News Brief

29^th March 2012

Delegation led by Amyotha Hluttaw Dy Speaker leaves for Uganda

YANGON, 29 March—A delegation led by Deputy Speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw U Mya Nyein left here for Kampala of Uganda to attend the 126th Convention of Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) this morning.

They were seen off by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, Yangon Region Hluttaw Speaker U Sein Tin Win, Deputy Speaker U Tin Aung and Secretaries of Pyithu Hluttaw Committees Dr Soe Yin and U Maung Toe at Yangon International Airport.

The delegation comprises Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Nanda Kyaw Swa, Chairman of Pyithu Hluttaw International Relations Committee U Hla Myint Oo and Chairman of ASEAN Politics and Security Society Committee U Nyunt Tin.

Briefing held for diplomats of embassies based in Myanmar and abroad and representatives invited to observe 1^st April by-election

YANGON, 29 March—Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin made clarification on the trip of observers to constituencies in townships of regions and states where by-elections are to be held on 1 April 2012, at the hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here this morning.

It was attended by departmental heads, local and foreign-based diplomats, invited representatives of the UN headquarters, representatives of the ASEAN Chairman, ASEAN countries, partner countries and European Union and correspondents of foreign countries.

Union Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin made clarification. He said:

The purpose of today’s briefing is to provide you with necessary information before you leave for various regions of Myanmar to observe the by-elections to be held on 1st April 2012.

We have already made arrangements for everyone who is eligible to contest in the by-election to take part in the forthcoming elections. We are ensuring that the elections are free, fair and transparent. Members of the diplomatic corps and specially invited guests will have the opportunity to witness in person that the coming by-elections in Myanmar is free, fair and transparent.

The forthcoming by-elections are to be held for 40 seats for Pyithu Hluttaw, 6 seats for Amyotha Hluttaw and 2 seats for Region Hluttaw, totaling 48 seats. Unfortunately, by-elections for three Pyithu Hluttaw constituencies in Kachin State will not take place on 1st April due to security reasons. Therefore, we are now holding elections for 45 seats on coming Sunday.

Those seats are three Pyithu Hluttaw seats and two Amyotha Hluttaw seats in Sagaing Region; two Pyithu Hluttaw seats in Taninthayi Region; four Pyithu Hluttaw seats and one Amyotha Hluttaw seat and one Regional Hluttaw seat in Bago Region; five Pyithu Hluttaw seats and one Amyotha Hluttaw seat in Magway Region, ten Pyithu Hluttaw seats in Mandalay Region; one Pyithu Hluttaw seat in Mon State; six Pyithu Hluttaw seats in Yangon Region; one Pyithu Hluttaw seat and one Amyotha Hluttaw seat in Shan State; five Pyithu Hluttaw seats, one Amyotha Hluttaw seat and one Regional Hluttaw seat in Ayeyawady Region. In total, there are 37 Pyithu Hluttaw seats, six Amyotha Hluttaw seats and two Regional Hluttaw seats for which by-elections will be held.

The election for the remaining three Pyithu Hluttaw seats in Kachin State will be held when the security situation allows us to do so.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is now practicing the multi-party democracy practices in line with Article 7 of the State Constitution. The Union Election Commission is supervising and overseeing the holding of the elections to be free, fair and impartial.

Diplomats and the specially invited guests are free to travel to any constituency and witness the process of elections without constraint except for the prohibition contained in the election law. You may also carry out documentary filming and news reporting apart from being prohibited from doing so within the polling station. You are requested to fill up the form which will be distributed at the end of this briefing and indicate the constituency you would like to observe so that we can coordinate and assist you in case of any difficulty that you might occur during your travel and also for your security. It is not compulsory to fill-up the form; it is up to your desire whether you wish to fill-up the form or not.

I would now like to highlight some provisions of the Election Law regarding the polling station. Election Rule 39 (A) guarantees the free, easy and secret voting for all eligible voters. In accordance with Rule No. 48 the responsible officer of polling station must ensure the rule of law at the polling station, that the election is free and fair and the systematic entry into the polling station. From the beginning of voting until the end, only authorized persons, such as members of the polling station, eligible voters, police or security personnel assigned by the local election commission, members of the commission and sub-commission, candidates of respective constituency, their representatives and their assigned assistants are permitted to enter the polling station. If the eligible voter is illiterate or blind, one of his or her parents, spouse, offspring or sibling are allowed to accompany the voter in order to assist him or her in accordance with the law. Apart from those persons, nobody else is allowed to enter the polling station.

Moreover, observers should also keep in mind the provisions of Chapter 13 of the Election Law. Article 60 prohibits disturbance to voters who come to the polling station to cast his or her vote. Article 61 prohibits on the day of election, canvassing for votes or discouraging people not to vote within the radius of 500 yards of the polling station. Article 63 prohibits the entry into the polling station without the permission of the polling station officer. Article 64 also prohibits making fraudulent accusations against the election process.

Apart from entering the polling station which is in accordance with the election law, you can watch the whole process of voting from outside of the voting station. You can witness the process of counting ballots after the voting from outside of the polling station. You can meet political parties, their representatives and public, but such act must not interfere with their voting. You can watch counting of the votes, but this must not interfere with the proper discharge of the duties of the various levels of the election commission and staff of the polling station. Secrecy of voting must also not be disturbed.

Observers need to be impartial regarding ideology and political party. I request all of you to refrain from any behavior or speech which could be interpreted as showing support or opposition to a political party or a candidate. You can watch the whole process of voting from the beginning of the voting time till the end and also the counting of votes.

We will distribute a booklet on the code of conduct for the observer.

If you have any comments or suggestions after this mission, you can send it in writing to the Union Election Commission through diplomatic channel.

Expenses incurred during the by-election observation tour for travelling, accommodation and meals are to be borne by you. We will closely coordinate with the authorities concerned of the respective States and Regions to facilitate your visit.

At the end of this briefing, you can also book for air-tickets and hotel at the respective counters. There are two counters for air-ticket and one counter for hotel reservation opened for your convenience.

In conclusion, I would like to request you to respect the sovereignty of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and fully abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the Election Commission and authorities of the polling station. And I would also like to inform you that the Union Election Commission has the authority to withdraw the permission of the observer, to any person who does to abide by the existing laws and regulations promulgated by the Union Election Commission regarding the by-election.

In conclusion, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all of you and the respective government which has sent you to personally observe the by-election to be held on the 1st of April in Myanmar, and I wish you a pleasant stay in Myanmar.

Officials distributed the booklet on the code of conduct for the observer to the attendees.

Later, the Union Minister replied to queries raised by diplomats and observers.

U Kyaw Zwar Minn presents his Credentials to Co-Prince of Andorra

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—U Kyaw Zwar Minn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Principality of Andorra, presented his Credentials to His Excellency Mons Joan-Enric Vives Sicilia, Co-Prince of Andorra of the Principality of Andorra, on 13 March 2012 in Episcopal Palace.

U Nyunt Hlaing presents his Credentials to ROK President

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—U Nyunt Hlaing, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Korea, presented his Credentials to His Excellency Mr Lee Myung-Bak, President of the Republic of Korea, on 19 March 2012 in Seoul.

Union Health Minister receives foreign guests

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—Union Minister for Health Dr Pe Thet Khin received Vice-President Mr Robert L Corcoran and party of US-based General Electric Company at his office at 12 noon yesterday, Dr Andrea Gay and party of WHO at 2 pm and Country Representative Mrs Birke Herzbruch of Malteser International at 3 pm.

In meeting with General Electric Co, they discussed assistance fro raising quality of health care and pathological works, training programme, arrangement for reduction of mortality rate due to bad respiratory and hepatitis, control of food and drug and supply of safe water.

At the another call, the officials of WHO reported that they witnessed successful undertaking of age-wise measles vaccination and active participation of the people, promoting of vaccine, availability of vaccines and eradication of measles in 2015.

In meeting with Malteser International Group, the guests reported on its participation in supply of clean water and control of HIV.

Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Dr Win Myint, Director-General Dr Than Zaw Myint of Medical Science Department, Deputy Director-General (Public Health) of Health Department, Dr Thein Thein Htay and officials.

Workshop on anti-human trafficking held

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—Loikaw Township Anti- Human Trafficking Squad and World Vision held the workshop on prevention against trafficking in person at the hall of Loikaw Township General Administration Department on 22 and 23 March.

It was attended by members of the squad, responsible persons of World Vision, ward/village administrators.

Chairman of the Township Committee for Prevention against Trafficking in Person Township Administrator U Aung Swe made a speech at the workshop.

Yangon Region Election Sub-commission Chairman meets candidates

YANGON, 29 March—Chairman of Yangon Region Election Sub-commission U Ko Ko met candidates from political parties contesting in the forthcoming by-elections in Yangon Region at the region government office here this morning and gave instructions on electoral process.

Candidates from political parties held discussions, followed by concluding remark of the Yangon Region Election Sub-commission Chairman.

Union H&T and Sports Minister receives Executive Director of Beijing-based Company Introduction HA HA Group

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism and for Sports U Tint Hsan met a delegation led by the Executive Director Mr Li Jianhan of Beijing-based Company Introduction HA HA Group, at his office here this morning. At the call, they discussed business in hotel and tourism, road works, banking and gem showroom.

Union Attorney-General receives UNDP officials

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—Union Attorney- General Dr Tun Shin received a delegation led by Democratic Governance Practice Leader Ms Pauline Tamesis of the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre of UNDP in Bangkok at the credentials hall of the Attorney- General’s office, here, this morning.

Also present at the call were Director-General U Myint Win of the Union Attorney-General Office, Directors Daw May Thi Lin, Daw Htoo Htoo Ngwe and officials. They had a cordial discussion on legal affairs.

Efforts for ancient cities to be included in world ancient cultural heritages need to be made in accordance with the national policy of State and principle of UNESCO

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March —The 60th anniversary of the Ministry of Culture was marked at the ministry here at 4 pm today, with an opening address by Union Minister for Information and for Culture U Kyaw Hsan.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Information Minister U Soe Win, Deputy Culture Minister Daw Sanda Khin, departmental heads of the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Culture, heads of offices of the ministries and personnel of the Ministry of Culture.

In his opening speech, Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan said anniversaries are marked with two objectives. The first objective is to review the work of the previous year and have more strong points and fewest weak points. Not only the ministry but also individual departments and staff members can achieve more success if they do so.

The second objective is to praise and award outstanding staff so that a highly competitive spirit can be developed among the personnel. So, the ministry and its personnel are to try to have that spirit.

The Union Minister added that he recognizes the best efforts of all departments of the ministry in performing their duties. Such efforts also included the successful holding of Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions and the Myanmar traditional cultural performances at the conclusion of SEA Games in 2011.

Among the tasks to be carried out in 2012-2013 fiscal year are preparations to ensure that Myanmar is on a par with other ASEAN countries in holding the opening and concluding ceremonies of SEA Games in 2013, holding of respective national race traditional cultural contests in states, plans to start the salvage of Dhammazedi Bell, efforts for three ancient cities to be included in the list of the world ancient cultural heritages and building of Bagan Ancient Cultural Region into National Archaeological Park.

The Union Minister continued to say that efforts for ancient cities to be included in the world ancient cultural heritages need to be made in accordance with the national policy of the State and the principle of UNESCO. In carrying out the tasks, it is necessary to enlist the strength of own department as well as that of the State.

In serving the interests of the nation and the people, the government is working for socio-economic development of the people, improvement of trade and investment and other development tasks in line with the constitution. In doing so, coordinated efforts have to be exerted with outlook and careful consideration in order to overcome difficulties and challenges, said the Union Minister.

The Union Minister presented pre-New Year cash assistance for staff under the ministry through respective departmental heads.

He also presented prizes to first prize winner in Myanmar traditional Htamane contest Archaeology, National Museum and Library Department, the second prize winner Fine Arts Department and the third prize winner National Culture and Fine Arts University (Mandalay). The Union Minister, Deputy Information Minister U Soe Win and Deputy Culture Minister Daw Sanda Khin awarded the outstanding staff.

Director-General of Archaeology, National Library and Museum Department U Kyaw Oo Lwin, Director-General of Historical Research Department Daw Nanda Hmoon and in-charge Rector of National Culture and Fine Arts University (Mandalay) Daw Khin Kyi Pyar presented research paper awards and outstanding trainee awards.

Lecturer (Myanmar) of National Culture and Fine Arts University (Yangon) Dr Kyaw Min spoke words of thanks on behalf of the staff.

Artistes from the Fine Arts Department entertained with traditional dances.

Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan cordially greeted those present at the ceremony.

Union Mines Minister meets Chinese, Singaporean businessmen

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—Union Minister for Mines U Thein Htaik received a business delegation led by Chairman of Trafigura Pte Ltd from Singapore at his office here yesterday.

Likewise, Vice President Mr Liu Jie of Poly Mining Co Ltd from China and party paid a call on the Union Minister the same day.

They held discussions on procedures for exploration of minerals, non-ferrous metals, lead, zinc and coal deposits, potentials for cooperation and investments, application of advanced technologies and environmental conservation works.

UMFCCI President meets Belarusian Dy Industry Minister

YANGON, 29 March—A 12 member-delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Prima Vitaly met President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Aung, the Vice- Presidents and members at the UMFCCI office, here, on 21 March. Both sides cordially discussed promoting cooperation on producing vehicles and industry sectors, signing MoU, holding discussion, cooperating agriculture and fertilizer sectors and industry sectors.

Global Education Show 2012 launched

YANGON, 29 March— With the aim of enhancing learning opportunities, quality and health sector and penetrating education and health services into the people on a wider scale, the Global Education Show 2012 including Health & Beauty 2012 was opened at Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road in Dagon Township on 23 March morning, attended by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe.

Yangon Region Minister for Social Affairs Dr Myint Thein, Managing Director U Thet Lwin Shwe of IEMS Company Ltd and Managing Director U Tin Maung Win of International Language Business Centre formally opened the show.

Arrangements have been made to give talks of scholars from universities daily.

The show was held from 23 to 25 March from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Goodwill delegation led by Malaysian Prime Minister and wife heads home

NAY PYI TAW, 29 March—The goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, who visited Myanmar at the invitation of President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win, left here for Malaysia by special flight at 2.45 pm today.

The goodwill delegation led by the Malaysian Prime Minister and wife was seen off by Union Minister for Industry U Soe Thein and wife Daw Aye Aye, Deputy Minister for Transport U Win Shein, Deputy Minister for Sports U Aye Myint Kyu and wife Dr Daw Khin Swe Myint, Myanmar Ambassador to Malaysia U Tin Latt and wife Daw Htway Htway Mya, the Malaysian ambassador to Myanmar and wife, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and staff of Malaysian embassy at Nay Pyi Taw Airport.

Hluttaw candidates to submit lists of election expenses

Hluttaw candidates who will be running for by-election to be held on 1st April 2012 will have to bear election expenses in accord with the provisions of respective Hluttaw election rule Chapter (13). They therefore are to systematically compile and send lists of election expenses to Nay Pyi Taw/District Sub-commission concerned as prescribed by the index (a) of the commission directive (3/2010) within 60 days from the date Region/State Sub-commission concerned announces Hluttaw representatives elected from respective constituencies.

Hluttaw candidates representing political parties and independent representatives have the duty to put forward lists of election expenses whether they are elected or not in by-election. If they fail to do so, they may be declared disqualified in accord with Hluttaw Election Law Section 88 (c).

The forms of index (a) of Directive (3/2010) of the Union Election Commission dated 16-9-2010 were already carried in the 18-9-2010 issues of the dailies.
Union Election Commission