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Established in 1914
1. In Myanmar, tradition to pay respects to teachers flourishing in successive eras The
World Teachers' Day observed in honour of attribute, code of conduct and gratitude
of teachers
2. Tatmadaw families and wellwishers donate cash and kind to monasteries in Pazundaung
Township
3. Ministry of Transport holds coord meeting
4. Culture Minister inspects rebuilding of Kanbawzathadi Palace
5. Commander inspects sanitation tasks
6. Commander attends International Day of Older Persons 7. Women's Chapter of MMA to hold respect paying ceremony 8. Use of electricity inspected in industrial zones of Bago 9. Talks to mark World Teachers' Day held
SPOTLIGHT
(1) In Myanmar, tradition to pay respects to teachers flourishing in successive eras The World Teachers' Day observed in honour of attribute, code of conduct and gratitude of teachers
Yangon, 5 Oct - The World Teachers' Day was observed at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road at 8 am today, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.
Sixth standard students Ma Yadana Aye Min and Ma Naw Mary of Sangyoung BEHS No 2 acted as masters of ceremonies. Then, Myat Saya (Noble Teacher) song was presented by students. Next, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt delivered an address.
The Secretary- 1 said the United Nations designated 5 October as the World Teachers' Day this year and Myanmar observed the day for the first time in Myanmar on a grand scale. Holding of the ceremony vividly showed Myanmar's stand and determination to actively participate in international cooperation for development of the role of the teachers. It is a ceremony to honour the teachers as Myanmar people pay respects to them like parents in accord with Myanmar's culture and customs.
He said observance of the World Teachers' Day worldwide showed the great value of the teachers who play a vital role in nurturing human resource which is the most basic factor for development of every nation. The day was observed in honour of the status, code of conduct and gratitude of the teachers.
At a time when Myanmar has been making endeavours for promotion of national education after laying down the education promotion programmes systematically, the World Teachers' Day was designated. Development of the sector of teachers who are social and economic architects of the State would be taken into consideration with seriousness. It is necessary for the State and the people to provide assistance to it.
In Myanmar society, everybody highly values the gratitude of the teachers. Every person has parents and he must have teachers. Father and mother are regarded as the first teachers in Myanma traditions and they were assigned duties of the teachers to train their children to be clever and polite and to get on well with others in society.
There are three kinds of teachers - one who teaches lessons, one from whom lesson is taken by sight and one from whom lesson is taken through hearing. There has been a good tradition that Myanmar people regard those who can give some knowledge to them as teachers.
Myanmar people feel indebted to every person who has provided education or knowledge and pay respects to him as a teacher. The teacher is placed in the same category as the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha and the parents. Myanmar people have been paying respects to teachers as they value and admire them.
That is why there are many poems, verses and homilies in Myanma literature that show codes of conduct, responsibilities, status, and value of the teachers along with the value of wisdom. All the pupils and the entire Myanmar society have accepted and practiced such teachings.
As Myanmar society and Myanmar people respect and admire the dignity of teachers, the teachers on their part lead the pupils like parents as required by the codes of conduct.
In Myanmar society it is necessary for the teachers to possess the attributes such as morals, integrity and wisdom which are norms to evaluate the social standard. Every person who assumes himself as a teacher is to possess these norms.
In Myanmar, cultural tradition to pay respects to the teachers has been in existence throughout successive eras. Nowadays, this tradition has been practiced even more. There have been frequent reports of paying respects to the teachers individually or collectively.
It is heartening to see the ceremonies to pay respects to the retired teachers being held in the universities, institutes, colleges and basic education schools.
Under the education promotion programme, specific days of activity have been designated in the education calendar in which a day to pay homage to the teachers has been fixed.
In accord with the development of science and technology in the world, the State Peace and Development Council is introducing education reforms after drawing plans to be on a par with international standard.
The role of teachers as well as that of the cooperation of society and the public were included in the education reforms. Teachership development programme was implemented in education promotion programme (First Phase) which started in 1998. According to the programme, teachers training schools and teachers training institutes were upgraded to the education colleges. Pre-job courses on teachership were conducted for the teachers to enable them to enjoy education opportunities.
Teachership development undertakings have been successfully implemented in promoting the quality and the momentum of education reform system of the State phase by phase after combining the education promotion programmes, the special four year-education promotion plan and the 30 year-long term education plan.
According to teachership development programmes, the qualification and opportunity of teachers have been promoted. Under these programmes, the education system providing constant opportunities for teachers has emerged and the bright prospects for teachers have been created.
For teachership training, there are now 19 education colleges and two institutes of education where under- graduate courses, on-job training courses, correspondence courses and bridging courses were being conducted, thus contributing to further studies up to M.Ed and Ph.D degrees.
Under these programmes, the Government is making arrangements for those who passed matriculation exams can join teachership training as well as bridging courses that contribute to further studies for B.Ed, and for those who are graduates can join Post- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) Course and Post Graduate Diploma in Multimedia Arts (PGDMA) Course and for those who have not obtained teachership certificates can join primary and middle school level teachership correspondence courses and distance teachership courses that employ information and communication technology.
Teachers are of paramount importance in successful implementation of the education plans being laid down by the Government with a view to promoting the education standard.
This being so, the Government has been placing emphasis on teachers development sector aimed at improving their abilities and creating better opportunities for them in future.
The norms to be fulfilled by the schools are stated in the book "Pyinnya Beikman High School" and that to be fulfilled by the teachers in the "Education Promotion Programmes and Teachers' Role".
At a time when the Government has been creating the opportunities for teachers in appreciation of their important role, the teachers, on their part, are to nurture and train themselves to be qualified for successful implementation of education plans.
To ensure the emergence of a constant learning society, the teachers themselves are needed to constantly study and constantly create and formulate new ideas for successful implementation of the education plan.
In Myanmar society, there have been traditions and customs of paying profound reverence to teachers who can wield their influence in rural community. Thus, the teachers are to uphold the fine traditions and behave themselves in a fitting manner in leading the students and the people for the emergence of a knowledge-based Myanmar society.
In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the teachers being assigned duties throughout the nation to nurture and train their students to become outstanding students in education, to become those who cherish and love the nation and the people, to become those who are imbued with nationalism and Union Spirit, to teach the students to become those who are capable of discharging duties in development of Myanmar society, to actively participate in the sector wherever they are assigned for successful implementation of education plan at a time when the Government and the people are making efforts to promote the education standard, to nurture and train the students who are being entrusted to them by the State and the people to become those who are outstanding in all sectors and love and cherish the nation and the people, to work for the development of socio-economic life of the people in the areas of the universities and colleges to which they are assigned duties. The Secretary-1 expressed his wish that the teachers would behave in accord with the attributes of the noble teachers on the World Teachers' Day that honoured and highlighted the key role of teachers in socio-economic development of the present and future world.
Then, Coordinator of Myanmar Education for All Director-General U Tin Nyo of No 1 Basic Education Department read out the World Teachers' Day message sent by leaders of UNESCO, ILO, UNDP and UNICEF.
Next, the Secretary-1 presented first, second and third prizes to Assistant Lecture U Than Win of Yangon University Myanmarsar Department, Lecturer Daw Nilar Myint of Yangon Western University Myanmarsar Department and Lecturer Daw Tin Tin Wai of Yangon University Myanmarsar Department in the university, college and institute teachers level article contest respectively; and Headmistress Daw Nu Nu Sein of Mahaaungmye BEHS No 3, Assistant Township Education Officer U Min Wai of Chanayethazan Township and Headmistress Daw Cho Cho of Yankin BEHS No 2 in the basic education high school teachers level article contest respectively.
Then, the General presented first, second and third prizes to Junior Assistant Teacher Daw Mya Mya Than of Botahtaung BEHS No 6, Headmistress Daw Mya Mya Thein of Gyobingauk BEMS No 2 and JAT Daw Nan Tin Yi of Mawlamyine BEHS No 7 in the middle school teachers level article contest respectively; and PAT U Win Thein of Aungpan Village BEPS No 174 in Pyinmana Township through Botahtaung BEHS No 6 Headmaster U Kyi Than, Headmistress Daw Khin Win of Chanayethazan BEPS No 17 and Headmistress Daw Toe Toe Htay of Ahlon BEPS No 8 in the primary school teachrs level article contest respectively.
Afterwards, the General presented prizes to tenth standard student Ma Cho Zaw Aung of Latha BEHS No 2 and eight standard student Ma Zin Zaw Aung who drew the logo design to mark the World Teachers' Day.
Minister for Education U Than Aung presented first, second and third prizes to first year student Ma Htet Naygyi Win of Pakokku Education College, third year student Maung Chan Nyein of Sagaing Education College and second year student Ma May Moe Kyu of Mawlamyine Education College in the education college poem contest respectively; and second year student Ma Hnin Zargyi Wan of Pathein Education College, first year student Ma Khin Sandi Ko of Taunggyi Education College and first year student Ma Thin Leh Leh Soe of Monywa Education College in the education college level essay contest respectively.
Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt presented first, second and third prizes to winners in the basic education high and middle school level poem and essay competitions respectively. After the ceremony, the General cordially met with those present, teachers and students and inspected the Exhibition marking the 2002 World Teachers' Day.
Secretary-1 inspects progress of development tasks in Maubin region
Yangon, 5 Oct - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt, left here by car this morning and arrived at Mezali Village in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division, at 9.30 am.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Maubin, Ayeyawady Division, where they were welcomed by local authorities, departmental personnel and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
Next, the Secretary-1 inspected progress in construction of development tasks in Maubin region. First, the Secretary-1 and party inspected Maubin University Construction Project being implemented on Maubin-Kyaiklat Road in Maubin for human resource development of Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education.
Then, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of the concrete road, 18 feet wide and 1,200 feet long, leading to Maubin University and progress in construction of four-storey main building of the university. Chairman of Dagon International Co Ltd U Win Aung conducted the Secretary-1 and party round the construction site.
At the briefing hall there, Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt reported on arrangements for installation of modern teaching equipment including computers at Maubin University.
Then, Chairman of Dagon International Co Ltd U Win Aung reported on completion of the four-storey main building, four two-storey lecture halls, extension of the archway and the entrance road and future tasks of the project.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 gave instructions on water and power supply, communications works, greening tasks and drainage of the university to officials.
The Secretary-1 and party then proceeded to the construction site of Government Technical College (Maubin) Project being undertaken on Maubin-Yele Road in Maubin for human resource development of the Ministry of Science and Technology and inspected construction of the main building and lecture halls.
At the briefing hall, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung reported on academic matters and Managing Director Dr Zaw Tun of Shwe Kyarbyan Construction on construction of the main building, lecture halls, workshops and the archway of the college with the use of charts. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on construction tasks to be carried out with the aim of ensuring uplift of the buildings in long term and fulfilled their requirements.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at Maubin District Hospital where they were welcomed by Head of District Health Department Dr Thein Wai, the medical superintendent, doctors and nurses. First, the Secretary-1 inspected extension of Maubin District Hospital (200-bed). At the briefing hall, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint reported on the lay-out plan of the hospital and construction and restoration of old buildings.
Managing Director U Ohn Myint of Htut Khaung Development Co Ltd reported on progress in extension of new buildings at the hospital. The Secretary-1 attended to their needs. Next, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to the Buddha image at Shwephonemyint Pagoda in Maubin.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Presiding Nayaka of Dhammayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Anadhivara and Ovadaariya Sayadaws of the Pagoda and donated provisions to the Sayadaws.
Then, Dagon International Co Ltd Chairman U Win Aung and Shwe Kyarbyan Construction Managing Director Dr Zaw Tun donated K 1.5 million for the Htidaw of the pagoda and K 2 million for construction of Maubin District Sasana Beikmandaw. Later, the Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the afternoon.
(2) Tatmadaw families and wellwishers donate cash and kind to monasteries in Pazundaung Township
Yangon, 5 Oct - Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated rice, edible oil, salt, grams, medicines and cash to Mya Theintan, Phaya Phyu and Nyaunggon Kyaungtaiks in Pazundaung Township, Yangon East District, at Mya Theintan Kyaungtaik at the corner of Anawrahta Street and Botahtaung Pagoda Road this afternoon.
First, the congregation received the Five Precepts from Phaya Phyu Kyaungtaik Presiding Saya-daw Agga Maha Sadhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Narinda Bhiivamsa.
Next, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein, Tatmadaw senior officers and departmental heads presented offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Then, on behalf of the families of the Tatmadaw, Camp Commandant of the Camp Commandant's Office, Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein and Colonel General Staff (Air) (Mechanical) Col Ye Chit Pe donated rice, edible oil and grams.
The Ministry of Religious Affiairs YCDC and Yangon Division, Yangon East District and Pazundaung Township Peace and Development Councils donated rice; Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines 300 viss of iodized salt and 30 boxes of soft salt; the Indigeneous Medicine Department bottles of traditional medicines; Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation and Dagon Myanmar International Co and Sandi traditional medical house rice and durian jams; Pazundaung Township edible agents 100 viss of edible oil; Hmancho, Tun Shwewa, Htet Lin, Kaythipan, Kyaw, Awayya and Kantha medical houses traditional medicines; and Pazaundaung Township Health Department Head Dr Kyi Kyi Khin 50 viss of iodized salt.
Next, cash for trust funds of the three monasteries were donated. Afjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Chief of Statf (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein and military officers accpeted the donations. The cash donations were: K 30,000 by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air Force) families; K 30,000 by UMEHL; K 9,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council; K 150,000 by Ayeya Myay Co; K 15,000 by Yangon (East) District and Pazundaung Township Peace and Development Councils; K 90,000 by nine ward peace and development councils; K 60,000 by Shwebin Ngwebin and Hlagaba furniture; K 30,000 by Hmacho medical house; K 50,000 each by Great Wall Co, Myanmar pyithar hyay Co; Thammada Thingan house; Win Yadana transportation, Kyaw medical house, U Kyaw Soe Moe, Daw Thida Than and family, Yenadi Co and U Aung Myat Moe, Daw Khine Thandar Soe and family; K 50,090 by Sandi traditional medical house; K 30,000 each by Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, San Myanmar International Co, Tun Shwewa medical house and Myo Aung industry; K 20,000 each by Htet Lin medical house, Kaythi Pan medical house, Daw Hla Hla, Daw Mya Thein and son U Yan Shin of U Wisara housing estate; K 15,000 each by Myint Myat paddy trading and Thitsa Pankhin film and video production; K 11,900 by Dagon U Tin Win and family; K 10,000 each by Sayagyi Co, Adviser to the Ministry of Culture Dr Pe Nyan, Kantha and Awayya medical houses, the Kyemon Daily, U Ko Ko Gyi, Daw Thein Kyi and family, Pazundaung Township WCWA, Township Law opffice, Township Court, Township Internal Revenue Department and Township Cooperative Department; K 5,000 by Township USDA, Township WVO, Township Police Force, Township Immigration and National Registration Department, Pazundaung market office, Township MCWA, YMBA, Shwebonpwint Pagoda trustees' board, Township rice merchants association and Pazundaung market management committee.
Today's donations were: 112 bags of rice, 130 viss of edible oil, 350 viss of salt, 30 boxes of soft salt, 1169 packets of traditional medicines, 60 viss of pulses & beans, 10 packets of duriamn jam and K 1,289,990.
Provisions donated to Thanantana Dhammapala (Hindu) Association in Pabedan Township
Yangon, 5 Oct - Families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions and cash to Thanantana Dhammapala Hindu Association in Pabedan Township at the Association on Bo Sun Pet Road here this afternoon.
First, Adjutant General Lt-Gen Thein Sein offered lights to Lord Buddha. Next, All Myanmar Hindu Paroheit Pujari (Hindu monks) Central Organization Chairman Shri Parama Siwun Shiva Charia recited mantras. Then, Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party shared the merits gained for the donations.
Cash and kind donations for the Association were then made. The cash donations were: K 20,000 by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air Force); K 10,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council; K 150,000 by Super Coffeemix; K 100,000 by Ayeya Myay Co; K 111,111 by All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Foundation and Asia King Co; K 15,000 by Yangon West District and Pabedan Township Peace and Development Councils; K 30,000 each by Myanmar Fisheries Federation, Yangon Division Fisheries Federation and Sun Myanmar Co; K 11,900 by Dagon Myanmar International Co; K 10,000 by Myint Myat paddy cultivation group; K 15,000 by Daw Hla Hla of Lanmadaw Township; K 20,000 by Htet Lin medical house; K 50,000 by Kyaw medical house; K 50,090 each by Sandi traditional medical house and Ananda Inn; K 55,555 by Shri Kamachi Devi Temple trustees; K 51,000 each by Maung Kyaw Win rice mill accessories and ball bearing trading, Sri Bajrang Lal Sharma and family, Win Star Opticals, Myanmar Ananda Co, Sein family, Sri Bindraban Bajoria and family, Mya Yadana Enterprise, Sri Staya Narayan Lihla & Bandoola Myanmar Co, More Enterprise Myanmar Ltd, Royal Global Co,ICCI international commodities limited, R Pyarilal & Co, Vishal Enterprise, Thein Enterprise and Vintel Export Co; K 50,000 by All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Development Association; K 20,000 each by Tun Shwewa medical house, Thammada Thingan house, Hmancho medical house and Kyathipan medical house; K 10,000 each by Sayagyi Co and Awayya medical house; K 31,000 by Panimax Trading Myanmar Co, K 30,000 each by Aung Tharaphu PVC pipe trading and Hindu welfare society; K 31,000 by Tawwin brokerage; K 25,000 each by Aung Thitsa export and import and Myitta Dhana Co; K 21,000 each by Golden Brother Store, Sri Shyan Lal Danuka and Sri Raj Kumar Jain; K 51,000 by M-24 Co, K 21,000 each by Kedia Light and Sri Ramesh Jalan; K 20,000 each by Daw Helen and family, Sri S K Samy, Diamond Crown Co, U Ba Maung, Ko Than Tun and Ma Nan Kham Mai of Lashio; K 11,070 by Annawar Pipe Trading; K 11,000 each by Nippon TV and Sri Dinesh Patodia family; K 10,000 each by Latia Sevasran, Rajendra, Santi Sagar International Co, Nanda Lal Chand and family and U Pan Sein, Daw Lachamee and family.
Today's donations were 73 bags of rice, 35 viss of edible oil, 100 viss of iodized salt, 20 packets of soft salt, 1057 packets of traditional medicines, 60 viss of pulses & beans and K 2,407,427.
(3) Ministry of Transport holds coord meeting
Yangon, 5 Oct - The Ministry of Transport held the second day session of the second four-monthly coordination meeting at Myanmar Maritime University on Bayintnaung Road at 9 am today.
Present were Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, Officer on Special Duty Brig-Gen Myo Tint, directors-general, managing directors, the principal, the rectors and advisers of departments, enterprises, the institute and the university, leaders of the Supervisory Committees for Operating Full Capacity and officials.
First, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint gave a supplementary report. Then, Deputy Minister U Pe Than reported on the respective sector. Next, the Minister gave a concluding remark and the meeting came to an end.
Minister inspects Myittha Bridge construction
Yangon, 5 Oct - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, arrived at the construction project site of Myittha Bridge in Kale, Sagaing Division, yesterday. The minister gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister inspected the pile boring and work being done.
(4) Culture Minister inspects rebuilding of Kanbawzathadi Palace
Yangon, 5 Oct - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, arrived at the construction site of Kanbawzathadi Palace in Bago this morning.
The minister met with officials of Development Affairs Department and Shwe Thanlwin Co who are undertaking pleasant and beautifying tasks at Bhamayathana Throne Hall and gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister inspected renovation of Archaeological Museum of Kanbawzathadi Palace. At the briefing hall, the minister met with officials of Archaeology Department, Bago Division Public Works, DAD and Shwe Thanlwin Co and gave instructions on carrying out of construction tasks, handicraft works and greening tasks.
Next, the minister inspected progress of Myanmar handicraft works at the buildings and gave necessary instructions.
Ministry of Industry-1 holds six-monthly coord meeting
Yangon, 5 Oct - The first six-monthly meeting to assess works in 2002-2003 and to coordinate tasks to be implemented for achieving the target was held at the training hall of the Ministry of Industry-1 this afternoon.
First, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung gave an opening address. Then, the factory managers and the managing directors reported on first six-monthly production targets for 2002-2003, actual production, financial matters, raw materials, distribution of finished goods of Myanma General and Maintenance Industries, Myanma Ceramics Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries, Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Textile Industries and Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries.
Officials of Industrial Coordination and Inspection Department reported on tasks in their respective sectors. Then, the minister presented prizes to winners for drawing the annual reports in 2001-2002 financial year and gave concluding remarks.
(5) Commander inspects sanitation tasks
Yangon, 5 Oct - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and officials, inspected sanitation and dredging works being carried out by Tatmadawmen, members of Myanmar Police Force, staff of YCDC, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Women's Affairs Committee, and people this morning.
The commander and party arrived at Theinbyu Market on Bo Min Yanung road in Mingalar Taungnyunt Township, Yangon (East) District, where they were welcomed by Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Commander of Yangon Division Police Force Police Col Aung Daing, Yangon (East) District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Aung Pyae and officials of YCDC. Then, the commander and party inspected the buying and selling goods at Theinbyu market, Sanpya night-market, and Mingalar Taungnyunt market and sanitation work being carried out there. The commander and party cordially greeted the buyers and sellers of the markets and gave instructions on sanitation tasks.
The commander and party also inspected the sanitation and dredging work at the surrounding area of Shwe Phone Pwint pagoda in Pazundaung Township, in Kyundaw street between Hanthawady road and Narnataw road in Kamayut Township, Strand road between Ahlon road and Forest road in Ahlon Township, Industry-1 road in Yankin Township, and Kyaikkasan pagoda road in Thingangyun Township. Responsible officials reported on work being done. Then, the commander, Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Mya Oo, the vice-mayor and party attended the sanitation equipment and cash donation ceremony of townships in Yangon (East) District to North Okkalapa General Hospital.
The commander explained the purpose of donation and urged those present to contribute to the concerted efforts of departmental personnel, NGOs and people to make Yangon City a modern garden city. The commander donated sanitation equipment worth K 199,000 to the deputy minister, who later presented a certificate of honour to him.
The commander, the deputy minister, the vice-mayor, and the commander of No 4 Military Region accepted K 800,000 for the medical trust-fund of the hospital donated by 41 wellwishers including K 100,000 by U Ei Kyu and Daw Ei Lan of Thein Gaba grinding mill and presented certificates of honour to them.
Then, the commander and party met with departmental personnel, members of USDA, MCWA and WCWA at the supervisory office of Shwe Paukkan Myothit. The officer in-charge reported on education, health and social affairs. The commander of No 4 Military Region gave an supplementary report on development of the town. The commander explained the tasks to be implemented by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council.
Afterwards, the commander and party proceeded to Aungmingalar Green Grocery Brokerage Centre and bus terminal in Mingaladon Township, where member of YCDC Col Thaung Wai reported on construction tasks. The commander fulfilled the requirements. He also inspected the construction of bus terminal, roads, the guest house and other buildings. He gave instructions on timely completion of construction works with set standards.
Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport meets
Yangon, 5 Oct - Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport held the coordination meeting at the meeting hall of All Bus-Line Control Committee (Yangon Division) on Laydauntkan Road in Tamway Township yesterday evening, attended by Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.
First, the commander explained progress in undertakings of the members of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport in their respective sectors for ensuring convenience of passengers traveling from Yangon City to states and division by car, by train, by boat and by plane, safely running of car, train, boat and plane with schedule time in accord with disciplines, rules and regulations and sanitation work to be carried out at bus terminals, railways stations, jetties and airports.
Then, members of the Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport, bus line chairmen and those present discussed arrangements being made for passengers traveling from Yangon to all over the countries and educative tasks being performed for drivers and conductors with a view to abiding by the traffic and road rules and disciplines. Then, the commander attended to their needs and gave the concluding remarks.
(6) Commander attends International Day of Older Persons
Yangon, 5 Oct - A ceremony to mark the International Day of Older Persons 2002 was held at the Development Affairs Department in Kengtung, Shan State (East), on 1 October.
Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Khin Zaw made a speech. Then, the commander and those present paid respects to the older persons and presented cash assistance to them.
The commander and wife and specialists and staff of the Health Department presented glasses to the older persons with eye complaints.
(7) Women's Chapter of MMA to hold respect paying ceremony
Yangon, 5 Oct - The meeting to review the work of the Women's chapter of Myanmar Medical Association (Yangon) during the nine month period was held at Hall-A of the association on Theinbyu Road at 9 am today.
Leading Patron of the Women's Chapter of MMA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe attended the meeting and made a speech. Leading Patron Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe explained matters related to holding the 20th ceremony to pay respect to elderly surgeons at 8 am on 2 November. Then, duties were assigned to those present. The meeting passed resolutions on collection of donations.
(8) Use of electricity inspected in industrial zones of Bago
Yangon, 5 Oct - Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint, inspected installation of meter boxes, transformers and electrical equipment at Chinsu Mayflower Plywood Factory, Yangxian Garment Factory and the Kin Group Wood Factory yesterday evening.
Then, the deputy minister gave instructions to the officials concerned on Use of electricity inspected systematic installation of electrical appliances, efficient use of electricity, ensuring safety from wire shock, systematic use of electricity in production, abiding by rules and regulations on electricity adopted by the State, avoiding unscrupulous use of electricity, and obtaining and use of electricity.
(9) Talks to mark World Teachers' Day held
Yangon, 5 Oct - Talks to mark World Teachers' Day were held at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road here this morning, attended by the directors-generals (Retd) and the rectors (Retd) under the Ministry of Education, the headmasters (Retd) and the headmistresses (Retd), the directors-general and the chairmen of departments and boards under the ministry, the rectors, professors, the deputy directors-general, the directors and officials, the school heads of basic education high schools of Yangon Division and teachers, teachers of Yankin and Thingangyun education colleges and trainees, students and guests. Director U Khin Zaw (Kaythipan) formally opened the talks.
Then, Rector Dr Khin Maung Win (Retd) made a speech. Rector U Thaung Tut (Retd) gave talks on teachers, world and Myanmar, and Staff Officer U Tin Hlaing on definition of unrivalled attributes of teachers. Next, gold medalist Ma Aye Myat Noe Khin sang the song titled the noble teachers composed by gold medalist Ma Ei Yin Mon to the accompaniment of organ tune. The morning session adjourned.
The afternoon session continued at 12.30 pm, attended by Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and officials, the school heads, teachers, trainees and students. Gold medalist students sang the song on long lasting loving kindness to the accompaniment of organ tune by gold medalist Maung Yan Bo Bo Aung and Rector Dr Kyaw Sein (Retd) made a speech.
Afterwards, Fourth grader Ma Eint Thinza Thet of BEHS 2, South Okkalapa explained The Attributes of Noble Teachers in English and Professor (Myanmarsar) U Khin Aye gave talks on teachers with the attributes. And then Eighth grader Maung Kyaw Zeya of BEHS 6, Botahtaung explained The Attributes of Teachers. Then, Director-General U Than Oo (Retd) gave talks on prestige and goodwill of teachers and Rector Dr Kyaw Sein (Retd) made the concluding remarks.
Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung presented gifts to Rector Dr Kyaw Sein (Retd), Director-General U Than Oo (Retd)and Prof U Khin Aye. Then, the special programme highlighting the attributes of teachers was presented with music and the ceremony ended.
PM Mahathir foresees democracy for Myanmar, pushes business
THE Myanmar government s stance on gradual evolution towards democracy was supported by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week when he visited Myanmar. But, Dr Mahathir said the Malaysian government hoped for a successful result which would lead to national reconciliation and demo-cratisation in Myanmar. A Malaysian national, Mr Razali Ismail, who was appointed by the United Nations as its special envoy for Myanmar, was largely credited for initiating the landmark talks between the two sides. Dr Mahathir, who is a trusted international friend of the Myanmar government, has been widely believed to have had a behind-the-scenes role in Mr Razali s efforts. Speaking at the opening of a business matching forum between the two countries, Dr Mahathir said an overly hasty transition to democracy could bring anarchy. "When opting for democracy it is necessary that the process be gradual. If not, the political process will unravel and you will end up with anarchy; you will end up with practically no government so the people have to understand that democracy does not mean freedom to do anything you like," Dr Mahathir told reporters last Monday. The Malaysian Prime minister met the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe shortly after his arrival in Yangon on August 18 to discuss "for development in economic and political fields". "Our view is that while we uphold democracy practice democracy we are also aware that the process of change must be gradual and we need not go straight to liberal democracy because that is very destructive," Dr Mahathir said. The two leaders met for an hour at the Pyithu Hluttaw (parliament) on Pyay Road. During the visit Dr Mahathir witnessed the signing of three agreements including an offshore oil exploration contract between Malaysia s Petronas and Myanmar s Energy Ministry for oil and gas exploration in Thaninthayi Division. The meeting was also addressed by the SPDC Secretary 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who described Dr Mahathir as a "staunch defender of the developing world".
"We in Myanmar consider ourselves to be very fortunate to have Malaysia, and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir in particular, as a friend," Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said. "One of the pillars that give strength to our relations is the sharing of many ideals, concepts and mental outlook," he said, outlining the SPDC s policy against hasty transition towards democracy. "The world is full of examples where a hasty transition from one system to another has led to unrest, instability and even failed states. "Such a transition cannot be made in haste and in a haphazard manner," Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt said. He said the solution to overcome the challenge facing Myan-mar s political transition should be found by the Myanmar people only. "No one should try to impose their will or attempt to mould Myanmar in their image," Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said in an apparent reference to the Western countries, SPDC s vociferous critics. "The democratic society that we envision is one where all 135 national races live in peace and harmony," said the Secretary-1. The Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, said Myanmar should be dealt with by every country with respect for its independence and sovereignty. "Malaysia has always said that constructive engagement with Myanmar would be the best means of (support for) evolution in the political as well as economic changes," Syed Hamid said in an exclusive interview with Myanmar Times in Yangon. "Myanmar made it very clear that they are to evolve their own system, so whatever other people may think and say it is most important that the Myanmar government bring socio-economic development for its people," he said.Syed Hamid also made it clear that it was the Myanmar government and people s right to choose the system of government for the country. "We will allow change to take place within the country in a way that it suited the purpose of the country. "Some have said the (democratisation) process is slow, but I think it is the Myanmar people who must decide the direction and the pace of the evolution," Syed Hamid said. He echoed Dr Mahathir s comments saying that hasty political reforms would bring "upheaval and turmoil". Syed Hamid said Myanmar has been evolving itself from stage to stage and "getting more confidence in opening up". "Myanmar is moving in the right direction," he said. Syed Hamid said Malaysia s policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar was partly attributed to Myanmar s entry to the Association of South East Asian Nations grouping in 1997. And he said Malaysia s policy towards Myanmar would remain the same despite the coming change in Malaysian leadership next year.
Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130 )
Giant Rakhine gas field dwarfs Yadana, Yetagun
AN enormous offshore gas field near Sittway in Rakhine State has the potential to be significantly larger than Myanmar’s two other producing gas fields at Yadana and Yetagun, it was revealed last week. Mr H D Lee, Deputy Managing Director of Myanmar Daewoo, an affiliate of Daewoo International which holds a major interest in the exploration project, said the reserve "is most likely around 13.4 to 47.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas at the site where we are going to drill a test well in November next year." "We are sure to succeed in this project," Mr Lee said. The reserves at Yadana and Yetagun are 6.7 and 3.2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) respectively, he said. Currently, the consortium is selecting the optimum location before drilling because of the huge investment. "A test well costs more than US$10 million and we will decide on how many more test wells should be drilled," he said. The consortium has plans to start seismic interpretation, geological survey and prospect evaluation in October and November. Daewoo International signed a production-sharing contract with the Ministry of Energy in August 2000 and it assigned 10 per cent share to another South Korean company, KOGAS last November. Last January, Daewoo again assigned 20pc and 10pc shares to two companies under the Indian Ministry of Energy – the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and the Gas Authority of India Limited. Depending on the quantity of gas found, they will consider transporting the gas by ship or through a direct pipeline to India. Mr Lee also said they will have to consider building a liquefied natural gas plant depending on the production volume, which at the moment, he said, was still too far away to judge. The Indian government is eager to buy the gas from Myanmar if the production goes well as expected. According to reports Unocal, Brown & Riot and the Indian government are believed to have conducted initial studies for the construction of a 1000 kilometre-long undersea pipeline from Myanmar to India. Last month, the Ministry of Energy and the Malaysia’s oil giant Petronas signed an agreement for exploration of natural gas at four offshore blocks in southern Myanmar. Petronas is also interested in building a liquid petroleum gas extraction plant at Kanbauk, about 300 miles southeast of Yangon.
Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130 )
Impressive decline in opium production, promise of help
AN impressive decline in opium production in Myanmar will be reversed if donor nations continue to refuse funding drug-control programs, the UN’s prime drug officer in Myanmar warned last week. This follows hot on the heels of a United Nations report which showed the production of opium poppy in Myanmar this year has decreased by 25 per cent compared to a year ago. "This decline is a step in the right direction. There is evidence that the government is aware of the damage caused to the country by opium cultivation," Mr Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, said in the report issued on August 27 in Vienna, Austria. The reaction of Mr Jean Luc Lemahieu, UNDCP’s representative in Yangon, was more forthright: "On the one hand I’m a happy man but on the other hand I’m a very worried man because the results are there but my thoughts are - my goodness, how have you done this, how can you sustain this?" he said. Mr Costa said new measures would be needed to achieve further cuts in opium production in Myanmar, adding that UN would need increased donor support to help in the elimination of opium poppy in Myanmar by 2005. According to the report poppy production in Myanmar this year was 828 tons - down from last year’s 1097 tons, based on its survey in Shan State during September 2001 to March 2002. More than 150 surveyors visited 2000 villages and measured 6000 opium fields. The survey was conducted jointly with the government – the first of such survey carried out by the UN in Myanmar.
Mr Lemahieu, while welcoming the news, cautioned the decline in opium poppy production should be sustainable. "We are happy with this, but it is not an end game," Mr Lemahieu said. He reiterated his call for increasing international aid to deal with the situation. The Myanmar government has consistently complained the country receives scant international aid in its fight against drugs. This severely inhibits its ability to control drug production and trade. In particular the government has consistently criticised the policy of Western countries including the USA and European nations on continuing to link funding for anti-drug campaigns to political movement. It has pressed its case that aid on drugs is a humanitarian issue that should be fought by all. To highlight this it has cited aid money granted to other SE Asian countries to fight the scourge of heroin. Laos, for instance, a Communist state, has a less serious drug problem, yet receives 20 times more funding than in Myanmar. Mr Lemahieu, whose office has been cut from 12 to two staff over the past two years due to budget cuts, said that while participation in areas like law enforcement assistance will have to wait until then, there should be no barrier to more funding for projects like alternative income generation. He said introduction of tough anti-drug measures by the Wa, Kokang and Kachin national groups in March and the government’s new " Project New Destiny " (formerly the Project Hell Flower) might help to decrease further the poppy production next year. Under the "Project New Destiny" launched in May, opium poppy farmers are encouraged by the government to swap opium seed for those of the other crops. The government says opium production in Myanmar, which decreased by 50 per cent over the past six years, would continue to decrease this year. But, Mr Lemahieu said he was confident that at an informal donors’ meeting later this year the funding tap would be opened. "An understanding is developing that work on drug control programs in Myanmar actually helps with a political transition," he said. Because of the lower output, opium production in Myanmar this year would be lower than in Afghanistan, UN said. It said per hectare output of opium in Myanmar was 10kgs while put Afghanistan’s output at 30kgs per hectare.
Myanmar Times (Sep.2-8), 2002-Vol.7, No. 131)
Tourism trend bucked as arrivals soar 20pc in wet
IN an encouraging development for the tourism sector, travel agents and big hotels have reported a strong increase in bookings during the rainy season, a trend which augurs well for the peak tourist season at the end of the year. Hotels say occupancy rates have increased by an average of about 20 per cent over the rainy season last year, while travel agents say bookings are up between 10 per cent and 50 per cent. Most of the rainy season tourist arrivals are from France, Italy and Spain, where many businesses close for the European summer, as well as Germany, Japan and Israel. Several industry sources said Myanmar was emerging as an increasingly popular destination for Italian and Spanish tourists. Mr Franz Fischer, the country manager of Bangkok-based Diethelm Travel, said documentaries about Myanmar’s cultural attractions and natural beauty had screened overseas in the last six months and this had helped the tourism sector. Myanmar was becoming well known for its cultural tourism among international travellers, said Mr Fischer, who said bookings had risen by up to 50 per cent compared to the low season last year. The managing director of Tawwin travel, Daw Rita Myint, said bookings were up by 25 per cent, continuing a trend for a gradual increase in arrivals during the low season which had emerged several years ago. Travel shows in Spain and other European countries which had featured Myanmar had helped to attract more visitors, Daw Rita Myint said.
Mr Edwin Briels, the marketing and incentive manager at the Exotissimo travel company, agreed with Daw Rita Myint that tourist arrivals during the rainy season had increased in recent years. Exotissimo’s bookings for the low season had increased by about 10 per cent, said Mr Briels. U Khin Zaw, the managing director at Tour Mandalay, reported an increase in bookings of 20 per cent over the same time last year. "Myanmar is emerging as a ‘new’ destination for Spanish travellers," said U Khin Zaw, who is also president of the United Myanmar Travel Association. A survey by Myanmar Times has found that hotel occupancy rates throughout the country are up by between 10 per cent to 25 per cent over the previous rainy season. In Yangon, the Traders hotel said rates were up by 21 per cent on last year’s rainy season and figures for the year had increased by seven per cent on 2001. The Summit Park View said rainy season occupancy rates were down slightly on 2001 but declined to give a percentage figure. In a sign of the growing popularity of Myanmar as a destination among the high end of the market, the luxury Pansea hotel said occupancy rates were up by seven per cent on last year’s rainy season. Traders said most of its guests are from Asia and the United States. Most bookings at the Summit Park View were from France and Japan.
Most of the guests at the Pansea are from Britain, France, Germany and the United States. At popular upcountry destinations, hotels say bookings are up by between 10 per cent to 25 per cent compared to a year ago. The Thiri Marlar Hotel at Bagan said bookings for July were up 10 per cent on the same month last year, with most tourists coming from France and Germany. "They come to Myanmar at this time of the year because it coincides with the holiday season throughout much of Europe," said the hotel’s Ms Khin Marlar Maung. The Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort hotel at Inle Lake also reported an increase in bookings of about 10 per cent over the same time last year. While bookings are up for the bigger hotels, the bottom end of the accommodation market is reporting a downturn, with many guest houses saying occupancy rates have fallen by around 20 per cent over the same time last year. A spokesperson for the New Park guest house at Bagan said bookings were down by about 20 per cent."In the low season last year were had 338 guests but this year we have 198," he said. At the Pan Cherry guest house in Bagan, staff said bookings were down about 30 per cent over the same time last year. It was a similar story at the Royal guest in Mandalay, which said low season bookings were down by between 10 per cent to 20 per cent. Guest houses said the downtown in budget tourists was having a flow-on effect on bus companies and cheap restaurants.
Myanmar Times (Aug.19-25), 2002-Vol.7, No. 129)
RESPONDING to the disclosure by the international television network CNN that al Qaeda members have been active in Myanmar, the Government of Myanmar last week reaffirmed its determination to stand with the United States and the international community on anti-terrorist cooperation.
"The Government of Myanmar has not had the opportunity to review the relevant portions of the cache of videotapes obtained by CNN in Afghanistan," said spokesman Lt-Col Hla Min. "However, reports by both the Associated Press and CNN indicate that the CNN tapes reveal "material from militant Islamic groups in other countries such as Somalia, Myanmar and Bosnia." The Washington Post reported the tapes include "documentation from al Qaeda members during operations in Burma, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan &and Bosnia.""The Government of Myanmar will investigate this allegation with the utmost urgency, and we will share this information with the United States," said Lt-Col Hla Min. "We are already sharing information with the United States on Islamic armed terrorists operating along Myanmar s Western border and within the region, with connections to Taliban and al Qaeda, now being held and questioned in Yangon," Hla Min said. The Government of Myanmar signed the United States-ASEAN Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism on August 1, 2002 in Brunei Darus-salam. "As we have previously stated, Myanmar has vigorously confronted the activities of a Muslim separatist armed terrorist group calling themselves Rohinga. Today, we are pleased that many of these individuals have given up their armed terrorism. However, we shall remain vigilant in safeguarding Myanmar and steadfast in cooperation in the war on terrorism."
Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130
For further information, inqueries may kindly be made to the nearest Myanmar Embassies or Consulates
or email tomission.myanmar@ties.itu.int
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