Myanmar morning news for July 22, 2020

Myanmar pro-democracy forces form new parties as elections loom
Some lawmakers who have grown disgruntled with Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy are adding to Myanmar’s political landscape in a way that could give the dominant party something to think about ahead of elections scheduled to take place on Nov. 8.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Border trade of Myanmar hits more than USD8.6 billion
Data published by the Myanmar Commerce Ministry on Monday showed that the trade of Myanmar with other countries through border gates has set at more than USD8.6 billion as of the 10th of July in the gong fiscal year 2019-2020 that began back in October.
— Menafn

In Myanmar, Even a Chief Minister is Prone to Military-Controlled Intelligence
Mandalay Region’s chief minister banished Special Branch (SB) officers from his Sunday press conference, showing even a senior member of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government is still prone to be watched by military-controlled intelligence like under the military dictatorship.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar traders to gauge demand for melons in upcoming export season
According to U Naing Win, chair of the Myanmar Melon Growers, Producers and Exporters Association, it is time for melon growers and traders in Myanmar to get more strategic with the volume of fruit they plan to produce for export purposes.
— Fresh Plaza

Myanmar companies see drop in demand from international customers due to COVID-19 – Report
Nearly 76% of export businesses in Myanmar have been moderately to strongly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and more than 50% of Myanmar’s companies faced reduced demand from global buyers, a new report on the impact of COVID-19 on Myanmar’s export sectors has revealed.
— Mizzima

Yangon bus operator begins prepaid card service
The Asia Starmar Transport Intelligent Co.,Ltd. has launched the prepaid card service for its 597 buses in Yangon. The company broadcast live Yangon Payment Services (YPS) online from 9 to 9:20 am.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

US accuses China of undermining Myanmar’s sovereignty through its actions
He has also said that China aided in unregulated investment and corruption in the mining and forestry sector. The infrastructure and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) promoted by China lead to piling up of debts and ceding of regulatory control benefitting China at the cost of Myanmar.
— The Indianawaaz

Weapons originating from China: India seeks probe findings from Thailand, Myanmar
India has asked Thailand and Myanmar to share the details of a probe in which illegal arms originating from China were seized.
— One India

UEC to enter debate over restoring internet in Arakan ahead of election
Myanmar’s Union Election Commission (UEC) will reportedly hold talks with concerned officials about restoring internet access in Arakan State ahead of the 2020 general election.
— BNI Online

Myanmar leader Suu Kyi to run again in November election
Myanmar’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, will be a candidate in this November’s general election, a spokesman for her National League for Democracy party said Tuesday.
— Startribune

Myanmar Muslims struggle to avoid another Muslim-free parliament
As Myanmar set to go to polls in November, Muslim community fears if no candidate from them will be elected as in 2015 elections.
— AA

WFP Myanmar Country Brief, June 2020
Response to COVID-19: Since April, WFP has provided short-term food and nutrition assistance to 36,000 returning migrants for a 21-day period while they are in government-managed quarantine sites in 8 of 14 states and regions, as requested by the authorities.
— Reliefweb

As the US and China Spar, Myanmar Walks a Tightrope
The Myanmar embassies of two great powers—the US and China—have been sparring on social media recently.
— Irrawaddy

Coronavirus Pandemic Forces Myanmar’s ‘Neck-Coil’ Women Home From Thailand
Hundreds of ethnic Kayan women who used to sell textiles and crafts in Thailand have returned to Myanmar in recent months, forced to leave when the coronavirus pandemic triggered the collapse of the Thai tourism sector, with only grueling farmwork available back home.
— Radio Free Asia

Myanmar’s Yangon Assembly to call extraordinary session
The Yangon Region Legislative Assembly will hold an extraordinary session today to formally appoint a new Minister of Border Affairs and Security for the regional government.
— Foreignbrief

Myanmar’s persecution of Kachin people saw Hpi Redamwang escape to Wagga with his family
When Hpi Redamwang thinks back to the day he and his family first arrived at their new home in Wagga Wagga, he is almost lost for words.
— ABC

Sweden supports online learning in Myanmar during Coronavirus pandemic
The Swedish embassy in Yangon announced on 8 July 2020 that they are proud to be among the supporters for online learning in Myanmar during the difficult situation of the Coronavirus pandemic in Myanmar.
— Scandasia

Myanmar’s major seminary moves online
St. Joseph’s National Catholic Major Seminary in Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar, will offer online classes for seminaries in various dioceses as it remains closed over Covid-19 restrictions.
— UCA News

Local farmers, businessmen need to coordinate to prevent declining sugarcane cultivation
The local farmers and businessmen are needed to coordinate to control the market so that they can prevent sugarcane growing from declining, according to the Agriculture Department in Aunglan township.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Sino-US War of Words in Myanmar a Test of Naypyitaw’s Allegiances
The current spat between the US and Chinese embassies has put pressure on Myanmar to choose sides, but it must maintain its neutral foreign policy.
— Irrawaddy

Pyithu Hluttaw raises asterisked questions, turns down urgent motion at 4th-day meeting
The Second Pyithu Hluttaw held the 4th-day meeting of 17th regular session yesterday, with answers of ministries to the asterisked questions, inviting list of MPs to discuss the two bills sent by the Amyotha Hluttaw and tabling an urgent motion.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

US, Chinese embassies in Myanmar spar over Hong Kong, South China Sea
The US and Chinese embassies in Myanmar got engaged in a war of words after an American diplomat accused Beijing of eroding Myanmar’s sovereignty.
— New Kerala

Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun inspects printing factory, English newspaper of MoI
Deputy Minister for Information U Aung Hla Tun inspected the Photolitho Printing Press under the Printing and Publishing Department, and met the editorial team of the English-language Global New Light of Myanmar at Nga Htet Gyi Pagoda Road in Bahan Township yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Investigating Soldiers in Shooting Death of Karen Woman
Myanmar’s army said Monday it is holding two soldiers who admitted to shooting dead an ethnic Karen mother of three children in eastern Kayin state last week, a killing the local ethnic army reported as a violation of a fragile nationwide cease-fire pact.
— Reporter

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye holds videoconference with COVID-19 volunteers
Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as the Secretary of the National Volunteer Steering Unit, held a videoconference with volunteers and members of civil society organizations assisting in COVID-19 measures across the nation yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar brings back 109 citizens stranded abroad
The relief flight of MAI (Myanmar Airways International) landed at Yangon International Airport at 8 pm on 21 July bringing a total of 109 Myanmar nationals back home via Incheon International Airport.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Malaysia urged not to cane Rohingya
Rights group Amnesty International has urged Malaysian authorities to halt plans to cane at least 20 Rohingya refugees for alleged “immigration offences,” calling the punishment “cruel and inhuman.”
— Yahoo New

Myanmar records over 2,800 DHF cases as of 27 June
The Ministry of Health and Sports reported more than 2,800 Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) cases across the country from January to 27 June with over 1,100 cases arising in 20 days.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

In Myanmar, Even a Chief Minister is Prone to Military-Controlled Intelligence
Mandalay’s chief minister, Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, expelled special branch agents from his press conference after he noticed them recording him.
— Irrawaddy

Foreign correspondents’s club selects new members
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Myanmar (FCCM) selected new executive committee members for 2020 during its urgent meeting through videoconferencing on 20 July.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

UAE’s Mars Orbiter Successfully Launched by Mitsubishi Rocket
The Hope explorer, a Mars orbiter developed in Dubai that is due to reach the planet in seven months, was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on Monday.
— Irrawaddy

Amyotha Hluttaw holds 4th-day meeting of 17th regular session
The fourth-day meeting of the 17th regular session of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw was held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Military Arrests Soldiers for Killing Unarmed Karen Woman
The military has arrested two privates for the murder of Naw Mu Naw, a 40-year-old ethnic Karen woman shot in Papun last week, after intense criticism from Karen civil society.
— Irrawaddy

Vice President U Henry Van Thio inspects renovation of embankment and strand road in Amarapura
Vice President U Henry Van Thio, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, inspected the control of Ayeyawady River flood- waters caused by damages to the embankment near Shwe Gae wastewater treatment facility in Amarapura Township, Mandalay Region, yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chinese Firms Ready to Take Responsibility for Mandalay Flood: Vice Mayor
A proper study is needed to decide how an Amarapura embankment collapsed, according to the vice mayor of Mandalay, U Ye Mon.
— Irrawaddy

As the US and China Spar, Myanmar Walks a Tightrope
Myanmar cannot separate itself from China, but to safeguard its sovereignty it must cultivate strong ties with the US.
— Irrawaddy

Feature photo MingalaGo
This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on Burmese Martyrs’ Day, July 19.

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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About Myanmar morning news.

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