NLD leader attends the SEA Games in the capital

“Don't be depressed when defeated and don't be too proud when successful. That's what I want to say to Myanmar’s athletes. I'm very happy to see you,” Suu Kyi told athletes taking part in the games.

The National League for Democracy leader has provided her own horse named “Myanma Ahla (Myanmar Beauty)” which took part in the equestrian event – ridden by a Cambodian rider in the equestrian dressage competition at the Games.

She also presented awards to winners at the competition. 

“I was very unhappy when Amay [Suu Kyi] spoke to me. She said she wanted to sing the national anthem. But we're unhappy we failed to win and make it happened. I myself also wanted to sing it very much,” said Aung Thu, a Myanmar competitor in the race.

 

Motorbikes the most imported item through Myawaddy

Motorbikes were the most imported goods through the Myawaddy Border Trade Zone from Thailand in November, according to border sources.

“The number of motorbikes imported through the border zone has increased significantly in the last month,” said an official from the border centre. “Restricted items imported through the checkpoint in November included alcohol, beer and cigarettes, but around 100 trucks carrying motorbikes come and go every day,” the official added.

The Twenty-most common products being imported include motorbikes, liquefied gases, Vigo double cabs, cement, energy drinks, cosmetics, tires, soft drinks, garments, bicycles, medicines, soaps and foodstuffs. 

The volume of motorbikes being imported through the border zone in November is valued at US$ 3.8 million (Bt121.6 million).

According to Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar has imported an increasing number of motorbikes from neighbouring countries such as China, Thailand and India, in recent months.

More than five people are killed every day in traffic accidents in the country, mostly due to motorcycle accidents, according to official police statistics.

From 2011 to August 2013, 8,574 people died due to traffic accidents in the country. Among them, 4,287 were motorcycle riders, said the Traffic Police Office.

 

Noble Gold starts conducting feasibility on gold exploration in Myanmar

Noble Gold, a mineral exploration company from Russia, has started conducting a feasibility study on Nantdagun forest reserve, covering an area of 300,000 acres, despite the fact that the firm has yet to receive permission from the Myanmar Investment Commission to operate in the country. The area in question is situated at the source of the Ayeyawady, Mu and Chindwin Rivers.

Environmentalists are raising concerns about the study by the Russian company, with initial assessments indicating that the local people living along the river could suffer from the discharge of toxic chemicals during Noble Gold’s exploration of mineral sources.

“The survey site is at Nantdagun forest reserve on Nantsarsi Creek. There are five villages with 300 households beside this creek. The Russian Embassy to Myanmar has already admitted it does not know what process Noble Gold is using to analyse the mineral sources. But the Myanmar Investment Commission has not yet given Noble Gold permission to work in the area,” said a local resident. 

“Noble Gold started exploration in 2009. We heard that it has joined with Htoo Company to explore for titanium on about 25,000 acres of land. Enquires are being made as to whether or not Noble Gold has joined forces with Htoo Company,” said local resident Thein Tun.

Upper House MP Dr Myint Naing of Sagaing Region said he was looking into the case for local villagers. “Once I have all the facts in hand, I will submit them to parliament,” he said. 

“If acids are used [by Nobel Gold], local people living along the river could be at great risk. Mercury could also be used,” said environmentalist Win Myo Thu.