Myanmar morning news for June 22, 2020

Internet blackout in Myanmar’s Rakhine enters second year
The internet shutdown in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden northwest, described by rights groups as the world’s longest, entered a second year Sunday with locals and campaigners appealing for an end to the blackout as coronavirus fears grip the region.
— CNA

Diversifying Myanmar’s economy should be a priority for the next government
When Myanmar’s military regime began opening up the country politically and economically in 2010, one motive was to alleviate the country’s overreliance on China.
— AEC News Today

Myanmar reports three new COVID-19 cases and four recoveries
Three more Myanmar returnees have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the health ministry at 8pm on June 21. Four others have recovered.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar: Security Personnel Complicit In Illegal Border Crossings
Security personnel are suspected of helping to transport people who recently entered northern Arakan State illegally from Bangladesh, according to presidential spokesperson U Zaw Htay.
— Eurasia Review

More than 1600 fined for not wearing masks in Mandalay
The number of people not wearing face masks when going outside is increasing in Mandalay Region, resulting in action taken against more than 1600 violators within a month, according to the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC).
— Myanmar Times

Highway bus lines face loss during pandemic
Highway bus lines are losing during the pandemic period, according to the officials from the highway bus lines.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar: End World’s Longest Internet Shutdown
The Myanmar government should immediately lift all internet restrictions in eight townships in Rakhine and Chin States, Human Rights Watch said today. The mobile internet shutdown, which began on June 21, 2019, is affecting more than a million people living in a conflict zone.
— Human Right

Rebooting Myanmar’s Stalled Peace Process
What should be done? With the National League for Democracy likely to win another term, the government, military and ethnic armed groups should use the hibernation period constructively to review causes of the current impasse, rebuild trust through sustained informal dialogue, and take steps to reinvigorate the peace process from 2021.
— Crisis Group

Every action counts: How NGOs are supporting Myanmar’s displaced—Part 1
Its people are slowly emerging from long-standing military rule to one rooted in democracy, which presents myriad challenges and opportunities for improvements in humanitarian conditions across the country.
— Reliefweb

Myanmar buses get private pods to lower coronavirus risk
A travel company in Myanmar has modified a dozen of its long-distance buses to make private pods for passengers in a bid to ease fears about coronavirus infection.
— Daily Maverick

Denmark supports mangrove restoration in Myanmar
The Danish embassy in Myanmar providing support to Mangrove restoration and rehabilitation in Rakhine State and Thanintharyi region on 17 June 2020.
— Scandasia

New Myanmar daily minimum wage likely in November
The country’s new minimum daily wage is expected to be set in November, a member of the national committee that sets the wage said on June 18.
— Myanmar Times

Construction of Korea-Myanmar Industrial Complex to begin this year
Construction of the Korea-Myanmar Industrial Complex (KMIC) in Yangon is expected to commence before the end of the year despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim Gun-Woo, general manager of Korea Land and Housing Corporation representative office in Myanmar, told The Myanmar Times.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar gets innovative in wishing Suu Kyi a happy birthday during COVID-19
Because of banning and restricting on social gatherings and events imposed by government due to COVID-19 outbreak, people extended their best wishes to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on her 75th birthday which fell yesterday in a variety of ways.
— Mizzima

Myanmar’s unsteady exit from China’s orbit
When Myanmar’s military regime began opening up the country politically and economically in 2010, one motive was to alleviate the country’s . Ten years down the road, in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the of triggered by against the Muslim Rohingya minority, China’s influence appears hardly diminished.
— Pinevillevoice

Myanmar reports 23 new Covid cases
Myanmar reported 23 cases of coronavirus infection on Friday among a group of people held in quarantine there after being deported from Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

Human Rights Watch Calls on Myanmar to End Internet Ban in Rakhine and Chin States
Human Rights Watch Friday called on Myanmar to end its yearlong internet shutdown, which has prevented more than a million people in Rakhine and Chin states from getting information about the coronavirus pandemic and hampered the work of aid workers and journalists in a war zone.
— Radio Free Asia

The ‘kalar’ controversy shows many in Myanmar aren’t listening
In defending “kalar” as a friendly term, many Myanmar social media users are failing to listen to people who are merely asking to be treated with respect.
— Frontier Myanmar

Banks circle rare Myanmar buyout
The battle for control of Irrawaddy Green Towers could lead to a rare acquisition financing in Myanmar and the country’s largest-ever syndicated loan.
— Reuters

Myanmar to introduce new bank note with late General Aung San’s image
The Central Bank of Myanmar announced the issuance of new 500-kyat bank notes with the image of late national hero General Aung San, the Information Ministry has announced in a statement.
— The Star Online

330 enterprises receive coronavirus soft loans in Mandalay
Out of a total of 417 enterprises applying for the coronavirus soft loans, only 330 enterprises are qualified for funding in Mandalay Region, according to the Mandalay Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MRCCI).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chubb Life Myanmar launches three insurance solutions to protect customers against rising hospital costs
Chubb Life Myanmar has announced the launch of three insurance solutions namely Chubb Health Shield, Chubb Accident Shield and Chubb Critical Illness Shield.
— Myanmar Times

Persuading Pariahs: Myanmar’s Strategic Decision to Pursue Reform and Opening
Myanmar’s liberalizing reforms since late 2010 have effectively shed the country’s decades-long “pariah state” status.
— Ingenta Connect

Myanmar migrant workers return home via Chinshwehaw border
A total of 47 Myanmar nationals who returned from China came back to Myanmar through Myanmar-China border in Chinshwehaw on 19 June.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar grapples with teacher shortage ahead of school reopening
The Ministry of Education plans to begin classes for senior students on July 21 but faces an uphill battle to get schools ready in line with strict health guidelines.
— Frontier Myanmar

Myanmar citizens from Thailand, Malaysia brought back home by relief flights
A total of 217 Myanmar citizens – 80 from Thailand and 137 from Malaysia – were repatriated by relief flights yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

MoFA, MoIC, UAGO, UCSB brief on 4th-year performances
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of International Cooperation and the Union Attorney-General Office and the Union Civil Service Board organized their press briefings on their 4th-year performances yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar’s Ethnic Parties Find Strength in Unity as They Prepare for General Election
Having consolidated their bases, Myanmar’s ethnic parties plan to work together in the coming election to achieve their common goals of federalism and self-determination.
— Irrawaddy

Over 8,000 Citizens Prosecuted in Myanmar for COVID-19 Breaches
Violations include assaulting health teams, fleeing quarantine centers, organizing religious gatherings and weddings and failing to follow nighttime curfews.
— Irrawaddy

8 hotels in Bagan granted to reopen
Eight hotels in Bagan region have reopened since 15 June because they already passed the inspection process and met with the criteria set by the Public Health Department, said an official from the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (DHT Bagan-branch).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar to export semi-processed mangoes on a trial basis to Malaysia
With the exporting of high-quality mangoes to foreign countries, Myanmar will export the semi-processed mangoes on a trial basis to Malaysia to be able to prevent the mangoes from being waste, said Chairperson Daw Than Than Swe of Myanmar Mangoes Association.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe inspects MoHS’s departments in Mandalay
Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe and officials inspect the workflow of the Ministry of Health and Sports departments in Mandalay via CCTV.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

657 migrant workers return from Thailand via border on 20 June
A total of 657 Myanmar migrant workers returned through the Friendship Bridge No 2 in Myawady on 20 June, since the government resumed accepting returnees on 1 May amidst the spread of COVID-19.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

NREC Union Minister inspects register office for gem merchants
Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win inspected the building to accept the registration of gem merchants and guests, who will come to the Myanmar Gems Emporium, near Mani Yadana Jade Hall and next to Jade Garden in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

ACC opens corruption cases on 4 Yangon officials
Upon investigation, the Anti-Corruption Commission discovered that Police Captain Aung Zaw Moe who previously served in the Pabedan Township Police State, Yangon Region, solicited K600,000 from a man named U Myint Oo for procuring documents related to a case titled (Pa)151/2018.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

45th GMS Tourism Working Group convenes videoconference
The Tourism Working Group of the Greater Mekong Subregion held its 45th meeting on videoconference on 18 June afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar grapples with teacher shortage ahead of school reopening
The Ministry of Education plans to begin classes for senior students on July 21 but faces an uphill battle to get schools ready in line with strict health guidelines.
— Frontier Myanmar

SWRR Ministry, Rakhine govt discuss closure of Kyauktalone IDP camp
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye held an online meeting with Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu and state cabinet members regarding the closure Kyauktalone IDP camp in Kyaukpyu Township yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Female artists organize online arts show for State Counsellor’s birthday
Seventy-five female artists across the country organized a virtual arts exhibition to mark the 75th birthday of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the National Museum in Yangon yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Asia Album: Flowers bloom with raindrops in Myanmar
“I’m singing in the rain — just singing in the rain.” Flowers in Myanmar would probably be “happy again” after a rainy-day dance.
— Malaysia Sun

Farmers to get COVID-19 relief loans of K50,000 per acre
The Myanma Agricultural Development Bank-MADB under the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry will provide farmers nationwide the loan of K 50,000 per acre from the Special COVID-19 Relief Loan, according to U Min Thu, MADB’s Managing Director.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

H&T Minister, Korean Ambassador discuss COVID impacts on tourism industry
Union Minster for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung held a videoconference with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Myanmar from his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, discussing the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism sector and relief plans.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar celebrates International Day of Yoga
The Indian Embassy is helping people in Myanmar celebrate the 6th International Day of Yoga, only this year the event is being held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
— Mizzima

Support to fisheries sector amidst COVID-19 should not be delayed
The government is planning to provide financial support to the fisheries sector, which is facing the economic challenges caused by COVID-19.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Sees Largest COVID-19 Spike as Migrants Deported from Thailand Test Positive
Twenty-three COVID-19 cases detected on Friday among migrants deported from Thailand brought the country’s largest daily increase since its first reported case in late March.
— Irrawaddy

KIA Warns Civilians Fighting with Myanmar Military Could Erupt Anytime
The Kachin Independence Army told locals in Kutkai, Shan State that clashes could break out anytime in their area, despite a ceasefire from the Myanmar military over COVID-19.
— Irrawaddy

May you all be able to overcome by working together strenuously for the country not only for COVID but for all other challenges that you might have to encounter: State Counsellor
State Counsellor wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that she wished everyone would be able to overcome by working together strenuously for the country not only for COVID but for all other challenges that they might have to encounter.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

DG of Ministry of State Counsellor Office meets press
Director-General of the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor U Zaw Htay met the internal and external media in accord with the social distancing procedures at the Press Hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on 19 June, and explained the current situation.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Day Myanmar’s First Prime Minister Met Winston Churchill
As a strong defender of imperialism, Sir Winston Churchill defused any potential tension with U Nu by saying they must bury old animosities.
— Irrawaddy

Welfare associations’ vehicles granted licence in Mandalay region
With the issuing of HSE (Health and Safety Executive licence to the vehicles being used in the welfare associations in Mandalay region, more than 1,800 vehicles have already been granted the licence in Mandalay region, said Colonel Kyaw Kyaw Min, the Minister for Security and Border Affairs.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Day the British Sentenced Folk Hero Maung Thant to Death
On this day in 1911, a poor farmer who embodied rural people’s hopes of a better life and opposition to colonial rule was sentenced to hang by the British.
— Irrawaddy

Feature photo CCDAC Myanmar
This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, June 26.

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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