Singtel to launch satellite system
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Singtel will provide technical assistance to launch a Myanmar-owned satellite communication system, the group said.
“Singtel is more interested in helping Myanmar to connect with international world than in building infrastructure in Myanmar. We will help Myanmar to launch a satellite successfully whether we get the license or not. We have already launched two of our satellites,” said Mark Chong, CEO at Singtel International.
Voting system in spotlight
Rakhine people will object if the proportional representation (PR) electoral system is used in the 2015 election, according to Aye Thar Aung, chairman of Arkan League for Democracy.
Over the past month, the Arkan League for Democracy has met with Rakhine people in nine townships and several villages and heard their opposition to the PR system, said Aye Thar Aung.
Myanmar is currently using the first-past-the-post system where the candidate with most votes is elected.
Smaller political parties, including the National Unity Party, Democratic Party (Myanmar) and Kayin People’s Party have submitted requests to the President and parliament that the PR system be used for the 2015 election.
Those opposing the system fear that it will help elect candidates from extremist parties to parliament. Elections Commission Chairman Tin Aye has said a proposal to use the PR system will be submitted at the next parliamentary session.
Tourism law set for review
Myanmar’s 1992 tourism law will be reviewed and updated to streamline licensing procedures for hotels, restaurants and tour guides, the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism has announced.
“Myanmar’s tourism has potential for further development. It will be helped by ADB [Asian Development Bank] and the government of Norway. Our plan will create job opportunities in the country,” Htay Aung, Minister for Hotel and Tourism, said.
Prospects for the industry are brightened by the upcoming Southeast Asian Games and Myanmar’s chairmanship of Asean in 2014.
However, the country’s infrastructure is still in poor condition, with a lack of hotel rooms and poor Internet connection yet to be solved. Myanmar earlier unveiled a $500-million plan to upgrade the tourism industry.
Corruption due to low wages: VP
Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham has spoken out about the culture of corruption in Myanmar, placing the blame on low salaries for government workers.
“Corruption is a problem that has been rooted in the country for decades. In combating graft, the government should take the salary of the government employees into account. For that reason the government has increased the salary of government employees two times, but it has not yet reached a satisfactory level,” said Sai Mauk Kham.
The recent World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Nay Pyi Taw heard that Myanmar was ranked as one of the world’s most graft-ridden countries, standing at 170th in the corruption perception index.
Myanmar set up a panel to fight corruption earlier this year.
“In the past, the government lacked leadership skills, but the new government’s legacy will depend on how it manages to relax the system,” said Kham.
