Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Power grab brings nation to standstill
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/02/2021
» Myanmar's military has seized control of the country after detaining de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other politicians in a pre-dawn raid yesterday morning. There have been massive detentions in this military round up: all key politicians, the regional chief ministers, the top leadership of the governing National League for Democracy (NLD), most national and local members of parliament, and hundreds of pro-democracy and human rights activists. Little is known about their whereabouts at present, though it appears that the Lady -- as she is known -- is under house arrest. But there are widespread fears about her continued safety and the other detainees.
China seeks to shore up its influence in Myanmar
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 09/01/2021
» China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on Monday on a critical two-day visit. It is intended to further strengthen Chinese influence in the country, in light of the changing international dynamics in the region, amid fears that China's sway is beginning to wane.
Suu Kyi seeks support over Rakhine crisis
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 12/11/2018
» Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the Asean meetings in Singapore this week, in which she will seek support from her Asian allies in dealing with the country's Rakhine crisis. She especially wants the members of the regional bloc to back her government's efforts to resettle the returning Muslim refugees -- who have fled the violence in the country's strife-torn Western region -- and to be involved in the country's future reconciliation efforts.
Myanmar launches Rakhine 'fact finding' mission
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/08/2018
» Myanmar has established a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations of human rights abuses in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The announcement was made earlier this week, as it faces growing international calls for investigate accusations of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslims.
Myanmar launches diplomatic offensive
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 11/12/2017
» Myanmar has launched a diplomatic offensive as international criticism mounts over their treatment of the Muslim Rohingya. It is a three-pronged assault, aimed at the UN, combatting calls for renewed sanctions and an effort to engage the international community in plans for the reconstruction and reconciliation of Rakhine.
Myanmar businesses stumble on corporate responsibility
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 30/10/2017
» Many foreign investors are shying away from Myanmar because of the government's apparent failure to prioritise economic development and the violence in Rakhine state. Local businesses also complain of government inertia. But ministers still insist that the country is on the verge of a major economic breakthrough.
Myanmar renews SEZ push
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/10/2017
» Myanmar's special economic zones (SEZs) are a central part of a revitalised economic strategy in which increased manufacturing activity will play a key role. And breathing renewed life and energy into stagnant or stalled SEZs has moved to the top of the government's agenda.
The Lady between a rock and a hard place
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 18/09/2017
» Muslim Rohingya have fled across the border to Bangladesh from Myanmar in the past three weeks to escape the army's clearance operations. Human rights groups claim it is a "scorched earth" policy -- reminiscent of the military's traditional "four cuts" strategy for dealing with other conflict zones. About 3,000 houses have been razed to the ground, according to local activists.
Military mulls next move in Rakhine state
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/09/2017
» For more than a week now violence has devastated Myanmar's western state of Rakhine as fighting continued between the Tatmadaw (the Myanmar military) and the Muslim activists and fighters. In the past few days the hand-to-hand fighting has subsided. The "attackers" have retreated into the hills," Aung San Suu Kyi's national security adviser, Thaung Tun told the Bangkok Post late last week.
Myanmar moves forward
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 14/08/2017
» The government of Myanmar is about to take dramatic steps to spur economic development and improve government efficiency. Several significant cabinet changes are in the pipeline, detailed economic strategies are being finalised and a shake-up in the bureaucracy is already under way.