Week in Review: Myanmar

 

They are the first of over 40 from 13 countries committed to investing in the zone. The construction work is underway for most of the other factories. 

 

Police target taxi crimes

Police took action against 146 unlicensed taxis in Yangon in a move to control crimes committed by cabbies.

Pol Captain Aung Ko Oo said last week that some of them carried fake licences and these people are more likely to commit crimes. A passenger was beaten by an iron rod and robbed on Tuesday. 

All taxi drivers in the city must show a valid licence or risk a six-month suspension, 50,000 kyat (Bt1,375) fine and a month in jail. 

 

Perilous Facebook post

Facebook user Zaw Myo Nyunt was 

sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour for his Facebook post that “defamed” Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

He was also convicted of distributing materials that upset public tranquillity.

He was arrested on October 6.

“It’s unfair that I was punished like this. There should no longer be such prosecutions that oppress the people,” he said.

Two other users – Chaw Sandi Tun and Kachin national Khum Jar Lee – were earlier sentenced to six months in jail for similar defamatory posts. 

 

Power transfer talks

Aung San Suu Kyi, chairwoman of the National League for Democracy, met the commander-in-chief for the second time since the election for nearly two hours.

They discussed the post-election transition, parliamentary affairs, duties of the incoming government and future steps for the national peace process. 

The government’s support committee for the handover of the duties of the head of state and NLD’s transition committee held another meeting, about two months from the first meeting on November 22. 

Information Minister Ye Htut said they discussed plans to hold a handover ceremony. Another meeting is scheduled for next month.

 

$1 bn in development loans 

Myanmar received loans worth over US$1 billion (Bt36 billion) in fiscal 2014-15 from the governments of Japan, China and South Korea and international organisations, according to the National Planning and Economic Development Ministry.

The loans were used to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure and railroad sections, build subpower stations and reform the financial sector throughout the last fiscal year.

Japan loaned $628 million for the upgrades of the Thilawa-Thanlyin road and Yangon-Mandalay railroad project by the Rail Transportation Ministry, extension of the Lagonepyin water supply project in Yangon under the Yangon City Development Committee and development of dam projects in western Bago region.

China loaned $20 million for the construction of the Athoke-Pathein power grid and subpower station. South Korea loaned $200 million for the construction of the Taunggo-Kamarnat subpower station and the purchase of farm equipment through a long-term instalment plan.

 

Microsoft hosts workshops 

Microsoft has hosted a series of workshops and seminars for local business leaders and entrepreneurs, sharing emerging trends in technology and discussing how technology innovation can help local businesses grow, transform and build the local economy. 

It also met with management from the Yangon Stock Exchange. They shared ways that modern exchanges from the region and globally are helping to protect companies and investors with cybersecurity best practices.

 

Security bill passed

MPs passed the controversial security bill just days before parliament was adjourned. 

Under the law, President Thein Sein will be shielded against legal charges regarding his decisions while serving the nation. 

The Home Affairs Ministry will take responsibility for his security after leaving office. The original text of the bill said this duty would be shared with the Defence Ministry. 

 

Rental housing project

Construction of a rental housing project began in South Dagon township in Yangon, involving 26 local construction companies. Monthly rents are set at 30,000-50,000 kyat. The project is expected to be completed at the end of March.

The Yangon government was allocated 20 billion kyat for the project.