Showing 1 - 10 of 16
NLD prepares for new era of changes and reform
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 21/11/2020
» Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy's electoral victory has emboldened its leaders to press on with major changes, including at the very top of the government. There is likely to be a new president -- though Aung San Suu Kyi in her role as State Counsellor will still effectively be running the country -- and a new look cabinet. In the meantime there is also likely to be a changing of the guard in the country's all-powerful military, or Tatmadaw.
After the Covid election
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 16/11/2020
» Myanmar's "Covid election" has dominated the local psyche for more than a month now. The coronavirus crisis changed the nature of campaigning for the Nov 8 polls, severely affected the voting process and delayed the second stage of the government's pandemic recovery plans. While everyone was preoccupied with the polls, the country was virtually on hold.
Vote vs Virus
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/10/2020
» Myanmar's national elections are set to go ahead in just over four weeks even though the country is reeling from a second wave of Covid-19 that shows no signs of abating any time soon.
The final stage of Myanmar's path to democracy
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 16/08/2019
» Last week was the anniversary of Myanmar's mass pro-democracy demonstrations in August 1988, which brought the country to a standstill after its military leaders brutally reacted, resulting in heavy loss of life, and a coup. But 31 years on, the country's long struggle for democracy is far from over, as the country enters, perhaps, the final stage of transition.
All roads start leading to China
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/11/2018
» Myanmar and China have finally signed an agreement on a controversial deep-sea port project on the Bay of Bengal, allowing Beijing to press on with its strategic plan to gain access to the Indian ocean. It signifies a strengthening of bilateral ties between the two neighbours, and places Myanmar firmly in China's orbit.
Media freedom in the dock in Myanmar
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 03/09/2018
» Two Myanmar reporters are about to hear whether they are to spend the next 14 years in jail for courageously carrying out their jobs.
Security Council visit raises spectre of ICC
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 05/05/2018
» The United Nations Security Council's visit to Myanmar earlier this week has raised the spectre of increased international involvement in its refugee crisis, including referring it to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Although the delegation's main priority was seeing firsthand the government's efforts to prepare for the return of the Muslim -- or Rohingya -- refugees from Bangladesh, inevitably it also raised the need to investigate the causes of the mass exodus.
2018 will be make or break for Suu Kyi
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 20/11/2017
» This month marks the second anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's electoral landslide at the 2015 polls. It also marks the start of her third year in power. This coming year is going to be a "make or break" year for her and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The euphoria that greeted the Lady's victory has subsided and been replaced by disappointment, disillusionment and frustration. It is also the year the NLD must cast a serious eye toward to the next elections in three years time.
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.
Suu Kyi, general try to heal differences
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 13/02/2017
» Myanmar's military chief Sen Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the country's top civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi -- the state counsellor and foreign minister -- have held a series of secret meetings over the last month or so. "These were unpublicised meetings, rather than secret meetings," according to senior members of the governing party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).