Week in Review: Myanmar

The kyat continued its slide against the US dollar, with its official reference rate on Friday being adjusted downward by Ks10 to 1,256. At this level, it has weakened by 22.42 per cent from the end-2014 level, and is expected to further weaken as indicated by the market rate which is reportedly near Ks1,300. 

On Wednesday, the official rate was Ks1,239. 

 

Unlicensed contractors sued

Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) has started filing lawsuits against some unlicensed contractors, in response to complaints. Land owners have asked the YCDC to take action against unlicensed contractors who disappear, leaving construction jobs unfinished. According to the authorities, some 30 buildings in the city have been left incomplete. Most are located in the Thingangyun and Hlaing townships. 

Licensed contractors have to complete their jobs, or the stand to lose deposits or be included in the blacklist. 

 

Govt-linked firm wins project

Shwe Taung Co, which is close to the government, has won the bid to build a pedestrian bridge in Yangon, beating six other bidders. The budget for the bridge over Tamwe Junction is set at Ks22.5 million (US$18 million).

Yangon also opened bids for two more pedestrian bridges at Kokkaing and Eight-Mile junctions, which drew five bidders each. The winners for the projects worth Ks15.4 billion and Ks16.4 billion, respectively, are Capital Development Co and Crown Advance Co. Soil tests have begun and traffic congestion may worsen. 

 

Advertising workshop

Thirty students from the Yangon University of Economics attended the Advertising Basics Workshop from August 3 to 5, to ease the shortage of graduates in marketing communications.

The workshop, supported by Ogilvy Foundation, brought in professors from the School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University Singapore to lead lectures and workshops on relevant topics and issues.

Tha Tun Oo, chairman of TODAY Ogilvy & Mather Myanmar, said the industry now relies heavily on overseas-educated Myanmar repatriates and regional expats.

 

Students’ petition rejected 

The judge of the Thayawady Township court once again rejected a petition from detained student protestors to sue police officers. The students said the officers forcibly detained them for two months without court order. The officers also detained two underage children for more than two months at Tharyawady prison. The judge said police officers could be sued only with the permission from the president.

Lawyer Robert San Aung plans to seek help from the district court and even the president. He said the prison director, Nan Aung Kyaw, confessed that on March 10 some 138 people were arrested unlawfully. 

 

Logger amnesty condemned

The Movement for Democracy Current Force (MDCF) protested against the amnesty granted to Chinese loggers who were sentenced to life in prison by the Myitkyina district court for smuggling timber. They were freed after eight days. 

Kyaw Zin Latt, a member of MDCF, said: “The government should also free political activists who are working in the people’s interest.” A presidential pardon was granted to more than 6,900 prisoners, including the loggers, on July 30. 

 

Suu Kyi woos voters

While meeting voters in Taungoo, Bago Region, on August 7, National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said she needed votes in the November 8 election before she can help people. 

“Our country is changing. We need public support to make it a success. Without that we can’t do anything,” she said. She added that the NLD has never swayed from its commitment to democracy, despite oppression.

 

Ceasefire up for discussion

The Karen National Union (KNU) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) convened on Friday to discuss a nationwide ceasefire agreement, according to leaders of the two armed groups. 

Peace negotiators said the government would invite various ethnic armed groups to sign the pact drafted after two years of negotiations between the government and armed groups.