KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi and her ruling National League for Democracy have clinched a second consecutive landslide win in national elections, though analysts still expect slow going for democratic reforms and peace talks in the war-torn country. The Union Election Commission Saturday declared the NLD the winner of the Nov. […]
Myanmar ‘Has No Fourth Estate’, Mandalay Chief Minister Says of Media’s Role
MANDALAY—In an apparent snub to Myanmar’s media, the chief minister of Mandalay Region said on Friday that he only knew of three pillars of democracy—the legislature, the administrative branch and the judiciary—prompting criticism from the country’s media organizations. The news media are often collectively referred to as the “Fourth Estate” for their critical role in […]
New Myanmar government brings challenges for Tokyo
With Wednesday’s installation of a new government in Myanmar that will effectively be led by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the Southeast Asian nation has arrived at a crossroads in its relationship with Japan. After more than 50 years of military rule, Htin Kyaw, a key aide to Suu Kyi, took over the same […]
Parliament to leave 14 bills for next government term
Myanmar’s Lower House of Parliament ruled yesterday that 14 bills, including the Bill for the Protection of the Constitution, would not be discussed during the term of the current parliament. The Lower House decided to send the bills, which were submitted by the Joint Bill Committee, back to the Union Parliament due to a shortage […]
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi sends new MPs to parliament school
Aung San Suu Kyi is sending her newly-elected MPs on a crash course on Myanmar’s parliament as they prepare to take their seats for the first time early next year, her party said today. The veteran campaigner’s National League for Democracy party won a thunderous majority in landmark November polls that are set to tip […]
Myanmar’s Post-Election Future With India
The November 8 election in Myanmar produced a stunning victory for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who trounced the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. However, a clause in the constitution will prevent Suu Kyi from becoming president, and the military is not likely to relinquish […]
President Thein Sein Will Not Seek Second Term: Shwe Mann
Burma President Thein Sein, who has steered a wave of reforms since the end of military rule, will not be seeking a second term at the next election in 2015, the leader of his party said on Thursday. Thein Sein has been lauded internationally for his economic policies, prisoner amnesties, and peace deals with ethnic […]