Myanmar morning news for January 9, 2020

Military has filed nearly 50 lawsuits against journalists – Athan
Myanmar’s military has filed nearly 50 lawsuits against critical journalists, individuals, and organizations it has accused of defamation during the civilian-led government’s nearly four years in office, a freedom of expression advocacy group said, RFA reported.
— Mizzima

Western Union Cuts Ties to Myanmar Military-Owned Bank
US-based money transfer company Western Union says it will no longer work with military-owned Myawaddy Bank following pressure from human rights organizations.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar-China border trade exceeds a billion dollars in one month
During one month of this fiscal year, the total trade value between Myanmar and China exceeded one billion US dollars with China’s imports reaching nearly 550 million US dollars, according to the Commerce Ministry.
— Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar earns over 39 mln USD from gems, jade sale event
Myanmar earned over 59.4 billion kyats (39.6 million U.S. dollars) from a gems and jade sale event which was concluded on Tuesday, an official of Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE) told media.
— Xinhua

Myanmar Military Detains 2 Unarmed RCSS Members at Public Event in Shan State
RCSS complains to military over detention of two unarmed members attending a community event in southern Shan State.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar leads ASEAN on child rights and protection
Myanmar is the leading country in Southeast Asia in eliminating corporal punishment and child labour following the ratification of a minimum age obligation and passsage of a landmark legislation.
— Myanmar Times

Strained Myanmar-Bangladesh Security Ties in Focus With Border Conference
The engagement spotlighted ongoing efforts by both countries to continue to manage a contentious aspect of their relations.
— The Diplomat

Myanmar’s economy to shine in 2020?
It was reported recently that the ASEAN +3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) had given Myanmar’s economy a positive outlook for the fiscal year of 2019 to 2020, expecting it to expand by 7.1 percent up from 6.8 percent in the previous fiscal year.
— The Asean Post

Traders see little change to fuel prices in the short term
Oil prices have spiked by more than 6 percent since the US killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump on January 3.
— Myanmar Times

Why is most of Asia looking away from Myanmar?
The latest resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly condemning rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups in Myanmar was the third on the subject.
— Khmer Times

Blast kills 4 children in Myanmar’s Rakhine
Four children were killed and five injured alongside their teacher as an explosion hit while they collected firewood in an area of Myanmar’s Rakhine state beset by fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) rebels.
— Mizzima

Marine export earnings increase by 34 million dollars
During three months of this fiscal year, the marine export earnings exceeded 250 million US dollars, up over 34 million US dollars compared with the same period last year, according to the Commerce Ministry.
— Eleven Myanmar

Blocking Access to Spending Report May Violate Myanmar Graft Law, Watchdog Warns Yangon Govt
An independent watchdog monitoring the Yangon government’s performance has warned that the regional administration’s ban on distributing the auditor-general’s report to lawmakers for parliamentary debate could lead to violations of the country’s anti-corruption law.
— Irrawaddy

Over 8,000 YBS drivers issued smart cards
By Nyein Nyein More than 8,000 drivers employed by YBS bus lines have been issued smart cards, said U Aung Nyi Nyi Maw, Managing Director of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

At Myanmar Peace Talks, State Counselor Urges All Parties to Put Country First
At the long-awaited resumption of the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urges all parties to the peace talks to look beyond their own goals.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar authorities worry over fake news in social media
For months now stories have been circulating in social media about alleged abductions of children and a drug that can knock out a person unconscious with a touch on his or her skin.
— Myanmar Times

Court fines labour activist in Mandalay for illegal assembly
A township court on Tuesday imposed a K10,000 (US$7 dollars) fine against a labour leader for staging illegal protest over a year ago.
— Myanmar Times

Suu Kyi invokes iconic father to solidify support before election
Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar, is calling upon the image of her celebrated father to reinforce her political support as she faces bubbling criticism of economic and domestic policies ahead of general elections in November.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Aung San’s Image Now On Myanmar Banknotes
New banknotes bearing the image of independence hero Aung San went on release in Myanmar, on Tuesday, and long lines formed outside bank branches as customers queued to get them.
— Republic World

Top level meeting aims to revive Myanmar’s faltering peace talks
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Suu Kyi, top military officials and leaders of the 10 ethnic armed groups that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) on Wednesday met to revive the moribund peace process.
— Myanmar Times

Why Myanmar Should Matter to India
Myanmar is only country that sits at the intersection of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and “Act East” policy.
— The Diplomat

Progress on new Yangon Night Market continues
Some 65 percent of the first phase of the new Yangon Night Market that is being built by the A25 Myanmar Development Co under the supervision of the Yangon Region government is now complete and some shops have already opened there, officials of the night market say.
— Myanmar Times

Govt, EAOs reach eight agreements at 8th JICM in Nay Pyi Taw
The 8th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting on Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement was held at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Nay Pyi Taw, with an opening speech of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her capacity as the center’s Chairperson.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union Electricity and Energy Minister meets British Amb
Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khaing received British Ambassador Mr Daniel Chugg at his ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Jade and gem sales fetch over Ks 59 billion
Myanmar fetched over Ks 59 billion from the sale of 3,500 jade and gem lots at the gem emporium held from January 2 to 7 at Maniyadana Jade Hall in the capital city, Nay Pyi Taw.
— Eleven Myanmar

Growth in Myanmar forecast to remain flat in 2020, says research company
The Myanmar economy is forecast to remain at 6.5 percent in fiscal 2019-20, with four factors foreseen to limit the country’s potential, according to a recent analysis by a British research firm.
— Myanmar Times

Country’s competition commission begins to find its footing
The Myanmar Competition Commission will focus on looking into allegations of unfair competition in the market following formal reports of complaints, says U Ko Ko Lay, the secretary of the commission.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar’s Ex-President Tells Voters to Protect Race, Religion, Military in 2020 Election
Myanmar’s former president U Thein Sein has warned that the country is facing growing threats to territory, race and religion and called on citizens to vote for candidates who will protect the country in the upcoming general election.
— Irrawaddy

KBZPay launches short-term loan for agents
The KBZPay Quick Access Loan will help agents and merchants improve their cash flows, as many face issues in facilitating peer-to-peer cash transactions. The growing volume of cash transfers requires the agents to have sufficient funds in their mobile wallets to avoid cash flow problems.
— Myanmar Times

18-year-old wild elephant found dead in Taikkyi
An 18-year-old wild elephant was found dead at 8 am on 8 January in Myauk Hlaing Yoma No.21, located in the southern part of Kunteemyaung Village, Palonbudar Village-tract, Taikkyi Township.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Freedom of Expression Advocates Call on Military to Stop Suing Critics
Freedom of expression advocates at Athan have demanded that Myanmar’s military drop all lawsuits against critics and respect media rights.
— Irrawaddy

Measures discussed to prevent grave violations against children in armed conflicts
Government organizations and UN agencies discussed preventing grave violations against children in armed conflicts yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union SWRR Minister meets Japanese Counsellor
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye received the Japanese Embassy’s Counsellor Mr Takimi Kazuyuki, Head of Economic and Development Assistance Section, at his ministry in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Day Myanmar’s Oil Workers Downed Tools
On this day 82 years ago, oil workers in Chauk in Magwe Region came out on strike for better pay and working conditions. The strike spread into the largest and longest-running national uprising during the colonial period.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s Cardinal Bo weighs in on Hong Kong turmoil
Myanmar’s Catholic leader and a Bago regional MP joined politicians and civic leaders from 19 countries to call on the Hong Kong government to set up an independent enquiry into alleged police brutality during the crackdown against protesters.
— Myanmar Times

Mon Ethnic Party: Myanmar Gov’t, Military Lack Political Will for Federalism, Equality
The New Mon State Party has criticized the National League for Democracy for failing to bring peace, amend the Constitution or advance federalism and ethnic equality.
— Irrawaddy

Yangon Zoo welcomes newborn Plains Zebra
The Yangon Zoo welcomed a newborn plains zebra to it ever increasing number of animal community, U Myo Kyaw Thu, administration manager of zoo, said on Tuesday.
— Myanmar Times

Bangladesh Border Chief Demands Rohingya Return to Myanmar
Bangladesh’s border chief has told a police delegation from Myanmar that instability and crime will grow while 1.1 million Rohingya refugees remain near the border.
— Irrawaddy

Opening speech delivered by State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre, at the eighth Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting for the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement Implementation
8th January 2020 Acknowledging the significance and collaboration of the JICM Today’s meeting is the eighth Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

‘Have Fun in Burma’: A Fictional Exploration of Intercultural Misunderstanding
As international scrutiny of Myanmar mounts, Rosalie Metro’s novel offers perspective on how the values Westerners carry often undermine their well-intentioned efforts.
— Irrawaddy

Union Defence Minister receives Japanese lawmakers
Union Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Sein Win welcomed Mr Nakatani and Mr Hamada Yasukazu, the former Japanese Ministers of Defence and Members of the House of Representatives, in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myeik Archipelago’s potential for sustainable tourism
Taninthayi Region where the Myeik, or Margui, Archipelago is located has prospects for the development of tourism.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Feature photo Aditi Mittal

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on street food throughout Asean.

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).

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