07 January 2021 News Briefing
As of 8 PM, 6 Jan, a total of 17,279 samples were tested and found 596 new cases and 19 deaths. MoHS has reported 128,178 confirmed cases including 111,401 discharged,[…]
29 December 2020 News Briefing
As of 8 PM, 28 Dec, a total of 19,108 samples were tested and found 648 new cases and 17 deaths. MoHS has reported 122,534 confirmed cases including 104,351 discharged,[…]
UN factfinding report calls for military prosecution, shuts down Facebook accounts
In one of the most strongly worded reports yet, the United Nations has called out the military’s actions in Arakan State as evidence of “genocidal intent”. Information collected by the[…]
2017 by-elections Lead Story News Politics
Nearly 70 candidates register for November by-election
A total of 69 people have filed for candidature to contest Burma’s upcoming by-election, a Union Election Commission (UEC) official has told DVB.
‘Four Eights’ drops the numbers; will seek recognition as ‘People’s Party’
Apparently bowing to popular pressure, organisers of an aspirant political party have dropped a contentious effort to affix their brand to numerology that has been a symbol of Burma’s pro-democracy movement for years.
UEC sets Nov. 3 date for by-election; 13 seats to be contested
Burma’s Union Election Commission has set a Nov. 3 date for this year’s by-election, which will involve races for 13 seats across the Union Parliament and state and regional legislatures.
Minister contradicts cabinet colleague on freedom of movement for NVC holders
Burma’s Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population Thein Swe has denied an assertion made by one of his cabinet colleagues last week of plans to relax travel restrictions for holders of National Verification Cards, the vast majority of whom would be Rohingya Muslims.
USDP condemns plan to allow Rohingyas right to travel
“Security and rule of law in the nation are at critical risk,” said a party statement.
Win Myint elected president of Burma as uncertainty reigns
Parliament on Wednesday voted for Win Myint as president, a National League for Democracy stalwart who will now serve, ostensibly, as Burma’s most powerful civilian leader.
Lower House votes Win Myint for VP; election to presidency seen as likely
Elected MPs in the Lower House on Friday selected Win Myint, the chamber’s former speaker, as its pick for vice president and concurrently its presidential nominee, in a landslide vote that has locked in his status as Burma’s presumptive next president.
Lead Story News Parliament Politics
Deputy no more, T Khun Myat elected Lower House speaker
Lawmakers in the Lower House elected T Khun Myat as their speaker on Thursday, and the chairman of the chamber’s Bill Committee Tun Tun Hein to serve as his deputy, just one day after it was announced that T Khun Myat’s predecessor was stepping down.
Lead Story News Parliament Politics
Lower House to vote on new speaker tomorrow, legislative agenda indicates
According to an agenda for the Lower House’s 22 March parliamentary session, lawmakers in the chamber are due tomorrow to select a speaker to replace Win Myint, who abruptly stepped down from the post on Wednesday.
CSOs downplay shared opposition to protest law changes with military MPs
Although a coalition of civil society organisations agrees with military-aligned parliamentarians in opposing proposed changes to Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, the CSOs say they have no plans to cooperate with those MPs in ongoing resistance to the amendments.
Ko Ni murder: MP about-turns on accusation
Lin Zaw Tun apparently admitted today in front of Aung Soe at the Department of Criminal Investigation in Yangon that his testimony had been “misinformed”.
In court testimony, MP says wrong man on trial as gunman in Ko Ni assassination
In an unexpected development in the ongoing trial of the alleged assassin of prominent legal scholar Ko Ni, a sitting lawmaker took the stand on Thursday to claim that another man was in fact the shooter.
Coalition of political parties led by USDP in attack mode at home, abroad
About one-fifth of Burma’s political parties have raised their collective voice in opposition to matters both foreign and domestic, chiding UK lawmakers for what they deem undue criticism of the crisis in Rakhine State and panning proposed amendments to legislation on protesting that has been scrutinised for years.
Four Eights party still in limbo
Ko Ko Kyi said he believes his party could pose a challenge to the two major parties, the NLD and the USDP.
Mrauk-U crackdown: both police and protesters likely at fault, says MP
“It is most likely that both sides – members of the police force and protesters – violated certain customs, commands and laws.”
Elections Lead Story News Politics
Eight seats in play for by-election due later this year: UEC member
A member of the Union Election Commission tells a session of Parliament’s Upper House that a by-election will be held sometime in 2018 to fill eight vacant seats in legislatures at the state, regional and national level.
By-elections expected again this year: UEC member
A Union Election Commission member says Burma expects to hold a by-election in 2018, adding that the commission will plan the poll to fill the vacant seats if the chambers of the respective parliaments request that the UEC do so.
24 political parties oppose foreigner involvement in Rakhine advisory team
Twenty-four political parties release a statement opposing the recent appointment of five foreign nationals to a 10-member “advisory team” tasked with monitoring implementation of recommendations laid out in August by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.
USDP wades into furore over Reuters reporters’ arrest
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has injected itself into the debate over two Reuters journalists who were detained last week, with a party official saying they should be released if not guilty of wrongdoing.
Seizing on legacy of ’88 uprising, ‘Four Eights’ makes bid for political party status
A political party formed by members of the “88 Generation” is one step closer to becoming a reality this week, as organisers of the effort submitted an application to the Union Election Commission (UEC) on Tuesday seeking official recognition.
Commentary: Burma’s legislature is missing link in Rakhine crisis
Renaud Egreteau asks how the legislature could provide more oversight on the recent Rakhine State crisis.
UEC, USDP to face off over electoral body’s impartiality
The Union Election Commission has summoned a spokesperson for the Union Solidarity and Development Party to provide evidence after the latter questioned the commission’s ability to rule on electoral disputes impartially.
International Relations Lead Story News
Suu Kyi heads to China conference
At the invitation of the Chinese government, Suu Kyi is scheduled to deliver a speech as a special guest at the meeting.
Analysis Ethnic issues Lead Story Peace Process
Resolving northern stalemate is key to peace in Burma
Insofar as the Union government’s agenda for ethnic reconciliation is concerned, there is little doubt that the north, where the most powerful rebel armies operate, holds the key to a permanent negotiated settlement.
Elections Lead Story News Politics
Election Commission rejects USDP accusation of bias
Speaking to DVB after the UEC released its statement today, USDP’s Nandar Hla Myint retorted that the Commission “could not be trusted” to be impartial.
USDP lawmaker removed from Shan State legislature seat
The Union Election Commission announces that a member of the Shan State legislature from the Union Solidarity and Development Party will be unseated, with the National League for Democracy runner-up in a by-election held earlier this year taking his place.
Nearly 30 political parties accuse NLD of ‘exploiting’ via interfaith rallies
Twenty-seven political parties including the Union Solidarity and Development Party issue a statement accusing the National League for Democracy of taking advantage of religion, as the ruling party has organised interfaith vigils at locales across Burma in recent weeks.
