Myanmar Morning News For June 18

Myanmar punishes 16 “fake reporters“
Myanmar authorities have taken legal action against some 16 people for extortion and unlawful acts disguised as special reporters and crime reporters, according to Ministry of Home Affairs.
— Khmer Times

China wants to restart disputed Myitsone dam in Myanmar
If a recent article in the Global Times, a semi-official Chinese publication, is anything to go by, China has not given up hope of restarting its hydroelectric power project at Myitsone in northern Myanmar.
— Asia Times

Myanmar reforms investment commission
Myanmar reformed its Investment Commission with 13 members and the Minister at the Office of the Government U Thaung Tun was appointed as chairman, said a government’s order issued late Saturday.
— Xinhua Net

Upgrading Myanmar’s internet connection
In 2010, internet penetration in Myanmar was less than 0.3 per cent of the population, amounting to a mere 130,000 users.
— East Asia Forum

Myanmar to construct national water resources committee center with WB loan
Myanmar has borrowed 10 million US dollars’ loan from the World Bank to construct the headquarters of the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC), the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported this week.
— Mizzima

A new deal for oil and gas
THE GOVERNMENT is reviewing the structure of its contracts with energy companies amid warnings that the present fiscal terms are deterring investment, particularly in riskier or marginal projects.
— Frontier Myanmar

Tourist arrivals hit around 1.5 m in five months
Till May of this year, the number of tourist arrivals reached around 1.5 million, a 2-per-cent decline compared with the same period last year, according to the figures released by Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.
— Eleven Myanmar

Local partners, greater mobile coverage spurs iflix in Myanmar
Greenlee said in an interview that Myanmar has demonstrated huge potential since the firm launched the nation’s first international SVOD (subscription video on demand) service in March 2017.
— The Nation

Japanese brewery gave donation to Myanmar army chief during Rohingya crisis
The Japanese government has been urged to investigate “immoral” payments, made by a subsidiary of one of the country’s most popular breweries, that appear to have gone to Myanmar’s military.
— The Guardian

Why the UN Deal With Myanmar Ignores Rohingya Realities
Conditions are nowhere near ready for Rohingya to return in safety and dignity.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

Rohingya refugees mark first Eid since Myanmar crackdown
As Muslims around the world celebrated Eid with feasting and gift-giving, Rohingya refugees in squalid Bangladesh camps marked the festival Saturday with a peaceful demonstration demanding justice and dignified repatriation.
— Channel NewsAsia

$82m lawsuit takes shine from nation’s biggest gold miner
THE NATION’s biggest gold-mining company is in big trouble. A contract between National Prosperity Co Ltd and the government has been cancelled by the Ministry of National Resources and Environmental Conservation.
— Frontier Myanmar

Myanmar earns US$538 M from CMP garment export
Myanmar earned US$538 million from CMP garment export and US$433 million from natural gas export in April and May, according to Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar

Thura Shwe Mann always bears a licensed gun
Legal Affairs and Special Cases Review and Analysis Committee Chairman Thura Shwe Mann says he carries a licensed gun for self defence in case of potential danger.
— Burma News International

Lower House approves proposal to fight ARSA-organized terrorist acts together with international organizations and provide enough security in Rakhine
Lower House parliament approved a proposal to fight against terrorism committed by ARSA terrorists in 2016 and 2017 in cooperation with international organizations in accord with Anti-Terrorism Law and provide enough security in Rakhine State.
— Eleven Myanmar

Analysis: Where Some See Respect, Ethnic Groups See Burmanization and Loss of Rights
During peace discussions with the public in Mon State on Thursday, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said using Burmese style honorific titles allowed the speaker to show respect to the person they were talking to and it was thus a good thing.
— The Irrawaddy

China suspends rice imports from Myanmar after bank freezes
Chinese merchants have suspended its rice imports from China-Myanmar border after a freeze on bank accounts of merchants, said Than Oo, secretary of Bayintnaung Rice Brokerage Center.
— Eleven Myanmar

Flooding Kills at Least Five in Magway, Displaces Thousands in Rakhine
As the beginning of the monsoon season brings heavy rain and winds across Myanmar, many parts of the country have experienced floods and landslides in recent weeks, leaving villagers displaced and homes destroyed.
— The Irrawaddy

UEC completes compilation of voter lists for by-election
Union Election Commission has compiled the lists of eligible voters for the coming by-election, Myint Naing, a spokesperson of Union Election Commission told the Daily Eleven.
— Eleven Myanmar

[OPINION] Myanmar is now erasing the Rohingya’s very name
The tragedy of the Rohingya Muslims of Burma began with the forced expulsion of more than a half-million Rohingya people from northern Rakhine state to neighboring Bangladesh, a brutal army operation undertaken in response to an attack from a Rohingya militant group.
— Rappler

Please stop Myitsone project completely
The Global Times, which reflects the Chinese government’s views, posted an article titled “Relaunching Myitsone Hydropower dam could win investor confidence in Myanmar” on its website on June 14.
— Eleven Myanmar

Feature photo Marcela Tokatjian

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Myanmar morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Myanmar news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Myanmar Morning News For June 18 added by Leakhena Khat on June 18, 2018
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.