Government
‘Door closed’ for Rainsy, says Namhong
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong said after a meeting with US Ambassador William Heidt on 7 December that the “time was over” for opposition leader Sam Rainsy to retract comments that are the subject of an outstanding defamation sentence. “I had kept the door open for ...
Vietnam-Laos border marker increase, upgrade completed
At a meeting in Hanoi, Vinh – who is also the head of the Defence Ministry’s steering board for the border demarcation and marker planting – said the ministry considers the increase of and upgrade to border markers critical to the countries’ defence, security, dialogue, ...
Former dictator said to accept Daw Suu as ‘future leader’
Not seen in public for four years but still a power behind the scenes, former junta leader U Than Shwe has reportedly endorsed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as “the future leader of Myanmar”, fuelling speculation of a possible deal that would allow her to ...
Post-ceasefire dialogue process moves ahead
In a race against deadlines set by the nationwide ceasefire agreement, negotiators for eight ethnic armed groups, the government and political parties have agreed on a partial draft text of a framework for political dialogue. However, some important issues have not been decided on, such as ...
Migrant rights group presses government on stalled registration
A migrant rights network has appealed to the Myanmar and Thai governments to reach a solution on a worker registration standoff, and to take steps to alleviate the exploitation of workers by brokers. The call comes as the two sides prepare to meet in Thailand on ...
Vietnam, Laos discuss future co-operation
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad sought measures to reach co-operation contents agreed for 2016-2020 during talks in Hanoi on 6 December. They reviewed achievements made from 2011-2015, agreeing that the two countries’ traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation ...
Suu Kyi, Than Shwe discuss Myanmar's future
Myanmar election winner Aung San Suu Kyi and long-time former military junta leader Than Shwe met for more than two hours and discussed the country’s future, sources said on 6 December. The 4 December meeting at military headquarters in the political capital Nay Pyi Taw was facilitated ...
Myanmar Central Bank in spotlight over coins
The ire of MPs over the 11.95 percent supplementary budget request from the outgoing government was directed on 3 December toward the Central Bank. While its request for K59.059 billion represents just 2.3 percent of the K2.464 trillion budget proposal, MPs said it was a prime example ...
China signs rice, rubber deals with Thailand
China has signed rice and rubber purchase deals with Thailand as part of the Thai-Sino railway development agreement. Negotiations over the railway are continuing. The deals were signed at the ninth meeting of the Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation in Bangkok on 3 December. Keep reading ...
People’s forum to meet this month
Strengthening links between government and people, the Myanmar People’s Forum will meet at Yangon’s International Business Centre from 15-16 December, executive director U Kyaw Lin Oo has announced. The forum brings together MPs, representatives of government and local civil society to get people’s voices heard. Keep reading ...