Youth activists have delivered a 30,000-signature petition to the Thai embassy in Yangon protesting against the guilty verdict and death sentence handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers. A number of organisations have worked together to channel widespread anger against the findings of the Thai court in the Koh Tao murder and rape case that claimed the lives of two British holidaymakers on the island.
Organiser Ko Thiha Maung Maung told The Myanmar Times yesterday that representatives of the youth movements had not been able to speak directly to the Thai ambassador, but had asked local police to ensure its delivery.
“We went there last week, but the embassy was closed. We have now sent in our petition via the police, but we have not yet had the chance to relay the voice of the Myanmar people directly to the ambassador. We are calling for justice for the two young Myanmar workers Ko Win Zaw Tun and Ko Zaw Lin,” he said, adding that copies of the petition had been sent to President U Thein Sein and the British embassy. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Fine line between FOC and corruption
What do international standards and business ethics guidelines say about this? They do not ban companies from making contributions in cash or kind to political parties. In-kind contributions could include the provision to political parties of free-of-charge facilities, such as use of meeting places or corporate jets, or paid leave-of-absence for an employee to campaign on behalf of a party. Corporate contributions fund election campaigns in many countries, not least the United States.
The “Business Principles for Countering Bribery” published by Transparency International (TI), the leading global NGO working on corruption, state that if a business wants to make a contribution to a political party, it is important that this decision is made according to local law, which in some countries imposes disclosure requirements or an upper limit on political contributions. The contribution should be recorded in writing, undertaken openly, and ideally published in annual reports or some other form. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The “Business Principles for Countering Bribery” published by Transparency International (TI), the leading global NGO working on corruption, state that if a business wants to make a contribution to a political party, it is important that this decision is made according to local law, which in some countries imposes disclosure requirements or an upper limit on political contributions. The contribution should be recorded in writing, undertaken openly, and ideally published in annual reports or some other form. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
UK defence chief makes Myanmar visit
The National League for Democracy posted pictures on Facebook of the general’s meeting in parliament with the NLD leader who is in the process of forming the next government. It gave no details of their discussion.
The head of the UK armed forces is also due to meet U Nyan Tun, vice president and former navy chief, and senior military officials during his two-day visit which is part of a high-level dialogue between the UK military and the Tatmadaw. The talks follow a recent leadership course carried out by the UK military academy Sandhurst for senior Tatmadaw officers in Nay Pyi Taw.
Although the two countries are developing military contacts after decades of estrangement, observers said the new engagement would not involve talks on arms sales. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
The head of the UK armed forces is also due to meet U Nyan Tun, vice president and former navy chief, and senior military officials during his two-day visit which is part of a high-level dialogue between the UK military and the Tatmadaw. The talks follow a recent leadership course carried out by the UK military academy Sandhurst for senior Tatmadaw officers in Nay Pyi Taw.
Although the two countries are developing military contacts after decades of estrangement, observers said the new engagement would not involve talks on arms sales. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Magnitude 6.8 quake hits near India-Myanmar border
NDRF teams have been deployed in the worst-hit Tamenglong district of Manipur, which was the epicentre of the quake, while another is on standby in Silchar in Assam.
Authorities in India's Manipur state where the quake was centered said another 70 people had been injured by the quake, which damaged buildings in capital Imphal.
The USGS website showed user-submitted reports of moderate to strong ground shaking from many locations in the far eastern part of India as well as parts of neighboring Bangladesh, which lies west of the quake's epicenter. However, it did not cause any damage. Electricity connection was cut off in the state soon after the quake.
Indian Home Ministry spokesman Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia told CNN that 43 people had been injured in addition to the 6 deaths in Manipur and that residential and government buildings had been damaged in Imphal. (Courtesy of theindianrepublic.com)
Authorities in India's Manipur state where the quake was centered said another 70 people had been injured by the quake, which damaged buildings in capital Imphal.
The USGS website showed user-submitted reports of moderate to strong ground shaking from many locations in the far eastern part of India as well as parts of neighboring Bangladesh, which lies west of the quake's epicenter. However, it did not cause any damage. Electricity connection was cut off in the state soon after the quake.
Indian Home Ministry spokesman Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia told CNN that 43 people had been injured in addition to the 6 deaths in Manipur and that residential and government buildings had been damaged in Imphal. (Courtesy of theindianrepublic.com)
IFC to provide $25m funding for Myanmar’s largest retail group City Mart
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private lending arm has signed for a $25 million loan to be provided to City Mart Holding Company Limited (CMHL), the largest private retail group in Myanmar, to finance the expansion of the retail business in the country.
Currently, CMHL has over 150 retail outlets in the country and plans to construct about 20 more supermarkets and hypermarkets over the next three years.
It’s plans are “to increase its purchases from domestic suppliers six fold, reaching around $150 million by 2021, and create nearly 4000 new jobs, half of which will be for women,” according to the filing.
IFC hopes that CMHL’s expansion in the retail sector in the country, will help create jobs, develop supply chain and logistics infrastructure and support smaller businesses. (Courtesy of DealStreetAsia)
Currently, CMHL has over 150 retail outlets in the country and plans to construct about 20 more supermarkets and hypermarkets over the next three years.
It’s plans are “to increase its purchases from domestic suppliers six fold, reaching around $150 million by 2021, and create nearly 4000 new jobs, half of which will be for women,” according to the filing.
IFC hopes that CMHL’s expansion in the retail sector in the country, will help create jobs, develop supply chain and logistics infrastructure and support smaller businesses. (Courtesy of DealStreetAsia)
Hackers Attack Websites of Thai Police to Protest against Verdicts for Murder of British
Softpedia published news on 5th January, 2016, stating that two British tourists namely David Miller aged 24 and Hannah Witheridge aged 23 were killed on Thai Island of Koh Tao on 15th September, 2014.
Soon after the murder, Thai police arrested two migrant workers from Myanmar namely Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin, whom Thai court judged death sentence in December 2015. Subsequently, hackers attacked websites of Thai police on 5th January, 2016, protesting the trial of those two migrant workers.
The unidentified international hacking group wrote on its Facebook page that 14 websites of Thai police had been attacked. 9 websites, out of those it listed, were not accessible on 5th January, 2016. (Courtesy of spamfighter.com)
Soon after the murder, Thai police arrested two migrant workers from Myanmar namely Wai Phyo and Zaw Lin, whom Thai court judged death sentence in December 2015. Subsequently, hackers attacked websites of Thai police on 5th January, 2016, protesting the trial of those two migrant workers.
The unidentified international hacking group wrote on its Facebook page that 14 websites of Thai police had been attacked. 9 websites, out of those it listed, were not accessible on 5th January, 2016. (Courtesy of spamfighter.com)
NLD says forming a government not easy
The National League for Democracy held a leadership meeting yesterday to discuss appointments to the government, with a spokesperson admitting the process was facing “difficulties” and that an anxious public should not expect early answers.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chaired the three-hour meeting of 15 members of the party’s central executive committee at her home in Nay Pyi Taw’s Ottarathiri township.
The NLD has come under fire for its brusque treatment of the media with criticism that it is failing to live up to its own declared standards of transparency. Yesterday the party did not hold a formal press conference and the NLD leader did not speak to the media. However, a spokesperson did answer some questions from waiting reporters.
“We discussed forming the government. But no decision was made. That’s why I can’t disclose details about our meeting,” U Nyan Win said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi chaired the three-hour meeting of 15 members of the party’s central executive committee at her home in Nay Pyi Taw’s Ottarathiri township.
The NLD has come under fire for its brusque treatment of the media with criticism that it is failing to live up to its own declared standards of transparency. Yesterday the party did not hold a formal press conference and the NLD leader did not speak to the media. However, a spokesperson did answer some questions from waiting reporters.
“We discussed forming the government. But no decision was made. That’s why I can’t disclose details about our meeting,” U Nyan Win said. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
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