Burma
Dozens of Jade Miners Detained in Kachin After Wage Dispute Turns Violent
Jade mine workers gather at the offices of the Yadana Shwe Eaik mining company to demand their wages in the Lone Khin region of Kachin State on Monday. / Ko Zaw Moe Htet / Facebook
MANDALAY — A police officer in the Lone Khin jade mining region of Kachin State said 50 miners were detained on Tuesday after a dispute over unpaid wages with their employer, Yadana Shwe Eaik, turned violent the night before.
According to witnesses, more than 100 mine workers gathered on Monday afternoon at the company’s offices to demand their wages and when tempers flared they destroyed some of Yadana’s heavy machinery and set fire to a building.
“The workers said they did not received their daily wages and salaries yet, and the arguments turned into a protest in the evening. The police were there negotiating between the workers and the company, and the company promised it would pay the daily wages and salaries on Tuesday,” said Ko Thein Han, a witness.
“We don’t know what sparked the chaos. Some angry men threw stones and destroyed the heavy machinery. Later, the recreation building for the workers was set on fire and the flames spread to the garage and nearby buildings,” he added.
Witnesses said dozens of workers rushed into the garage once it caught fire to steal the jade stored inside but were eventually dispersed by police who fired warning rounds into the air.
“We got away from there when the situation started to get bad. We heard the gunfire from afar and later learned that police opened fire to drive away the workers who tried to steal the jade from the burning garage,” said Ko Aung Moe, a mine worker.
“The fire ended at about 11 p.m. and police are searching for the suspects who stole jade from the burning garage,” he added.
A local police officer, who asked that his name not be used because he was not authorized to speak with the media, said 50 mine workers were detained on Tuesday and would be sued on several counts, including vandalism, arson, theft, unlawful gathering and insulting police.
He said three civilians received minor injuries during the violence and that police were investigating reports that one man had died.
“We still don’t know about the dead person. Since the investigation is ongoing with the detained workers and the company staff, I cannot provide any more information,” the officer said.
He said police estimated the value of the stolen jade and property damage at about 114 million kyats ($84,700).
Company representatives could not be reached for comment.
Locals said security remained tight on Tuesday as police continued to search for more suspected thieves. They said wage disputes between the area’s jade mine workers and their employers were common but added that Monday night’s violence was rare.
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Burma
Ne Win’s Grandsons Charged With Assaulting Bus Driver
Kyaw Ne Win (looking toward camera) inspects a fleet of new buses delivered to Omni Focus Company at Yangon’s People’s Park in May 2017. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy
YANGON — Two grandsons of former military dictator Ne Win are to appear in court on May 25 on charges of assaulting a man who worked as a driver for a company they own.
U Aung Myat, who was formerly employed as a bus driver by Omni Focus YBS Co., claims he was beaten by Kyaw Ne Win and Zwae Ne Win after the bus he was driving was involved in a minor accident with another one of their company’s vehicles, adding that he was unfairly dismissed from his job.
The brothers deny the claims and have opened their own case against U Aung Myat alleging careless driving.
U Aung Myat told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the brothers kicked him while wearing boots, and hit him on the head during the assault.
“Prior to the incident I was involved in a minor accident. I was driving out of a repair shop when another car drove in at the same time. The accident left the other car with a broken window,” he said. The vehicle he was driving was also damaged.
After the incident, he and his friend drove back inside the auto shop to have the damage to their vehicle repaired. While they were waiting, he said, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwae Ne Win arrived by car.
U Aung Myat said Kyaw Ne Win, Zwae Ne Win and their driver began beating him and his friend. Kyaw Ne Win kicked him while wearing boots, leaving him with injured ribs on his left side, he said.
“I felt pain and was unable to breathe properly after he kicked me. I couldn’t even talk for a while,” U Aung Myat said.
U Aung Myat made a complaint against the two brothers at a police station in Hlaing Tharyar Township on May 11, accusing them of assault. The court accepted the case for investigation.
The plaintiff claims Zwae Ne Win also punched him near his ear, while Kyaw Ne Win gripped him by the neck.
Kyaw Ne Win dared him to attempt to take legal action against the pair, he said.
“I told them [the collision] was an accident, and that I had not intended to do it, but they hit me while I was speaking,” U Aung Myat said.
As a result of the incident, U Aung Myat said, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwae Ne Win had him fired from Omni Focus YBS. They also confiscated his driving license and refused to pay him salary he was owed, he alleged.
Kyaw Ne Win denied U Aung Myat’s claims against him and his brother, telling Burmese-language newspaper 7Day Daily in an article published on Monday that he will fight for justice.
Police charged the brothers with violating Article 202 of the criminal code. The brothers opened their own case against U Aung Myat accusing him of violating Article 277 by driving carelessly.
All three are due to appear in court on May 25, according to U Aung Myat.
“As an employer, he should not beat a worker like this. He could have docked my pay or [taken proper steps to] dismiss me from the company,” he said. Such a physical assault is illegal, he said.
Relatives of Ne Win, including his grandsons, have been in trouble with the law in the past, and have drawn accusations of using their grandfather’s name to shield them from prosecution.
YOUR THOUGHTS …
News
Tatmadaw Continues Attacks in Kachin State
A KIA outpost. / The Irrawaddy
YANGON — The Myanmar Army launched three air attacks on Battalion 6 under the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s Brigade 2 on Monday morning, said Major Awng Ja, the Battalion 6 commander.
“[The military] dropped bombs around the hill where Battalion 6 is stationed. Clashes are quite fierce,” the major told The Irrawaddy.
The attacks caused neither civilian casualties nor damaged villages, he added.
Monday was the third day of attacks carried out by the Myanmar Army, or Tatmadaw, against Battalion 6. The government troops are also currently launching attacks on KIA outposts elsewhere in Kachin State, said U Hsan Awng of the Kachin Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG).
“[The military] has been attacking several [KIA] battalions,” he told The Irrawaddy.
The Irrawaddy was not able to obtain comments from the Defense Ministry regarding the attacks.
The commander of the Northern Command Major-General Teza Kyaw in a meeting with local and foreign media on Friday said the Tatmadaw has to carry out attacks for regional stability in Kachin State as well as in response to ambushes by the KIA on Tatmadaw troops.
“In fact, we are only carrying out counterattacks against the KIA,” said Maj-Gen Teza Kyaw.
Clashes are likely to continue in Hpakant and Tanai, as the Tatmadaw has brought in reinforcements, said KIA Major Awng Ja.
“Their troops are growing, and we therefore try to avoid clashes as much as possible. But clashes could break out anytime if their troops advance,” said the major.
“We would like to mediate, but the Tatmadaw doesn’t seem to want to. So, we will wait and see. Only when both sides are willing can we mediate. We’ve asked both sides to negotiate repeatedly, but have received no reply. So, we wait,” said U Hsan Awng of the PCG.
The Tatmadaw launched attacks on gold and amber mines that it said were being illegally operated by the KIA in Kachin State’s Tanai in June 2017.
Clashes stopped for a while after KIA Battalion 14 retreated from its headquarters in Hukawng Valley in Tanai on March 14. But on April 6, KIA Battalion 6 attacked the Tatmadaw soldiers providing security in Hpakant, which was followed by military attacks in a number of places including Tanai and Hpakant, forcing thousands of people from their homes.
With the assistance of China, a Tatmadaw delegation led by Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung and a KIA delegation led by its chairman General N’Ban La met in Yunnan Province on Feb. 1. No agreement was reached at the meeting.
Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
YOUR THOUGHTS …
News
Gap Apologizes for Selling T-shirt With ‘Incorrect Map’ of China
Bags and clothes are seen at Hong Kong's first Gap Store before its opening in the financial Central district, November 25, 2011. / Reuters
SHANGHAI — US retailer Gap Inc apologized on Monday for selling a t-shirt which it said had an incorrect map of China, adding it would implement “rigorous reviews” to prevent a repeat mistake.
The apology came after a person posted pictures of the t-shirt on Chinese social media network Weibo, saying that Chinese territories, including south Tibet, the island of Taiwan and the South China Sea, were omitted from the map. The user said the photo of the t-shirt was taken at an outlet store in Canada.
“Gap Inc. respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. We’ve learned that a Gap brand t-shirt sold in some overseas markets failed to reflect the correct map of China. We sincerely apologize for this unintentional error,” it said in a statement posted on its Weibo account on Monday evening.
It added that the products had been pulled from the Chinese market and destroyed.
Gap’s apology comes as China has been ramping up efforts to police language used to describe Chinese-claimed territories such as Taiwan. Other US companies which have issued apologies for similar incidents include Delta Air Lines and Marriott International Inc.
Earlier this month, the White House sharply criticized China’s efforts to force foreign airlines to change how they described Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau on their websites as “Orwellian nonsense.”
YOUR THOUGHTS …
News
Malaysia's Mahathir Vows to Investigate Toppled Government
Malaysia's newly elected Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, attends a news conference in Menara Yayasan Selangor, Pataling Jaya, Malaysia, on Saturday. / Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad vowed on Monday to investigate faults that may have been committed by the government toppled in last week’s general election, and said all ministries had been instructed not to destroy any documents.
Mahathir announced that he would appoint a new anti-corruption commission chief and replace the attorney-general who had cleared former Prime Minister Najib Razak of wrongdoing in a multi-billion-dollar scandal linked to the 1MDB state fund.
He also told a news conference that his government had a rough idea of the whereabouts of Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who is accused of links to a plot to siphon billions of dollars from the fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Najib set up 1MDB in 2009 and previously served as chairman of its advisory board. He and the fund have denied wrongdoing.
Asked about other possible crimes, Mahathir said: “We cannot do everything at the same time at one go.”
“We have to take time. There are many faults committed by the previous government, but we cannot do everything in one day, so you have to be patient.”
Mahathir, who was Malaysia’s prime minister from 1981 to 2003, led his four-party alliance to victory against Barisan Nasional in last week’s general election, ousting a coalition that had ruled the Southeast Asian nation for six decades.
Moody’s Downbeat
Malaysia’s stock market fell sharply after opening on Monday, the first day of trading since Mahathir’s stunning triumph in the May 9 election. But it later recovered to close the day slightly higher.
Some analysts are concerned over populist promises that Mahathir’s alliance made during the election campaign, including plans to remove a goods and services tax, scrap toll fees, reinstate fuel subsidies and review Chinese investment deals.
Ratings agency Moody’s said on Monday that there was “little clarity” on the new government’s economic policy agenda and that if it fulfilled its campaign promises without adjustments it would be credit negative for the economy.
The main share index was initially dragged lower by falls in financial, telecom and airline shares, especially those with links to the former government, but closed to end the day 0.21 percent higher.
Shares in AirAsia Group Bhd fell as much as 10 percent after its chief Tony Fernandes apologized for endorsing former Prime Minister Najib Razak in the election.
The ringgit currency hit a four-month low of 3.9850 per dollar but stabilized off those lows.
Mahathir said last week that there was enough evidence to investigate Najib’s links to the 1MDB scandal and that authorities had moved to prevent his predecessor from leaving the country.
News broke in 2015 that about $700 million allegedly stolen from 1MDB had made its way into Najib’s personal bank accounts. Najib has said the deposit was a donation by an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family that had been largely returned.
Earlier, state news agency Bernama and other media reported that a former official of the anti-graft agency, MACC, had lodged a report against Najib on suspicion of blocking probes in cases involving 1MDB and a government pension fund.
Mahathir said he would appoint a new MACC chief on Tuesday.
The attorney-general who cleared Najib of wrongdoing in the 1MDB affair, Mohamed Apandi Ali, would be put on leave and replaced by the solicitor-general, he said.
Mohamed Apandi did not respond to a request for comment.
The government has also transferred the top bureaucrat in the finance ministry while the chairman of the state palm oil plantation agency, Felda, has resigned.
YOUR THOUGHTS …
News
US Criticizes China for Shielding Myanmar from UN Action
Rohingya refugees line the streets as a United Nations Security Council convoy passes by, outside Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, April 29, 2018. / Reuters
UNITED NATIONS — The United States indirectly criticized China on Monday for shielding Myanmar from strong UN Security Council action over a military crackdown against mainly Rohingya Muslims that the US and other countries have denounced as ethnic cleansing.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley did not mention China by name, but China proposed substantial amendments to a British-drafted Security Council statement on Myanmar last week. The 15-member council eventually agreed on a weaker statement.
The Security Council met on Monday to discuss a visit by envoys to Myanmar and Bangladesh two weeks ago.
Rohingya insurgent attacks on security posts in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in August last year sparked a military operation that sent nearly 700,000 Rohingya fleeing to camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.
“Some members of the council have kept us from taking action for cynical and self-interested reasons,” Haley said. “Some undermined the unity of the council demonstrated during the trip with unhelpful edits that only weakened the council’s message.”
Speaking before Haley, China’s UN Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu told the Security Council that Myanmar and Bangladesh should be encouraged to solve the crisis bilaterally to make sure it doesn’t “drag on or become more complicated.”
“The council should continue to encourage Myanmar and Bangladesh to increase consultations and cooperation for the early implementation of the bilateral arrangement,” he said.
Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in January to complete the voluntary repatriation of the refugees within two years but differences between the two sides remain and implementation of the plan has been slow.
Diplomats said Russia has also backed China in council discussions on Myanmar.
Speaking after Haley, Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said the unity of the council on the issue was important and he hoped some members “will not fall prey to the temptation of using this situation to pursue their narrow, domestic political aims.”
Fleeing refugees have reported killings, rapes and arson on a large scale. Myanmar denies ethnic cleansing and has said its operations in Rakhine were a legitimate response to attacks on security forces by Rohingya insurgents.
“The government of Myanmar has stated time and again that no violation of human rights will be condoned,” Myanmar’s UN Ambassador Hau Do Suan told council on Monday. “Allegations supported by evidence will be investigated and action taken in accordance with the law.”
The United States and Canada have imposed unilateral sanctions against a general in Myanmar’s military for his role in the crackdown and the European Union is preparing individual sanctions.
Haley, who did not travel to Myanmar and Bangladesh, said that the Security Council had “unique tools to encourage Burma to take real steps towards resolving this crisis,” though she did not elaborate.
“We should move quickly to adopt a resolution that institutes real steps to resolve this enormous and growing humanitarian and human rights crisis,” Haley said.
YOUR THOUGHTS …
Lifestyle
Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week
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Cute Baby and Smart Kids Fair
There will be playgrounds, sports events, and fun fairs for kids, baby accessories on sale, and international schools offering discounted enrollment rates.
May 17 to 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tatmadaw Exhibition Center, U Wisara Road.
Journey of the Blood Jade
The exhibition features photos about jade mining in Kachin State’s Hpakant Township and the plight of jade mine workers.
May 16 to 18, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Yangon Gallery, People’s Square.
Us & Beyond
The exhibition features diverse works by members of the Thuma Collective.
May 19 to June 2. Myanmar Deitta Gallery, No.49, 44th St. (3rd floor).
Study in Japan
Opportunities to study at language schools, colleges and universities in Japan will be explained.
May 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ES4E College, corner of Waizayanta Road and Lay Dauk Kan Road, Thingangyun Township. Tel: 09-443367613.
From Craft to Art: Myanmar Crafts Exhibition
The exhibition presents Myanmar arts and crafts.
May 18 to 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Zero Art Space, No. 202, United Condo (2nd floor), Ah Lan Pya Pagoda Rd., Dagon Township.
China-Myanmar Trade Fair
The event will showcase Chinese goods and products.
May 17 to 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Myanmar Event Park.
Career Talks
The founder and principal of the Myanmar Leadership and Management Institute will give talks on “ways to build brighter futures for youths.”
May 20, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sule Shangrila Hotel.
IDAHOT Day Celebration
IDAHOT is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
May 17, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Myanma Plaza.
Sense of Light and Drama
Six artists will showcase their works in watercolor.
May 18 to 20. OK Art Gallery, Aung San Stadium (north wing).
Complicit
Poet-turned-visual artist Maung Day will feature his work.
May 12 to 25, 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. Myanm/art, No. 98, Bogalay Zay St. (3rd floor).
YOUR THOUGHTS …
Burma
7 Men Including Army Captain Arrested Over Alleged Rape of Businesswoman
A police jail truck parked in downtown Yangon. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy
Seven men including an army captain and a local official were arrested on Saturday on charges of detaining and raping a woman after she and her husband failed to pay back a business loan, according to police in Kyauk Tan Township, Yangon Region.
Two of the men, who allegedly committed the sexual assault, are still being detained, while four of the others, who were accused of taking part in the abduction, were granted bail. The charges against the army officer were transferred to military jurisdiction.
The victim filed the charges at Kyauk Tan police station on May 12.
“They had a business dispute involving the purchase of old houses. The victim’s family could not pay back a debt,” said Police Colonel Aung Myo Latt, from Kyauk Tan Township police station.
According to police, the 27-year-old woman and her husband went into hiding after they could not repay the borrowed money, which totaled 35 million kyat. The seven men allegedly detained the couple after finding them in South Dagon Division.
“They did not know how to solve this problem. When the couple could not pay back the money, they took the couple away,” the police officer said.
According to the charges filed by the woman, two of the men raped her, while the other five assisted in the abduction. They also beat her and her husband. She was allegedly raped at two separate locations: once on the street after group had taken her away by car, and then again at a house where she was held in Hlaing Thar Yar Township, according to her complaint.
Police Col. Aung Myo Latt said police would need to further investigate the charges.
A court in Kyauk Tan Township today granted bail to four of the men, and ordered the other two be held. Police said the charges against the Army captain would be handled by the military.
“We detained the two men who allegedly raped her. We laid charges against the other men who got bail,” said Colonel Aung Myo Latt.
YOUR THOUGHTS …
Editorial
Police Incompetence on Full Display at Anti-War Protest
Police arrest an activist during a crackdown on an anti-war protest in Yangon on Saturday. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy
When it comes to crowd control, the Myanmar Police Force can only be described as hopeless. Examples abound: Take the way they handled the student protests against an unpopular education bill in Letpadan in 2015, or the outpouring of anger by local people at the government’s last-minute ban on a public event in Mrauk U early this year. Both ended in bloodshed and deaths.
Over the weekend, the police’s incompetence was on full display yet again.
Saturday’s anti-war protest in Yangon was supposed to be a peaceful one. Activists gathered to demand an end to fighting between government forces and ethnic armed groups in Kachin State. When police told the protesters that they were assembling in a prohibited area, the organizers agreed to disband. The situation rapidly spun out of control, however, when riot police forcibly dispersed the protesters, aided by a group of unidentified, self-described “citizens”. These thugs attacked the protesters right before the eyes of law enforcement officials, who did nothing to stop them.
Unchecked attacks on people right in front of the police is a sign of total lawlessness.
We ask the authorities: Who were those self-proclaimed “citizens” and why did the police officers present turn a blind eye when they attacked? Apart from physically attacking the activists, these anonymous people cursed and threatened members of the media who were there to cover the protest. Again, the police simply ignored it.
It is clear from Facebook Live feeds broadcast from the scene, as well as reports from journalists on the ground, that among these thuggish “citizens” were some familiar faces who have in recent years been active at nationalist and pro-military activitiesdemanding that the government step down for failing to protect race and religion, and supporting military campaigns in Rakhine State.
Shortly before the police crackdown began on Saturday, members of this group could be heard shouting “Kill them! Beat them! Let us in!” from behind columns of riot police, while the peace activists were in the process of negotiating the end of their protest. The police neither warned the protesters they were in danger, nor made any effort to stop their attackers.
Why do these thugs enjoy such impunity? Why did the police stand by and let all hell break loose? Did the police just decide to turn a blind eye because they were pro-military activists who were “countering” the anti-war protest?
(The Myanmar Police Force is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The minister, Lieutenant-General Kyaw Swe, is a military appointee.)
The joint participation of civilians and police officers in Saturday’s crackdown on a peaceful protest is a grim reminder of the Swan Arr Shin, the popular name for state-sponsored thugs recruited to help crush democratic forces under previous military regimes.
Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was herself the victim of one of their attacks, the Depayin Massacre in 2003. When Buddhist monks took to the streets during the Saffron Revolution in September 2007, Swan Arr Shin were deployed along with security forces to beat and kick the monks into trucks before they were hauled off to interrogation centers.
The negligence displayed by police during Saturday’s crackdown is an embarrassment for the National League for Democracy-led government. Despite the NLD’s repeated vow to enhance the rule of law in the country, its law enforcement services simply turned a blind eye as thugs kicked peaceful anti-war protesters and threatened journalists on Saturday.
The government must take this issue very seriously. The Yangon Regional Government has a responsibility to explain to the public what caused the police to mishandle Saturday’s protest. If needed, the home affairs minister should be summoned to explain the incident to Parliament. We want a police force that serves the people. The negligence they displayed during Saturday’s crackdown shows the police are still far from living up to their official name: Pyithu Ye, meaning “police for the people.”
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