin Kyaw, Daw San San Myint and Ma Mie Mie Kyaw
Ma Aye Wa
A customer
Mee Pwar
Thone Paung
Alister Chapman
Nay Win
Models
Staff members
Staff
Models
Yadana Kyaw Oo
Ma Win Min Khaung, Sai Sai Kham Leng and Ko Kyaw Min Tun
Baby Maung
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Shwe Taung and Fosroc contract dinner
NYEIN EI EI HTWE
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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 Thinzar Hmwe
Officials
Authorities
U Aung Ko Latt
U Pee Paw
YANGON TO THANDWE Flight 6T 605 6T 607 6T 607 Days 2,4,5,7 1,4 6 Dep 11:15 11:15 11:15 Arr 12:10 13:50 12:40
YANGON TO MANDALAY Flight W9 512 YH 917 YJ 901 YJ 891 Y5 234 6T 401 K7 222 YH 909 K7 626 K7 226 YJ 201 W9 251 6T 401 YJ 001 YJ 001 W9 201 8M 6603 W9 251 K7 624 YJ 751/W9 7751 YJ 201 YJ 211 YJ 761 YJ 751/W9 7751 YH 727 YH 729 YH 737 YH 729 YJ 191 YJ 601 W9 129 K7 224 6T 501 YH 731 6T 501 YJ 005 Days 3 Daily 2,3,4,7 Daily Daily Daily Daily 1,2,3,5,6 1,5 2,4 1 Daily 1 2,4 3 1,2,3 2,4,7 2 Daily 7 2,3,4 7 1,2,4,6 5 1 2,4 3,7 6 2 6 1,2,3 Daily 2,3,4,5,6,7 1,2,4,6 1 3 Dep 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:10 6:15 6:20 6:30 6:15 6:45 6:45 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:30 7:30 7:45 9:00 10:30 10:30 10:30 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00 12:00 12:15 14:45 14:30 13:45 15:00 15:30 15:30
Domestic Airlines
Air Bagan Ltd. (W9) Air KBZ (K7)
Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102 Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport), Fax: 372983
Tel : (Head Office) 501520, 525488, Fax: 525937. Airport: 533222~3, 09-73152853. Fax: 533223.
Yangon Airways(YH)
Tel: (+95-1) 383 100, 383 107, 700 264, Fax: 652 533.
Domestic
6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan YJ = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways FMI = FMI AIR Charter Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines
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Air Asia (FD)
Tel: 251 885, 251 886.
YANGON TO DON MUENG Flights Days Dep FD 2752 Daily 8:30 FD 2756 Daily 12:15 FD 2754 Daily 17:50 YANGON TO SINGAPORE Flights Days Dep MI 509 1,6 0:25 8M 231 Daily 8:00 Y5 233 Daily 10:10 SQ 997 Daily 10:25 8M 6232 Daily 11:30 3K 586 Daily 11:30 MI 517 Daily 16:40 TR 2827 2,3,4,5,7 19:05 TR 2827 1,6 15:35 YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR Flights Days Dep 8M 501 1,3,6 7:50 AK 1427 Daily 8:30 MH 741 Daily 12:15 MH 743 Daily 15:45 Flights CA 906 YANGON TO BEIJING Days Dep 2,3,4,6,7 14:15
DON MUENG TO YANGON Flights Days Dep FD 2751 Daily 7:15 FD 2753 Daily 16:35 FD 2755 Daily 11:10 SINGAPORE TO YANGON Flights Days Dep SQ 998 Daily 7:55 3K 585 Daily 9:20 8M 6231 Daily 9:10 8M 232 Daily 13:25 MI 518 Daily 14:20 Y5 234 Daily 15:35 MI 520 5,7 22:10 TR 2826 2,3,4,5,7 17:00 TR 2826 1,6 13:15 Flights CA 905 BEIJING TO YANGON Days Dep 2,3,4,6,7 8:05
Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102 Tel : 666112, 655882. Tel : 253597~98, 254758. Fax: 248175
STUART DEED
Tel: 255122, 255 265, Fax: 255119 Tel: + 95 1 -370836 up to 39 (ext : 810)
Dragonair (KA)
YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU Flights Days Dep 8M 711 2,4,7 8:40 CZ 3056 3,6 11:20 CZ 3056 1,5 17:40 Flights CI 7916 Flights MU 2012 MU 2032 CA 906 YANGON TO TAIPEI Days Dep 1,2,3,4,5,6 10:50 YANGON TO KUNMING Days Dep 1,3 12:20 2,4,5,6,7 14:40 2,3,4,6,7 14:15
KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON Flights Days Dep AK 1426 Daily 6:55 MH 740 Daily 10:05 8M 502 1,3,6 12:50 MH742 Daily 13:30 GUANGZHOU TO YANGON Flights Days Dep CZ 3055 3,6 8:40 CZ 3055 1,5 14:45 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15 Flights CI 7915 Flights MU 2011 CA 905 MU 2031 TAIPEI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,2,3,4,5,6 7:00 KUNMING TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3 8:20 2,3,4,6,7 12:40 2,4,5,6,7 13:30
Silk Air(MI)
YANGON TO CHIANG MAI Flights Days Dep W9 9607 7 14:20 Flights VN 956 YANGON TO HANOI Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 19:10
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
CHIANG MAI TO YANGON Flights Days Dep W9 9608 7 17:20 Flights VN 957 HANOI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 16:35
YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY Flights Days Dep Arr VN 942 2,4,7 14:25 17:10 Flights QR 619 YANGON TO DOHA Days Dep 1,4,5 8:15 Arr 11:15
HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON Flights Days Dep Arr VN 943 2,4,7 11:40 13:25 BANGKOK TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep TG 781 2,3,5,6,7 7:25 PG 709 1,3,5,7 12:00 Flights QR 618 Arr 8:50 13:20
OMPETITION cant come to Myanmars skies fast enough. Ive 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 countrys major attractions: There are buses to Bagan and Ngwe Saung and trains to Mandalay and Inle, and - while youre 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 elses dime and while the town was very interesting, Id 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 dont think Ive 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. Youll 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 everybodys way. Its 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 wed 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 couldnt order the monster prawns and lobster I was sure would be plentiful in Myeik. If I were to go to Myeik again Id hire a motorcycle to go beyond the towns 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 Id have to say that it might be a while before I return to Myeik.
YANGON TO PHNOM PENH Flights Days Dep Arr 8M 403 3,6 16:50 19:15 Flights 0Z 770 KE 472 YANGON TO SEOUL Days Dep Arr 4,7 0:35 9:10 Daily 23:35 08:05+1 Arr 06:00
YANGON TO HONG KONG Flights Days Dep KA 251 1,2,4,6 01:10 Flights NH 914 Flights AI 228
PHNOM PENH TO YANGON Flights Days Dep Arr 8M 404 3,6 20:15 21:40 Flights KE 471 0Z 769 Flights NH 913 Flights KA 250 Flights AI 227 SEOUL TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 18:40 3,6 19:50 TOKYO TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 10:30 HONG KONG TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,7 21:45 KOLKATA TO YANGON Days Dep 1,5 10:35 Arr 22:30 23:25 Arr 15:30 Arr 23:30 Arr 13:20
YANGON TO TOKYO Days Dep Arr Daily 21:45 06:50+1 YANGON TO KOLKATA Days Dep 1,5 14:05 Arr 15:05 Arr 11:55 16:35
MANDALAY TO BANGKOK Flights Days Dep TG 782 2,3,5,6,7 9:30 PG 710 1,3,5,7 14:10
MANDALAY TO DON MUENG Flights Days Dep Arr FD 2761 Daily 12:45 15:00
A hill on Pahtaw Island offers a scenic view of Myeik. Photo: Stuart Deed
WEEKLY PREDICTIONS
LEO | Jul 23 - Aug 22 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.
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.
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.
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.
A vendor in Indonesia prepares snake blood for his customers. Photo: AFP
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.
The brains give energy to the head, while the testicles have a power of their own. On the side of traffic-clogged roads in Jakartas 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 snakes 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
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 dont need to. Every aspect of my life has become fantastic. Vigour in the wild The restaurants 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 animals 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 owners. AFP
TAURUS | Apr 20 - May 20 Unhappiness doesnt and cant 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.
SCORPIO | Oct 23 - Nov 21 The measure of yourself is the measure of how much you have got to give, but sometimes, its an unbalanced system of measure. You cant fool nature and you shouldnt tamper with nature human beings are nature. Accepting that you are an occasionally imperfect being will help you accept the flaws of others.
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. Its not always easy, but it is usually helpful.
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 arent pulling their weight.
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. Dont have a suffer with pessimistic out look but regain your sense of personal power through awareness and wisdom.
CAPRICORN | Dec 22 - Jan 19 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.
Every aspect of my life has become fantastic, says one customer after eating at the penis restaurant in Beijing. Photo: AFP
AUNG MYIN KYAW 4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon. Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com
The Essentials
EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. Tel : 251810, 251797, 251798, 251809, 246462, 246463, fax: 246159 Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. Tel: 515275, 526144, fax: 515273, email: bdootygn@ mptmail.net.mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 507225, 507251, 507482. fax: 507483. email: Administ.yangon@ itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 17, Kanbawza Avenue, Golden Velly (1), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 566985, 503978, fax: 512854 email: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb.com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 549609, 540964, fax: 541462, email: RECYANGON @ mptmail.net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 221280, 221281, fax: 227019, 228319 Danmark, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 01 9669520 - 17, Fax 01- 9669516 Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 222886, 222887, email: egye mbyangon@ mptmail. net.mm France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 212178, 212520, email: ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 548951, 548952, email: info@rangun. diplo.de India 545-547, Merchant St, Yangon. Tel: 391219, 388412, email: indiaembassy @ mptmail.net.mm Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, Yangon. Tel: 254465, 254469, 229750, fax: 254468, email: kukygn @ indonesia.com.mm Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 515115, fax: 515116, email: info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. Tel: 527100, 527101, fax: 514565, email: ambyang. mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Rd, Yangon. Tel: 549644-8, 540399, 540400, 540411, 545988, fax: 549643 Embassy of the State of Kuwait Chatrium Hotel, Rm: 416, 418, 420, 422, 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe Tsp, Tel: 544500. North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 512642, 510205 South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 5271424, 515190, fax: 513286, email: myanmar@mofat. go.kr Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 222482, fax: 227446, email: Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 220248, 220249, email: mwkyangon@ mptmail.net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel: 545880, 557168, fax: 549803, email: nepemb @mptmail.net.mm Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel: 01 9669520 - 17 Fax 01- 9669516 New Zealand No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805 Netherlands Diplomatic Mission No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805 Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Rd, Yangon. Tel: 222881 (Chancery Exchange) fax: 221147, Philippines 50, Sayasan Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 558149-151, fax: 558154, email: p.e. yangon@gmail.com Russian 38, Sagawa Road, Yangon. Tel: 241955, 254161, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung Tsp. Tel : 01-536153, 516952, fax : 01-516951 Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Rd, P.O.Box No. 943, Yangon. Tel: 515282, 515283, email: serbemb @ yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 559001, email: singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. Tel: 222812, The Embassy of Switzerland No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5 mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 534754, 512873, 507089. Fax: 534754, Ext: 110 Thailand 94 Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 226721, 226728, 226824 Turkish Embassy 19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel : 662992, Fax : 661365 United Kingdom 80 Strand Rd, Yangon. Tel: 370867, 380322, 371852, 371853, 256438, fax: 370866 United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 536509, 535756, Fax: 650306 Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 511305 UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae (Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-566538, 566539 Fax : 01-566582 IOM 12th Flr, Traders Hotel, 223, Tel: 252560 ext. 5002 UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel : 534498, 504832 UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. tel: 666903, 664539. fax: 651334. UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739. UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: 546029. UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. tel: 524022, 524024. fax 524031. UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel.tel: 254852, 254853. UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan, tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, Kyauktada. tel: 375527~32, fax: 375552 email: unicef. yangon@unicef. org, www.unicef.org/myanmar. UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903, 9660556, 9660538, 9660398, 9664539, fax: 651334. email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org www.unodc.org./myanmar/ UNOPS Inya Lake Hotel, 3rd floor, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 951657281~7. Fax: 657279. UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE tel: 542911~19, 292637 (Resident Coordinator), fax: 292739, 544531. WFP 3rd-flr, Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 657011~6 (6-lines) Ext: 2000. WHO 12A Fl, Traders Hotel. tel:250583. ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Tsp. Ph: 225258. FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: 641672, 641673. fax: 641561.
General Listing
ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS
Hotel Yangon 91/93, 8th Mile Junction, Tel : 01-667708, 667688. Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 662866. fax: 665537. Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 558556. ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm. Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630. MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: 650933. fax: 650960. Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 525001. fax: 525002. The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residence 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel 951-256355 (25 lines).
YANGON No. 277, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Corner of 38th Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 391070, 391071. Reservation@391070 (Ext) 1910, 106. Fax : (951) 391375. Email : hotelasiaplaza@gmail.com
Avenue 64 Hotel No. 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392, 01 656913-9 Chatrium Hotel 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: 544500. fax: 544400.
No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) 546313, 430245. 09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01) 546313. www.cloverhotel.asia. info@cloverhotel.asia Clover Hotel City Center No. 217, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 377720, Fax : 377722 www.clovercitycenter.asia Clover Hotel City Center Plus No. 229, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 377975, Fax : 377974
www.clovercitycenterplus.asia
Royal White Elephant Hotel No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar. (+95-1) 500822, 503986. www.rwehotel.com MGM Hotel No (160), Warden Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. +95-1-212454~9. www. hotel-mgm.com Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: 526289, 526298, Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: 666900. Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377. fax: 289880. Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: 242828. fax: 242838. Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387. email: reservation@winner innmyanmar.com Windsor Hotel No.31, Shin Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung. Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 95-1-511216~8, www. hotelwindsoryangon.com Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600 Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : 01-248944
Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township. Tel : 951-255 819-838 Hotel Max (Chaung Tha Beach) Tel : 042-423 46-9, 042-421 33. Email : maxhotelsreservation@ gmail.com
Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: 525781, 526872
Reservation Office (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township Tel : 951- 255 819~838 Royal Kumudra Hotel, (Nay Pyi Taw) Tel : 067- 414 177, 067- 4141 88 E-Mail: reservation@ maxhotelsgroup.com
AIR CONDITION
Emergency Numbers
Ambulance tel: 295133. Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022. Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764. Red Cross tel:682600, 682368 Traffic Control Branch tel:298651 Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384, 591387. Immigration tel: 286434. Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390 Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605 Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037. Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067407007. Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: 254563, 370768. Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344. Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9. Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112. HOSPITALS Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811. Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807 Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888. Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096. Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811. Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809. Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837. Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494, 384495, 379109. Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861, 220416. Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123, 281443, 256131. ELECTRICITY Power Station tel:414235 POST OFFICE General Post Office 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: 285499. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: 662811. YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722 RAILWAYS Railways information tel: 274027, 202175-8.
No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan Rd, Tamwe Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 542826, Fax: 545650 Email: reservation@ edenpalacehotel.com
M-22, Shwe Htee Housing, Thamine Station St., Near the Bayint Naung Point, Mayangone Tsp., Yangon Tel : 522763, 522744, 667557. Fax : (95-1) 652174 E-mail : grandpalace@ myanmar.com.mm
The First Air conditioning systems designed to keep you fresh all day Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd. No.437 (A), Pyay Road, Kamayut. P., O 11041 Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) 502016-18, Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933. Nay Pyi Taw- Tel: 067-420778, E-mail : sales.ac@freshaircon. com. URL: http://www. freshaircon.com
BARS
50th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160.
No. 12, Pho Sein Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon Tel : (95-1) 209299, 209300, 209343, 209345, 209346 Fax : (95-1) 209344 E-mail : greenhill@ myanmar.com.mm
HAPPY HOMES
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Construction
ENTERTAINMENT
Dance Club & Bar No.94, Ground Floor, Bogalay Zay Street, Botataung Tsp, Yangon.Tel: 392625, 09-500-3591 Email : danceclub. hola@gmail.com
(Except Sunday)
HOT LINE: 959 - 402 510 003 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 www.mmels.com Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7 miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) 652502~04. Fax: (95-1) 650306. Email: zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm
Worlds leader in Kitchen Hoods & Hobs Same as Ariston Water Heater. Tel: 251033, 379671, 256622, 647813
Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 243377.fax: 243393, sales@thestrand.com.mm www.ghmhotels.com
Advertising
WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991
No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi Condo, Room F, Yaw Min Gyi Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 09-425-307-717
Engineering
M a r k e t i n g & c o mm u n i c a t i o n s
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) 211870, 224820, 2301195. Email: admin@ advertising-myanmar.com www.advertising-myanmar. com
Spa Paragon Condo B#Rm-106, Shwe Hinthar Condo, Corner of Pyay Rd & Shwe Hinthar St, 6Mile, Yangon. Tel: 01-507344 Ext: 112, 09-680-8488, 09-526-1642.
Car Rental Service No. 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-246551, 375283, 09-2132778, 09-31119195. Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com,
coffee machine
NS BlueScope Pte Ltd Diamond Condo Bldg A, Rm 301, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 95 11221343 95 9448018719 email : khin.thu@ bluescopesteel.com www.bluescopesteel.com
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: 951-691843~5, 9519690297, Fax: 951-691700 Email: supermega97@ gmail.com. www.supermega-engg.com
Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : 245543, 09-73903736, 09-73037772. Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St, Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : 096803505, 09-449004631.
24 hours Laboratory & X-ray No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135
BOOK STORES
illy, Francis Francis, VBM, Brasilia, Rossi, De Longhi Nwe Ta Pin Trading Co., Ltd. Shop C, Building 459 B New University Avenue 01- 555-879, 09-4210-81705 nwetapintrading@gmail.com
courier Service
DTDC Courier and Cargo Service (Since 1991) Yangon. Tel : 01-374457 Mandalay. Tel : 09-43134095. www.DTDC.COM, dtdcyangon@gmail.com Door to Door Delivery!!!
FITNESS CENTRE
No. 44, Inya Road, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305811, 2305812. email : info@bestjewels myanmar.com, Bestjewelsmyanmar.com
Marina Residence, Yangon Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109 Beauty Plan, Corner of 77th St & 31st St, Mandalay Ph: 02 72506
150 Dhamazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 536306, 537805. 15(B), Departure Lounge, Yangon Intl Airport. 45B, Crn of 26th & 68th St, Mandalay. Tel: (02) 66197. Email : yangon@ monument-books.com #87/2, Crn of 26th & 27th St, Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp, Mandalay. Tel : (02) 24880. MYANMARBOOKCENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: 212 409, 221 271. 214708 fax: 524580. email:info@ myanmarbook.com
communication
Duty free
La Source Beauty Spa (Ygn) 80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 512380, 511252 La Source Beauty Spa (Mdy) No. 13/13, Mya Sandar St, Between 26 x 27 & 62 & 63 St, Chanaye Tharzan Tsp, In ning Mandalay. Ope ugust A Tel : 09-4440-24496. La Source Beauty Spa Sedona Hotel, Room (1004) Tel : 666 900 Ext : (7167) LS Saloon Junction Square, 3rd Floor. Tel : 95-1-527242, Ext : 4001 www.lasourcebeautyspa.com
n oo !! ns ns Mo otio m o Pr
International Calling Card No.004, Building (B), Ground Floor, Yuzana St, Highway Complex Housing, Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-230-4379, 09-731-74871~2 Email : info@vmg.com mm, www.vmgtelecoms.com, www.ytalk.com.mm
Balance Fitnesss No 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon 01-656916, 09 8631392 Email - info@ balancefitnessyangon.com
Duty Free Shops Yangon International Airport, Arrival/Departure Tel: 533030 (Ext: 206/155) Office: 17, 2nd street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.
co working space
Life Fitness Bldg A1, Rm No. 001, Shwekabar Housing, Mindhamma Rd, Mayangone Tsp. Yangon. Ph: 01-656511, Fax: 01-656522, Hot line: 0973194684, natraysports@gmail.com
sales@manawmaya.com.mm www.manawmayagems.com
Ruby & Rare Gems of Myanamar No. 527, New University Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon.
No. (68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 9 666141 Fax : (951) 9 666135 Email : info@witoriyahospital.com Website : www.witoriyahosptial.com
Home Furnishing
The Lady Gems & Jewellery No. 7, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305800, 09-8315555 The Lady Gems & Silk Co operative Business Centre, Room No (32/41), New University Avenue Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-5200726 theladygems@gmail.com www.thelady-gems.com
CONSULTING
Sein Shwe Tailor, 797 (003-A), Bogyoke Aung San Rd, MAC Tower 2, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Ph: 01-225310, 212943~4 Ext: 146, 147, E-mail: uthetlwin@gmail.com No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl Street, Golden Valley Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel : 09-509 7057, 01220881, 549478 (Ext : 103) Email : realfitnessmyanmar @gmail.com
www.realfitnessmyanmar.com
Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2 Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon. Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730 info@thuraswiss.com www.thuraswiss.com
No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaoffice.com, www.venturaoffice.com
FLORAL SERVICES
GENERATORS
Bldg-D, Rm (G-12), Pearl Condo, Ground Flr, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 557448. Ext 814, 09-730-98872.
FloralService&GiftShop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: 541217, 559011, 09-860-2292. Market Place By City Mart Tel: 523840~43, 523845~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: 067-421617~18 422012~15, Ext: 235. Res: 067-414813, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@ mptmail.net.mm
No. 589-592, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax: 951-645211, 545278. e-mail: mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm
HEALTH SERVICES
Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142 Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173 fax: 535376.email: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm.
98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 553783, 549152, 09-732-16940, 09-730-56079. Fax: 542979 Email: asiapacific. myanmar@gmail.com.
S.B. FURNITURE
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: 01-202063-4, 09 509-1673 E-mail: contact@ smartdesignstrading.com www.royalbotania.com, www.alexander-rose.co.uk
S.B. FURNITURE
No-001-002, Dagon Tower, Ground Flr, Cor of Kabaraye Pagoda Rd & Shwe Gon Dine Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 544480, 09-730-98872.
LEGAL SERVICE
U Min Sein, BSc, RA, CPA.,RL Advocate of the Supreme Court 83/14 Pansodan St, Yangon. tel: 253 273. uminsein@mptmail.net.mm
Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Fl,Lower Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax : 01-203743, 09-5007681. Hot Line-09-730-30825.
Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 5 Days, 7 Days, 9 Days Trips Tel: 95 1 202063, 202064 E-mail: info@islandsafari mergui.com. Website: www. islandsafarimergui.com
The Ritz Exclusive Lounge Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Ground Floor, Tel: 544500 Ext 6243, 6244
Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597
Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governors Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 229860 fax: (951) 217361. email: RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm www.orient-express.com
Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288, 210 670, 227650. ext: 702. Fax: 229212. email: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm
Kohaku Japanese Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp, Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6231
SERVICE OFFICE
The Emporia Restaurant Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon 40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp. Lobby Level, Tel: 544500 Ext 6294
REAL ESTATE
OFFICE FURNITURE
Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: 667686, 666646.fax: 651250. email: sche nker@mptmail.net.mm.
Tel : 01-4413410 Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon Tel. 01 665 516, 660976 Mob. 09-730-30755 operayangon@gmail.com www.operayangon.com 1. WASABI:No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; 09-4250-20667, 09-503-9139 Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart) UnionBarAndGrill 42 Strand Road, Botahtaung, Yangon. Tel: 95 9420 180 214, 95 9420 101 854 www.unionyangon.com, info@unionyangon.com www.facebook.com/ UnionBarAndGrill
Your Most Reliable & Friendly Real Estate Agency Tel : 09-7308848 01-242370, 394053 Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel: 377263, 250582, 250032, 09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.
No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaoffice.com, www.venturaoffice.com
WATER SOLUTION
Company Limited
Aekar
TRAVEL AGENTS
Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd www.exploremyanmar.com
Open Daily (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303 sales.centuremyanmar@ gmail.com www.centure.in.th
Real Estate Agent Agent fees is unnecessary Tel : 09 2050107, 09 448026156 robinsawnaing@gmail.com
22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel 541997. email: leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. http://leplanteur.net
Water Treatement Solution Block (A), Room (G-12), Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Hot Line : 09-4500-59000
WATER TANK
RESTAURANTS
G-01, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106
Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 211212, 223262. fax: 211670. email: res@ asiantrails.com.mm
PE WATER TANK
Good taste & resonable price @Thamada Hotel Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41 Ext: 32
WATER TREATMENT
No. 5, U Tun Nyein Street, Mayangone T/S, Yangon. Tel : 01-660 612, 011 22 1014, 09 50 89 441 Email : lalchimiste. restaurant@gmail.com
Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. email: eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: 652391, 09-73108896
Sai Khung Noung Real Estate Co., Ltd. Tel : 541501, 551197, 400781, 09-73176988 Email : saikhungnoung 1995@gmail.com. www.saikhungnoung.com
a drink from paradise... available on Earth @Yangon International Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 09-421040512
Car Rental with English Speaking Driver. (Safety and Professional Services). Tel : +95 9 2050107 robinsawnaing@gmail.com
Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.
SUPERMARKETS
Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136. City Mart (Aung San Branch) tel: 253022, 294765. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (47th St Branch) tel: 200026, 298746. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (Junction 8 Branch) tel: 650778. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm) City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: 682323. City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: 400284. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm)
Commercial scale water treatment (Since 1997) Tel: 01-218437~38. H/P: 09-5161431, 09-43126571. 39-B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone.
WATER HEATERS
PAINT
Worlds No.1 Paints & Coatings Company
For House-Seekers
No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-523840(Ext-309), 09-73208079.
No. 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan T/S, Yangon. Tel : 01-380 398, 01-256 355 (Ext : 3027) Email : zawgyihouse@ myanmar.com.mm
SCHOOLS
The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: 01-256705, 399464, 394409, 647812.
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: 654810~17.
REMOVALISTS
Delicious Hong Kong Style Food Restaurant G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114 Yangon International School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun Township, Yangon. Tel: 578171, 573149 www.yismyanmar.net Yangon International School New Early Childhood Center Pan Hlaing Golf Estate Housing & U Tun Nyo Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. Tel: 687701, 687702
Made in Japan Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker and Cooker Hood Showroom Address
Water Heater
Quality Chinese Dishes with Resonable Price @Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109 Legendary Myanmar Intl Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 516827, 523653, 516795. Mobile. 09-512-3049. Email: legandarymyr@ mptmail.net .mm www.LMSL-shipping.com
SANITERY WARE
TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 09-851-5202
Heaven Pizza 38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St. Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township. Tel: 09-855-1383
Indian Fine Dining & Bar Bldg No. 12, Yangon Intl Compound, Ahlone Road. Tel: 01-2302069, 09-43185008, 09-731-60662. sales@corrianderleaf.com
Bath Room Accessories 79-B3/B3, East Shwe Gone Dine, Near SSC Womens Center, Bahan. Tel : 01-401083, 0973011100, 09-73056736
Get your Visa online for Business and Tourist No need to come to Embassy. #165. 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Tel: +951 381200, 204020 travel.evisa@gmail.com
FREE
General
Education
EXPERIENCE SAT English teacher, who can come to home, needed for 2 International school students. Pls contact 09501-4443, Between 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. IGCSE, Secondary 3, 4 Physics, Maths B, Pure Maths Practice with 15 years old questin. Ph: 09-4500-23213. 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: 09-4210- 37619. 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: 09-5139298 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 : 544594, 09-500-4993. SPECIAL for Maths : For Int'l School - Grade IX, X, XI & XII, Geometry, Algebra I & II, Calculus. Tr.Kaung Myat : BE(PE) Ph-09-731-42020. who own his car No. 6F/8728 by monthly payment price 5.5 lakhs Kyats only. Contact : Ms Mya Mya Aung : 094200-48040, 09-401543732.
BY FAX : 01-254158 BY EMAIL : classified@myanmartimes.com.mm, advertising@myanmartimes.com.mm BY MAIL : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
Property
MCP English Classes (taught by native speakers) Fees: 25000 ks. Duration: 10 weeks per level. Add: 277, BPI Rd, Insein Ph:01646474,646397, 09400534734. email: mcp. lifeskill@gmail.com. (Enroll now for October) TO FOREIGNERS : If you want to learn Myanmar Language at your home. Contact : 09-730-85929. 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: 09 -4210- 37619. & Tours Co., Ltd, Akhoon Int'l Trading Co., Ltd. Authorized Money Changer : 25, Konzaydan St, Pabedan Tsp. Ph: 243441, 249189, Email: akhoon.maneychanger @gmail.com NYAN MYINT THU Car Rental Service : Ko Nyan Myint Win Kyi (MD) - 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph : 01-246551, 01-375284. Hp:09-2132778. il:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com, nmt@nyan myintthucarrental. com, colwinkyi@ gmail.com. Web:www. nyanmyintthucarrental. com
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: 09-503-5350, 0 9 - 3 1 0 2 - 1 3 1 4 . w w w. facebook.com/shaping the way SPECIAL for Maths Algebra I&II, Geometry, Calculus Pre- University Level Tr.Kaung Myat: BE(PE) Ph:09-73142020. 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) 09-4200-7 0692 TEACHING ENGLISH: English for Young LearnersandHighSchool Graduates Qualified and experienced teacher. Using International Syllabuses. Available for small groups or Individual. Ph: 01- 291679 , 09-250-136695. 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) 09-4200-7 0692. "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 : 09-215-0075. Tr.Bryan :09-4200-70692. 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: 546097, 546761, Email: imm.myn@gmail.com
For Sale
ALPHARD, Mark X, Mark II, Crown. Ph: 09-5188320. MARK II, Regalia (99mdl), 165 Lakhs. Ph: 09-518-8320. WIMAX (Bagan). Ph: 0944-800-6520. ENGLISH literature & language arts for middle school in touch with SAT. French class & Spanish can be inquired. U Thant Zin:09-503-5350, 09-3102-1314. www. facebook.com/shaping the way. USED Dell, Acer, ASUS Lenovo, & More Laptops Core i3, i5, i7. Ph : 094500-39844 99% NEW SAMSUNG Series 5 Ultra Book Intel Core i5 Ram 8GB H.D.D + SSD Display 13.3 1 Year 6 Month International Warranty. Price : 630000. Ph : 094200-50651. MACBOOK Pro 13" Intel Core 2 Duo Ram 4GB H.D.D 750GB Mac OS 10.8.5 + Windown 7. Price : 685,000. Ph : 094200-50651. ORIGINAL 3DS Game Cartridges & accessories - Spirit Camrea: The Cursed Memoir (with box and user guide booklet) - 20000 Kyats, Rabbid Rumble (with box & user guide booklet) - 20000 Kyats, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (with box and user guide booklet) - 24000 Kyats, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (with box & user guide booklet) - 30000 Kyats, - Project X Zone (with box and user guide booklet) - 30000 Kyats, 3DS Game Cartridge Holder (24 Slots) - 17000 Kyats, Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL - 30000 Kyats. Prices are negotiable. Ph: 09-507-9980". ASUS A42J Intel Core i7 Ram 4GB H.D.D 500GB Garaphic 2GB Price : 435000. Ph : 09-5016694 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" To u c h s c r e e n - S u p e r AMOLED Plus Display Very good internet speed Brand New. Good Price: 440000 Ks. Negotiable. Ph:09-507-4152.
www.guestcarehotel. com COFFEE CIRCLES Coffeehouse & Restaurant. Menu: Excellent Coffee (InHouse 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: 525157, 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
HousingforRent
BAHAN , (1)New University Avenue Rd, new condo, 1500sqft, f.f, US$ 3000 (2)New University Avenue condo, 2000 sqft, f.f US$ 3000. Maureen : 09-518-8320. BAHAN,(1)NearChatrium 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 : 094921-4276. CLASSIC STRAND, 3 bed 2 bath, 1600 square feet, 8th floor corner unit full riverview. $3800/month. Strand Rd, 5min walk to Hilton/Center Point offices. jasonwongjp@ gmail.com, 09-421102223. MAYANGONE , (1) Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Ga Mon Pyint condo, 2500 Sqft, 2 MR, 1 SR, fully furnish, 4000 USD. (2).9 mile , Ocean condo, 1500 Sqft, 1 MR, 2 SR, 2500 USD. (3).Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, near Parami Rd, 2 stories, 3 MR, fully furnish , 3500 USD. (4). 7 Mile, U Kyaw Hla St, 3 stories, 5 MR, fully furnish, 8000 USD. (5).9 Mile, 2 stories, 4 MR,USD 2500. Ph:Ph : 09-49214276. MAYANGONE, (1)Nice apartment, 1300 sqft, 1 MBR, 2 SR, furnished, ph line, good electricity, US$ 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: 09-507-4241. YANKIN, Near Yankin Centre, 1450 sqft, Fully furnished, 1 MB, 2 BR, No need to pay agent fee, 09 430 83781 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 1600. (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 1600. (5).Near Kandawgyi Lake, 20' x 80', 2MR, 1 SR, fully furnish, USD 2500. (6). Golden velly, 2500 Sqft, 2RC, 1 MR, 2 SR, USD 2500. Ph : 09-4921-4276. MAYANGONE, Double Slab, 4th Flr :131, Cheery St, Thamine, 23' x 48', MBR 1, Single Room 1, Dinning Room. Air Con, Refrigenerator, TV. Ph: 09-429-333333, 01680699, 687376
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 09-4211-67228 (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: 09- 73002705, 09- 537-0230
Expert Services
AIR POWER, M & E Engineering Services Pte, Ltd. (Air Con & Electrical - Installation & Services) : 124, Rm 4, Padamya St, Yenatha, Thuwunna. Ph: 01-709717, 570-086, 09-5014435. 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: 09-732-11907, 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 09-731-38659 or email : thecleverson@ gmail.com
Square Shopping Center and City Mart@ Thamine Junction, Yangon Facebook.com/ NeoCoffeeandFood
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: 09313-29605, 09-425360719.
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:09-5035350, 0931021314. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / 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:094302-6789. Shwe ohn pin villa (new) , Yanshin Rd, Yankin.
Travel
PROFESSIONAL English Speaking Tour Car Driver Mr. SONNY Car Rental Service [Maw @ AUNG (Mya Mya Aung) Guide or English translator/Interpreter ] !!! I can assist you as your best Tour Car Rental Service. Mr. Sonny: 094200-48040 VIRGIN LAND Tours :Visa Services, Worldwide Air Ticketing, Worldwide Hotel Reservation, All Kind Transportation Rental, Inbound & Outbound Tour Operator, Tour Guide Services , Ph: 01-8610252, 09512-3793, 09-520-2643 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 : 094301-8077 FUTURE WINGS Travels
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: 09-4500-39844. 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 : 09-501-6694 CHERRY QQ3 (Taxi). Pls contact; 09-4211-31257 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 09-518-4314
40 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, 09 430 83781. BAHAN, (1)University Avenue Condo - 1900 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: 09-732-41848, 09-8601042 . YANKIN, Near Yankin Centre, 1450 sqft, fully furnished, 1 MB, 2 BR, No need to pay agent fee, Ph: 09-430-83781 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 : 09-507-4241 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 09-541-2499. (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: 09518-8320.
HousingforSale
KAMAYUT, Pyay Rd, Diamond Condo, Nicely viwe, new, ph, 4 A/C, own meter, 3600 Lakhs. Maureeen : 09-5188320.
General
GUEST Care Hotel : 107(A) Dhamma Zedi Rd, Bahan, Yangon. Tel: 511118, 526902, 527770. Email: reservations@ guestcarehotel.com.
For Rent
NEW BELTA Saloon Car (Model:2008) with English speaking driver
Want to Buy
WE want to buy about (100 ft x 100 ft), (Need to join ownerself), Ph: 09-5661037.
FREE
Employment
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: 542830, 09-731-71002, Email: 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,NayPyiTaw. Or mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com, Closing date for 1 & 2 : 21.10.2013, for 3 & 4 : 23.10.2013. 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: 09-8631672 or 525617. Email: 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: 09-8631672 or 525617. Email: 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 email: recruitment@ solidarites-myanmar.org, cc: to rks.admassist.stw@ solidarites-myanmar.org, Closing date : 21 October, 2013. registration card, NRC card and other supportive documents to 103/104, Kyun Shwe Myaing St, Thuwunna.Yangon, Ph : 09-731-27269, 09-421156774 or Email: 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 email: sangmin.kim02@ gmail.com not later than 30.10.13. Only short list candidate will be notified and interview will be arranged in very near future. Ph: 228004. 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: 510972. 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), 3rd 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: 526626, 512128. 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 : 01-1223333 OR email 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:01-400878 Email: 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 : 09-516-32 03. 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. BA in Russian or advance level course in Russian or Russian tour guide. Skill Set: Incumbent should be fluent in Russian, English and Burmese language. Precious experiences in translating Russian to Myanmar, Russian to English and vice versa. Skills in MS office suite and able to handle multi tasks. Able to stay & work at both sites in Saging Division. All candidates must be: Independent, well-organized, selfmotivated & team-player; Good interpersonal and communication skills; Collaborative, hands on & dynamic personalities. Pls send full CV, detailing Skills, knowledge & experience with recent color passport photo to yogsmyanmar@gmail. com by email or submit hard copy to room 1406, 14th Flr, Sakura Tower. Closing date : 15thOctober 2013 (or) until suitable candidate is defined. SAVOY HOTEL, Yangon is urgently looking for (1)Guest Relation Manager - 1 post, Must have at least 3 years experience in related field, Very good English skill & interpersonal skill. (2)Driver - M 2 posts (1 post as personal driver, 1 post as hotel driver) must have at least 3 years experience, must be able to speak English. Application letter by email to savoy.hra@gmail.com or 129, Dhammazedi Rd, Yangon. Tel: 526298, 526289. WE ARE seeking(1) Accountant - M/F 1 Post : Age above 26 , Good in English, 3 years relevant experience, Able to prepare & handle full set of accounts, Maintain and supervise accounting procedures, Good knowledge of Microsoft Advanced Excel & Accounting Software. (2) Admin/Accounts Assistant 1 Post : Age above 23, Good in English, 2 years experience, Good organizational skills, Computer literate: MS Word/Excel/Email. Pls contact : 09-506-9346, 09-512-8164. TO DO resceptionist duty, We are preferred to Good personality, Any graduate, Who can speak & understand English well. Can nicely converstion to the phone receivine & other receptionist duty. 22, U Chit Mg Housing, U Chit Mg Rd, Tamwe. Ph : 09-555054, 554-052, 094200-89100, . 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 companys 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 email & 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 : 095108481. 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. Pls submit resume, photo Working Experience, achievement & Position, Language skills, Academic certificates, Recent photo, Last Drawn Salary, Availability, Notice Period to ptyangon@ gmail.com, apnetw@ ymail.com, Tel: 543238, 09-516-4646.
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 yearatlevel4orequivalent. 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) email to Myanmar. vacancy@wfp. org COB 17 October 2013. 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: 210588, Email: 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: 210588, 09-861-0126, 09-861-0127, Email: hryangon@iom.int, Closing date : 14 October 2013 .
3 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, Email : admin-hr@ myanmar.nrc.no Closing date for (1) 15th 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 email: 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.
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 16.10.2013. Only short-listed candidates will be notified by phone for interview. Ph: 01544500, 01-544500 Ext: 6563. 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, emails & 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. Email : hr.ayarswanah@gmail. com Closing Date: 31 October 2013. 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 ~ 40. 5 years experience in driving skill. Pls contact with updated CV in English, with 1 passport photo, copy of labor
Ingo Positions
MYANMAR Red Cross Society is seeking(1) Finance Officer - 1 post in Sittwe: CPA or B.Com/ B.Accounting, LCCI III (or) other equivalent accounting degree. High level of computer skills.
58 Sport
MOSCOW
Members of the Myanmar national rowing team carry oars through the Yangon Airport on October 7. Photo: Boothee
KYAW ZIN HLAING kyawzinhlaing91@gmail.com HE 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
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds the Olympic flame in Moscow on October 5. Photo: AFP
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 In-
donesia. 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.
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. Whats it all about? Sometimes called kick volleyball, the alternative name provides a reasonable impression of what youll 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 Bluffers 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.
2013 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 youll 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, doesnt 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 youll 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 1990. 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. Whats the betting? This is a sport where Myanmar will really look to capitalise on home advantage. In 2011 the Womens 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 theyll 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.
www.mmtimes.com
LONDON
Sport 59
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
Prince William takes part in a football training session in the garden of Buckingham Palace in central London on October 7. Photo: AFP
With Owen standing nearby, the Duke of Cambridge joked, Michaels 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 palaces 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.
Polytechnics manager, Geoff Brown, said the experience was something very special. Earlier, William had handed out medals to 150 grassroots football volunteers and praised the sports 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 weathers been good and it hasnt been raining so we did not rip up the lawn. The Duke was concerned that the lawn might suffer, but its 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 didnt break any windows. AFP
Sport
60 THE MYANMAR TIMES OCTOBER 14 - 20, 2013
NEW DELHI
YANGON is set to play host to its second annual marathon in January, organisers announced last week. Organisers of the 2nd 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. Im 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 years 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 years event with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 13 seconds. In the womens marathon, Myanmars Mi Mi Aye finished first with a time of 2 hours, 46 minutes and 7 seconds.
Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring a world record-breaking double century on February 24, 2010. Photo: AFP
Yoma chairman Serge Pun speaks at the Park Royal Hotel in Yangon on October 8. Photo: Zarni