Myanmar needs to address the spread of fake news on social media by empowering local journalists, providing freer access to information, and pushing for more responsible and conscientious use of the internet, said participants at the third Myanmar Digital Rights Forum in Yangon last month. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we make […]
Japan envoy says development is solution for Rakhine
Japan’s top envoy to Myanmar said that economic development is an answer to Rakhine’s conflict and that Tokyo is considering providing aid for the state. “If there is economic development, I believe that there will be no conflict,” Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Maruyama said ahead of a Japan-backed investment fair in Ngapali. The first Rakhine Investment […]
China port pact in focus as President visits Myanmar
President Ram Nath Kovind’s first visit to Myanmar starting on Monday will be an occasion to build upon the strong bilateral relationship with India’s biggest link with the Asean region. However, with Myanmar signing the Kyaukpyu port project with China in November, officials in India are concerned that this port could become a greater security […]
The Muslim woman breaking barriers in sex education in Myanmar
Adjusting her hijab and looking around the class, Dr Thet Htwe starts the day’s lesson with a simple question. “Who wants to know about the human sexual response?” Everyone raises their hand, some sheepishly giggling. In a country where there’s still a debate over the proper word to use for “vagina” and simply talking about […]
China to hold 70% stake in Myanmar’s planned strategic seaport
Myanmar will hold a 30 percent stake in its strategic deep-water seaport project led by cash-rich China, giving Beijing a 70 percent interest, under their final agreement reached during recent talks between the two countries, according to a visiting senior Myanmar official. That is an improvement for the emerging Southeast Asian economy from the initially […]
Facebook ‘ban’ of anti-Muslim slur sparks Myanmar outcry
Myanmar netizens were in an uproar on Monday after Facebook seemingly banned people from posting the word “kalar,” often used as a slur against Muslims, at a time of rising Islamophobia in the country. Facebook is under global pressure to clamp down on hate speech, violent threats or deliberately misleading information on their platform — […]
Hate speech Myanmar monk banned from sermons by Buddhist council
Wirathu, a monk once dubbed the “face of Buddhist terror”, has led calls for restrictions on Myanmar’s Muslim population, penning hyperbolic speeches warning of an Islamic takeover of the overwhelmingly Buddhist country. Myanmar is gripped by deepening religious tensions that have repeatedly spilled into violence. The unrest has been partially attributed to anti-Muslim rhetoric spread […]
Myanmar warns migrant workers in Malaysia
Myanmar said on Monday it had sent out safety instructions to its workers in Malaysia after attackers hacked five of them to death with swords, weeks after it barred workers from going there, partly because of security fears. Tension between the Southeast Asian neighbours has risen in recent months over the fate of Myanmar’s stateless […]
Asean Chair – Myanmar’s new challenge
YANGON – For years after joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 1997, Myanmar was the regional albatross, dragging the group’s reputation down with its human rights record and refusal to ditch military rule. The annual Southeast Asia summits, often lacking in other substance, became forums for western democracies and human rights groups […]