Lend a helping hand to Myanmar citizens in Malaysia without racial, religious discrimination: C-in-C

PHOTO - MOD

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife attended a dinner hosted by General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Zulkifeili Bin Mohd Zin, the chief of Armed Forces of Malaysia, and wife at the Shangri-La Hotel yesterday. The dinner was also attended by chiefs of armed forces of the Philippines and UAE who were also conferred the prestigious military award by the Malaysian king. After the dinner, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife exchanged gifts with the chief of Armed Forces of Malaysia and wife.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and party visited Royal Selangor Pewter today.

He also received staff of Myanmar embassy led by U Kyaw Swa, Charged’ Affaires ai of Myanmar Embassy and military attaché Brig-Gen Win Maung at Shangri-la Hotel in Ma- laysia. During the meeting, he called on them to protect and take care of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia without racial and religious discrimination and to lend a helping hand to them when ever they need. Regarding the role of the Tatmadaw in Myanmar, it is walking right on the road to democracy, he said. The Myanmar delegation led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrived back here this afternoon.

Nay Pyi Taw, 2 Oct

From  http://www.mod.gov.mm/news

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Eighty-six hotels to offer over 7,000 rooms for SEA Games

A hotel is under-construction in Nay Pyi Taw (Photo/EMG)

Eighty-six hotels in Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw will offer over 7,000 rooms for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, an official from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism said.

These rooms will be allocated for VIPs, judges, and athletes as well as foreign visitors coming to watch the SEA Games.

"We have been preparing the rooms in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. There won't be many problems in Mandalay. As there will only be sailing competition in Ngwe Saung, there won't be many problems for the hotel," said Kaung Htut, director of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Fifty-three hotels will offer 2,216 rooms in Nay Pyi Taw, where the main event will be hosted. There will also be over 2,029 extra rooms for the foreign visitors. Thirty-three hotels including the Sedona Hotel and the Traders Hotel will offer 1,026 rooms in Yangon including extra rooms. Hotels will be reserved in accord with the number of each participating country in the SEA Games in Mandalay while over 250 rooms will be available for the foreign visitors, according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

The authorities have been inspecting the hotels where the foreign visitors will be staying during the SEA Games to have them upgraded before the event starts in December, according to the Myanmar Hotelier Association.

The authorities have already notified the hotels to reduce room charges and only charge US$50 per guest during the SEA Games.

EMG

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Rakhine issues to be submitted to Union Assembly

Parliamentary Speaker Thura Shwe Mann said on Sunday that issues concerning Rakhine State will be discussed during the upcoming parliamentary session.

He made the remark after the local Rakhine residents voiced concerns regarding the Bengalis, temporary identity cards, population control, education, health, and transportation during their meeting with the speaker in Rakhine State.

"The issues that were submitted today are not only concerned with the region but also the entire country so I want to say that these submitted issues will become a master plan for the country," said Thura Shwe Mann.

"After it has been drafted, we will draft laws in necessary areas and the respective authorities have to manage, cooperate, and administer them in accord with the laws," the speaker added.

He cited the lack of trust and cooperation as the reasons for the country's slow development, adding that the money circulating in the country belongs to people so he will work on having it used for public benefit.

EMG

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A+ A A- Thein Sein urges ministers to use development aid efficiently

President Thein Sein has told ministers to use overseas development aid effectively and efficiently during a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Monday.

The president made clear that such aid was key to supporting Myanmar's economic development and urged officials to make sure there was no misappropriation.

"Our government has responsibility to build good foundations for economic development that requires capital, human resources and technology. So we are seeking international assistance," said Thein Sein.

He also called to coordinate efforts to get development aid quickly so that the donor countries can use aid money on necessary sectors for the public wellbeing.

"With the aid and technology the country has acquired, government departments need to use such aid effectively and efficiently, trying to ensure that there is no waste and misappropriation," the president added.

At the meeting, ministers and the governor of the Central Bank briefed the president on international aid and loans Myanmar would receive from 2011 to 2015. They also discussed foreign investment, foreign debts and settling and the countries and organisations giving development aid to Myanmar.

EMG

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Myanmar approves Ks 425 billion for new construction projects

The site for Open Air Market and New Bogyoke Market seen in September 26 late afternoon

(Photo:EMG/Aung Myo Thant)

The Myanmar government has approved Ks 425 billion (US$ 438 million) to be used for three construction projects in Yangon, sources say.

The projects will be implemented over three years, with half of the profits from each project to be shared with Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC).

Shwe Taung Junction City Development Co Ltd will invest Ks200 billion in the joint-venture project with YCDC at open-air Bogyoke Market in Yangon.

Meanwhile, Asia Myanmar Consortium Development Co Ltd will invest Ks125 billion in the construction of the Theinbyu Driving Practice Ground on Kandawgyi Road.

Crown Advanced Construction Co Ltd will set up a construction project worth Ks100 billion at the former location of Hanthawady Car Dealer’s Centre.

The total investment for the three companies is equal to one-fifth of the total income earned by the Internal Revenue Department during the fiscal year of 2012-13.

At Bogyoke Market, Shwe Taung Co will build a 32-storey hotel, a 28-storey office-tower, a 34-storey residential twin tower, and shopping malls. The first phase of the project will be completed in three years.

Profit sharing between Shwe Taung and YCDC will be set at a ratio of 48.37 percent to 51.63 percent. For the construction project at Hanthawady Car Dealer’s Centre, Crown Advanced will take 48 percent of the benefit while YCDC will take 52 percent. For the construction of Kanthayar Consortium Tower on Theinbyu Driving Practice Ground, Asia Myanmar Consortium and YCDC have agreed to share the profit equally.

A few months ago, Shwe Taung Co was given 8.84 acres from the 12.60-acre land of the old defence services academy complex near the Shwedagon Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon.  Shwe Taung Co has planned to carry out a construction project there worth Ks100 billion. Hence, the company has planned to invest more than $300 million in the two projects.

Shwe Taung and other companies are investing a large sum of money in the construction of hotels and commercial buildings in Myanmar. Local people have raised the question of whether or not such investments are tax-paid.

A taxation supervisory board has already been formed to enforce tax regulation and to punish tax-dodgers in accordance with the law. Some legislators are calling for an investigation by an unbiased organisation to probe whether the companies pay taxes for such investments, and to ensure that these are beneficial to the country and the people.

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From  Eleven Media Group

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Shwe Mann reiterates his support for federalism

         Shwe Mann addresses a public forum in Taunggyi on September 2, 2013. (DVB)

By NANG MYA NADI (DVB)

Speaking at a public meeting on Monday in the Shan state capital Taunggyi, parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann stressed his support for federalism in Burma and urged the public to work alongside the government and the parliament to reach that objective.

Shwe Mann, the former head of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, voiced his support for federalism in June when addressing the ruling party, and was reported in 2012 telling parliamentarians that a federal union in Burma was “inevitable”.

“U Shwe Mann said that federalism must be granted, but that it should be a style of federalism that conforms to our country,” said Sai Aik Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), who attended the Taunggyi meeting. “He [Shwe Mann] pointed out that a different style of federalism is practiced in the United States from that of Germany or Switzerland, and that factors such as the country’s population and demographics must be considered.”

The SNDP chairman told DVB that the Union Assembly speaker noted to the Shan-based audience that achieving federalism is important for building peace in the country, and that it requires the public’s support as well as the government’s efforts.

Shwe Mann reportedly praised the pace of reform in Burma, saying that the transition was smoother than in many countries.

Sai Aik Pao said that members of the audience raised concerns about land confiscations, transportation woes, ID cards, education, and regional irrigation projects.

Former Lt-Gen Shwe Mann responded to all questions, except on matters of land confiscations which were handled by Land Grab Investigation Commission chairman Sai Htun Sein.

Shwe Mann continued his Shan state tour on Tuesday, 3 September, when he was scheduled to hold a public meeting in Kengtung.

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Shwe Mann reiterates his support for federalism

         Shwe Mann addresses a public forum in Taunggyi on September 2, 2013. (DVB)

By NANG MYA NADI (DVB)

Speaking at a public meeting on Monday in the Shan state capital Taunggyi, parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann stressed his support for federalism in Burma and urged the public to work alongside the government and the parliament to reach that objective.

Shwe Mann, the former head of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, voiced his support for federalism in June when addressing the ruling party, and was reported in 2012 telling parliamentarians that a federal union in Burma was “inevitable”.

“U Shwe Mann said that federalism must be granted, but that it should be a style of federalism that conforms to our country,” said Sai Aik Pao, the chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), who attended the Taunggyi meeting. “He [Shwe Mann] pointed out that a different style of federalism is practiced in the United States from that of Germany or Switzerland, and that factors such as the country’s population and demographics must be considered.”

The SNDP chairman told DVB that the Union Assembly speaker noted to the Shan-based audience that achieving federalism is important for building peace in the country, and that it requires the public’s support as well as the government’s efforts.

Shwe Mann reportedly praised the pace of reform in Burma, saying that the transition was smoother than in many countries.

Sai Aik Pao said that members of the audience raised concerns about land confiscations, transportation woes, ID cards, education, and regional irrigation projects.

Former Lt-Gen Shwe Mann responded to all questions, except on matters of land confiscations which were handled by Land Grab Investigation Commission chairman Sai Htun Sein.

Shwe Mann continued his Shan state tour on Tuesday, 3 September, when he was scheduled to hold a public meeting in Kengtung.

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Ye Htut on Wirathu, Buddhist nationalism and religious freedom in Burma

 

By NAY THWIN (DVB)

Following the publication of the July issue of Time that features notorious nationalist monk Wirathu on the cover along with the headline: ‘The Face of Buddhist terror”, Burma’s government says the magazine is undermining the religion in the eyes of the international community.

During an interview with Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut, DVB’s Nay Thwin asks the official about the government’s official response to the article and what they’re doing to address sectarian tensions in the country.

How much impact does the government think Time magazine’s article can have given that the President’s Office has released a statement denouncing it?

It had to be done especially because Time magazine’s cover portrayed Buddhism in association with terrorism. Moreover, the article is written from a rather one-sided point of view and could create misunderstandings among the international community concerning Buddhism. And the article could potentially damage inter-faith trust-building efforts in the country.

So a statement has been published on the President’s Office Burmese-language website. Do you plan to send an official complaint to Time?

For now we are just stating our opinion on the President’s Office website.

We saw the 969 movement was mentioned in the statement and you also mentioned the government was working to promote mutual understanding and trust among different religions. But at the same time, there are certain Buddhist monks who are being criticised for inciting misunderstandings among religions. How does the President’s Office view this issue?

As provided in Article-362 of the Constitution, everyone is entitled to follow any religion of their choosing. Besides Buddhism, it recognises Hinduism, Christianity, Animism and Islam as faiths practiced in the country. So everyone is entitled to follow, in line with the law, any religion. Moreover, they have the freedom to express their opinion, but we do not allow for the instigation of violence against other religions.

What plans does that government have to take action against individuals inciting religious violence?

The responsibility to judge what Buddhist monks preach mainly lies with the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee. Today, various monks are preaching based on various concepts to promote their religion and we have not heard any complaints at the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee that alleges that any of these concepts are violent.

So does this mean that the President’s Office assumes that some of the sermons that are being preached in the country are not alarming?

The president mentioned in one of his speeches – we are in an era of transitioning into a democracy and must allow the practice of democracy, but on the other hand, we must also prevent violence and insulting others.

In order to do this, mutual-trust must be built among different religions and, just so, people will learn whether something they say about their religion could be harmful to other religions or not. To address that, we are organising inter-faith conferences and seminars to prioritise exchanging views. We have given serious concern to issues that may create misunderstanding, which is why we are committed to bringing about unity among religions.

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'I reckon this might be it': plane crash horror

Deadly impact … flames rise from the wreckage. Photo: Ye Zar Ni

AN ADELAIDE woman said she was scared she would die when the plane in which she was a passenger crashed in Burma.
Anna Bartsch, 31, and her boyfriend Stuart Benson, 32, were among five Australians who survived the crash on Christmas Day, the ABC reported.
Two people died and 11 were injured when the Air Bagan Fokker 100 burst into flames in a rice paddy near Heho Airport.
Ms Bartsch told the ABC that flames burst out from the back of the plane and some of the doors would not open.

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''That's when I definitely thought, 'I think we're going to die here. I can't see that all of these people are going to get out in time and we're sort of down the back and I reckon this might be it'.''
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said officials from the Australian embassy in Burma were helping five Australians who had been passengers on the flight that crashed.
''One Australian received medical attention for a minor back injury. The other four Australian passengers were not injured in the crash,'' it said.
''Two of the five Australian passengers are from South Australia, and the other three from Queensland.''
Burmese officials said two people died as a result of the crash, including a motorcyclist who was struck by the plane.
The crash occurred when the Fokker 100 jet attempted to land in heavy fog. Its tail broke and it burst into flames. The plane landed about three kilometres short of the airport.
The pilot and four foreigners - two Americans, a South Korean and a Briton - were among the injured.
Air Bagan flies domestic routes in Burma.
Ref; From http://www.smh.com.au/national/i-reckon-this-might-be-it-plane-crash-horror-20121226-2bwgq.html

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New Myanmar amnesty includes political prisoners

YANGON, Myanmar - (AP) -- Myanmar announced on Monday that it is releasing 514 prisoners under an amnesty, including some foreigners and political detainees.
The Information Ministry did not identify the prisoners, so it was unclear how many political detainees were among them, although some were identified by fellow activists who had been in touch with them.
The announcement came the same day that Human Rights Watch urged Myanmar's government to immediately release all remaining political prisoners and lift travel and other restrictions on those who have already been freed.
The New York-based group also asked that independent international monitors be allowed access to prisons to allow a full accounting of all remaining political prisoners.
The government of President Thein Sein has made freedom for political prisoners a centerpiece of its reform policies, seeking international favor after almost five decades of repressive army rule. Earlier amnesties helped convince Western nations to ease sanctions they had imposed against the previous military-led regime.
The latest release comes a week before Thein Sein is to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The ministry said the prisoners were released so they can participate in nation-building, and to help maintain friendly ties with neighboring countries.
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party had estimated that about 330 political detainees remained jailed in Myanmar, also called Burma, while other activists said the total may be at least 100 more.
In July the government granted an amnesty to 80 prisoners including more than 20 political detainees.
"While another prisoner amnesty is welcome in principle, like everyone else we're left waiting to see the list before we assess how many political prisoners are included, what it means and how significant it is," Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
"The problem is there is a lack of transparency from the Burma government about who is a political prisoner, where they are, and how many are left -- and to date, our recommendation that the Burma government work with the international community to devise a clear and transparent process to access, assess and immediately release political prisoners has fallen on deaf ears," he said.
Han Tha Myint, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, said at least three political prisoners were among those freed.
They included a retired schoolteacher, Shwe Htoo, who had been serving a 42-year sentence after being convicted of attempting to incite rebellion and related charges, said Zaw Thet Htwe, a journalist who monitors prisoner releases.
Robertson said aid donors seeking to promote reforms in Myanmar should press its government "to meet its human rights commitments by immediately freeing the remaining political prisoners and lifting all restrictions against them."
The group said the Home Affairs Ministry "has refused to issue passports to many former political prisoners, including democracy and human rights activists, public interest lawyers, and journalists." Some have also been prevented from resuming their university studies, it said.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Infrastructure development ‘priority’

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Infrastructure development ‘priority’

The government must rapidly develop the country’s infrastructure to encourage more private investment, National Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development chairman Virabongsa Ramangkura said on Tuesday.

In his speech on “Global Trade Change: How can Thailand step forward” at a seminar to mark the 92nd aniversary of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Virabongsa said both the Ministry of Commerce and the Bank of Thailand are duty-bound to support Thais making investments overseas.

When compared to the world, Thailand is only a tiny economy that has to rely on global international trade to mobilise its economic expansion, he said.

Since the problems related to the eurozone debt crisis and economic recession are unlikely to be settled in a short period, the government must focus on its infrastructure development megaprojects, he said.

The infrastructure development investment plans would allow the private sector to come up with investment plans in line with the infrastructure development projects, said Mr Virabongsa.

The project to link transportation networks between the  Laem Chabang and Map Ta Phut deep seaports on the Eastern Seaboard and the Dawei deep seaport in Burma would  substantially boost trade volume on the country’s west coast, from the current 30 per cent of the total, he said.

The eastern Gulf coast accounted for 70 per cent of the total.

If the deep sea ports connection plan succeeds, it would change trading face of the country over the next 20-30 years because Thailand will become a gateway to China and other member countries of Asean, he added.

On the question of rising inflation, Mr Virabongsa said the government should allow product prices to increase in line with the market mechanism.

“A correct way to settle the high cost of living problem is to increase the people’s income, but the central bank disagrees with this and focuses more on keeping inflation at a level suitable for boosting the economy.

"There is no problem about such a difference of opinion and I and the BoT can still work side by side to find the best solution in overseeing the economy,” the renowned economist said.

Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), said he expected that  global economic growth next year would be below 2.5 per cent.

Also speaking at the ministry's seminar, he said the fragile US economy and the financial problems in Europe would trim the global economic expansion.

Non-tariff trade barriers being imposed by several countries were also a major negative factor that could derail  global economic recovery.

Mr Supachai said the government should hold talks with its trade partners, especially those in Asean, to find ways to minimise the impact and establish a strong regional economic community.

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KNU peace talks to focus on Code of conducts and Withdrawal of Troops

Bangkok, August 5 (Dawei Watch)
Code of conducts on Ceasefire and withdrawal of Myanmar military from villages will be the key topics during the third-round peace talk between Karen National Union (KNU) and the government peacemaking team, Naw May Oo Mutraw, spokesperson of KNU told Dawei Watch.
The pre meeting for the peace talk today in Myanmar border town, Myawaddy, set to discuss these issues in Hpa-an, the capital of Karen state at the end of this month, she continued.
The KNU delegation team led by Naw Zipporah Sein, general secretary of KNU met with the government peacemaking team led by Railway minister, Aung Min.Three KNU liaison offices have been opened in Pegu, Karen States and Tanintharyi region after the second round peace talk in April.

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An Arakanese woman was raped

An Arakanese woman was raped and murdered outside the village by Bengali Terrorists who called themselves as Rohingya.
by Thway Thit Sar

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Myanmar gives rapturous welcome to Daw Suu Kyi’s return

Reported by Thida Linn   Eleven Media Group

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi greeted by supporters as she arrives at Yangon International Airport in the morning of 30 June Myanma democracy icon and Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who started European tour on 13 June has returned to Myanmar by Thai TG 303 flight at about 10.30 am on 30 June after visiting five countries—Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Britain and France. Despite it was first announced that TG 303 flight was scheduled to land Yangon International Airport at 8.50 am, it arrived at about 10.30 am. A great number of cheering supporters were seen waiting to welcome Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in and around Yangon International Airport at about 6 am. As she arrived at the airport, a large number of supporters gave a big round of applause. Moreover, hundreds of people and NLD supporters were packed at the airport and lined along Pyay Road by waving miniature flags.

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Local contestants take part in a bodybuilding contest at Myanmar Convention Center (MCC) in Yangon, Myanmar, Saturday, June 23, 2012.

Sunday, June 24, 2012  Sithu Linn  

Contestants pose in line during the Fitness Physique Contest organized by the Myanmar Bodybuilding Federation at Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon, Myanmar, Saturday, June 23, 2012. (Photos: AP)

ရန္ကုန္မွာ မေန႔က က်င္းပတ့ဲ အမ်ဳိးသား၊ အမ်ဳိးသမီး ကာယႀကံ့ခုိင္မႈ ျပိဳင္ပဲြဓာတ္ပုံေတြ ျဖစ္ပါတယ္။

Soe Moe Aung, winner of a local bodybuilding contest, poses for photos in Yangon, Myanmar, Saturday, June. 23, 2012.

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Aung San Suu Kyi embarks on European tour

AFP
Geneva, June 14, 2012

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was due to address the International Labour Organization conference in Geneva on Thursday, kicking off the opposition leader's historic European tour.

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Ethnic violence continues in Myanmar

Posted by thithtoolwinmnn at 7:28 PM

Myanmar A Buddhist monk stands in the debris of burned houses still smoking in Sittwe, Myanmar, Monday.

Khin Maung Win/The Associated Press

SITTWE, MYANMAR With residents cowering indoors, security forces patrolling a tense town in western Myanmar collected bodies Monday from homes burned to ashes in some of the country’s deadliest sectarian bloodshed in years.

The conflict along ethnic and religious lines has left at least seven people dead and hundreds of homes torched since Friday and poses one the biggest tests yet for Myanmar’s new government as it tries to reform the nation after generations of military rule.

The handling of the unrest will draw close scrutiny from western powers, which have praised President Thein Sein’s administration and rewarded it by easing years of harsh economic sanctions on Myanmar, also known as Burma.

Thein Sein declared a state of emergency in the region late Sunday and pleaded for an end to the “endless anarchic vengeance.”

“Sittwe city centre is quiet at the moment but we are afraid at nighttime. We are afraid that the Rohingya Muslims would come in boats and torch the villages along the river. We have not slept well for nearly a week,” Sittwe resident Mya Thein said after darkness fell Monday.

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Dozens killed, hundreds of buildings burnt down by Bengali Rohingya mobs in border town of Maungdaw

Dozens killed, hundreds of buildings burnt down by Bengali Rohingya mobs in border town of Maungdaw

Reported by Eleven Media Group

A scene being set fire at Tha Zin Guest House near Maungtaw City Hall at about 2 pm on 8 June. A scene being set fire near the junction of Clock Tower of Maungtaw City Hall at about 2 pm on 8 June. Yangon, Sat June 9, 2012 (Eleven Media Group)- Dozens of Rakhine people were killed amidst the Rohingya terrorist attacks in border town of Maungdaw in Rakhine State, the western part of Myanmar on Friday. Due to the violence, hundreds of houses and buildings were burnt down by mobs, said the reporter Ko Win Maung of the Eleven Media at the scene. The death toll in the incident has reached 20 to 30 until the night of 8 June and the injured persons nearby villages of Maundaw Township are flooding into Maungdaw hospital. The onset of the violence on 8 June was that the Rohingya Muslims who returned from the mosque yesterday afternoon started throwing the stones to the Rakhine houses and buildings in Maungdaw Townships, according to the Eleven Media reporter whose house was also blazed amidst the violence. As the riots could not be controlled, the police forces took security measures in the town where Muslims are majority and Rakhine people are minority. Rohingya mobs were setting fire on the nearby villages of Rakhine ethnics, said a Buddhist monk who resides in Maungdaw Township. Due to these unrests, the State-owned media aired the announcement of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Curfew) which states people are not to go outside between 18:00 pm and 06:00 am in Maungdaw and Buthedaung townships. In contrary to the reporting of foreign media, the army did not fire at the mobs, but just warning shots to the riot to help the security measures of police forces, according to the EMG reporter in Maundaw Township where the clashes are happening.

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Forgive but don't forget, Myanmar comedian-turned-activist says

Comedian, actor and political prisoner Zarganar, who was released from Myitkyina prison in northern Myanmar, smiles at Yangon domestic airport October 12, 2011. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

YANGON (AlertNet) – For a man who has spent most of his life cracking jokes, Myanmar's most famous comedian and political dissident, Zarganar, has a sober view of the world and takes his self-appointed role as a custodian of the past seriously.
Since his release from jail in October under an amnesty for political prisoners, Zarganar has focused on ways of ensuring the atrocities of the past are recorded and not forgotten by future generations.
A meeting in Cambodia with the head of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, a private organisation that has collected documents, films and photographs of the Khmer Rouge, has inspired him.
Zarganar hopes a similar centre can be built in Myanmar, perhaps by 2013. It would be a test of the Southeast Asian country's transition from military rule to democracy since many of those implicated in the abuses are still in power today.
"As we embark on the democratisation process, 1988, 1990, 2007 and 2008 are four historical years we cannot forget," Zarganar, whose real name is Ko Thura, told AlertNet.

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Student Union ‘to Register or Risk Jail’

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Phyo Phyo Aung, front row, third from left, sits among fellow members of the ABFSU's organizing committee (Photo: abfsu.net)

Leaders of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) were told on Wednesday to register as an official association by the Rangoon authorities or potentially face imprisonment.
However, prominent members of the umbrella body which represents Burmese student organizations denied this step was necessary as it has no intention to stand for election.
“Dr. Than Aung of the Rangoon Division Administrative Office told us to register the Student Union [ABFSU] because they do not see us as a registered party at the Election Commission,” Phyo Phyo Aung, the secretary of the ABFSU organizing committee, told The Irrawaddy.
“They told us how to register under section two of the Registration Act (6/88) as well as the punishments if the union is not registered,” she added.
But the organizing committee’s members denied that it needs to register as they consider themselves neither a political party nor a social organization. According to the Unlawful Association Act, persons forming illegal organization can be sentenced to five years imprisonment while activists can get three years.
Phyo Phyo Aung argued that they could only decide with the will of all students throughout the whole nation and that “the nationwide student conference will need to agree to this,” which the authorities could not accept.
Than Aung, along with various provincial and township authorities, said that ABFSU’s current existence is “unlawful” under existing regulations, and therefore the union must “register or postpone its activities” until alternative legislation is enacted by Parliament.

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