MPs have approved the controversial Former Presidents' Security Bill days before the Parliament is disbanded.
The Joint Bill Committee yesterday submitted a report to Parliament about disagreements between the Lower and Upper houses over the bill. Parliament approved all 11 points of disagreement between the two houses.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is to take responsibility for ex-presidential security. The original text of the bill said this duty would be shared with the Ministry of Defence. (Courtesy of Eleven Myanmar)
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Aung San Suu Kyi applauds military MPs as Myanmar's parliament ends on celebratory note
The members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party will take their seats for the first time on Monday.
In an address to parliament on Friday, Ms Suu Kyi congratulated her political opponents on "opening the road" for her party, which won a landslide in November elections.
"I believe we can all cooperate for our country and people, whether it is outside or inside the parliament," said Ms Suu Kyi, who was held captive for more than 15 years by the army.
Celebrating the transition and the end of the first term of parliament, the outgoing and incoming politicians from all parties, as well as a military bloc, performed traditional dances, shared food and took pictures in an emotional ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw. (Courtesy of ABC News)
In an address to parliament on Friday, Ms Suu Kyi congratulated her political opponents on "opening the road" for her party, which won a landslide in November elections.
"I believe we can all cooperate for our country and people, whether it is outside or inside the parliament," said Ms Suu Kyi, who was held captive for more than 15 years by the army.
Celebrating the transition and the end of the first term of parliament, the outgoing and incoming politicians from all parties, as well as a military bloc, performed traditional dances, shared food and took pictures in an emotional ceremony in the capital, Naypyidaw. (Courtesy of ABC News)
Myanmar's army-led Parliament calls it a day
With jokes and hugs, karaoke and congratulations across Myanmar's often bitter divides, lawmakers yesterday marked the last day of Parliament, as the country eagerly awaits a new Parliament led by the National League for Democracy (NLD).
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
It was a historic day for Myanmar, which emerged from decades of stifling military rule only five years ago in a calibrated transition that retains wide powers for the military and is beset by scepticism.
Monday's convening of the new Parliament will be even more significant, pulling off a key ingredient of a democracy - peaceful transfer of power following a general election. (Courtesy of The Straits Times)
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi readies for power as her party comes to parliament
They are doctors, poets, teachers, farmers, fishermen. Many are new to politics, and had to receive intensive instruction in law and constitutional matters at the request of democracy champion and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This has been a historic day for the new Burmese MPs – a day the National League for Democracy has been waiting 25 years for.
On Thursday, President Thein Sein, elected five years ago in an contest branded a “farce” by the opposition and the West, said goodbye to the deputies but he’ll remain in office until March.
Although he was appointed by the now dissolved military junta, President Thein Sein, semi-civilian government was the opening of the country. A change that allowed the holding of the historic elections in November last year, the first free elections in the country after half a century of dictatorship. (Courtesy of Euro News)
On Thursday, President Thein Sein, elected five years ago in an contest branded a “farce” by the opposition and the West, said goodbye to the deputies but he’ll remain in office until March.
Although he was appointed by the now dissolved military junta, President Thein Sein, semi-civilian government was the opening of the country. A change that allowed the holding of the historic elections in November last year, the first free elections in the country after half a century of dictatorship. (Courtesy of Euro News)
The Military Readies for Burma’s New Politics
The tenor of President Thein Sein’s farewell speech to the nation did not come as a big surprise.
As expected, the outgoing head of state took credit for setting the country’s democratic transition in motion, for building peace with ethnic armed groups and, of course, for the violence-free and credible general election last November.
The speech appeared to be well-received by the public. Indeed, to many, the sight of the country’s president signing off was a relief; further proof that the transfer of power to an elected National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government remained on track.
The former general who is in his early 70s continues to lead the defeated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), but he won’t stay long. By all reports, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
As expected, the outgoing head of state took credit for setting the country’s democratic transition in motion, for building peace with ethnic armed groups and, of course, for the violence-free and credible general election last November.
The speech appeared to be well-received by the public. Indeed, to many, the sight of the country’s president signing off was a relief; further proof that the transfer of power to an elected National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government remained on track.
The former general who is in his early 70s continues to lead the defeated Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), but he won’t stay long. By all reports, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family. (Courtesy of Irrawaddy)
Friday, January 29, 2016
BGB arrest 32 Rohingya on Bangladesh-Burma border
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested thirty-two Rohingya and one Bangladeshi human trafficker while trying to enter Bangladesh through the entry point of Shapuridip on January 27 early morning, Sayed Hossain, a local from Teknaf said.
They crossed Bangladesh-Burma border by an engine boat to visit their relatives, Syed Hussain added.
On being tipped off, a team of BGB led by Company Commander Gulam Rabbani of Shappuridip BGB-outpost under the Teknaf Battalion No. 2, arrested the Burmese National (Rohingya) after conducting operation at border areas, according to BGB officials.
There were twelve children, six females, eight males and six crews in the boat, the officials more added.
Among the arrestees, six crews and Bangladeshi trafficker were handed over to Teknaf police station for further investigation, according to Lt. Col. Md. Abuzar Al Jahid from Teknaf Battalion No. 2. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
They crossed Bangladesh-Burma border by an engine boat to visit their relatives, Syed Hussain added.
On being tipped off, a team of BGB led by Company Commander Gulam Rabbani of Shappuridip BGB-outpost under the Teknaf Battalion No. 2, arrested the Burmese National (Rohingya) after conducting operation at border areas, according to BGB officials.
There were twelve children, six females, eight males and six crews in the boat, the officials more added.
Among the arrestees, six crews and Bangladeshi trafficker were handed over to Teknaf police station for further investigation, according to Lt. Col. Md. Abuzar Al Jahid from Teknaf Battalion No. 2. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Reduced Rakhine State budget under fire
The incoming Rakhine State parliament will have only half the funds it needs to develop the state, a local MP has complained. The state parliament adopted the 2016-17 budget on January 25, days before it rose to give way to the new parliament elected last November.
But independent MP U Aung Mra Kyaw said the K145 billion budget the outgoing members passed would cripple the state’s attempts at development. MPs had voted down proposals for a K300 billion budget.
At the same time, he said, members had voted nearly K10 million for improvements to the residences of the chief minister and chair of the state parliament and other ministers.
MPs supporting the budget said the cuts were justified because of inflation and the need to balance expenditure and income. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
But independent MP U Aung Mra Kyaw said the K145 billion budget the outgoing members passed would cripple the state’s attempts at development. MPs had voted down proposals for a K300 billion budget.
At the same time, he said, members had voted nearly K10 million for improvements to the residences of the chief minister and chair of the state parliament and other ministers.
MPs supporting the budget said the cuts were justified because of inflation and the need to balance expenditure and income. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
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