Ex-minister graft trial resumes amid secrecy

The trial has been shrouded in secrecy and misinformation as the government has been unwilling to discuss the reasons behind the minister’s dismissal on June 20, and also changed the date of the third hearing. 

The Bureau of Special Investigation filed a case against Hsan Sint and associates under Section 409/109 of the penal code for the misuse of public funds. “I want to say that I did nothing wrong. I committed no wrongdoing. I was taken here for a case they have already investigated. In my opinion, it is extremely unfair to me. I can swear that I never took even a penny. Though my intention is true, responsible officials accept this as I was disobeying the president,” Hsan Sint told reporters after his second court appearance. 

The latest court hearing was held in Nay Pyi Taw’s Dhakhina Court a full nine days ahead of schedule, according to court witnesses. More than 20 reporters covered the second hearing but were confused about the change of dates, which some alleged shows the lack of transparency around the case.

“The judicial pillar has no transparency because the actual date of trail of the former religious minister is on July 17. On the other hand, I think the authorities don’t want the reporters to report on the trial. We need to have more transparency whatever they do,” said one reporter.

After the trial, the personal secretary of Hsan Sint was released from custody. According to court sources, the fourth hearing will be held on July 22. – Myanmar Eleven 

 

NLD’s push for ‘crisis’ summit gains steam

The push for a four-party summit to address the critical problems Myanmar is facing in its transition to democracy is accelerating following a meeting between Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the leaders of ethnic minority political parties earlier this month.

The summit would bring together President Thein Sein, Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann, Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi to address what the opposition National League for Democracy party refers to as the “political crisis” facing Myanmar, among other issues.

“The country is facing a political crisis,” NLD executive committee member Tun Tun Hein said, adding that the Union government could not solve this alone. “The government and the people need to cooperate. Only when all important groups, the Parliament and Tatmadaw [military] participate, can the country develop rapidly,” he added. Tun Tun Hein said the people would welcome the four-way summit and that it would allow the country’s problems to be more speedily addressed.

The NLD first raised the idea of such a summit last November. The leaders of ethnic political parties gave their support to it following a meeting with Suu Kyi earlier this month. On July 7 they released a joint statement with the NLD calling for the summit.

Such a summit would be advantageous for the democratic reform process, the statement said.

It said Myanmar is pushing for widespread reforms – in politics, economics, social welfare, health and education – while facing calls to amend the 2008 Constitution and electoral system. The country is also working to achieve internal peace. At the same time it is facing a plague of land disputes and other social ills, including religious and racial conflicts. 

“The commander-in-chief should be involved in the country’s reform process, the amending of the 2008 Constitution and discussions about the country’s future,” said Aye Tha Aung, leader of the Rakhine National Party. – Myanmar Eleven 

 

‘More women leaving Rakhine’

Women from Rakhine, especially its villages, are continuing to leave the state in search of work, and the exodus appears to be accelerating, residents of the northwestern state say.

Most go to Thailand to find jobs, village residents say.

The exodus began about three years ago and accelerated this year, said Myauk Oo, a supervisor of a road checkpoint. “There is no work here for women except farming, but this pays just enough to eat and it is hard work. They are leaving the villages in search of better jobs,” he said.

A resident of Kyaukchaytan village agreed. “There is no work in our village. Most of the women have gone to Thailand,” he said. Some younger women have fled without informing their parents, road checkpoint officers said.

“We catch some at checkpoints. We always check to prevent human trafficking. We send them back to their parents,” one checkpoint officer said. Other residents of the state say that most passengers on buses from Sittwe, the state capital, to Yangon are leaving in search of work. – Myanmar Eleven

 

Japan seeks supply of raw rubber

Japan is providing state of the art technology to process raw rubber and boost local production in a bid to find a new supply for its tyre manufacturing industry. According to an MoU between the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association and Japanese manufacturers, Japan will provide technology to produce high-quality raw rubber from plantations in Yangon, Bago and Mon regions in return for exports. 

“We get technology from Japan. They want to import rubber to their market fast if possible. Raw rubber produced in this season might be ready to export. They would import to their market if qualified,” said Khine Myint, secretary of the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association. 

Japanese tyre production needs between 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes of rubber a year. Myanmar has the potential of a new supplier of raw rubber provided they are able to improve production. – Myanmar Eleven