Federalism not in Charter: ethnic chief

Pu Chin Sian Thang that the long-standing conflicts between the government and several ethnic groups could not be settled as long as the constitution ignored federalism. “Reading the constitution we find that under the title ‘Basic Principles’ the constitution does not stipulate a federal principle, as many ethnic groups have requested,” he said.

Pu Chin Sian Thang also slammed the constitution for not being drafted according to public desires.

“All the people see a federal system as the way to live together in peace under democratic rule,” he added.

 

Major Rakhine parties to discuss merger

The Rakhine League for Democracy (RLD) and the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) will meet on June 15 in Yangon to discuss merging into a single political party.

The move was announced after the RNDP annual meeting held at the end of May. “The plan of joining the two major parties into one is a first step in building trust and laying down the basic principles for future works,” said RNDP chairman Aye Maung.

 

Low-cost housing to mushroom in Yangon 

A total of 48 new high-rises with 18 floors each will be constructed in low-cost areas in Yangon to meet a growing demand for affordable housing.

The Yandana and Ayeyarwun low-cost housing projects will be located in Dagon Seikkan Township where an estimated 17,000 apartments will sell for 20 million kyats (Bt650,620) per unit. The area will include schools and hospitals in a move to deal with the growing urban population and a rising number of residents looking for affordable housing in Yangon.

“Among 48 buildings, some have been planned for construction. Some buildings will include schools, hospitals and in the design as we hope to renovate the project area,” said Thar Htay, Chairman of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association. Twenty-eight companies are currently contracted by the government to construct the new high-rises under the supervision of the Ministry of Construction.

 

Illegal imports from China seized

Authorities seized an estimated 600 million kyats (Bt1.95 million) worth of illegally imported products from China between April and May this year according to officials. Most of the seized products were consumer goods such as chocolate and candy, but also seized were large quantities of eggs and other poultry products, raising fears of the possible spread of avian flu. The goods were smuggled through Muse, a town near the Myanmar-China border.

“We’re collaborating with the other relevant officials to crack down on this illegal trade,” said Nanda, deputy director for the Muse Border Trade Department. 

The Ministry of Commerce has organised special mobile teams to prevent illegal trading through Myanmar’s border areas. The teams have seized large amounts of illegally imported products in a bid to encourage legal cross-border businesses. “Most legal border trade showed no significant growth last year. This is because the illegal trade is thriving,” said Win Myint, an official with the Ministry of Commerce.