Myanmar morning news for September 20

Yangon plans logistics hub, truck terminal to ease congestion
Yangon is planning to build a logistics hub and truck terminal in the outskirts of the city to ease traffic congestion and provide enough parking space for trucks, said Yangon Region Planning and Finance Minister U Myint Thaung at the regional parliament.
— Myanmar Times

UN’s Myanmar Rights Envoy Urges Aung San Suu Kyi to ‘Open Your Eyes’
An appeal by a United Nations envoy on human rights to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to stop ignoring the situation of persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh and those still living in the Southeast Asian country drew swift rebukes from Myanmar officials on Wednesday.
— Radio Free Asia

Govt to focus on supporting growth of digital economy, telecoms infrastructure
A senior government official says that the government is set to focus on supporting the digital economy next year.
— Myanmar Times

Yangon Govt Submits New Regional Planning Bill With 149 projects
Yangon’s planning bill for the next fiscal year prompts questions among some lawmakers about the details of the plans.
— Irrawaddy

Nay Pyi Taw hospital project: Farmers get over K99.5 mln in compensation
The authorities on 19 September disbursed over K99.5 million in compensation for 98.36 acres of farmland, which is being used to implement the Nay Pyi Taw 1,000-bed General Hospital project, at the General Administration Department Office hall in Zabuthiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Ministry plans to take 100m USD loan for all-inclusive quality education projects
Ministry of Education will take a loan of 100 million US dollars from the World Bank’s IDA for the implementation of all-inclusive quality education programs, said Union Minister for Education Dr. Myo Thein Gyi who explained the proposal sent by the President at the session of Union Parliament on September 17.
— Eleven Myanmar

Yangon GDP expected to hit 8.9 pc next fy
The GDP is expected to hit 8.9 per cent in Yangon for the 2019-20 fiscal year, said Myint Thaung, Yangon Region Minister for Planning and Finance, at the regular session of Yangon Region Parliament on September 18.
— Eleven Myanmar

World Bank loan sought for education program
A loan of 100 million U.S. dollars from the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) is being sought in Myanmar’s Union Parliament, Xinhua reported.
— Mizzima

Govt bans production, sale of e-cigarettes, cites health hazards; ordinance soon
The Union Government on Wednesday banned production and sale of e-cigarettes stating that the habit has affected youth the most.
— Eleven Myanmar

Brexit could impact Myanmar’s garment industry – Official
The Information and Public Relations Department under the Ministry of Information yesterday organized a talk on Brexit titled ‘Brexit or Inception of Grieves?’ state media reported.
— Mizzima

Russia offers to help Myanmar with digital legislation, e-govt
Russia on Wednesday offered to support Myanmar on the digital front, with proposals to help the country draft its first cyber security law, build e-government platforms and develop smart cities.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Military MPs Submit Bill to Bar Citizens with Foreign Ties from Top Govt. Posts
A group of military-appointed legislators in Myanmar have submitted a draft bill for a constitutional amendment that would limit the foreign familial connections of those holding high-level government positions, expanding the scope of a measure the army used to keep Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president.
— Radio Free Asia

High-value jade, gems on auction block at market
High-priced jade and gems are up for auction at the ongoing 95th Myanmar Gem Emporium in Nay Pyi Taw, including raw jade with a floor price of €5 million (K8.40 billion), officials said.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Permanent Representative makes rebuttal statements to Special Rapporteur and FFM at interactive dialogues
Myanmar Permanent Representative U Kyaw Moe Tun made rebuttal Statements on the non-constructive remarks by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar and irresponsible reports by the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) at the interactive Dialogues which were held on 16-17 September 2019.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chinese Charm Offensive Aims to Win Support for Giant Pipelines in Myanmar
China is screening pro-Chinese movies along the route of the proposed oil and gas pipelines to Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State.
— Irrawaddy

Thailand says it has 600 remains of Myanmar workers
The remains of over 1000 migrant workers, including 600 from Myanmar who have died in Thailand during the past 15 years, remain unclaimed, a Thai official said.
— Myanmar Times

Shan State has 46 small power plant projects: Regional Energy Minister
There are 46 mini hydropower projects being implemented in Shan State under the supervision of the Shan State Government Committee, says Sai Shan Tit Lone, Minister of Electricity, Energy and Industry of the Shan State Government.
— Eleven Myanmar

IKBZ Insurance restructures to incorporate life options
IKBZ Insurance on Tuesday announced the launch of IKBZ Life, a new insurance company fully dedicated to life insurance products, in compliance with regulations by the Insurance Business Regulatory Board (IBRB).
— Myanmar Times

DCA negotiates with Defence Ministry for reduction in use of Yangon International Airport for military purpose
The Department of Civil Aviation negotiated with Defence Ministry for a reduction in use of Yangon International Airport for military purpose, according to the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA).
— Eleven Myanmar

Chinese citizens holding fake IDs arrested in Nay Pyi Taw
Three Chinese citizens were arrested in Nay Pyi Taw for possessing fake identity cards at this year’s Gems Emporium, according to sources.
— Eleven Myanmar

Muslims seek re-opening of eight Mandalay mosques
Muslim residents have sought permission to reopen eight mosques in Mandalay that were closed six years ago, encouraged by the recent fence-mending efforts of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing with non-Buddhist religions in the country.
— Myanmar Times

Local fuel prices continue to rise
Local fuel prices have continued to increase by K35 to K40 per liter in three days as global oil prices reach around US$62 per barrel, according to local filling stations.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar Build and Decor 2019 to showcase over 70 companies
The Myanmar Build and Decor 2019 will be held from 3 to 5 October at the Fortune Plaza in Tharkayta Township, Yangon Region.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory General Manager’s Corruption Hearing Delayed
Remand for detained chief of Burma Pharmaceutical Industry in Yangon extended to Oct. 2.
— Irrawaddy

Indonesia, Myanmar discuss cooperation in foodstuff, textile, service sectors
Discussion is underway between Indonesian and Myanmar businesspeople to cooperate in foodstuff, textile and service industries, according to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
— Eleven Myanmar

Mandalay minister sees no merriment in memes, files lawsuit
Defamation suits from National League for Democracy members looking to silence their critics are nothing new in Myanmar, but this particular lawsuit appears to be breaking new ground. Mandalay Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung is taking two Facebook users to court over memes.
— Coconuts

Most businesses in Myanmar not disaster-ready, experts say
Most businesses in Myanmar are not prepared for natural disasters that hit the country every year, such as drought, cyclones, landslides and floods, experts said.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar commander-in-chief visits, donates to non-Buddhists
Yesterday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his entourage visited Muslims and Hindus from Yangon. According to analysts, the Army is trying to clean up its image after the Rohingya crisis. In 2020, Myanmar citizens will take part in the second elections since the end of the dictatorship.
— Asia News

Action to end Myanmar war crimes urged
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (aka Forum-Asia), Progressive Voice and the Karen Human Rights Group are calling on member and observer states of the UN Human Rights Council to take concrete action to ensure justice and accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes perpetrated against ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar.
— Asia Times

Myanmar still have 2000 wild elephants
According to the seminar on combating illegal trafficking of wildlife and their parts, there are 2000 wild elephants and 3000 tamed elephants in Myanmar.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar must answer for its crimes
The lack of concrete action from the international community to bring to book those responsible for the Rohingya crisis so far has indeed been a great shame, but it is good to see that the United Nations is finally making some decisive moves on the matter.
— Dhaka Tribune

Karen Martyrs’ Day Case Shows Ethnic Rights in Retreat Under Present Myanmar Govt
The case against three Karen activists for using the word ‘Martyr’ sends a negative signal to all ethnic communities in Myanmar.
— Irrawaddy

VP U Myint Swe visits Chinese automobile factories
The Myanmar delegation to China led by Vice President U Myint Swe travelled from Nanning to Liuzhou yesterday and visited the automobile factories of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co, Ltd. and SAIC GM Wu Ling Automobile.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

India Technical and Economic Cooperation-ITEC Day observed in Nay Pyi Taw
A ceremony to observe the India Technical and Economic Cooperation-ITEC Day was held at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Three Japanese companies to take part in Yangon-Mandalay Railway Project Phase 1 as main contractor
Three Japanese companies are going to take part in upgrading the Phase-One of Yangon-Mandalay Railway Project as main contractors and A1, Shwetaung, Dagon and Max from Myanmar as sub-contractors, according to Myanma Railways.
— Eleven Myanmar

Ethnic Chin Oppose Plan for Statue of Myanmar Independence Hero
Chin State residents said a government plan to build a statue of General Aung San is wrong as long as ethnic conflict continues.
— Irrawaddy

When Monks Led a Revolution in Myanmar
On This Day in 2007, Buddhist monks in cities around Myanmar held protests against the military government that lasted for weeks and became the Saffron Revolution.
— Irrawaddy

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approves 2019 Union Government Tax Bill
The 25th-day meeting of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 13th Regular Session was held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

A cradle of local tech innovation
Phandeeyar, which means “creation place,” is a centre for innovation in Myanmar where ideas come to life. The company, which came into being in 2014, invests in local technology start-ups, trains new entrepreneurs and builds the pool of local tech talent.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar practises nominal democracy: Arakanese youths say
Headed by Arakanese youths, a discussion titled “Youth and Democracy” was hosted in Sittwe, capital of Arakan state on 15 September, on the occasion of International Day of Democracy.
— BNI Online

Government army successfully seizes Taungyoe Phayagon temporarily stationed by TNLA insurgents
Tatmadaw (defence services) successfully seized Taungyoe Phayagon the insurgents of TNLA had temporarily stationed, at the distance of about 4,000 meters, in the northwest of Namhsan, northern Shan State on September 17.
— Eleven Myanmar

Coord meeting aims to produce ethnic rights strategic plan
A two-day coordination meeting to familiarize the public with the Ethnic Rights Protection Bylaw and initiate drafting of a strategic plan for ethnic rights was held at Mingalar Thiri Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Government and Northern Alliance agree to 7 points in ceasefire talks but yet to be signed
Myanmar government’s National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) and Northern Alliance comprising KIO/KIA, MNTJP/MNDAA, PSLF/TNLA, and ULA/AA have consented to seven points agreement in the ceasefire talks held in Kengtong of Shan State but no signing has been made till now as the four alliance members have no mandate for the same.
— BNI Online

Monywanites investing in properties worth over K100 mln
High-priced properties are selling well these days, with Monywanites investing in properties in the K100-600 million price range in downtown Monywa, said Ko Htay Thein, a real estate agent from Monywa.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Lawmaker Demands Probe Into Civilian Deaths in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
A Rakhine State MP has called for an inquiry into the spiraling number of civilian deaths during clashes between govt troops and the Arakan Army.
— Irrawaddy

Dr Win Myat Aye discusses humanitarian issues with UNHCR rep, Turkish Amb
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye met separately with UNHCR Representative Mr Johan Cels and Turkish Ambassador Mr Haydar Kerem Divanlioglu at his ministry yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Zaw

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on regional parliament houses.

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).

—

About Myanmar morning news.

Myanmar morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Myanmar English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the freshest Myanmar English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Myanmar daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Myanmar news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.00am Naypyitaw time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Myanmar news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Myanmar news article, or keep on reading the remaining Myanmar daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Myanmar English language news today by email before 7.30am Naypyitaw time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.