Myanmar morning news for May 23

Myanmar reporter detained without charge since May 15
Myanmar authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Nanda, a broadcast reporter with the local privately owned Channel Mandalay TV news station, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
— CPJ

Myanmar to call international tender for power delivery
Myanmar will hold an international tender for gas to be delivered to the country via floating power plant to generate the electricity required to meet rising demand in Yangon by summer 2020, a senior official from the Ministry of Energy and Electricity (MOEE) told The Myanmar Times.
— Myanmar Times

‘They want to grow their armies’: Shan armed groups obstruct family planning efforts
Shan armed groups are accused of obstructing family planning programmes so as to ensure more recruits for their armies, at the expense of women’s health.
— Frontier Myanmar

Night curfew extended in Mon-Myanmar border
The Mon District Magistrate & Deputy Commissioner, Thavaseelan K issued an order today promulgating prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC for enforcement of night curfew from 10:00pm to 3:00am in the 3 km belt along the Indo-Myanmar Border under Mon District.
— Morung Express

Budget Transparency Replacing Budget Secrecy in Myanmar
Myanmar’s ruling Union Revolutionary Council, led by General Ne Win, published the country’s first public budget report in 1963/64 fiscal year, with the title Pyi Thu Thot A Si Yin Khan Sar, or Citizen’s Report.
— Asia foundation

Myanmar’s future must be peace
Myanmar has an identity crisis. At the very heart of its conflict, which has stretched over 70 years since independence, is a conflict over identity.
— UCA News

Myanmar president urges for proper preparation of upcoming general election
Myanmar President U Win Myint has urged for proper preparation of the holding of a free and fair general election in 2020, according to the Union Election Commission (UEC) Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Advanced income tax on imports, exports reinstated after one year
Companies involved in imports and exports will be required to pay an advanced income tax (AIT) of 2 percent from May 1, according to Notification 38/2019 issued by the Ministry of Planning and Finance on April 8.
— Myanmar Times

Myitsone Dam project poses no threat to Myanmar-China ties: Chinese envoy
The Myanmar government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), has agreed with China to seek a solution to the controversial Myitsone dam project that will satisfy both sides, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang said on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Government, business persons hold 27th regular monthly meeting in Yangon
The Private Sector Development Committee (PSDC) led by Vice President U Myint Swe, and business persons held the 27th regular meeting in Yangon yesterday and they discussed development of Taninthayi Region, livestock sector, sugar and other value-added products and mobile phones sectors.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

MRTV Made False Statement on Disrupted Parliamentary Coverage: Minister
Information minister dismisses claim that military lawmaker’s comments were cut off due to technical error, says probe under way.
— Irrawaddy

Mandalay to build textile industry park
A textile industry park will be established in Mandalay city, U Zaw Myint Maung, chief minister of Mandalay Region, said on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Chairman of Union Election Commission receives Vision 2020 civil society organizations
The Chairman of the Union Election Commission received civil society organizations included in Vision 2020, at the Union Election Commission office, yesterday at 10 a.m. During the meeting, the Chairman urged the group on Vision 2020 to promote the participation of women in the 2020 elections.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar national theater to be upgraded with Chinese aid
A ceremony to launch the renovation work of Myanmar National Theater in the commercial city of Yangon with Chinese aid was held Tuesday at the theater.
— China.org

TV & Broadcasting Bylaw Revision, Drafting Committee holds third coord meeting
The third coordination meeting of the Committee for Revision and Drafting Bylaws on Television and Broadcasting Law was held at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar: Ensuring a safer and cleaner living environment in the most densely populated area
Along with many of its neighbors, also Myanmar is forced to face many disasters including earthquakes, cyclones and flooding. The Hlaing Thar Yar Township on the outskirts of its capital Yangon is particularly vulnerable to both natural and man-made hazards.
— Reliefweb

Foreign Countries Behind Myitsone Dam Opposition: Chinese Ambassador
Outgoing envoy says unnamed ‘forces’ are creating misunderstanding about the controversial project in a bid to undermine China-Myanmar relations.
— Irrawaddy

Yangon International Airport’s FOD Campaign
Yangon International Airport recently completed a campaign to clear the airport runways and surrounding areas of debris.
— Myanmar Times

Four More US Citizens Wanted in Connection with Mandalay Marijuana Plantation
One US and two Myanmar citizens were detained in April, while a fourth person, a US citizen went on the run. Now, the court is searching for four more.
— Irrawaddy

Civilians Suffer Landmine Injuries in N. Rakhine
The victims were part of a group collecting timber in an area of Kyauktaw Township where the military had fought with the Arakan Army two months previously.
— Irrawaddy

Telenor Myanmar and Myanmar Metropolitan College to offer MBA scholarship
The scholarship will be jointly provided by Telenor Myanmar and Myanmar Metropolitan College (MMC). The winners of MBA will have a chance to study MBA course in Strategic ICT Management and general MBA programme from the University of Business and International Studies in Switzerland which is affiliated with Myanmar Metropolitan College (MMC).
— Eleven Myanmar

Opening, Awarding Ceremony of “Beauty of Mekong” art exhibition held in Yangon
Opening and Awarding Ceremony of “Beauty of Mekong” art exhibition which marks the 10th anniversary of Mekong – Japan Friendship was held at National Theater on Pyay Road in Yangon. During the event, Union Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture said that the pact initially started with .
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Bank Manager Demanded Bribe from Farmers Seeking Loan, ACC Sa
Agency sues Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank executive for seeking 700,000 kyats from Irrawaddy Division farmers
— Irrawaddy

Police Fire Tear Gas to Disperse Crowds After Indonesia Confirms President’s Re-election
Tensions are high in the Indonesian capital as re-elected President Widodo’s opponent claims widespread cheating in the April elections.
— Irrawaddy

Furniture – Is Second-hand Better?
Myanmar’s hotels and government buildings are full of locally crafted, impressive teak furniture. Public interest in-newly made local furniture, however, may be declining. For many who still don’t like modern imports, the second-hand market may be the way to go.
— Myanmar Times

AA Says Army Captain Killed in Clash; Military Denies Claim
Ethnic armed group displays Army ID card of the captain, while friends mourn his death on social media
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar urged to drop charges against journalist
‘Vague’ provisions of Unlawful Associations Act pose a sustained threat to human rights defenders, says rights group
— AA

Myanmar prepares to compete in Arnis in SEA Games
Myanmar Thaing Federation is preparing to compete in Arnis in 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
— Myanmar Times

State Counsellor says she wishes to see better Myanmar students
The State Counsellor has urged students to be smarter than students from other countries not only in academia but also in morality and character.
— Mizzima

Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung meets US Ambassador
Union Minister for Transport and Communications, U Thant Sin Maung received a delegation led by US Ambassador Mr. Scot Marciel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Yangon Municipality Requests $1M for Official Cars Amid Mounting Urban Woes
Lawmaker U Kyaw Zay Ya has denounced the request, saying, “It’s a shame for the YCDC to focus on cars rather than city development projects for the betterment of the people.”
— Irrawaddy

8th Indo – Myanmar Coordinated Patrol
Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Inlay (OPV-54) have arrived Port Blair on 20 May for the ‘Opening Ceremony’ of the 8th Indo-Myanmar coordinated patrol (IMCOR), at Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Myanmar delegation led by Commodore Htein Win, Commander, Ayeyarwady Naval Command, called on Cmde Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander on 20 May 19.
— Clipper28

Feature photo Plan Bee

This week’s morning news photo features World Bee Day, May 20.

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.