HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

1200
Ks.

WWW.MMTIMES.COM

ISSUE 724 | APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Enumerators and police walk through Sittwe on April 1 to collect data for the census.

10
PHOTO: AUNG HTAY HLAING

PAGE

Millions give their data, but in conflict zones census holes emerge
Hundreds of thousands of households are likely to go uncounted in this weeks national census because of conict with armed ethnic groups and disputes over ethnicity. However, census coordinators say the usefulness of the data will not be compromised and it could even be rectied to improve accuracy at a later date.

UN was warned on census risks

RED LIGHT. Yangons weary bus passengers do it tough.

Government and private sector efforts to improve the citys decrepit public transport network have encountered erce resistance from bus owners and workers.
SPECIAL REPORT 4

An unreleased risk analysis report commissioned by donors predicted many of the issues now plaguing the census. NEWS 3

2 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Page 2
THE INSIDER: The local lowdown & best of the web
combination of rhino horn, gold, saffron, cocaine, antimatter and other materials with a similar byweight value. Indeed, $1.3 billion would probably be enough to foster a modest space program. Perhaps more likely: the gure was simply a typo, courtesy of b and m sharing close proximity on the standard keyboard. At the time of deadline, representatives from the ministry were not available for comment. Watch this space. same, however this one seems to have a bit of weight behind it. And its about time. The amount of hate speech going around particularly on Facebook is fairly alarming, and its impact cannot be underestimated. Much of the material that can be found on fan pages associated with a certain movement blatantly contravenes Facebooks anti-hate speech policies. However, the company has yet to address the problem here in any meaningful way. Its a very tricky situation, given that one page being taken down almost certainly means another will spring up in its place. However, Panzagar is a commendable initiative, and a crucial step in the right direction.

online editor Kayleigh Long | kayleighelong@gmail.com

Billion-dollar baby

Despite reports of a US$1.3 billion embassy being built in Bangkok being some weeks old now, the story has gained some renewed traction online with many questioning whether or not this could possibly be correct. The initial story from Eleven in early March reported that, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Tin Oo Lwin, the land on which the Bangkok embassy is located had been bought rather than simply leased. For comparison, the sprawling US embassy which occupies roughly a quarter of Yangon was, at the time of construction, reported to have cost around $60 million. Kuala Lumpurs imposing Petronas Towers cost $1.6 billion to construct, while the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the worlds tallest building, cost $1.5 billion. One canthelp but wonder how the Silom property (which one local pundit described as not that nice or big) could possibly be worth that much, unless it were built from some

Flower power

Blogger and former prisoner Nay Phone Latts new initiative to counter hate speech has already piqued high-level interest, with U Ye Htut changing his Facebook cover photo to show his support for the project. The project, named Panzagar (literally ower speech in Myanmar), seeks to address the growing problem of online vitriol stirring up religious and ethnic tensions in what is already a bit of a powder keg situation. A number of smaller-scale initiatives have sought to do the

Once was Burma ...

Archival material provided by Pansodan Gallery

1973 census stamp

Myanmars rst census in over 30 years is under way, and by all accounts seems to be every bit the logistical and administrative nightmare the doomsayers predicted. There was the stunning, but perhaps not entirely unexpected, backip on the governments previously stated position which would have allowed the Rohingya to identify as such on the ballot. Then there was the announcement that a panel of experts would make estimates on the population for swathes of Kachin and northern Shan states, when the government found the KIA wasnt intending on cooperating with the headcount something theyd denitely signalled ahead of time. Deputy Information Minister U Ye Htut to expressed his exasperation, checking in to Nay Pyi Taw on Facebook as feeling annoyed. Since then, reports from Kachin civil society and the state-run New Light of Myanmar indicate a Tatmadaw incursion on villages near Mansi for data collection purposes. A number of people in Yangon have reported enumerators left houses upon learning the person they were surveying was registered in Mandalay or

The census is a mess: Let me count the ways

Thet Su Nyein Chan Zin for NOW! magazine. Photo: Htet Aung Kyaw ( Studio- HAK)

Style

Statement

another region demonstrating a clear lack of understanding about just how censuses work. While some efforts had been undertaken to promote understanding and allay peoples fears about the data coming back to bite them (including a twohour televised explainer, several ads and one very catchy song), many reportedly took to the ministrys special census hotline to voice their concerns about a lack of trust with the government and the fact that mostly forms were being lled out with pencil rather than pen. Anecdotal evidence would point to entire buildings worth of forms being palmed off to landlords. While reports in the New Light indicate that, by and large, data collection has been pretty peachy in many areas, it certainly seems possible that there will be slight aws to the data that emerges.

One mind-boggling thing to consider (and one for which the schoolteacher enumerators certainly deserve credit) is the sheer number of stairs they must have had tackle in collecting from Yangon apartment buildings. Perhaps the bulk of the training undertaken in the leadup has been physical, given things on the technical side dont seem to have been so crash-hot.

New Light headine of the week:

Vice President Dr Sai Mauk Kham calls for medical tourism April 2

Next week:

Long-term expat punched in the face after adding naw to the end of one too many sentences UNFPA staffer says, I told you we should have done this Bethlehem-style

EXCLUSIVE

Experts say census was doomed from the start and UN knew it
United Nations had been warned repeatedly for more than a year of the likely problems but did not act on concerns, critics say

BILL OTOOLE
botoole12@gmail.com

CRITICISM of Myanmars census hit fever pitch last week when residents of Rakhine State were not allowed to self-identify according to their wishes, with even the United Nations appearing to turn on the government for its apparent back-ip. But experts say the census was doomed from the start, and that donors and the UN had more than enough warning of the likely problems but did little to act on them. In particular, a risk assessment commissioned by donors clearly warned of many of the problems facing the program now, including awed data and the inaming of ethnic tensions, a person familiar with the report told The Myanmar Times. The report was never released publicly and UNFPA did not respond to requests for information about its conclusions last week. But there were many more public warnings about the census likely impact. Many individuals and organisations, both domestic and international, foresaw the obvious weaknesses and likely difficulties of the census, said Fiona Dove, director of the Transnational Institute, a non-prot research organisation that released a report in February calling for changes to the process. From the beginning, there has been a lack of effective consultation and outreach As a result, the census is not conict-sensitive, and it is proceeding with aws and deciencies that should have been avoided. The chief complaint is on the question of ethnicity, and the problems are not conned to Rakhine State, where entire villages were passed over by enumerators because citizens wanted to self-identify as Rohingya, rather than the official term, Bengali. Kachin civil society groups have

been complaining for several weeks that the census questionnaire contained a list of sub-tribes that are unheard of in their state. Salai Lian Bawi Thang, the country program coordinator for the Chin Human Rights Group, said the census questionnaire contained numerous mistakes in the spelling of different Chin sub-tribes, of which there are 53. Indeed, the Chins widely do not accept that [there are] 53 Chin races/ sub-tribes, he said last week. In response to events in Rakhine State, the United Nations Population Fund issued a statement saying it was deeply concerned about this departure from international census standards, human rights principles and agreed procedures. We are concerned that this could heighten tensions in Rakhine State, which has a history of communal violence, as well as undermining the credibility of census data collected, it said on April 2. However, observers, experts, and even donors to the census say the problems in Rakhine are indicative of broader aws in the census methodology aws that the UNFPA and government were warned about early in the process. In particular, many have criticised the UNFPA and the government for basing the census around the 135 officially recognised ethnic groups, which are an outdated legacy of the colonial

Workers prepare for the collection of census data in Yangon on March 30. Photo: AFP

Many individuals and organisations, both domestic and international, foresaw the obvious weaknesses and likely difficulties.
Fiona Dove Transnational Institute

period. Each of these groups was assigned a three-digit code, while respondents claiming any other groups would be counted as other, with code 914. The last British census in 1931 bequeathed an unreliable social and ethnographic map. But rather than addressing this unhelpful legacy, the present census is continuing many of these divisions and distinctions from the colonial and, subsequently, military government eras, Ms Dove said. A person familiar with the census preparations described the statements of concern from Western government as disingenuous, claiming that there was never a system in place to count those who chose to self-identify, in Rakhine or anywhere else. Rohingya data was never going to be collected in a way that could be reported upon. It was only going to be recorded as an other foreign race, with the enumerator instructed to write the name, Rohingya, in the blank line next to the code box. There is no public record of if or how UNFPA [and Ministry of Immigration and Population] planned to tally handwritten responses

to this question from the millions of completed census questionnaires, the person told The Myanmar Times last week on condition of anonymity. The census was doomed from the start, agreed David Mathieson, a Yangon-based researcher with Human Rights Watch. [It was] predicated on a awed ethnic classication, [included] overly cumbersome questions, and blithely ignorant of ethnic concerns throughout the country. Even several of the census donors, whose assistance likely made the process possible, said they had expressed concerns about the methodology to UNFPA in the months before the count. Switzerland contributed US$3.2 million to the census, which was expected to cost around $74 million. A representative from the Swiss embassy in Yangon said the country was one of the main promoters of UNFPA commissioning a risk analysis of the census. Switzerland together with some other donors has consistently suggested that the census questionnaire be shortened and that the questions pertaining to religion and ethnicity be dropped, said deputy head of mission

and director of cooperation Peter Tschumi. He cautioned, however, that it was too early to speculate on the overall outcome of the census. Once having the full picture of the result that hopefully will be a positive one we, together with other donor countries, will suggest further support measures to UNFPA and the government should the situation warrant it, Mr Tschumi said. The British embassy, which contributed about $16 million, stood by the work of the UNFPA and donors. Even with this serious disappointment [of data collection in Rakhine State] we judge that the census is still likely to be a more inclusive and valuable exercise than it would have been without international involvement, a spokesperson said. But Paul Cheung, co-chair of the census International Technical Advisory Board, which advised the census design and preparation, said it was not uncommon for governments to include ethnicity classications. In Myanmars case, the government insisted on designing the census around the 135 officially recognised ethnic groups, or national races, and agreed to add the other designation as a compromise with the UN and other donors. It is indeed quite common for the government to come out with a classication scheme. [There is] nothing wrong with that, he said. We allow countries to evolve their own arrangements and practices. The data from the census will not be released publicly until January 2015. Advocates say it is urgently needed to guide national planning, as a truly nationwide census has not been conducted since 1931. Estimates on the national population alone range from 48 million to 65 million. Ms Dove from TNI said she agrees reliable data is important for a developing nation like Myanmar but said the current census will not provide it. Regrettably, criticisms have been ignored and difficulties have been treated as technical problems with simple, one-size-ts-all solutions.

4 News IN BRIEF
Mandalay Motorcycle registration applications on the decline

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

FEATURE

Fewer motorcycle owners are coming forward to register illegally imported bikes because the level of tax is similar to new models available in showrooms, ofcials in Mandalay say. A 90-day window to register motorcycles opened on February 17. While hundreds of thousands of motorcycles had been licensed during previous registration periods, the current window has been much more quiet, Road Transport Administration Department ofcials said. Fewer than 21,000 applications for registration had been received to the end of March - well down on the 170,000 received during a four-month window in 2012. We are getting from 200 to 400 applications a day on average. This is lower than before because motorcycles are now being sold in showrooms with payment plans, U Thein Oo, head of Mandalays Road Transport Administration Department, said last week. Kyaw Ko Ko, translation by Thiri Min Htun

Nay Pyi Taw ASEAN coordinates on disaster prevention

Disaster planning and preparedness was on the agenda in Nay Pyi Taw last week as ASEAN regional ministers met to discuss how the regional bloc can better minimise the damage of natural events such as earthquakes, oods or cyclones. Disaster risk is a main challenge that hinders sustainable development of a country so its very important to combine disaster risk reduction plans when we carry out strategic comprehensive development works, Vice President U Nyan Tun said at 11th Meeting of the Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management, held from April 1-4 at the Royal Ace Hotel. U Nyan Tun is also chair of the governments National Disaster Prevention Central Committee. According to 2011 gures, the Asia-Pacic is the most disaster-prone region globally and also the one which dealt the most damage: Last year in Myanmar, 370 natural disasters affected 267,953 people. Hsu Hlaing Htun, translation by Zar Zar Soe

No relief in sight for weary

From iPay to BRT, recent initiatives to improve Yangons decrepit bus transport system have met
THUWANNA, Tarmwe, Pansodan. For residents of Yangon, this is a familiar call, one that echoes around hundreds of bus stops in the city every day. Yet it is not a sound that commuters relish; as often as not, it signals the start of a dangerous and uncomfortable journey in shoddy buses staffed by drivers and conductors despised for their outing of the rules of the road and social etiquette. But the reality is that most of the citys 6 million people have little choice. The antiquated train network serves only a small fraction of the population and, for many, is too slow to be considered a viable option. Instead, they rely on a network of buses, minibuses and light trucks, particularly Dyna, Hilux and Hino models some 8000 in all, with around 5000 individual owners. Prices range from K200 to K300 for special buses, and

AYE NYEIN WIN

ayenyeinwin.mcm@gmail.com

K50 to K200 for ordinary buses. Despite the obvious failings of the system, efforts to improve services have brought almost no benets for passengers. The special bus system is a case in point. Prices are higher because passengers are meant to be guaranteed a seat; conductors should not allow more passengers once the bus is full. In reality, conductors cram in as many passengers as they can. But at least there is normally somewhere to sit. On ordinary buses, owners remove

most of the seats to squeeze in additional commuters. Efforts to improve safety have also been difficult to implement. More than 2600 Dyna and Hilux vehicles operate as line cars, with passengers sitting in the back of the light trucks on top of compressed natural gas cylinders. Passengers are known to dangle from the back of the vehicles and even sit on the roof; sometimes the trucks are so overloaded that the front wheels momentarily leave the ground when the driver accelerates. Since 2011 the government has allowed owners of the 1800 Dyna buses to replace them with newly imported minibuses. So far barely 100 Dynas have been replaced under the program. That program is under implementation, and Dynas are still being used

now. There is no plan to completely ban Dynas, said U Hla Aung from the Yangon Region Supervisory Committee for Motor Vehicles, which is better known by its Myanmar-language acronym of Ma Hta Tha. A plan to remove Hilux vehicles from crowded city streets has also proven problematic. In December the government announced that from January the vehicles would be banned in the 33

Number of buses in the Yangon public transportation network

8000

www.mmtimes.com

News 5
Most of them break the rules and have no respect for the passengers, he said. Since 2011, Ma Hta Tha has conducted training courses for bus staff each weekend. So far, around 6000 staff one-third of the 18,000 overseen by Ma Hta Tha have completed the course. Yet it appears to have had little impact and U Hla Aung concedes that the root cause of poor behaviour is often not a lack of knowledge, but a desire for prot that can sometimes prove deadly. Rather than accept a monthly salary, workers pay an agreed amount to the owner. Any income above that amount is prot, so the more passengers they pick up the more money staff make. Bus owners and workers agree on an amount because the workers do not give a days earnings to the owner honestly and correctly. They take the money and they lie to bus owners about the income, he said. This has major ow-on effects for the entire system, he argued. Because conductors want to accept as many passengers as possible, buses are overcrowded. Bus drivers race each other to get to the next bus stop, engaging in dangerous driving that can cause accidents. When passengers are few they dawdle at bus stands, stopping traffic and blocking junctions. The long hours they work can also lead to fatigue-induced crashes. Owners, meanwhile, do not make as much money as they anticipate, so they have little left over to maintain buses or x them when they are broken. In most other countries, bus workers receive a salary, which means there is little incentive to overload vehicles or drive dangerously. However, when the Myittar Hline bus line, run by company Omni Focus, introduced salaries from March to October 2013, it made little difference because bus staff were dishonest, said Ko Htun Taut Win, chairperson of the Myittar Hline bus line. We gave K450,000 to each driver and K225,000 to each bus conductor. However, the bus workers misused the money [collected from passengers]. We lost all our prot so weve gone back to how we did it before. The problem is that the conductors collect the bus fares, Ko Htun Taut Win said. Some bus lines have also tried using iPay machines, which allow passengers to use prepaid cards for the fares. The iPay company donated 335 machines, valued at about K400,000 each, to the bus companies. The system has so far been a failure, with conductors refusing to accept the cards. The bus conductors didnt want to use the machines because then they couldnt handle the money themselves or make extra cash, so they lied to the passengers and said the machines were broken. In many cases the conductors even destroyed the machines, which the bus owners did not want to x, said U Hla Aung. There are now only 280 buses using iPay machines. We are trying In August, Omni Focus applied to the Yangon Region government to implement a BRT system and offered to build bus stops along the route. Little has come of the proposal so far, but the company remains optimistic it can make it work. We hope to implement it as soon as possible. We plan to invest US$7 million in the BRT system We also plan to conduct a meeting about BRT in Nay Pyi Taw, said Omni Focus managing director U Kyaw Thi Ha. However, introducing a genuine BRT system would require a signicant amount of investment in road infrastructure, as well as planning. BRT doesnt work if the road, vehicles and traffic lights are not managed properly, said U Hla Aung. It will take time to make all the changes that are necessary. For passengers, change cannot come soon enough. Despite her concerns over safety and the lack of comfort, Ma May Thazin from North Dagon has little choice but to spend four hours a day on the citys buses to get to and from work. I always recite Buddhist prayers when I ride the bus to keep safe because the drivers are so aggressive and drive carelessly, she said. But I have no choice. I cant afford to hire a taxi every day and my home is not close to the train line. I want to be able to take the train like in other countries, or at least ride a bus that has enough seats and some air conditioning.

Our country is implementing new changes, but the public transportation is still the same.
U Win Kyi South Dagon resident

Photo: Boothee

to convince bus companies to x the broken machines and use them again. Omni Focus has also been involved in another initiative to improve public transportation. In 2013, the Japan International Cooperation Agency drew up a plan to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, system. Under BRT, buses generally have dedicated lanes separate from cars normally along the middle of the road and traffic lights are congured to give them priority at junctions.

ry commuters
resistance from both bus workers and owners
townships that make up the municipal area. This deadline was later pushed back to March 31, and then April 30, because of complaints from bus owners and workers, U Hla Aung said. He explained that Hilux owners did not want to switch to minibuses because the current vehicles do not require much money for maintenance, and can easily be used to carry people during the daytime and goods at night. While some owners are clearly resistant to change, many of the systems ills are blamed on its workers: the drivers and conductors. One frequent bus passenger from South Dagon, U Win Kyi, said he thought bus owners, drivers and conductors controlled public transportation to the detriment of passengers. Theyre only interested in making money and dont care about the passengers. Our country is implementing new changes, but public transportation is still the same. The buses are still overcrowded with passengers. The bus companies are selling transportation services, but they are not giving the passengers full service, he said. Who will change this system? Im not satised with public transportation. Im a salaried company worker, and I rely on buses to travel to and from the office every day. I want systematic rules for public transportation. U Hla Aung insists that many problems can be resolved through educating bus workers to change their mindset.

Passengers hang off the back of a crowded line car in Yangon. Photo: Boothee

6 News CRIME BRIEFS

Teenager killed by paddy reaping machine
A 13-year-old boy from a village in Twante township died on March 27 from injuries sustained when he was run over by a paddy reaping and winnowing machine in a eld. The machine reversed over him while he was hunting mice in the eld at around 10:30pm, police said on March 29. Mg Kyaw Kyaw Tun was sent to Twante hospital but died on the way. The driver of the machine, Ko Than Htaik Aung, has been charged with causing death by negligence.

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Trespassing in spotlight as Unity trial resumes

YE MON yeemontun2013@gmail.com WITNESSES in the Unity journal trial have testied that they did not see any signs warning that a military factory was designated a restricted area. Two more days of court hearings are scheduled for this week, with 10 police and military witnesses left to give evidence. Six witnesses appeared in Pakkoku District Court on March 31 and April 1 to testify in the trial of four Unity journalists and the papers chief executive officer. They have been charged with trespassing and revealing state secrets in relation to an article in late January that said the factory in Pauk township was being used to produce chemical weapons. Witnesses told the court under questioning from the defence that they did not know about the Unity story, and that they had been instructed by the police to testify in the court but had not been told the nature of the case. Local farmer U Tun Aung Kyaw said he had not seen any restricted area signboards around the factory perimeter or warnings against taking photos. He said these signs were only erected earlier this year, after the article had been published. Another witness who guided the reporters said he had not seen any signs reading Photos restricted or Trespassers will be prosecuted in the vicinity of the factory. Defence lawyer U Robert Sann Aung told The Myanmar Times that the testimony showed the prosecutions allegations were misguided. This is a good development for the accused, he said. Five people from military and ve from the police are still left to testify and then well nd out the result. Other witnesses who testied on March 31 and April 1 said two Unity reporters had caught a work truck to the factory and carried bricks with the other workers. Daw Khin Myint, a construction worker at the factory, said she did not see the reporters carrying cameras or other equipment. Another witness, a local farmer, testied that she had been seen four men taking photos near the factory while she was herding cows but could not identify them. The next hearings are scheduled for April 7 and 8.

Foreigner arrested with 3.2kg of gold at Yangon airport

An Indian man was arrested while attempting to board a ight to Malaysia after he was found to be carrying more than 3 kilograms of gold. The 2 viss (3.2kg, or 7 pounds) of gold, which was in bars weighing 10 ticals (about 160 grams) each and wrapped in black plastic, was uncovered during a routine X-ray scan, police said. Customs ofcials reported the nd to police and the 43-yearold man was charged under two sections of the export law.
Yangon Minister for Border Affairs and Security Colonel Tin Win speaks to protesters on April 1. Photo: Kyaw Phone Kyaw

Legal action threat fails to deter land protesters

KYAW PHONE KYAW SHWEGU THITSAR The demonstrators said they would not move without a denite promise of redress from the government. We will not withdraw, even under threat of force, said U Sein Than, the leader of the Mahabandoola Park demonstrators. He added that they had left the camp once before as a result of negotiations that eventually led nowhere. We will step up the demonstration and start a hunger strike. Col Tin Win told journalists after the meeting the government is considering legal action. We will take control of the camps in accordance with the law, he said. However, he also said he would negotiate between the demonstrators in Tarmwe township and War War Win. The demonstrators representatives at the meeting had shown him evidence of their ownership of the land at the meeting. He told them that he would not be responsible for the amount of compensation that might be offered. Lieutenant Colonel Thet Naing of Yangon Region Command told the April 1 meeting that the military was planning to build homes for retired military officers in Mee Gyaung Kan ward and could not return the disputed land. Col Tin Win told the demonstrators that if they wrote to set out their case he would submit their letter to his superiors in an attempt to get them fair compensation. But they declined, saying they had already written to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and President U Thein Sein and received no response. Local parliamentary representative U Thein Nyunt, who also attended the meeting, said he would raise the case in the Pyithu Hluttaw. He urged the demonstrators to withdraw and to refrain from a hunger strike. But demonstrators in Tarmwe, who have been protesting for more than 60 days, said they had no plans to leave. We are not withdrawing from the camps until we get conrmed data and compensation, said Daw Myint Myint Thein.

Murder convictions overturned

The Yangon Region High Court has freed eight people charged over a murder in a North Okkalapa pub in late 2012. The Northern District Court found 23 people guilty of murdering U Kyaw Min, 32, with a knife while he was drinking at a pub in North Okkalapa township in November 2012. Sixteen of those convicted later submitted a revision against the judgement. The high court ruled on March 14 that the evidence against eight of them was not strong enough to sustain the charge and they were discharged. Toe Wai Aung, translation by Thiri Min Htun

Drug dealer eludes police

An alleged drug dealer has escaped a police sting operation in Mandalay, while three others have been arrested. The man, U Aung Kyaw Moe, is on the run and possibly armed, police say. Undercover police ofcers agreed to meet U Aung Kyaw Moe, also known as U Kyaw, at the corner of 19th and 62nd streets at 6pm on March 30. He arrived at 6:30 in a Toyota Crown but drove from the scene before he could be apprehended. Than Naing Soe

DEMONSTRATORS in downtown Yangon have rejected the authorities request to abandon their camps in Mahabandoola Park and Tarmwe township, and have vowed to step up their protest by launching a hunger strike. The regional government has accused them of harming the countrys dignity, and threatened to take action. The demonstrators repeated their deance at the end of a vehour meeting at City Hall on April 1 with Yangon Region Minister for Border Affairs and Security Colonel Tin Win. The Tarmwe demonstrators claim that the War War Win company built the Myanma Gone Yaung housing project on land taken from them, and the Mahabandoola Park group are demanding the return of land seized by the military in Mee Gyaung Kan ward, Thingangyun township. Addressing the ve representatives of each group at the April 1 meeting, Col Tin Win asked them to leave the camps because it is damaging the dignity of the country.

We will not withdraw, even under threat of force ... We will step up the demonstration.
U Sein Than Mee Gyaung Kan protest leader

www.mmtimes.com

News 7

Religious leaders agree on interfaith teaching

WA LONE walone14@gmail.com RELIGIOUS leaders have vowed to set up an interfaith dialogue mechanism to protect childrens rights and to prevent inter-communal violence on ethnic or religious grounds. Buddhist, Islamic, Christian and Hindu community leaders came together last week to discuss issues affecting children in an initiative of Ratana Metta Organisation (RMO) in partnership with UNICEF, the United Nations Childrens Fund. We aim to work with all religious leaders to promote protection, survival and development for children and for peace, and against inter-communal violence, said U Myint Swe, the chair of Ratana Metta. The current situation was an important time to set up an inter-religious platform to solve problems and promote interfaith dialogue, he added. Ashin Nyanissara, chair of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, said Myanmars religious leaders believe that all religions in the world by their respective means should help mitigate the violence of the human mind. The leaders committed to an effort to increase access by all children to quality education, which prepares the child for a responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, kindness, acceptance and respect, gender equality, and friendship among all peoples and ethnic, national and religious groups. Children are symbolised as jewels in the Holy Quran and parents are strictly instructed to nurture them in the best way, said Al-Haj Mufti U Ko Lay, a senior Islamic leader. Ratana Metta and UNICEF have distributed Buddhist teachings in a Faith for Communication booklet to more than 3000 monasteries in 880 villages. Religious leaders have a crucial role to play to promote peace and child rights, said UNICEFs representative to Myanmar, Bertrand Bainvel.

Water, food run low in Rakhine

KAYLEIGH LONG kayleighelong@gmail.com RECENT mob attacks on United Nations and NGO premises in the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe are likely to have far-reaching implications, with a UN agency saying hundreds of thousands of people have been severely affected by the subsequent downscaling of operations. Remote communities that were being supported by NGOs are likely to face crippling and potentially life-threatening shortages of potable water, food and health services in the coming weeks and months, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement released on April 2. More than 170 humanitarian and development staff were pulled from the region when a mob attacked the office of aid group Malteser. While the looting was reportedly sparked by an incident in which a foreign aid worker removed a Buddhist ag from the front of the organisations office, anti-NGO sentiment had been simmering for months. Tensions have only been heightened further by the national census, which began on March 30. UNOCHA said organisations will not be able to continue with providing potable water, food supplies and health services to displaced people and remote villages, both Buddhist and Muslim. Rakhine State is in the throes of dry season, and UNOCHA said water scarcity could hit critical levels in some IDP camps, particularly those in Pauktaw township. News agency Reuters reported on April 2 that 20,000 people in camps near Sittwe will run out of drinking water within 10 days, while food supplies are likely to be depleted within the next two weeks. The severe cutbacks to NGO and UN agency operations and distribution channels in Rakhine State means there will be enormous challenges distributing the 1300 metric tonnes of food needed by communities over the next two weeks.

IN PICTURES
PHOTO: AFP

In another indication of Myanmars growing defence ties with Western nations, Lieutenant General Wai Lwin (left), the minister for defence, met United States Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel (right) for a Ministers Dialogue on April 3 in Hawaii.

Draft religion laws set for public consultations

New commission to release draft laws to the public next month, deputy chair says

EI EI TOE LWIN
eieitoelwin@gmail.com

TWO controversial protection of religion bills sent to a newly formed commission will be made public soon, its deputy chair says. We are drafting two laws. They will be released to the public in May and then we will submit them to the president in June, said U Maung Maung Htay, a deputy director at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The commission has been instructed to take into consideration not only original proposed laws by the monks but also suggestions from monks, citizens and experts while drafting the laws. U Maung Maung Htay said that it welcomes submissions that are critical of the proposed laws. We welcome any suggestions from the public but we havent received any suggestions from local or internation-

al human rights organisations yet, he said. U Maung Maung Htay said the commission will try our best to ensure that the laws comply with section 34 of the constitution, which states that every citizen is equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess and practise religion subject to public order, morality or health and to the other provisions of this constitution. He said he expects the release of the laws in May to provoke robust debate, and that the commissions versions may not please everyone. We will forward all feedback to the president but the nal decision will be made by parliament, he said. On February 25, President U Thein Sein forwarded four controversial bills concerning religious conversion, interfaith marriage, monogamy and population control to the parliament for approval. The four drafts were written by a monk-led group called the Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion, which is closely linked to the 969 movement. But two days later, Pyidaungsu

Hluttaw Speaker U Shwe Thura Mann sent the drafts back to the government to be rewritten. In response, the president set up a 12-member commission on March 7 to draft new bills by June 30. While some MPs criticised the president and parliament for playing volleyball with the drafts, others called them a weapon to advance political interests in advance of the 2015 election. Both local and international rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, have rejecting these proposed drafts, arguing that they will strip Buddhist women of the right to freely choose whom they marry. Personally, I dont like the laws, said author Kyaw Win, a member of the Amyotha Hluttaw Political, Economic and Legal Affairs Commission. He said he was concerned that the laws would be in violation of the constitution and could harm national reconciliation efforts. The constitution does not allow politics and religion to be combined.

8 News
Managing Director, Editor-in-Chief MTE & MTM Ross Dunkley rsdunkley@gmail.com Chief Operating Ofcer Wendy Madrigal madrigalmcm@gmail.com EDITORIAL newsroom@mmtimes.com Editor MTE Thomas Kean tdkean@gmail.com Editor MTM Sann Oo sannoo@gmail.com Chief of Staff Zaw Win Than zawwinthan@gmail.com Editor Special Publications Myo Lwin myolwin@myanmartimes.com.mm Features Editor MTE Douglas Long dlong125@gmail.com Business Editor MTE Philip Heijmans pheijmans13@gmail.com World Editor MTE Bridget Di Certo bridget.dicerto@gmail.com The Pulse Editor MTE Whitney Light light.whitney@gmail.com Sport Editor MTE Tim McLaughlin timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com Chief Sub Editor MTM Aye Sapay Phyu Business & Property Editor MTM Tin Moe Aung Timeout Editor MTM Moh Moh Thaw mohthaw@gmail.com MCM BUREAUS Mandalay Bureau Chief Jeremy Mullins News Editors (Mandalay) Khin Su Wai, Phyo Wai Kyaw Admin Manager (Nay Pyi Taw) Hsu Hlaing Htun ONLINE Online Editors Kayleigh Long, Thet Hlaing kayleighelong@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHICS Head of Photographics Kaung Htet Photographers Boothee, Aung Htay Hlaing, Thiri PRODUCTION production@myanmartimes.com.mm Art Directors Tin Zaw Htway, Ko Pxyo Assistant Head of Production Zar Ni MCM PRINTING printing@myanmartimes.com.mm Printing Manager Htay Maung Factory Administrator Aung Kyaw Oo (3) Factory Foreman Tin Win SALES & MARKETING advertising@myanmartimes.com.mm National Sales Director Jesse Gage Deputy National Sales Directors Chan Tha Oo, Nay Myo Oo, Nandar Khine, Nyi Nyi Tun Classieds Manager Khin Mon Mon Yi classied@myanmartimes.com.mm ADMIN, FINANCE & SYSTEMS Chief Financial Ofcer Mon Mon Tha Saing nance@myanmartimes.com.mm HR Khine Su Yin, Han Oo Khin Publisher Dr Tin Tun Oo, Permit No: 04143 Information Technology Manager Kyaw Zay Yar Lin CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Circulation & Distribution Director Stuart Alan Becker stuart.becker@gmail.com ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928 Facsimile: (01) 254 158 administration@myanmartimes.com.mm The Myanmar Times is owned by Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd and printed by MCM Commercial Printing with approval from MCM Ltd and by Shwe Zin Press (0368) with approval from MCM Ltd. The title The Myanmar Times, in either English or Myanmar languages, its associated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the Managing Director of Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd.

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Yangons big-ticket hotel struggle toward the finis

Hilton, Novotel, Marriott, Peninsula some of the biggest names in the hotel business are beating a path to Yangon. But

TIM MCLAUGHlIN

timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com

Myanmar Consolidated Media Ltd. www.mmtimes.com Head Office: 379/383 Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Telephone: (01) 253 642, 392 928 Facsimile: (01) 392 706 Mandalay Bureau: Bld Sa/1, Man Mandalar Housing, 35th Street, between 70th and 71st streets, Yan Myo Lone Quarter, Chan Aye Thar San Township. Tel: (02) 65391, 74585. Fax: (02) 24460 Email: mdybranch@myanmartimes.com.mm Nay Pyi Taw Bureau: No. 10/72 Bo Tauk Htein St, Yan Aung (1) Quarter, Nay Pyi Taw-Pyinmana. Tel: (067) 23064, 23065 Email: capitalbureau@myanmartimes.com.mm

N early 2013, on the sidelines of what was billed as Myanmars rst international tourism conference, hotel management chain Hilton Worldwide announced its entry into Myanmar. In a statement issued on March 6, Hilton said it had reached an agreement with Thailand-based LP Holding to manage Hilton Yangon in Centrepoint Tower, a mixed-use project in the downtown area. The announcement reected the widespread optimism over Myanmars economic future following a string of reforms. Tourism was booming and demand for hotel rooms was up sharply. US sanctions had just been eased further and another American giant was bringing its well-known brand to town. For Centrepoint, a project that has staggered along since its launch 21 years ago, Hilton looked to be a saviour, bringing the investment and acumen required to nally develop the high-end hotel LP Holding had long promised. But more than a year after the announcement, progress has been slow on the 21-storey tower at the corner of Sule Pagoda and Merchant roads. The difficulties the project has encountered are symptomatic of the challenges foreign companies face as they seek to establish a presence in Myanmar. The expectations of a speedy and hassle-free entry a year ago are running up against the reality of the local operating environment. You go with your eyes wide open into this country. Ive always been a bit careful [to reinforce that] its not Myanmars problem, its the foreigners expectations [that are the] problem. This country is not going to work itself out overnight, said Tony Picon, managing director of commercial real estate rm Colliers International in Myanmar. At Centrepoint, a corrugated metal wall has been erected around the perimeter of the tower work site. On the sidewalk adjacent to the wall, palm readers provide guidance on the future to pedestrians under the shade of small trees. A few construction workers dangle on suspended work platforms against the buildings faade. Inside, a new mechanical and electrical system has recently been installed. The hotel was due to open last month. So far, only a single display room, on the sixth oor, has been tted out. Chrome xtures and an oversized freestanding tub dominate the bathroom, which is separated from the bedroom by a glass wall. A king-sized bed with a dark wooden frame sits in the middle of the room wrapped in plastic to protect it from dust of the work site. Richard Mayhew, director of LP Holding, said the modern, open-plan rooms will be some of the largest in Yangon when completed. While the hotel may become the benchmark for quality hospitality experiences that Hilton promised in March 2013, it is now clear that the 300-room hotel will only reach that benchmark more than six months behind schedule. A Hilton official told The Myanmar Times that the company is now aiming for a partial opening of around 150 rooms by the end of 2014. The delay has been caused by hold-

A worker at a construction site in Yangon unrolls cable. Lack of skilled workers is a problem for all developers embarking on majo

ups on imported materials needed to outt the hotel to meet Hiltons standards. LP Holding is also having difficulty securing workers for the projects, according to the official, as many of those brought over from Thailand have been unsatised with working conditions in Yangon and left shortly after arrival. Mr Mayhew declined to comment on specic issues the project is facing during a recent interview. But the hotel delay is just the latest in a string of setbacks for Centrepoint, a property that despite its prime location has so far failed to develop as LP Holding envisioned.

$100
Amount invested in the Centrepoint Towers project as of 2006 Centrepoint is a relic of Myanmars rst, ill-fated opening up to foreign investment in the early 1990s, prompted by Senior General Than Shwe initiating limited reforms after taking over the military leadership in 1992. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism signed a build, operate and transfer (BOT) agreement for Centrepoint in November 1993 with LP Holding. Construction began two years later in 1995 but stalled in early 1998 in the fallout of the Asian nancial crisis. French hotel group Accors luxury brand Sotel, which was originally attached to the project, pulled out shortly after because of concerns over Myanmars human rights record. The project sat idle until work began again in 2005. When the office

MILLION

tower opened in 2006, the project cost had ballooned to US$100 million. Four years later, in January 2010, Mr Mayhew told The Myanmar Times that the hotel would open in November of that year. In June 2010 the opening date had already been pushed back to early 2011. One long-time Yangon expat joked recently that the hotels soft opening has taken four years. But Centrepoint and Hilton are far from alone in the stalled hotel stakes. At the same time as Hilton was entering Myanmar, Accor returned the country, partnering with tycoon U Zaw Zaws Max Myanmar Group to develop a Novotel Yangon Max in Yangon, along with hotels in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw. The company is one of many taking a second shot at Myanmar. British American Tobacco, Ericsson and Pepsi have all re-entered Myanmar after departing in the late 1990s. Partnering with Max, a company still blacklisted by the United States, was considered a sign that the reputational risk of working with the countrys cronies was fading and that the connections these businesspeople enjoy could be benecial. Unfortunately for Accor, they have not sped up development of two properties. Max said in a statement posted on its website at the time that the deal was announced that the Novotel hotel on Pyay Road would be opening no later than December 2013. But an Accor spokesperson said last week that due to unspecied construction delays it will now be fully complete by the end of 2014, a full year later than planned. U Bo Chan Tun, project manager at Max Myanmars hotel company, originally denied that the Yangon hotel was facing any setbacks. There was no delay as we didnt give a deadline on the project to anyone yet, he said. When asked about the statement on Maxs website, he conceded there had been delays, which he attributed to changes being made to the hotel

design. The groups MGallery hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, another Accor partnership, also failed to meet its original deadline. Boasting a cigar bar and an Italian restaurant, the 119-room project was slated for a full opening in 2013. It managed a partial opening to accommodate guests during Decembers Southeast Asian Games before the doors were closed and construction work resumed. It is now expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2014, a Bangkokbased Accor spokesperson said. Problems of a different nature have surrounded another hotel partnership, which is attempting to rejuvenate and repurpose one of Yangons most iconic colonial buildings. Backed by Serge Pun, the $400 million mixed-use Landmark project, which includes the redevelopment of the century-old Burma Railways building, has been unable to get underway due to an inability to secure a lease extension from the Ministry of Railways. Mr Pun, the chair of public company First Myanmar Investment (FMI), Serge Pun & Associates (Myanmar), and Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings, told The Myanmar Times in December that he has applied to the ministry to extend the original 1995 lease for the maximum 70 years 50 years, with two 10-year extensions allowable under current investment laws. But securing the extension has proved difficult, with the minister for railways being replaced twice in as many years. In late July U Zeyar Aung was replaced by U Than Htay, while a long-serving deputy minister, Thura U Thaung Lwin, was moved to another position. Mr Pun declined to comment on the project. A Ministry of Railways ofcial told The Myanmar Times that a meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw recently to discuss the lease extension but no progress was made. The site has been largely closed, with weeds having

www.mmtimes.com

News 9

el projects ishing line

getting hotel rooms open has proven tougher than expected
satised with progress so far. Our partners Yoma Strategic Holdings have many years of experience in Myanmar and we are both taking a long-term view for this project, Mr Sawyer said. These delays appear to have done little to dampen hotel chains enthusiasm, however, and visitor arrivals, particularly for business travellers, continue to grow strongly. The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism says more than 2 million people visited Myanmar in 2013, although less than half arrived by air through Yangon. It has forecast 3 million visitors in 2014. On the back of this growth, London-based research group World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said in a March report that earnings in Myanmars travel and tourism sector are set to grow 9.5 percent in 2014 to $971 million. When Marriott recently pulled out of a deal with Kanbawza Group of Companies because of a dispute related to quality controls, Swiss hotel chain Kempinski quickly stepped in. U Moe San Aung, deputy director at the Kanbawza Group of Companies, told The Myanmar Times that Marriotts rigorous inspections of the hotel construction site in Nay Pyi Taw were putting the project behind schedule. Marriott declined to comment on the deal. Kempinski then signed a contract with Kanbawza in late March to manage the property, which will be fully owned by Kanbawza, according to U Moe San Aung. The Kempinski Nay Pyi Taw is scheduled to open on May 1, prior to the ASEAN Summit later that month. A Kempinski spokesperson said only that Myanmar is a market Kempinski is interested in and is exploring opportunities for entry. In December, Accor announced that it would begin developing three more projects, bringing its Pullman and Sebel brands to Yangon as well as a Novotel to Inle Lake. A spokesperson for Accor said that the decision to develop these projects with Myat Min Company instead of Max was in no way linked to the current delays. Prior to the Accor deals, Myat Min was primarily an agriculture company. A separate Hilton official, Kieran Bestall, director of development for Asia, said that the group is pursuing potential projects in Bagan, Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay but declined to give specics. The interest in Myanmar is exceptional, Mr Bestall said. Additional reporting by Aung Shin

Hilux bus ban delayed again

OWNERS and operators of Hilux buses have earned another reprieve, with the Yangon Region government delaying the introduction of a proposed ban on the use of the vehicles in most of the city. The ban, which has been proposed because of safety concerns, was due to come into effect on January 1. However, it was delayed to March 31 because of complaints from owners and drivers, and extended again last week to April 30 following a series of protests. The extensions are intended to give owners more time to substitute the light trucks for minibuses, but so far only 117 minibuses have made it on to the road, according to transport officials. As the ban was set to come into force, Hilux drivers and owners protested in Taikkyi township on March 30. The following day they demonstrated in front of City Hall and the headquarters of the public transport authority in South Okkalapa. Ive been driving a Hilux for about 10 years. The government has proposed this ban on us entering the municipal area for a long time but we dont think it is fair. I doubt the owners can afford to buy minibuses. If the authorities really ban Hilux cars then not only us but passengers will also face difficulties, said driver Ko Htun Aung. On April 1, U Hla Aung, chair of the Yangon Region Supervisory Committee for Motor Vehicles, which is better known by its Myanmar-language acronym Ma Hta Tha, met drivers in Htaukkyant, on the border of the municipal area, and requested them not to violate the ban. He warned that they could face legal action if they entered any of the 33 townships that make up the municipal area. On April 3, the regional government, on the recommendation of U

A man speaks through a loudspeaker at a protest in Taikkyi on March 31 against a ban on Hilux vehicles being used as buses in Yangon. Photo: Ko Taik

or projects, including hotels. Photo: Boothee

Hla Aung, agreed to postpone the introduction of the ban until April 30. But Hilux operators said the delay was not enough and accused the authorities of trying to impoverish them. We are not satised with that decision. Our vehicles are strong, use [compressed natural gas] economically and are convenient for passengers. Maintenance costs are low. We want to run freely in the Yangon municipal area. Does the government want us to be poor? said U Kin Linn, deputy chair of the Aung Ta Gon group of Hilux operators. He added that Ma Hta Tha was a private group that looked after its own interests, and that a body should be set up that would look after the interests of bus workers. While other owners accepted the need for change, they said they need more time to raise money for newer minibuses. We are only earning

K700,000 a month. To buy a minibus in instalments we will need another K400,000, said Ko Kyaw Ko of the Shwe Yangon Hilux group. One passenger who commutes between downtown Yangon and Hmawbi township said despite safety concerns passengers rely on Hilux buses because they are available later into the night, unlike express buses which are harder to nd after 7pm. If they ban them, passengers who live in outlying areas will have trouble getting home from downtown after 7pm, she said. According to statistics from Ma Hta Tha, Hilux pick-ups used as buses were involved in 29 percent of accidents involving public transportation since January. Of the 63 accidents that occurred, Hilux vehicles were involved in eight, which left four people dead and 85 injured, Ma Hta Tha spokesperson U Myo said last month.

quickly sprung up around the former Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residences building.

It's not Myanmars problem, its the foreigners expectations [that are the] problem.
Tony Picon Managing director Colliers International Myanmar

Private sector to formally establish independent journalism school in May

Sandar Lwin sdlsandar@gmail.com MYANMARS rst independent journalism school will be founded next month, organisers say. The Myanmar Journalism Institute will be collectively formed by members of private commercial and non-commercial media organisations. It will offer diploma courses in all journalism subjects with technical support from international partners. We are now inviting potential founding members for the school. The founding assembly will be held in May and a board of directors for the school will be elected, said U Zeya Hlaing, who is chairman of the school founding work committee, as well as editor of Mawkyun news magazine and a media trainer. The institutes consultation group includes International Media Support of Denmark, FoJo of Sweden, Deutsche Welle Akademie of Germany, UNESCO and Myanmars Forever Group. Deutsche Welle Akademie will take on the role of project coordinator for the international partners. According to the institutes draft articles of association, the board of directors will be formed with 20 members, including representatives of national, ethnic and community media organisations, journalist associations and women journalists. We have got some inquiries from potential founding members already. We will also accept staterun media organisations as founding members if they are interested, said U Zeya Hlaing. The school will become the countrys rst independent journalism school parallel to the governments graduate course for journalism. Deputy Minister for Information U Ye Htut told The Myanmar Times in September that the school was being opened at the suggestion of the Ministry of Information. The Ministry of Information will provide assistance so that the school can open. It will support capacity building, which is the most urgent requirement in Myanmars media industry, he said.

Despite the impasse, Yoma Strategic announced on March 10 it had signed an agreement with Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels to develop the railways building, which dates to the 1880s, into a Peninsula Hotel. Martyn Sawyer, HSH Group director of properties, said the group was

Data holes emerge as second week begins

SHWE YEE SAW MYINT YE MON newsroom@mmtimes.com OFFICIALS conceded last week that census data is likely to be incomplete in several parts of Myanmar, as tens of thousands of enumerators fanned out across the country to count the countrys estimated 11 million households. At the end of April 3, about 30 percent of households had already completed the census, the governmentappointed Central Census Committee said. The census Myanmars rst in more than 30 years was launched on March 30. In the rst two days enumerators counted 2,035,001 households out of an estimated 11 million. The census is scheduled to nish on April 10. However, officials conceded that in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan State, data collection will be incomplete because of conict with armed ethnic groups and disputes over ethnicity. We are continuing the process of taking the census but the process cannot be carried out in some regions of Kachin State and northern Shan State, as well as [in areas of] Rakhine State [where the population calls themselves] Rohingya, Department of Population director general U Myint Kyaing told The Myanmar Times. State media accused the Kachin Independence Army of trying to interrupt [the] census taking process, reporting on April 1 and 3 that KIA troops had threatened and disrupted enumerators in parts of Mansi and Mogaung townships in Kachin State and Momeik and Manton townships in Shan State. La Mai Gun Jar from the Kachinbased Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG) said the KIA did not agree to let enumerators enter those areas because ghting is still continuing between Kachin and government troops. As The Myanmar Times has previously reported, the government had no agreement with the Kachin for the census to take place in KIA-controlled areas. For local security reasons we are not ready to allow [enumerators] into these areas. We already told Minister [for Immigration and Population] U Khin Yi that we are not going to allow the census to take place in KIA areas, he said. Activist Daw Khun Ja from the Kachin Peace Network said the exclusion of Kachin people would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results. If all Kachin people cannot participate in this census then the government cant know exactly the population and number of households, she said. The accuracy of the data is likely to be further clouded by gures from areas under the control of the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU). KNU central executive committee member Phado Mann Nyein Maung said the group did not allow government enumerators to collect data in KNU areas. Instead, the organisation will gather the data with its own enumerators and give it to the government. It remains unclear whether the Central Census Committee will accept the KNU data, although the KNU said its enumerators had received government training. Meanwhile, in Rakhine State, as many as 1 million Muslims will not be included in the results because of a dispute over their ethnicity. Just days prior to the census the government announced it would only allow them to self-identify as Bengali, not Rohingya, in apparent contravention of an earlier agreement with the United Nations Population Fund. The Central Census Committee instructed enumerators to skip any households that planned to respond as Rohingya, U Myint Kyaing said. We do not have Rohingya in Myanmar so we cannot consider allowing them, he added. Paul Cheung, co-chair of the International Technical Advisory Board, a body of 15 global experts established to guide the holding of Myanmars census, said undercounting was an issue in every census. But normally, undercount is not deliberate or systematic ... In Rakhine, this could be a systematic undercount, deliberately excluding a certain ethnic group, if the press reports are true. Mr Cheung, who is also a faculty member at the National University of Singapore, said it was still possible the data could be later rectied to include those groups who are not being counted. But to do that, we need the government to accept the fact there is a problem, and release other data for us to make the corrections of undercount. He said the data would still be useful despite the large number of households that are likely to be skipped. The census preparatory activities went very well. We are condent that for the bulk of Myanmar, the census will yield very good data for future planning use. Additional reporting by Bill OToole

An enumerator speaks to a Muslim woman in an IDP camp in Sittwe on April 1. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

Conflict, but not contro

Muslims left disappointed as census enumerators pass them over because of a gove

FIONA MACGREGOR
newsroom@mmtimes.com

IN SITTWE

We do not have Rohingya in Myanmar ... so we cannot consider allowing them [to self-identify].
U Myint Kyaing Director general Department of Population

WHAT is your ethnicity? In Rakhine State, organisers of the rst census to in Myanmar in more than 30 years decided they might as well get the most controversial question over and done with rst. If they replied Rohingya as almost all questioned in the Thaechaung IDP camp did when The Myanmar Times visited on April 1 enumerators and their huge entourage of police and military escorts simply moved on to the next house, leaving the remainder of the questions on the census form unasked. Soon the officials were not even bothering to stop at every home. An official notice board outside the camp, which lies on the outskirts of state capital Sittwe, states it is

home to 2649 households. Around 200 beige-clad census enumerators as well as two police battalions and an army battalion were assigned to collect data. Four hours later, the hundreds of officials and security forces drafted in for the census had, according to residents, recorded the details of only around 30 IDP families, who were Kaman Muslims, an officially recognised ethnic group. Shu Kari, a Muslim who worked as an assistant to the census collectors, said he had agreed to take on the role the previous week because he was doing the job for the benet of the people and maybe they can write in the census their own ethnicity. I am disappointed the [enumerators] have gone without writing anything in their documents. IDP camp resident Mahamud Inis, 48, originally from Nazir village near Sittwe, said he waited at his house for enumerators to come but they never arrived. I was disappointed with this. They went to one of my neighbours

and asked his race. He said Rohingya and they refused to write it down, he said. Local and international observers had been predicting for some time that the census would provoke ethnic tensions not only in Rakhine but also elsewhere in Myanmar, and that conditions were not right for a complete count to take place. In an indication of the tension in the Rakhine capital, United Nations agencies and INGOs were forced to evacuate staff from Sittwe following attacks on their offices and staff housing ahead of the census on March 26 and 27. The violence was apparently sparked by an INGO worker taking down a Buddhist ag that had been put up by Rakhine who had threatened to boycott the census unless Muslims were stopped from self-identifying as Rohingya, rather than the official designation, Bengali. Despite previous assurances that all people in Myanmar would be able to self-identify freely during the census, government spokesman U Ye

Anxious teachers make jump from educators to enumerators

SHWE YEE SAW MYINT YE MON newsroom@mmtimes.com SCHOOLS throughout Myanmar were on holiday last week, but many middle school teachers were awake rst thing in the morning each day preparing for important work of a different kind: collecting information for the nationwide census. Its the rst census conducted in the country in three decades, and some of the teachers who met at the assembly area in Kyauktada township at 7am on March 31 the rst day of the census conded that they were nervous that they might make mistakes collecting data or otherwise fail in their duties. Census auditor Daw Win Win Kyi said many of the teachers were very anxious on their rst day visiting homes to get information from residents. Even though we had training, and even though we had practised going out into the eld before the census started, we are still worried about taking what we learned and applying it on the job, she said. But once the census actually started, most of these anxieties melted away, the teachers said. Data collector Daw Aye Aye Than told The Myanmar Times on April 2 that after two days of working she had not faced any difficulties when she asked residents the census questions.

Workers collect census data from a man in Yangon on March 30. Photo: AFP

oversy, averted K3000

rnment policy change on self-identication of ethnicity
Htut conrmed on March 29 that if a household wishes to identify themselves as Rohingya we will not register it. Speaking on condition of anonymity, senior police officials told The Myanmar Times that the decision had been made to ask the ethnicity question rst to both keep the peace and save time. Officials also said some camp residents who would have chosen to identify as Bengali had come under pressure from neighbours to stick to the name Rohingya a suggestion strongly denied by residents. Noor Mahamud, 57, an IDP camp committee member originally from Nazir village, said he had been invited to a meeting about the census by local authorities in Sittwe on March 17, less than two weeks before counting started. He had been assured that camp residents would be allowed to Amount enumerators are paid each day answer freely and said this assurance was later repeated by state police. However, on March 26, he said, township administrative officials, police and immigration officials had arrived in the camp and told them about the new policy. Mr Mahamud added that he believed the state government had made the decision to appease Rakhine hardliners. I agree with [those who say] this is not a suitable time for the census. But the government makes the policy. If the government was neutral then it could go ahead. Abdul Rahim, an IDP originally from Zair village, said camp residents had not decided as a group to use the term or come under pressure from those within their community to use it. This is my right ... I have no need to discuss with other people about using this name.

Before I started working on the census I thought I would have many problems, but actually no one has refused to answer the questions and no one has tried to avoid me yet, she said. However, she said that in some households she had to carefully explain the importance of some of the questions and calm the worried minds of some family members. The census questionnaire consists of 41 questions, and the data collectors are expected to spend only 30 minutes at each household. They work a rigorous schedule from 7am to 4pm, covering 18 houses a day. For each teacher, the ward administration office arranges two helpers, Daw Win Win Kyi said. The census squad interviews door to door, and when they nish the questionnaire they leave a sign in front of the house saying the census has been taken there. At 4pm the data collectors return to the assembly point, where they turn their information over to an audi-

tor from the Census Committee. The auditors double-check the information before passing it on to the township administrator. We check to see whether people answered question 1 to 18, which everyone has to answer, and then we check the three most important questions, Daw Win Win Kyi said. These three questions pertain to children over ve years of age, over 10 years of age and over 15 years of age. The teachers working with the census get paid K3000 a day, with auditors collecting K4000. However, some participants said the pay was too low for the difficulty of the work, which involved spending all day in the heat and climbing up and down stairways in four- to 12-storey apartment buildings in the downtown area. I get dizzy, and sometimes I start seeing spots in front of my eyes, Daw Aye Aye Than said. Its very tiring, and we dont even have enough time to rest or eat lunch.

12 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Police informants accused of harassing, pushing journalists

SUE YE NI newsroom@mmtimes.com MANDALAY reporters have met police officials to complain about the behaviour of police informants at news events, after a reporter was physically harassed while covering a protest on March 31. Protests and other political activities routinely draw as many police informants as reporters. The informants record the demonstrations and provide the information to police so they can decide whether to prosecute activists. If the event is on private property, the informants normally pose as journalists to gain entry. As The Myanmar Times has previously reported, Mandalay reporters say the widespread practice of government informants attending press conferences and other news events intimidates both the real journalists and those hosting events. The latest incident has sparked fresh anger from reporters, who say the government is infringing on their right to cover news events freely. While attending a candlelight protest in Mandalay on March 31, Irrawaddy reporter Ma Zar Ni said she was attacked by one informant, who then shouted to nearby police to arrest all of the journalists present. My motorcycle helmet got pulled from my hands and I was pushed away. I told the police about it but the police did nothing. Later I found out those people were informants. Can we not get news freely? she said. Following the incident, Mandalay reporters went to the regional police office and asked to discuss the issue with senior officials. They said there are no informants and they think they are officials from other [government] departments but they will investigate and reply to us, said Modern journal editor Ko San Yu Kyaw, who was one of two journalists allowed to meet police officials. But Ko Nay Myo Lin from the BBC said police informants were a regular annoyance at press events. During this time when we are ghting to get media freedom, we faced disturbances from police informants. If they were wearing uniforms when they tried to stop us, it would be clear what they are trying to do. But unless they wear a uniform openly, they should not be allowed to stop us, he said. A reporter from Democratic Voice of Burma said he faced similar challenges covering an earlier protest against planned electricity price rises on March 27. I wasnt able to shoot a video because they pushed me, said Ko Eaint Khine Myae from DVB. They are doing their job but they cant treat the media like that. Translation by Khant Lin Oo

Old copies of the state-run New Light of Myanmar are displayed for sale on the streets of downtown Yangon. Photo: Christopher Davy

Criticism as govt moves to prop up failing state dailies

EI EI TOe LWIN
eieitoelwin@gmail.com

MEDIA organisations have blasted a bill now before parliament that would continue the use of public funds to subsidise state-owned newspapers. The government says the aim of the Public Service Media Bill now before Pyidaungsu Hluttaw is to strengthen democracy by ensuring authentic

media pluralism. Union Information Minister U Aung Kyi told parliament on March 17 that the bill had been drafted taking into account recommendations from international organisations, including UNESCO, external and internal experts and a parliamentary committee. Introducing the bill, the minister said that though newspaper circulation had reached some 600,000 readers, most Myanmar citizens lived in remote rural areas without access to the news. A sustainable democracy requires a non-commercial and nonprot public-service mechanism and

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that GOLDEN BOWL CO., LTD. of 209/911 Charoen Krung 91, Bangkoelaem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks:-

(Reg: No. IV/1906/1998)

(Reg: No. IV/12311/2013) in respect of:- Shirt (short and long sleeve), Polo shirt, T-shirt, Pants, Short Pants, Suit, Jacket, Undershirt, Underwear, Belt, Shoes, Sock, Necktie Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for GOLDEN BOWL CO., LTD. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416

Dated: 7th April, 2014

televised media to bridge the knowledge gap in the population. [Reaching remote populations] is not commercially viable, so it is absolutely sure that other news media could not perform this function satisfactorily, said U Aung Kyi. If passed, the bill would allow the government to fund publicly owned news organisations, he added. The bill would create a 15-member council to oversee both print and broadcast media and issue media-related laws, rules and regulations and directives. The councils members and staff would be paid, and would take over the assets of the existing state media. Denouncing the bill as an attempt to featherbed information ministry staff, media organisations have called on parliament to assess whether it is necessary for the good of the country. The interim press council has sent a nine-point list of objections to the president and parliament, saying only state-run newspapers Myanma Ahlin and Kyemon (The Mirror) and broadcaster Myanma Radio and Television (MRTV) are described as public-service media in the bill. It criticises the privilege to be accorded to the ministrys staff. U Kyaw Min Swe, secretary of the Myanmar Press Council, said no country had public-service newspapers. The bill said only the state-run media industry was a public service. But private media also perform a public service. It looks like the government wants to defame the private media by tarring them all with the same brush as a small handful of unethical operators. This is propaganda, he said. U Ko Ko, chair of the Myanmar Writers Association, told The Myanmar Times that the bill was well intentioned but was unlikely to be of practical use. While public service is all very well, he questioned whether Myanma Ahlin and Kyemon provide that service. Some MPs have pointed out that in countries transitioning to democ-

racy the role of state-run media tends to diminish but that this bill would strengthen government newspapers with public funds. Most private daily newspapers sell for K100-200, but state-run newspapers cost only K50, and operate at a loss. The Ministry of Information spent K52 billion of its K82 billion budget for 2013-14 propping up loss-making state media, including newspapers and broadcasters. Moreover the ministry has asked for more than K36 billion as capital

Amount, in kyat, that the government spent on state media outlets in 2013-14

K52

BILLION

expenditure including the allocation of more than K3 billion for its lossmaking press and publishing industry for next year. According to the bill, at least 70 percent of the costs of the public-service media will be directly carried by the government budget, the remaining 30pc to be sought from advertisements. Why does the ministry need to keep publishing two loss-making newspapers? The news coverage is the same in both, said U Ko Ko. Speaking of the governments attempt to retain control over some media, Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Khine Maung Yi told reporters that the game is not worth the candle. If the government wants an independent pluralistic media, he said, it could support private rather than state newspapers. Translation by Zar Zar Soe

www.mmtimes.com

News 13

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Betagro Public Company Limited, a company organised and existing under the laws of Thailand, of 323 Moo 6, Thungsonghong, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

Reg. No. 2237/2009 in respect of Livestock feed. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for Betagro Public Company Limited P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

First video of rare snubnosed monkey emerges

TIM MCLAUGHLIN timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com A HUNTER in northeastern Kachin State has captured what is widely believed to the rst video footage of Myanmars critically endangered snubnosed monkey. Kaung Haung, who is trained as a eld biologist and works for Londonbased wildlife protection agency Fauna and Flora International (FFI), shot the footage of the rare monkey in March during a month-long eld survey. The video give us rst glimpses into the social organisation of the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey, said Frank Momberg, FFI Myanmar program director. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that there are between 260 to 330 of the monkeys living in the wild. A team of primatologists discovered the species, which has the scientic name Rhinopithecus strykeri, in the Maw River area of Kachin State in 2010. Prior to the lming it had only be captured in still photos by camera traps. FFI said that the footage showed the snub-nosed monkeys living in large social groups and that this means conservation efforts in the area need to be increased. Larger groups require large home ranges and larger areas of contiguous forest need to be protected to ensure the survival of the species, Mr Momberg said. The area is under threat from Chinese logging operations that have

A poster urging residents to protect the snub-nosed monkey is put up in an ethnic Lisu area of Kachin State. Photo: Supplied

TRADE MARK CAUTION

The Siam Cement Public Company Limited, a company incorporated in Thailand, of 1 Siam Cement Road, Bangsue Subdistrict, Bangsue District, Bangkok, Thailand, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

deforested the monkeys habitat. The local communities are very concerned about the logging. They see the scarred mountain slopes, landslides destroying not only forests but also some of their upland rice elds. Local people do not benet at all since all workers involved in logging have come from China, Mr Momberg said. FFI is working with the Forest Department to collect evidence to support declaring the area a national park, which would be known as Imawbum National Park. FFI said that their hopes for the national park have been bolstered by the government signing a peace agreement with the New Democratic Army-Kachin as this has allowed for easier and wider access to the region.

Reg. No. 7749/2011 in respect of Class 39: Transportation service, loading and uploading cargoes service, warehouse management, logistics consultant. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for The Siam Cement Public Company Limited P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Thai Ceramic Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in Thailand, of 1 Siam Cement Road, Bangsue Sub-district, Bangsue District, Bangkok, Thailand, is the Owner of the following Trade Marks:-

Reg. No. 787/1998 in respect of Class 19: Ceramic floor tiles; ceramic wall tiles and all goods in this class.

Reg. No. 1188/2007 in respect of Floor tiles (not of metal), wall tiles (not of metal), roof tiles (not of metal), mosaics for building. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Marks will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for Thai Ceramic Co., Ltd. P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

14 News

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Aid dependency concerns grow for refugees

Drop in funding to camps comes amid diminishing resettlement options for refugees on Thai border

BRIDGET DI CERTO
bridget.dicerto@gmail.com

Mandalay residents float motorcycles down a flooded 26th Street in August 2011. Photo: Si Thu Lwin

MCDC to reroute water to avert floods

SI THU LWIN sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com MUNICIPAL authorities in Mandalay have announced plans to reroute water from the Shan hills into the Doketawady River to reduce ooding in the downtown area. Mandalay Mayor U Aung Maung said Mandalay City Development Committee would work with the national government and international groups on the project. The main reason that we have ooding in Mandalay is the water from Shan mountains entering into the town, he said during a session of the Mandalay Region Hluttaw last month. The mayor said the plan was part of a 30-year project to improve drainage in the city in order to reduce damage to the road network caused by ooding. In October 2012, a team from Thailand studied Mandalays drainage, sanitation, and household and industrial wastewater management systems. Based on this assessment, the committee is planning to build new drains and expand existing drains. We also plan to buy machines to dredge silt from lakes near Mandalay, such as Kandawgyi and Taungthaman, U Aung Maung said. In the rst ve years of the 30-year project, several main drainage canals will be repaired. Between 2016 and 2020, it will expand other canals and also introduce a management system for industrial wastewater. Translation by Thiri Min Htun

COORDINATORS of refugee camps along the Thai border are continuing to focus on third-country resettlement because the conditions do not yet exist for an organised return of Myanmar refugees, the Border Consortium (TBC) said in a report released last month. The report, canvassing the consortiums activities from July to December 2013, highlighted ongoing needs in the border camps and widespread aid dependency, even as international support to the camps has declined. In the nal days of the year we saw two devastating res in the camps
Australia
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Total 849 364 775 857 2323 1562 1515 734 8979

tain only to rice; the other items in the monthly food basket were not reduced. Refugee needs in camps have also remained high as aid dependency permeates the communities, the report said. Decreasing dependency is not a simple transition, it said. TBC has always held the core principle of enabling refugees to be as autonomous and self-reliant as possible such that when the time came for return they would be able to transition relatively easily, the report said. However, refugees are conned to camps, their movement restricted, and not permitted to seek work outside. As a result, aid dependency was inevitable. Despite the view that repatriation or return of refugees to Myanmar is not currently viable, the US previously the largest third
Norway
25 15 13 50 280 70 414 324 1191

Refugee departures from Thai border camps since 2006

Canada
43 16 69 339 828 637 1574 756 4262

Finland
105 107 147 123 202 283 350 208 1525

US
7109 6153 7979 9538 12826 14280 10181 2164 70230

Other
127 207 279 200 226 340 602 727 2708

Total
8258 6862 9262 11107 16685 17172 14636 4913 88895

at Mae La and Ban Mai Nai Soi. One person was killed and over 900 were affected, TBC executive director Sally Thompson said in the report. These res serve as a stark reminder of just how vulnerable refugees daily lives are in the camps. Due to donors improving ties with President U Thein Seins government, many humanitarian programs focusing on refugees outside Myanmar experienced a drop in funding in 2013. Due to signicant funding reductions, TBC had to implement changes in the food rations, the group said in its report. This includes the introduction of need-based ration categories, while children continue to receive their full ration. Ration changes per-

country recipient of Myanmar refugees - closed its special resettlement program at the end of 2013. Ms Thompson said aid dependency and a lack of resettlement options means humanitarian support will be needed for many years to come in refugee camps. A key challenge for TBC is to ensure that refugee return is not taking place due to lack of adequate services; we do not want push factors forcing refugees to return prematurely, Ms Thompson said. While refugees remain conned to camps under Thai policy, no matter how much we accelerate livelihoods programs, it will not replace the need for ongoing humanitarian support.

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that AstraZeneca AB a company duly organized under the laws of Sweden and having its principal office at 151 85 Sdertlje, Sweden is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks: -

BAMBEC
(Reg: Nos. IV/1549/1991 & IV/2302/2014)

BETALOC
(Reg: Nos. IV/1543/1991 & IV/2303/2014)

PULMICORT
(Reg: Nos. IV/1542/1991 & IV/2304/2014) in respect of : - Pharmaceutical preparations and substancesClass: 5 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for AstraZeneca AB P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 7th April, 2014

www.mmtimes.com

News 15

Private sector to get hands on rubbish collection

SHWEGU THITSAR HEIN HTET AUNG newsroom@mmtimes.com WASTE management in Yangon will be transferred to the private sector within one year but municipal officials insist it will not result in higher waste collection costs for residents. Tenders for waste collection and transportation will close on April 30, following an earlier tender for two waste-toenergy projects. The winners will receive a 10-year contract starting April 1, 2015. U Khin Win, deputy head of the committees Pollution Control and Cleansing Department, said YCDC decided to privatise waste management because it was proving a drain on public nances. Under our current system, for every K1 of income on waste collection we have to spend at least K3, he said. Local and foreign companies, including local-foreign joint ventures, are being invited to participate in the tender. However, it remains unclear how they can collect the citys waste protably while meeting YCDCs main criterion: keeping charges to the public at the same level. Its important to charge the same as the committee does, U Khin Win said. But this transfer of the service to the private sector will see advanced waste management systems appear in the city of Yangon. U Aung Myint Maw, the departments assistant chief engineer, said the committee would be open to considering new methods of taxation. While Yangon currently levies a at tax based on township, in Japan taxes are collected based on the weight of the waste, while in Italy charges depend on the size of the property and dwelling. Translated by Hein Htet Aung

Education law drafted without teacher input, says association

University Teachers Association says draft education law will maintain government control over universities

KHIN SU WAI
jasminekhin@gmail.com

THE newly published draft of the national education bill places too much control over higher education in government hands, members of the nationwide University Teachers Association (UTA) said March 29, adding that the bill was submitted to parliament without consulting classroom workers. In a joint press statement, a number of UTA branches said the law was an important step toward education reform but expressed concern that they had not been consulted by the Education Promotion Implementation Committee (EPIC) before a draft was submitted to the Pyithu Hluttaw. The UTA was not formally invited to consultation meetings organised by university rectors in December, although teachers were invited to attend individually, and this prompted the association to declare it was boycotting the process. Similarly, the association was not invited to an event in Nay Pyi Taw on March 5 and 6. They didnt give enough recognition to the role of university teachers and didnt consult us, Yatanarpon University Association secretary U Zaw Naing told The Myanmar Times. The draft bill was written only by rectors but it said it included public consultations. U Zaw Naing also said that the proposed structure of the National Education Council is 70 percent rectors and less than 10pc scholars, a ratio he said was not fair and a sign that authority in the education system will remain essentially unchanged. It is obvious that the government still maintains central control over education, he said. We want the national education draft law to be perfect and for this to happen there needs to be public consultations. If not, we plan to conduct demonstrations against the draft, said Sai Khaing Myo Tun, secretary of the Yangon University Teachers Association. What we dont like is that it is obvious that the government wants to

A teacher leads a class in a rural basic education primary school in Ayeyarwady Region. Photo: Kaung Htet

keep control of education. The draft law was published in state-run media in mid-March after being submitted to parliament, along with another education law written by a bill committee working on education. The university associations said the fact that two versions exist raises questions about the transparency of the drafting process. A number of university association branches were represented in the press statement, including Yangon University; East Yangon University; West Yangon University; the University of Distance Education, Yangon; Dagon University in Yangon; Yatanarpon University in Mandalay; Sittwe University in Rakhine State; Hinthada Technological University in Ayeyarwady Region; and Maubin Technological University,

in Ayeyarwady Region. The University Teachers Association is not the only group critical of the draft law. The National Network for Education Reform (NNER), which comprises nine education-focused groups and is led by the National

It is obvious that the government wants to keep control of education.

Sai Khaing Myo Tun Yangon University Teachers Association secretary

League for Democracys Education Network, said at a recent press conference that not sharing the law with the public would stall education reform. Education would remain too centralised, while the National Education Council appeared similar to national education committees formed by the military regime. The NNER also raised concerns about the decision to reject mothertongue teaching in some ethnic languages, a move it argued could hinder the peace process of the government and armed ethnic groups. The national education law is considered a key plank in the ongoing education reform process, which has already seen Yangon University reopened to undergraduates for the rst time since the mid-1990s.

www.mmtimes.com

News 19

UN extends human rights envoy mandate

Refusal to allow the opening of a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office a key factor in decision

TIM MCLAUGHLIN
timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com

THE United Nations has extended the mandate of the special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar and renewed its call for the government to allow the opening of a country office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The resolution was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on March 28. The special rapporteur position will be extended for one year in its present guise a decision that will irk the Myanmar government, which wanted the position downgraded to one of technical cooperation rather than reporting, if not abolished completely. While the resolution, which was tabled by the European Union, aimed to highlight positive steps being taken by Myanmar, including the freeing of political prisoners and increased freedom of speech, it

also expressed serious concerns regarding the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine State. Myanmar rejected the use of the term Rohingya in the draft resolution. Another major concern of the international community is Nay Pyi Taws reluctance to allow the opening of a High Comissioner for Human Rights office, though the resolution did note that negotiations on the topic were ongoing. The UN also called for an independent investigation into reports of violence in Du Chee Yar Tan village in northern Rakhine State in January. A commission formed by the government found no deaths had occurred but the UN says that it has credible information that at least 40 Muslim men, women and children were killed during a crackdown by security forces. Argentinean lawyer Toms Quintanas term as special rapporteur a position he has held since 2008 will expire in May, after which a new rapporteur will be appointed. Mr Quintana made nine visits to Myanmar during his tenure.

Police interrupt a demonstration on Mandalays 26th Street on March 31. Photo: Mg Zaw

Police stop more power protests

MG ZAW newsroom@mmtimes.com POLICE in Mandalay have stopped another candlelight demonstration against a recent hike in electricity prices but promised not to take legal action against activists. Three members of the Facilitators Network with ILO and Myanmar Democracy Current Forces protested in Chan Aye Thar San township at 6pm on March 31, a day before power rates increased for both households and commercial users. Increasing the electricity price will harm workers livelihoods directly and by increasing ination. It goes against the presidents promise to reduce poverty, said Ko Toe Gyi from FNI. The trio had planned to protest in front of the regional electric power department near the corner of 78th Street and 26th Street but were obstructed by police. Instead, they conducted the demonstration at the corner of 26th Street and Strand Road. Chan Aye Thar San township police officer Ohn Khin met the protesters and asked them to stop their demonstration, promising not to charge them with conducting an illegal protest. He said, however, that police would not grant permission for protests against the electricity prices rises. On March 27, police in Mandalay arrested several activists who had conducted a similar protest against electricity price increases. Translation by Khant Lin Oo

20 News

Views

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

White cards: the juntas toxic legacy

U Thein Seins government has a responsibility to clean up the mess created by the military regime in Rakhine

BILL to amend the Political Parties Registration Law was recently introduced into the Amyotha Hluttaw. The bill committee gave its views on the current law and consequently MPs discussed it from all points of view. The focus of the discussion quickly shifted to the issue of temporary identity cards, which are also known as white cards. White cards were rst issued in 1993 under the State Law and Order Restoration Council. So it is not a new issue; these cards have been around for more than 20 years. Of the 850,000 people who hold these cards, about 750,000 are in Rakhine State, and are referred to as either Bengali or Rohingya. Its important to consider whether it is a problem that was deliberately created by the former junta and has now been passed on to Myanmars citizens and the Rakhine people. When discussing the white card issue, we need to rst look back at the 2010 election. There were nearly 2.7 million eligible voters in Rakhine State at the time of election, according to government gures. Of those 2.7 million, 750,000 were Bengalis or Rohingya holding white cards. This gure would be higher if Muslims holding other forms of identity were included. The military government drafted elections laws, such as the Political Parties Registration Law, in line with its needs. As a result, the law states that all people holding identity cards meaning anyone with a national scrutiny card, national registration card, a guest citizenship card, a naturalised citizen card or a white card shall have the right to form a political party and vote in the election. However, only those holding citizenship scrutiny cards were

newsroom@mmtimes.com

SITHU AUNG MYINT

allowed to stand as candidates. While the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), which was successful in the 1990 election, boycotted the 2010 vote, a new party, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) led by U Aye Maung, took part. It campaigned strongly, rallying support from ethnic Rakhine. Realising it could not win the support of most ethnic Rakhine, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) rallied white card holders to its side. The RNDP won a majority of seats - 34 to 27 - but the result would have been much more onesided against the USDP if white card holders could not vote. As it was, the RNDP performed better than any other ethnic minority party in terms of the proportion of seats won. As we approach the 2015 election, the issue of allowing those who are not yet conrmed as full citizens to vote is being discussed widely. U Aye Maung submitted a proposal to the Amyotha Hluttaw to amend the Political Parties Registration Law created by the former junta and despite objections from U Hla Swe, an outspoken USDP representative from Magwe, most MPs supported it. On March 12, the bill committee presented its recommendations

Monks protest in Yangon against the proposed opening of an Organisation for Islamic Cooperation office holding a sign that reads, Muslims do not respect other religions . Photo: Kaung Htet

on the proposal, arguing that only citizens should have the privilege of voting, forming a political party or standing for election to parliament. The majority of MPs supported it. But what was more interesting than the result was the contribution

Why were the white cards issued to replace national registration cards? And why didnt the government issue other types of identity cards to these people?

to the discussion made by U Htay Win, also known as U Zar Yad, who represents the USDP in Rakhine State Constituency 7. He told the hluttaw that the former government issued these temporary cards after withdrawing the national registration cards of the Bengali or Rohingya in 1993. He argued that new cards should be issued to those who had previously held them before the bill amending the parties registration law is approved. It is important to note that he didnt object to amending the bill. Following his discussion, Amyotha Hluttaw speaker U Khin Maung Myint suspended the process of amending the bill and instructed the bill committee to reconsider based on the recommendations of MPs. Although U Htay Win mostly praised the former government and its immigration laws, he argued that the white cards were not in accord-

ance with the law. This raises questions for the former government and President U Thein Seins new government: Why were the white cards issued to replace national registration cards? And why didnt the government issue other types of identity cards to these people for more than 20 years? Further, why is the government still ignoring this issue and seemingly giving no consideration to how it could be resolved? Today the Rakhine people have raised their voices and they are targeting the Bengalis. But some Rakhine are blind to the fact that this issue is simply the creation of the former government. No one wants to allow those who are not yet identied as citizens to vote. Therefore, President U Thein Seins government should take steps to resolve the issue as soon as possible for the sake of the future of Rakhine State. Translation by Zar Zar Soe

www.mmtimes.com

The indiscreet power of the bourgeoisie

ROGER MITTON
follow Suthep claim that the Thaksinites are only popular among the uneducated peasants in the north and northeast. It is nonsense. They are extremely popular in the central region and Bangkok. Only in the south have they been consistently out-voted by the Democrats. That explains why the protests, fuelled by an establishment elite who loathe Thaksin, have been such a dismal failure. For the fact remains that a majority of Thais, including those in the capital, still support Thaksinite policies, support Yingluck and, most importantly, support electoral democracy. That, however, does not faze the amata. They intend to have their way, just as Russias Vladimir Putin had his way in Crimea and as Americas National Security Agency has its way in monitoring your emails and phone calls, if it so wishes. What this means is that Yingluck is toast. Her party will be disqualied. And an establishment-aligned regime will be installed. Its not fair, but then life is not fair. If it was, John Lennon would still be alive, Tibet would be independent and male orgasms would last longer. But what justies the return of an unfair and undemocratic government in Thailand? Simple. It is the amatas need to maintain credibility. Upholding its position as the nations rightful, time-honoured and proper overlord requires the extinction of the upstart challenger: Thaksinite populism and all it stands for. The amata believe that any dilution of their credibility, no matter how minor, will shatter their power base. Like a kind of Canute in reverse, they fear Thaksinism will cause the tide to go out and will reveal them to be just what they really are: a bunch of naked paper tigers. That, of course, cannot be allowed to happen. So alas, poor Yingluck, you did your best but you came up against an immutable force that cares not for free and fair elections and multiparty democracy. No, a pox on all that stuff and nonsense. Please clear off and make it quick, for the instability is bad for business and has gone on too long. Then the doctrine of credibility of the elite will be restored - as it should be and must be. And you have a nice day now.

Views

News 21

rogermitton@gmail.com

LET us not be too harsh about the political situation in Thailand. It is a mess that looks almost unsalvageable, but there is a perverse logic to it. That logic may be rather malicious and Machiavellian, yet it has a rational basis that has been little explained. So let us try to do that now, rst by noting that in the near future a partisan Anti-Corruption Commission will likely charge Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with dereliction of duty over a rice-buying scheme. That action will cause Yinglucks removal from office. Concurrently, a biased and largely military-appointed Constitutional Court will disqualify Yinglucks elected legislators because they voted to make the Senate a fully elected body. Both the court and the commission are controlled by long-entrenched and powerful establishment forces, who are known in Thai as the amata.

A Thai protester holds a placard during a rally in Bangkok on March 29. Photo: AFP

Elected in early 2001 on a platform that catered to all Thais across the country, including the previously neglected rural poor, it scared the heck out of the privileged amata. Indeed, it was so successful and so

popular that it was re-elected in 2005 in another landslide, which again included a huge majority of seats in Bangkok, the nations capital. That fact needs stressing because the amata and the lemmings who

What justies the return of an unfair and undemocratic government in Thailand? Simple. It is the amatas need to maintain credibility.
They have instigated and continue to fund the often-violent protests in Bangkok led by gures aligned to the opposition Democrat Party. At their helm is a former deputy leader of the Democrats, Suthep Thaugsuban, a man who, like his party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, faces murder charges. All of this is not disputed and frankly is not such a big deal in Thailand. After all, the country has never had a majority-elected government that has completed a full term, except for that headed by Yinglucks brother, the fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

LETTER TO EDITOR
Dear editor, I have just read the Twitter post from The Myanmar Times, UNFPA responds to anti-INGO rioting in Sittwe, reaffirms commitment to assisting on the census. By framing the mob violence in Sittwe as anti-INGO and ignoring the violence against United Nations staff and structures, The Myanmar Times risks giving credence to the Sasana-ag-in-the-pocket reason for the mob violence. Why look for or publish a reason for the mob violence? Mobs are primed. Who primed this one? Sincerely, Jamie Uhrig

22 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Business
GDP growth hit 7.5% last year, says ADB
PHILIp HEIJMANS pheijmans13@gmail.com SURGING credit growth in the banking sector, rising investments and continued economic reform last year resulted in economic growth to the tune of 7.5 percent gross domestic product (GDP) for the 2013 scal year, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In its annual Asian Development Outlook report released last week, the ADB highlighted a 59.5pc increase in capital goods imports to $5.8 billion last year, as well as resurgence for the agriculture sector, after being hit by ooding the year before. Business condence has markedly improved in recent years, as reected in a rapid increase in new business registrations, which exceeded 5,000 in the 10 months to January 2013, more than in the whole of the previous scal year, the report states, adding that private sector credit maintained a rapid growth at 46pc for the last scal year. In the oil and gas sectors, the ADB also pointed to a 68.8pc increase in natural gas exports to 7.7 trillion cubic feet in the 12 months to September 2013, with the Shwe and Zawtika gas elds starting production. Last years economic growth exceeds prior outlooks by the World Bank and ADB, both of whom revised growth up to 6.8pc in October, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised their outlook up to 7.5pc on March 28. As a result of high GDP growth last year and the prospect of continued reforms and investment from abroad, growth is expected to increase a further 7.8 percent for the 2014 scal year, the ADB stated. A number of developments last year contributed to raising Myanmars international prole as an investment destination, including the award of telecommunications licenses to Norways Telenor and Qatars Ooredoo, selection of investors as preferred bidders for developing airports, the report states. It added that Myanmar will also benet from relaxed import restrictions and relaxed foreign exchange controls. With economic growth however comes risk, as ination is expected to continue climbing from an average of 5.8pc last year to 6.6pc in 2014 and 6.9pc in 2015. Factors contributing to ination include a boost to public sector wages, higher electricity tariffs, and rising property prices in cities, the report said. With only 28pc of the population currently having access to electricity, the ADB suggests that the electrication of the country could pose a serious threat to growth if it is not addressed. Meeting the energy challenge will play a major role in poverty reduction and stimulating regional development. In addition, improved power supply to all ethnic groups will contribute to the peace dividend, the report states. In a separate statement last week, the IMF echoed those concerns, though pointed to Myanmars underdeveloped nancial systems and ties to foreign economies. Risks to the outlook arise largely from limited macroeconomic management capacity and thin international reserve cushions, the IMF said in the March 28 statement. There are pressures from rapid money and credit growth, kyat depreciation and possible electricity price hikes, it continues. International reserves are still low and vulnerable to shocks.

Central Bank sets sights o

Tellers count 5000 kyat notes from within the Central Bank. Photo: Staff

ADBs outlook for economic growth in the 2014-2015 scal year

7.8%

AYE THIDaR KYaW

ayethidarkyaw@gmail.com

A NEW Financial Institutions Supervision Department will be formed under the auspices of the Central Bank this year to act as a credit bureau in a bid to increase credit access across the country, officials said last week. The Central Bank nalised the draft Financial Institutions Law in

early 2014 and sent it to the Union Attorney. When passed, the law provides the regulatory apparatus to set up the countrys rst credit bureau. A Singaporean credit corporation, select local banks and Myanma Insurance will support the bureau implementation, insiders said. The scheme will hopefully allow banks to offer more loans, which will extend coverage for set-up capital for local industry, an official from the Central Bank with knowledge of the plans toldThe Myanmar Timeson condition of anonymity as they are unauthorised to speak to the media.

Even though the Central Bank has planned to liberalise their restrictions, even on the high interest rates, they cannot remove some limitations such as commercial banks to have a single digit percent of NPL [non-performing loans], the source said. The credit bureau will judge the credit worthiness of both companies and individuals and rate them accordingly, the source said. The restriction on NPLs makes a credit bureau critical for Myanmar to extend its loan coverage, bankers said. NPLs in 2013 were about 2pc, the source said. To keep this number so

BUSINESS edITOR: Philip Heijmans | pheijmans13@gmail.com

23

MOGE names local partners for offshore blocks

BUSINESS 25

Canned foods rm dees govt order to leave factory

pROpERTY 28

Exchange Rates (April 4 close)

Currency
Euro Malaysia Ringitt Singapore Dollar Thai Baht US Dollar

Buying
K1311 K293 K756 K29 K958

Selling
K1329 K294 K766 K30 K968

on credit bureau
serious limitations for commercial banks to assess the creditworthiness of a prospective lender. Domestic banks just focus on not losing money, rather than offering more loans, he said. We give priority to large enterprises that are sure to make regular interest payments, U Pe Myint said, adding the most of these clients were individual businesspeople and very few small and medium enterprise customers were granted loans. On March 28, the International Monetary Fund said that Myanmars surging credit issuances to the private sector, currently at about 30 percent, could stimulate the economy, but also pose a risk to future growth without the right infrastructure in place to give banks a more efficient background on prospective clients. U Tin Maung Htay, managing director of the Small and Medium Industrial Development Bank, said the bank had already received nancing support from the Myanma Economic Bank to increase its loan facilities threshold to K20 billion for the 20142015 scal year. We are expecting more borrowers in the coming scal year and our budget is to cover these potential enterprises, U Tin Maung Htay said. Credit bureaus typically span beyond commercial banks, providing other lenders such as micronance institutions the ability to more thoroughly assess clients. U Khine Htun, an independent economist, said however that without international help nor precedence for acquiring such information, a credit bureau in Myanmar would likely not have the resources initially to collect data from micro-lenders and would instead focus on assessing larger borrowers. The credit bureau will focus on the big and other medium companies that have a good reputation because [banks will need] their rating, he said. The nature of loans in micronance and in banks is different. Banks make sure they save themselves with collateral, while MFIs are risky. A bank will focus on a K100 million loan for one client, while an MFI will focus on K1 million for probably 100 clients, U Khine Htun said.

Workers prepare bags of rice for export in Yangon. Photo: Staff

Summer paddy prices grow on rising demand from abroad

Farmers earning more revenue, but debt and high labour costs remain a challenge

ZaW HtIkE
zawhtikemjn1981@gmail.com

low without the benet of a credit bureau, nancial institutions have strict collateral collecting practices. Currently, domestic banks can only offer short-term, one-year loans to clients and banks must not lend without collecting collateral. In January 2012, collateral categories of land and property were liberalised to include agricultural products, treasury bonds, saving deposits and gold. Businesspeople have saidbanks often undervalue collateral by as much as 20pc and only issue loans equivalent to 35pc of the undervalued collateral to protect against NPLs. U Pe Myint, managing director of the Cooperative Bank, said that a poor nancial infrastructure has created

CONTINUED growing demand from abroad for locally grown paddy rice has helped year-on-year prices rise as much as 27 percent despite a seasonal downturn due to the harvest season, experts said. According to rice farmers, the paddy rice is currently trading for anywhere between US$390-$400 per 100 baskets (2.05 tonnes), compared to about $315 per tonne last year, while exports to regional partners China in particular are favourable. The price of rice has become higher than last year because of high demand from the Chinese market, which has started to boom in 2012, and also now the EU market, said U Lu Maw Myint Maung, joint secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation. If the export market demand continues to trend this way, local paddy prices will not go down, he said.

Paddy prices languished at about $232-$368 from 2008 due to the fallout of Cyclone Nargis, but the sector rebounded, reaching $494 in February before a seasonal downturn brought prices down to current levels. Nevertheless, farmers are now in a better position to combat debt and the rising cost of labour as they are able to generate net revenues of about K70,000-K80,000 per acre, said U Thein Aung, chair of the Freedom Farmers League, which has about 400,000 members. At this price, farmers can manage to make ends meet if they are thrifty, though they cannot expect to be well off. But the problem is that they are still in debt accrued over the past three

Going rate for 100 baskets of domestic paddy rice in the export market

$400

years, when prices were very low and there was ooding, he said. U Thein Aung added that many farmers are paying 5-10pc interest a month, and cannot qualify for government low-interest loans of 13pc annually. To make matters worse, farm labour has been harder to come by as other job opportunities in the construction and manufacturing sectors had driven up labour costs by 30pc compared to last year, he said. U Soe Tun, chair of the Myanmar Farmers Association and joint secretary of the Myanmar Rice Federation, said about 4 million acres is being devoted to summer crop, 10 percent more than in previous years. Summer crop of paddy accounts for a third of the countrys total rice production of 13 million metric tonnes. U Soe Tun said that where current prices are a little lower than expected, farmers anticipate continued high demand in both the domestic and foreign markets. Many local traders are storing stocks for export and demand from the export markets, including China, is high, he said.

Ministry cuts export cancellation fees in effort to promote trade

ZAW HTIkE zawhtikemgm1981@gmail.com IN a move to cut red tape and facilitate overseas trading, the Ministry of Commerce has announced the abolition of fees for the cancellation of export licences. U Than Aung Kyaw, director of the ministrys trade directorate, told The Myanmar Times that the goal of removing penalty fees would help spur trade as the country looks to create a more effective system for dealing with growing business. The penalty was not much, but it could have been seen as a barrier to trade, he said. He said that the penalty depended on the value of the goods being exported: For example, the kill fee for a licence to export K1 million worth of goods was K50,000 (US$52), with penalties becoming incrementally smaller for licences of a lesser value. The notification was issued by Minister of Commerce U Win Myint, he said. U Hnin Oo, vice chair of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation (MFF), said that the penalty, though small, did represent a trade barrier, and its abolition could prompt exporters to expand. Being fined for breaking the rules is not good for business, because theres a record. Sometimes its necessary to cancel an export licence. I think by this move the ministry is helping to facilitate trade, he said. U Nay Lin Zin, a rice exporter and joint secretary of Shwelinban industrial estate in Yangon, said that abolishing the penalty would speed up work by cutting red tape. Sometimes you contract to export 500 tonnes of rice, but the buyer takes only 300 tonnes, he said. In that case, you have to apply for the cancellation of the permit for the remaining 200 tonnes of rice and you have to pay the penalty fees. This slows down the work.

K50,000
Former penalty to cancel a K1 million export licence

24 Business

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

IRD to open additional branches

AYE THIDAR kYAW BRIDGET DI CERTO

IN BRIEF
United Amara Bank planning to offer credit to exporters
To bolster credit issuances, United Amara Bank (UAB) has announced that it has begun offering letters of credit to qualied exporters in the agriculture sector, the bank announced last week. We will offer the service without pre-payment for export-import companies, said Daw Kyaw Kay Khine, chief business ofcer of UAB. We will look at the export company and its partners. If we issue a letter of credit, the companies will be able to invest more than they have before, she said, adding that they would rst work with exporters of rice, sheries and beans and pulses and later extend to rubber and other products. UAB also anticipates offering nodeposit loans to small and mediumsized enterprises though that program has yet to receive an ofcial nod from the Central Bank of Myanmar, said the banks chief executive U Than Win Swe. Tin Yadanar Htun

IN an effort to more efficiently collect on due taxes, the Internal Revenue Department (IRD) has opened a new office in Yangon to accommodate large taxpayers and announced plans to expand its role with additional offices, officials said. The new office, on Pansodan Road, Kyauktada township, will handle 600-700 of the countrys biggest taxpaying companies, including consortia, public companies and telecoms and marine rms, said IRD director U Zayyar Kyi Nyunt. If other companies meet our criteria, we will ask for nancial

statements from them, he said, adding that the internal revenue department plans to open additional offices in due course. As part of the departments hands-off attitude, some companies will be self-assessed as long as tax officials consider their approach acceptable, while others will be assessed by the IRD, he said, adding that much of the assessment work was still done manually because of weaknesses in infrastructure. IRD does have computers, but they are hampered by power cuts and a poor online network system, said IRD director Daw Khin Yamon Aung. Last month the department had to admit error in publishing the names of more than 10,000 businesses, some of them wrongly accused of evasion. That was caused by overwork rather than lack of technical skills, she said.

With tax revenues making up less than 4 percent of the gross domestic product, new tax rates for this nancial year were enacted last month, she said. At the same time, there is revenue to be made made from the agriculture sector and most state-owned enterprises, who do not pay taxes. We will enforce tax laws more effectively. This is a take-off period in which we are trying to generate more public awareness of taxation priorities, she said. Yasuhide Fujii, managing director of KPMG in Myanmar, told reporters on March 25 that accounting practices of Myanmar were archaic compared to the rest of the world. Usually they [the IRD] maintain a cash-based book. When they receive the cash, they recognise the revenue and when they disperse the cash, they recognize the expenses. This is different from our

accrual basis accounting, he said. In addition to wholly cashbased accounting, the method for documenting taxpayers and ling audits lacks critical centralisation, Mr Yashuhide said. In other countries, the tax payer registers themselves and they receive the tax number. That tax number is shared in the whole country, so wherever they go, it will be treated equally by using that registered number, he said. But in Myanmar you get a number, but then when you move out to another tax territory you get a different number and there is no data sharing and no monitoring over the taxpayers, he added. [There is] no centralized data, a processing system is required to modernise the system. Before the passage of recent tax laws, the government relied solely on income from natural resources, Mr Yashuhide said.

TRADE MARK CAUTION

ARKRAY INC., a company incorporated in Japan and having its registered office at 57 NISHI AKETACHO, HIGASHI-KUJO MINAMI-KU, KYOTO, JAPAN, is the owner and proprietor of the following Trademark:

The Fine Print

Legal & tax insight

The new Consumer Protection Law

SEbASTIAN PAWLITA sebastian@pwplegal.com AuNG kO LATT aung@pwplegal.com AGAINST the background of widespread concerns about food safety, parliament last month passed the Consumer Protection Law, the first piece of legislation of its kind in Myanmar. As with many other new laws, it remains to be seen how it will be implemented in practice. The law prohibits any entrepreneur engaged in the production, distribution, storage, transport, sale, processing, import or export of commodities from offering sub-standard merchandise or misleading consumers. As such, the law also applies to service providers, but most prohibitions are directed toward producers and retailers. Advertising agencies may be held responsible if an advertisement is misleading. This means that advertising agencies have to vet advertisements and request evidence from their clients as to the truthfulness of the statements made. The law establishes a consumer protection central committee chaired by the Minister of Commerce which is, among other things, charged with setting up local dispute-settlement teams. These teams have the power to inspect entrepreneurs accused of producing or selling sub-standard or misleadingly labelled goods or not living up to promises made to consumers. If an entrepreneur is found to be in violation, the dispute-settlement team may issue a warning or a severe warning, grant compensation to consumers, temporarily prohibit the distribution of the incriminated goods, remove such goods from the market, destroy dangerous goods and suggest to the relevant ministries that the business licence of the offender be temporarily suspended or permanently revoked. Certain acts of misleading advertising, harassing advertising, advertising that degrades competitors and the sale of adulterated merchandise are made a criminal offence with fines of up to K5 million and/or imprisonment of up to three years. The law prohibits consumers from making false accusations with the intent to harm the entrepreneur or speaking, writing or acting, through means of mass communication or through other means, in a way that could affect the entrepreneur while the consumer dispute is in the process of being settled. However, there are no explicit penalties for violations on the part of consumers. The law contains rudimentary labelling requirements: Goods sold to consumers must come with information showing the name, size, net weight, volume, date of manufacture, manufacturing serial number, name and address of the manufacturer, name of the distributor, trademark, expiry date, side effects and adverse reactions. Furthermore, goods sold to consumers must be accompanied by directions for use or consumption. These directions must be in the Myanmar language from the date specified by the consumer protection central committee. Additionally, the seller must provide the buyer with a receipt. The receipt must show the buyers name and address, the purchase date, particulars of the purchased goods, the quantity, the amount paid for each item (with tax being shown separately), the total of the amounts paid, the model number, the place of production and other particulars depending on the goods sold. The law prohibits entrepreneurs from making health or nutritional claims without scientific evidence. Companies wishing to advertise their products have to ensure that their advertisements do not contravene the laws list of prohibited marketing practices. However, in comparison to other jurisdictions, this list is not excessively long. It includes deceptive practices such as touting qualities that do not exist, artificially inflating prices before advertising price reductions and promising giveaways that turn out to be unavailable.
Sebastian Pawlita and Aung Ko Latt are consultants with Polastri Wint & Partners Legal & Tax Advisors.

Myanmar Reg. No. 4/10040/2010 (27 December 2010) In respect of Pharmaceutical preparations; medical diagnostic reagents; reagents for medical and clinical diagnostic purposes; chemical preparations for medical purposes; reagents for genetic testing for medical and veterinary purposes; reagents comprising gene chips used for clinical diagnosis for medical and diagnostic purposes; reagents used for diagnosing certain diseases by analyzing the patterns of gene expression with DNA chips and protein chips; reagent kits for immunodiagnosis comprising gene and protein for medical and veterinary use; reagents for genetic detection of foods poisoning bacteria; chemical reagents for medical and veterinary purposes; analytical reagents for medical purposes; measuring reagents for medical purposes; pharmaceutical preparations for clinical diagnostic purposes; diagnostic reagents for urine analysis; diagnostic reagents for blood analysis; diagnostic reagents for analyzing electrolyte in body fluid; diagnostic reagents for immunoassay analysis; diagnostic reagents for measuring glucose; diagnostic reagents for measuring glycohemoglobin; diagnostic reagents for measuring ammonia; medical diagnostic test strips for urine analysis; medical diagnostic test strips for blood analysis; dietetic food preparations adapted for medical purposes; micro capsules for administering medicine, gene and other diagnostic product or preparation internally; dietetic foods adapted for medical purposes; dietetic beverages adapted for medical purposes; dietetic foods consisting primarily of plants for medical purposes; dietetic processed foods adapted for medical purposes; dental materials; oiled paper for medical purposes; sanitary masks; pharmaceutical wafer; gauze for dressings; empty capsules for pharmaceuticals; ear bandages; eyepatches for medical purposes; menstruation bandages; menstruation tampons; sanitary napkins; sanitary panties; absorbent cotton; adhesive plasters; bandages for dressings in Class 5; Laboratory apparatus and instruments; laboratory devices for genetic testing; optical analyzers; foods analyzers; chemical composition analyzers; gas analyzers; telecommunication devices and apparatus; electronic machines, apparatus and their parts; computer operating programs, recorded; downloadable computer programs; computer software, recorded; downloadable electronic publications featuring computers or computer programs; computer software for use in medical data management, recorded; downloadable computer programs for use in medical data management; apparatus for consumer games adopted for use with an external display screen or monitor; measuring or testing machines and instruments; electronic publications in Class 9; and Medical apparatus and instruments; blood analyzers for medical purposes and their parts; automated biochemical analyzers for medical purposes and their parts; diagnostic apparatus for urine analysis and their parts; medical apparatus for measuring glycated hemoglobin and their parts; medical apparatus for determining osmotic pressure and their parts; blood gas analyzers for medical purposes and their parts; medical apparatus for drawing blood samples; blood glucose meters and their parts; sensors for monitoring blood glucose level as part of blood glucose meters; puncture apparatus for blood drawing and their parts; lancets; lancets for blood drawing; surgical apparatus and instruments; veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial tympanic membranes; prosthetic or filling materials, not for dental use; electric massage apparatus for household use; gloves for medical purposes; urinals for medical purposes; bed pans; contraceptives, non-chemical; ear picks in Class 10. Fraudulent or unauthorised use, or actual or colourable imitation of the Mark shall be dealt with according to law. U Than Maung, Advocate For ARKRAY INC., C/o Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd. Unit 1505-1508-1509, 15th Floor Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar utm@kcyangon.com

Dated 7 April 2014

www.mmtimes.com

Business 25

Local partners named for offshore blocks

Among those chosen to work with international companies in the offshore blocks are rms owned by Michael Moe Myint and U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing
were handled by local and foreign companies in the past and were returned to the MOGE to be offered in the rst offshore bidding round. State-run Oil India, who was selected for the M-4 and YEB shallow-water blocks, will partner with Oil Star Management Services Co Ltd. Prior to the announcement last month, the MOGE invited tenders for 30 offshore blocks, attracting interest from a total of 75 international oil and gas rms, but after the ministry released a pre-qualied list of 61 companies in July, only 30 produced proposals. It is good that Myanmar companies are in partnership with foreign rms, but the investment of local companies will be very limited, said U Khin Maung Cho, a local energy consultant. They dont have the technical knowhow. They are included just for show in related services with the government. Australia-based ROC Oil, Transcontinental Group (TRG) and Dutch-based Berlanga Holding BV, who were selected for shallowwater blocks M-7, M-15 and M-8 will partner with Smart Group of Companies chair U Kyaw Kyaw Hlaings Smart E&P, U Aung Kyaw Wins Lin Win and construction business icon U Yan Wins A1 Company. Locally run United National Resources Development Services will partner with Reliance Industries, an Indian company that won blocks M-17 and M-18. UK-based Ophir Energy, which won the AD-3 block, will partner with locally based Parami Energy Development even though the AD-3 block is the only deep-water block not to require a partnership with a local rm. Some experts predict that investments from the bidding round could be as big as [US]$60 billion over their exploration periods. Thats 100 percent of our GDP. The question is how local service companies and MOGE will capture the value-added segment of the market. Its time for local companies, including MOGE, to develop their capabilities through partnerships, said U Pyi Wa Tun, CEO of Parami. A total of 162 local companies have registered with the Energy Planning Department as national oil companies to participate in the oil and gas industry. According to officials, the government stands to earn a total of $226.1 million in signing bonuses from the winning rms, the highest such

aUNG SHIN
koshumgtha@gmail.com

THE Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) last week announced the names of eight Myanmar companies that will work alongside the 13 international foreign rms who last month won the rights to explore 20 offshore blocks. According to the terms of the licences, foreign rms are required to partner with a local company. The names of those rms, however, were omitted during the tender awarding ceremony on March 26. The international companies had to submit their partnership agreements with local rms at the nal stage of the offshore bidding round, so their proposals already name the local partners, said U Pe Zin Tun, director general of the Energy Planning Department (EPD) at the announcement ceremony last month. In the tender announcement, UK-based BG Asia Pacic and Australias Woodside Energy were selected for shallow-water blocks A-4, A-7 and deep-water blocks AD-2 and AD-5. According to MOGE, they have partnered with Michael Moe Myints Myanmar Petroleum Exploration and Production (MPEP) company. Four blocks is the largest segment to be assigned to a local company. The MOGE also announced that US-based Chevron (Unocal Myanmar), who was selected for Block A-5, will work with a local service company, Royal Marine Engineering. The shallow-water blocks A-4, A-5 and A-7

Potential investment to come from future offshore oil and gas exploration

$60

BILLION

A map shows the international firms that now occupy shallow and deep-sea blocks following a highly anticipated government tender last month. Image: The Myanmar Times

lump bonus in Myanmars recorded history. Revenues from the offshore oil and gas industry reached just $1.5 billion in the 2013-14 nancial year through February, according to government data, while industry experts claim

annual revenues from the entire sector are around $4 billion. Seven international oil and gas companies are already operating exploration and production projects in 18 of a total of 51 offshore blocks.

Trade with Hong Kong hits $152m on new investments

Su pHYO WIN suphyo1990@gmail.com BILATERAL trade with Hong Kong has achieved double-digit growth for the 5th year in a row, growing 16 percent year on year to reach US$152 million, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council said on March 31. Margaret Fong, deputy executive director of the council, said that Myanmar trade with Hong Kong has grown about 62pc since 2009. Imports from Hong Kong include food stuffs and machinery, while Myanmar exports garments and unprocessed jewellery. We are all very interested in the investment-friendly environment that the government has introduced since the FDI law in 2012, she said. We hope for more double-digit growth in 2014, she added. U Win Aung, president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), said that economic relations with the special administrative region has grown in recent years with an uptick in foreign direct investment that now stands at $6.47 billion spread over 68 projects. The announcement comes during the sixth Hong Kong Business Mission in Myanmar, which comprises nearly 40 companies from Hong Kong across several sectors including garment, jewellery, optical, machinery, building materials and logistics.

IN BRIEF
The government will launch a joint venture project with foreign rms in liqueed petroleum gas (LPG) production, the Ministry of Energy announced on April 2. Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE) will develop an LPG plant in Nyaung Don for LPG production, storage, distribution and marketing, and foreign investors are invited to submit expressions of interest, the announcement states. MPE invited foreign and local companies last year to import LPG and seven such rms have begun the process, an ofcial from MPE said. Myanmar has three LPG plants, in Minbu, Nyaung Don and Kyun Chaung. MPE produced 72.85 billion tonnes of LPG and distributed 72.27 million tonnes in the 2012-2013 nancial year. Aung Shin

Government to implement joint venture project for LPG production

www.mmtimes.com
NEW YORk NEW DELHI

Business 27

Experts ask if speedy trade rigs market

REGULATORS have sharpened scrutiny of high-speed trading in the wake of criticism that architects of the cutting-edge practice have rigged the market against ordinary investors. The issue was vaulted to the forefront of public debate by bestselling business author Michael Lewis, who published a book last week arguing that the stock market has been rigged against small investors by stock exchanges, large Wall Street banks and high-speed traders. The FBI acknowledged that it has undertaken a probe of highspeed trading, while the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission pointed to its own probes a day later on April 1. The New York attorney general and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission are also investigating. In Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt, Mr Lewis recounts the story of Brad Katsuyama, a Royal Bank of Canada trader who was puzzled about why his stock transactions became more costly after they were ordered. After investigating the trades, Mr Katsuyama blamed high-speed traders, who employ algorithmic formulas and whip-speed transmission lines to buy and sell stock. It all happens in infinitesimally small amounts of time, Mr Lewis said in an interview about his book Sunday on the 60 Minutes television news program. Theyre able to identify your desire to buy shares in Microsoft and buy them in front of you and sell them back to you at a higher price. Mr Lewis joins a chorus of critics who say high-speed trading firms have tilted the market to win commissions and guaranteed profits at the expense of average investors. Critics argue that high-speed trading firms have succeeded by building computer servers in close proximity to key trading hubs in New York and Chicago and, in some cases, in the exchanges themselves. The US stock market was now a class system of haves and have-nots, only what was had was not money but speed [which led to money]. The haves paid for nanoseconds; the have-nots had no idea that a nanosecond had value, Lewis wrote in the book. But supporters of high-speed trading say Lewis and others are mischaracterising how the technology functions and the intent behind the system. They also note that some of the most criticised practices are entirely legal. For example, leading exchanges do permit high-speed traders to station equipment on site, but say such a benefit is open to any investor. Those are services that according to our regulator we have to offer equally to all types of traders, including retail investors, said a person familiar with the exchanges thinking who requested anonymity. Everybody can enjoy those services if they pay. It is unfair and irresponsible to say that the stock market is rigged simply because some market professionals use technology and enhance competition, said William OBrien, president of BATS Global Markets. AFP

India issues new bank licences

INDIA last week announced it was issuing two new bank licences for the rst time in a decade as it accelerates a push to bring more locals into the formal banking system. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced inprinciple approval for Mumbai-based IDFC, a major infrastructure project lender, and micronance company Bandhan Financial Services, located in eastern India, to establish banks. Just 35 percent of Indian adults have bank accounts, a gure which the RBI calls miniscule and says shows a crying need for a further push to the nancial inclusion agenda to include Indias poorest. Under their licences, the new banks must open 25pc of their branches in rural areas that have no banking services. The two companies were chosen from among 25 applicants, including corporate heavyweights such as the telecom-to-energy ADAG Group, controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani. The central bank said IDFC and Bandhan were chosen on the basis of their 10-year business track records and their proposed business models for the banks. Indians are slated to start voting this week in elections in which the conservative Hindu nationalist opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is expected oust the left-leaning Congress party. The RBI said the decision to grant the licences was taken after consulting the Election Commission to ensure that the move would not contravene the electoral conduct code. The RBI added given public worries about widespread corruption, its approach in awarding the licences had been conservative and it gave the li-

The facade of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) head office is seen in Mumbai. Photo: AFP

cences to bodies intimately trusted by the public. The central bank said it plans to revise bank licensing rules and award licences more regularly in the future. It held out hope to failed applicants, saying some of these who did not qualify in this round for a full-edged banking licence could well apply in future rounds. Indias banking sector is dominated by public sector banks and heavily regulated. After India began its process of liberalising its inward-looking economy in the early 1990s, the central bank awarded 10 commercial licences in

1994 and another two in 2004. The government declared four years ago a need to extend access to banking services and said there was a need to bring in more private players. RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, a reform-minded economist who took over the central bank last September, set up a four-member panel to vet the applications. Advocates hope getting new players in the banking sector will bring in fresh capital and technology and energise a system which has been aficted by a growing number of non-performing loans. AFP

28 THE MYANMAR TIMES MaRch 31 - APRIL 6, 2014

Property
MYat NYEIN AYE
myatnyeinaye11092@gmail.com

BUSINESS edITOR: Philip Heijmans | pheijmans13@gmail.com

Canning firm defies govt order to leave factory

Long-standing dispute between government ministry and Myanmar Makro continues as two sides argue over lease agreement, outdated evictions law
Myanmar Makro they had to leave. Makro ignored the order and on March 17, 2013, the department served an eviction notice ordering Myanmar Makro to quit the premises within 15 days. Myanmar Makro called a press conference to announce its intention to defy the order. U Moe Myint Kyaw, managing director of Myanmar Makro, said on March 31, We cannot accept the eviction order from the ministry based on the Government Premises [Eviction] Act because that law is aimed only at squatters. We are not squatters. We have an agreement and a contract to stay in the factory for 20 years. That contract expires in 2017. Since it has not expired, we do not need to leave. U Aung Pyae Sone, former general manager of the Livestock, Foodstuffs and Milk Products Enterprise, told a press conference called by the ministry in February last year that the 2011 sale was an act of force majeure. He said that when the auction took place, under the authority of the ministry, Myanmar Makro was offered the chance to buy the premises. They refused to do so, and another buyer bought the factory instead. The Thaketa canning factory was now owned by Mega Marine, and Myanmar Makro must leave the premises, U Aung Pyae Sone said, adding that Myanmar Makro had failed to respond to a departmental letter advising them to leave. U Aye Htun, a lawyer for Myanmar Makro, said at the March 31 press conference that force majeure was taken to mean re, ooding, riot or similar occurrence. Nothing of the sort had taken place, which is why the company could not accept the auction outcome, regarding it as a breach of contract. He added that the Government Premises (Eviction) Act, 1955, was not the right way to sue Myanmar Makro. We dont need to move away from the factory. We have a legal contract and we can stay another four years. We invested a great deal in the factory, but chose

IN the latest development of an ongoing saga over a botched government enterprise privatisation effort, canned goods manufacturing rm Myanmar Makro Industry Company is defying a government order to leave its factory in Yangons Thaketa township. Myanmar Makro is locked in a dispute with theMinistry of Livestock and Fisheries commercial department Livestock, Feedstuff and Milk Products Enterprise over its right to occupy the factory, insisting it has a lawful lease with three more years to run. The Livestock Enterprises attempted to privatise the plant, auctioning the disputed lease to a third party in 2012, Mega Marine company. Makros CEO has warned that international investors might be scared off if the government sets precedent for evicting companies with valid leases. The complex three-sided dispute goes back to 1997, when the thenLivestock, Fisheries and Rural Development Ministry leased the factory premises to Myanmar Makro for a 20year period. Myanmar Makro, which has been in business 70 years, produces Reday canned goods and Bravo chilli sauce. They say the factory represents a K1 billion investment, and has more than 200 workers. But in January 2011, the current Livestock, Foodstuff and Milk Products Enterprise auctioned the factory off by order of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development as part of a reform agenda to privatise government-controlled commercial assets. Myanmar Mega Marine bought the factory, completing payment in three installments of K3290 million, in February 2012. The ministry then told

The front gate of the Myanmar Makro factory in Thaketa township, Yangon. Photo: Ko Taik

not to buy it, which would have meant more investment. We understood we had the right to conduct business in that factory for 20 years. But they broke the contract by auctioning the factory before the contract ended. We intend to continue to do business until 2017, and have no intention of moving, he said. Department of Livestock, Foodstuffs and Milk Products Enterprise managing director U Myo Thet Swe rst wrote to ask Myanmar Makro to move out of the factory in June, 2012. Further requests came in July and October last year, citing the law.

Myanmar Makro Company sued the department of Livestock, Foodstuffs and Milk Products Enterprise in March last year, citing its right to stay on the premises for 20 years. U Moe Myint Kyaw said he would continue to ght the order to quit and would even seek help from overseas, adding that if the government can treat local companies in this way, foreign investors should be wary of investing here. When we sent our petition to the Office of the President, they replied that they were being sued by the

Myanmar Mega Marine Company. But that company and the department are not suing us. If they did, we would welcome our day in court because we are in the right. But now they are threatening the use of force. We will continue to tell the truth about the situation, he said. No spokesperson of Mega Marine could be located for comment at the time of going to press. In a statement in February last year, Mega Marine said it was the responsibility of the ministry to take the necessary action.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

A place for space

This fth-oor apartment in a twoyear-old elevator building will suit a large family, offering two master bedrooms and three single bedrooms. Located in the Moe Myint San Condo on Ma Kyi Kyi Street, Sanchaung township, it is convenient for the Dagon Centre. The 2100-square-foot space includes a kitchen, dining room and living room. The apartment is newly decorated, with Korean parquet. Facilities include air-conditioners, telephone land line, tube-well and municipal water and power meter, and there is parking. Myat Nyein Aye Location : Price : Contact : Phone : Sanchaung township, Ma Kyi Kyi Street (Moe Myint San Condo) $3000 per month (rent) Estate Myanmar Real Estate Agency 09-43118787, 09-73114860

Quote of the week

We dont need to move away from the factory. We have a legal contract and we can stay another four years
U Aye Htun, Lawyer representing Myanmar Makro Industry Co.,

Greek PM aide quits following neo-nazi probe

WORLD 44

PHNOM PENH

ATHENS

Cambodias Battambang moves to establish its first Pub Street

TO attract tourism and make Cambodias Battambang province more appealing as a nightlife destination, provincial authorities are preparing to follow the way of Siem Reap and lay the groundwork for a Pub Street ahead of the Khmer New Year next week. The deputy governor of Battambang, Ngon Ratthanak, says the authorities had decided that Battambangs rst Pub Street would be located in Svay Pou commune, on a riverside stretch of Road No 1, and that its hoped the move will attract more visitors to the city as well as entice more people to relocate there. The provincial authorities rst step would be to promote a Pub Street exhibition, which will launch in the second week of this month, he says. The Pub Street area will be 500 metres long [1640 feet], in the area of the French colonial-era Angkor Hotel in Svay Pou commune, he says, adding that after the exhibition, Pub Street will be open permanently. Battambang city comprises 10 communes and 62 villages, with a total population of about 147,000 people. Provincial governor Chan Sophal says that the provincial authorities are still preparing aspects of the new Pub Street area, including ornamental lighting, among other features. He adds that the area will also include shops and restaurants, and that the owners were cooperating with the authorities in getting everything ready. Battambang, according to the governor, aims to publicise itself as a tourist destination that offers excellent Khmer food and international cuisine, as well as nightlife. The authorities are focused on the preparations and we have the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Sophal says. This is our rst initiative and we hope to attract as many tourists as possible. The Phnom Penh Post

Old Athens airport slated for redevelopment

A PLANNED US$8.3-billion redevelopment of the former Athens airport will bring huge benefits to Greeces crisis-hit economy, officials said last week. The state privatisation agency said the redevelopment of the Hellinikon site, south of Athens, would create a new city of 30,000 residents, an enormous park and leisure facilties and nearly 60,000 permanent jobs. The added value to the country is huge, Constantinos Maniatopoulos, chair of the Hellenic asset development fund, said. HRADF last month accepted a $1.25 billion offer for the site from a consortium led by Greek developers Lamda Development. The consortium has undertaken to pour some $8 billion into the site over the next 15 years, in addition to the price to acquire the lease. The money will be first spent on removing the former airport tarmac, cleaning the undersoil, creating park space and building a museum, an aquarium and leisure facilities. Housing and hotel construction will follow. The 99-year lease is subject to the approval of the Greeces top administrative court, the Council of State. HRADF officials said they expect construction work at Hellinikon to begin in 2015 at the earliest. The deal took 27 months to work out, but efforts to find a viable use for Hellinikon go back two decades. Situated 5 miles (8 kilometres) south of Athens, Hellinikon and an adjoining 337-berth marina span nearly 1,530 acres (620 hectares). The entire site is three times bigger than Monaco, and more than twice the size of Hyde Park in London. It was turned into a sports complex for the 2004 Olympics, but most of the venues built for the Games have rarely been used since. Neighbouring municipalities can only benefit from the project, said HRAF executive director Andreas Taprantzis. However, the leftist mayor of Hellinikon, Christos Kortzidis, has opposed past efforts to exploit the site, insisting that it remain in state hands and freely accessible to the public. Lamda Development is backed by Chinas Fosun Group and AbuDhabi property firm Al Maabar. It built a media village for the Athens Olympics and the Mall Athens, Greeces largest shopping centre. It also rebuilt and runs one of the capitals main marinas south of Athens. AFP

BEIJING

House prices in China rose slowly in March, independent survey says

PRICE rises for new homes in China slowed in March for the third straight month, an independent survey showed, as authorities say they are looking to curb high housing costs. The average price of a new home in 100 major cities rose 10.04 percent year-on-year in March to US$1775 per square metre, according to the China Index Academy, which compiled the survey released last week. The increase compared with a rise of 10.79pc in February, according to the academy, the research unit of real estate website operator Soufun. The number of cities where new home prices grew by more than 1pc decreased, the academy said, which indicates real estate prices in most cities are steadying further. The government has sought for more than three years to contain rising property prices, while also promising to increase the supply of affordable housing with price increases stoking discontent among ordinary citizens. But at the same time local authorities in China make much of their income from land sales to developers. Market control measures have included restrictions on purchases of second and third homes, higher minimum down-payments and taxes in some cities on multiple and non-locally owned homes. Prices in March rose 0.38pc from the previous month, the data showed, slowing from Februarys increase of 0.54pc, but still marking the 22nd straight month-on-month gain. Beijing led the rise in new home prices among the 10 biggest Chinese cities in March, with the average cost increasing 27.13pc year-on-year to $5328 per square metre, the data showed. Prices in the southern city of Guangzhou increased 20.48pc year-on-year and those in nearby Shenzhen gained 19.02pc. In Shanghai, Chinas commercial capital, the average cost of a new home came to $5211 per square metre, up 14.89pc from the same month a year ago. AFP

0.38%
Price rise for houses in China for the month of March

Planned 15-year investment for redeveloping old Athens airport

$8

BILLION

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Rong Thai International Group Co., Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Thailand, and having its principal place of business at 88 Moo 8, Rongthai Tower, Putthamonthon Sai 4 Rd., Krathumlom, Sam Phran, Nakhonpathom 73220 Thailand, is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks:-

Reg. No. 4/5757/2013 Reg. No. 4/5758 /2013 in respect of Handbag and all goods included in Class 18 and Shoes; sport shoes and all goods included in Class 25. Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said Trademarks will be dealt with according to law. U Nyunt Tin Associates International Limited Intellectual Property Division Tel: 959 4500 59 247, Email: info@untlaw.com Partnership in practice with Ms. Saowaluack Lamlert, Attorney at Law Saim Premier International Law Office Limited Email: saowaluck@siampremier.com For Rong Thai International Group Co., Ltd. Dated: 7 April, 2014.

30 Property
SAO PAOLO

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Sao Paulo World Cup stadium hit by third death

A CONSTRUCTION worker at Sao Paulos troubled World Cup stadium was killed after falling from a stand at the end of last month, bringing the number of deaths at the venue to three. The workman, named as Fabio Hamilton da Cruz, fell 26 feet (8 metres) as he helped install temporary seating at the ground and was taken to hospital where his condition had been described as serious. His employers said in a statement that he was observing all the necessary safety standards at the ground which will host the opening game of the World Cup between hosts Brazil and Croatia on June 12. In November, two men died when a crane collapsed at the same arena. The Sao Paulo stadium was one of six venues to miss an initial FIFA delivery deadline of December 31 and is only set to be handed over to organisers. A total of seven workers have now been killed during work on Brazils 12 World Cup venues. In a statement, sports minister Aldo Rebelo expressed his profound regret at the news of da Cruzs death and added that an investigation would be immediately launched. The tragedy came just two days after FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had admitted progress on the Sao Paulo stadium remained a concern with the problems compounded by arguments over who foots the bill for temporary facilities. But Mr Valcke added, We will have 12 host cities; we will have 12 stadiums....but there is work to do. Mr Rebelo insisted the authorities were lending their full support. We are helping so that the town hall, the state government and the [private] owners of Corinthians Arena nd a solution, Mr Rebelo said. Last week, Brazils Development Bank released the rst two-thirds of a US$160 million loan to complete the stadium project. But confusion remains over who nances some $20 million in overlay or temporary facilities. Despite the tight timetable, Mr Valcke said on the basis of talks with constructor Odebrecht he was condent of progress. I have full trust in Odebrecht to deliver on time for the opening game, said Mr Valcke. However, initial agreements for the host cities do not make Odebrecht responsible for the cost of the work but rather the owner, club side Corinthians. AFP

IN PICTURES
MADRID

Labourers work on a building under construction in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 1. Photo: AFP

Winners announced in new Peru metro deal

A CONSORTIUM led by Spanish construction rms FCC and ACS has won a contract worth 3.9 billion euros (US$5.4 billion) to build and operate part of the underground train network in Lima, Peru, the two companies announced on March 28. The project, which involves building a mostly underground electric train line stretching 21.7 miles (35 kilometres) and 35 metro stations, will employ over 3000 people over a period of ve years, they said in a statement. It also includes building the metro repair area and installing various technical and electrical systems. The consortium, Consorcio Nuevo Metro de Lima, is made up of Peruvian company Cosapi; Italian rms Salini Impregilo, Ansaldo STS, and Ansaldo Breda; and ACSs Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructura and FCCs Vialia Sociedad Gestora de Concesiones. Lima is home to some 10 million people, about a third of Perus population. FCC won in July a $8.37 billion project to build three metro lines in Ryadh. Among its other worldwide projects, FCC is rebuilding the historic 1960s Gerald Desmond bridge in Los Angeles and building a metro in Panama, the rst in Central America. Spanish construction rms like FCC and ACS have sought to diversify away from Spain, mired in a doubledip recession since a property and construction bubble imploded in 2008. In a separate contract, Italian industrial giant Finmeccanica on March 28 said it had won a $1.2 billion contract for building and operating unmanned metro lines in Lima. The project for Metro Lines 2 and 4 in the Peruvian capital involves 42 trains which will be supplied by the Italian company. Unmanned trains similar to the ones that will be built for Lima are already being supplied by Finmeccanica to underground rail networks in Copenhagen and Riyadh. AFP

Partial view of the construction site of Itaquerao football stadium which will host the opening football match of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AFP

JOB WATCH
Vacancy Notice
BACKGROUND UNFPA because everyone counts. The United Nations Population Fund: Delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young persons potential is fulfilled. Want to be part of a team advancing sexual and reproductive health and promoting reproductive rights within Myanmar? Join us and you will, because at UNFPA, everyone counts. We are seeking a creative, dynamic and highly motivated individual to join our growing communications effort to drive forward to the next level our country programme on population, gender equality and reproductive health and reproductive rights. If youre looking for an opportunity to make a difference, thrive in a challenging yet rewarding teamwork environment and have a strong communications background, then we wish to hear from you. Sr. 1. Position and Grade Senior National Programme Officer (NOC) Type of Contract Fixed-Term Duty Station Yangon Deadline 7 April 2014 Crown Agents is an international development company that partners with governments, aid organisations and companies in over 100 countries. ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES The successful candidate will manage general office administration, accounts and human resources administration at the direction of the Country Representative. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Diploma in Business Studies/Office Administration or equivalent studies. English language qualification and able to translate English materials to Myanmar language. Minimum two (2) years administration Office Management experience. Computer literate, proactive and desire to continually improve personal effectiveness. TO APPLY Email your CV to Jovii.lim@sg.crownagents.com by 30 April 2014 www.crownagents.com

OFFICE MANAGER(Myanmar-Based)

Applications should be addressed to UNFPA Representative. Attention: International Operations Manager, Room A-07, UNFPA, No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon. Email: myanmar.ofce@unfpa.org For further details, please see the vacancy announcement posted at UN billboard. No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon and also at UNFPA website (http://myanmar.unfpa.org) Applications will be considered only when meeting all requirements set in detailed vacancy announcement.

Vacancy Announcement Finance and Administration Coordinator (FAC) in Yangon Contract Duration: 2 years with possibility of extension Closing Date: 18th April 2014 (Friday) Position: Dan Church Aid, DCA Myanmar is currently looking for an efficient and motivated person to fill the position of FAC to support the future work of DCA in Myanmar. The salary range is 1.450.000 3.150.000 Kyats/monthly for Myanmar Nationals, for expatriates the salary level is according to the DCA salary scales for local expatriate positions. Annual bonus and severance pay (only for Myanmar nationals), 1.25 days per month for annual leave, 15 official holidays per year, personal accident/medical insurance, learning and development opportunities (including visits to DCA HQ and Regional Offices in South Asia and SEA) and a challenging and stimulating working environment. To Apply: Please submit CV, application letter and contact details of two references to hpmi@dca.dk and adj@dca.dk Please quote reference: DCA Finance & Admin Coordinator application. A detailed Job Description is available on request from Ms. Hlaing Phyu Min, hpmi@dca.dk. The New Zealand Embassy Office in Yangon is currently recruiting for a highly motivated and qualified individual for a five and a half month temporary contract position as: Administration and Research Officer, New Zealand Delegation for ASEAN and East Asia Summits The Administration and Research Officer will support the New Zealand staff in Myanmar and visiting New Zealand delegations attending ASEAN and regional meetings from mid-June to November 2014. The position will be based in the New Zealand Embassy Office in Yangon, with extended periods spent in Nay Pyi Taw. The remuneration range is US $1100 US$1500 per month. The remuneration rate will be determined based on the experience level and skills of the successful candidate. Further information, including a full position description, is available at http://www.nzembassy.com/thailand or by emailing the New Zealand Embassy Office at Yangon.Office@mft.net.nz Applicants are requested to send a CV and a brief cover letter explaining their interest in the position via email to Yangon.Office@mft.net.nz; or to the following address: New Zealand Embassy Office No. 43 (C), Inya Myaing Road, Shwe Taung Kyar (2) Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar Applications should be received by the New Zealand Embassy Office no later than 4pm on Wednesday 23 April.

Job Vacancies
People for our Power, power to be the best
Transmarine Logistics Asia Pte Ltd is the conglomerate under MGH Group who has strong presence in Shipping/Logistics/Air lines in South East Asia, Middle East, Africa & Europe. We are looking some self confidence/dynamic leader from the shipping/air lines field who wish to take challenge harmonizing the demand of 21st century. Following posts need to be filled up as urgent basis. 1) Sales : Freight Forwarding (Export and Import) Assistant Manager Male/ Female 7 posts

Candidates must be post graduated/fluency in English & at least 2-3 years experience in related fields. Contract Address:Transmarine Logistics Asia Pte Ltd, (Yangon Branch) 36-38 Grand Myaynu Condominium, Room No : 304 (3rd floor) Myay Nu Street ,Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: +95 1 505430/532052/523190- Ext: 26 E-mail: htet.aung@transmarinelogistics.com

Science & Technology

MPT inks deal for New Subsea Internet Cable
NAOMI GINGOLD EARLY last month, Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) signed a contract to bring a new subsea internet cable to Myanmar. Projected to be completed in early 2016, the cable should bring more stability to the countrys often teetering internet connection. MPT was one of 15 signatories at the construction contract signing ceremony in Kuala Lampur on March 7. The planned 20,000 kilometre cable, officially known as the SEA-ME-WE-5 consortium cable system, will stretch from Singapore to France and land at 17 different countries along the way. Internet users in Myanmar have grown accustomed to government announcements blaming recurring internet slowdowns on disruptions to the countrys only subsea Internet cable, the similarly-named SEA-MEWE 3. The new cable will be able to transfer 100 gigabits of information per second, and will provide a much needed backup option for sustained connectivity. For comparison, the current SEA-ME-WE 3 cable is capable of only 10 Gigabit per second. SEA-ME-WE 5 will land in the seaside town of Ngwe Saung before traveling to Pathein, Yangon, Mandalay, and up into China. The new internet cable could potentially be the rst of several. In late January, 17 countries signed an agreement for another cable project known as Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1),which traces a similar route to SEA-ME-WE 5. Some published maps for AAE-1 show Myanmar as a landing spot for the cable, while others omit the country altogether. When asked if they had joined the consortium, MPT said simply, We are still deciding. MPT officials had announced plans to join the SEA-ME-WE 5 consortium in 2013, but many in the industry had cautioned against early optimism. Citing past discord among the consortium, as well as the high risks of building an expensive subsea breoptic cable, one internet engineer who wished to remain anonymous had even called the SEAMEWE-5 cable dead in the water. The signing of the Construction and Maintenance Agreement in March marks an important milestone in the construction of the cable and sets it on rm footing. Japanese electronics giant NEC was awarded the contract to build the bre-optic span between Singapore and Sri Lanka, while Alcatel-Lucent will build the piece from Sri Lanka to France.
Naomi Gingold is a freelance reporter specializing in tech and SE Asian current affairs. Find her on twitter @naomigingold

32

Saturns moon Enceladus is home to an ocean of melted water beneath its surface, and could be a source for alien microbes, scientists said on April 2. Photo: AFP

WASHINGTON

Presidential Spokesperson U Ye Htut on the perils of Social Media :

STATuS Of THE WEEk:

Hidden ocean on Saturns moon bolsters life theory

SATURNS moon Enceladus is home to an ocean of melted water beneath its surface, and could be a source for alien microbes, scientists said last week. The rst measurements of the subsurface water at the south pole of the small and icy moon were made by the US space agencys Cassini spacecraft, and are described in the journal Science. The body of water is about the size of Lake Superior, the second-largest lake on Earth, and has a rocky bottom which could create conditions that allow tiny life forms to thrive. Researchers rst raised the possibility of a below-ground ocean on Enceladus in 2005, after water vapour was detected spewing from vents near the moons southern pole. Material from Enceladus south polar jets contains salty water and organic molecules, the basic chemical ingredients for life, said Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist at NASA. Their discovery expanded our view of the habitable zone within our solar system and in planetary systems of other stars, she added. This new validation that an ocean of water underlies the jets furthers understanding about this intriguing environment. The Cassini spacecraft detected the shape of Enceladus gravity eld during three ybys from 2010 to 2012. The gravitational tug exerted on the unmanned orbiter was carefully analyzed for clues about what the interior of Enceladus contained. Researchers believe the 500-kilometer (310-mile) wide moons ocean is encased beneath a thick crust of crystal ice. For the rst time, we have used a geophysical method to determine the internal structure of Enceladus, said co-author David Stevenson, professor of planetary science at Caltech. This then provides one possible story to explain why water is gushing out of these fractures we see at the south pole. The Cassini mission is led by NASA, with the cooperation of the Italian Space Agency and European Space Agency. The spacecraft was launched in 2004 and has visited all of Saturns largest moons. The sixth planet from the Sun, Saturn is characterised by its unusual rings and has 53 known moons and nine provisional moons. AFP

33

Science & Technology

Gadget Reviews
by Myo Satt Belkin (TuneCast Auto Live) Recharges your iPhone and iPod by connecting it with lighter outlet in your car. Whats more, you can listen to FM radio. K 75,500

Telenor prepares to upgrade its mobile network

AuNG kYAW NYuNT aungkyawnyunt28@gmail.com THE tech company Ericsson was awarded a ve-year contract for multivendor managed services to support Telenors nationwide network rollout on March 31, 2014. Telenors network is expected to cover 90 percent of the countrys population of more than 60 million within ve years. Though founded in Sweden, Ericsson has grown to become a multinational provider of technology and support for telecommunication infrastructure. Accoding to a report from telecoms.com, the new partnership will provide exibility for the network to tailor capacity to the traffic requirements in different parts of the country and to integrate new spectrum bands as they become available. We hope the deployment of this telecommunications infrastructure will have an enormous positive impact on the economy and on the lives of citizens, said Jan Wassenius, country manager of Ericsson Myanmar. The network will aim to provide customers with both excellent voice quality and high-speed data connectivity. We are pleased to add Ericsson to the group of global partners we will be working with, said Petter Fuberg, CEO of Telenor Myanmar. In 2012, an Ericsson study estimated that the total economic impact of the mobile sector would be between 1.5 and 9pc of GDP over the rst three years after licences are issued.

Belkin (Pure AV 002) These earphones combine comfort and convenience in a small package. Includes a built-in microphone and multi-functional button that can be used to skip tracks and even answer the phone. K 38,000

Belkin (Pure AV 005) These headphones are soundproof and travel well for their size. Rich bass makes them perfect for movies and games. Also includes a built-in microphone and multi-functional button. K 54,000

Belkin (Rock Star Share Listen Mix) This device lets you connect your ipod to ve different speakers and/or headphones. Great for elaborate parties or audio-book clubs. K 20,000

Jabra (SOLEMATE The Ultimate Portable Speaker) A speaker with superior sound, well worth the hefty price tag for all you audiophiles out there. It can connect with Bluetooth as well as cable. Battery last eight hours. K235,000 Translation by Thiri Min Htun Available: AiKON Apple Products Store & Services (Pansodan) No. 262/C Pansodan (upper block), Kyauktada township. Phone: 01-249992, 01-385553
Teams from Telenor and Ericsson meet in Yangon. Photo: Supplied

36 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

World
KABUL

WORLD EDITOR: Fiona MacGregor

Journalists shot by Afghan police chief

A GERMAN photographer working for Associated Press was shot dead and a Canadian reporter was wounded after an Afghan police commander opened re on them on the eve of presidential elections. On March 4, the journalists were shot in their car in the Tanai district of Khost province, in the countrys east, as they reported on distribution of ballot papers for the election to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai. The incident comes as Afghanistan undertakes a massive security operation to protect voters and polling officials, after the Taliban pledged to disrupt the March 5 ballot with violence. Anja Niedringhaus is the third journalist working for international media to be killed in Afghanistan during the election campaign, after Swedish journalist Nils Horner and Sardar Ahmad of Agence France-Presse. Anja Niedringhaus, 48, an internationally acclaimed German photographer, was killed instantly, AP said in a report from Kabul. Kathy Gannon, the reporter, was wounded twice and is receiving medical attention. She was described as being in stable condition and talking to medical personnel. AP said the police commander opened re while the two journalists were in their car, travelling with election workers delivering ballots in Khost city. As they were sitting in the car waiting for the convoy to move, a unit commander named Naqibullah walked up

IN PICTURES

An Afghan woman gets ready to cast her ballot papers at a local polling station in Kabul on April 5. Photo: AFP

to the car, yelled Allahu Akbar God is Great and opened re on them in the back seat, the news agency said. He then surrendered to the other police and was arrested. Khost provincial governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi and other officials conrmed that the attacker was a police commander who was detained immediately after the incident. Anja and Kathy together have spent years in Afghanistan covering the conict and the people there, said AP executive editor Kathleen Carroll in the AP report. Anja was a vibrant, dynamic journalist well-loved for her insightful photographs, her warm heart and joy for life. We are heartbroken at her loss. Khost borders Pakistans restive North Waziristan tribal area, a stronghold of the Haqqani militant network blamed for numerous high-prole attacks in Afghanistan, many targeting foreigners. AFP

PERTH

Black box detector joins ocean search

A US Navy black box detector made its much-anticipated debut in the oceanic hunt for ight MH370 on April 4 but Australias search chief warned it was crunch time with the boxs signal set to expire soon. As the extensive search wore on, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he believed the countrys long-ruling regime was concealing information on the crisis, saying the government knows more than us. The Australian naval vessel Ocean Shield arrived with a towed pinger locator capable of homing in on signals from the black box, as 14 planes scoured the remote Indian Ocean search area for signs of a crash site. The plane disappeared on March 8, and Australian authorities coordinating the search have rushed the pinger device into place before the black boxs battery-powered location signal expires. On best advice, the locator beacon will last about a month before it ceases its transmissions, so were now getting pretty close to the time when it might expire, said Angus Houston, head of a coordination centre directing the eightnation search. The plane went missing en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board, confounding aviation experts and sparking criticism of Malaysian authorities who have been unable to explain how the jumbo jet vanished. Mr Anwar said he was baffled by the Malaysian militarys failure to respond despite detecting the plane crossing back over the countrys airspace following its mysterious detour. Unfortunately the manner in which this was handled after the rst few days was clearly suspect, Mr Anwar said in an interview with Britains Daily Telegraph. One fact remains. Clearly information critical to our understanding is deemed missing. I believe the government knows more than us, he added, without elaborating. Malaysian authorities say they still have no idea what caused the plane to veer off course, but believe that satellite data indicates MH370 crashed in the Indian Ocean, far off western Australia. No debris has been found despite an extensive search. An approximate crash site needs to be determined for a black box search to be effective. Mr Houston said Ocean Shield, using the pinger locator, joined in an underwater search with the British navys hydrographic ship HMS Echo, which on March 3 began scanning for black box transmissions. The Royal Australian Navy and Royal Navy have today commenced sub-surface search for emissions from the black box pinger from Malaysia Airlines ight MH370, he said. The Ocean Shield also bore an underwater drone vehicle for mapping the seaoor, authorities said. AFP

A young woman and a young man hold the Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance during a procession in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 3, as the torch makes its way through the countrys 30 districts before being returned to the Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 7. That date will see the start of a national mourning period and marks 20 years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Photo: AFP

Ukraines new leaders blam and Moscow agents for pro

UKRAINES Western-backed leaders blamed Russian agents and the countrys ousted president for organising two days of bloodshed during February protests that claimed nearly 90 lives. The explosive allegations on April 3 were levelled only moments before Russia responded to the new course taken by the ex-Soviet neighbour by hiking the price it must pay for gas shipments to what Ukrainian officials say is the highest rate for any European state. Washington reacted by warning Russia that a country should not use supply and pricing terms as tools of coercion to interfere in Ukraine or elsewhere, said White House spokesperson Jay Carney. Moscow also lashed out at its old Cold War nemesis NATO for building up the defences of ex-Communist and Soviet nations that have felt threatened by Russias recent annexation of Crimea and massive buildup of forces near Ukraine. The erce East-West ght for Ukraines future has exposed the deep divide that splits the nation of 46 million between those who see themselves either as culturally tied to Russia or as part of a broader Europe. Those tensions exploded on February 18 when gunshots in the heart of snow-swept Kiev heralded the onset of pitched battles between riot police and protesters, some armed with nothing more than metal shields, that left scores dead. Each side has blamed the other for starting the violence, but there had been no formal probe results unveiled until acting interior minister Arsen Avakov presented his initial ndings to reporters on March 3. Mr Avakovs conclusion was decisive and potentially devastating for the new leaders relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that deposed president Viktor Yanukovych had issued the criminal order to re at the protesters while agents from Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) helped him plan and carry out the assault. FSB agents took part in both the planning and execution of the so-called anti-terrorist operation, Ukrainian Security Service head Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told the same press brieng. An FSB spokesperson told Russias state-run RIA Novosti news agency that Ukraines allegations were patently false. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for his part said huge amounts of evidence contradicted Kievs claims. Mr Yanukovych ed to Russia only days after the carnage and is now wanted in Kiev for allegedly ordering police to open re against the crowds a charge he denies but that is likely to keep him out of Ukraine for years to come. Former president Yanukovych will be prosecuted, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told the BBC. He is accused of mass murder and we will bring him to justice. The raging security crisis on the eastern edge of the European Union

KIEV

37

TRADEMARK CAUTION NOTICE

ISUZU JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA (also trading as ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED), a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 26-1, MinamiOi 6-Chome, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, Japan is the owner and proprietor of the following Trademark :-

Red shirts training hints at conict ahead in Thailand

WOrLD 41

Residents fear as Chile hit by futher quake shocks

WOrLD 42

Myanmar Registration Number - 4/13350/2013 Used in respect of :Class 7 Metalworking machines and tools, Motors, other than for land vehicles, Motors, electric, other than for land vehicles, Non-electric prime movers [not for land vehicles] and parts thereof, Mechanical couplings and transmissions, other than for land vehicles, Machine elements [not for land vehicles], AC motors and DC motors [not including those for land vehicles but including parts for any AC motors and DC motors], AC generators [alternators], DC generators, Shafts, axles or spindles [not for land vehicles], Shaft couplings or connectors [machine elements not for land vehicles], Power transmissions and gearing for machines [not for land vehicles, Valves [machine elements not for land vehicles], Engines, other than for land vehicles, Parts of engines, Bearings [machine elements not for land vehicles], Ball-bearings [machine elements not for land vehicles]. Class 12 Railway rolling stock and their parts and fittings, Automobiles and their parts and fittings, Two-wheeled motor vehicles, bicycles and their parts and fittings, Mechanical elements for land vehicles, Non-electric prime movers for land vehicles [not including their parts], Shafts, axles or spindles [for land vehicles], Shaft couplings or connectors [for land vehicles], Shock absorbers [for land vehicles], Springs [for land vehicles], Unloading tipplers [for tilting railway freight cars], Pusher cars for mining, Puller cars for mining, Traction engine, Diesel engines [for land vehicles], Engines for land vehicles Bearings [for land vehicles], Power transmissions and gearings [for land vehicles], Land vehicles brakes, Ball-bearings [for land vehicles] Class 40 Metal treating, Water treating, Stripping finishes of metal surface, Stripping finishes of ceramic surface, Magnetization, Material treatment information, Rental of generators, Rental of metaltreating machines and tools, Production of mechanical elements for land vehicles for others, Production of non-electric prime movers for land vehicles and their parts for others, Production of non-electric prime movers [not for land vehicles] and parts thereof for others, Production of automobiles and their parts and fittings for others.

IJTT

ame Y anukovych rotest violence

has been accompanied by months of economic pressure that Russia had poured on Ukraine in a seeming effort to force its leaders to reverse their Westward course. Russias state energy giant Gazprom, long accused of being wielded by the Kremlin as a weapon against uncooperative neighbours, on April 1 hiked the price it charges Ukraine for natural gas shipments on which its industries depend by 44 percent. The punitive but largely expected step eliminated a price discount that Mr Putin had extended to the old government in December in reward for its decision to reject closer EU ties. But Ukraine saw the price it must pay for 1000 cubic metres of gas jump by another US $100 to $485.50 following a failed round of negotiations in Moscow with the chief executive of Russias state energy rm Gazprom. Moscow argues that a $100 rebate it awarded Kiev in 2010 in return for its decision to extend a lease under which the Kremlin keeps its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea no longer applied because the peninsula was now a part of Russia. Kiev has vowed to contest the new charge -- a warning that threatens a repeat of the 2006 and 2009 halts in gas supplies to Ukraine that also affected many of Russias other European clients. This is an unacceptable price for Ukraine because it is a political price, said Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan. Europes worst security crisis in decades appeared to be only gaining momentum after NATO boosted the air power of Eastern European nations that Putin still views as part of Russias strategic domain. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on February 3 defended that move against Russian claims it violated international law. Im actually surprised that Russia can claim that NATO has violated its commitments because Russia is violating every principle and international commitment it has made, Mr Rasmussen said. AFP

ANKARA

Twitter back
TURKEYS premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a stinging broadside on March 4 against the countrys highest court for overturning a ban on Twitter, refuelling controversy over his social media crackdown. As he spoke, a lower court in the capital Ankara deed the government by ruling against a social media ban, on the video-sharing site YouTube. Mr Erdogans government was forced on March 3 to unblock Twitter, which has been used to spread a torrent of damaging online leaks alleging corruption. The prime minister made clear he was unhappy about having to comply with the Constitutional Court, which had found the March 20 ban breached the right to free speech, and the rulings of which cant be appealed. Mr Erdogan deantly told a press conference, I dont respect this ruling. He said the Constitutional Court should have rejected the application brought by an opposition lawmaker and two academics . The internet crackdown has sparked protests from Turkeys NATO allies and human rights groups, which have deplored it as curbing the right to free expression -- a notion Mr Erdogan dismissed. AFP

Any unauthorized use, imitation, infringements or fraudulent intentions of the above mark will be dealt with according to law. Tin Ohnmar Tun, Tin Thiri Aung & The Law Chambers Ph: 0973150632 Email:law_chambers@seasiren.com.mm (For Mark- i Inc, Japan) Dated: 7th April, 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED a company organized under the laws of Japan and having its principal office at 3-5-1, Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8426, Japan is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademarks:-

38 World International

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

(Reg: No. IV/5211/2013) in respect of :- Pharmaceutical preparations and substances. Class: 05 Advisory and information services relating to pharmaceutical preparations and products; advisory and information services relating to medicines; medical and pharmaceutical consultation; professional consultancy relating to pharmaceutical products; provision of pharmaceutical information; pharmacy services; pharmacy advice and advisory services; pharmaceutical consulting with regard to the use and/or application of pharmaceutical compounds for healthcare; pharmaceutical services; advice, information and consulting services relating to all the aforesaid services. Class: 44

(Reg: Nos. IV/2800/2010 & IV/5212/2013)

IN PICTURES

(Reg: Nos. IV/2801/2010 & IV/5213/2013) the above two trademarks are in respect of:Pharmaceutical preparations and substances Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED.. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 7th April, 2014

Britains Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by her husband the Duke of Edinburgh greets Pope Francis at the Vatican, on April 3. The Queen and Prince Philip ew to Rome to meet Pope Francis for the rst time on a visit that is also the 87-year-old monarchs rst foreign trip since 2011. Photo: AFP

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that Golden Spring Export Pte Ltd. a company incorporated in Singapore and having its principal office at 9 Changi North Way, Singapore 498797 is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:

No amnesty for Maoist rebels says commission

NEPALS government appointed panelhas urged that no amnesty be offered to former Maoist rebels or security forces who committed serious abuses during the countrys civil war, one of its members said on April 4. More than 16,000 people died in the decade-long conict between Maoist guerrillas and the state, which ended in 2006. At least 1300 went missing, according to UN gures. The government established the panel to work on legislation to set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, aimed at healing the wounds from the long civil war. We have recommended that there should be no amnesty for those responsible for serious crimes, said Dinesh Tripathi, an advocate and member of the panel. Even in other cases, the victims consent will be mandatory in order to grant amnesty, Mr Tripathi told AFP. The recommendations, which will be tabled in parliament within 15 days, should lay the foundation for the commissions formation, agreed on as part of a peace pact signed between the Maoists and the government in 2006. An earlier Maoist-led government in 2013 passed legislation that sought to grant amnesty to those responsible for major human rights violations, but the Supreme Court rejected the provisions in a ruling last January. Both the security forces and the rebels are accused of major rights violations including killings, rapes and torture during the civil war. We have to establish a credible justice process within the country. The victims should not have to seek justice in international courts, Mr Tripathi added. Although the Supreme Court has issued arrest warrants over several cases of rights abuses committed during the war, there have been no prosecutions. AFP

KATHMANDU

(Reg: Nos. IV/7151/2006, IV/7152/2006, IV/7153/2006 & IV/356/2014) in respect of: Class: 7 Spark plugs for vehicle engines; timing belt tensioners for land vehicles; belts for motors and engines; sparking plugs for internal combustion engines; control mechanisms for engines or motors; fan belts for motors and engines; fans for motors and engines; starters for motors and engines; power transmission belts for land vehicles; fuel pumps for motor vehicles; engine fuel pumps; fuel injection pumps; water pumps for vehicles; connecting rods for engines and motors; belts for vehicle cooling fans; control cables for engines and motors; camshafts for vehicles; pistons; piston segments; pistons for vehicle engines; piston rings; connecting rods for pistons. Class: 12 Brake linings for vehicles; brake shoes for vehicles; brake pads for vehicles; brake segments for vehicles; clutch components for vehicles; shock absorbers for automobiles; suspensions shock absorbers for vehicles; vehicle suspension springs; windscreen wipers; wiper blades for vehicles for windscreen wipers; arms for windscreen wipers; suspension parts for vehicles; vehicle suspensions; clutches for land vehicles; connecting rods for land vehicles, other than parts of engines or motors; coupling rings (non-electric) [parts of land vehicle engines]; components included in class 12 all for the use with brake linings, brake shoes, brake pads and brake segments for vehicles. Class: 17 Gaskets for automotive use; non-metallic sealing gaskets [other than for ships]; clutch linings; non-metallic piston seals. Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Golden Spring Export Pte Ltd. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416

We have to establish a credible justice process within the country.

Dinesh Tripathi Advocate

HONOLULU

ASEAN disaster centre planned

SINGAPORE has proposed hosting a regional crisis command center that would help coordinate governments efforts after major natural disasters, the city-states defence minister said on March 3. We were obviously struck over the last decade by how many disasters there were in the region, said Ng Eng Hen, citing earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons that have cut a swathe of destruction from the Philippines to Japan. We recognised in the rst critical 24, 48 hours, it is actually very difcult for the affected country to be able to set up a C2 [command and control] centre, for the very reason theyre the ones hit, said the minister, in Hawaii for an ASEAN meeting. With communications knocked out, governments at the centre of a natural disaster often are overwhelmed and dont have the ability to manage international offers of help, he said. In the discussion we realised what was really needed was a crisis centre that was stood up all the time, which of course could be scaled up [as needed], he said. At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Honolulu, defence ministers welcomed Singapores proposal to host the crisis center at Changi naval base, Mr Ng said. The agenda for the ASEAN meeting focused on improving cooperation for humanitarian assistance - has taken on new importance in the wake of missing ight MH370. Malaysia has come under re over its handling of the search effort for the jet, which disappeared with 239 people on board after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8. Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel praised Singapores proposal for the crisis centre to handle future natural disasters, which are expected to increase in frequency and scale due to climate change. This could be an important venue for nations in the region to coordinate military responses to disasters and its an idea that were going to pursue, Mr Hagel said. The idea is to make a coherent picture for everyone to see , said Mr Ng. We evolved a concept, we call it plug and play, he added. We set up terminals, you bring in your systems, you give the information you feel comfortable with.... We take all that information, fuse it and then pump it out. Its worked quite well. AFP

Dated: 7th April, 2014

www.mmtimes.com

International World 41

Red Shirts preparing to kick back

WITH a urry of punches and kicks, hundreds of Thai Red Shirts undergo self-defence drills as they mobilise to protect the embattled government, stoking fears of a dangerous new phase of civil conict. While far from a battle-ready militia, the ranks of sun-weathered rice farmers brim with determination to prevent opposition protesters in Bangkok toppling Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Drawn from the poor but populous north and northeast, the Red Shirts broadly support ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Yinglucks elder brother. Their rhetoric has crescendoed over the last few weeks, matching an intensifying barrage of legal challenges that could lead to Ms Yinglucks removal from office. In anticipation of her fall, the Red Shirts say they would bring hundreds of thousands of supporters to a Bangkok suburb on April 5 for a two-day rally. The move looks likely to raise the stakes in a six-month political crisis that has left 24 people dead and hundreds wounded in grenade attacks and shootings, often targeting protesters. A military crackdown on Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok against the previous government in 2010 left scores dead and parts of the citys commercial centre smouldering. The backdrop is an eight-year struggle between a royalist establishment supported by the judiciary and the military and Ms Yinglucks family, which has traditionally enjoyed strong support in the northern half of Thailand. We have lion hearts... We are real ghters, local Red leader Kwanchai Pripana told AFP on the sidelines of the training camp in the movements heartland of Udon Thani on April 3. At the camp, around 500, mainly middle-aged, men and women gamely rehearsed Muay Thai boxing moves and parade drills despite the sapping heat. They have shed their red T-shirts for new black uniforms, in symbolic mourning over a court decision to nullify a February general election disrupted by protesters. Mr Kwanchai said 40,000 volunteers have already signed up to act as guards for Red Shirt protests, with several further rounds of training planned across the northeastern region of Isaan. We are building our strength to learn how to defend ourselves, he said, stressing the volunteers would be unarmed. If they kill us this time, when one dies, one thousand Red Shirts will be born. Mr Kwanchai was shot several times at his home in January in what was believed to have been a politically motivated attack. He now periodically needs a wheelchair and has limited use of his right arm. Still, with fellow rebrand Suporn Attawong, dubbed Rambo Isaan, he organised the training camp for the Democracy Protection Volunteers. Without a swift cooling of tempers

UDON THANI

Pro-government Thai Red Shirt supporters practise self-defence as they attend the camp of Democracy Protection Volunteers in Udon Thani province, northeastern Thailand, on Apri 3. Photo: AFP

on both sides of Thailands bitter divide, analysts warn more violence lies ahead. If Ms Yingluck falls, the Red Shirts could seize official buildings and block roads in their strongholds, potentially prompting the army to act to restore order, according to Matthew Wheeler of the International Crisis Group thinktank. The prospects for the country look grim in the near term. People feel its going to get worse before it gets better, he added. Observers say the Shinawatra family has been holding back its trump card to use in the event Ms Yingluck falls. She faces neglect of duty charges linked to a loss-making rice subsidy scheme and allegations of abuse of power over the transfer of a top secu-

rity official. Once Thaksin uses the Reds, it may be impossible to control them, said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University. The movement could become a sort of bucking bronco, he added. Mr Thaksin, a billionaire tycoonturned-politician, ed overseas in 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction, but he is seen as pulling the strings behind his sisters premiership and is accused by opponents of nepotism and rampant corruption. His critics say he uses taxpayers money to buy the loyalty of rural voters through populist policies. The Red Shirts fear that the political and economic clout they have gained since Mr Thaksins emergence in 2001 will now be taken away by

Thailands wealthy establishment. Broadly representing the Bangkok elite and middle-classes as well as parts of the Thai south, the opposition wants to install an unelected leader to oversee vaguely dened reforms aimed at tackling corruption and rooting out Mr Thaksins inuence. Sheltering from the baking sun in a covered parade ground in Udon Thani, the Red Shirt volunteers said the time has come to defend their elected premier and their democratic stake in the kingdoms future. I voted for Yingluck, now I want to protect her, said Pradit Viengdindam, a 54-year-old street vendor who recently bought life insurance in case his two children are left with no father. We need to ght now or the power of our vote will be taken away forever by the elite. AFP

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED a company duly organized under the laws of Japan Manufacturers and Merchants of 3-5-1, Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8426, Japan is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademarks:-

ENSIV
(Reg: No. IV/7335/2008)

TRATECIN
(Reg: No. IV/7337/2008) The above two trademarks are in respect of: Anti-cancer agents and anti-bacterial agents

(Reg: No. IV/10170/2010)

(Reg: No. IV/10172/2010)

SELPATH
(Reg: No. IV/10171/2010) The above three trademarks are in respect of :Pharmaceutical preparations and substances International Class:5 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademarks or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 7th April, 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that Sandvik Intellectual Property AB organized under the law of Sweden and having its principal office at SE-811 81 Sandviken, Sweden is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: -

42 World International
IQUIQUE

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

COROMANT
(Reg: Nos. IV/1552/2005 & IV/2328/2014) in respect of: - Power operated tools for metalworking including milling, turning, boring, and drilling tools and inserts for such tools- Class: 7 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Sandvik Intellectual Property AB P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416

Dated: 7th April, 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that Aspen Global Incorporated organized under the law of Mauritius and having its principal office at : c/o Kross Border Trust Services Limited, St Louis Business Centre, Cnr Desroches & St Louis Streets, Port Louis, Mauritius is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: -

ELTROXIN
(Reg: Nos. IV/252/1981 & IV/2329/2014) in respect of: - Pharmaceutical and veterinary product- Class: 5 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Aspen Global Incorporated P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416

A resident from the town of Pozo al Monte, close to the city of Iquique, some 1950 kilometres (1211 miles) north of Santiago, camps out early on April 3 amid fears of more quakes rocking the area. Photo: AFP

Aftershocks rock Chile

CHILEANS desperate for supplies stood in long lines outside shops on April 3 after strong aftershocks from a deadly 8.2-magnitude earthquake forced them to spend another night out in the cold. After six people were killed in late April 1s earthquake, northern Chile was rocked by a powerful 7.6-magnitude aftershock the following night, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes once more. Yet another one with a magnitude of 6.1 hit late on April 3, off the coast at a depth of 20 km (12.42miles), according to the US Geological Survey. The epicentre was 76 km (47 miles) southeast of the northern city of Iquique. President Michelle Bachelet, who was assessing damage from the rst jolt, was among those forced to ee as the latest tembler sowed terror among already exhausted and nervous residents in the earthquake-prone region. The quake on April 2 struck in the Pacic Ocean at 11:43 pm 19 km (12 miles) south of Iquique, the US Geological Survey said. There were no reports of new fatalities or major damage and authorities lifted a tsunami alert after two hours. Peru to the north did the same. Residents in Iquique, who now live in fear of more aftershocks, queued up to buy supplies in the city of 180,000 people. Some 1500 people stood in front of a supermarket and cash machines, while drivers lined up to ll their cars fuel tanks. Residents reported cases of price gouging, with the cost of bread and water doubling. Prosecutors ordered the arrest of shopkeepers who inate prices. Ms Bachelet has deployed troops to the area to deter any looting. We are now living without light in some areas and without water for two days, said Mirna Mela, a resident of Iquique. Shops are not opening, so we cant get supplies. Power was restored to 72 percent of the Tarapaca region while potable water returned to 67pc of the area. Dozens of families from Pozo Almonte spent the night in tents put up on the pitch of the Iquique soccer stadium. Some huddled around bonres as temperatures dropped to 8 to 10 degrees Celsius (46 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.) The earth hasnt stopped shaking. The oor moves every other moment. Thats why were sleeping outside, said Lila Gomez Mamani, a 60-yearold resident of Pozo Almonte, a community outside Iquique. The poncho-clad woman and her family were among them, gathering wood to light a small re to one side of the eld. Its the second night were sleeping here. Theres no way we can go home, Ms Gomez Mamani said. We have not been helped. Renac Zuniga, an emergency relief official, said authorities were focused on helping the population as quickly as possible, but acknowledged that the April 2 aftershock had complicated the situation. There are more than 10 aftershocks per hour, said National Seismology Center director Sergio Barrientos. The rst earthquake caused damage in some 2500 homes in Alto Hospicio, an Iquique suburb, authorities said. A collapsed wall at a womens prison allowed some 300 inmates to escape in Iquique. Authorities have recaptured 110 of them. The earthquakes have rocked Chile just weeks after Ms Bachelet began her second term in office. The socialist leaders government had been criticised for its response to an 8.8-magnitude earthquake near the end of her last term in 2010. At the time, authorities called off a tsunami alert, prompting people to prematurely return home. More than 500 people died in the ensuing waves. This time, however, the evacuations appeared to have gone smoothly, with officials saying lessons were learned from past disasters. Experts said Chile has yet to experience the big one, a major earthquake expected to one day hit the country that lies near a fault line running along its 4200km coast. There are still many areas where there could be an accumulation of energy that could be released in the future, Mr Barrientos said. AFP

Dated: 7th April, 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that Mepha Schweiz AG, a company organized under the laws of Switzerland and having its principal office at Kirschgartenstrasse 14, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark:-

(Reg: No. IV/2352/2014) in respect of: - Hepato-protector Class: 5 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Mepha Schweiz AG P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 7th April, 2014

LIVIT

TRADE MARK CAUTION

NOTICE is hereby given that Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. a company organized under the laws of Republic of Korea and having its principal office at 129, Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea is the owner and sole proprietor of the following trademark:-

MOSCOW

SAMSUNG TRIANGLE DESIGN

(Reg: No. IV/1416/2014) in respect of:- Air conditioners Intl Class: 11 Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416

Cheese factory bathers spark probe

RUSSIA launched a criminal investigation on March 4 into breaches of hygiene at a cheese factory after footage of bare-chested workers bathing in vats of milk went viral on the internet. The Investigative Committee announced it was probing the factory in the Siberian city of Omsk for producing food that could cause harm to health after photographs of grinning workers bathing in foaming milk horrified Russians. It has already been established that the liquid that the factory workers were bathing in was the raw milk that was used for making the cheese, the investigators said in a statement. The scandal broke after a worker at the Omsk Cheeses factory posted the photographs on a social networking site with the caption, Actually our work is pretty boring. One photo shows six workers posing in a vat, several wearing only shorts, and raising victory signs. Video footage also emerged showing factory workers kneading the cheese bare-chested in a dirtylooking production area, gaining more than 300,000 views on YouTube. Russias food watchdog banned the factorys cheese late last month and a court on April 3 closed down the factory for 40 days. The factory had sold more than 49 tonnes of its cheese this year in 14 cities, the Investigative Committee said. It specialises in string cheese. If charged and found guilty of producing food that was unsafe for human consumption, the factorys managers could be jailed for up to two years. AFP

Dated: 7th April, 2014

44 World International

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Smuggled oil fuels Tunisias instability

ANGER has been brewing in Tunisias smuggling hub of Ben Guerdane since the closure of its main border crossing stemmed the contraband Libyan petrol trade which fuels the local economy. Faced with an increased number of vehicles loaded with cheap fuel exiting its western borders, the Libyan government decided to close the Ras Jedir crossing in early March, Tunisian officials say. Officially, Tripoli said the border post was closed by mutual agreement pending security guarantees for Libyans living in Tunisia. Protests have since multiplied in nearby Ben Guerdane, resulting in a general strike on March 31 that brought the coastal town in southeast Tunisia to a standstill. Frustration boiled over on April 2, with protesters ransacking the local offices of Tunisias main workers union for not backing the strike. Dozens of youths stormed the UGTT headquarters, throwing documents and furniture into the road and setting them on re, while also torching equipment inside the building, an AFP photographer said. Trafficking has ourished in Tunisia in the aftermath of its 2011 uprising, which was partly driven by anger over regional inequality and the lack of opportunity in places like Ben Guerdane. Smugglers have also beneted from the lawlessness that has gripped oil-rich Libya since its own revolt the same year. In a report published in December, the World Bank estimated that informal trade with both Libya and Algeria cost Tunisia at least 600 million euros ($828 million) annually in lost revenues. According to the report, 20 percent of the active population in the Ben Guerdane region work in informal trade, making it one of the largest employers (if not the largest) in the region. In Ben Guerdane, discontent has been aggravated, according to protesters, by the Tunisian armys destruction the week before of dozens of vehicles used to smuggle goods through the de-

BEN GUERDANE

Inhabitants of the village of the southeastern Tunisian town of Ben Guerdane march during a general strike Photo: AFP

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Haw Par Corporation Limited, a company registered under the law of Singapore, which is located at 401 Commonwealth Drive, # 03-03 Haw Par Technocentre, Singapore 149598, is the sole owner of the following trademark:

sert south of Ras Jedir. These people no longer have enough to live on since the border post was closed, Ridha Mahdhi, who heads a Tunisian-Libyan friendship association, told AFP. He said the smugglers had been bringing Libyan fuel through the crossing largely unhindered, but were forced to nd alternative routes when it was shut. And because the desert tracks theyve been following lead through a military zone, the army ransacked 67 vehicles, Mr Mahdhi added, a claim that could not be veried. One smuggler, giving his name as Ali, said the Tunisian military would allow them into Libya but then attack and sometimes loot their cars on the way back. A Tunisian security source said the smuggling operations beneted the border authorities, who received a cut from every passing vehicle. They go through Ras Jedir and pay a bribe, or even hire the cars of customs officers so that they can do two or three trips a day, the source told AFP, requesting anonymity. Merchandise smuggled into Tu-

nisia from Libya includes food and manufactured goods, which all earn tidy prots for the traffickers and still undercut Tunisian market prices. But petrol reaps the biggest reward, with a litre bought in Libya for about 8 cents going for around 50 cents (0.5 euros, or $0.69) in Tunisia, still 30 pc less than at the pump.

This type of trade has an important economic and social impact ... In many of these regions, informal trade is one of the most important economic activities.
World Bank report on Tunisian smuggling

The business has turned into an economic lifeline for Ben Guerdane. With so many people depending on smuggled Libyan goods to support their families, riots broke out in Ben Guerdane when the border was closed in January. This type of trade has an important economic and social impact in border regions. In many of these regions, informal trade is one of the most important economic activities, the World Bank said. Khalifa, a public sector worker, said the fact that trafficking supported the majority of people in the region was unlikely to change. Its not a secret and the practice wont stop as there are no factories or projects to create jobs, he said. But Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, whose technocrat adminstration was appointed two months ago, pledged to eliminate trafficking and parallel trade during a visit to the southeast region in early March. He said they caused huge losses to the Tunisian economy, according to an official statement which gave no details of planned alternative measures. AFP

ATHENS

Reg. No. 4/9473/2010 In respect of Class 5: Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations including (without limitation) all topical analgesics, balms, ointments and medicated oils; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; all manner of plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax, disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides; all manner of painrelief medication. Haw Par Corporation Limited claims the trademark rightand other relevant Intellectual Property for the mark as mentioned above. Haw Par Corporation Limited will reserve the rights to take legal measures against any infringer who violates its Intellectual Property or other legal rights in accordance with the concerned laws the Public of the Union of Myanmar. U Kyi Naing, L.L.B, L.L.M, H.G.P For Haw Par Corporation Limited Tilleke & Gibbins Myanmar Ltd. No. 1703A, 17th Floor, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar Email address: myanmar@tilleke.com Dated: 7th April, 2014

Greek leaders aide quits after casting doubt on neo-Nazi probe

A CLOSE aide of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras resigned on April 2 following a secretly taped discussion appeared to show him casting doubt on an ongoing probe into neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn. Panagiotis Baltakos, general secretary of Mr Samarass cabinet, was lmed apparently having a discussion with Golden Dawn spokesperson Ilias Kassidiaris, one of the many senior party cadres facing criminal charges. A voice resembling that of Kassidiaris can be heard on the video posted on Greek news sites and seen by AFP. Mr Baltakos is shown saying that the Supreme Court prosecutor who nalised criminal charges against the group had been persuaded to do so by Justice Order Minister Haralambos Athanassiou and Citizens Protection Minister Nikos Dendias. She was persuaded that [you] are pagans, Nazis and against Christianity, he tells Kasidiaris in a familiar tone. [By] Athanassiou and Dendias. The Greek media said Mr Kasidiaris released the video amid efforts by Golden Dawn to show that the judicial probe that has already placed one-third of the groups lawmakers in pre-trial detention is politically motivated. Mr Baltakos also dismissed the prime minister as a bourgeois who is afraid of Golden Dawns electoral inuence but unable to grasp its appeal to voters. I told him Golden Dawn will go to 20 percent. He called me a wanker, he says in the discussion. In his resignation letter published by the Greek media, Mr Baltakos said he had frequent coincidental meetings with Golden Dawn lawmakers in parliament because his office was close to that partys. There is no reality in talk of a plot, Mr Baltakos said. The blow for the government came as the tide had appeared to turn for the neo-Nazi party, which had massively boosted its strength in the past two years. Two weeks earlier, a Golden Dawn lawmaker had deserted the partys parliamentary group, condemning its actions, and another was similarly ejected. The neo-Nazi group stands accused of orchestrating attacks on immigrants and political opponents. A crackdown was ordered after the killing of a well-known anti-fascist rapper in September by a Golden Dawn member sparked public outrage. Six of the partys 18 elected members of parliament including its leader are currently in prison awaiting trial and a total of nine have been indicted on charges of belonging to, or running, a criminal organisation. Parliament had been discussing in past weeks whether to permit the prosecution of the remaining Golden Dawn deputies so they can also face charges. Despite the high-prole investigation, Golden Dawn was until now Greeces third most popular party. Formerly on the fringe of Greek politics, the openly xenophobic and anti-Semitic group entered the 300seat parliament in 2012 after tapping into widespread anger over immigration and austerity reforms in debtridden Greece. Police raids at the homes of prominent members have found Nazi memorabilia and unlicensed rearms. Court documents have linked Golden Dawn to two murders, three attempted murders and numerous assaults. Witnesses have also testied that senior party members were involved in migrant beatings, extortion and possible arms smuggling. AFP

www.mmtimes.com
SEOUL

International World 45

Inheritance cases show legal pitfalls of Korean unification, despite Park claims
SOUTH Korean President Park GeunHyes claim that re-unication with North Korea could trigger an economic bonanza has been greeted with widespread scepticism though not necessarily within the legal profession. A recent series of landmark rulings in South Korean courts suggest a merger of North and South could unleash a wave of complex inheritance claims that would keep lawyers busy for years. The latest case saw a Seoul court last month uphold the inheritance rights of a North Korean defector who escaped to the South in 2009. The circumstances of the case were complex, involving three generations and the defectors South Korean-born father - surnamed Lee who was captured by the North during the 1950-53 Korean War. Mr Lees relatives in the South reported him missing and he was officially pronounced dead in 1977, allowing his share of the family inheritance to be distributed among his South Korean siblings. Mr Lee surfaced again in 2004 and actually met up with family members in China. He died in North Korea several years later, after which his daughter managed to escape to the South. The importance of the ruling that upheld the daughters subsequent claim to Mr Lees inheritance was its decision to waive the 10-year statute of limitations on such cases. Presiding Judge Seo Young-Hyo ruled that the division of the Korean peninsula amounted to a special circumstance to which the 10-year period could not be applied. Should the statute of limitations be applied in this case, it would amount to depriving North Koreans of their inheritance rights, he said. Park Tae-Seung, the lawyer who represented the daughter, said her clients father had urged her to escape to the South and get in touch with the family there. But the relatives cold-shouldered her and refused to part with her share of the inheritance, Mr Park said. The court ordered the family to hand over about 15 percent of a 50,000 square meter (12.4 acre) plot of land in South Chungcheong province. Millions of Koreans were divided by the Korean War and although those who lived through the conict are dying out, there are many second and third generation North Koreans who would have similar claims to that of Mr Lees daughter. Another key ruling came in 2013 when South Koreas Supreme Court upheld the inheritance rights of North Korean children of a South Korean citizen even if they are still in the North. The case involved a man who ed to the South during the Korean war, leaving his wife and ve children in the North. He remarried in South Korea, had four more children and, when he died in 1987, left close to $9 million in cash and property. In 2009, his North Korean-born daughter who was in her 70s led a lawsuit claiming her fathers South Korean children should share the inheritance with their North Korean half-siblings. The case was notable for many reasons not least the fact that the sixdecade division of the Korean peninsula meant the plaintiffs could never appear in a South Korean court. They could not even meet or talk directly to the South Korean lawyer they managed to hire, Bae Keum-Ja, due to the permanent ban on direct telephone and postal links. Instead they found a KoreanAmerican missionary who carried all the necessary evidence out of North Korea by hand, including hair and ngernail samples for DNA testing. In a 2011 district court ruling, which was then upheld by the Supreme Court last year, the North Koreans were formally recognised as their fathers biological children with equal inheritance rights. In this case, however, the plaintiffs are unlikely to see the money any time soon if at all. Apparently concerned by the legal

A family eats a picnic following a memorial ceremony for relatives in North Korea at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at Imjingak, Paju, in South Korea. Photo: AFP

precedent and the chance of similar cases, the South Korean government enacted legislation in 2012 preventing inheritance being sent to the North and placing it instead in the care of a court-appointed custodian. This law is apparently aimed at preventing any considerable amount of cash from being sent to North Korea as a result of such an inheritance battle, said Bae Keum-Ja. To put it simply, this means North Koreans should defect to the South or wait until reunication to receive their bequests, she said. While both these cases received widespread attention, legal experts say reunication would open up other complex inheritance issues that are rarely

discussed claims by South Koreans to property holdings in the North. This was a major headache in the immediate wake of German reunication in 1990 when more than 2 million claims were led seeking the return of property seized by the state in the former East Germany around half of them for private houses. Privately owned land in North Korea was seized and declared a state asset with the establishment of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea in 1948. This would create extremely complicated legal problems which would take a century to sort out, said Kim Ha-Joong, a university proffesor based in Seoul. AFP

GERS O FIN N

THE PULSE EDITOR: WHITNEY LIGHT light.whitney@gmail.com

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2013

IT

YO

The writers who refuse to be edited are usually the worst and most egotistical The editors job is to make it the best it can possibly be for everybodys reputation. Its all for the better of the book.
Kelly Falconer, literary agent

Universal themes: Bringing Asian l

dlong125@gmail.com

GE T

DOUGLAS LONG

MONG the foreign participants in Februarys Irrawaddy Literary Festival in Mandalay were a handful of literary agents and authors interested in exploring ways to introduce the works of Myanmar writers to a wider audience of English-language readers. While not all of these visitors had direct experience with Myanmar, many were well-versed in the challenges of pitching Asian stories to British and American publishers, and they were under no illusions that the situation here would be any different. Hong Kong-based literary agent Kelly Falconer who describes herself as representing Asian authors, experts on Asia, and writers living in Asia, be they Asian or not said she looks

for works that will sell in the Englishlanguage market and have appeal to Western readers. Im looking for ne writing, something that really captures my heart and takes my breath away, and that I hope will have a similar effect on anyone who reads it in the UK or the USA, she said. Falconer whose clients include poet Ko Ko Thett, co-editor and translator of the 2012 anthology of Myanmar poetry Bones Will Crow said that while she thinks the appeal of Asian literature is growing in the West, there are many challenges to overcome, including the tendency for agents, editors and readers to reach out for the familiar. I think there are editors and agents who are looking for something to conrm their prejudices Readers in the West often want something thats very familiar. Theyre reading about the Cultural Revolution in China and are still trying to understand how China has reached the point it has today, she said. But my ction writers are writing about whats going on now, and Im nding it challenging to convince the West that these are the fresh voices of Asia. Michael Vatikiotis, a writer and journalist who has published several ction and nonction works on Southeast Asia, agreed that the world of

publishing often relies on perpetuating stereotypes. A publisher will xate on something thats worked the Harry Potter of India and everything else just falls off a cliff, he said. He cited Indonesia the subject of much of his writing as an example of a country that can be a hard sell to Western readers. Indonesia is probably one of the most colourful and interesting countries in the world [but] theres a rather bleak view of Indonesia that its a dark, forbidding place that people do not really enjoy reading about. Writer Dipika Mukherjee, whose 2011 novel Thunder Demons is set in Malaysia, said she constantly struggles with the issue of how to connect with readers in the West. Malaysia is not a country that is very big in the American imagination. I think places like Thailand are a lot larger in terms of what people know about it, she said. So although there is interest, I think I have a much larger following in Malaysia, where they really get what I was trying to do with this book. Kerry Glencorse, a literary agent based in London who represents Golden Parasol (2013) author Wendy Law-Yone, said many readers prefer being spoon-fed stories that are easy to digest, making it difficult for books about unfamiliar cultures to break out

of a small niche. But there are books like [Chinese author Jung Changs] Wild Swans from other cultures that have gone on to be huge successes. They can be really big. Its just trying to nd the right one, she said. If you happen to hit upon a story that really works for whatever reason, then I think theres great opportunity because there is a hunger and appetite for literature from these places and for a different point of view especially one like Myanmar that has been closed for so long. Marysia Juszczakiewicz, who founded the Peony Literary Agency in Hong Kong, said she tries to nd stories that speak to an international audience and that are not so steeped in that culture that people outside have no comprehension of it. One of the writers she represents is Duncan Jepson, the Hong Kong-based author of the novels All the Flowers in Shanghai (2012) and Emperors Once More (2014) and former managing editor of Asia Literary Review. You do end up thinking, We cant publish this because its too esoteric. Its a story about Laos or some aspect of Cambodia that people think is too arcane, Jepson said of his work at the literary review. But I was interested in communicating to a broad audience about things that are happening, so that

there is greater awareness and understanding. Its a slow process. For many Asian authors, regional idiosyncrasies manifest themselves not only in subject matter but also in writing style, which only adds to the challenge of cross-cultural publishing. Myanmar author Ma Thanegi who has written several English-language nonction works, including the travelogue The Native Tourist (2005) and the prison memoir Nor Iron Bars a Cage (2013) said the format and characteristics of English and Myanmar literature are very different. I can be irreverent in English, but the written word is taken very seriously by the Burmese especially for a woman who is no longer young and should be dignied unless it is an all-out complete satire, which is also rather rare. Burmese satirical books often have the subtitle satire just in case a reader misunderstands and gets angry, she said. Juszczakiewicz, who represents Chinese writers such as Su Tong, author of Raise the Red Lantern (1990), and 2012 Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan, said Chinese novels are often constructed differently from Western works. [Chinese novels] are often thirdperson, and there often isnt the development of character or psychological analysis to the same level that you would get in an English-language

From left to right: Duncan Jepson, Marysia Juszczakiewicz, Ma Thanegi and Nu Nu Yi. Photos: Supplied.

www.mmtimes.com

the pulse 47

literature to Western readers

or European novel. This is simply the difference in cultures, she said. Glencorse said one of the big challenges for Asian writers is keeping the style simple enough for Western readers. We are accustomed to a slightly more straightforward prose style, she said. Thats where the good translators come in because they can capture the atmosphere, lyricism and story while also making it palatable to a Western reader who is accustomed to a slightly different way of reading. Like Glencorse, nearly everyone interviewed for this article brought up the thorny issue of translation, which Vatikiotis described as a ne art. Its not just about rendering the story comprehensible, he said. A lot of dialogue is highly idiomatic, and how do you translate that idiomatic sense of dialogue into something thats conveying the sense but also conveying meaning in a bigger sense of what the author is trying to get across? He said the shortage of good translators in Asia was a big deterrent to providing the rest of the world access to the regions literature. I have nothing but respect for good translators because they are the people who are bringing the gift of literature into the wider world of comprehension. Theres a great wealth of writing out there that is not made available enough across the boundaries. Ma Thanegi has done her own small part by translating 25 short stories by Myanmar authors into English and anthologising them in the 2009 book Selected Myanmar Short Stories. I translated the stories over a period of 40 years. Right from the start I chose the stories carefully so that the style or format would not be too different in a foreign language, she said. One difficulty Ma Thanegi faced was with editing. In her introduction to the anthology she notes that some editing was necessary for the sake of clarity, for which she asks the forgiveness of the writers, since unlike in the publishing houses of the West we do not have a tradition of another person editing an authors work. Falconer said there was a similar tendency in Chinas publishing industry. Chinese writers tend to write and then theyre published. There isnt a whole lot of editing that goes on. But I think a lot of them do appreciate being edited. I think that any writer should appreciate a good editor, she said. The writers who refuse to be edited are usually the worst and most egotistical The editors job is to make it the best it can possibly be for everybodys reputation. Its all for the better of the book. As for increasing the English-language readership of Asian literature, Ma Thanegi said that would require writers, translators and readers to open their minds to consider the newness of other cultures and not dismiss them out of hand. They need to be curious with a positive attitude. And for us [in Myanmar], we need not to think that every Western thing or idea is decadent, she said. Juszczakiewicz said that in the end, good stories with universal themes have the power to overcome cultural differences. Though Asia is very much the future, at the end of the day selecting a work is the same as everywhere else: Theres only so far you can go with being culturally interesting. Its got to have a good story, be it set in Burma or Vietnam, and the characters have to spring out from the pages, she said. A good writer is able to speak to a wide audience, and on universal themes that affect us all, mainly through the beauty and strength of their writing. Glencorse agreed, citing as an example Myanmar writer Nu Nu Yis novel Mya Sein Pyar Kamaryut (Emerald Green Kamaryut), which received Myanmars National Literature Award in 1993 and is expected to be translated into English soon. In a small extract that I have read from Nu Nu Yis novel, theres lots about the petty bickering between neighbours and the relationships, the jealousies, the friendships of all the different people living in this apartment block, which are the same as any apartment block anywhere in the world, she said. Nu Nu Yi, whose other works include the novel Smile as They Bow, which in 2007 was shortlisted for the Man Asia Literary Prize, said a good story told from the heart would always nd an audience. A writers creation is dependent on her inspiration and her own feelings, she said. I dont think there is much difference between the way Myanmar authors and Western authors tell their stories. If the story is good, it doesnt matter where the author is from.

48 the pulse local

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Q&A

UFF Daddy, Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg, Biggie Small, Nas, Tupac, Eminem, Dre, Spike Lee, James Cameron... J-Me is listing some of the people whove inuenced his way of being which, as journalist Naomi Gingold has noted, is more Compton than Yangon, where the 28-year-old hip-hop star was born and raised. I have this demeanor because I raised myself that way, he said. Maybe because I was rebelling against the system, not politically, but against the things that controlled us and oppressed us growing up in a rough Burmese society. It wasnt that he wanted to be American, he said, but as a teenager he and a best friend decided they would squeeze out the elements [of American culture] for our own good. We put some elements in ourselves to build this embodiment, this presentation, to survive by any means. Being the son of a famous musician-turned lm-director-father, James Patrick was no stranger to the studio. From a young age he modelled and narrated advertisements. Hes discovered rap in the early 1990s, and since then has released two albums and is working on a third. Hes also a music columnist for the Myanmar edition of The Myanmar Times, which caught up with him at 50th Street Bar, one of his favourite haunts, over red wine and cheesey potatoes, with ketchup. What is your column about? I write about music and the things that irritate me. Things that run through my mind if I bump into something or encounter a subject or object of feeling that my generation would love to criticise or make fun about. Its called Back Page Beats. Its written in a postmodern poetry novelist style. There is poetry and there is novels and there is plays, but when you put it in a poetic modern way

Pressing questions with J-me

An interview with Yangons own master hip-hop MC
it almost becomes a presentation of a movie that was made in a musical poetic order. Its hard to explain in English, but its a way that gives you the essence of a music video. A collage, a montage. I put it in my own style. What are you working on now? Im writing poetry, the column, and Im completing my third album. Its going to be called Latt Yar. It means right hand, or right side or right-hand side. Capitalism is the extreme right and communism is the left hand. It could mean in a million ways. I named it so that its a Biblical term or a political or business term, because Jesus decided on the right side of the Lord, his Father. Its about how I will conquer, strategise, my music business career. Its a dedication to my dad. What is your idea of perfect happiness? To leave this world totally without going to hell. I will be happy and go straight to heaven. Thats my mode right now because this planet Earth aint nothing but a place for titans to bump against each other, to survive and to earn success. Earth is beautiful, yeah, the animals but were the worst animals of that kind. The other day I was talking to this legendary poet from Yangon and he was lecturing me, J-me, dont nobody got to kill you. Even if someone comes and cuts your head off, they cant kill you: They cant kill your name. You will survive these tests, but if you mess up your own stuff you sell out and do bad work youll kill yourself. Whats your current state of mind? Ive got several modes on me sometimes. Anything could happen. Im not devilish most of my time, or judgmental or hypocritical. But I am capable of anything. So I wont judge you, but at the same time, I can criticise anything about anybody. Who are your favorite authors? Right now its Lemony Snicket [Daniel Handler]. Hes so dark. He can present his stories in a really weird, deceptive way. His presentation might open up with some owers, and in the second storyboard theres this whole evil thing starting to happen. In the end theres always hope. Its Shakespearean. What books are you reading? This collection of poetry by Serj Tankian. Hes Armenian, from a band called System of a Down, and hes pretty crazy. I love his poetry and his music. What artists or albums are you listening to? Loreena McKennitt. I fell in love with her around the late 1990s, The Book of Secrets [1997]. I have her new stuff, but that was our favourite mine, my dads and our scriptwriter in New York, that was his kind of music. Who are your heroes? My dad is my rst hero. He wasnt around when I was a kid or baby. He came back after a long time, and I can relate to him. I felt sad, because thats what kids do. They feel this pressure when your dad is not around and youre the man of the house, but he came back when I was a fourthgrader and I am my fathers son. I have every drop of his blood in my swag. Also, Russell Simmons. Hes a millionaire. Since he was Run-DMCs manager hes elevated himself to become richer than Run-DMC. Whats your greatest fear? To tell you all the truth Im afraid of everything. Im a scared little child. Im scared of getting into a ght, but I will knock that [bad guy] down. Gotta survive. The greatest fear now is to lose my children.

What is your greatest achievement? I havent received any awards yet, but if you ask the hip-hop community locally in Burma or international, some Burmese kids who listen to Burmese hip hop they would say J-me is the rawest, realest king of Burmese hip-hop. Im not bragging. Its what everyone is trying to achieve, without becoming a milionaire. I am one of the rst MCs to rock the crowd with all the essence that makes sense in every community. Im the one who taught guys to rock the crowd. It wasnt easy. What natural talent do you wish you possessed? To speak every single language on the planet. French, English, Spanish, German Bahamas. What is the most surprising thing youve seen in Myanmar? I dont have no poetic way to answer that question. The summer and sun are couples. They put heat on you, make you sweat, any time they got a chance. The people who are controlling us, the children of the sun and summer, they will burn you until the last light. Some guys were born to be bad guys. In Burmese tradition, people had to practise religion before they died. There was the age when they had to have their education, the age they had to search for money, the age of the search for love, and the age of the search for religion. The last part, when they get old, asking forgiveness a lot of them 70 percent they will ruin your life until the last breath of their lives. Theyll go on squeezing, and that surprises me. Also, my country is way more beautiful than I ever thought. Mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, drugs, different types of alcohols from each state. Youve seen the lm Brokeback Mountain. We have mountain ranges which are more beautiful than the mountains in that lm. What is your most treasured possession? I never thought of one. What is your favourite motto? From that movie, Green Street Hooligans. Its not a motto, but theres a character who says in this strong English accent, You dont run, not when youre with us. You stand your ground and ght!

MARCH 31 APRIL 6
Got an event? List it in Whats On! Email: whatsonmt@gmail.com

ART
MARCH 22-APRIL 21 Sparkle 2014: Volume 2 group show. KZL Art Studio & Gallery, 184/84A Than Lwin Road, Golden Valley Ward 2, Bahan APRIL 5-8 My Sketches of Unconditional People Heroes Min Kyaw Khine solo show. Lokanat Gallery, 1st floor, 62 Pansodan Street, Kyauktada APRIL 5 Just Me and My Mom Phyoe Kyi solo show. Transit Shed No1, Wardan Jetty MAY 4-JUNE 3 Sparkle 2014:Volume (4) group show. KZL Art Studio & Gallery, 184/84A Than Lwin Road, Golden Valley Ward 2, Bahan

FILM
Start times at Mingalar 2, Shae Shaung (1, 2) and Nay Pyi Taw cinemas are

10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. Start times at Junction Square and Maw Tin are 10am, 1pm and 4pm daily and 7pm and 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday. Nay Pyi Taw Cinema, near Sule Pagoda Noah 3D. Directed by Noam Murr. Mingalar 2 Cinema, at Dagon Center 2, Myaynigone, Sanchaung 300: Rise of an Empire 3D. Directed by Noam Murr. Based on Frank Millers graphic novel Xerxes, a Greek general tries to unite all Greece by leading a charge that changes the course of the war. Shae Shaung Cinema 1, Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada Divergent 2D. Directed by Neil Burger. In a world where people are divided into factions based on human virtues, Tris Prior must find out what makes being divergent so dangerous before its too late. Shae Shaung Cinema 2, Sule Pagoda Road, Kyauktada Need for Speed 3D. Directed by Scott

Waugh. A blue-collar mechanic on a crosscountry race proves that the underdog can finish first. Junction Square Cineplex, Kamaryut Non-Stop. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Liam Neeson stars in this suspense thriller about a US air marshal who must race against time to respond to a cryptic demand for $150 million or watch his airplane passengers be killed. Need for Speed 3D. Junction Maw Tin Cineplex, Lanmadaw Need for Speed 3D.

MISC
APRIL 7 Industry night for food, beverage and hospitality workers. TORI, 2nd floor, 135 Inya Road, Bahan APRIL 7 Pub quiz. Free entry and prizes. 50th Street Caf, 9/13 50th Street, Botahtaung 8-11pm APRIL 8 InterNations Yangon New Year meet up. Zephyr Restaurant, Inya Road, Sein Lann So Pyay Gardens, Kamaryut 6:30pm APRIL 8 NGO workers night. TORI, 2nd floor, 135 Inya Road, Bahan APRIL 9 Quiz night. Cuba Bar, 66 Yae Kyaw, Pazundaung APRIL 12-16 Coca-Cola Myanmar Summer Festival 2014. Water activities, adventure games, live music, food and a foam party. Free entry. Myanmar Event Park APRIL 20 Easter brunch with live jazz music. $30 per person. The Orchid Restaurant, Inya Lake Hotel, 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone 11:30am-2:30pm

MUSIC
APRIL 7 Live blues. Mojo Bar, 135 Inya Road, Bahan 8:30-11:30pm APRIL 9 Rock the Night . Modern rock bands cover English hits and classics. Flamingo Bar, Yangon International Hotel, 330 Ahlone Road, Dagon 9-11:30pm APRIL 14 AND 15 Jazz under the Rakhine

From Just Me and My Mom by Phyoe Kyi, on show at Transit Shed No 1. Photo: Supplied
Stars with the German Jazzhouse Band. Free entrance. Call 043 42 312 or 09 513 8411 for more info. Laguna Lodge & Lillis Bar, Myabin Village, Ngapali Beach

www.mmtimes.com

the pulse local 49

In the kitchen, former street kids whip up a better life

As well as ne dining, Linkage offers underprivileged youth culinary training and a safe place to grow up
Ko Thiha Kyaw (left) came to Linkage from a farm family in Kawae to improve his career prospects. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

ZON PaNN PWINT zonpann08@gmail.com ELICIOUS food is served in an enchanting little space, walls decked with portraits and landscapes by local artists. But on this afternoon, at a table in the corner, a volunteer was teaching English to two teenage girls and three boys. They are the lucky ones who have arrived here at Linkage for a two-year course a visionary program that teaches street kids restaurantrelated skills and offers non-formal education and a safe shelter. Currently, the Mahabandoola Garden Street restaurant is home to two boys whose parents cannot afford to send them to school. The girls, who once survived on the street, now live in a house that Linkage rents in Thaketa township, and the third boy, from a school run by World Vision, joins them every afternoon to learn cookery. The young people, aged between 13 and 19, were recruited by Ma Khin Hnit Thit Oo, a tour guide and alumna of the Institut Franais. She and her alumni friends decided to found the non-government organisation Forever, which runs Linkage, in 2010. At the outset, three volunteer chefs trained a group of ve young people in Chinese, Thai, European and Myanmar food, and a French teacher volunteered to teach the young people English. When the restaurant opened in 2012, their practical experience began. The following year, four of the rst graduates found jobs in other Yangon restaurants, and the fth

student continues to study at a staterun school. The current ve students are the second group to live and train at Linkage. Funding comes from the sale of food and the earnings of Ma Khin Hnit Thit Oo, a tour guide, and from contributions donated by the artists whose paintings are sold there. One of the chefs who trains three boys in Thai and Chinese cuisine is Ko Ye, who moved to Yangon from the delta in 1995 and worked at Moe Pyan Anawar restaurant in Thein Gyi market, earning K3000 a month until he met a chef from Taiwan who taught him to cook. Hes worked as a chef ever since. In 2011, Ko Ye met Ma Khin Hnit Thit Oo and learned of her project. I supported her idea, and I wanted to share with these kids what

The restaurant creates an opportunity for them to make a living and hold their heads up.
Ko Ye Chef

I had learned, Ko Ye said. When I meet kids living on the street, I ask them why. Most said they were unhappy about their treatment by a stepmother or stepfather. They earned a living by collecting plastic bottles, and some ruined their lives by stealing, Ko Ye said. The restaurant creates an opportunity for them to make a living and hold their heads up in society. One of the trainees who arrived at the restaurant last year is 14-year-old Ma San Zar Eain. She was found lying near Sule Bridge in downtown Yangon. She was weak with skin sores. She has been affected by leprosy. When we found her, she was pale and thin. We brought her to the restaurant, took her to a clinic, cleaned and dressed her sores and hired a nurse to look after her. Now shes getting better, Ko Ye said. They also brought Ma San Zar Eains little sister, Ma Than Than Tin, 13, whose mother works for the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) while her father does odd jobs. With little money, the parents ght for survival and cant take care of the children, let alone provide a sick daughter with proper medical treatment. When we interviewed her, she said she wanted to go to school very much but her parents were too poor, Ko Ye said. We rented a house in Thaketa township where the two girls live and study at a nearby school. Their grandparents look after them. We send fruit and clothing once a week. Im very happy here, Ma San Zar Eain said. I study weekdays. On

holidays, we hang out with the teacher. The streets are not safe, especially for young girls forced to live there, said Karl Dorning, program coordinator at World Vision. Most kids who live on the street dont have a safe place to sleep. They sleep under cars, in railway stations and basements. This exposes them to all sorts of dangers, including being robbed or beaten up, health problems, arrest by the police, or abuse. When Dorning began working with Yangon street children in the late 1990s, World Vision conducted a study to nd out what was pushing them on to the streets. An interesting factor was that more than 70 percent of children interviewed said it was because they were beaten or treated badly by a stepmother or usually a stepfather, he said. At that time, similar data from Cambodia, for example, was quite different. Only 30pc of children mentioned this as a factor. Sometimes children, once they drop out of school and begin to look for work, nd that the best place is in the downtown area or the markets or bus stations. If they live in places like Hlaing Tharyar then it is easier to stay away from home and close to work, Dorning said. What they found in the World Vision program was that if children had been away from home for more than three months it was much more difficult to get them back living with their families again. Dorning said there were many factors that pushed children on to the street. Poverty is a main factor, though

poverty itself is extremely complex. There are many poor people who manage to look after their children very well, and there are some wealthy people who cant look after their children and they end up on the street, he said. But not every homeless child is a right t for Linkage. Some seem to prefer the freedom of the street. Some children were not happy here because we are always strict about when they must learn and when they can watch television. So they left, Ko Ye said. Dorning has high hopes for the future of most kids. They have amazing survival skills and are often extremely bright. Given the right supportive programs, street children can change their lives and become happy and productive citizens, he said. One of the children brought to the restaurant is 19-year-old Ko Thiha Kyaw, from Kawae village in Wakema township, Ayeyarwady Region. The son of a farmer, he has ve brothers and sisters. When he failed the matriculation exam, he worked on the farm with his family. Working in the farm is arduous. My parents are getting old. I dont want them to work in the farm any more. I wanted to work in Yangon to support them, he said. He joined the restaurant in January. I learned here how to serve food. I want to speak English uently, and to work at hotels and restaurants in future so I can save my parents from gruelling labour, he said. Now Ko Thiha Kyaw is happy to send a little money to his parents from his earnings at Linkage.

50 the pulse local

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Setting the stage

Local and NYC theatre groups to mount joint production in October
KHARTOUM

CHIT SU WaI suwai.chit@gmail.com

HE Thukhuma Khayeethe (Artistic Traveller) theatre group and New York Citys Bond Street Theatre will present Volpone, by the 16th-century playwright Ben Jonson, this October in Yangon and Mandalay. The production will bring together aspects of traditional Myanmar and Western theatre in a free performance that raises subjects previously taboo under the military regime. Now that Myanmar is opening a little, we are wondering how the public will accept new forms of theatre, and especially how they will react to the topics presented in a modern play, said Joanna Sherman, founder of Bond Street Theatre and advocate for the role of the arts in peace-building at the United Nationals, the National Council on Women and other international organisations. The companys purpose is to organise theatre projects in regions that have suffered political and social conict, such as Afghanistan, Kosovo and Haiti. Its mission is to use theatre to explore difficult issues and raise discussion about problems affecting the local community. Volpone (meaning sly fox in Italian) is about a rich man who pretends to be on his deathbed in order to evaluate the potential inheritors a lawyer, a merchant and a veteran of his property. In this context, the comedy will raise some of the serious problems of social status and wealth that Myanmar people face in daily life. The players will combine the features of pwe, the Myanmar traditional theatrical style, with the features of commedia dellarte, in

which actors play xed social types. Both traditions involve physical theatre. The difference is that pwe uses singing, dancing, comedy and melodrama in combination while commedia dellarte focuses on character play. At the beginning of our work on Volpone, we suggested that the play be a combination of Western and Eastern theatrical styles. We put this idea aside for awhile, but soon we were researching the old classic pwe performances, the life and work of Po Sein [founder of the famous performance group Sein Maha Thabin and the father of modern 20th-century Myanmar theatre], and watching many hours of pwe, both live and on video, Sherman said. Now we have combined features, the results will be interesting to everyone. Its a unique fusion and style. Ko Thila Min, co-founder of Thukhuma Khayeethe, said, We need to collaborate with international organisations as Myanmar artists. There are many advantages, but its also difficult. We value our traditional style and they value theirs. So, we both have to shift our standards. Sherman said that collaboration is meant to be a general exchange of ideas and shared trainings, and she thought the theatre groups could work together on some contemporary ideas to expand the players abilities, even if they do not perform based on the ideas right away. The point is to share techniques, she said. Thukhuma Khayeethe, a troupe of usually six members, was founded in 2009 by Ko Soe Myat Thu, a language teacher from the Institute Franais, and Ko Thila Min, an art teacher from the American Center. They were interested in theatre, Ko Thila Min said, because they saw strong potential in the medium to communicate

knowledge and ideas to the public and provide inexpensive entertainment. We can touch the audience directly, he said. Many artists and performers said that under the military regime there was no contemporary theatre in Myanmar. But after the Second World War, Myanmar traditional theatre enjoyed an excellent reputation in Yangon and Mandalay. Before lm, theatre was the main entertainment. After 1960, censorship took a big toll on theatre production, and there was no chance to develop contemporary work. When Thukhuma Khayeethe started, they couldnt perform plays that raised serious political or social questions. What was allowed was using theatre for education. The group created plays about good hygiene, for example, and healing after the trauma of Cyclone Nargis in 2008. They travelled around the country to perform for children in monastic schools and orphanages in Mandalay, Yangon, and Mon and Kayin states. The members participated in a clown summer camp in Sweden in 2010 and 2011, made a study tour of Thailand in 2010, and attend theatre workshops in Myanmar whenever possible. Our members are now semiprofessional, Ko Thila Min said. We started as amateurs, and then we went to many trainings and workshops over the course of four years. They tend not to use many words in their plays and work from the motto your body is your instrument. In our country, our thinking skills were blocked. We want the audiences to think more when we perform, Ko Thila Min said. Volpone will be presented at the National Theatre in October. Tickets will be free.

Ancient statues stolen from Sudan heritage site

Three statues linked to royal burial ceremonies in Sudans ancient Napatan civilisation have been stolen from a museum near a UNESCO World Heritage site, an ofcial said last week. Their disappearance underscores the lack of protection afforded Sudans rich but under-developed archaeological heritage. They are small statues, about 10-15 centimetres high (4-6 inches) but its very signicant because the Napatan kingdom is one of the important periods in Sudanese history, Abdurrahman Ali, head of the countrys museums, told AFP. He said the statues, dating from 450 BC, disappeared from a small museum at the Jebel Barkal heritage area in northern Sudan. Ofcials last month announced that the Gulf state of Qatar is giving $135 million to support Sudanese archaeology over ve years. Part of that money will go toward protecting the sites. WASHINGTON

Colbert defends satire after Asian American furor

US comedian Stephen Colbert has offered a full-throated, if tongue-in-cheek, defence of satire after outrage on social media over a joke about Asian Americans. Colbert, who plays a tempestuous conservative commentator on his popular Colbert Report late-night TV show, stressed last week that his over-the-top jibes were meant as parody. The comedian came under re last week as he attacked the owner of the Washington Redskins, who refuses to change the American football teams name, which is considered derogatory by many Native Americans. Mocking the team owners announcement that he was establishing a fund to support Native Americans, Colbert said, I am willing to show the Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever. Asian-American activists attacked Colbert via social media, saying the community should not serve as a demeaning punchline even if the comedian professes liberal views. MOSCOW

Russian rock stars rail against Crimea campaign

While patriotic fervour grips Russia over its takeover of Crimea and President Vladimir Putins approval ratings soar, some of the top names in Russian rock have emerged as among very few high-prole voices of dissent inside the country. Those who have criticised the intervention in Crimea include several grizzled veterans of the perestroika-era rock scene as well as younger stars. Among the most outspoken critics is Andrei Makarevich, who led the hugely popular Soviet-era band Mashina Vremeni (Time Machine), known for songs about personal freedom. Everything that is happening in our country today the rabid propaganda, the frenzy of jingoism, even the Olympics is reminiscent of Germany in the late 1930s, he wrote in a series of Facebook posts. The 60-year-old singer who until now was not seen as an anti-Kremlin gure has faced a backlash. More than 21,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Makarevich to be stripped of his state decorations. In response, writer Lyudmila Ulitskaya and Russias top pop diva Alla Pugachyova were among those to sign an open letter comparing his hounding to the treatment of Soviet dissidents such as the physicist Andrei Sakharov and writer Boris Pasternak. ROME

Italy heritage sleuths launch stolen art app

Italys top art detectives launched a smartphone app last week to get people to collaborate on cracking crimes. The application, which will be available to download from AndroidMarket and AppleStore soon, was thought up and created for citizens, according to Mariano Mossa, the head of Italys heritage police. Users who come across a work of art they suspect has been stolen can send a photo of it to the police. The heritage police in Italy manages the largest data bank on stolen art in the world, with details on some 5.7 million objects. The app is named iTPC with TPC being the Italian acronym for Protection of Cultural Heritage. The device will also provide users with information on artworks the police are searching for, and help locate the nearest heritage police ofce. Italy opened a special department to investigate art thefts in 1969, the rst in the world. The launch was announced as police revealed they had recovered a painting by Paul Gauguin worth millions of euros, stolen in London in 1970 and bought by an Italian factory worker for a pittance and hung in his kitchen. The French artists Fruit on a table or small dog was stolen from a house in the British capital along with Woman with two chairs by fellow Frenchman Pierre Bonnard. They were recovered together in Italy from the pensioner. The Gauguin painting is worth between 10 and 30 million euros ($13 and $41 million) while the Bonnard is valued at some 600,000 euros. AFP

www.mmtimes.com

the pulse local 51

How I learned to ip a pancake and cook a crocodile

A participant in a culinary arts class during the rst South African Food Fair reects on a day of food, fun and fumbles
NYeIN EI EI HTWe nyeineieihtwe23@gmail.com NOW were going to cook one of our most famous dishes crocodile! chef Mike Williams told the 10 students of the cooking class. We already caught it and brought it here, so Saadiqa please just catch that croc and bring it here and make sure to tie his mouth carefully. The apron-clad students, myself included, stood in front of their stovetops, speechless, while the chefs assistant left the room. She came back a few moments later in a hurry. The crocodile escaped from the elevator! So what should we do? Saadiqa said. The students expressions turned to bemusement. The search for the unusual ingredient was part of the rst South African Food Fair in Myanmar, held at Chatrium Hotel March 24-29. On the morning of March 27, I joined in a special Northern Cape cooking class led by Williams, owner of Butlers Restaurant & Butlers Hotel School in Kimberley. Dont worry about the crocodile. We have enough chopped meat here, Williams said, holding up a bowl. It looks like chop chicken, I muttered to my neighbor, who agreed. Williams insisted that it really was crocodile imported from Thailand, but we didnt believe yet. Saadiqa mixed the meat with our, sweetener and sliced onion, and fried it in oil. All the students followed suit, cooking the meatballs to a golden colour. No one ventured to eat it, though the chef egged us on. Saadiqa prepared a sauce, poured it on the meatballs, and decorated the dish with sliced carrots and cucumber. We want to connect our countries through culture, since its not easy to visit Africa, said Graham MacDonald, managing director of MBMG Group. We have plans to organise more culture exchanges. Ma Teresa, marketing and communications manager for Chatrium, said she had to make special preparations for the food fair. The main dishes of South Africa are crocodile meat and venison. We needed to buy that from Thailand and get a special allowance to cook it here. In general, Myanmar people know little about South Africa except that it hosted the last World Cup football tournament. As such, the students in the cooking class were excited, if also nervous, to try out something totally new. I never cook at home, and I was sweating with fear in front of the chef and the four African judges who were watching our performance to award prizes. The next step was to make a South African pancake. The batter was already mixed but our challenge was to ip the pancake by tossing it in the air.
Cooking students pipe fresh chocolates. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

I was so excited that I couldnt do it. The pancake folded. Williams suggested I try again. All judges and students stared while I tossed another pancake out of the pan. To my surprise, it landed at, to applause and cheers. Among the students were foreigners and locals. Some were professional chefs everything they made turned out amazing. We all watched as Saadiqa made a sauce for the pancakes, and then we all followed, pouring a cup of sugar into a hot pan to melt. It worked for everyone but me. Worried, I raised the stove temperature and stirred the sugar with a ladle, as suggested by my partner chef. Finally all of my sugar melted, but the ladle made of plastic had also started to melt. It smoked from the pan. I was shocked. Quickly, I removed the plastic bits from the pan, poured milk into the sugar juice and then

the Amarula liqueur. Disaster averted. This wine is made by the fruits from South African forests. This fruit can make you dizzy. Even elephants are drunk after eating those fruits, Williams explained about Amarula, which is somewhat like brandy. When the sauce was nished, Saadiqa gave each of us strawberries and fresh chocolates that wed prepared a while earlier. On large plates, each cooking team decorated their pancake to their liking. After tasting and judging the appearance of each nal plate, prizes were announced and celebrated with the blowing of that (in)famous South African instrument the vuvuzela. Unexpectedly, my partner and I won third prize. An American pair won second and a team of Myanmar men won rst place. The award was just a high-tea for two at Chatrium, but we beamed with pride.

www.mmtimes.com

the pulse local 53

food

A no-fail family dinner with prawns and greens

Serves 6

WARM KAI LAN SALAD IN OYSTER SAUCE

4 bunches kai lan 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tsp roasted sesame oil 2 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce 4 tbsp water

PHYO ArBIdaNs phyo.arbidans@gmail.com

Pick the young buds, leaves and stems off the kai lan and discard the tough leaves. Try to keep the leaves whole and do not separate the buds and leaves from the stems. Wash and dry. Prepare 1.5 litres boiling water with a teaspoon of salt. Blanch the kai lan for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare ice-cold water to refresh the kai lan after removing from the boiling water. Cool the greens for 4 minutes. Dissolve the oyster sauce in the 4 tbsp water. Add oil to a frying pan and heat to warm. Pour in oyster sauce. Add crushed garlic and stir. Use medium-low heat. When the mixture starts bubbling, take the pan off the stove. Cut the kai lan into 4cm lengths. Lay them on the plate and pour over the sauce. Serve with Asian-style meat dishes or steamed fish.

Y mum buys me school prawns from the market near her house. My Aussie husband loves them in this rich curry with green peppers. He can eat a big plateful with rice, and he asks me to cook it at home all the time. This time, I used a lot of pin sein leaves [Asian basil]. I discard the head and tails of the prawns and leave the shells. If the prawns are big, though, the shell needs to come off. Smaller shells are ok to chew. Removing shells is time-consuming, so when you buy the school prawns at the market, ask your shmonger to do it while you shop for other things. School prawns with Asian basil Serves 6 800g school prawn 5 onions, diced nely

2 cloves garlic, crushed tsp chilli powder tsp paprika tsp turmeric powder 2 tsp salt cup vegetable oil 1 /3 cup Asian basil Discard the heads and tails of the prawns. Wash and dry them well. Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt on the prawns so they will be fresh and without a shy smell. Marinate the prawns in turmeric powder and another 1 teaspoon salt. Leave for half an hour. Add oil into the wok and heat on high. When the oil is hot, turn the

heat down to medium and fry the onions. Stir them from time to time and fry until they all become golden and crisp. Add garlic, chilli powder and paprika and fry onions until they become carmelised and dry. Add prawns and stir to coat with the onion mixture. Then add nearly cup water, and cook the prawns. Do not cover. When the water evaporates, add the Asian basil leaves and turn the heat up to high. Fry until sizzling. For spice lovers, add green chillis split in halves. The gravy should not be wet but moist and crisp. Serve with steamed rice.

Restaurant Review

Thai fried noodles worth waiting for

Thip Samai
313 Mahachai Road, Samranrat, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok Open 5pm-2am

B A N G K O K

ZON PaNN PWINT zonpann08@gmail.com NEVER in my life have I joined a queue for a dinner plate. That changed last month when I lined up on a side street of Bangkok. It was my rst night on this trip to the city, and my Thai coordinator had brought us a group of journalists to Thip Samai, which she claimed served the best pad Thai [fried noodles] in the region. The restaurant is located about a 10-minute drive from the city centre, on Mahachai Road, among refreshment kiosks and little eateries with just a few tables.

We joined the queue. Everyone looked relaxed. No one seemed annoyed.

Our destination, in contrast, was conspicuous. About 20 people waited in line in front of the restaurant, which is on the ground oor of a building that faces Ratchanatda Buddhist temple. We joined the queue, and I observed the faces of others who stood waiting for their turn to have dinner. They looked relaxed. No one seemed annoyed. Inside the restaurant, about 20 tables were each set for four, and they were all full. The walls are decorated with old-school illustrations from advertising and framed newspaper cuttings about the restaurant. It took 20 minutes for our group to be seated. While we were waiting, more customers arrived by motorcycle and tuk-tuk. On a roadside platform, visible from our spot in line, the cooks all wearing white shirts with orange collars prepared the noodles over gas cookers. As I waited for my turn, I watched how they prepared pad Thai. A cook poured eggs into a hot empty frying pan and swirled the egg around the pan to form a thin layer. He set aside the omelette and then tossed oil, garlic and

shallots over the heat, stirring until ames danced on the frying pan. He added tofu, giant prawns, bean sprouts, orange-coloured noodles and chives and stirred it all again. When he plated the mixture he wrapped the thin omelette around it. He passed it down the line for staff to garnish with cilantro and a slice of tomato. Our plates of pad Thai arrived ve minutes after we ordered. The noodles were soft and sweet and the two big prawns hiding under the thin layer of omelette were tender. The bean sprouts and tofu

tasted fresh. Overall, the dish had a delicate avour. There is another special at this restaurant: the fresh orange juice. A bottle cost 150 baht [about US$4.60], which is more expensive than a plate of pad Thai, which cost 80 baht. The juice was thick with the sweet esh of orange. We could share one bottle among three people. After we nished eating, the friendly staff offered us stickers as gifts. Thip Samai does offer some of the nest Thai noodles around. Just be prepared to join the queue.

Photo: Zon Pann Pwint

Restaurant Rating Food 9 Beverage 9 Service 9 Value for money 10 X-factor 8

Socialite
French Business Association of Myanmar (AFMA) dinner
AFMA hosted a dinner to give its new members the opportunity to present their activities in Myanmar. Presenters came from different sectors including oil and gas, law and education. The Standard American Fine Dining Restaurant and Lounge hosted the event on the evening of April 3.
Alexandre Besson Yves-Noel Thenadey Olivier Cattin Amaury Lorin Dominique Causse

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

Photos: IMA/Emmanuel Maillard

Naveed Mahbub and Jean Curci

Comedy show at MOJO Bar

The American-Bangladeshi stand-up comedian Naveed Mahbub performed at MOJO Bar on Saturday night. Mahbub won the Best Male Comedian award at the 2007 Original Las Vegas Comedy Festival and hosts his own late-night comedy TV show, The Naveed Mahbub Show. He also set up the rst comedy club in Dhaka.
Photos: IMA/Emmanuel Maillard

Ken Tun

Cedric Chupin

Julien Loiret

Elizabeth Shwe and Yasemin Derviscemallioglu

Olivier Maubon

Escape Gastro Bar

Locals and foreigners enjoyed Escapes selfdescribed playful and molecular cocktails on Thursday night.
Photos: IMA/ Emmanuel Maillard
Max Harry

Kyaw Shwe Yee Thway and Wutt Hmone Shwe Ye

Mohsin Chowdhury and Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj

Andrew and Mario

Gordon Milne

Kyaw Kyar

Romain and Steven

Su Tayar Lin and Jacob Clere

New Star Gems & Jewelry 21st anniversary

Mr Chef new restaurant opening

Mr Chef opened on March 30 at MKK Shopping Mall.

Ko Min Khant Lwin Thandar Bo

Khine Thin Kyi

Ma Yin Shwin

Myint Myat Thu

Eaindra Kyaw Zin

New Star Gems & Jewelry marked its 21st anniversary with the showcases of new designs worn by local and foreign models. It was held in the evening of March 25 at Sedona Hotel.

Moe Set Wine

Kyaw Zaw Lin

Ko Phyo & Ma Aye Khine Zar

www.mmtimes.com
The Big Rock Show

Socialite

Ngar from Drive

Ben and Colin

Dan and Graeme

A Letter from Caesar

Aung Zaw Myat (Last Day of Beethoven)

Rock fans enjoyed a long line-up of bands presented by Our Nine Planets Entertainment and Bagan Entertainment at Kandawgyi Lake on April 1. Bands included Drive, Fever 109, Dusty Way, Park of Perfection, Nightmare and more.
Soe Pyae Han (A Letter from Caesar) and a fan Su Mon and A Di No

Photos: IMA/Emmanuel Maillard

Kwi Kwi

Northern Cape dinner at the South African Food Fair

Vino Di Zanotti restaurant opening

Thinzar Nwe Win and Ma Htet Htet Win

Audra Arul, Pasti Foobunma, Mike Williams, Allain Riddell, Steven and Ma Kyu Kyu Maw

Vino Di Zanotti, a new restaurant, opened its doors March 28 at New University Road.

At Chatrium Hotel on March 29, South African chefs prepared special dishes and surprised attendees with crocodile and deer on the menu.

Ma May Myat Mon Win and Teresa

Ko Myo Thant, Ma Khine Thazin Aung and Piti

One and R Zar Ni

Noodle King restaurant opening

Noodle King opened on March 29 at AKK shopping centre in Thingangyun township. The restaurant features noodle dishes from all over the world.

Melody

Attendees

Ko Thar Kaung

Attendee

Racha Rugkapun

56 the pulse travel

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

DOMESTIC FLIGHT SCHEDULES

YANGON TO NAy PyI TAW Flight Days Dep FMI A1 1,2,3,4,5 7:30 Y5 777 1,2,3,4,6 7:45 FMI A1 6 8:00 FMI B1 1,2,3,4,5 11:30 FMI A1 7 15:30 FMI C1 1,2,3,4,5 16:45 NAy PyI TAW TO YANGON Flight Days Dep FMI A2 1,2,3,4,5 8:50 FMI A2 6 10:00 FMI B2 1,2,3,4,5 13:00 FMI A2 7 17:00 Y5 778 1,2,3,4,6 17:30 FMI C2 1,2,3,4,5 18:05 YANGON TO MANDALAy Flight Days Dep YH 909 1,2,5,7 6:00 YH 917 3 6:00 YJ 891 Daily 6:00 K7 282 Daily 6:30 YJ 901 1,2 6:10 YJ 901 3 6:30 YH 917 1,2,4,5,6,7 6:10 Y5 234 Daily 6:15 6T 401 Daily 6:20 YH 833 2 7:00 YH 831 4,6 7:00 W9 201 Daily 7:30 K7 266 Daily 8:00 K7 642 Daily 8:30 8M 6603 2,4,7 9:00 YJ 751/W9 7751 5,7 10:30 YJ 761 1,2,4,6 10:30 K7 844 Daily 11:00 YJ 211 5,7 11:00 YJ 201 2,3,4 11:00 YJ 601/W9 7601 6 11:00 YH 737 3,5,7 11:15 YH 727 1 11:15 YH 729 4 11:15 YH 729 2,6 11:15 W9 251 2,5 11:15 YJ 003 3 11:30 K7 226 2,4,6 13:00 6T 501 7 14:30 6T 501 1 15:00 W9 129 Daily 15:00 YH 731 2,3,4,5,6 15:00 YH 731 7 15:00 YJ 7211/W9 211 1,2,3,4,6,7 15:30 YJ 7211/W9 211 1,2,3,4,6,7 15:30 MANDALAy TO YANGON Flight Days Dep YJ 901 1,2 7:50 YH 910 1,2,5,7 7:40 YJ 901 3 8:10 Y5 233 Daily 8:10 YJ 891 Daily 8:20 Arr 8:30 8:25 9:00 12:30 16:30 17:45 YH 918 1,2,4,5,6,7 6T 402 1,2,3,4,5,6 6T 402 7 YH 918 3 W9 201 Daily W9 144 Daily Y5 132 3,5,6,7 K7 267 Daily K7 823 2,4,7 YH 832 6 YH 834 2 YH 832 4 K7 643 Daily YJ 212 7 YJ 212 5 YJ 202 2,3,4 YJ 762 1,2,4,6 YJ 602/W9 7602 6 YJ 752/W9 7752 5 W9 120 1,3,6 YH 732 7 YH 728 1 K7 227 2,4,7 6T 502 1,7 W9 129 Daily YH 732 2 YH 732 3,4,5,6 W9 211 Daily 8M 6604 2,4,7 YJ 752/W9 7752 7 YH 738 3,5,7 YJ 004 3 YH 730 2 8:30 8:45 8:45 9:10 9:10 9:20 9:30 10:20 11:25 11:30 12:00 12:30 12:35 15:00 15:00 15:30 16:05 15:40 15:55 16:30 16:40 16:45 16:50 16:50 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:10 17:20 17:20 17:25 18:00 18:00 10:45 10:45 11:05 11:05 11:05 10:45 10:30 12:25 14:25 15:20 13:55 13:55 16:25 16:25 16:55 16:55 17:30 17:05 18:00 17:55 18:45 18:10 18:15 19:00 18:35 18:35 19:15 19:15 18:30 18:45 18:50 19:25 19:25 6T 401 7 YJ 901 6 YH 918 3 YH 910 1,2,5,7 YJ 901 1,2 W9 144 Daily K7 283 Daily YJ 7211/ W9 211 5 YH 732 1 YH 732 7 6T 502 7 6T 502 1 YJ 7211/ W9 211 1,2,3,4,6,7 W9 211 Daily YH 732 3,4,5,6 7:55 8:05 8:25 8:25 8:35 8:50 10:40 17:05 17:20 17:25 17:35 17:40 17:55 17:55 17:55 11:05 9:25 11:05 9:45 9:55 10:10 12:00 18:25 18:40 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:15 19:15 19:15 YH 918 6T 402 K7 283 W9 201 YH 918 K7 267 YH 506 W9 204 K7 829 K7 845 W9 120 YJ 762 YJ 212 6T 501 YH 728 YH 738 W9 129 YH 732 YH 732 YH 730 1,2,4,5,6,7 1,2,3,4,5,6 Daily Daily 3 Daily 2,3,6,7 Daily 1,3,5 Daily 1,3,6 1,2,4,6 5 7 1 3,5,7 Daily 1,2, 3,4,5,6 4 9:35 9:35 9:45 9:55 9:55 11:10 11:55 12:25 13:50 15:15 15:45 15:20 15:45 15:55 16:00 16:40 16:25 16:25 16:25 17:40 10:45 10:45 12:00 11:05 11:05 12:25 14:00 13:35 15:05 18:10 17:55 17:30 16:55 18:55 18:10 18:50 18:35 18:40 19:15 18:50 ThANDWE TO YANGON Flight Days Dep YJ 7141/W9 141 Daily 10:05 6T 605 2,3,4,5,6 12:25 YH 512 1 12:10 YH 506 5 12:10 YH 506 2,3,6,7 13:10 YJ 7307/W9 307 2,4 13:35 6T 608 1 14:05 YJ 7309/W9 309 1,3,5,6,7 14:05 K7 422 Daily 14:40 6T 605 7 15:10 YH 506 4 16:35 Arr 10:55 15:00 13:05 13:05 14:00 14:25 15:00 14:55 17:00 17:45 17:25

Arr 9:50 11:00 14:00 18:00 18:10 19:05

Domestic Airlines
Air Bagan Ltd. (W9) Air KBZ (K7)
Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102

Arr 7:40 7:40 8:05 8:40 7:35 7:55 8:30 7:30 8:25 8:40 8:40 8:55 10:05 12:20 10:10 12:25 12:25 14:10 12:25 12:25 12:25 13:25 13:25 12:55 14:15 12:40 12:55 14:25 16:30 16:25 16:55 17:10 16:40 16:55 16:55

YANGON TO MyITKyINA Flight Days Dep YH 831 6 7:00 YH 833 2 7:00 YH 831 4 7:00 K7 642 Daily 8:30 YJ 201 2,3,4 11:00 W9 251 2,5 11:15 MyITKyINA TO YANGON Flight Days Dep YH 832 4 10:35 YH 832 6 12:55 YH 834 2 13:25 YJ 202 2,3,4 14:05 K7 643 Daily 14:05 W9 252 2,5 16:05 YANGON TO HEhO Flight Days Dep YJ 891 Daily 6:00 YH 917 3 6:00 YH 917 1,2,4,5,6,7 6:10 W9 141 Daily 6:15 6T 401 1,2,3,4,5,6 6:20 K7 282 Daily 6:30 W9 201 Daily 7:30 K7 828 1,3,5 7:30 K7 822 2,4,7 7:30 K7 266 Daily 8:00 YJ 751/W9 7751 5 10:00 YJ 751/W9 7751 7 10:30 YJ 761 1,2,4,6 10:30 YH 505 2,3,6,7 10:30 K7 844 Daily 11:00 YH 737 3,5,7 11:15 YH 727 1 11:15 W9 203 Daily 11:00 W9 119 1,3,6 11:15 6T 501 7 14:30 W9 129 Daily 15:00 YH 731 1,2,3,4,5,6 15:00 HEhO TO YANGON Flight Days Dep W9 141 Daily 8:35 YJ 7141/W9 141 Daily 8:50 YJ 891 Daily 9:05

Arr 10:05 10:35 10:35 10:50 13:50 14:10

Arr 13:55 15:20 15:50 16:55 16:25 19:00

YANGON TO SIT T WE Flight Days Dep 6T 607 1 11:15 6T 605 2,3,4,5,6 11:15 YJ 7309/W9 309 1,3,5,6,7 11:30 K7 422 Daily 13:30 6T 605 7 14:00 SIT T WE TO yANGON Flight Days Dep 6T 608 1 13:00 YJ 7309/W9 309 1,3,5,6,7 13:10 6T 606 2,3,4,5,6 13:35 K7 423 Daily 15:40 6T 606 7 16:20 YANGON TO MyEIK Days Dep 1,3,5,7 7:00 Daily 7:00 1,3,5,6 7:45 MyEIK TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,7 11:25 Daily 11:30 1,3,5,6 12:10

Tel: 372977~80, 533030~39 (Airport), Fax: 372983, Hot Line: 373766

Arr 12:40 13:15 12:55 15:25 16:00

Air Mandalay (6T)

Tel : (Head Ofce) 501520, 525488, Fax: 525937. Airport: 533222~3, 09-73152853. Fax: 533223.

Asian Wings (YJ)

Tel: 951 515261~264, 512140, 512473, 512640. Fax: 951 532333, 516654

YANGON TO NyAUNG U Flight Days Dep YJ 891 Daily 6:00 YH 909 1,2,5,7 6:00 YH 917 3 6:00 YH 917 1,2,4,5,6,7 6:10 YJ 901 1,2 6:10 W9 141 Daily 6:15 6T 401 Daily 6:20 YJ 7141/W9 141 Daily 6:20 YJ 901 6 6:30 K7 282 Daily 6:30 W9 143 Daily 7:15 YJ 601/W9 7601 6 11:00 6T 501 7 14:30 6T 501 1 15:00 YH 731 1,2,7 15:00 YH 731 3,4,5,6 15:00 W9 211 Daily 15:30 YJ 7211/W9 211 5 15:30 YJ 7211/W9 211 1,2,3,4,6,7 15:30 NyAUNG U TO YANGON Flight Days Dep YJ 891 Daily 7:35 YH 918 1,2,4,5,6,7 7:45 W9 141 Daily 7:50 YJ 7141/W9 141 Daily 7:55 6T 401 1,2,3,4,5,6 7:55

Arr 7:20 8:25 8:25 7:45 8:20 7:35 7:40 7:40 7:50 7:50 8:35 13:05 17:20 17:20 17:20 17:55 17:40 16:50 17:40

Arr 8:50 9:55 9:35 8:20 9:20 9:30 9:40 8:45 10:20 9:15 11:10 11:40 11:40 11:55 15:00 12:40 12:40 12:10 12:25 15:40 16:10 16:25

Arr 15:00 14:55 15:00 17:00 17:45

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 95 9 400446999, 95 9 400447999, Fax: 01 860 4051

Yangon Airways(YH)

Tel: (+95-1) 383 100, 383 107, 700 264, Fax: 652 533.

Flight YH 633 K7 319 6T 707

Arr 9:15 9:05 9:45

FMI Air Charter - Sales & Reservations

Tel: (95-1) 240363, 240373 / (+95-9) 421146545

Flight YH 634 K7 320 6T 708

Arr 13:25 13:35 14:10

Domestic
6T = Air Mandalay W9 = Air Bagan YJ = Asian Wings K7 = AIR KBZ YH = Yangon Airways FMI = FMI AIR Charter Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines

Arr 9:55 9:45 9:35 9:25 10:15

Arr 10:15 10:45 10:40 10:55 10:45

Arr 10:40 10:55 10:15

YANGON TO ThANDWE Flight Days Dep W9 141 Daily 6:15 YJ 7141/W9 141 Daily 6:20 YH 505 2,3,6,7 10:30 YH 505 4 10:30 YH 511 1 11:00 6T 605 2,3,4,5,6 11:15 6T 607 1 11:15 YH 505 5 11:30 YJ 7307/W9 307 2,4 11:30 YJ 7309/W9 309 1,3,5,6,7 11:30 K7 422 Daily 13:30 6T 605 7 14:00

Arr 9:35 9:50 13:10 11:35 12:10 12:10 13:50 12:10 13:20 13:50 14:25 14:55

Subject to change without notice

Day 1 = Monday 2 = Tuesday 3 = Wednesday 4 = Thursday 5 = Friday 6 = Saturday 7 = Sunday

www.mmtimes.com

the pulse travel 57

aPRIL 7 - 13, 2014
Arr 12:15

INteRNatioNal FLIGHT SCHEDULES

Flights PG 706 8M 335 TG 304 PG 702 TG 302 PG 708 8M 331 PG 704 Y5 237 TG 306

WEEKLY PReDICTIONS
LeO | July 23 Aug 22 One tactic is not the best under all conditions. You must consider all of your options and be ready to strengthen your selfcondence for increasingly difcult tasks. Its been said, Knowledge is a treasure but practice is the key to it. The more you prepare in your mind, the greater negotiating power youll have. You will be able to focus on the changing situation and put yourself in a better position to deal with the unexpected.

YANGON TO BANGKOK Days Dep Daily 6:15 Daily 7:40 Daily 9:50 Daily 10:30 Daily 14:55 Daily 15:20 Daily 16:30 Daily 18:25 Daily 18:15 Daily 19:45

Arr 8:30 9:25 11:45 12:25 16:40 17:15 18:15 20:20 20:05 21:35 Arr 9:45 10:20 14:05 19:35 23:15 22:55 Arr 5:00 12:25 14:40 14:45 15:50 19:35 21:35 23:45 Arr 12:55 12:50 16:30 16:30 20:05 20:05 21:00 Arr 21:55 Arr 13:15 16:15 22:15 Arr 16:15 Arr 15:55 18:20 18:20 Arr 16:10 Arr 21:30 Arr 17:10 Arr 11:10 Arr 19:15 Arr 9:10 07:45+1 Arr 05:35 Arr 06:45+1 Arr 10:45 Arr 8:20 Arr 20:45 Arr 8:05 9:10 Arr 11:55 16:30 Arr 15:00 Arr 17:20

Flights 8M 603 Flights PG 722 Flights TG 303 PG 701 8M 336 TG 301 PG 707 PG 703 TG 305 8M 332 PG 705 Y5 238

MANDALAY TO gaya Days Dep 4 11:10 NAYPYIDAW TO BANGKOK Days Dep 1,2,3,4,5 19:30 BANGKOK TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 7:55 Daily 8:50 Daily 10:40 Daily 13:00 Daily 13:40 Daily 16:45 Daily 17:50 Daily 19:15 Daily 20:00 Daily 21:05

Arr 12:15 Arr 22:30 Arr 8:50 9:40 11:25 13:55 14:30 17:35 18:45 20:00 21:30 21:55 Arr 7:15 8:00 11:45 17:20 20:55 20:15 Arr 9:20 10:45 14:50 16:30 15:45 14:30 17:10 18:35 23:35 Arr 13:15 Arr 8:00 11:15 11:15 13:50 14:40 15:00 16:15 Arr 10:25 16:30 15:50 Arr 9:55 Arr 11:40 11:15 14:00 Arr 18:10 Arr 18:10 Arr 13:25 Arr 6:15+1 Arr 12:30 Arr 21:40 Arr 22:35 23:45 Arr 17:15 Arr 23:30 Arr 18:30 Arr 22:35 23:25 Arr 9:50 13:20

DON MUEANG TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep FD 2760 Daily 10:50

Flights MU 2029 Flights 8M 604 Flights PG 721

KUNMING TO MANDALAY Days Dep Daily 13:55 gaya TO MANDALAY Days Dep 4 13:15 BANGKOK TO NAYPYIDAW Days Dep 1,2,3,4,5 17:00

AQUARIUS | Jan 20 Feb 18

Arr 13:50 Arr 16:20 Arr 19:00

YANGON TO DON MUENG Flights Days Dep DD 4231 Daily 8:00 FD 2752 Daily 8:30 FD 2756 Daily 12:15 FD 2754 Daily 17:50 FD 2758 Daily 21:30 DD 4239 Daily 21:00
Flights MI 509 8M 231 Y5 233 SQ 997 3K 586 TR 2827 TR 2827 3K 588

International Airlines
Air Asia (FD)
Tel: 251 885, 251 886.

No problem of human destiny is beyond your reach. Know that external objects pollute the mind through the senses. Hear more and speak less because the truth needs its time to emerge. Your mental balance must be in good order, and you would be wise to stop social arguments. Dont be self-centred in emotional negotiations, which need mutual respect.

YANGON TO SINGAPORE Days Dep 1,2,6,7 0:25 Daily 8:00 Daily 10:10 Daily 10:25 2,4,6 11:20 1,6,7 15:10 2,3,4,5 17:10 1,3,4,6 19:15

DON MUENG TO YANGON Flights Days Dep DD 4230 Daily 6:30 FD 2751 Daily 7:15 FD 2755 Daily 11:10 FD 2753 Daily 16:35 FD 2757 Daily 20:15 DD 4238 Daily 19:25
Flights SQ 998 3K 585 8M 232 TR 2826 MI 518 TR 2826 Y5 234 3K 587 MI 520 Flights CA 905

Air Bagan Ltd.(W9) Air China (CA) Air India

Tel : 513322, 513422, 504888, Fax : 515102

PISCeS | Feb 19 March 20 Learning and gaining experience will only be constructive and effective with analytical practice. Even absolute integrity cannot ensure your success, bring personal security or guarantee a happy ending. You must be clever and adaptable in social compatibility. Social harmony is granting emotional favours by intellectual understanding. An optimistic concept is essential to ones love-life.

VIRgO | Aug 23 Sept 22 Medical science has conrmed that anger and other unhealthy emotions can contribute to bodily disease. Know that the principles of psychology are nothing more than pathways through your brain. Habit is a cable and you must weave a thread of it every day. Make eye contact with everyone you meet, speak clearly and listen carefully. Ask pertinent questions about your partner directly.

Tel : 666112, 655882.

YANGON TO KUALA LUMPUR Flights Days Dep 8M 501 1,3,5,6 8:55 AK 1425 Daily 8:30 MH 741 Daily 12:15 8M 9506 Daily 12:15 8M 9508 Daily 15:45 MH 743 Daily 15:45 AK 1421 Daily 16:45
Flights CA 906 Flights 8M 711 CZ 3056 CZ 3056 Flights CI 7916

SINGAPORE TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 7:55 1,3,4,6 9:10 Daily 13:25 2,3,4,5, 15:00 Daily 14:20 1,6,7 13:10 Daily 15:40 2,5 17:05 5,7 22:10 BEIJING TO YANGON Days Dep 2,3,4,6,7 8:05

Tel : 253597~98, 254758. Fax: 248175

Bangkok Airways (PG) Condor (DE)

Tel: 255122, 255 265, Fax: 255119

Tel: + 95 1 -370836 up to 39 (ext : 810)

Dragonair (KA)

Tel: 95-1-255320, 255321, Fax : 255329

YANGON TO BEIJING Days Dep 3,5,7 14:15 YANGON TO GAUNGZHOU Days Dep 2,4,7 8:40 3,6 11:25 1,5 17:30 YANGON TO TAIPEI Days Dep 1,2,3,5,6 10:50

Golden Myanmar Airlines (Y5)

Tel: 95 9 400446999, 95 9 400447999, Fax: 01 860 4051

ARIeS | Mar 21 Apr 19 Although positive thoughts have a psychological basis, they result in a strong physiological benet as well. Make it a rst priority to put duty before yourself. Dont play a rude game of one-up-manship. You should have a well-thought-out vision of where you want to go, and make your dreams come true.

LIBRA | Sept 23 Oct 22 Never allow an exception until the new habit is securely rooted in your life. You must launch yourself with as much strength and condence as possible. Heads are wisest when they are cool, and anger is momentary madness. Control your passion or it will control you. The most important thing is to have self-respect. Make time for quiet thinking.

KAULA LUMPUR TO YANGON Flights Days Dep AK 1426 Daily 6:55 MH 740 Daily 10:05 8M 9505 Daily 10:05 8M 502 1,2,3,5,7 12:50 8M 9507 Daily 13:30 MH 742 Daily 13:50 AK 1420 Daily 15:05 GUANGZHOU TO YANGON Flights Days Dep CZ 3055 3,6 8:40 CZ 3055 1,5 14:40 8M 712 2,4,7 14:15
Flights CI 7915 Flights MU 2011 CA 905 MU 2031 Flights W9 9608 Flights VN 957

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

Tel : 387648, 241007 ext : 120, 121, 122 Fax : 241124

Myanmar Airways International(8M)

Tel : 255260, Fax: 255305

Silk Air(MI)

YANGON TO KUNMING Flights Days Dep CA 906 Daily 12:15 MU 2012 1,3 12:20 MU 2032 Daily 14:50 YANGON TO CHIANG MAI Flights Days Dep W9 9607 4,7 14:20
Flights VN 956

Tel: 255 287~9, Fax: 255 290

Thai Airways (TG)

Tel : 255491~6, Fax : 255223

Vietnam Airlines (VN)

TAIPEI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,2,3,5,6 7:00 KUNMING TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3 8:25 Daily 10:45 Daily 13:30 CHIANG MAI TO YANGON Days Dep 4,7 17:20 HANOI TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 16:50

Fax : 255086. Tel 255066/ 255088/ 255068.

TAURUS | Apr 20 May 20 Take responsibility for your actions and underwrite the honest mistakes of your subordinates if you wish to develop their initiative and experience so that you can share duties. However, you cannot lead others without conscious effort. You will be a little far away from emotional satisfaction. You must learn to take the same initiative in your love life as in your professional life.

SCORPIO | Oct 23 Nov 21 The practice of positive self-talk is one of the most important keys to the enhancement of selfrespect. Your happiness does not depend on external conditions. Do not indulge in self-pity. Be receptive to new ideas. Stretch your mind and get stimulated. Set your goals on a daily basis as well as on a long-term basis. Your actions and deeds should speak louder than words.

Qatar Airways (Temporary Ofce)

Tel: 379845, 379843, 379831, Fax: 379730 Tel: 371867~68, Fax: 371869.

YANGON TO HANOI Days Dep 1,3,5,6,7 19:10

Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG) Nok Airline (DD)

YANGON TO HO CHI MINH CITY Flights Days Dep VN 942 2,4,7 14:25
Flights QR 919 Flights 8M 403 Flights 0Z 770 KE 472 Flights KA 251 Flights NH 914 Flights 8M 401 Flights 8M 601 Flights BG 061

Tel: 255050, 255021, Fax: 255051

YANGON TO DOHA Days Dep Daily 7:40 YANGON TO PHNOM PENH Days Dep 3,6 16:50 YANGON TO SEOUL Days Dep 4,7 0:35 2,3,4 23:35 YANGON TO HONG KONG Days Dep 1,2,4,6 01:10 YANGON TO TOKYO Days Dep Daily 21:45 YANGON TO SIEM REAP Days Dep 1,3,6 8:35 YANGON TO GAYA Days Dep 3,5,6 7:00 YANGON TO DHAKA Days Dep 1,4 19:30

International
FD & AK = Air Asia TG = Thai Airways 8M = Myanmar Airways International Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines PG = Bangkok Airways MI = Silk Air VN = Vietnam Airline MH = Malaysia Airlines CZ = China Southern CI = China Airlines CA = Air China KA = Dragonair Y5 = Golden Myanmar Airlines IC = Indian Airlines Limited W9 = Air Bagan 3K = Jet Star AI = Air India QR = Qatar Airways KE = Korea Airlines NH = All Nippon Airways SQ = Singapore Airways DE = Condor Airlines MU=China Eastern Airlines BR = Eva Airlines DD = Nok Airline AI = Air India BG = Biman Bangladesh Airlines

HO CHI MINH CITY TO YANGON Flights Days Dep VN 943 2,4,7 11:40
Flights QR 918 Flights 8M 602 Flights 8M 404 Flights KE 471 0Z 769 Flights NH 913 Flights KA 250 Flights BG 060 Flights 8M 7701 8M 7501

GeMINI | May 21 June 20 No one follows anyone else without being motivated to do so. Luck or unusual circumstances may play a part in your life before long. Know that making someone feel important is a more powerful motivator than money, promotion, working conditions or almost anything else. Lead yourself with the stirring words, Good favours the bold and strong of heart.

SAgITTARIUS | Nov 22 Dec 21 Time heals what reason cannot. It is only the sense of achievement that keeps your morale and energy level high. You should always try to look alive. Learn to transform sitting into an energy that conveys your alertness. Dont feel frustrated by problematic communications. Destructive challenges arise sometimes: Be ready to take the right challenge.

DOHA TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 20:30 GAYA TO YANGON Days Dep 3,5,6 9:20 PHNOM PENH TO YANGON Days Dep 3,6 20:15 SEOUL TO YANGON Days Dep 2,3,4 18:45 3,6 19:50 TOKYO TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 11:45 HONG KONG TO YANGON Days Dep 1,3,5,7 21:45 DHAKA TO YANGON Days Dep 1,4 16:15 INCHEON TO YANGON Days Dep Daily 18:45 3,6 19:50

CANCeR | June 21 July 22 Negotiation may be required. Know the value of redirection, which can be used to get the minds of those you lead focused on other things and to forget your fears in the heat of social battle. Your current frame of mind must be courageous to know the importance of time in the action you want to take. Take nothing from emotional suffering but spiritual strength.

CAPRICORN | Dec 22 Jan 19 Action may not always bring you happiness. However, there can be no happiness without action. It must be borne in mind that man can climb the highest mountain, but he cannot stay there long. Develop the art of speaking well and coherently. Be quick with compliments and slow with criticism in love affairs.

YANGON TO INCHEON Flights Days Dep 8M 7702 Daily 23:35 8M7502 4,7 0:35
Flights TG 2982 PG 710

MANDALAY TO BANGKOK Days Dep 1,2,4,6 9:30 Daily 14:05

MANDALAY TO DON MUENG Flights Days Dep FD 2761 Daily 12:45

Flights MU 2030

Subject to change without notice

Day 1 = Monday 2 = Tuesday 3 = Wednesday 4 = Thursday 5 = Friday 6 = Saturday 7 = Sunday

MANDALAY TO KUNMING Days Dep Daily 14:40

BANGKOK TO MANDALAY Flights Days Dep TG 2981 1,2,4,6 7:25 PG 709 Daily 12:00

AUNG MYIN KYAW 4th Floor, 113, Thamain Bayan Road, Tarmwe township, Yangon. Tel: 09-731-35632, Email: williameaste@gmail.com

58 the pulse tea break

Universal Crossword
Edited by Timothy E. Parker

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

SUDOKU PACIFIC

NBA READY By Corey Bowers

ACROSS 1 Astronaut drink 5 High points 10 Native of Mecca 14 Collection of miscellaneous things 15 Public humiliation 16 Prizefighters garb 17 Old-school Amazing! 20 Word in several Agatha Christie titles 21 Its usually lower in the winter 22 A Farewell To ___ 25 Fall on ___ ears 26 Comes down with 29 Feedbag fill 31 Serious productions 35 Space-saver for writers 36 Spaniards signoff 38 Drink option 39 Be ecstatic 43 Popular salad fish 44 Long-snouted mammal 45 To be or ___ to be 46 Decreases ones bankroll 49 Bollywood wardrobe item 50 Oinkers abode 51 What many signs are written in 53 Prefix meaning left 55 Get a sense of 58 Homeric epic 62 How John Wayne rode 65 New York canal 66 Final resting place 67 Stylish elegance 68 Try out 69 Gnawed away 70 Turtle or doves retreat DOWN 1 Sweeney ___ 2 Cosmetic additive 3 Singer Simone 4 Sorry, ___ run! 5 Silver-gray shade 6 When doubled, a lively dance 7 It has its plusses and minuses 8 Place tiles in cement, e.g. 9 Had the appearance of 10 Archaeologists prize 11 Speckled reddishbrown 12 Fit to perform the task 13 ___ canto 18 It may be cleared before a speech 19 Wing-shaped 23 Like a neat bed 24 Stretch at work? 26 Checks the weight 27 Consumed 28 Public display of temper 30 Some convert into beds 32 Partner of groans 33 Dispense 34 Like some pretzels 37 Flower leaf 40 Burrowing marine animal 41 The Emerald Isle 42 Quiz show fodder 47 Noted surrealist 48 Type of bath or cake 52 Buddhist teaching 54 Antiquated 55 Cab passenger 56 Yale students 57 Just one of those things? 59 Sit at a red light 60 Mournful expression 61 Bumper ding 62 Vietnamese New Year 63 Holiday brink 64 One of a states two, briefly

DILBERT

BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS

BY CHARLES SCHULZ

CALVIN AND HOBBES

BY BILL WATTERSON

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Laugh all the way to the bank when you rent this space.
The tea break page is being re-formatted in readiness for our move to a daily cycle. It may look something like this in the future. Our market research shows that a page like this attracts a large number of readers, who loyally read it every day. Ring Marketing Department to book this space permanently and laugh all the way to the bank with the extra business coming in your door.

Telephone us now on +951 392 928

The Essentials
EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road, Yangon. Tel : 251810, 251797, 251798. Bangladesh 11-B, Than Lwin Road, Yangon. Tel: 515275, 526144, email: bdootygn@ mptmail.net.mm Brazil 56, Pyay Road, 6th mile, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 507225, 507251. email: Administ. yangon@itamaraty.gov.br. Brunei 17, Kanbawza Avenue, Golden Velly (1), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 566985, 503978. email: bruneiemb@ bruneiemb.com.mm Cambodia 25 (3B/4B), New University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 549609, 540964. email: RECYANGON @ mptmail.net.mm China 1, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 221280, 221281. Danmark, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 01 9669520 - 17. Egypt 81, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 222886, 222887, Egyptembassy86@ gmail.com France 102, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 212178, 212520, email: ambaf rance. rangoun@ diplomatie.fr Germany 9, Bogyoke Aung San Museum Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 548951, 548952, email: info@rangun. diplo.de India 545-547, Merchant St, Yangon. Tel: 391219, 388412, email: indiaembassy @ mptmail.net.mm Indonesia 100, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Rd, Yangon. Tel: 254465, 254469, email: kukygn @ indonesia.com.mm Israel 15, Khabaung Street, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 515115, fax: 515116, email: info@ yangon.mfa.gov.il Italy 3, Inya Myaing Road, Golden Valley, Yangon. Tel: 527100, 527101, fax: 514565, email: ambyang. mail@ esteri.it Japan 100, Natmauk Rd, Yangon. Tel: 549644-8, 540399, 540400, 540411, 545988, fax: 549643 Kuwait 62-B, Shwe Taung Kyar St, Bahan Tsp. Tel : 01-230-9542, 2309543. Fax : 01-230-5836. Lao A-1, Diplomatic Quarters, Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 222482, Fax: 227446, email: Laoembcab@ mptmail. net.mm Malaysia 82, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road, Yangon. Tel: 220248, 220249, email: mwkyangon@ mptmail.net.mm Nepal 16, Natmauk Yeiktha, Yangon. Tel: 545880, 557168, fax: 549803, email: nepemb @mptmail.net.mm Norway, No.7, Pyi Thu St, Pyay Rd, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel: 01 9669520 - 17 Fax 01- 9669516 New Zealand No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-2306046-9 Fax : 01-2305805 Netherlands Diplomatic Mission No. 43/C, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-2305805 North Korea 77C, Shin Saw Pu Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 512642, 510205 Pakistan A-4, diplomatic Quarters, Pyay Rd, Yangon. Tel: 222881 (Chancery Exchange) Philippines 50, Sayasan Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 558149-151,Email: p.e. yangon@gmail.com Russian 38, Sagawa Rd, Yangon. Tel: 241955, 254161, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia No.287/289, U Wisara Rd, Sanchaung. Tel : 01-536153, 516952. Serbia No. 114-A, Inya Rd, P.O.Box No. 943, Yangon. Tel: 515282, 515283, email: serbemb @ yangon.net.mm Singapore 238, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 559001, email: singemb_ ygn@_ sgmfa. gov.sg South Korea 97 University Avenue, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 5271424, 515190, fax: 513286, email: myanmar@mofat. go.kr Sri Lanka 34 Taw Win Road, Yangon. Tel: 222812, Switzerland No 11, Kabaung Lane, 5 mile, Pyay Rd, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 534754, 507089. Thailand 94 Pyay Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 226721, 226728, 226824 Turkish Embassy 19AB, Kan Yeik Thar St, Mayangone Tsp,Yangon. Tel : 662992, Fax : 661365 United Kingdom 80 Strand Rd, Yangon. Tel: 370867, 380322, 371852, 371853, 256438, United States of America 110, University Avenue, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 536509, 535756, Fax: 650306 Vietnam Bldg-72, Thanlwin Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 511305 UNITED NATIONS ILO Liaison 1-A, Kanbae (Thitsar Rd), Yankin Tsp, Tel : 01-566538, 566539 IOM 318 (A) Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon.Tel 01-210588, 09 73236679, 0973236680, Email- iomyangon@iom.int UNAIDS 137/1, Thaw Wun Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel : 534498, 504832 UNDCP 11-A, Malikha St, Mayangone tsp. Tel: 666903, 664539. UNDP 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tel: 542910-19. fax: 292739. UNFPA 6, Natmauk Rd, Bahan tsp. tel: 546029. UNHCR 287, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung tsp. Tel: 524022, 524024. UNIAP Rm: 1202, 12 Fl, Traders Hotel. Tel: 254852, 254853. UNIC 6, Natmauk St., Bahan, tel: 52910~19 UNICEF 14~15 Flr, Traders Hotel. P.O. Box 1435, Kyauktada. Tel: 375527~32, unicef.yangon@unicef. org, UNODC 11-A, Malikha Rd., Ward 7, Mayangone. tel: 01-9666903, 9660556, 9660538, 9660398. email: fo.myanmar@unodc.org UNOPS 120/0, Pyi Thu Lane, 7 Miles, Mayangone Tsp. Tel: 951-657281~7. Fax: 657279. UNRC 6, Natmauk Rd, P.O. Box 650, TMWE Tel: 542911~19, 292637 (Resident Coordinator), WFP 5 Kan Baw Za St, Shwe Taung Kyar, (Golden Valley), Bahan Tsp. Tel : 2305971~6 WHO No. 2, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Tel : 6504056, 650416, 654386-90. ASEAN Coordinating Of. for the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force, 79, Taw Win st, Dagon Tsp. Tel: 225258. FAO Myanma Agriculture Service Insein Rd, Insein. tel: 641672, 641673.

General Listing
ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS
No. 12, Pho Sein Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon Tel : (95-1) 209299, 209300, 209343, 209345, 209346 Fax : (95-1) 209344 E-mail : greenhill@ myanmar.com.mm Hotel Yangon 91/93, 8th Mile Junction, Tel : 01-667708, 667688. Inya Lake Resort Hotel 37 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd. tel: 662866. fax: 665537. MGM Hotel No (160), Warden Street, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. +95-1-212454~9. www. hotel-mgm.com MiCasa Hotel Apartments 17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. tel: 650933. fax: 650960. Windsor Hotel No.31, Shin Saw Pu Street, Sanchaung. Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 95-1-511216~8, www. hotelwindsoryangon.com Yuzana Hotel 130, Shwegondaing Rd, Bahan Tsp, tel : 01-549600 Yuzana Garden Hotel 44, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, tel : 01-248944

YANGON No. 277, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Corner of 38th Street, Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : (951) 391070, 391071. Reservation@391070 (Ext) 1910, 106. Fax : (951) 391375. Email : hotelasiaplaza@gmail.com

Asia Plaza Hotel

ACCOMMODATION Long Term

Golden Hill Towers 24-26, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel: 558556. ghtower@ mptmail.net.mm.

Avenue 64 Hotel No. 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 09-8631392, 01 656913-9 Chatrium Hotel 40 Natmauk Rd, Tarmwe. tel: 544500. fax: 544400.

Happy Homes
REAL ESTATE & PrOpErTY MANAGEmENT

No.7A, Wingabar Road, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (951) 546313, 430245. 09-731-77781~4. Fax : (01) 546313. www.cloverhotel.asia. info@cloverhotel.asia Clover Hotel City Center No. 217, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 377720, Fax : 377722 www.clovercitycenter.asia Clover Hotel City Center Plus No. 229, 32nd Street (Upper Block), Pabedan Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 377975, Fax : 377974
www.clovercitycenterplus.asia

No. 205, Corner of Wadan Street & Min Ye Kyaw Swa Road, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon. Myanmar. Tel: (95-1) 212850 ~ 3, 229358 ~ 61, Fax: (95-1) 212854. info@myanmarpandahotel .com http://www. myanmarpandahotel.com ParkroYal Yangon, Myanmar 33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 250388. fax: 252478. email: enquiry.prygn@ parkroyalhotels.com parkroyalhotels. com.

Tel: 09-7349-4483, 09-4200-56994. E-mail: aahappyhomes@ gmail.com, http://www. happyhomesyangon.com Marina Residence 8, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 6506 51~4. fax: 650630.

17, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp. Tel: 650933. Fax: 650960. Email : micprm@ myanmar.com.mmwww. myanmar micasahotel.com

ACCOMMODATIONHOTELS (Nay Pyi Taw)

Royal White Elephant Hotel No-11, Kan Street, Hlaing Tsp. Yangon, Myanmar. (+95-1) 500822, 503986. www.rwehotel.com Sakura Residence 9, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp. tel: 525001. fax: 525002. Savoy Hotel 129, Damazedi Rd, Kamayut tsp. tel: 526289, 526298, Sedona Hotel Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin. tel: 666900. Strand Hotel 92 Strand Rd. tel: 243377. fax: 289880. Summit Parkview Hotel 350, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp. tel: 211888, 211966. The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residence 372, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp. tel 951-256355 (25 lines). Traders Hotel 223 Sule Pagoda Rd. tel: 242828. fax: 242838. Winner Inn 42, Than Lwin Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 503734, 524387. email: reservation@winner innmyanmar.com

(Nay Pyi Taw)

For more information about these listings, Please Contact - classied.mcm@gmail.com

Emergency Numbers
Ambulance tel: 295133. Fire tel: 191, 252011, 252022. Police emergency tel: 199. Police headquarters tel: 282541, 284764. Red Cross tel:682600, 682368 Trafc Control Branch tel:298651 Department of Post & Telecommunication tel: 591384, 591387. Immigration tel: 286434. Ministry of Education tel:545500m 562390 Ministry of Sports tel: 370604, 370605 Ministry of Communications tel: 067-407037. Myanma Post & Telecommunication (MPT) tel: 067407007. Myanma Post & Tele-communication (Accountant Dept) tel: 254563, 370768. Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: 067-412009, 067-412344. Ministry of Health tel: 067-411358-9. Yangon City Development Committee tel: 248112. HOSPITALS Central Womens Hospital tel: 221013, 222811. Children Hospital tel: 221421, 222807 Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital tel: 543888. Naypyitaw Hospital (emergency) tel: 420096. Workers Hospital tel: 554444, 554455, 554811. Yangon Children Hospital tel: 222807, 222808, 222809. Yangon General Hospital (East) tel: 292835, 292836, 292837. Yangon General Hospital (New) tel: 384493, 384494, 384495, 379109. Yangon General Hospital (West) tel: 222860, 222861, 220416. Yangon General Hospital (YGH) tel: 256112, 256123, 281443, 256131. ELECTRICITY Power Station tel:414235 POST OFFICE General Post Ofce 39, Bo Aung Kyaw St. (near British Council Library). tel: 285499. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yangon International Airport tel: 662811. YANGON PORT Shipping (Coastal vessels) tel: 382722 RAILWAYS Railways information tel: 274027, 202175-8.

Confort Inn 4, Shweli Rd, Bet: Inya Rd & U Wisara Rd, Kamaryut, tel: 525781, 526872

Reservation Ofce (Yangon) 123, Alanpya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Township Tel : 951- 255 819~838 Royal Kumudra Hotel, (Nay Pyi Taw) Tel : 067- 414 177, 067- 4141 88 E-Mail: reservation@ maxhotelsgroup.com

No. (356/366), Kyaikkasan Rd, Tamwe Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Ph: 542826, Fax: 545650 Email: reservation@ edenpalacehotel.com

AdVertising
WE STARTED THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY IN MYANMAR SINCE 1991

M A R K E T I N G & C O mm U N I C A T I O N S

A D V E R T I S I N G

M-22, Shwe Htee Housing, Thamine Station St., Near the Bayint Naung Point, Mayangone Tsp., Yangon Tel : 522763, 522744, 667557. Fax : (95-1) 652174 E-mail : grandpalace@ myanmar.com.mm

SAIL Marketing & Communications Suite 403, Danathiha Center 790, Corner of Bogyoke Rd & Wadan Rd, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 211870, 224820, 2301195. Email: admin@ advertising-myanmar.com www.advertising-myanmar. com

THE MYANMAR TIMES aPRIL 7 - 13, 2014 ADVERTISING & MEDIA

MYANMARBOOKCENTRE Nandawun Compound, No. 55, Baho Road, Corner of Baho Road and Ahlone Road, (near Eugenia Restaurant), Ahlone Township. tel: 212 409, 221 271. 214708 fax: 524580. email:info@ myanmarbook.com

co working space

FITNESS CENTRE

Gems & Jewelleries

Best Jewels No. 44, Inya Road, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305811, 2305812.

Media Relations, Event Management & Strategic Communications Hotline : 09 730 81 787 Email : tharapa.myanmar @gmail.com

Marina Residence, Yangon Ph: 650651~4, Ext: 109 Beauty Plan, Corner of 77th St & 31st St, Mandalay Ph: 02 72506

AIR CONDITION
Yangon La Source Beauty Spa 80-A, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Tel: 512380, 511252 Beauty Bar by La Source Room (1004), Sedona Hotel, Tel : 666 900 Ext : (7167) LS Salon Junction Square, 3rd Floor. Tel : 95-1-527242, Ext : 4001 Mandalay La Source Beauty Spa No. 13/13, Mya Sandar St, Chanaye Tharzan Tsp. Tel : 09-4440-24496. www.lasourcebeautyspa.com

car rental
Car Rental Service No. 56, Bo Ywe St, Latha Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-246551, 375283, 09-2132778, 09-31119195. Gmail:nyanmyintthu1983@ gmail.com,

No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaofce.com, www.venturaofce.com

Duty free

Balance Fitnesss No 64 (G), Kyitewine Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township. Yangon 01-656916, 09 8631392 Email - info@ balancetnessyangon.com

The First Air conditioning systems designed to keep you fresh all day Zeya & Associates Co., Ltd. No.437 (A), Pyay Road, Kamayut. P., O 11041 Yangon, Tel: +(95-1) 502016-18, Mandalay- Tel: 02-60933. Nay Pyi Taw- Tel: 067-420778, E-mail : sales.ac@freshaircon. com. URL: http://www. freshaircon.com

coffee machine

Duty Free Shops Yangon International Airport, Arrival/Departure Mandalay International Airport, Departure Ofce: 17, 2nd street, Hlaing Yadanarmon Housing, Hlaing Township, Yangon. Tel: 500143, 500144, 500145.

Life Fitness Bldg A1, Rm No. 001, Shwekabar Housing, Mindhamma Rd, Mayangone Tsp. Yangon. Ph: 01-656511, Fax: 01-656522, Hot line: 0973194684, natraysports@gmail.com

Air Con Sales & Service No. 2/1, Than Thu Mar Rd, Thuwunna Junction. Tel : 09-4224-64130

illy, Francis Francis, VBM, Brasilia, Rossi, De Longhi Nwe Ta Pin Trading Co., Ltd. Shop C, Building 459 B New University Avenue 01- 555-879, 09-4210-81705 nwetapintrading@gmail.com

Engineering

BARS
50th Street 9/13, 50th street-lower, Botataung Tsp. Tel-397160.

Lemon Day Spa No. 96 F, Inya Road, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 514848, 09-732-08476. E.mail: lemondayspa.2011 @gmail.com

CONSTRUCTION

Lobby Bar Parkroyal Yangon, Myanmar. 33, Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp. tel: 250388.

No. 52, Royal Yaw Min Gyi Condo, Room F, Yaw Min Gyi Rd, Dagon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 09-425-307-717

Zamil Steel No-5, Pyay Road, 7 miles, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (95-1) 652502~04. Fax: (95-1) 650306. Email: zamilsteel@ zamilsteel.com.mm

One-stop Solution for Sub-station, M&E Work Design, Supply and Install (Hotel, High Rise Building Factory) 193/197, Shu Khin Thar Street, North Okkalapa Industrial Zone, Yangon. Tel: 951-691843~5, 9519690297, Fax: 951-691700 Email: supermega97@ gmail.com. www.supermega-engg.com

No. 20, Ground Floor, Pearl Street, Golden Valley Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel : 09-509 7057, 01220881, 549478 (Ext : 103) Email : realtnessmyanmar @gmail.com
www.realtnessmyanmar.com

Diamond Palace Jewelry Shop (1) - No. 663/665, Mahar Bandoola Rd, Yangon. Tel : 01-371 944, 371 454, 371 425 Shop (2) - No.1103/1104/ 1105, Ground Fl, Taw Win Center, Yangon. Tel : 01-8600111 ext :1103, 09 49307265 Shop (3) - No.B 020, Ground Fl, Junction Square Shopping Center, Yangon. Tel : 01-527 242 ext : 1081, 09 73203464 Shop (4) Ground Fl, Gamonepwint Shopping Mall, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Yangon. Tel : 01-653 653 ext : 8205 09 421763490 info@seinnandaw.com www.seinnandaw.com www.facebook.com/ seinnandaw

Japan-Myanmar Physiotherapy Clinic. Body Massage - 7000 Ks Foot Massage - 6000 Ks Body & Foot Massage 12,000 Ks No.285, Bo Aung Kyaw Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM Tel : 09-8615036

24 Hours Laboratory & X-ray, CT, MRI, USG Mammogram, Bone DXA @ Victoria Hospital No. 68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: (951) 9 666141 Fax: (951) 9 666135

FLORAL SERVICES
Ruby & Rare Gems of Myanamar No. 527, New University Ave., Bahan Tsp. Yangon.

24 Hrs International Clinic Medical and Security Assistance Service @ Victoria Hospital No.68, Tawwin Rd, 9 Mile, Mayangon Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: +951 651 238 +959 495 85 955 Fax: +959 651 398 www.leomedicare.com Myittar Oo Eye Hospital 499, Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp. Ph: 09-527381. Pearl Dental 29, Shwe Taung Tan St, Lanmadaw Tsp. Ph : 01-226274, 09-730-39011 9:30 Am To 9:00 Pm

ENTERTAINMENT

CONSULTING
Learn to dance with social dancing 94, Bogalay Zay St, Botataung T/S, Yangon. Tel : 01-392526, 01-1221738

BOOK STORES
Myanmar Research | Consulting | Technology

Strand Bar 92, Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar. tel: 243377.fax: 243393, sales@thestrand.com.mm www.ghmhotels.com

Shwe Hinthar B 307, 6 1/2 Miles, Pyay Rd., Yangon. Tel: +95 (0)1 654 730 info@thuraswiss.com www.thuraswiss.com 150 Dhamazedi Rd., Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 536306, 537805. Email : yangon@ monument-books.com 15(B), Departure Lounge, Yangon Intl Airport. #87/2, Crn of 26th & 27th St, 77th St,Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp, Mandalay. Tel : (02) 24880.

FloralService&GiftShop No. 449, New University Avenue, Bahan Tsp. YGN. Tel: 541217, 559011, 09-860-2292. Market Place By City Mart Tel: 523840~43, 523845~46, Ext: 205. Junction Nay Pyi Taw Tel: 067-421617~18 422012~15, Ext: 235. Res: 067-414813, 09-49209039. Email : eternal@ mptmail.net.mm

sales@manawmaya.com.mm www.manawmayagems.com

Tel: 549612, Fax : 545770.

The Lady Gems & Jewellery No. 7, Inya Rd, Kamayut Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 01-2305800, 09-8315555

FASHION & TAILOR

GENERATORS

courier SerVice
DTDC Courier and Cargo Service (Since 1991) Yangon. Tel : 01-374457 Mandalay. Tel : 09-43134095. www.DTDC.COM, dtdcyangon@gmail.com Door to Door Delivery!!! Sein Shwe Tailor, 797 (003-A), Bogyoke Aung San Rd, MAC Tower 2, Lanmadaw Tsp, Yangon, Ph: 01-225310, 212943~4 Ext: 146, 147, E-mail: uthetlwin@gmail.com Floral Service & Gift Centre 102(A), Dhamazaydi Rd, Yangon.tel: 500142 Summit Parkview Hotel, tel: 211888, 211966 ext. 173 fax: 535376.email: sandy@ sandymyanmar.com.mm.

BEAUTY & MASSAGE

California Skin Spa NO 32.B, Inya Myaing Road, Yangon. (Off University Road) Tel : 01-535097, 01-501295. Open Daily : (10 AM - 8 PM)

Foam spray Insulation

No. 589-592, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Yangon-Pathein highway Road. Hlaing Tharyar tsp. Tel: 951645178-182, 685199, Fax: 951-645211, 545278. e-mail: mkt-mti@ winstrategic.com.mm

No.(68), Tawwin Street, 9 Mile, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. Hunt line: +95 1 9666 141, Booking Ext : 7080, 7084. Fax: +95 1 9666 135 Email: info@witoriya hospital.com www.victoriahospital myanmar.com, Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ WitoriyaGeneralHospital

Home Furnishing

GIFT PRODUCT

Foam Spray Insulation No-410, Ground Fl,Lower Pazuntaung Rd, Pazun taung Tsp, Yangon.Telefax : 01-203743, 09-5007681. Hot Line-09-730-30825.

22, Pyay Rd, 9 mile, Mayangone Tsp. tel: 660769, 664363.

Sole Distributor of Red Ginseng from Korea Ginseng Corporation

GAS COOKER & Cooker Hoods

Tel: 01-374851, 394360 Stores:Coreana @ Junction Square / Mawtin, UNIQHAN @U Wisara Rd; MBICenter. No.16, 87th st.

Bldg-D, Rm (G-12), Pearl Condo, Ground Flr, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 557448. Ext 814, 09-730-98872.

HEALTH SERVICES
Worlds leader in Kitchen Hoods & Hobs Same as Ariston Water Heater. Tel: 251033, 379671, 256622, 647813

Yangon : A-3, Aung San Stadium (North East Wing), Mingalartaungnyunt Tsp. Tel : 245543, 09-73903736, 09-73037772. Mandalay : No.(4) 73rd St, Btw 30th & 31st St, Chan Aye Thar Zan Tsp. Tel : 096803505, 09-449004631.

98(A), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon. Tel: 553783, 549152, 09-732-16940, 09-730-56079. Fax: 542979 Email: asiapacic. myanmar@gmail.com. Dent Myanmar Condo C, Rm 001, Tatkatho Yeikmon Housing, New University Avenue Rd, Bahan. Ph: 09-8615162.

European Quality & Designs Indoor/ Outdoor Furniture, Hotel Furniture & All kinds of woodworks No. 422, FJVC Centre, Ground Floor, Room No. 4, Strand Road, Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: 01-202063-4, 09 509-1673 E-mail: contact@ smartdesignstrading.com www.royalbotania.com, www.alexander-rose.co.uk

THE MYANMAR TIMES aPRIL 7 - 13, 2014 REMOVALISTS

S.B. FURNITURE

TRAVEL AGENTS

No-001-002, Dagon Tower, Ground Flr, Cor of Kabaraye Pagoda Rd & Shwe Gon Dine Rd, Bahan Tsp. Tel: 544480, 09-730-98872.

Tel : 01-9000712~13 Ext : 330 09-4200-77039. direct2u@mmrds.com

housing
Bld-A2, Gr-Fl, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. email: eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: 652391, 09-73108896

Relocation Specialist Rm 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 250290, 252313. Mail : info@asiantigersmyanmar.com

Quality Chinese Dishes with Resonable Price @Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: 01-523840 Ext.109 Edo Zushi 290-B,U Wisarya Rd, 10 Ward, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Tel : (09)259040853 Open daily 11:00~23:00

Executive Serviced Ofces Ocean Center (North Point), Ground Floor, Tel : 09-731-83900 01-8600056
www.hinthabusinesscentres.com

Tel : 01-4413410

Asian Trails Tour Ltd 73 Pyay Rd, Dagon tsp. tel: 211212, 223262. fax: 211670. email: res@ asiantrails.com.mm Shan Yoma Tours Co.,Ltd www.exploremyanmar.com

Rentals at Pun Hlaing Service Apartment Homes and Apartments PHGE Sales & Marketing, Hlaing Tharyar Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 951-687 800, 684 013 phgemarketing@gmail.com www.punhlainggolfestate.com

Paint
Worlds No.1 Paints & Coatings Company

Crown Worldwide Movers Ltd 790, Rm 702, 7th Flr Danathiha Centre, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lanmadaw. Tel: 223288, 210 670, 227650. ext: 702. Fax: 229212. email: crown worldwide@mptmail.net.mm

Delicious Hong Kong Style Food Restaurant G-09, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 114 Heaven Pizza 38/40, Bo Yar Nyunt St. Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township. Tel: 09-855-1383 UnionBarAndGrill 42 Strand Road, Botahtaung, Yangon. Tel: 95 9420 180 214, 95 9420 101 854 www.unionyangon.com, info@unionyangon.com

Easy access to CBD Fully furnished facility Company setup for $1,000 Office available from $360 only

Water Heaters

Tel: + 95 1 374851 Email : info@jkmyanmar.com www.jkmyanmar.com (ENG) www.3ec.jp/mbic/ (JPN)

Logistics
Sole Distributor For the Union of Myanmar Since 1995 Myanmar Golden Rock International Co.,Ltd. #06-01, Bldg (8), Myanmar ICT Park, University Hlaing Campus, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 654810~17.

The Global leader in Water Heaters A/1, Aung San Stadium East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road. Tel: 01-256705, 399464, 394409, 647812.

KAMY Group Intl Co., Ltd. International Transport and Logistics No. 363-D, Ground Floor, Bo Aung Kyaw St (Upper), Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 951 245491, 09-4202-87291. Fax : 951 245491 Email : gm@kamygroup.com www.kamygroup.com

Marine Communication & NaVigation

TOP MARINE PAINT No-410, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 09-851-5202

Legendary Myanmar Intl Shipping & Logistics Co., Ltd. No-9, Rm (A-4), 3rd Flr, Kyaung St, Myaynigone, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 516827, 523653, 516795. Mobile. 09-512-3049. Email: legandarymyr@ mptmail.net .mm www.LMSL-shipping.com

World famous Kobe Beef Near Thuka Kabar Hospital on Pyay Rd, Marlar st, Hlaing Tsp. Tel: +95-1-535072

1. WASABI:No.20-B, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp,(Near MiCasa), Tel; 09-4250-20667, 09-503-9139 Myaynigone (City Mart) Yankin Center (City Mart)

Serviced Ofce, Virtual Ofce, Business Services, Hot Desking Tel: +(95) 01 387947 www.ofcehubservices.com

Made in Japan Same as Rinnai Gas Cooker and Cooker Hood Showroom Address

Water Heater

Water solution
No. (6), Lane 2 Botahtaung Pagoda St, Yangon. 01-9010003, 291897. info@venturaofce.com, www.venturaofce.com

Company Limited

Aekar

Enchanting and Romantic, a Bliss on the Lake 62 D, U Tun Nyein Road, Mayangon Tsp, Yangon Tel. 01 665 516, 660976 Mob. 09-730-30755 operayangon@gmail.com www.operayangon.com

SCHOOLS

PLEASURE CRUISES

Schenker (Thai) Ltd. Yangon 59 A, U Lun Maung Street. 7 Mile Pyay Road, MYGN. tel: 667686, 666646.fax: 651250. email: sche nker@mptmail.net.mm.

STEEL STRUCTURE
Horizon Intl School 25, Po Sein Road, Bahan Tsp, tel : 541085, 551795, 551796, 450396~7. fax : 543926, email : contact@horizonmyanmar. com, www.horizon.com

Water Treatement Solution Block (A), Room (G-12), Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. Hot Line : 09-4500-59000

Water Treatment

Top Marine Show Room No-385, Ground Floor, Lower Pazundaung Road, Pazundaung Tsp, Yangon. Ph: 01-202782, 09-851-5597

Office Furniture

Moby Dick Tours Co., Ltd. Islands Safari in the Mergui Archipelago 5 Days, 7 Days, 9 Days Trips Tel: 95 1 202063, 202064 E-mail: info@islandsafari mergui.com. Website: www. islandsafarimergui.com

Bo Sun Pat Tower, Bldg 608, Rm 6(B), Cor of Merchant Rd & Bo Sun Pat St, PBDN Tsp. Tel: 377263, 250582, 250032, 09-511-7876, 09-862-4563.

22, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp. tel 541997. email: leplanteur@ mptmail.net.mm. http://leplanteur.net

Design, Fabrication, Supply & Erection of Steel Structures Tel : (+95-1) 122 1673 Email : Sales@WECMyanmar.com www.WEC-Myanmar.com

Commercial scale water treatment (Since 1997) Tel: 01-218437~38. H/P: 09-5161431, 09-43126571. 39-B, Thazin Lane, Ahlone.

RESTAURANTS
Open Daily (9am to 6pm) No. 797, MAC Tower II, Rm -4, Ground Flr, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Lamadaw Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 212944 Ext: 303, 09-4200-91393. info@centuremyanmar. com. www.centure.in.th Road to Mandalay Myanmar Hotels & Cruises Ltd. Governors Residence 39C, Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: (951) 229860 fax: (951) 217361. email: RTMYGN@mptmail.net.mm www.orient-express.com

G-01, City Mart (Myay Ni Gone Center). Tel: 01-508467-70 Ext: 106

Olympians Learning Hub No. (80-G), Thanlwin Rd, Shwe Taung Gyar, Ward-2, Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 95-9-5016430 95-9-425329571 www.olympiansmyanmar. com

SUPERMARKETS
Capital Hyper Mart 14(E), Min Nandar Road, Dawbon Tsp. Ph: 553136. City Mart (Aung San) tel: 253022, 294765. City Mart (47th St Branch) tel: 200026, 298746. City Mart (Junction 8) tel: 650778. City Mart (FMI City Branch) tel: 682323. City Mart (Yankin Center Branch) tel: 400284. City Mart (Myaynigone) tel: 510697. City Mart (Zawana Branch) tel:564532. City Mart (Shwe Mya Yar) tel: 294063. City Mart (Chinatown Point) tel: 215560~63. City Mart (Junction Maw Tin) tel: 218159. City Mart (Marketplace) tel: 523840~43. City Mart (78th Brahch-Mandalay) tel: 02-71467~9. IKON Mart No.332, Pyay Rd, San Chaung. Tel: 535-783, 527705, 501429. Email: sales-ikon@ myanmar.com.mm

WEB SERVICE

Good taste & resonable price @Thamada Hotel Tel: 01-243047, 243639-41 Ext: 32

REAL ESTATE

G-05, Marketplace by City Mart. Tel: 01-523840 Ext: 105

Home Outdoor Ofce 99 Condo, Ground Floor, Room (A), Damazedi Rd, Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel : 09-2504-28700 info@decorum.mm.com

Real Estate Agent Agent fees is unnecessary Tel : 09 2050107, 09 448026156 robinsawnaing@gmail.com

a drink from paradise... available on Earth @Yangon International Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 09-421040512

Yangon Intl School Fully Accredited K-12 International Curriculum with ESL support No.117,Thumingalar Housing, Thingangyun, Tel: 578171, 573149, 687701, 687702.

Web Services All the way from Australia world-class websites/ web apps for desktop, smartphone & tablets, online shopping with real-time transaction, news/magazine site, forum, email campaign and all essential online services. Domain registration & cloud hosting. Talk to us: (01) 430-897, (0) 942-000-4554. www.medialane.com.au

Singapore Cuisine Super One Super Market, Kyaikkasan Branch, No. 65, Lay Daung Kan Rd, Man Aung Qtr, Tamwe Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-542371, 09-501-9128

serVice office

VISA & IMMIGRATION

Bldg-A2, G-Flr, Shwe Gabar Housing, Mindama Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon. email: eko-nr@ myanmar.com.mm Ph: 652391, 09-73108896

For House-Seekers

with Expert Services In all kinds of Estate Fields yomaestatemm@gmail.com 09-332 87270 (Fees Free) 09-2541 26615 (Thai Language)

No.430(A), Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Golden Valley Rd, Building(2) Market Place (City Mart), Bahan Tsp, Yangon. Tel : 01-523840(Ext-309), 09-73208079.

Monsoon Restaurant & Bar 85/87, Thein Byu Road, Botahtaung Tsp. Tel: 295224, 09-501 5653.

BUSINESS CENTRE #77/2b, DhammaZedi Rd, Corner of U Wisara Rd, SanchaungTsp, Yangon. Tel: +95 931 323 291 info@serv-smart.com www.serv-smart.com

Get your Visa online for Business and Tourist No need to come to Embassy. #165. 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon. Tel: +951 381200, 204020 travel.evisa@gmail.com

HOW TO GET A FREE AD

FREE
General
Education
This program will help you capability and fill your luck of knowledge.. Middle school students can study in a small class for literature and language art. Beginners, Intermediate Spanish and French can also be inquired.U Thant Zin, 28, 3 B, Thatipahtan St, Tarmwe. Ph: 09-31021314, 09-503-5350. BA (Eng) Dip in English (YUFL) Int'l school, private school, KG to Primary 4 for Home Guide. Ph: 09-42003613. igcse, Secondary 2, 3, 4, Physics, Mathematics B & Pure Mathematics, Practice with 20 years old question. Allow individual or section. Only 5 students for one section. Near Hledan Sein Gay Har. Ph: 094500-25213, 524617. give your child the best possible start to life at International Montessori Myanmar (English Education Center). Accredited by IMC Bangkok (Since 1991), Our Montessori curriculum includes: Practical Life Exercises. Sensorial Training. Language Development. Mathematics. Cultural Studies. Botany & Zoology. History. Creative Art. Music and Movement. Cooking. Physical Development. Social & Emotional Development. Learning through play. 55(B), Po Sein Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: 546097, 546761. Email: imm. myn@gmail.com English for Young learners : Build confiden ce in commu nicating in English. Build strong foundation in English for further education. Introducing reading with variety of books. Using Int'l syllabuses such as Oxford, Collins & Cambridge ,etc. Lesson will be conducted in English. Taught by qualified & internationally experience teacher. English for Adults Speak fluently in various situations. Improve your pronunciation and increase your vocabulary. Communicate effectively in everyday situations. English for social, study, overseas travel and work purposes. Teacher Yamin - Ph : 291-679, 292176, 09-250-136695 Tr.Kaung Myat : For International School, Guide & Lecturer, Special for Maths, Geometry, Algebra I&II, Calculus. Ph: 09-73142020. geometry500@ gmail.com Study guide and home visit for LCCI level 1,2 and 3. Ph : 09-4311-0463 NPNG study coach 10th standard specialist. Ph: 09-2506-96329. Email: npngfc@gmail.com

By FAX : 01-254158 By EMAIl : classied.mcm@gmail.com By MAIl : 379/383, Bo Aung Kyaw St, Kyauktada Township, Yangon.

HOW TO GET MORE BUSINESS FROM AS LITTLE AS K.5,000.

BUy sPace ON THESE PAGES CAll: Khin Mon Mon Yi - 01-392676, 392928

Property
MYANMAR for Foreigners, Ph: 092501-50791. ENGLISH for Adults &Young Learners 100 % face to face classroom based lessons, Small classroom sized, limited seats, Variety of learning resources Experienced, internationally qualified teacher who get the best out of you, whatever your level. Offer courses that build your confidence for practical situations and improve important areas such as Speaking and Listening in English. English for young learners : Teacher Yamin - Ph: (01) 291679, 09-250136695.

Home teaching, For International school's student KG - to- Primary -6. Ph: 09-4200-87050 Home teaching , KG - to - Primary 6 (International schools). Ph: 09-4200-87050 international Montessori Myanmar (English Education Center) Accredited by IMC Bangkok (Since 1991). Our Montessori curriculum includes: Practical Life Exercises, Sensorial Training, Language Development, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Botany & Zoology, History, Creative Art, Music and Movement, Cooking, Physical Development, Social & Emotional Development. Learning through play. 55(B), Po Sein Rd, Bahan, Yangon. Tel: 546097, 546761. Email: imm. myn@gmail.com study Guide: You can be an honor roll student too!. Sometimes, school work is tough, but with a little help you can accomplish great things. I can ensure that you have that extra time and attention you need to succeed. I am a qualified tutor, with straight A's in A Levels and four years of experience. I tutor students from Grade 1-12, IGCSE, A Levels, Pre-University level and SAT I and II. If interested contact me at 09-5190543 and we will set up a meetiing to discuss your academic needs. Cindy: 09-519-0543. EFFective English Marketing Do you want to produce an effective marketing or advertising campaign in English but lack the English skills and marketing ideas to do so. I can help you to achieve this. I have a background in successful English marketing and advertising, including the internet, in the United Kingdom. I will work with you so that your company produces eye-catching marketing & advertising that attracts customers attention. The result being increased sales. I can also help you design marketing strategies for reaching new customers. For more details contact us either by email: Kensington. yangon@gmail.com or ph: 09-2507-90200 Literature study and world history for IB and SAT up to 12 Grade , it is right to enjoy reading classic principle of written English & critical thinking If you had tried as much as you can to follow the lesson and you will get good experiences and skill.

Expert Services
EFFective English Marketing Do you want to produce an effective marketing or advertising campaign in English but lack the English skills and marketing ideas to do so. I can help you to achieve this. I have a background in successful English marketing and advertising, including the internet, in the United Kingdom. I will work with you so that your company produces eye-catching marketing & advertising that attracts customers attention. The result being increased sales. I can also help you design marketing strategies for reaching new customers. For more details contact us either by email: Kensington. yangon@gmail.com or Ph: 09-2507-90200 English Escort Service : Are you a sophisticated lady living in Yangon? Do you want to go out to dinner or a social event with a genuine Englishman as your partner? Wining and Dining. I am happy to arrange this. There are many amazing restaurants and clubs in Yangon which would make for a perfect venture. You have to be able to speak good English. For further details, please contact me by email: n.setterington@gmail. com 'Want to create that professional marketing campaign in English but lack the English skills to do so? Straight from England, our marketing man will do this for you''. Tel: 09 250790200 or email: n.setterington@ gmail.com Owner want to rent (or) sale. Call Maureen: 09518-8320. Prime Engineer Co., Ltd. Building (A), Room (501), Yuzana Housing Compound. New Yaetarshae Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Myanmar, Office (+95) 9 31337444, Email: primeengineering @outlook.com Service OFFice you can trust. Business Service for foreign investors. 905, 9F, Panchan Tower, Corner of Dhamazedi Rd & Bagayar Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon. Tel: 01503895, Email :yangon_ info@v2m.jp, http:// www.v2m.jp

Language
FOR Foreigners We do teach Myanmar Language at your home. Contact us, we will give you very good

teaching. English for adults & young learners, we will teach fact to fact at home or group teaching. Chinese for all grades, adults & young learners, fact to face at home or group teaching. Japanese for all classes. Contact us : 09-4211-47821, 01243420. English Teaching Coming from England I offer top quality English teaching and English coaching so that given time and practice you will speak and write English like native English speakers do. You need to have a reasonable knowledge of English to start with as I do not speak Myanmar. My teaching involves a mixture of face face teaching and correspondence teaching. For more details contact us either by email: Kensington. yangon@gmail.com or phone: 09-2507-90200 Dating@Yangonlive , We are an Englishlanguage dating site based in Yangon. Are you wanting to meet that special person and you do not know how to do it?We are here to help you. You are dealing with real people at Dating@ Yangonlive. Face to face meetings can be arranged, if required, between you and us to discuss your specific requirements. We will not only help you design your profile but will let you know of places and events in Yangon where you should go. In the first instance, email us at dating.yangonlive@ gmail.com and we will send you our Personal Details Form. Simply complete this form, attach some recent photos and we will add you to our dating lists that are updated constantly.To start with, while we build our database there is no charge for our service. You can request our dating list by email: dating.yangonlive@ gmail.com FOR FOREIGNERS Want to learn Myanmar Speaking at your home? Contact : 09-517-9125, 09-861-1052 WITHIN 24 hours can make you confidient in Myanmar language speaking and scripts! Teacher Phyu Phyu Khin 09-4930-8926, phyuporcupine@gmail. com, No.56 I, Thiri Marlar Lane, 7.5 mile, Pyay Road, Yangon. ENGLISH Grammar for all classes. Ph: 09-5413847. CHINESE for all grades. Ph: 09-541-3847.

Training

Housing for Rent

(1).Sanchaung, Shin Saw pu St, 1250 sqft, 1MBR, 2SR 4A/C, 16 Lakhs (2) Near India Embassy, 28 x 50,Hall, 13 Lakhs, Near, India Embassy, 1720 sqft, MBR,1SR, 16 Lakhs Shwe dagon pagoda Rd, 2400 sqft, 3MR, 4A/C, F.F, 20 Lakhs (Near Aung San Market) (5).Near Dagon Center, 2000 sqft, 1MR, 3SR, 5A/C, F.F, 29 Lakhs. Ph: 09-4921-4276, 094211-77105 (1).Driving from Yankin Center 20minutes, 1600 sqft, 1MBR , 2SR, 3A/C, F.F, 18 Lakhs (2).May Thu Condo, 1600 sqft, 2MBR, 1SR, 3A/C, F.F, 20 Lakhs (3).Golden Valley, 40x60, 3MBR, 2SR 6A/C,2RC $5000 (4).Near Inya lake, 67' x 65', 2MBR, 2SR, 6A/C, 2RC, $5000 (5).Near, U.S.A Embassy, 100 x 100, 4MBR, 9A/C, 2RC $8000 (11).Parami Rd, Small Lane, 40 x 60, 2MBR, 2SR ,4A/C, 2RC, (6).Near,Oo WeiSaRa Rd, 100 x 100, 5MBR, A/C, Ph, 2RC, $8000. Ph: 09-4921-4276, 094211-77105 BAHAN, (1) Shwe Than Lwin Condo, 3600 sqft, Ph, 5 A/C, fun for rent 40 Lakhs. (2)6 Miles, Shwe Hinthar Condo, 2400 sqft, Ph, 5 A/C, F.F, 50 Lakhs (3) New University Avenue Rd, 3 Flr, 1500 sqft, 1 MBR, 1 BR, F.F, 3 A/C, Ph, US$ 1500, (4) New University Avenue Rd, 2 Flr, 2400 Sqft, 3 MBR, Ph, 5 A/C, F.F, 25 Lakhs. Call Maureen : 09-518-8320 (No Agents Please) OFFice SPace Renntal @ MICT Park.approx 8000 Sq Ft /floor and 3 floors available for rent. Suitable for large/small company Large space, hall type set up. Equipped with elevator. Prime Location of IT industry. Pls contact us for detail at bahosi.fil@gmail.com or Michael at 09-4927-5757 BAHAN, New University Avenue Rd, Near KBZ Bank, 25 x 50 (6th Floor), 3BR, 4 Aircons, Ph: 094316-4162. MICT ParK, top tier office space, 8000 sqft. Fiber internet, central aircon, offices/meeting rooms set up. Suitable for large international conglomerates. Will also consider a sale. Please contact us for details. jasonwongjp@gmail. com 09-4211-02223 CLASSIC STRAND Condo, 2200 sq ft commercial/residence for sale or rent. 3rd floor, wide open layout, 14 foot ceilings. Gym, cafe, facilities. Prime downtown location, close to strand hotel/union bar. jasonwongjp@gmail. com 09-4211-02223 Classic Strand, 3 bed 2 bath, modern design/decor, wide open layout, 1550 square feet, 8th floor corner unit river view. $3600/month. Strand Road, 5min walk to Hilton/Center Point offices.jasonwongjp@ gmail.com, 09-421102223 CENTRAL CITY Residence minutes from Park Royal, marble/ hardwood premium fittings, modern design. 4 rooms 3 bathroom (2 master w/ attached bath) 1955sqft

We provide the following Training, CISCO, CCNA, CCNP, MICROSOFT, MCSA, MCSE, LAB, EC-COUNCIL CEH, SECURITY ADMIN. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / imcscompany, 09-450016040.

For Sale

Web Development & Design Training Sat&Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm. Contact: 09-4211-44937 Decent Myanmar Training School Personal Management & Business Management Trainings Basic English Grammar IELTS preparation English for Specific PurposeESP. (1)Spoken English (2) Business Writing (3) Business English (4) English for Marketing (5) English for HRM (6) English for Media (7) English for IT (8) English for Law (9) English for Marine Engineering (10) English for Medicine 29/ B, Rm 7, Myay Nu St,

Travel
CAR, Toyota Prado, 2006 Model/ White Colour Left Hand Drive /4Doors Very Good Driving Condition (No Accident) Only serious buyer can contact. Ph : 09-5150751 Original 3DS Game Cartridges and accessories, Spirit Camrea: The Cursed Memoir (with box and user guide booklet), 20000 Kyats, Rabbid Rumble (with box and user guide booklet) 20000 Kyats, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (with box and user guide booklet) 24000 Kyats, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (with box and user guide booklet) - 30000 Kyats, Project X Zone (with box and user guide booklet) - 30000 Kyats, 3DS Game Cartridge Holder (24 Slots) 17000 Kyats, Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL - 30000 Kyats. Prices are negotiable. Ph: 09507-9980. GSM SIM Card, 0951........., Ph : 09-250137955. MacbooK Pro (2012 Model ) Intel Core i5 Ram 4GB H.D.D 500GB Mac OS 10.9 + Window 7. Price : 920000. Ph: 09-4200-50651 Mergui Princess is a fast and comfortable liveaboard with 3 airconditioned master bed rooms with bathroom attached,2air-conditioned king size bed rooms, 3 airconditioned twin rooms which can accommodate 18 clients and 5 crew members. It is 80 feet long. What is Mergui? Mergui Archipelago, located in southernmost part of Myanmar (Burma), comprises over 800 beautiful islands. Due to its virtual isolation, the islands and surrounding seas are alive with an amazing diversity of flora & fauna and very beautiful underwater scenes and marine life. www. elegantmyanmar.travel, www.merguiprincess. com,www.mergui.org info@elegantmyanmar. travel. Elegant Myanmar Tours : (20), Bldg (E), Mya Yeik Nyo Hotel Compound, Pa-Le Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: +951-401261, 8550120. Global Asia Myanmar Travels&TourCo.,Ltd:167, 1st Flr, 38th St (Middle), Kyauktada Tsp, Ph : 391619, 09-4306-7325, 09-4925-5980. Email : global asiamyanmar@ gmail.com, www. globalasiamyanmar.com. mm

Starting from $3800/ month unfurnished. jasonwongjp@gmail. com, 09-4211-02223 bahan, Kanbawza Avenue, 2 Storey building on 0.25 acre, 4 Bedrooms attached with Bathroom, Tube Well, Phone, Voltage Regulator, Contact: 535985, 513193 (Only Office Hours). OFFice sPace , 8000 sqft in MICT park. Fiber internet, large international conglomerates. Also for sale if interested buyer. Please contact us for details. jasonwongjp@ gmail.com 09-8421102223 OFFice or AppartmentGolden View Condo: room facing to Kandaw gyi Lake & Shwedagone Pagoda, 2400 sqft, fully furnished, 2MBR, 2BR, Linving room, lobby, dinning, kitchen (4500 US$ per month), Contact - 09-513-3958 Kamayut , Blazon Condo, 2000 sq/ft, 3 Bed, 2 Baths, 5 AC, Internet, Parking, Fully Furnished, Shwedagon Pagoda View. 09-254217560 (condo For Rent in University Avenue St), 1MBR, 2SBR, 4AC, Full Fun:, 1350 sqft, 16 Lakhs, Call-01-569448, 09-432-00669. 9 mile condo Mayangone, 1350 sqft, M2, S1, A/C4, Ph 1, fully furniture - 16 Lakhs, Contact: 09-432-00669. war Dan St, Lanmadaw, (25x50), RC 3, S3, Ph, AC 3, 65 Ls, Ph: 569448. shwe Pin Lone Houseing, North Dagon, (75 x 105), RC2 M1, S3. Ph: 569448.

Housing for Sale

Chaung Tha (Near Pathein) , Brick 25' x 50' on 40' x 70' of Land, with well, 300 gallon water tank, Septic tank, Solar power, 200m from beach, 500m from village, 390 Lakhs/ US$ 39000. Call 09-4250-10128, Email: howww@gmail.com, akhinmoeato@gmail. com. MICT ParK, top tier office space, 8000 sqft . Fiber internet, central aircon, offices/meeting rooms set up. Please contact us for details. jasonwongjp@gmail. com 09-4211-02223 Yoe Gyi Chaung, Naung Yoe St, A 64, 25' x 60', Grand. Ph: 09-5129575, 09-512-9577 CLASSIC STRAND Condo, 2200 sq ft commercial/residence for sale or rent. 3rd floor, wide open layout, 14 foot ceilings. Gym, cafe, facilities. Prime downtown location, close to strand hotel/union bar. jasonwongjp@gmail. com 09421102223 Pyan Ma Nar land : No.4311, Yar zarthar ni toe chet, Poul long 2, Yar kokt yart, Pyan ma nar Town, Nay Pyi Daw. Explanation: land area (40' x 60'), fance is bark wire with concrete pole. Near Main Rd. you have any question, please call me or email me. Ph:094210-21621, 09-254001189 Dagon TSP, Ground Floor, 24' x 50'. No. 66/B, Room - (7/B), Yawmingyi Street, Dagon. Ph : 249196, 249427, 09540-8575.

THE MYANMAR TIMES aPRIL 7 - 13, 2014

FREE
Employment
: Bachelor Degree with CPA or ACCA or LCCI Level III+IV, Fluent in English & Burmese, Good command in ITMS Word, excellent in Excel, Good Team Player, ect., (2)Trainee Production Assistant/ Cashier - M/F 1 post in Yangon: Bachelor Degree, English(not fluent), MS-literate, Good at Administration, little knowledge of technical & finance. For all posts :Salary negotiable. Applications are submitted to Win Naing at YFS house,No.51E,U Po Tet Lane,Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone ,Yangon (or) via email to yfs.yfs@googlemail.com by 30 April, 2014. URGENTNEED:Account - F 1 post : Media Buyer - F 5 posts: Good written & spoken communication Skill in English. Effective computer knowledge. Pls submit application with CV,recent passport photo & copy of all relevant documents to DANALINN Service Co.,Ltd : No(8), Nguwar (3) St, ward (5), Myakanthar villa, Hlaing Tsp, Ph 01.505724, 01.538552 Vietnam Airlines Co.Ltd, the National flag carrier of S. R. of Vietnam, Myanmar Office is seeking to hire ambitious, highly competent professionals for the following position in Sales & Marketing (Myanmar nationals only). Sales & Marketing Representative (02) in Yangon:Responsible for creating a comprehensive national sales with the target, Implementation Sales & Marketing strategy, Exploring and maintain the existing customers, Develop prospective customers, Implementation sales campaigns, marketing events, Report to General Manager. Schedule: Full time: University degree in economics or higher, Proficiency in spoken & written English, Good computer skills, Good communication skills, Independent working competence, Experience in Sales and Marketing. Closing date : 9 April 2014 Pls apply: send a CV with 1 photo 4*6 cm, one letter to explain how your skills, experience or degree are relevant to the position, your ideas about what you would do on the job to add value to the company (all in English). Copy of related documents to prove your skills, experience, degrees to : Vietnam Airlines Myanmar Office #1702 Sakura Tower 339, Boyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada, Yangon, Ms Yu Myat Thet, Tel: 01-255066 Or Email : tamnm@ vietnamairlines.com HoriZon Int'l School is looking for (1) Teacher : For Primary School: Myanmar Language, Music, PE, For Secondary School: Myanmar language, Music, PE, ICT. For High School: Mathematics, Economics, For Kinder gartens: Swimming : 4 years experience, (2). Kindergarten Asst Teachers/LabAssistant - F 3 posts :Age 20 to 25, University graduate, Proficient in English, Computer literacy, (3). Supervisor - M 2 posts : Age 25 ~ 40 years, Passed matriculation examination, Good command of English, Pleasant & helpful skills, Must have supervisory skill & 5 years experience. Pls submit a cover letter, a resume/CV, a copy of relevant diploma (certificate) & a current photo to the Recruitment team at recruitment@ horizonmyanmar.com or to Horizon Po Sein Campus, Po Sein Rd 25, Bahan, Yangon on/ before April 30, 2014. Ph: 543926,551795, 551796 FPT Myanmar Co., Ltd. is seeking (1) ICT Sales : Graduate from ICT University, 3 ~ 5 years experience, (2) Recruitment Consultant : Graduate, (3)Legal Consultant : A Bachelor Degree of law, Be granted a Certificate of Lawyer Profession, 4 years experience, (4)Receptionist: Graduated high school or higher, (5) Wholesales Executive (FPT Client), University or college graduation (Economy, Trading, Business Management or Information techno logy are priority), 2 year experiences, (6) Wholesales Executive (FPT Client) : University or college graduate (Economic, Trading, Business Management, IT or communication technology graduate are priority), (7)Admin Head (Hotel) : 5 years experience in Admin Head, or the same position at Hotel, Management skills, (8) Business Executive (Hotel) : 3 ~ 5 years experience, Interested in Sales for Hotel, Ability to manage living area, Good at Japanese. For all posts : Good command of English & computer skill. Pls submit to 60 A, Pyidaungsu Yeiktha St, Dagon Tsp, Yangon. 01-218223, 221668. goodjobs@fpt.com.vn, theingi2@fpt.com.vn (1).Senior Internal Auditor - M/F 1 Post (2).Senior Accountant - M/F 2 Posts (3). Accountant - M/F 2 Posts (4).Construction Accountant - M/F 2 Posts (5).Secretary - M 1 Post (6).Export/ Import Agent - M/F 4 Posts (7). Architect - M/F 3 Posts (8).Admin Assistant M 4 Posts (9).Health & Safety Manager - M 1 Post (10) Site Manager - M 2 Posts (11).Driver M 1 Post. For all posts : 3 ~ 5 years experiences in related fields. For 1 to 10 : Bachelor Degree holder or other equivalent qualification in the related fields. Pls submit CV or Resume, Copies of Certificates & Degree, Copy of NRC, Recent photo to 906, 9th flr, Yuzana Tower, Shwe Gone Dine Junction, Bahan. Ph: 09 -5407508, 09-202-5420 Email: assthr.szbd@ gmail.com Closing date: 17th April 2014, A Leading Shipping Company is seeking (1).Sales Executive : University degree, Age above 25; Superior oral & written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills and exhibit good judgment, & function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment, Have good grasp of the English language, Be a Computer literate able to use computer effectively & efficiently, Background experience relating with sales & marketing/ export/import/trading. (2).Junior network/ support engineer : OS Administration Software Installation, Setup, Repair & Trouble shooting, Configuration on Windows Server 2003/ Windows Server 2008/XP/7/8 1 ~ 2 year experienceinITfield,good knowledge on LAN/WAN & networks, experience in system integration, OS administration. Good knowledge on Microsoft Outlook/Exchange Server 2003/2007/2010. Pls send resume & cover letter with a recent photograph by email to star2013.collette@ gmail.com We are seeking a driver male. Age would be 40 above. Contact are 398495, 09-501-1330 Total Business Solution company is seeking for (1.) Civil Engineer-whograduated Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering with experience in relative field 3 ~ 5 years, good writing & speaking in English language. (2).Civil Engineer who graduated Bache lor degree in Civil Engineering with experience in relative field more than 10 years, good writing and speaking in English language. (3).Quantity Surveyor Engineer -who graduation Bachelor degree in Engineering with experience in relative field 5 ~ 10 years, good writing and speaking in English language. TBS Company Ltd : Wai Zayanter Tower, Rm (704), 6th floor, Thaingan Guan, Yangon. Ph: 092560-83232, 09-401604493 Centure Myanmar, a leading office furniture provider in Myanmar, is seeking (1) Sales manager - 2 posts : (2) Sales Executive - 2 posts (3)Showroom manager - 1 post (4) Showroom Sales - 2 posts (5) Delivery& Installation member - 4 posts (6) Chief accountant - 2 posts (7) Driver - 1 post. We offer a young and international working atmosphere and search for competent and dedicated employees to grow with our expanding business. Be part of the team and send your application letter and CV to hr@centuremyanmar. com! Decorum : You love design furniture and are looking for a new challenge? Decorum is looking for committed Sales staff: (1)Sales manager - 1 post (2) Sales Executive - 2 posts (3) Showroom manager - 1 post (4) Showroom Sales 3 posts. Send your application & CV to hr@ decorum-mm.com! Trends Design Furnishing Co., Ltd (MNC) is seeking; (1) Accountant (URENT) LCCI Level II and above with 3 years experience in accounting & finance. Computer literate & good in English. AutoCAD (2)Draftman (Urgent) Computer literate & excellent knowledge in AutoCAD including 3D. Prefer male with the age of under 35. 3 years experience in the same field. (3)Admin cum Receptionist Any graduate with 2 years experience in related field. Able to communicate well in English. Pls send resume to trendsdesignfurnishings @gmail.com for above positions. The Lab wine & Tapas Bar, a new conceptual restaurant is opening soon in Yangon is seeking talented, dynamic and motivated team members. We are looking for 1 x Sous chef, 2 x cooks, 4 x waitresses, 1 x outlet supervisor, 1 x bar supervisor, 1 x bartender & 1 x cashier. Competitive salaries are proposed along meal and transportation packages. Contact us through info@thelabyangon.com or contact Amine @ 09-250018200. A fair English proficiency is required.

UN Positions
The United Nations World Food Programme, would like to make following job Announcement in Myanmar Times English Version, free column, going to be published on earliest issue. HR Assistant GS-4 Yangon. Pls send the applications with UN P-11 to WFP HR Unit. No. 5 Kanbawza St, Shwe Taung Kyar (2) Ward, Bahan Township, Yangon Email: wfpmyanmar.vacancy@ wfp.org COB 20 April 2014

Ingo Positions
myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is seeking (1) National Consultant for Mother Club 1 post: University degree, Good knowledge of MNCH topics and familiarity with with MNCH materials available in Myanmar. Native Myanmar speaker. (2) Communication & Reporting Officer 1 post in Yangon: University degree. 2 years experience. Effective both Myanmar & English languages skills. Ability to translate Myanmar to English & English to Myanmar. (3)Admin Asst 1 post in Yangon: University Degree. 2 years experience. For all posts : Good command of English. Computer skills. Pls submit consultancy proposals. Proposals should include consultant/ organisational profile with description of experience relevant to this consultancy & outline consultancy fees (per day and total) and availability of consultant for indicated timeframe. Individual consultants shall attach CVs. Electronic proposals should be submitted to mrcshrrecruitment@ gmail.com Closing date: 7-4-2014. swissaid is seeking a Myanmar Consultant (or a team of Myanmar consultants) for this consultancy. Skills: Extensive experience in Community Forestry, including evaluating and designing Community Forestry projects. This includes technical forestry experience and experience in strategies/ approaches related to food security, incomes, markets etc. Experience in evaluating capacity building approaches and projects. Pls submit CVs and an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI, a maximum of two pages, should include relevant experience and interest, avaliability and cost expectations. For consultancy teams, the EOI should identify who is proposed as the Team Leader and who is the Co-consultant(s). CVs and EOIs should be submitted by 22nd April 2014 to SWISSAID Myanmar Country Office :70, Shwe Yadana St, Ward (1), Kamayut, Yangon. Email: swissaid. myanmar@gmail.com myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is seeking (1) HR Deve lopment Officer 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw & Yangon: Any graduate with HR Diploma. 2 years experience. (2)HR Development Officer 1 post in Nay Pyi Taw & Yangon : Any Graduate with HR Diploma. 2 years of experience in HR Management. (3) Development & Liaison Officer 1 post in Matupi Branch, with frequent travel to project sites: Relevant university degree (development related discipline or Management). 2 years experience. (4) Maternal New-born and Child Health Specialist 1 post in Mindat, Branch,

with frequent travel to project sites: University Graduate related to health, especially MPH degree holder is preferable. 3 years experience. For all posts : Good in English. Proven computer skills. Red Cross volunteers are preferable. Pls send application letter, CV & related documents to Myanmar Red Cross Society Head Office, Yazathingaha Rd, Dekkhinathiri, Nay Pyi Taw. Or mrschrrecruitment@ gmail.com, Closing date: For 1 & 2 : 9.4.13 , For 3 & 4 : 11.4.14. the Int'l Montessori Myanmar is seeking Nursery/ Pre-K/ Kindergarten Lead teachers & Assistant teachers.A Kindergarten teacher who is loving, caring & understand early childhood education with ECCD certification is preferred, but we will train the right person who is willing to get certificated at a later date. Both are full time positions, Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 4:00. Pls email CV through imm.myn@ gmail.com or contact 55 (B), Po Sein Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: 546097, 546761. tdh Italia is seeking Liaison Officer : University degree, preferably in Foreign languages or Law or Int'l Relations. Comupter literacy. Proficient in English, written & oral. Familiarity with GoUM's procedures. Pls submit application with completed information about current job & expected salary incl. CV, photo, references by email or by postal service to the Terre des Hommes Italia Main Office: TDH Italia Main Office: 36/A, Inya Myaing Rd, Bahan, Yangon, Tel: 527563, Email: hr.tdhit.mya@ gmail.com, Closing date : 8th April 2014.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY (For Local Services Only)

We are the first domestic Joint Venture airline in Myanmar formed on 6th. October 1994. We are seeking for highly motivated, self disciplined, dynamic and aggressive people to fill the following vacancy positions based in Yangon Manager (Aircraft Maintenance) - 1 Post : Must have M-1 Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with (10) years apprenticeship. Responsible for equipment operation, use of tools, material usage, protection of equipment/tools/ materials, personal safety, ensuring all works is progressively inspected and certified, estimates for line maintenance and modifications, report all defects indentified to management, review daily reporting on tracking of estimated hours and correct or prevent over runs, troubleshoot systems, perform routine maintenance on schedule, correct procedures manuals, documentation of work, customer relations/trust. Manager (Aircraft Technical Services) - 1 Post : Degree in Engineering or Aerospace discipline (other compatible qualification or experience may be considered), Chartered Engineer, minimum 7 years experience in engineering, strong aviation engineering knowledge, preferably in aircraft systems discipline. Responsible for AD assessment and compliance mechanism implementation, Technical investigations and corrective action implementation, Aircraft Maintenance Schedule (AMS) administration, technical content validation and effectiveness evaluation, Off-wing component work scope development, provide specialist engineering assistance to support the operation, line and base maintenance, provide out of hours support in accordance with section procedures, mentoring of junior staff to ensure that they understand and follow company and legislative requirements, procedures or process, aircraft modification configuration management, justification and budget. Assistant Manager (Aircraft Maintenance) 1 Post: Degree in Engineering or Aerospace discipline (other compatible qualification or experience may be considered), minimum 5 years experience in engineering, strong aviation engineering knowledge, preferably in aircraft systems discipline. Responsibility is to assist Manager (Aircraft Maintenance). Senior Aircraft Mechanic / Aircraft Mechanics 1 Post: Any bachelor degree with minimum 10 years working experience, preferable with the knowledge of aviation engineering. Responsible for ensure progressive certification of maintenance carried out, ensure inspection points are not exceeded before certifying LAME conducts inspection, report all defects identified to Manager or Supervisor, ensure spare parts are ordered correct timeframe to meet project deadlines whilst maintaining appropriate inventory levels within Service Centre, perform tasks as directed by the assigned by the Manager or Seniors. Finance Manager 1 Post: B.Com, C.P.A or any graduate with, ACCA or equivalent, M.B.A with (10) years working experience in any kind of business, Computer literate with ability to apply computerized accounting. IT Manager - 1 Post: M.C.Sc experience above 5 years, at related field, CCNP, MCITP, English proficiency, Able to perform IT infrastructure and related projects. Computerized Reservation System and Aircraft Maintenance Software knowledge be an advantage. Secretary to the Board of Directors 1 Post. Any graduate and more than 5 years experience (Air line service experience is preferable), leadership of the board of directors office of Air Mandalay, integrity, loyalty, pleasant personality with good interpersonal relation, high degree of availability, proficiency in English and Myanmar and both typing skill, and computer literate. Responsible for support the chairman of the board regarding BoD meetings and the AGM, compilation and management of company files (articles of incorporation, regulations, share register, minutes, monthly reports and annual report, etc.), compilation and periodic update of a meetings folder for board meetings, containing all the necessary documents enabling members of the board to effectively carry out their duties, preparation of invitations to board meetings and the AGM, timely delivery of the necessary documents for board meetings and the AGM, reservation and organization of premises, technical facilities for board meetings, the AGM and other meetings, create and update the pending items/open issues list for the board of directors and the executive management, informing members of the board on any changes in legislation or law, as necessary and helpful for the boards ability to exercise their duties, assist in the set up and support of legal management (drafting of contacts, review of contracts, terms and conditions), annual reporting to auditors on any current litigation. Assistant Manager (HR) 1 Post : Any graduate with (5) years experience in relevant field All applicants must have good interpersonal and managerial skills, able to communicate in English. Those interested may apply with resume, and relevant documents to Manager, Admin and HR Department, not later than 30th April 2014 (Tuesday) at 4:00 p.m. Air Mandalay Limited, No.34 Shwe Taung Gone Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon. Ph. 01501520, 525488, Fax. 01532275 E-mail: info@airmandalay.com

Local Positions
A new established boutique public relation company is seeking a young and energetic staff to join the team. (1) Public Information Assistant - F 1 Post (2) Office Secretary - F 1 Post (3) Administration Assistant - F 1 Post. Need good English and able to translate Myanmar to English in general, Minimum 1 year experience in the similar position, Able to use Words, Excel, Power Point and Email, Able to work with team, multitasking and work under pressure with minimum supervision, Excellent interpersonal skills. Office hour - 9 am to 5 pm (Only week days) If you are interested in growing your experience with us please send an application including CV with expected salary to pandpmedia.com@ gmail.com or No.(17), Shwe Tha Pyay Yeik Mon(2), Nawarat St, Tharketa, Yangon not later than 25th April 2014. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. LUCKEY BIRD Group of Companies is leading IT Company in Myanmar in the field for ICT industry since September 1999. (1)Sale & Marketing Executive - 5 piosts : 2 years experience in related fields, Fluent in English, University Degree holder, . Pls apply the CV with Photo, Educational documents, Labour card copy, NRC copy to 355, RM 106, Thein Byu Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt, Yangon. Contact : Ms Khin Thandar Soe, Ph: 01-399011, 01-248167. Closing date 20th April. (1)School Accountant - M/F 1 post in Yangon

TRADE MARK CAUTION

MUNDIPHARMA AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland, of St. Alban-Rheinweg 74, CH-4020 Basel, Switzerland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

64 Sport
STOCKHOLM

THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014

RepiGel
Reg. No. 1317/2014 in respect of Class 10: Medical device for wound healing. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for MUNDIPHARMA AG P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

TRADE MARK CAUTION

MUNDIPHARMA AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland, of St. Alban-Rheinweg 74, CH-4020 Basel, Switzerland, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

BETAPLAST
Reg. No. 1318/2014 in respect of Class 05: Pharmaceutical preparations and substances, namely for disinfectants and antiseptics. Class 10: Medical device for wound healing. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for MUNDIPHARMA AG P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

Photo: AFP People gather against soccer violence around a makeshift memorial in Helsingborg, southern Sweden, on March 31, 2014.

Man held after football fan dies in Sweden

TRADE MARK CAUTION

L & M Swiss Watch Limited, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Hong Kong, of 21/F Catic Plaza, 8 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, is the Owner of the following Trade Mark:-

MAN in his 20s was arrested in the southern Swedish town of Helsingborg on April 1 in connection with the weekend death of a football fan from head injuries, police said. The 28-year-old suspect presented himself to a police station late on March 31, police spokesperson Kenneth Andersson told AFP. A 43-year-old fan was taken to hospital with severe head injuries received during ghting in Helsingborg town centre, 30 minutes before a league match between Stockholm team Djurgaarden and Helsingborg on March 30. He died in hospital soon after the game started.

During the match, Djurgaarden supporters began chanting murderer, murderer and invaded the pitch, causing the match to be cancelled. The arrested man takes certain responsibility for what has happened, prosecutor Eleonora Johansson told a press conference.

Number of deaths in Sweden related to football violence since 2002.

He was known by the police and had been mentioned in the investigation since Sunday, she added. The initial probe has focused on suspected manslaughter, but this could change depending on the results of the investigation, the prosecutor said. The Swedish government recently proposed to bar known hooligans from football stadiums for up to three years and ban the use of face masks often worn by extremist supporter gangs. It was the second death in Sweden in football hooligan-related violence a supporter died during ghting in Stockholm city centre in 2002 during a game between Gothenburg and Stockholm team AIK. AFP

Reg. No. 12848/2013 in respect of Watches, clocks, watch straps and watch dials; eyewear, namely, sunglasses and ophthalmic frames and cases therefor; handbags, luggage, all-purpose bags, traveling bags, cosmetic bags sold empty, cosmetic clutch bags sold empty, tissue cases sold empty, belt bags, wallets, key and change pouches, luggage garment bags for travel, nylon shopping bags for carrying articles, tote bags, stowaway suitcases, duffel bags, attach cases, garment bags for travel, satchels, umbrellas and knapsacks. Fraudulent imitation or unauthorised use of the said Trade Mark will be dealt with according to law. Win Mu Tin, M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L for L & M Swiss Watch Limited P. O. Box 60, Yangon E-mail: makhinkyi.law@mptmail.net.mm Dated: 7 April 2014

www.mmtimes.com

Sport 65

No Qatar re-vote says FIFA ofcial

ICHEL DHooghe, FIFAs medical officer, has insisted there will be no re-vote on the controversial decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup nals. There will be absolutely no revote, DHooghe told the London Evening Standard on March 31, a day after Japan said it was ready to step in if FIFA stripped Qatar of staging the 2022 World Cup. Some in the English press want that [a re-vote]. But its not the English press that decide. DHooghe was one of the FIFA executive committee members who in 2010 awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar. Both decisions caused uproar and led to widespread allegations regarding the bidding process, which are now being investigated by FIFA ethics chief Michael Garcia. The move to give the World Cup to Qatar, a country with little football history, provoked widespread condemnation particularly over health concerns for leading players forced to play in the desert nations stiing summer heat. Such was the backlash football chiefs are now considering moving the tournament to the European winter for the rst time. There was a particularly bitter reaction to the whole process in England, the birthplace of modern-day football, after the countrys bid to stage the 2018 nals garnered a mere two votes and was eliminated in the rst ballot. But Belgiums DHooghe, asked if corruption had played a part in either vote, told the Standard, Absolutely not. I had no feeling anything was going on then and I still have no feeling that there was corruption during this vote. DHooghe, who led the unsuccessful joint Belgium/Holland bid for 2018, added that many within FIFA felt continued British criticism of the bid process was partly sour grapes over the rejection of Englands 2018 offer and that no matter how much footballs world governing body reformed its structure, it would never satisfy some of its harshest critics. But, for the British press, whatever we do is never enough. And the feeling in FIFA is that all this British criticism is partly sour grapes. In football you win and you lose. If England feel they have not had a World Cup since 1966, then Belgium has never had the World Cup. England must not complain. They just had the Olympics and organised it fantastically. Meanwhile DHooghe remained adamant the 2022 World Cup cannot be played in the heat of a Qatari summer, a point the technical inspectors who examined the original bid had long agged up as a potential problem. In my capacity as chairman of the medical committee, I said the same that in Qatar, we have to avoid the warmest period of the year. That essentially means June, July and August. I have never changed my opinion from the very beginning. DHooghe added hed met with Garcia, an American lawyer, and said he should proceed with his investigations despite the misgivings of some FIFA members. It is very clear. We, the executive committee, had proposed to congress to establish an ethical committee and I would not consider taking that responsibility away from Mr Garcia.. I had a very good talk with him and a chance to tell him what I knew of the elections. I had, of course, nothing to hide. AFP

LONDON

IN PICTURES

The boys of summer return: Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox waits to bat against the Baltimore Orioles during Opening Day in Baltimore on March 31. Photo: AFP

www.mmtimes.com

Sport 67

A skateboarder competes at BEHS 1 in Latha township on March 30. Photo: Aung Htay Hlaing

Pacquiao-Mayweather super ght could still happen, Roach says

Six months after losing to the American, Pacquiao was knocked out in the sixth round by Mexicos Marquez in the fourth bout between the two. If Pacquiao beats Bradley and Marquez beats American Mike Alvarado in May, a fth Pacquiao-Marquez ght could be on the cards. Im not thinking about the next ght, Pacquiao said. Im thinking about this ght. However, Pacquiao can never escape speculation about a matchup with unbeaten Mayweather. In late 2009 and early 2010, Pacquiao and Mayweather were considered the worlds top pound-for-pound ghters and record prots were expected from a showdown. But a disagreement over pre-ght blood testing scuttled talks. Mayweather vowed never again to do business with Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, but the subject never goes away. Ive thought about it so much, Ive had dreams about that ght, Roach said. While he added that it seems to be getting further away instead of closer, Roach said that he thought it would happen simply because there are so few big-draw opponents for Mayweather and Pacquiao as they seek to extend their careers and cement their legacies. The pools very small for both guys, Roach said. Somewhere theyre going to have to ght each other. Roach thinks meeting Pacquiao has become more important for Mayweather. At 45-0 with 26 knockouts, the 37-year-old Mayweather is approaching the 46-0 career mark of retired Welsh star Joe Calzaghe and the iconic 49-0 mark of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. But Roach said that unbeaten record loses some gloss without a Pacquiao ght on it. His record looks good, but if hes so good, why didnt he ght Pacquiao? Roach asked. In the meantime, Pacquiao is calmly getting on with the business of preparing for Bradley, who has twice defended the title he won from Pacquiao and taken his record to 31-0 with 12 knockouts. In his only ght of 2013 Pacquiao defeated Brandon Rios to take his record to 55-5 with two draws and 38 knockouts. Asked if there was anything he saw from Bradley in their rst ght that concerned him, Pacquiao thought for a moment, and said, No, nothing. AFP

LOS ANGELES

Skaters hope for a new skate park in Yangon

KyAw ZIN HlAINg kyawzinhlaing91@gmail.com SKATEBOARDERS and rollerbladers packed Basic Education High School 1 in Latha township last week to take part in a nationwide skate compeition for the second year. The tournament, organised by the Myanmar Skate Association, featured two events, racing and a freestyle jam session on March 30. Organisers said that they hoped the event would raise awareness about their sports and push the Ministry of Sport to construct a proper skate park in Yangon. There was a skate park in front of the Thuwanna football stadium but it was destroyed, said Ko Thit, a member of the Myanmar Skate Associations executive council. We have asked the Ministry of Sports to build a skate park in Yangon, because the property prices are too high for us to do it ourselves, he said. We want to be recognised as an official sport. Kyaw Zin Thant took the gold medal in the jam session for senior skaters. Zaw Myo Aung earned the top spot in the junior jam session.

RAINER Freddie Roach says avenging losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez are the top items on Manny Pacquiaos to-do list, but believes the Filipino will one day face Floyd Mayweather. But Hall of Fame trainer Roach said Pacquiaos legacy depends more on turning the tables on the two opponents who beat him in 2012 than on a belated, late-career tilt at Mayweather. In the history books you have to avenge your losses, you have to avenge your losses in life, Roach said on April 2 at his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, where Pacquiaos media workout drew a throng. Pacquiao, the former world champion in eight weight divisions, will get his shot at retribution against Bradley in Las Vegas on April 12. Both ghters are calling it a chance for redemption, after Bradley beat Pacquiao by a controversial split decision in June 2012 a bout that many observers thought Pacquiao had dominated. We feel we got robbed in the last ght now we need to be sure that we get the victory, said Pacquiao, 35, who will be ghting to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown he surrendered to Bradley.

Sport
68 THE MYANMAR TIMES APRIL 7 - 13, 2014
MATT ROeBUCk matt.d.roebuck@googlemail.com

SPORT EDITOR: Tim McLaughlin | timothy.mclaughlin3@gmail.com

Skaters hoping for government help for park

SPORT 67

Sixes tournament looks to put Myanmar cricket on the map

Players hope the recent competition will boost interest in the game

S Myanmars neighbours Bangladesh conclude their hosting of a major worldwide cricketing competition for the rst time, the Myanmar Cricket Federation (MCF) recently held their own fortnight-long tournament which is hoped to have moved the country a little closer to hosting international cricket in the near future. Although the T20 Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle of what is generally considered the shortest format of the occasionally limitless or ve days at least - long game, Myanmar went one step further hosting the Yangon Sixes, a six-a-side trial tournament of the normally 11-a-side game. Lasting only ve overs thirty balls for each side this format of the sport should all be over with in less than an hour, including time for refreshments at the change of innings. The Bangladeshi-born coach of the Myanmar national side, Ashruq Bappy, explained to The Myanmar Times that MCF has told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that they would like to invite other national sides to conduct at least one international tournament per year but that this is impossible without two grounds. Cricket in Myanmar has recently suffered a setback as the privately owned Pun Hlaing Oval, next to the Pun Hlaing Golf Course, has seen its last season and will be the site of a new school building. Hosting sixes tournaments makes touring Myanmar more realistic, Bappy said. Only so many teams can bring a full squad here. Hotels are so expensive. There are far more touring sixes sides in Bangladesh, Thailand, Singa-

Players prepare for the opening card flip prior to the Myanmar sixes tournament in Yangon. Photo: Matt Roebuck

pore and of course Hong Kong. With a sixes tournament we can play at one location and complete it within three days. We can offer a package to international touring sides to play cricket and discover Myanmar. The Hong Kong Sixes have a past of commercial success and international television audiences after attracting world-class players such as Shane Warne and Brian Larato the smallersided game. The 2014 Yangon Sixes is a rst step on the road to hosting international competition. We are testing the sixes format for the rst time with local players, Bappy said. It is hoped that these international sixes competitions will in themselves be test events for full-scale international competition which will be made

possible by the proposed privately owned pitch or pitches to be built at the new Star City development. Ironing out the kinks with a test event is obviously a sensible move in the development of any sporting competition; the Olympics hold a test event for every discipline to be held at a games and with good reason. The Myanmar Cricket Federations (MCF) found their rst challenge of the tournament right from the toss. What to do in an economy that does not use coinage in day-to-day transactions? Well, all were thankful for the recent adoption of debit cards as the captains found themselves choosing between the embossed or the signature side of a Visa card. The rst game in Group B played at

the Pun Hlaing Oval also led to confusion as a run out off the last ball for the Irrawaddy Cricket Club saw them draw with Ariston A but the former took only a single point for the losing draw and the latter secureda winning draw and two points by virtue of having lost fewer wickets; a divergence from the regular format of tournament cricket. Ariston A were joined by the Myanmar Indians Cricket Club A in qualifying from Group B and went on to rather confusingly meet Myanmar Indians Cricket Club B and Ariston B from Group A respectively to compete in the semi-nal and nals at the MCFs Shwe Pin Lon National Cricket Ground in South Dagon township. Finals day came with a fair sense of drama.

MICC B rst defeated Ariston A after chasing down Aristons 56 all out for the loss of just two wickets. The second game courted controversy however; this time MICC A batted rst, putting on 65 runs in their ve overs. In the last over of Ariston Bs reply, the batting side was closing in on the score when the bowler clearly delivered a high no ball. Members of the MICC B team objected and Bappy was required to mediate events pitch-side. After calming down, the game continued only for the bowler to bowl yet another illegal delivery. It was however still all within MICC As control as the Ariston side still required three runs from the nal ball of the game. The batter failed to clear the boundary with his shot and it ran to a corner of the eld where three runs would be a tight squeeze as the elder closed in. It should have been a run too far but once the ball was returned to the wicketkeeper, he failed to gather the ball cleanly and attempted to paddle the ball into the stumps rather than collecting it and removing the bails. He missed and the Ariston batsmen completed the nal run to win the game. It was at this point that a player from the spectating and victorious in the rst game of the day MICC B, once again loudly lodged his complaint, storming onto the eld. The team chose to withdraw from the nal and Ariston B received a walkover in the nal to become the rst Yangon Sixes champions. April 13 will see a team from Melbourne, including members of the famous Melbourne Cricket Club, visit Myanmar to take on the national side in a T20 game of cricket. They will arrive in Yangon following their participation in a Sixes tournament in Thailand.