Myanmar morning news for March 12, 2020

Myanmar builds a port for LNG tankers in Thilawa SEZ
The construction process of a port to dock LNG tankers to supply liquefied nature gas (LNG) for 350-megawatt LNG power plant in Thilawa SEZ is about 40 per cent finished, according to Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
— Eleven Myanmar

Over 1,500 migrant workers contact Myanmar embassy in Beijing to get home
Over 1,500 Myanmar migrant workers in China made contacts to the embassy in Beijing, China for going back home.
— Mizzima

National Water Resources Committee gets closer to finalizing national water bill
Vice President U Henry Van Thio, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC), addressed the committee’s first coordination meeting of the year at Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

EIA process for Kyaukphyu port to start
Chinese state-owned CITIC is set to initiate bidding for its environmental impact assessment (EIA) consultant for its port project in central Rakhine following the environmental ministry’s response to its project proposal.
— Myanmar Times

AA Claim Seizure of Myanmar Battalion Commander After Heavy Fighting
The Arakan Army says it has detained 20 Myanmar troops, including a battalion commander, and found over 20 soldiers dead after heavy fighting near the Kaladan River.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar legislator ready to face Tatmadaw lawsuit
An Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) legislator said he is ready to answer charges filed by the Tatmadaw (military) over a Reuters news agency report quoting him as saying that a Tatmadaw artillery shell killed two Muslim women in northern Rakhine State.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar’s parliament blocks bid by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party to reduce military’s power
Myanmar’s parliament has blocked a bid by the party of leader Aung San Suu Kyi to reduce the role of the military in politics, almost a decade into a troubled democratic transition.
— The Japan Times

The Truth About Myanmar’s Genocide Case Defense Lawyer
The focus on William Schabas’ history and personal views detracts from the more substantive issues at play in allegations of genocide in Myanmar.
— The Diplomat

A Southeast Asian photography exhibition in Yangon
Everyone was young once. Photographs can stir up many emotions, especially when they capture our younger selves.
— Myanmar Times

Employee of US-owned hemp farm in Myanmar gets 20 years jail
A court in Myanmar on Tuesday sentenced a local employee of an American-owned hemp farm to 20 years in prison for violating drug laws concerning marijuana.
— Washington Post

India closes border checkpoints with Myanmar due to Covid-19 fears
Due to the global outbreak of Covid-19 , India has started closing border gates at Tamu, Sagaing Region in Myanmar since the morning of March 10, said Tamu Township Lower House MP U Naing Naing Win.
— Eleven Myanmar

Virus outbreak in EU may impact garment exports
So far, Italy has confirmed more than 5,800 cases of COVID-19, the highest number of in the EU, according to the World Health Organisation. Germany, France and Spain have also reported cases.
— Myanmar Times

YCDC takes steps to make Yangon more livable
Yangon Heritage Trust has been very interested in public grounds upgrade and upgrading the streets and parks. For quite a long time, YHT included ideas of having a bike lane in their Yangon heritage strategy which was written in 2015 for the new government.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Touts $200M in Drug Seizures in Military-Backed Militia Territory
Over 11 days, the Myanmar military has seized drugs and paraphernalia worth nearly US$200 million in an area controlled by a military-backed militia in northern Shan State.
— Irrawaddy

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continues voting on proposals for constitutional amendment
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw voted on amending provisions of 15 subsections and sections of the 2008 Constitution on its 20th day meeting of 15th regular session yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Stiffer competition seen among car assemblers
Locally assembled cars are looking cheaper now that the US dollar has weakened against the Myanmar kyat.
— Myanmar Times

Marketing Myanmar’s heritage is a tough sell
The partially renovated Secretariat Building in Myanmar’s commercial capital — one of the most magnificent colonial-era structures in Southeast Asia — opened its doors to the public in November after 15 years of disuse. But the future of this controversial monument to British rule remains unclear, despite its potential role as an iconic attraction for heritage tourists.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Ministry of Information holds meeting for voter education
A coordination meeting on disseminating voter education, in regard to the upcoming multi-party General Elections of 2020, was organized at the Ministry of Information in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar migrant students will sit matriculation exam in Myawady
Over 104 Myanmar migrant students from Mae Sot, Thai-Myanmar border, will be taking part in the matriculation exam in Myawady Township, Kayin State.
— Eleven Myanmar

Thai-Myanmar joint venture to build US$250,00 hotel in Kawthoung
The government has approved a proposal by Thai-Myanmar joint venture to build a US$250,000 (K346.3 million) hotel project on Hlaing Gu Island off Kawthoung in Tanintharyi Region, the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism has announced, according to the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism.
— Myanmar Times

Four state pillars discuss public access to information, media freedom
The Ministry of Information hosted a meeting of representatives from four pillars of democracy at its headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Is Myanmar’s Democracy Lost in a Labyrinth of Constitutional Amendment?
As the long process to amend Myanmar’s Constitution appears lost, The Irrawaddy sits down with lawmakers U Aung Thein and U Sai Tun Aye to look for a way out.
— Irrawaddy

State Counsellor meets with locals in Dabayin, Shwebo townships
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races, held meetings with locals in Dabayin and Shwebo townships of Sagaing Region yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

More buses to run for students’ convenience on exam days
More buses will be run during the examination period so students can reach schools conveniently, said U Hla Aung, Joint Secretary of the Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar State Counselor’s Public Meetings Draw Criticism Amid Coronavirus Fears
The State Counselor’s public meetings around the country–held despite her government’s advice against such gatherings–have been criticized amid concerns over coronavirus.
— Irrawaddy

Yangon National Library — Where Urban and Literary Heritage Converge
Established since 1908 in the heart of Yangon, exactly on the Merchant Street in Pabedan Township, a hundred years old building would soon become a sophisticated urbane modern documentation venue in the name of National Library (Yangon).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Solar power gains ground in Sagaing
A Norwegian fund-backed joint venture with Yoma Strategic has completed installing US$28 million worth of plants harnessing energy from the sun to generate electricity for Myanmar communities in remote areas.
— Myanmar Times

Jewellery traders facing cooling market due to COVID-19
Jewellery traders from the Gems Trading Centre in Maha aungmye Township in Mandalay are concerned over cooling trade on account of COVID-19, according to the Gems Trading Executive Committee.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Muhyiddin announces new economic council for COVID-19 and falling oil prices; will consider reinstating GST
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday (Mar 11) that he will set up an economic action council to tackle COVID-19 as well as the issue of falling oil prices.
— CNA

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Still Barred From Presidency as Proposed Charter Change Fails
Unelected military lawmakers and their USDP allies have successfully blocked an NLD proposal to scrap the Constitution’s ban on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi becoming president.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Prepared to Ease Coronavirus Impact on Economy: Suu Kyi
The State Counselor said Tuesday that the government has plans in place to ensure the coronavirus outbreak does not lead to an economic crisis but gave few details.
— Irrawaddy

UEC Chairman receives Canadian Ambassador
Union Election Commission Chairman U Hla Thein received Ambassador of Canada to Myanmar Mr François Lafrenière in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Urgent need to finalize National Water Law to end summer shortage
The summer of 2020 will be arriving soon, and it promises to bring searing heat to most parts of the country.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Nationalists Protest in Naypyitaw Against Constitutional Amendments
Nationalists have protested in Naypyitaw against NLD attempts to change Article 59(f) of the Constitution, which bars Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency.
— Irrawaddy

Japanese PM Calls for Event Cancellations for Another 10 Days to Prevent Spread of Virus
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked sports and cultural officials to cancel events for another 10 days so that coronavirus prevention efforts can be assessed.
— Irrawaddy

UN expert Yanghee Lee finishes mandate by urging Myanmar authorities to embrace democracy and human rights
“Rather than a nation that protects human rights, I observe rights violations that continue to routinely occur and a country that stands accused of the most serious crimes under international law”
— The online citizen

Myanmar: Students charged for staging Protest over Internet Shutdown in Chin and Arakan States
Six students are charged of organising a demonstration that called for an end of the internet blackout in parts of Arakan and Chin states in Myanmar. While the indictment is based on Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, representatives of the Arakan Students Union call into question the treatment of the students, who are supposed to sit for exams next week.
— UNPO

Feature photo The Rebel Riot Band

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on street musicians around 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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About Myanmar morning news.

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