Established 1914

Volume XVIII, Number 337 5th Waning of Tabaung 1372 ME Thursday, 24 March, 2011

* Development of agriculture as the base and all-round develop-ment of other sectors of the economy as well

* Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic system* Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of

technical know-how and investments from sources inside thecountry and abroad

* The initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in thehands of the State and the national peoples

* Uplift of the morale and morality of the entirenation

* Uplift of national prestige and integrity andpreservation and safeguarding of cultural her-itage and national character

* Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit* Uplift of health, fitness and education stand-

ards of the entire nation

* Stability of the State, community peace andtranquillity, prevalence of law and order

* National reconsolidation* Emergence of a new enduring State Constitu-

tion* Building of a new modern developed nation in

accord with the new State Constitution

Four economic objectives Four social objectivesFour political objectives

First regular session of Pyithu Hluttaw for 14th day in progress.—MNA

To tackle all forms of disruptionsThe democracy system introduced to the Union of Myanmar is still in its

infancy. Therefore, it is required of the entire national people to safeguard andbuild together the newly-introduced democracy system, which has been adoptedwith the combined efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw. Inthe process, it is mandatory for all national brethren to tackle any forms ofdisruptions to the new system.

Senior General Than ShweChairman of the State Peace and Development Council

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services(From the message sent on the occasion of 64th Anniversary Union Day)

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— First regular session ofPyithu Hluttaw continuedfor 14th day at PyithuHluttaw Hall of HluttawBuilding here at 10 amtoday. It was attended bySpeaker of Pyithu HluttawThura U Shwe Mann andPyithu Hluttawrepresentatives.

After taking position,the Speaker announced thevalidity and start of 14th-day first regular session ofPyithu Hluttaw as 432representatives out of 433attended the session,accounting for 99.7 per centof attendance.

Members of unionlevel organization Ministerfor Progress of BorderAreas and National Racesand Development AffairsU Thein Nyunt, Ministerfor Electric Power No (1) UZaw Min, Minister forEducation Dr Chan Nyeinand Chairman of Yangon

First regular session of Pyithu Hluttaw concludesRaising and answering queries, discussing proposals, recording messages of felicitations,

forming Hluttaw Representatives Vetting Committee done at 14th day sessionCity DevelopmentCommittee Mayor U AungThein Lin answered queriesraised by Pyithu Hluttawrepresentatives U MaungNyo of SittwayConstituency on “drinkingwater supply project inSittway”, U In Phon Hsan(a) U Inhtu Phon Hsan ofMachanbaw Constituencyon “regions with lessdevelopment” and“producing hydropowerfrom Htakha creekwaterfall”, U Than Sein ofKyimyindine Constituencyon “uplifting nationaleducation standard” andU Hla Myint of DawbonConstituency on“upgrading downtownroads in Yangon”.

Pyithu Hluttawrepresentatives helddiscussions on approved-to-discuss proposal of USoe Win of SangyoungConstituency on“providing financial aid

to Small and MediumEnterprises”. Minister forFinance and Revenue UHla Tun madeclarifications and the PyithuHluttaw sought approval.

Pyithu Hluttawspeaker announced themessages of felicitationssent from heads ofparliaments of foreigncountries were recordedafter the Hluttaw hadapproved the recording ofmessages.

The Speaker discussedmatters related to theformation of committeesand joint-committees tostudy legislation,administration, nationalraces, economic, financial,social and foreign affairsand other affairs. He annou-nced the approval of theHluttaw for formation ofcommittees and joint-committees.

The Speaker submittedthe name list of chairman,

secretary and members ofHluttaw RepresentativesVetting Committee toscrutinize representativesstarting at the second sessionof First Pyithu Hluttaw.

The Speaker announ-ced the committee wasassigned duty as the Hluttawapproved the formation.

The Pyithu Hluttaw

Speaker briefed the mattersrelated to election,formation, raising queriesand submitting proposalsat first Pyithu Hluttawregular session.

Minister for Financeand Revenue U Hla Tunanswered query on“Revenue and GDPratio of Myanmar”

raised by U Maung Toeof Minhla Constituencywith the special permiss-ion of the Pyithu Hluttawspeaker.

The Pyithu HluttawSpeaker announced thefirst Pyithu Hluttawregular session wassuccessfully concludedat 3.40 pm.—MNA

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2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

PERSPECTIVES* Oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views* Oppose those trying to jeopardize stability of the State and progress of the nation* Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State* Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy

People’s Desire

Beware of fire in openseason

The open season has come. In the hot anddry season, fire can break out at any time. Firepreventive measures are to be taken not to loselife and property of people. Officials of respectivetownships, wards and villages are to join handswith the people in taking fire preventivemeasures.

In February 2011, fire broke out 107times in the entire nation. These numbersincluded 83 times of stove fire and negligence,15 times of natural fire, five times of electricshock, two times of arson and two times offorest fire. In the incidents, outbreaks of firedestroyed over 500 houses, leaving over 2000homeless and some death and injured. Theoutbreak of negligent fire was the largestamount, accounting for 27 per cent.

The Fire Services Department is speedingup fire preventive measures. Officials of thedepartment have given suggestions to respectivetownship authorities and Development AffairsCommittees to prevent danger of fire at high-rise buildings. Likewise, educative talks ondanger of fire and fire drills were organized intownships, wards and villages.

Fire preventive measures talks are beingdisseminated to the people through radio, TVand newspapers. Horizons of the people werebroadened through educative talks lesson therisk of fire in villages, fire warnings, preventionagainst forest fire at buildings and placing offirebreaks around villages.

However, many times of fire are brokenout for several times due to unsystematicactivities such as candle lights of children,electric shocks, automatic fires from wastematerials and negligence use of fire on boardthe gas automobiles.

Fire prevention is everybody’s concern.Therefore, all the people are to take heed ofequipping townships, wards and villages withlight fire engines and water tanks and systematickeeping of fire extinguishers at every house tokeep all urban and rural areas free from dangerof fire.

Thursday, 24 March, 2011

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— Department ofMeteorology and Hydrology issued a statementtoday that according to the observations at (12:30)hrs MST today, a low pressure area (LPA) is likelyto form over the Andaman Sea and Southeast Baywithin next five days commencing noon today.

Under its influence, widespread rain orthundershower are likely in Taninthayi Region,Mon and Kayin States, scattered in Yangon,Ayeyawady and Bago Regions and isolated inremaining States and Regions.

Squalls with moderate to rough sea are likelyat times Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and alongMon-Taninthayi coasts. Surface wind speed insqualls may reach 35 mph. — MNA

Untimely rainfall warning

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—The Governmentof the Union of Myanmar has agreed to theappointment of Mr. Kim Hae-yong as AmbassadorExtraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republicof Korea to the Union of Myanmar in successionto H.E. Mr. Cho Byung-jae.

Mr. Kim Hae-yong was born in 1957 andobtained bachelor degree in Linguistics and Masterdegree in Public Administration from Seoul NationalUniversity in 1980 and 1985 respectively. He alsoobtained Master degree in East Asian Studies fromIndiana University. Bloomington, U.S.A in 1988.He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade(MOFAT) of the Republic of Korea in 1983. Heserved as Consul at Korean Consulate General inSeattle, U.S.A; as First Secretary at Korean Embassiesin the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Belgium,U.S.A, Korean Mission to the European Union andMinister-Counsellor at Korean Permanent Missionto the UN Office and other internationalorganizations in Geneva, Switzerland. He also servedas Director at Trade Policy Planning Division andMultilateral Trade Cooperation Division, Ministryof Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), SeniorAssistant Secretary at Office of the President andSenior Bilateral Trade Officer at the Ministry ofForeign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT). From February2009 to present, he is serving as Director General ofFree Trade Area (FTA) Negotiations of the Ministryof Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic ofKorea.

He is married with one son.—MNA

Appointment of Ambassadoragreed on

Deputy Minister forHotels and TourismU Aye Myint Kyu

being welcomed byPakistani

Ambassador to theUnion of Myanmar

Mr. Qazi M.Khalilullah at

reception to markPakistan Day

Anniversary held atChatrium Hotel in

Yangon on 23March.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—Chairman ofAyeyawady Region Peace and DevelopmentCouncil Commander of South-West CommandBrig-Gen Tin Maung Win attended the opening of82nd Buddha Pujaniya of Kyonmange AtulaBuddha Maha Tooth Relic Pagoda in WakemaTownship on 16 March.

At the ceremony, the commander cut theribbon to open it. Ovadasariya Sayadaws and theCommander ushered the tooth relic from Gandakutichamber to temporary Shwe Monastery.

After that, the commander inspectedconstruction of the alignment of Wakema-Kyonmange road. There, officials reported tothe commander on building approach alignmentof Lanthamine bridge on Bogale-M a w l a m y i n e g y u n - K y o n m a n g e - W ak e m a -Myaungmya road section.

Afterwards, the commander and partyinspected cultivation to grow pre-monsoon juteand kenaf in Bobeanyasu village WakemaTownship, Ayeyawady Region.

MNA

Commander of South-West

Command attends 82nd

Buddha Pujaniya of Atula

Buddha Maha Tooth Relic in

Wakema Township

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—Total E & PMyanmar Co rescued 39 fishermen stranded onrafts at sea from 17 to 19 March.

On its inspection of the rigs by MV SeabulkNilar found and rescued five fishermen strandedon a fishing raft at sea on 17 March.

It gave health care and sent the victims onboard its helicopter to Yangon through YadanaPlatform the following day. The Ministry of Energy

Total E & P Myanmar Corescues 39 fishermen in

Myanmar waters

then handed them over to the Rescue andResettlement Department.

The company continued its rescue operationby its helicopter and rescued 29 more fishermen on18 March and five more on 19 March.

The company provided heal th care,medicines, clothes, personal goods and K 20,000each to the 39 victims. On 19 March, it sentthem to Yangon. The Ministry of Energy handedthem over the Rescue and ResettlementDepartment. Total E & P Myanmar Co and theMyanma Oil and Gas Enterprise under the Ministryof Energy are exploring for gas with joint-venturesystem.—MNA

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 3

US and allies kill, injureIraqi people

BAGHDAD, 23 March— There has been daily casualties in Iraq sincethe US and its allies have invaded the country.

Casualties of Iraqi peopleThe total number of casualties as from the day they invaded the

country to 23 March reached 705306 and the total number of seriouslyinjured people reached 1277188, according to the news on the Internet.

No. Subject Number

1. Death toll of Iraqi people 705306

2. The total number of seriously injured people 1277188

Internet

Casualties of Afghan people in invasion ofNATO troops led by US

KABUL, 23 March—The NATO troops led by the US have invadedAfghanistan and they are there for a long time.

A number of Afghan people are killed and injured due to invasion ofthe NATO troops led by the US.

Casualties of Afghan peopleAccording to the Internet news, a total of 33730 Afghan people were

killed and 41102 injured seriously as from the day when the NATO troopsled by the US invaded Afghanistan to 23 March.

No. Subject Number1. Number of Afghan people killed 337302. Seriously injured Afghan people 41102

Internet

KABUL, 23 March—Afghan PresidentHamid Karzai onWednesday describedattack on school as anenmity with the countryand called on Taleban

In this photo, an Afghan youth checks burntbooks damaged during a bomb blast thatkilled principal Bahram Khail Salehi and

wounded another school employee at a schoolin Behsud, Nangarhar Province, east of

Kabul, Afghanistan.—INTERNET

Afghan president calls on Talebannot to target school

Ruqaya, an Afghan girl plays in the compoundof an abandoned building in the outskirts of

Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 March, 2011.Ruqaya and her family have lived in an

abandoned building since they returned fromPakistan, where they were refugees for years.

INTERNET

Double suicide bombings wounds nine Afghansas President Karzai announces security

transition process

BAGHDAD, 23 March—Two police officers werekilled and two others were wounded in attacks bygunmen in Baghdad on Tuesday, an InteriorMinistry source said.

Gunmen shot dead Captain Jawad Kadhimwho was driving his car in Baghdad’s easterndistrict of Sadr City, the source told Xinhua oncondition of anonymity. In a separate incident,Major Ahmad Abdul-Elah, affiliated to the InteriorMinistry, was gunned down when armed menattacked his car in Palestine Street in eastern thecapital, the source said.

In northeastern Baghdad, gunmen opened fireat a civilian car, wounding two people, the sourceadded. Earlier in the day, the police reported that anIraqi army officer and a policeman were killed and13 people wounded in separate bomb attacks in themorning.—Xinhua

Two police officers killedin Baghdad

KABUL, 23 March—Two suicide bombingsrocked two southern Afghan towns on Tuesdaywounding nine civilians, officials said.

The first suicide attack happened in Deh RawadDistrict of Uruzgan Province, 370 km south ofAfghan Capital Kabul, leaving the attacker dead,police said.

“A suicide bomber riding a motorbike blewhimself up next to headquarters of Deh RawadDistrict at 11:00 am local time today killing self,”spokesman for provincial administration AhmadMilad Madasir told Xinhua.

There were no casualties except the bomber inthe suicide attack as the bomber due to fear ofidentifying by police detonated his explosive device100 metres away from the district headquarters, theofficial further said. He blamed Taleban militants fororganizing the attack but the outfit has yet to make

militants to halttargeting schools andeducational centres.

“Taleban or anyother who fights againstgovernment shouldrealize that targeting

school and torchingschool buildings isenmity with the nation,”Karzai told hundreds ofaudience gathered in aschool to inauguratenew academic year.

Denouncing attackon school as coward act,the President noted thatschool is public assetwhere the sons anddaughters of this landlearn there to serve thenation.

He made thisremarks while 450schools, according toAfghan Minister forEducation FarooqWardak have remainedclosed due to securityreasons, mostly in thesouthern region whereTaleban militants areactive.

Xinhua

ISLAMABAD, 23March—At least sixpolicemen were injuredWednesday morning ina remote-control bombblast in Pakistan’snorthwest City ofHangu, reported localUrdu TV channel Ajj.

According to thereport, the terrorist attacktook place at around 8am (local time) when aremote-control bombplanted by roadside hit apolice van patrolling onthe street of Hangu Citylocated some 80 kmsouthwest of Peshawar,the largest city innorthwest Pakistan.

Xinhua

Six policeinjured in

bomb attack in NW

Pakistan

An Afghan Army soldier searches residents’bodies at a security checkpoint outside the city

of Herat, Afghanistan, on 22 March, 2011. XINHUA

comment.Meanwhile, head of Provincial Council of

Uruzgan province Mohammad Aman Hotak claimedthat the suicide bomber targeted him but he escapedunhurt.

In the second but similar incident a suicidebomber also on motorbike went off in the neighboringZabul province injuring nine civilians, police asserted.

“A suicide bomber riding a motorbike blewhimself up in Zabul’s provincial capital Qalat city at06:15 pm local time, wounding nine innocentcivilians,” deputy to provincial police chief GhulamJilani Farahi told Xinhua.

The only person was killed in the blast was theattacker, Farahi further said.

These two suicide blasts coincided with PresidentHamid Karzai’ s announcement of taking securityfrom NATO-led troops by Afghan forces.—Xinhua

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4 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

Hluttaw candidates, election agents declared as persons of distorted qualificationNAY PYI TAW, 23 March—The Union Election Commission issued Notification No. 10/2011 today. The translation of the notification is as follows:-

The Union of MyanmarUnion Election Commission

Nay Pyi TawNotification No.10/2011

4th Waning of Tabaung, 1372 ME(23 March, 2011)

Hluttaw candidates and their election agents failed tosubmit election expenses in the prescribed period

declared as persons of distorted qualification1. According to Section 55 of the respective Hluttaw Election Laws andparagraph 77 of the Rules, Hluttaw candidates and their election agents who run forMulti-party Democracy General Election held on 7 November, 2010 are to submitelection expenses to the respective sub-commissions in line with the law during 60days as of the date the names of the representatives-elect are announced.2. To be able to decide whether those who fail to submit election expenses inaccord with the law should be declared as persons of distorted qualification or not,the Union Election Commission formed election tribunals to check with them.3. The Election Tribunal found that the following Hluttaw candidates and theirelection agents failed to submit the election expenses during the prescribed period,and in accord with the Paragraph 83 (a) of the respective Hluttaw Election Rules,declared them as persons of distorted qualification.

Sr Hluttaw candidate Election Agent Constituency

(a) U Aung Thein – Amyotha HluttawConstituency No. 4Taninthayi Region

(b) U Aung Thura Lin – Launglon TownshipConstituency No. 1Region HluttawTaninthayi Region

(c) U Htein Lin – Launglon TownshipConstituency No. 2Region HluttawTaninthayi Region

(d) U Saw Yi – Tangyan TownshipPyithu HluttawConstituencyShan State

(e) U Kya Ha Shel – Mongping TownshipPyithu HluttawConstituencyShan State

(f) U Sai Lon – Mongphyat TownshipPyithu HluttawConstituencyShan State

(g) U Sai Tint Cho U Sai Mya Maung Nawngkhio TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

(h) U Myint Swe – Mabein TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

Sr Hluttaw candidate Election Agent Constituency

(i) U Sai Tun Yin – Mabein TownshipConstituency No. 2State HluttawShan State

(j) U Aye Maung – Mongton TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

(k) U Aik Kyauk – Mongphyat TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan StateRakhine State

(l) U Aung Chit U Soe Tun Kalaw TownshipConstituency No. 2State HluttawShan State

(m) U Pun - Pinlaung TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

(n) U Maung Kyaw Than – Pekhon TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

(o) U Khu Paung – Pekhon TownshipConstituency No. 1State HluttawShan State

(p) U William Khun Kyi U Thet Aung Win Bamar nationalConstituencyState HluttawShan State

(q) U Khaw Baung _ Kachin NationalConstituencyState HlutawShan State

(r) U Zaw Phan (a) – Lisu nationalU Li Lay Constituency

State HluttawShan State

(s) U Daniel Hti – Lahu nationalConstituencyState HluttawShan State

4. The Union Election Commission declared that the above-mentioned Hluttawcandidates and their election agents are persons of distorted qualification accordingto Paragraph 84 of the respective Hluttaw Election Rules after scrutinizing thejudgment of Election Tribunal.5. It is hereby announced that Hluttaw candidates and election agents who aredeclared as persons of distorted qualification, in accord with the Section 88 of therespective Hluttaw Election Law, shall not contest in the election as a Hluttawcandidate, from the date of this declaration, in the existing Hluttaw term and the nextHluttaw term.

Sd/ Thein Soe Chairman

Union Election Commission

YA N G O N, 23March—KMD Sales &Service will open thespecial sales road showin Yangon andMandalay on 27March.

Lenovo, Aceer,HP, Dell, Proklink andApple notebook brand,

KMD special sales road show in Yangonand Mandalay on 27 March

desktop computer, allin one PC, printer ,scanner and UPS willbe sold at specialprices.

KMD EducationCentre wil l admittrainees at 25 per centdiscount of fee andInternational Diploma

Course (IDCS) atK 30,000 discount.

For furtherinformation, contactKMD Sales & ServiceCentre, Tel: 503522and 385177 in Yangonand 02-60360 and60239 in Mandalay.

MNA

Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee, the PublicAccounts Committee, Amyotha Hluttaw RightsCommittee and the Government’s Guarantees,Pledges and Undertakings Vetting Committee

meetings continueNAY PYI TAW, 23 March—The First

Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committee,the Public Accounts Committee,Amyotha Hluttaw Rights Committeeand the Government’s Guarantee,Pledges and Undertakings VettingCommittee meetings continued attheir offices of Amyotha Hluttaw Hall

of Hluttaw Building here thisafternoon.

Chairmen, secretaries andmembers of respective committeeattended the meetings.

They participated in discussionson work programme of thecommittees.—MNA

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 5

Minister for Home Affairs U Maung Ooreplying queries.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s AmyothaHluttaw session, Minister for Home Affairs U Maung Ooresponded to the query raised by U Paw Lyan Lwin of ChinState Constituency No.9.

In his question, U Paw Lyan Lwin said that helearnt that there was a plan to upgrade Rezwa to a townshipsince the former government was in office. Rezwa Sub-Township in Matupi Township of Chin State was upgradedto a sub-township level in April, 2002. Local people thankthe government for that. There are 16 villages near the Sub-township. Rezwa Sub-Township is populated with 15000and it has about 1600 households. Rezwa Sub-Townshiphas governmental offices, basic education high school,

Home Affairs Minister responds to the question onupgrading of Rezwa sub-township to a township

station hospital, posts and telegraph office, township policestation and 126-KW power station. Urban area with apopulation of about 2000 has about 400 households.Rezwa lies at the heart of Chin State. It is far 105 miles northfrom Haka, 100 miles west from Thantlang, 105 miles eastfrom Gangaw, 66 miles south from Matupi and 45 mileswest from India border. He would like to know whether ornot there is any plan to upgrade it to a township.

Regarding the question, Minister for Home AffairsU Maung Oo explained that he would like to present lawsand procedures regarding formation of sub-townships.According to Towns Act and Village Act (1907), formationof sub-townships is carried out. After approvingConstitution (1974), the cabinet decided formation of sub-townships in coordination with respective People’sCouncil. After 1988, Ministry of Home Affairs issuesannouncement and carries out the formation of townshipsand sub-townships only after getting approval of the StatePeace and Development Council, and approval andresolution of the cabinet.

The SPDC is making effort for being a peaceful,modern and developed nation. With the aim of buildingsound administrative system and effectively carrying outmodern administration and economic and social affairs ofthe people, 82 sub-townships have been formed across thenation with the approval of the cabinet. Of those sub-townships, Kyikha, Reedhorda and Rezwa include.

A sub-township is formed with 192 staff of 15Departments under 11 Ministries. In sub-townships,Myanmar Police Force forms a police station (A-level) withthe strength of 69 like other townships. To meet sub-township characteristics, BEPS, BEMS and BEHS arebuilt. Regarding health sector, health care center (branch)and health care centers are upgraded into station hospitals

(16-bed). With respect to transport sector, Department ofProgress of Boarder Areas and National Races, Develop-ment Affairs Department and Public Works upgrade earthroads to gravel roads and tarred roads step by step.Regarding electricity, Ministry of Electric Power No.2distributes electricity through KVA power grids. Andplans are under way to supply electricity to regions thathave yet to get electricity access. Respecting informationand communication sector, the sub-township is providedwith library, satellite dish, telegraph office, post office,telephone and retransmission station.

With respect to sub-township’s administrationand judiciary, head of sub-township is vested with executivepower. According to Section 13 of Judicial Act (2000),Supreme Court assigns head of sub-township as magistratein their postings in order to carry out judicial duties.According to Penal Code Article 32 (1) (a), they are alsovested with first-class magistrate power.

To have the equal standards in forming the sub-townships, the government undertakes the formation basedon present conditions. The Section 54 in Chapter-2 of the2008 State Constitution states that Where there arises asituation to alter or form the territorial boundary or changethe name of a village, village tract, ward, town, townshipor district of a Region, State, Self-Administrated Divisionor Self-Administrated Zone concerned, the President shallact, as necessary, upon the recommendation of the ChiefMinister of the Region or State concerned.

In addition, Section 109 (a) in Chapter 4 of 2008State Constitution says that not more than 330 PyithuHluttaw representatives elected prescribing electorate inaccord with law on the basis of township as well as popu-lation or combining with an appropriate township whichis contagious to the newly-formed townships if it is morethan 330 townships. So, it is more unlikely to upgrade thesub-townships to the townships. The government formsthe sub-townships. Those sub-townships have the samepower as other townships. Thus, there is no plan to upgradeRezwa to township at present.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s AmyothaHluttaw session, Hluttaw Representative U Hla Swe fromConstituency No. 12 of Magway Region said that GangawDistrict is a far-flung region in north-western part of MagwayRegion and lies on Myittha Basin between Pontaung-Ponnyamountain ranges and Chin mountain ranges. Gangaw Districthas three major roads to connect with Yangon and Mandalay—Gangaw-Pale Road (84 miles), Kyaukhtu-Pauk-Pakokku-Seikpyu Road (142 miles), Saw-Seikpyu Road (69 miles). Asthe economic mainstay of the district is wood production andheavily-loaded trucks and heavy rainfall have damaged theroads.

Both Gangaw District and Haka of Chin State useGangaw-Pale Road and Kalay District also use it in monsoonas Monywa-Kalay-Yargyi Road is out of commission inmonsoon. In spite of the road being 84 miles is length, it is inpoor condition as it is built through Pontaung-Ponnya moun-tain ranges.

Kyaukhtu-Pauk-Pakokku Road is also used byMindat District. The road has three bridges on it in Pauk andSeikpyu townships. All the three bridges were destroyed bythe storm and flood in October last year. As no new bridge hasbeen constructed so far, the road will be blocked in monsoon,causing inconvenience for residents of Pauk Township intravel.

Saw-Seikpyu Road is also used by Kanpetlet Town-ship. Although the facility is only 69 miles long, vehicles facedifficulty in driving on the road due to its poor condition.

He said that the above-mentioned roads are impor-tant to Gangaw, Htilin and Saw townships in Gangaw Districtand Haka Township, Mindat District and Kanpetlet Townshipin Chin State and are badly in need of repair and asked whetheror not the government has plans to repair those facilities andupgrade the roads to tarred facility, and the duration of therepair.

In his response to query of U Hla Swe, Minister forConstruction U Khin Maung Myint said that Pale-Gangaw

Construction Minister replies question about repair of motorroads in Gangaw District linking Yangon and Mandalay

Road is one of the major roads linking Chin State, Magwayregion and Sagaing Region and also the main gateway intoChin State.

The road is located on Monywa-Pale-Gangaw-HakaRoad and has direct link with other towns via Monywa. Theroad has been 12-ft wide tarred facility since 1974 andsuperintending engineers of Gangaw District and MonywaDistrict is keeping regular check on the road under closesupervision of superintending engineers from Ministry ofConstruction and Magway and Sagaing regions.

The road was damaged partly because it is spiral witha large number of up and down as it is built through mountain-ous Pontaung-Ponnya Region and partly because of heavyrainfall. But, over-loaded vehicles are found to be majorcontributing factor to the damages of road rather than heavyrainfall.

Export products of Gangaw District from the west ofMagway region are transported to regions through Pale-Gangaw Road. It is known that export products are trans-ported with over-loaded vehicles only in monsoon while theearth foundation is weak. Those roads are owned by nationalpeoples and can roads and bridges be used up to their fulllifespan only local residents do not allow over-loaded vehi-cles pass the road and road users abide by traffic rules.

Ministry of Construction broadens roads and mak-ing uphill roads even yearly. Gangaw District is a major regionto travel to Chin State. To be able to carry out more road worksin the district, 162 tons of tar was distributed to the region lastyear and 480 tons of tar, amount the triple of last year, wasdistributed in current fiscal year. So, the roads in GangawDistrict will be in better condition. The ministry has also maderesearches and designed road layer which can bear 40 tons ofloads and will upgrade it phase by phase over years.

Regarding Kyaukhtu-Pauk-Seikpyu Road, it is com-bination of three networks of roads—Seikpyu-Pauk-KuakhtuRoad (84 miles and three furlongs), Pakokku-Pauk-KyaukhtuRoad (79 miles) and Seikpyu-Pakokku Road (59 miles)

covering 142 miles.The road has three bridges on it, all of which were

destroyed due to Giri Storm which swept the region in Octoberlast year. Ministry of Construction has assigned SpecialBridge Construction Groups to reconstruct those bridges asquickly as possible. Reconstruction of No. 1 Pauk Bridge(Ohntaw) has so far been completed by over 25 per cent andis planned to be opened before monsoon whereas No. 2 PaukBridge (Yepya) has been completed by 90 per cent and isscheduled to be commissioned on 31 March.

Kandwin (Yaw Creek) Bridge is of broad crest facilityand thus takes time to be repaired. So, a temporary baileybridge was built and put into service on 25 December, 2010.And the transportation between Seikpyu and Pakokku hasbecome normal. To ensure normal transportation in monsoon,a five-mile long new road is being constructed from oldKandwin Bridge to Daungtha (Yaw Creek) rail-cum-bridge toMyitche-Wazi Road with the use of machinery. The road willprovide easy access to Pakokku from Myitche and the roadon Daungtha Bridge is also being tarred.

(See page 6)

Minister for Construction U Khin MaungMyint replying queries.—MNA

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6 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyeinresponding to question.—MNA

(from page 5)The transportation will become normal as those

bridges will be put into service ahead of coming monsoon.Pakokku-Pauk-Kyaukhtu Road is 79 miles long and wascommissioned as 12-ft wide tarred facility in November, 2003.Seikpyu-Pauk-Kyaukhtu Road is 84 miles and three furlongslong and is all-weather one. The road is made of 47 miles andthree furlongs long tarred road and 37 miles long gravel road.

Seikpyu-Pakokku Road is 59 miles long and wascommissioned as 12-ft wide tarred facility in April 1999.Seikpyu-Saw Road is made of 10 miles and two furlongs longtarred road and 59 miles long gravel road, totaling 69 miles andtwo furlongs in length. As creeks big and small, originating

Construction Minister repliesquestion about repair…

from catchment areas of Chin mountain ranges flow through theroad into Ayeyawady River, the road has many big and smallbridges on it. And vehicles face difficulties in crossing the roaddue to wooden bridges and flood.

Now, the Ministry of Construction is taking measuresto upgrade all the bridges in states and regions to RC typefacility. Top priority is given to under-50-ft bridges, bridgesbetween 50-ft and 100-ft in length as second priority, andbridges between 100-ft and 180-ft as the third priority forupgrading. If there is any over-180-ft bridge to be upgraded toRC type facility, the ministry will ask the government toupgrade it.

On 4 January, 2010, Pathein-Monywa Motor Roadon the west bank of Ayeyawady River was commissioned as450 miles and five furlongs long and 12 feet wide tarred facility,providing transportation between Chin State, Magway Region(West), Gangaw District and Yangon and Mandalay as well astown in states and regions in short time.

The State has spent a large sum of cash on constructionof roads and bridges every year. The Ministry of Constructionhas constructed tarred to have 10-year lifespan and broad crestbridges to have 100-year lifespan.

Cargo trucks and timber trucks of private companiespassing on those roads and bridges load more than limitedamount, and consequently, roads with expected lifespan of 10years are damaged within two or three years.

He then asked the representative to urge local resi-dents not to drive over-loaded vehicles and ride iron-wheelbullock carts on the road. In conclusion, the minister said thatthe Ministry of Construction is paving new roads, upgradingand maintaining roads in states and regions covering 21361miles and two furlongs in length. It is improving UnionHighways, inter-region and inter-state roads yearly accordingto priority ranking as well as roads and bridges in GangawDistrict which is the gateway to the west of Magway Region andChin State.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— At today’s session ofPyithu Hluttaw, U Than Sein of Kyimyindine Townshipconstituency asked undertakings of the Ministry of Educationfor promotion of national education.

Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein said that theMinistry of Education is giving priority to the followingsectors for promotion of national education. He explainedaccessibility to basic education and higher education for thepeople of any area. The State opened over 40,900 basiceducation schools that increased 1.2 times more than that ofthe past. Three schools are opened in five villages on averagefor enabling the children to easily pursue education.

In the higher education sector, a total of 161 univer-sities, degree colleges and colleges have been opened through-out the nation, which increased five times more than that of1988. The Ministry of Education appointed over 12,000faculty members that rose two times more than that of 1988and 0.505 million university students are 4.5 times more thanof 1988. It can be seen that those wishing to learn highereducation have equal opportunity in the higher educationsector.

In the basic education sector, students are beingnurtured through the international standard curriculum andsyllabus. Two Institutes of Education and 20 educationcolleges are producing qualified teachers. Moreover, teach-ers were provided with refresher courses and orientationcourses for uplifting their proficiency. In addition, MEd andPhD courses were conducted to uplift proficiency of theteachers. A total of 56 doctorate faculty members wereappointed as heads of Basic Education Schools. To be ableto effectively supervise academic and management of basiceducation schools, basic education school management

Education Minister replies to question onnational education promotion

refresher courses were opened for township education officers.Under the supervision of the Ministry of Education anddepartments, inspection tours are made to the basic educationschools, universities and colleges once for every three months.

In higher education sector, the ministry is openingcourses for international standard first degree, master’s course,MRes course and doctoral course, sending foreign scholarshipcourses, holding seminars with participation of professorsabroad by linking foreign universities, supervising doctoraltheses and jointly conducting research works. Moreover,research journals are published at universities and researchcentres installed with modern research equipment opened.Curricula and syllabuses are reviewed yearly and upgradedfor meeting international standard. In addition, the ministrymanages to compile project or term paper or thesis at all pre-graduate classes.

In the basic education sector, the ministry cooperateswith UNICEF and UNESCO, JICA and KOICA.

In the higher education sector, the ministry joins theASEAN Universities Network (AUN) and establishesMyanmar-India Economic Efficiency Education Centre incooperation with India. Joining hands with KOICA, the AsiaResearch Centre was established for conducting research onlanguages. By opening the Centre for History Tradition of theSEAMEO, the ministry cooperates with experts from ASEANcountries, sends scholarship students to foreign universitiesand exchange emeritus professors.

With regard to diversity of selected learning oppor-tunity in the basic and higher education sectors, students arebeing nurtured with basic vocational course at the middleschool level and optional subject at the high school level.

The higher education sector has 215 academic pro-

grammes in 2011 compared with 79 in 1988, increasing 2.7times. MRes and doctoral courses are opened in all subjects.Modern courses on Nano Technology, Bio-technology andRenewable energy are being conducted.

Moreover, the lessons on flourishing of UnionSpirit and nationalistic spirit are being provided to all thestudents since their childhood. Students’ assemblies, talksto mark significant days and the literary and fine artscontests were held at basic education schools anduniversities.

With a view to improving national education stand-ard and developing human resources, the ministry is system-atically creating equal learning opportunity for all students,promoting their efficiency, and forging nationalistic spiritand Union Spirit which are the most important for all thecitizens.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March — At today’s Pyithu Hluttawsession, U Hla Myint of Dawbon constituency asked theupgrading of roads in downtown areas of Yangon. In hisresponse to question, Chairman of Yangon City Develop-ment Committee Mayor U Aung Thein Lin said that hotmixed and hot roll systems are applied in repairing roads.Road repair work can be done in the eight-month open season.Roads are damaged during the four-month rainy season asmoisture reduces the quality of tar. The Head of State gaveguidance to build concrete roads in Yangon and to erect acement factory at Pyinyaung in Thazi Township, MandalayRegion. A 500-ton capacity cement factory was commissionedon 29 April 2010. Priority has been given to earth and gravelroads, uptown areas and busy main roads. Cement laying willbe carried out simultaneously in one ward each in all townships.

Test construction began in fiscal 2008-2009. Nineroads totaling 1.5 miles in length were built in 2008-2009;208 totaling 41.13 miles in length in 2009-2010; 1919 up toMarch 17 in 2010-2011. A total of 797 are under construction.The projected 2716 roads for 2010-2011 include 120 totalling46.41 miles in Dagon Myothit (South) Township; 90 totalling

Yangon will become international level metropolitan19.6 miles in Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township, 64 totalling16.87 miles in Dagon Myothit (North) Township; 93 totalling33.91 miles in Dagon Myothit (East) Township; 206 totalling27.87 miles in South Okkalapa Township; 115 totalling17.75 miles in North Okkalapa Township; 115 totalling22.47 miles in Thingangyun Township; three totalling 0.48mile in Kyauktada Township; nine totalling 1.44 miles inPabedan Township; four totalling 0.55 mile in LathaTownship; three totalling 0.74 mile in Lanmadaw Township;seven totalling 1.14 miles in Dagon Township; 29 totalling3.20 miles in Bahan Township; 46 totalling 2.89 miles inSangyoung Township; five totalling 0.39 mile in AhlonTownship; 138 totalling 13.08 miles in KyimyindineTownship; 47 totalling 6.5 miles in Tamway Township; 48totalling 5.28 miles in Mingala Taungnyunt Township; 15totalling 1.39 miles in Pazundaung Township; seven totalling0.88 mile in Botahtaung Township; 304 totalling 36.83 milesin Thakayta Township; 102 totalling 10.10 miles in DawbonTownship; 59 totalling 6.96 miles in Yankin Township; 25totalling 7.20 miles in Seikkyi-KanaungtoTownship; 143totalling 39.07 miles in Dala Township; 26 totalling three

miles in Kamayut Township; 47 totalling 5.37 miles in HlineTownship; 147 totalling 24.24 miles in Mayangon Township;108 totalling 25.76 miles in Insein Township; 128 totalling44.55 miles in Mingaladon Township; 114 totalling 38.92miles in Hlinethaya Township; 326 totalling 93.28 miles inShwepyitha Township.

YCDC built over 2700 roads during this fiscalyear, up 13 times from 208 in 2009-2010. It built 570.23more miles. Thanks to six concrete mixers and 33 concretecarriers and 180 hand mixers, such a large number ofroads can be built. YCDC laid 850 ft by 36 ft extraconcrete layer on Yedashe street in Bahan Township;4500 ft by 72 ft extra concrete layer on Thameinbayanstreet in Tamway Township; 2850 ft by 72 ft extraconcrete layer on Kyaikkasan street in TamwayTownship; 1600 ft by 60 ft extra concrete layer onOkponseik street in Mayangon Township; 6000 ft by 72ft extra concrete layer on Laydauntkan street inThingangyun Township; 2800 ft by 42 ft extra concretelayer on Hanthawady street in Kamayut Township; 1200ft by 48 ft extra concrete layer on Banyadala street inMingala Taungnyunt Township; 3100 ft by 44 ft extraconcrete layer on Khineshwewa street in KamayutTownship; 1700 ft by 72 repaved concrete

(See page 7)

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 7

Chairman of Yangon City DevelopmentCommittee Mayor U Aung Thein Lin

responding to question.—MNA

(from page 6)layer on Botahtaung Market street in Botahtaung Town-ship; 11800 ft by 48 ft extra concrete layer on MaungmakanKantha street in Dagon Myothit (South) Township; 1400 ftby 48 ft extra concrete layer on Kamakyi street in ThakaytaTownship. Roughly YCDC is using 6000 bags of cement forroad works and 3000 for other development works. With thatamount a road section 6000 ft long 12 ft wide and six inchesthick can be built. According to list, there are 4773 earthroads (3435 in six new satellite towns) still left to build.

The benefits of the project are: emergence of all-weather roads for all kinds of vehicles, facilitation of trans-port for Yangonites, ambulance cars, fire engines and health

Yangon will becomeinternational level…

care activities. Other related benefits are total eradication ofdengue hemorrhagic fever in many townships, durability ofroads, social development and security and public healthand fitness as concrete roads are suitable for walking orjogging.

In addition to its greening, sanitation, health andpublic security measures, YCDC has been building durablecement roads for long-term benefit. The project will helpimprove social standard and develop the city into an inter-national level metropolitan.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s session of thePyithu Hluttaw, U N Phon Hsan (a) U N Htu Phon Hsan ofMachanbaw Constituency asked whether assistance will beprovided to the regions of national races that lag behind indevelopment and whether the State will send an observationteam to less developed national races or regions for givingpriority to development of the national races or regions.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and NationalRaces and Development Affairs U Thein Nyunt replied thatborder areas of the Union of Myanmar had lagged behind indevelopment due to internal insurrection and poor transportbefore 1988. The Central Committee for Progress of BorderAreas and National Races Development was formed on 25May 1989 under the order No. 23/89 of the State Law and OrderRestoration Council for gaining development momentum inborder areas of national races. On 27 October 2004, the centralcommittee was reformed with the participation of 16 memberschaired by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services aschairman under the notification No. 74/2004 to superviseprogress of border areas of national races. To be able toimplement the instructions of the central committee, the WorkCommittee for Progress of Border Areas and National Raceswas formed with 17 members on 31 May 1989 under thenotification No. 24/89 of the State Law and Order RestorationCouncil. According to the notification No. 32/2006 of the StatePeace and Development Council on 14 July 2006, the workcommittee was reformed with 23 members headed by the PrimeMinister which is effectively carrying out progress of borderareas and national races. As the government has been placingemphasis on national reconsolidation since 1989, a total of 17major armed groups and over 20 small groups have returnedto the legal fold.

In consequence, the regions could restore peace andstability and undertake development tasks with momentum.Deputy Ministers of relevant ministries are taking chairmen at18 subcommittees for Progress of Border Areas and NationalRaces with participation of departmental heads. Thesesubcommittees were:(a) road/bridge subcommittee(b) transport subcommittee(c) health subcommittee(d) education subcommittee(e) agriculture subcommittee(f) forest subcommittee(g) livestock breeding subcommittee(h) trade subcommittee(i) energy subcommittee(j) public relations subcommittee(k) mining subcommittee(l) communications subcommittee(m) house construction subcommittee(n) management and finance subcommittee(o) statistic inspection subcommittee(p) religious affairs subcommittee(q) home affairs subcommittee(r) social welfare and cooperative subcommittee.

To be able to closely supervise tasks in border areas,

PBANRDA Minister replies to questionon less developed regions

11 regional work committees were chaired by commanders ofrespective military commands and chairmen of State PDCs on13 June 1989. They were;

(a) Kachin State Regional Work Committee(b) Shan State (North) Regional Work Committee(c) Shan State (East) Regional Work Committee(d) Shan State Regional Work Committee(e) Kayah State Regional Work Committee(f) Kayin State Regional Work Committee(g) Mon State Regional Work Committee(h) Taninthayi Region Regional Work Committee(i) Sagaing Region Regional Work Committee(j) Chin State Regional Work Committee(k) Rakhine State Regional Work Committee.

The government formed the Ministry for Progress ofBorder Areas and National Races and Development Affairs on24 September 1992 under Announcement No. 54/92 with a viewto supervising progress of border areas and national races.

The Central and Work Committees for Progress ofBorder Areas and National Races and Development Affairsimplemented the development tasks on priority submitted bytownship, district and regional work committees.

From 1989-1990 to 2010-2011 financial years, theState has spent K 130,040 million through the border areasfunds and K 214,233.97 million through the funds of relevantministries, totaling K 344,273.97 million on development ofborder areas and national races across the nation.

These undertakings were:(a) A total of 4397 miles long earthen roads, 3133 miles

long gravel roads, 473 miles long asphalt roadswere constructed and 3587 miles long roadsmaintained. Likewise, Public Works built 119 largebridges, 1462 small bridges and 63 suspensionbridges.

(b) A total of 888 primary schools, 92 middle schoolsand 94 high schools were opened in the educationsector.

(c) A total of 100 hospitals, 96 dispensaries, 94 ruralhealth centres and 202 rural health branches wereopened in the health sector.

(d) A total of 31 agricultural office and 118 agriculturalcamps were built in the agricultural sector, and 17measured dams, five canals and 11 tractorsconstructed.

(e) A total of 20 breeding farms and 41 veterinaryoffices were opened and 73 cows and 38 donkeysdistributed in the livestock breeding sector.

(f) A total of 11 forest reserves, 14 planned forestreserves, four sawmills and 14 forest nurserieswere established in the forest sector.

(g) A total of 113 TV re-transmission stations werebuilt in the public relations sector.

(h) A total of 54 post offices, 47 telegraphic offices and86 telephone works were established in thecommunication sector.

(i) A total of 276 generators and 51 hydropowerplants were constructed in the energy sector.

In the area of Kachin State Regional Work Commit-tee, one excavator, 12 bulldozers, six road rollers and eightdump tippers are being operated.

In implementing the plans for progress of borderareas and national races, the subcommittees gave equal termof opportunity to Kachin State. In do doing, a total of 725 mileslong earthen roads, 309 miles long gravel roads and two mileslong asphalt roads were constructed and 272 miles long roadsmaintained. In addition, a total of 12 large bridges, 319 smallbridges and 24 suspension bridges were built in the state byspending K 2780.59 million through the border area develop-ment fund.

In the education sector, a total of 173 primary schools,13 middle schools and 10 high schools were opened in KachinState. In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the 3-Rs course has been jointly conducted for adult illiterates andover-age national children in cooperation with the Ministry ofEducation since 1996. In consequence, a total of 4228 people—439 people in 2002, 835 in 2005, 286 in 2006, 855 in 2007, 728 in2008, 278 in 2009 and 807 in 2010—became literates in respectivetownships.

In the health sector, border areas of Kachin State hasbeen facilitated with 12 hospitals, 30 dispensaries, 17 ruralhealth centres and 27 rural health branches.

In the agriculture sector, the state has two dams, twoagricultural farms and eight agricultural offices.

In the livestock breeding sector, four livestock breed-ing offices were opened and one breeding farm built.

With regard to the public relations sector, KachinState has provided with 15 TV re-transmission stations.

In raising communication tasks in Kachin State, threepost offices, five telegraphic offices and six telephone exchangewere opened.

In the energy sector, a total of 22 generators aresupplying electricity to 17 towns and villages. And, onehydropower plant is under construction. The minister explained progress of human resourcesdevelopment for national race youths who faced lack oflearning opportunity as the border areas could not restorepeace and stability in the pas. In undertaking development ofborder areas, it is necessary to ensure local food sufficiencyof national races residing in the border areas for the first phase.After that, it is necessary to build social-economic infrastruc-ture for the local people. And then, it is necessary to placeemphasis on human resources development for achievingsustainable development.

Arrangements have been mad to create learning op-portunity for the children from border areas who lost the learningopportunity in successive eras. In so doing, a total of 29 borderareas national races development schools were opened alongthe border areas for the national race youths. Of them, onetraining school is opened in Putao, two in Myitkyina and one inBhamo.

The trainees who are qualified for the prescribedregulations of the training schools are admitted at the boardingto attend the high schools.

From 1999-2000 to 2010-2011 academic years, a total of561 students of 612 who passed the matriculation examinationattended the Nationalities Youth Resource Development DegreeColleges in Yangon and Mandalay, 24 students at University forDevelopment of National Races, eight at nursing courses, 10 atmidwifery course and nine at education college.

(See page 8)

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8 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

PBANRDA Minister U Thein Nyunt makingclarification.—MNA

(from page 7)In 2000, Nationalities Youth Resource Development

Degree Colleges were established in Yangon and Mandalay.To be able to turn out technicians, the Department of Educa-tion and Training was formed under the permission of Govern-ment Meeting 21/99 on 17 June 1999. At present, twoNationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges(Yangon and Mandalay), 29 border areas and national raceyouth development training schools, four border areas andnational race youth technical schools and 39 vocational trainingschools for the women are being kept open for the nationalraces.

The national race youths from border areas whopassed matriculation examination were scrutinized to attend

PBANRDA Ministerreplies to question…

the Nationalities Youth Resource Development DegreeColleges (Yangon and Mandalay) for learning arts, scienceand engineering courses. In addition, the outstandingstudents are admitted to attend master’s courses, BE andME courses.

From 2003-2004 to 2010-2011 academic years, 380students got BA degrees, 688 BSc degrees and 445 AGTIdiplomas. Arrangements were made for outstanding studentsto pursue master’s courses, MRes course, Prelim course, PhDcourse, BTech, BE and ME courses. Up to 2010-2011 academicyear, a total of 44 MA and 67 MSc graduates, eight ME, 117 BEand 182 BTech graduates have been turned out. A total of 1068BA/BSc graduates and 445 diploma holders have beenappointed at ministries.

Of 39 vocational training schools for the women, fourtraining schools were opened in Putao, Bhamo, Dunban Villageof Phakant Township and Dawphonyan in Kachin State. Theschools open training basic domestic training schools,

advanced tailoring course, knitting course, weaving course,mosaic course, wickerwork (rattan/bamboo) course, embroiderycourse and cookery course to the trainees.

From 1992 to date, the training schools produced38489 trainees. In Kachin State, 2410 trainees attended fourschools.

In reviewing the clarifications, undertakings of theState can be seen for progress of the less developed regionsof national races.

The minister said that as the Central Committee forProgress of Border Areas and National Races Developmenthas formed the work committee, respective regional commit-tees and the township work committees, everybody can knowprogress of border areas and national races through step bystep presentations.

Therefore, task for progress of border areas andnational races will be carried out with momentum.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— At today’s session ofPyithu Hluttaw, U Maung Nyo of Sittway Constituency saidthat the people of Sittway, the city of Rakhine State, arefacing problem of drinking water. He asked whether there isa water supply plan to solve the difficulty of drinking waterin Sittway or not, and he would like to know when the planwill be implemented if it is true.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and NationalRaces and Development Affairs U Thein Nyunt replied thatthe Development Committees Law promulgated as LawNo. 5/93 by the State Law and Order Restoration Councilwas issued on 1 April 1993 so that the Development AffairsDepartment is to carry out beautifying of urban areas anddeveloping of rural areas. Section 9 of the law is mentionedto undertake 31 points and supervise them.

Therefore, the department levies revenue and taxin the respective townships as income according to the lawand spend the income on the beautifying of urban areas anddeveloping of rural areas under permission of the ministry.Due to lack of income through tax and revenue, cashassistance is yearly provided by the State to Sittway Town-ship for carrying out urban water supply tasks.

A total of 2.55 million gallons of water is beingsupplied to Sittway through 410 million gallon capacityKandawgyi Lake, 14 rainy water tanks, 12 wells of Devel-opment Affairs Committee and 10 wells of other depart-ments, and 992 private-owned artesian wells.

On his inspection tours of Sittway on 24-1-2099,16-1-200 and 17-5-2010, the Prime Minister gaveinstructions to provide assistance for supply of water toSittway as the Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and

PBANRDA Minister replies to question ondrinking water supply project in Sittway

Development Council presented a report that Sittway wasfacing difficulty of drinking water.

Under the instructions of the Prime Minister, theMinistry undertook three plans of water supply.

The first plan is to clean the water pipelines ofurban water supply system. Cast Iron pipes of Sittway weredecayed and blocked due to long-term use. Some parts ofpipelines were damaged. In 2009-2000, the pipelines werecleaned and 8500 feet long new pipelines were laid for theareas where water was not supplied. Three water pumpingstations and one water collecting tank were built for smoothsupply of water. In so doing, the State spent K 69.62 millionon maintenance of water pipeline, installation of new pipe-lines and building of water pumps to supply residences ofSittway through 2760 water taps and 120 public water tanks.

As the second plan, the local authorities in coop-eration with the local people have been supplying 1.2million gallons of water daily from Aungdaing Fresh WaterTank to Kandawgyi Lake through two 50-HP water pumpssince 1995. In so doing, the work was contributed with K161.23 million by the people and K 204.47 million by theState. Moreover, K 79 million was spent on rebuilding the4700 feet long embankment of Kangawgyi Lake to store 40more million gallons of water. As such, about 3 milliongallons of water is being supplied to Sittway daily.

As the third plan, 6400 feet long and 15 feet highearthen dam is being built by damming Kanpaing Creek,4200 feet north from Sittway. The facility will store 130million gallons of water to supply 400,000 more gallons ofwater to seven wards of northern Sittway. The constructionwill cost K 195.22 million. On completion, Sittway can

consume 3.4 million gallons of water daily.On his inspection tour of Kandawgyi Lake on

16-3-2010 and 17-5-2010, the Prime Minister heard reportspresented by the minister and the chairman of Rakhine StatePDC. So, it is known to all the State has managed supply ofwater for people from Sittway.

According to Section 254 of the Constitution ofthe Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chief Ministerof State is allowed to spend tax and revenues of the TownshipDACs under the State Budget Law in line with the Develop-ment Committees Law. Therefore, Chief Prime of the Statewill continue tasks of water sufficiency spending the fundsof the State and carry out supply of water for Sittway step bystep, he replied.

MNA

Minister for Electric Power No. 1 U Zaw Minanswering query.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— At today’s session ofPyithu Hluttaw, U N Phon Hsan (a) U N Htu Phon Hsan ofMachanbaw Constituency of Kachin State said he has learntthat the authorities concerned have conducted feasibilitystudies for many times to generate hydropower fromHtakhachaung Waterfall in Machanbaw Township of KachinState. He asked whether a project has been set to generatehydropower from Htakhachaung Waterfall and he would liketo know when the project would commence.

In his response, Minister for Electric Power No. 1 UZaw Min explained that hydropower projects are to be sub-mitted at first to the Special Projects Implementation Com-mittee for approval. Then, feasibility studies on annual rainfall,year-wise inflow water, geological condition, possibilities ofthe project at upstream and downstream of the creek are to beconducted for the project. Generally, it is necessary to take 18months for the studies.

Based on the report of studies, the detailed observa-tion is to be conducted. Sometimes, feasibility studies are tobe conducted at three or four places. Of them, the best placeis to be chosen and then the detailed observation is to becarried out. Later, the detailed design for the project is to be

EP-1 Minister replies to question on generating ofhydropower from Htakhachaung Waterfall

created by taking 12 months. As such, it is necessary to take30 months for conducting feasibility studies and creating thedesign. Depending on the size of the project, constructiontasks take three years to 10 years.

The nation has 34 small-scale hydropower projectsand plants and 16 medium- and heavy-scale hydropowerprojects and plants. Since 2001, the 30-year electric powerlong-term plan has being implemented in the nation throughthe ministry, national entrepreneurs’ companies and foreigninvestment. At present, there are 68 implementing projectsand studying projects that can generate 45,000 megawatts.

The Htakhachaung Hydropower Project raised byU N Htu Phon Hsan has sought approval from the SpecialProjects Implementation Committee. The project is underobservation and it will be a small-scale project to beimplemented by one national entrepreneur company.

With regard to the electric power sector, Paragraph(4) (a) on Page 189 in the schedule two, Section 188 of theConstitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar states“Medium and small scale electric power production anddistribution that have the right to be managed by the Regionor State not having any link with national power grid, except

large scale electric power production and distribution havingthe right to be managed by the Union”. Therefore, privateentrepreneurs and cooperative societies have the opportunityto invest in regional small-scale hydropower projects underthe supervision of the State government.—MNA

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 9

Minister for Commerce U Tin Naing Theinmaking clarifications.—MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23March —With the special per-mission of the Speaker ofPyithu Hluttaw, U Maung Toeof Minhla Constituencyasked Minister for Financeand Revenue U Hla Tun toclarify the situation of the taxrevenue during the today’sPyithu Hluttaw regularsession.

U Maung Toe said

F & R Minister clarifies tax revenuesituation in reply to question of

U Maung Toe of Minhla ConstituencyMyanmar’s T a x a n dGDP ratio is at 3.2 percent andthe country’s tax revenue isthe lowest among nationsincluding ASEAN countries.He asked the Finance andRevenue Minister to reviewand clarify the situation.

In reply to the ques-tion, the minister said that theTax GDP ratio has come downreaching at3.2 percent due to

five factors — a tax exemp-tion and a tax relief, tax pay-er’s weakness to comply withtax regulations, weak supportfrom local authorities to takemeasures under tax regula-tions, audits’ weakness in au-diting in accordance withrules and regulationsconcerned and need foramendments for the tax rulesand regulations.— MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23March – Four Hluttawrepresentatives discussedthe proposal approved to bediscussed to assist farmersin getting reasonable priceof paddy, submitted by DrBanya Aung Moe of MonState Constituency-7, attoday’s Amyotha Hluttawsession.

First, Wunna KyawHtin U Win Myint of SagaingRegion Constituency-3discussed that he is thechairman of the Union ofMyanmar Federation ofChambers of Commerce andIndustry. Regarding the firstpoint, he explained that inthe nations practisingmarket-oriented economicsystem, governments do notinterfere directly in the pricerates of crops andcommodities. Bothgovernment and privatesector cannot control marketprices that change accordingto the nature of supply anddemand. But, if there arecases of monopolization andsudden fluctuation of pricesin the market, governmentorganizations concernedand merchants associationsusually take control of themin line with theadministrative means andlaws. In neighbouringnations, buffer stock systemis adopted for importantgoods. If there is price hike,part of the buffer stock issold and if sudden decreasehappens, crops of farmers arepurchased at reasonableprice to cover the productioncost. There is another systemas well, in which theminimum price is fixed forfarmers so that they cannotexperience any losses.However, ways and meanshave to be sought to be in

Proposal to assist farmers in gettingreasonable price of paddy discussed

conformity with theconditions of own nation.

When it comes toprices of foodstuff includingrice, global demand andprices have increased after2007-2008. As a result,Myanmar has been able toextend exports of rice andbeans and pulses year byyear. Increased price in theglobal market is an attractionfor farmers to try to boostcultivation. Yet,coordinated measures haveto be taken sometimes asunprecedented increase inprices can affect the publicconsumers. Extendedexportation of rice and beansand pulses at present is dueto the efforts made in theform of public privatepartnership.

Progress of today’sglobal nations haveachieved is thanks to theadoption of export ledeconomic growth model. Ifthere is more public privatepartnership, exportation canbe boosted and farmers willget benefits.

The second pointof the proposal states thatgovernment’s assistance isnecessary for products offarmers to be able to get goodprice in the global market.For the penetration into theglobal market, thegovernment is creatingopportunities for merchantsby making coordinationwith Myanmar embassies inforeign countries, foreignembassies in the country,international organizationsand merchants associationsand holding trade fairs andmeetings. Farmers, brokersfrom other towns andmerchants on their part areto work hard for boostingcrop cultivation. Now,

assistance is being renderedto farmers under theprogramme of public privatepartnership to increase thequality of two majoragricultural products – riceand beans and pulses.

Dr Banya AungMoe said it is no longernecessary to make any otherproposal as efforts are beingmade under the publicprivate partnershipprogramme.

U Tun Zaw (a) KoPauk of Bago RegionConstituency-12 in hisdiscussion said concerningthe matter of getting goodprice in international market,in the market economysystem, prices are fixed bythe market. Crops producedfrom own country can getgood price only if they canseek market in competitionwith those of other nationsin the global market.Nowadays, modernmachines and equipment arebeing used to producequality rice. For paddy, araw material, quality paddystrains are bought. Hence, itis necessary for farmers togrow quality strains in orderto get good price. By millingquality paddy, quality ricewill be produced and it canbe competitively sold in theglobal market.

As to the secondpoint, he said according toArticle 23 (b) of the 2008Constitution, it is prescribedthat the State shall assistfarmers in getting reasonableprices of their crops. So, it isnot necessary to discuss thispoint separately.

U Naing Tun Ohnof Mon State Constituency-5 said boosting agriculturalproduction calls for goodcultivation methods,modern equipment,cultivable land, enoughcapital and manpower.Agricultural production willdecrease when farmerschange their profession ifthey do not earn enoughfrom their crop production.It is necessary for farmers toenjoy food security, boostproduction and improveincome. So, he said hesecond the proposal.

U Kyaw Thein ofMon State Constituency-4said if farmers increase theirincome, their capital willincrease, therebycontributing to nationalincome. If there is increasein exports, more foreignexchange will be earned. As

the majority of the peopleare farmers, their improvedincome will contribute todevelopment of othereconomic sectors. Therefore,he seconded the proposal,he said.

In his discussion,Minister for Commerce UTin Naing Thein said as tothe proposal, it will becomplete only when theMinistry of Agriculture andIrrigation responsible forboosting agriculturalproduce and the Ministry ofCommerce responsible fortrading make clarifications.So, he himself would madeclarifications of the twoministries, added theminister.

The aim of theMinistry of Agriculture andIrrigation is to boostagricultural production. Withthe boosting of agriculturalproduce, income of farmerswill improve. The aim is beingrealized in two ways –extension of cultivationacreage and per acre highyield. In the time of the rulinggovernment, more 19.88million acres of land havebeen reclaimed. For per-acrehigh yield, research has beendone and the researchdepartment and MyanmaAgriculture Service aredistributing new qualitystrains. To extend irrigatedacreage, dam and river-waterpumping projects andunderground tapping watertasks have been and are beingimplemented. Cultivationcapacity has increased from120 % to 172 % contributingto improved income offarmers. Research on newstrains has led to high yield.For example, the first cottonstrain produced 350 viss. ButNgwechi-6 cotton canproduce more than 1600 viss.However, there were reportsthat a viss of cotton formerlysold for K 1000 could getonly K 500. In order to keepup the spirits of farmers, A&IMinistry bought a viss ofcotton for K 1000. So did the

Ministry of Industry-1. Now,the price of cotton per viss isaround K 1200.

The CommerceMinistry would discuss theproposal from the viewpointof trade. Regarding the firstpoint, in the marketeconomy system, prices ofall types of goods includingagricultural products aredecided by market and theyvary depending on supplyand demand. In the nationspractising market-orientedeconomic system, govern-ments do not usually controlprice rates of crops andcommodities. Before 1988when Myanmar waspractising socialisteconomic system, therewere cases of fixingcommodity prices. After1988 when the nationadopted market economysystem, farmers andmerchants alike have beentrading openly for 20 years.According to Article 35 ofthe 2008 Constitution, theState will continue topractice market economysystem. Some organizationsand companies are buyingproducts of farmers atunreduced price in theharvesting time. So, at a timewhen growers andentrepreneurs are tradingcrop products openly in themarket, the proposal tointerfere in price rates bythe government is notappropriate to be approved.

As regards to thesecond point, thegovernment and privatesector should makecooperative efforts forproducing quality productsto be able to compete withother nations in the globalmarket, growing globallymarketable crops accordingto demand and having directlinks with end user countriesfor crop sales of farmers underthe arrangement ofentrepreneurs.

In other way,production needs to increaseboth in quality and quantity.

In the marketing sector,market penetration, regularmarket shares and good priceare necessary. Therefore, theState built a cluster ofirrigation facilities within 20years for long-termdevelopment of agriculturalsector. Exports ofagricultural produceamounted $ 121.22 m in2007-2008, $ 1403.17 m in2008-2009 and $ 1657.58 min 2009-2010. This isbecause of having good priceand boosting agriculturalproduction. The increase inimport of agriculturalproduce is paralleled by therise in income of farmers.

With crop outputgrowth, the governmentmade necessary arrange-ments for establishment ofrice companies and beansand pulses companies tocarry out “Supply ChainManagement” which isrequired for dealing with“procedures for having ashare of the internationalmarket and a good pricestarting from 2009.”

The companies areproducing and distributingquality strains which are indemand, fertilizers atreasonable price andproviding farmers with farmequipment and machines forvalue added products anddealing with local and foreignmarkets. So government’sencouragement for formationof companies for agriculturaldevelopment in accordwith the market economy isthe basic assistance like theproposal submitted by UBanya Aung Moe.

Some pointed todomestic support, exportsubsidy, minimum supportprice and pledgingprogramme which arebeing practiced in someother countries. The firstpoint is that a few nationsout of 194 world nationspractice these ways and mostof countries cannot practicethem due to various reasons

(See page 10)

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10 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

(from page 9)such as wealth, storage capacity and management. Thesecond point is that the high purchase price for crops offarmers is banned under Agreement on SubsidiesCountervailing Measure of WTO. Since 2001, there havebeen continuous claims on revocation of such practicemade by some developed nations in WTO meeting. Thethird point is that although a system in which MyanmarAgricultural Produce Trading made deposits on the cropslike Minimum Support Price was introduced in Myanmarfrom 1999-2000 to 2003, it did not work, leaving bad debtof K 3800 million. The fourth point is that assistances whichare allowed to be rendered under agricultural agreement ofWTO are construction of agro-based infrastructures, researchwork, pest control and food security. So already-implemented works and ongoing works for agriculturaldevelopment and better socio-economic status of famersare comfortable to the situations in the world and they canhelp develop systematically.

Permission to import agricultural items and farmequipment with zero tariff and striving for more fertilizerproduction of the government are services to assist farmersin reduction of production cost without affecting theirincomes.

There are many services given by the State foragricultural development and better socio-economic statusof farmers. These services are assistances rendered by thegovernment to get a good price for crop. He said he wouldlike to give an account of some ongoing tasks for getting

Proposal to assist farmers ingetting reasonable…

a good price. The first point is that farmers do not getreasonable profits and consumers face rising price due to sixstages in rice trading. Now getting a good price is inprospect after companies were set up and direct links withfarmers established.

The second point is that exportation of rice mixedwith various kinds of rice by some companies is a cause ofnot getting a good price. Plans are underway to address thisproblem in cooperation with companies that are willing tomake investment in rice production field. The third pointis that value added is a cause required for getting a goodprice. For example, a tone of FAQ mungbean gets US$ 900(Yangon FOB) and a tone of SQ mungbean can get US$1000 (Yangon FOB). As a valued added product, it can getUS$ 1300. If color sorter and polisher are used for theproduct, we can get more price. Milling quality has advancedconsiderably within two or three years.

The fourth point is that Domestic MarketDevelopment is a basic point for ensuring a share ofinternational market and a good price. Public PrivatePartnership Programme is being realized for organizingworkshops for development of brokerages with the aim ofensuring Domestic Market Development.

Measures are being taken for facilitating tradingby brokerages in States and Regions. The government islegally handling inappropriate matters and matter of playingmarket. Besides, assistances are being rendered to conductmarket research, to exchange market information, to holdseminars and meetings, to take part in international exposand business meets. Myanmar embassies are also makingnecessary arrangements in carrying out market penetration.

Dissemination of information about global anddomestic commodity price rates is being carried out and the

rural people have widened their scope of knowledge in theage of information technology. Merchants are to try toseek market and production companies and farmers areto make cooperative effort to produce quality crops so asto get good price.

The third point of the proposal says that the stateis to help in exporting agricultural products to industrializednations with few taxes or without taxes. At present,Myanmar’s export processes are being carried out with GSP(Generalized System of Preference) adopted for developingand least-developed countries by developed countries, thereduced rates adopted between regional countries withopen trade, the rates adopted for LDCs by WTO membercountries and the reduced rates adopted in accord withASEAN open trade agreement. Besides, Myanmar isenjoying DFTP (Duty free tariff preference) adopted byIndia. The ministerial meeting of LDCs including held inTanzania in 2009 made a resolution to join the market withduty free and quota free. At the 7th ministerial meeting ofWTO held in December 2009, Myanmar sought permissionto enter the market with duty free and quota free. So, thepoint U Banya Aung Moe made has been carried out by theState and measures are being taken to continue to implementit.

Overall, it is not necessary to review the proposalas the points included in it have been already prescribed bythe State.

Then, Dr Banya Aung Moe thanked the ministerand participants for clarifications saying he is glad to learnthat the government is trying its utmost for the wellbeingof farmers. Later, the speaker of Amyotha Hluttaw announcedthe resource person had withdrawn his proposal by himself.

MNA

F&R Minister and seven representativesdiscuss proposal of U Soe Win

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s Pyithu Hluttawsession, seven hluttaw representatives discussed the proposalof U Soe Win from Sangyoung Constituency “to providefinancial assistance to small and medium enterprises.”

U Win Myint from Myingyan Constituency saidthat industrial production is important economic sector inMyanmar’s realizing economic objective—development ofagriculture as the base and all-round development of othersector of the economy as well. So, it needs to develop smalland medium enterprises. So, the government has established18 industrial zones and 28 sub-industrial zones across thenation.

After the government had established Central Com-mittee for Development of Myanma Industries, the number ofSMEs has reached to over 40,000, accounting for 74.31 percent covering foodstuff, textile, consumer goods, householdappliances, printing industry, construction materials, farmingequipment, and electrical appliances industry.

Three groups can be divided according to produc-tion capacity. The first group applies high technology andpossesses modern equipment and is located in industrialzones in Yangon and Mandalay. The second is agro-basedindustries which apply relatively modern technology andspread over the nation. The third group is manual labor-basedindustry which applies traditional methods. It is import-substitute industry which generates foreign currency throughimport of processed fish and prawn, finished woods and value-added various kinds of fruits.

The national goal has been set to build modern anddeveloped nation with industrial power and the new govern-ment of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar has set upMinistry of Myanma Industrial Development for furtherdevelopment in industrial sector of the nation.

The government has issued “Private Industries Law”and Investment Laws for Myanmar Nationals”. Industrialistsare permitted to ask governmental departments and organi-zations concerned to provide them with land, water, energy,communication and transportation, reduction of tariffs, loansfor fixed capital and revolving fund, local and foreign rawmaterials for their businesses, machines and machine parts,and domestic and foreign technologies to boost the produc-tion and quality of the products they produce.

Myanmar Industrial Development Bank has been

set up to provide loans to industrialists and the bank so far haslent over K 43 billion to industrialists.

Nowadays, industrialists, businessmen and thosewishing to expand their own business have the right to borrowloans from State-owned Myanma Economic Banks, andprivate banks in accord with prescribed rules and regulationsof the bank. It is learnt that the State wants to lend more loansto industrialists depending on its budget for industrial devel-opment.

So, proposal of U Soe Win is the work the State isperforming and will be performing and thus he assumed thatit needs to make proposal no more.

Daw Tin Nwe Oo of Dagon Myothit (North) Con-stituency said that development of manufacturing sector ispivotal in economic growth of a nation. Nations with largeportion of manufacturing sector in gross domestic produc-tion of national economy are found to be developed coun-tries. Developing countries are to try to transform fromordinary farming business to production business for theireconomic development.

Myanmar is principally an agro-based nation andthus efforts are to be made for shift from agriculture businessto production business gradually.

Investment in SMEs in Myanmar is relatively lowin comparison with other CLMV countries. SMEs in Myanmarare run with limited family-owned capital and the chances toacquire financial assistance in industrial section are low ifcompared with other CLMV countries.

For example, industrialists can borrow short-termand long-term loans in Cambodia and Laos. And loans canbe borrowed in Vietnam and Laos without pawn-articles inaddition to factoring. In Laos, not only immoveable assetsbut also inventories can be pawned to borrow loans.

In Myanmar, there are no such cases and only short-loans can be borrowed. And one can only borrow the 30% ofmarket price of the property he pawned and there are evenrestrictions on borrowing a small loan.

Short-term loan means is for working capital andlong-term investment is needed for expanding the business.According to statistics in 2004, SMEs in Myanmar were43435 with 78 % of which is small enterprises with workforceof under 50, and accounted 61% of employment rate, 41 %of production rate, and 45% of investment rate of the nation

and thus can be seen that SMEs play an important role ineconomic growth of the nation and the State should provideshort-term and long-term loans and draw financial pro-grammes for investment in development, he said in supportof the proposal.

U Hla Maung (a) U Naing Hla Maung fromChaungsone Constituency said that production industrywhich provides basic needs of people is important to thenation.

Productivity of SMEs depends on the financialcapacity of owners. These industries sometimes face fi-nancial shortages. There must a programme to disbursenecessary loans to them. The most important seven Ms inindustries are men, money, material, method, machine,management and market. They are all related to capital.Providing loans to SMEs will facilitate production andhelp control commodity prices. Hence, he supported USoe Win’s proposal.

U Kyi Myint of Latha constituency said small andmedium enterprises are flexible. They can grab the opportu-nities left behind by big businesses, hence generating newjob. Tax exemption or reduction and financial assistance canbe followed by opportunities. So, the formation of supervi-sory bodies may require. In market economy, the source ofpublic budget comes from tax-payers. Hence, the idea ofproviding interest-free loans is not appropriate.

(See page 11)

F & R Minister U Hla Tun responding toquestion.—MNA

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 11

(from page 10)U Khin Maung Yi (a)

Khine Maung Yi of Ahlonconstituency said normallynations are implementingeconomic patterns suitableto them. Basically, economyhas three parts – manufactur-ing, non-manufacturing andservices. These three are runby small, medium or big busi-ness depending on their vol-ume. Tax burden, access tofinancing, impact of technol-ogy, modernization, techno-logical developments and fairopportunities should betaken into account to promotesmall businesses. Myanmarnow has business organiza-tions and various financialaid programmes. Hesupported the proposal of U

F&R Minister and sevenrepresentatives…

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—The Speaker of AmyothaHluttaw today explainedundertakings of the Hluttawconcerning questions raisedand proposals submitted bythe Hluttaw representativesat the Amyotha Hluttaw.

In his clarification, theSpeaker of Amyotha Hluttawsaid that Amyotha Hluttawraised 33 questions andmembers of respective Unionlevel organizations re-sponded to them at the firstregular session of theAmyotha Hluttaw.

In classifying the que-ries, eight questions wereraised by Kachin State, 11questions by Chin State, onequestion by Magway Region,two questions by Mon State,four questions by RakhineState, six questions byYangon Region and one ques-tion by Shan State, totalling33.

U Zung Hlei Thang ofChin State Constituency-2made six questions, Dr MyatNyana Soe of Yangon Re-gion Constituency-4 sixquestions and U Paul ThangThaing of Chin State Con-stituency-3 three questions.Two questions each wereraised by U Khet Htein Nan ofKachin State Constituency-1, U Za Khun Ting Ring ofKachin State Constituency-4, U San Tun of Kachin StateConstituency-11, U MaungAye Tun of Rakhine StateConstituency-9 and U BanyaAung Moe of Mon State Con-stituency-7. One questioneach was raised by U MyaOhn of Kachin State Con-stituency-8, U Sai MyaMaung of Kachin State Con-stituency-10, U Steven

Undertakings of Hluttaw concerning questions andproposals of Hluttaw representatives explained

Thabeik of Chin State Con-stituency-4, U Paw HlyanLwin of Chin State Constitu-ency-9, U Hla Swe of MagwayRegion Constituency-12, UKhin Maung Latt of RakhineState Constituency-6, UMaung Tha Khin of RakhineState Constituency-8 and UTun Kyaw of Shan StateConstituency-10.

Priority is to be given torepresentatives of Regionsand States who have not carryout any discussion, raise ques-tion and submit proposal atthe sessions of forthcomingAmyotha Hluttaws. In linewith the tradition of theHluttaw, the Speaker ofAmyotha Hluttaw will createthe opportunity in equal termfor all. Chin State submitted15 proposals and Mon State,one, totalling 16. U Paw HlyanLwin of Chin State submittednine proposals, U Kyun Khamof Chin State Constituency-1four proposals, U StevenThabeik of Chin StateConstituency-4 two propos-als and U Banya Aung Moe ofMon State Constituency-7one proposal.

Respective committeesread the proposals andquestions in detail and willput records on guarantees,pledge and undertakings vet-ting of the government. At atime when the Hluttaw ses-sions are not held, questions,proposals and bills may besent to the Director-Generalof the Office of the NationalHluttaw Speaker in person orthrough postal service. Aftermaking necessary prepara-tions, the above-mentionedmatters will be carried out atthe forthcoming sessions ofthe Hluttaw. If it is the most

important matter to be under-taken immediately, the Un-ion level organizations willhold coordination amongthem to respond to the matterwithout holding the Hluttawsession.

In his greetings, theSpeaker of Amyotha Hluttawurged the Hluttaw representa-tives to carry out four points.First and foremost, the repre-sentatives are to uplift theirproficiency daily to serve thegreater interest of the people.For the second, the Sub-sec-tion (A) of Section-11 of theConstitution states the threebranches of sovereign powernamely, legislative power,executive power and judicialpower are separated, to theextent possible, and exert re-ciprocal control, check andbalance among themselves.The Hluttaw is a legislativebody. So, the representativesare to make studies to recip-rocally control the mattersrelated to executive powerand judicial power so as tosmoothly carry out the mat-ters in the forthcoming ses-sions of the Hluttaw. For thethird point, the Hluttaw rep-resentatives are the repre-sentatives of the people. So,they are to observe the life ofthe people. For the fourthpoint, all the representativesare to extend their studyrange to be able to give bestsuggestions for ensuring per-petual existence of the Re-public of the Union ofMyanmar and for ensuringpeaceful, modern and devel-oped nation. They all are toalways focus on the above-mentioned four points, heconcluded.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March— At today’s session ofPyithu Hluttaw, PyithuHluttaw Speaker gave briefaccount of election, forma-tion, raising queries and dis-cussing proposals done atfirst Pyithu Hluttaw regularsession.

The first-day of firstPyithu Hluttaw regularsession started on 31 January2011 and concluded on the14th day today. Groupmeetings of Pyithu Hluttawrepresentatives-elect wereheld on 1 and 3 February,2011, he said.

Election of PyithuHluttaw Speaker and DeputySpeaker was done once and

Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker give brief account of election,formation, raising queries and discussing proposals

election of Vice-Presidentonce. Pyithu Hluttaw BillCommittee, Public AccountsCommittee, Pyithu HluttawRights Committee and theGovernment’s Guarantees,Pledges and UndertakingsVetting Committee wereformed with 15 memberseach and are dischargingduties. Duties, privileges andpowers of four committeeshad been approved by theHluttaw.

Forty six queries raisedby Hluttaw representativeshad been answered in thefrom sixth-day session on 9March to 14th-day sessionon 23 March. A total of 17proposals submitted by the

representatives werediscussed and four out ofthem were approved. Tasksto be carried out regardingproposals and queries willbe supervised by respectiveHluttaw committees.

Queries, proposals andbills can be submitted in thetime even when the Hluttawis not convened. Nextsessions of Pyithu Hluttawwill be more systematicallyheld in accord with PyithuHluttaw Law and Rules.Pyithu Hluttaw representa-tives should work in interestof people and the State intheir own regions in accordwith the State Constitution,he urged.—MNA

Soe Win.U Sai Aung Hla of Namtu

constituency said five yearsfrom now, Myanmar will be amember of Asean Free TradeArea (AFTA). So, the countryhas a five-year preparationtime. The nation will havegreater competitiveness if hersmall and medium enterprisesmeet the set standard. Theseenterprises will also have tocompete with foreign compa-nies that will make investmentsin accordance with the SpecialEconomic Zone (SEZ) Law.As these foreign companiesare running in SEZ, they canenjoy some tax exemptions.So, State-owned and privatebanks should provide SMEswith interest-free or soft loansto manufacture quality goods.

The government should alsoprovide technological assist-ance. He supported the pro-posal.

U Lwin Oo of Thanlyinconstituency said thereshould be a harmoniousprogress between heavy in-dustries and small and me-dium industries. The basicmethod is to provide loans tothe latter. Twenty percent ofindustrial loans are for SMEsat present. The government isproviding financial assist-ance to the banks for industrialdevelopment. Banks chargeinterest rates that are lowerthan the loans for other busi-ness to SMEs in line with theinstructions of the CentralBank. Banks have to file law-suits against businesses thatgive priority to financial ac-cess rather than to develop-ment. The government’s pro-vision of loans to small and

medium businesses onbroader scale will contributeto industrial development ofnation, import-substitutegood production, saving for-eign exchange, earning FEthrough exports, creating jobopportunities. Myanmar In-dustrial Development Cen-tral Committee and MyanmarIndustrial DevelopmentCommittee are providing as-sistance to these businesses.U Soe Win’s proposal con-cerns with accomplished andon-going projects. So, it isfurther discussion on thistopic are not necessary.

Minister for Finance andRevenue U Hla Tun gave areply saying, Myanmar is amember of ASEAN SMEWG.It has 18 industrial zones and28 sub-zones housing 43504registered businesses – 4186heavy industries (9.62%),6992 medium industries(16.07%) and 32326 smallindustries (74.31%) -- up tothe end of February this fiscalyear. State-owned,investment and commercialbanks are providing loans forindustries at 17% interest rate

on normal terms. But forspecial projects, the interestrate is 15%. MyanmarIndustrial Development Bankof the 19 private banks andIndustrial Loan division un-der the State-run MyanmaEconomic Bank are disburs-ing 55% of their loans to thevarious industries. After 2003,loans are provided only to theinsured industries to coverrisk. Especially loans are forinsured immovable property.In some cases set rules arelessened in providing loansto contribute to industrialdevelopment. MEC, MyanmaInvestment and CommercialBank and MIDB provided K125.4 billion during theperiod between 2005-2006and 2009-2010. Steel millseach has a 1000-ton annualcapacity were set up inMandalay, Monywa andTaunggyi industrial zones tocontribute to development ofsmall and mediumenterprises. Machine toolsworth over $ 5 million werebought for the three zoneswith financial assistance fromthe government in 2006.

Loan disbursement at presentdepends on the loanable fund.The representatives shouldreview the proposal. The stateis helping small and mediumindustries and they are nowproducing import-substitutegoods and exports. Thanks tothe assistance provided inaccord with the law, the nationhas witnessed industrial de-velopment. MyanmaIndustrial DevelopmentMinistry will be included inthe new government. Hence,further discussions on theproposal are not required.

The speaker said thediscussion and replies are com-prehensive and interesting andpositive. The production sec-tor including the SMEs is thekey for GDP growth. The gov-ernment is providing finan-cial assistance to SMEs. As therespective Union level organi-zation members do not needto discuss this matter theproposal should be reviewed.U Soe Win asked the Hluttawto record it for use when and ifnecessary. According to ap-proval of Hluttaw the proposalwas put on record. — MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23March — At today’s regu-lar session of PyithuHluttaw, Pyithu Hluttawsought approval for forma-tion of committees andjoint-committees to studylegislative, executive,national races, economic,financial, social, foreignaffairs and other affairs.

The PyithuHluttaw speaker said thatthe committees can beformed with a term if theHluttaw need to studylegislation, administration,national races, economic,financial, social, foreign

Approval sought for formation ofcommittees and joint-committees

affairs and other affairs.Pyithu Hluttaw

Rules 76 states that joint-committees can be formed ifthe Hluttaw to negotiatewith Amyotha Hluttaw. Ajoint-committee can beformed with equal numberof representatives with thenegotiation of the HluttawSpeaker and AmyothaHluttaw Speaker if bothHluttaws have to study anaffair except the affairs to bedealt with by four Hluttawcommittees. The term ofjoint-committees is till thereport is submitted toHluttaw.

Approval wassought for assigning PyithuHluttaw Speaker a duty offorming joint-committeesunder Pyithu Hluttaw Rules76 and committees to studylegislation, administration,national races, economic, fi-nancial, social, foreign af-fairs and other affairs underPyithu Hluttaw Rules 76with appropriate representa-tives of four Hluttaw com-mittees and other appropri-ate representatives.

The proposal of thespeaker was then approvedby the Hluttaw.

MNA

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12 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

Approval sought for formation ofcommittees and joint-committees

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s AmyothaHluttaw session, the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker soughtapproval for formation of committees and joint-committeesto study legislature, administration, national brethren af-fairs, economy, finance, social and foreign affairs and otherissues and submit them to the hluttaw.

First, the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker said that incompliance with Hluttaw Rules 79, hluttaw committees canbe formed with hluttaw representatives over a fixed period

if Amyotha Hluttaw wants to have legislature, administra-tion, national brethren affairs, economy, finance, social andforeign affairs and other issues submitted to it.

Amyotha Hluttaw Rule 76 stated that joint-com-mittees can be formed should Amyotha Hluttaw has cases tocoordinate with Pyithu Hluttaw. If the both hluttaws has tostudy a particular subject except the works of the fourhluttaw committees and defence and security committee,the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker and the Pyithu Hluttaw

Speaker may coordinate and form joint-committee withsame number of representatives from both hluttaws. And theterm of the joint-committees will end after the study reporthas been submitted to respective hluttaws.

Considering that there may be functions com-mittees have to perform when the hluttaw is not in session,it needs to allow suitable representatives who are includedin the four hluttaw committees to perform the functionsof appropriately. The hluttaw approved to formcommittees and joint-committees when it needs to havelegislature, administration, national brethren affairs,economy, finance, social and foreign affairs and otherissues submitted to it.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March — Pyithu HluttawRepresentatives vetting Committee was organized attoday’s session of Pyithu Hluttaw regular meeting here.

The Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw announced the listof nominations for members, chairman and secretary for thecommittee to form the committee with suitable PyithuHluttaw representatives in accordance with the section37(c ) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Law in order to scrutinize therepresentatives as from the 2nd meeting the first Pyithu

Pyithu Hluttaw Representatives Vetting Committee formedHluttaw.

As there was no objection for the nomination, theSpeaker announced the confirmation of organizing thecommittee with following 14 Pyithu Hluttawrepresentatives.(1) U Maung Oo, Takon Constituency, (Chairman)(2) U Hla Myint (a) U Maung Hla, Pulaw Constituency(3) U Than Nwe, Butalin Constituency(4) Dr. Soe Thura, Kyonpyaw Constituency

(5) U Kyin Thein, Bago Constituency(6) U Ko Ko Tun, Aunglan Constituency(7) U Tun Myint Oo, Mongpan Constituency(8) U Aung Kyaw Zan, Pauktaw Constituency(9) U Kyaw Soe Lay, Monyin Constituency(10) U Than Oo, Myawady Constituency(11) U Ye Htut Tin, Hpasaung Constituency(12) U Pom Khant In, Tiddin Constituency(13) U Mya Thein, Mudon Constituency(14) U Aye Myint, Insein Constituency (Secretary)

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March—At today’s session of AmyothaHluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw speaker submitted the list ofnominees for the positions of chairman, secretary and mem-bers of Hluttaw Representatives Vetting Committee toAmyotha Hluttaw for formation of the committee.

The speaker submitted the list of nominees for thepositions of chairman, secretary and members of HluttawRepresentatives Vetting Committee to Amyotha Hluttaw

Nominees for posts of chairman, secretary and members of HluttawRepresentatives Vetting Committee submitted to Amyotha Hluttaw

which is to be formed according to Article 37 (c) of AmyothaHluttaw Law.

The committee will be formed with eight members, asfollows:-(a) U Aung Tun Magway Region Constituency

(11)(b) U San Pyae Kachin State Constituency (7)(c) U P Maung Soe Kayah State Constituency (1)

(d) U Saw Taw Kalei Kayin State Constituency (7)(e) U Paul Thang Thaing Chin State Constituency (3)(f) Dr Soe Win Mon State Constituency (2)(g) U Kyaw Tun Aung Rakhine State Constituency (5)(h) U Sai Kyaw Zaw Than Shan State Constituency (2)

The Speaker reported that U Aung Tun from MagwayRegion Constituency (11) will be appointed as Chairman;and U San Pyae of Kachin State constituency (7), asSecretary.

The huttaw approved and declared the formation of thecommittee.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March —Pyithu Hluttaw recordedmessages of felicitations received by Pyithu Hluttaw Speakerat today’s session of Pyithu Hluttaw.

The messages, sent by heads of parliaments offoreign countries for being elected as Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker,were submitted at the Hluttaw. These messages were:-(a) Message from Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the

Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress(NPC) of the People’s Republic of China, dated 1February, 2011.

(b) Message from Mr. Cho Tae Bok, Speaker of SupremePeople’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republicof Korea, dated 8 February, 2011.

(c) Message from Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairman of the

Pyithu Hluttaw records messages of felicitations sentto Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker

National Assembly of the Socialist Republic ofVietnam, dated 1 February, 2011.

(d) Message from Mr. Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of StateDuma (Lower House) of the Russian Federation, dated7 February, 2011.

(e) Message from Mr. Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of theParliament of the Republic of Singapore, dated 7February, 2011.

(f) Message from Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea ChakreiHeng Samrin, President of National Assembly of theKingdom of Cambodia, dated 23 February, 2011.

(g) Message from Samdech Akka Moha Thomma PothisalChea Sim, President of Senate of the Kingdom ofCambodia, dated 1 March, 2011.

(h) Message from Mr. Antonio V Cuenco, Secretary-General of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly(AIPA), dated 9 February, 2011.

(i) Message from Mrs. Pany Yathotu, President of NationalAssembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,dated 28 February, 2011.

(j) Message from Mr. Jassem Al-Kharafi, Chairman ofNational Assembly of Kuwait, dated 3 February, 2011.

(k) Message from Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of NationalAssembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, dated17 February, 2011.

(l) Message from General Chen Bingde, Chief of GeneralStaff of People’s Liberation Army of the People’sRepublic of China, dated 1 February, 2011.The Speaker announced that the messages of

felicitations were recorded as the Hluttaw approved therecording of messages.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 23 March — Amyotha Hluttaw re-corded messages of felicitations received by AmyothaHluttaw Speaker at today’s session of Amyotha Hluttaw.

The messages, sent by heads of parliaments offoreign countries for being selected as Amyotha HluttawSpeaker, were submitted at the Hluttaw. These messageswere:-(a) Message from Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Stand-

ing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC)of the People’s Republic of China, dated 1 February,2011.

(b) Message from Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairman of theNational Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Viet-nam, dated 1 February, 2011.

(c) Message from Mr. Jassem Al-Kharafi, Chairman ofNational Assembly of Kuwait, dated 3 February, 2011.

(d) Message from Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Chairmanof the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Parliament) of theRepublic of India, dated 7 February, 2011.

(e) Message from Mr. Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of the

Amyotha Hluttaw records messages of felicitationssent to Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker

Parliament of the Republic of Singapore, dated 7February, 2011.

(f) Message from Mr. Cho Tae Bok, Speaker of SupremePeople’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Repub-lic of Korea, dated 8 February, 2011.

(g) Message from Mr. Antonio V Cuenco, Secretary-Gen-eral of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, dated 8February, 2011.

(h) Message from Mrs. Pany Yathotu, President of NationalAssembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,dated 28 February, 2011.

(i) Message from Samdech Akka Moha Thomma PothisalChea Sim, President of Senate of the Kingdom ofCambodia, dated 1 March, 2011.

(j) Message from Mr. Sergei Mironov, Speaker of RussianFederation Council, dated 5 March, 2011.The speaker announced that the messages of felicita-

tions were recorded as the Hluttaw approved the recordingof messages.

MNA

CONDOLENCE BOOK SIGNED: Director-General Daw Yin YinMyint of Training, Research and Foreign LanguagesDepartment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23

March evening signed Condolence Book at Embassy ofJapan at No (100) Natmauk Road, Yangon for the lossof lives and property caused by the recent earthquake

and Tsunami in Japan.— MNA

23-3-2011 NL.pmd 3/24/2011, 6:53 AM12

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 13

Tatmadaw introducing democracy to the nationMyint Maung (Phil Q)

Now, the Tatmadaw government and the peopleare working together to shape the future of the Republicof the Union of Myanmar.

Since born, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has beensafeguarding the interests of the Union of the people. Ithas preserved a fine tradition of discharging nation-building tasks with vision. The Tatmadaw government islaying sound foundations and exerting visionary leadershipto build a modern and developed nation with theparticipation of patriotic people.

As a result of the efforts the Tatmadawgovernment has made with great tenacity, the nationhas seen executive, legislative and judicial bodies thatwill rule the Union democratically. In other words,the State Peace and Development Council or theTatmadaw government or Tatmadaw members arededicating themselves to democratization. In thatcase, they are implementing the tasks withfarsightedness step by step for genuine and discipline-flourishing democracy system, not for nominaldemocracy.

If one studies with objective assessment, whateverpoint of view, the leadership role the Tatmadaw hasplayed constantly in national politics from 1941 to date,and the earnest efforts the Tatmadaw has made to safeguardand serve national interests for a prosperous future of theUnion and national brethren, one will come to know thatthe Tatmadaw is a national force with a strong sense ofbounden duty.

Since its birth, the Tatmadaw had been fightingmilitarily and politically British colonialists, who hadcolonized the nation for years, and Japanese Fascists, whotreated the people unfairly and harshly, to enable thenation to regain independence.

Adhering to the concept “the Tatmadaw is just forthe country”, the Tatmadaw launched many operations atthe risk of life to tackle the multicoloured armed insurrectionthat surfaced in the post-independence period at theinstigation of the colonialists and the intrusion of alientroops aided and abetted by certain countries including awestern power. To hoist the Union Flag atop the poleagain claimed lives of a large number of Tatmadaw

members.Since the regaining of independence and sovereignty,

the Tatmadaw has been safeguarding independence, playingthe leadership role in the demanding tasks for non-disintegration of the Union and non-disintegration ofnational solidarity. During the time of armed insurrectionfrom April 1949 to September 1950, the-then Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services concurrently served as thedeputy prime minister. Under the request of the rulinggovernment, the Tatmadaw served as the CaretakerGovernment from 1958 to 1960 and held a free and fairelection apart from public welfare services.

When the Union was standing on the edge of collapseinto pieces due to the defects of the-then constitution, theTatmadaw unavoidably took State duties in 1962.

In 1988, the nation encountered mass protests brokeout at the instigation of anti-government groups and thosewho haboured great animosity and grudge against thegovernment. Due to the unrest sparked by anti-governmentgroups and organizations, the government’s administrativemachinery came to a halt, followed by the looting of State-owned and public-owned property and violent massacre ofpeople. Taking full advantage of the uprising, armedinsurgent groups speeded up military operations against thenation, and a power posed a threat to the sovereignty of theUnion. So, the Tatmadaw took up State duties in perseveranceof its fine tradition of safeguarding the interest of the Unionand the people to protect the lives and property of the peoplefrom harm.

After its assumption of State duties in September1988, the Tatmadaw has been serving the primary nationalinterest or Our Three Main National Causes, namely Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of nationalsolidarity and Perpetuation of sovereignty and implementingthe political, economic and social objectives for developmentof the Union, prosperity of national brethren and building anew nation with consolidated unity. In particular, the Tatmadawlaid sound foundations for formulating an enduringconstitution necessary for building a modern and developednation. In addition, it has been implementing the State’sseven-step Road Map with the participation of the people.

Now, the State Constitution of the Republic of theUnion of Myanmar has come into force. A multipartydemocracy general election has been held in line with theconstitution. Hluttaws are in session with people’srepresentatives to form Union level and Region/State levellegislative, executive and judicial bodies and self-administered areas. After being formed, the bodies willimplement the process of building a modern and developeddemocratic nation. The government has been buildingfacilities across the Union to improve the infrastructures inorder that the Union government and Region/Stategovernments, which will take over democratization, canpay careful attention to nation-building tasks.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw born with noble aimsremains loyal to the country and the people inshouldering political, military, economic and socialduties in the course of its history. It puts nationalinterests at the forefront of its mind. That is the reasonwhy the Tatmadaw has stood firm by the people withthree capabilities and 12 fine traditions.

According to the worldwide changes, manycountries have turned to the market economy anddemocracy. To satisfy the wishes of the people, theTatmadaw is introducing the market economy anddemocracy to the nation for a brighter future.

With high calibre and visionary leadership, theTatmadaw is in pursuance of democratization, thus showingbenevolent attitude towards the people. Today, manycountries are very loud in democracy, but disregard therules and regulations. So, they are seeing violence andbackwardness, instead of stability and progress.

Rights and freedom are at the front of today’sdemocracy. When it comes to democracy, rights andfreedom have first priority. But, laws, rules and regulations,which are the theme of democracy, are on the sidelines.Only with the observance of rules and regulations, can weenjoy rights. Any rights outside the framework of rulesand regulations are not fair. If one wants to enjoyrights and freedom, one has to abide by related rulesand regulations so as to avoid harms to others.Practice of rights and freedom outside the frameworkof law can harm the theme of democracy and stabilityand peace which is the most fundamental requirement.

Such acts are not acceptable not only to theTatmadaw but also to the majority of the people. What thepeople want is stability and peace, and developmentresulting from stability and peace. The constitutionstipulates that the State practises genuine and discipline-flourishing multiparty democracy system, and that theState’s economy is the market economy. The Tatmadawhand in hand with the people is implementingdemocratization step by step. Making good use of thesound foundations, Union level organizations will take upthe democratization processes.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw is formed with nobleaims with members born to the people. Many of theissues the Tatmadaw has handled in the course of itshistory are very formidable and onerous. Due to thoseinvaluable experiences and knowledge, the Tatmadawhas high calibres and fine traditions. As a gesture ofhonouring the Tatmadaw for its fine traditions andcharacters, the 27th of March is designated as one ofthe days of great significance and is celebrated on agrand scale every year.

Soon, the Tatmadaw will play the leadership rolein national politics with the mandate given according tothe constitution by the people. Therefore, defence servicepersonnel representatives are attending the sessions ofUnion Hluttaw and Region/State hluttaws. Defence servicepersonnel representatives who make up 25 per cent of thetotal representatives, on behalf of the Tatmadawknowledgeable about political, military, economic andsocial affairs, will take charge of their duties faithfully andunremittingly for prosperity of the Union and the people.As a gesture of honouring the Armed Forces Day and theTatmadaw, I write this article to reveal that collaborativeefforts of defence service personnel representatives andpeople’s representatives to transform the Union into apeaceful, modern and developed nation are a sign of thebrighter future of the people.

Translation: MS

HAILING THE 66TH ANNIVERSARY ARMED FORCES DAY

Only when the Tatmadawis strong, will the nation

be strong

23-3-2011 NL.pmd 3/24/2011, 6:53 AM13

14 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV KOTA RATU VOY NO (425)Consignees of cargo carried on MV KOTA RATU

VOY NO (425) are hereby notified that the vessel hasarrived on 23.3.2011 and cargo will be dischargedinto the premises of A.W.P.T where it will lie at theconsignee’s risk and expenses and subject to thebyelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claims Daynow declared as the third day after final discharge ofcargo from the Vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admittedafter the Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S ADVANCE CONTAINERLINES

Phone No: 256908/378316/376797

New York nuke plant seismic review getstop priority

The Indian Point nuclear power plant inBuchanan, New York, is seen from across the

Hudson River.—INTERNET

Research says Australia bowel cancer to jump 50%

Salazar opens 750m tons of Wyoming coal to mining

Invitation to Tender(Kyats) Sr No Description Qty Issuing Date Closing Date

(a) Complete Set of Hydraulic Lifting Table 1 Set 25.3.2011 26.4.2011(b) Sieve Roller (without Sieve) Compatible 2 Nos 25.3.2011 26.4.2011(c) Hydraulic Motor 1 No 25.3.2011 26.4.2011(d) Electrical Appliance 1 Lot 25.3.2011 26.4.2011(e) Reducer 1 Lot 25.3.2011 26.4.2011

Tender forms are available at the Planning Department, Myanma CeramicIndustries, Ministry of Industry (1), Building No. 41, Nay Pyi Taw. (067-408160, 408386)

Tender only which purchased officially will be accepted.Myanma Ceramic Industries

Secretary of the InteriorKen Salazar answers aquestion during a news

conference on 22March.—INTERNET

on Tuesday to auctionoff vast coal reserves inWyoming over the nextfive months, unleashinga significant but contro-versial power sourceamid uncertainty aboutclean and safe energydevelopment.

The four coal leasesnext to existing stripmines in the PowderRiver Basin — the larg-est coal-producing re-gion in the United States

— total 758 million tonsand will take between 10and 20 years to mine.

Last year’s Gulf ofMexico oil spill raisedquestions about offshoreoil drilling and the cur-rent Japanese nuclearpower plant crisis has re-newed concern about nu-clear energy, but coal hasits own baggage — es-pecially when it comes toclimate change.

Internet

CHEYENNE, 23 March—Interior Secretary KenSalazar announced plans

ALBANY, 23 March—US regulators have prom-ised to make the IndianPoint nuclear power plantnear New York City theirtop priority in a review ofseismic risk at US nuclear

plants, New York Gover-nor Andrew Cuomo saidon Tuesday.

The plant 25 miles ofNew York City, alreadya source of safety concernamong state officials, hasfaced renewed scrutinysince the 11 March earth-quake and tsunami thatcrippled Japan’sFukushima Daiichi nu-clear power complex.

Cuomo, a Democratwho has worked to pre-vent the federalrelicensing of the IndianPoint facility, said the USNuclear Regulatory Com-mission has pledged tomake the plant its “toppriority” as it reviewsearthquake risk at 27 nu-clear facilities throughoutthe country.

Internet

Australia faces a huge risein bowel cancer cases,with new research onTuesday.—INTERNET

SYDNEY, 23 March—Australia faces a huge risein bowel cancer cases, withnew research on Tuesdaysaying incidence of the dis-ease will jump by 50 per-cent over the next decade.

Cancer Council Aus-tralia data said there wouldbe 21,000 cases annually,putting pressure on healthservices. Chief executiveProfessor Ian Olver said thenumbers underscored the

urgency of introducing afull screening programmeto catch the disease beforeit develops.

Australia’s nationalscreening programme cur-rently targets people turn-ing 50, 55 and 65, despiteexpert recommendationsthat everyone over 50should be screened.

“Our analysis alsoshows that almost one infive bowel cancers in Aus-

tralia are being diagnosedat stage four — the mostadvanced stage — whenthe cancer has spread andis much more difficult totreat,” he said.—Internet

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV AN TAO JIANG VOY NO (482)

Consignees of cargo carried on MV AN TAOJIANG VOY NO (482) are hereby notified that thevessel will be arriving on 24.3.2011 and cargo will bedischarged into the premises of M.I.T.T where it willlie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject tothe byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 amto 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claims Day nowdeclared as the third day after final discharge of cargofrom the Vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admitted afterthe Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S COSCO SHIPPING CO, LTDPhone No: 256916/256919/256921

Shaolin Temple sets up soccer school tobring Kungfu in training

ZHENGZHOU, 23 March— Shaolin Temple,famous for Kungfu in theworld, has built a soccerschool to groom juniortalents with hopes ofbringing Shaolin Kungfuin training, the chief coachof Shaolin warrior-monkssaid Wednesday.

The school namedShaolin Youth SoccerAcademy was built in awarrior- monks trainingbase which belonged toShaolin Temple lastOctober. About 2,000children under ten yearsold are learning Shaolin

Jing Qiuhong,successor of Xuzhou

Fragrant Sachetsmakes a frangant

sachet during the FirstNational IntangibleCultural HeritagesExpo in Guandu

Township, southwestChina’s YunnanProvince, on 22

March, 2011.A total of 26 cultural

heritages areexhibited here.

Xuzhou FragrantSachet is featured by

contrasting colors andrealistic designs,

which lend them greataesthetic value.

XINHUA

Kungfu here, and about40 of them started to learnplaying football now.

“It’s just thebeginning, more childrenwill start to play footballafter some professionalfootball fields are built, andwe believe that some ofthem will becomeinternational superstarssome day,” Shi Yanlu, thechief coach of Shaolinwarrior-monks, toldXinhua on Wednes-day.

The school has hired acoach named Tchami fromCameroon, who was oncea member of the Cameroon

national team.“Shaolin Kungfu

makes them strong andskillful, so it’s good to learnplaying football,” Tchamisaid. “Now, the Chinesefootball is not very good,and needs to bring in newelements. Shaolin Kungfuand football are similar insome aspects, especially thebrave and diligent spirit ofKungfu, which I think willhelp promote the level ofChinese football,” said ShiYanlu.—Xinhua

The new BlackBerryPlayBook on display in2010 in San Francisco.

Blackberry makerResearch In Motion(RIM) announced

Tuesday that its iPadrival, the PlayBook,

would go on sale nextmonth at a price

identical to that of thehot-selling Apple tablet

computer.—INTERNET

23-3-2011 NL.pmd 3/24/2011, 6:53 AM14

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Thursday, 24 March, 2011 15

R/489 Printed and published by the New Light of Myanmar press in Nay Pyi Taw, the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar.

Summary of observations recorded at 09:30 hr. M.S.T.During the past 24 hours, rain or thundershowers have beenscattered in Taninthayi Region, isolated Kachin State and weatherhas been partly cloudy over Upper Sagaing, Mandalay, Yangonand Ayeyawady Regions, Chin, Rakhine, Kayin and Mon States,generally fair in the remaining Regions and States. Daytemperatures were (3°C) to (4°C) above March average temperaturein Lower Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Regions, Shan and ChinStates, (5°C) above March average temperature in Upper SagaingRegion and Kachin State, (3°C) below March average temperaturesin Bago and Yangon Regions and about March averagetemperatures in the remaining Regions and States. The significantday temperatures were Chauk (42°C), Kalewa, Shwebo, Monywa,Mandalay, Myingyan, Nyaugoo, Minbu, Magway, Aunglan andPakokku (40°C) each. The noteworthy amount of rainfall recordedwere Kawthoung (0.59) inch, Myeik (0.28) inch and Putao (0.08)inch.

Nay Pyi TawMaximum temperature on 22-3-2011 was 102°F. Minimum

temperature on 23-3-2011 was 69°F. Relative humidity at (09:30)hours MST on 23-3-2011 was (54%). Rainfall on 23-3-2011was (Nil).

Yangon (Kaba-Aye)Maximum temperature on 22-3-2011 was 95°F. Minimum

temperature on 23-3-2011 was 69°F. Relative humidity at (09:30)hours MST on 23-3-2011 was (69%). Total sunshine hours on22-3-2011 was (8.8) hours (Approx).

WEATHERWednesday, 23rd March, 2011

Weather Map of Myanmar and Neighbouring Areas

Transmissions Times

Local - (09:00am ~ 11:00am)MSTOversea Transmission - (24-3-11 09:30 am ~

25-3-11 09:30 am) MST

Local Transmission* Opening* News* Marching towards A Democratic New

Nation (Health & Education)* News* Let’s Visit Flower City by Coach* News* Songs for you* News* Gift of Longevity to the Old (Episode-IV)Oversea Transmission* Opening* News* Marching towards A Democratic New

Nation (Health & Education)* News* Let’s Visit Flower City by Coach* News* Songs for you* News* Gift of Longevity to the Old (Episode-IV)* News* Myanmar Movies Impact

‘‘Schedule for Tomorrow’’* News* Current Affairs

‘‘Surprising Myanmar (Thanakha)’’* Music Gallery* News* MI People’s Celebrities ‘‘A Kyi Taw’’* Today’s Youths and Dancer Training

Courses* News* The Gok hteik Viaduct* Myanmar Movie “My Teacher”

MYANMAR INTERNATIONAL

Programme Schedule(24-3-2011) (Thursday)

Thursday,24 March

View on today12345678901

Rainfall on 23-3-2011 was (Nil) at Mingaladon, Kaba-Aye and Central Yangon each . Total rainfall since 1-1-2011 was(5.79) inches at Mingaladon, (6.89) inches at Kaba-Aye and(7.09) inches at Central Yangon. Maximum wind speed at Yangon(Kaba-Aye) was (4) mph from Northwest at (10:30) hours MSTon 22-3-2011.

Bay Inference: Weather is partly cloudy over the AndamanSea and South Bay and generally fair elsewhere in the Bay ofBengal.

Forecast valid until evening of the 24th March 2011:Rain or thundershowers are likely to be isolated to scattered inBago, Yangon and Ayeyawady Regions, Kachin and RakhineStates, fairly widespread to widespread in Taninthayi Region,Kayin and Mon States and weather will be partly cloudy overthe remaining Regions and States with isolated heavy fall inTaninthayi Region. Degree of certainty is (60%).

State of the sea: Squalls with moderate to rough seas arelikely at times Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along Mon-Taninthayi Coast. Surface wind speed in squalls may reach(35)mph. Seas will be moderate in Myanmar waters.

Outlook for subsequent two days: Likelihood ofcontinuation of rain or thundershowers in the Southern Myanmarareas.

Forecast for Nay Pyi Taw and neighbouring area for24-3-2011: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for24-3-2011: Likelihood of isolated rain or thundershowers.Degree of certainty is (60%).

Forecast for Mandalay and neighbouring area for24-3-2011: Partly cloudy.

7:00 am

1. Paritta By

Venerable Mingun

Sayadaw

-Uppatasanti Paritta

7:25 am

2. To Be Healthy

Exercise

7:30 am 3. Morning News 7:40 am 4. Dhamma Puja Song7:50 am 5. Nice & Sweet Song8:00 am 6. Health Programme8:05 am 7. Song Of National

Races8:10 am 8. Dance Variety8:15 am 9. Myanmar

TraditionalCultural PerformingArts Competitions

8:20 am10. Teleplay (Health)

8:30 am11. Songs in honour of

66th AnniversaryArmed Forces Day

8:40 am12. International News8:45 am13. Musical Programme3:30 pm 1. AFC Challenge

2012 group (A)(Delay) (PhilippinesVs Palestine)

5:00 pm 2. Songs For

Upholding NationalSpirit

5:15 pm 3. Songs in honour of

66th AnniversaryArmed Forces Day

5:30 pm

4. Programme

6:00 pm

5. Evening News

6:15 pm

6. Weather Report

6:20 pm

7. Myanmar Series

6:35 pm

8. Approaching

Science Discovery

World

7:00 pm

9. TV Drama Series

8:00 pm

10. News

11. International News

12. Weather Report

13. Teleplay

Film legend ElizabethTaylor dies at 79 in LALOS ANGELES, 23

March—Elizabeth Taylor,an English-Americanactress and former childstar, has died at the age of79, ABC news reported.

She died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in LosAngeles on Wednesday,after having beenhospitalised six weeksago with congestive heartfailure, a condition withwhich she had struggledfor some years, and hadrecently suffered compli-cations, a statement fromher publicist SallyMorrison said.

“She was surroundedby her children—Michael Wilding, Chris-topher Wilding, LizaTodd, and MariaBurton,” it said, notingthat she was also survivedby 10 grandchildren and

four great-grandchildren.“My mother was an

extraordinary womanwho lived life to thefullest, with great passion,humour, and love.

Though her loss isdevastating to those of uswho held her so closeand so dear, we willalways be inspired by herenduring contribution to

our world,” her sonMichael said in astatement.

“Her remarkablebody of work in film,her ongoing success as abusinesswoman, and herbrave and relentlessadvocacy in the fightagainst HIV/AIDS, allmake us all incrediblyproud of what sheaccomplished.

“We know, quitesimply, that the world isa better place for Momhaving lived in it.

Her legacy will neverfade, her spirit willalways be with us, andher love will live foreverin our hearts,” he said.

Internet

23-3-2011 NL.pmd 3/24/2011, 6:53 AM15

Only with stability and peace will the nation developOnly with stability and peace will democratization process be successful

Anarchy begets anarchy, not democracyRiots beget riots, not democracyDemocracy can be introduced only through constitution

VOA, BBC-sowing hatredamong the peopleRFA, DVB-generating publicoutrageDo not allow ourselves to beswayed by killer broadcastsdesigned to cause troubles

5th Waning of Tabaung 1372 ME Thursday, 24 March, 2011

People’s DesireWe favour peace and stabilityWe favour developmentWe oppose unrest and violenceWipe out those inciting unrestand violence

First regular session of Amyotha Hluttaw concludesQueries raised and replied, proposals discussed, approval sought,undertakings of Hluttaw explained at Amyotha Hluttaw session

First regular session of Amyotha Hluttaw for 14th day in progress.—MNA

SPECIAL FEATURES TO HAIL 66TH

ANNIVERSARY ARMED FORCES DAY

NAY PYI TAW, 23March—The First regularsession of AmyothaHluttaw was held for 14th-day at Amyotha HluttawHall of Hluttaw Buildinghere at 10 am today.

It was attended bySpeaker of AmyothaHluttaw U Khin AungMyint and AmyothaHluttaw representatives.

First, the Speaker tookposition and announcedthe validity and start of the14th-day session as 220 or98.65 percent of 223Amyotha Hluttawrepresentatives werepresent.

Of the questionsraised by AmyothaHluttaw representatives,members of union level

organization Minister forHome Affairs U MaungOo and Minister forConstruction U KhinMaung Myint respondedto the questions regarding“to upgrade Rezwa Sub-township in China Stateto a township” submittedby U Paul Hlyan Lwin ofChin State ConstituencyNo.9 and “to build and

chairman, secretary andmembers that shall includein Hluttaw representativesVetting Committee startingfrom second regularsession of AmyothaHluttaw to the Hluttaw.

The Hluttawannounced that the vettingcommittee was formed andduties assigned with theapproval of AmyothaHluttaw.

Four AmyothaHluttaw representativesdiscussed the approvedproposal “the governmentto assist farmers to getfair prices for crops”made by Dr Banya AungMoe of Mon StateConstituency No.7.

Members of union levelorganization Minister forCommerce U Tin NaingThein discussed theproposal. AmyothaHluttaw sought theapprovals.

The Amyotha HluttawSpeaker gave account ofundertakings of Hluttawregarding queries andproposals. The Speaker ofAmyotha Hluttawannounced the end of the14th-day first regularsession of AmyothaHluttaw and the 14th-dayfirst regular session wasconcluded.

The session came toan end at 12:40 pm.

MNA

repair motor roads thatconnect Yangon andMandalay via GangawDistrict” submitted byU Hla Swe of MagwayRegion ConstituencyNo.12.

To present messagesof felicitation sent byHluttaw speakers fromforeign countries to theSpeaker of AmyothaHluttaw and to put themon record were submittedto the Hluttaw. TheHluttaw sought theapproval and announcedthat Hluttaw agreed to putit on record.

The Amyotha Hlut-taw Speaker sought theapproval for formationof committee and jointcommittee in order topresent legislative,administrative andnational races affairs,economy, finance,social, foreign affairsand other affairs.

The Amyotha HluttawSpeaker submittednominees for posts of

Tatmadaw introducingdemocracy to the

nationMYINT MAUNG (PHIL Q)PAGE 13

23-3-2011 NL.pmd 3/24/2011, 6:53 AM16