Myanmar morning news for December 13, 2019

Myanmar’s Rohingya say ‘world will judge’ Suu Kyi’s denial of genocide
Rohingya refugees have hit back at Aung San Suu Kyi’s claims at the international court of justice in testimony on Wednesday after she denied that Myanmar’s armed forces were guilty of genocide against the Muslim minority.
— The Guardian

Local non-profit to offer drug counselling online
A local non-governmental organisation (NGO) will offer online counselling for drug addicts in seven townships, the group said.
— Myanmar Times

EU preparing to revoke Myanmar GSP: UMFCCI
The European Union (EU) may be preparing to revoke the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) status granted to Myanmar, according to U Zaw Min Win, chair of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
— Myanmar Times

Kyat, US dollar exchange rate expected to be stable in 2020
The Myanmar kyat has strengthened against the US dollar in recent months, with the exchange rate hovering just above K1500 over the past two weeks. While volatility has risen, experts reckon the Central Bank has done a good job in keeping the kyat stable.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar makes genocide look weak: experts
Experts from home and abroad on Wednesday censured the intent of Myanmar, as a country, to deny at the International Court of Justice the allegations of genocide committed against ethnic and religious minority Rohingya group in Rakhine state.
— New Age BD

“Powerful Moment”: Rohingya Go Online To Watch Myanmar Rulers At UN Court
There was anger and sadness as people caught up on Myanmar’s steadfast denial that it had waged a violent campaign against Rohingya that United Nations investigators concluded had “genocidal intent.”
— NDTV

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee discusses draft law for controlling import volume
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee held a meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the Draft Law to Prevent an Increased Quantity of Imports, which was sent back by the President with recommendations.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar Solar: Lots of Potential, But a Cloudy Outlook for Solar Energy Development and Growth
Solar energy is just beginning to gain some traction in Myanmar, a country that has been gradually opening up its economy and society to the world since 2011.
— Solar Magazine

More Myanmar destinations off-limits to tourists
Due to rising security concerns, the government has included more destinations across the country in its “off limits” list for tourists.
— New Straits Times

AIA teams up with two local firms for Myanmar venture
AIA will partner with local firms AYA Financial Group and Max Myanmar Group (AFG Max) to set up its life insurance venture in Myanmar.
— Insurance business mag

Three Arrested in Yangon for Sending Myanmar Workers Abroad Illegally
Human trafficking police in Yangon arrested two Myanmar citizens and a Chinese woman for illegally sending workers from Myanmar abroad in exchange for months of their pay.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar groups urge govt to improve human rights
Activist groups in Myanmar urged the government to address persistent human rights abuses in the country.
— Myanmar Times

Hindu Federation backs State Counsellor’s effort to defend ICJ lawsuit
All Myanmar Hindu Federation (Central) issued a statement, supporting and welcoming the Myanmar State Counsellor’s effort to defend the interest of the country and citizens with respect to the case filed by Gambia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
— Eleven Myanmar

Brazen kidnappings multiply in Myanmar’s Rakhine state as conflict deepens
It was a brazen daytime attack by ethnic rebels fighting for greater autonomy in the jungles of western Myanmar.
— Channel NewsAsia

Opposing protests outside Myanmar genocide hearing
Two separate groups of demonstrators were shouting slogans and waving posters outside the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Wednesday, with some supporting Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others calling her “betrayer of the world”.
— SBS

Closer connections with Myanmar
Burnet’s adolescent health program in Myanmar was showcased during the recent visit to Melbourne of Dr Su Mon Myat, Deputy Director of the School Health Program for the Ministry Of Health and Sports in Myanmar.
— Mirage News

666 kg of methamphetamine seized in Yangon
Myanmar police seized 666 kg of methamphetamine (ICE) in Myanmar’s Yangon region, said a release from the Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday, Xinhua reported.
— Mizzima

The limits on foreign investment in trading
Myanmar’s recent retail and wholesale trading reforms have effectively blocked foreign SMEs from investing in trading activities and could even be encouraging illicit trade.
— Frontier Myanmar

UEC discusses security preparedness for 2020 General Election
The Union Election Commission co-organized a meeting with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) yesterday morning to discuss preparations of security measures for the 2020 General Election.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

flydubai Launches Flights to Myanmar
Dubai-based airline flydubai today launched flights to Yangon, Myanmar, expanding its network to include Southeast Asia. The new daily flights are codeshared with Emirates and will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB).
— Rustourism News

In Myanmar park, crowds gather to support Suu Kyi in Rohingya genocide hearings
Crowds have gathered for the past three evenings in a small park in downtown Myanmar’s capital Yangon to hear accusations of genocide delivered thousands of miles away at the United Nation’s top court in The Hague.
— CNA

Myanmar Military Wins Yet Another Court Case Against Satirical Performers
In one of many suits against them, four performers from the Peacock Generation thangyat group have been sentenced to one year in prison for criticizing the military.
— Irrawaddy

Amyotha Hluttaw discuss regulating tissue-culture banana plantations
A 14th-day meeting of the 14th regular session of the Second Amyotha Hluttaw was held at Amyotha Hluttaw building yesterday morning where Hluttaw discusses a motion on regulating tissue-culture banana plantations.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Pearl Auction (December 2019) fetches 1 mln euros from state-owned 170 lots, 251, 000 euros from private-owned 28 lots on second day
About 170 state-owned pearl lots and 35 pear lots owned by companies were sold out on the second day of the Myanmar Pearl Auction (December-2019) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

UEHRD parries Gambia’s allegations of misdeeds in Rakhine
The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) on Wednesday denied allegations made at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it was part of the genocide allegedly carried out in Rakhine State.
— Myanmar Times

Second Pyithu Hluttaw’s 14th regular session holds 14th-day meeting
Second Pyithu Hluttaw 14th regular session held its 14th-day meeting yesterday at Pyithu Hluttaw building where questions raised were answered, a rule approved, a motion discussed and approved and two annual reports discussed and approved.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Mega Ace Cineplex’s new luxury Royal Class
Things are looking up for movie fans in Myanmar, not only with exciting new local productions – aided by the recent Memory Film Festival, and the arrival of international film superstars to our shores – but also for emerging cinema chains.
— Myanmar Times

Joint Committee on Amending 2008 Constitution holds meeting 68/2019
The Joint Committee on Amending the 2008 Constitution held meeting 68/2019 at the meeting hall of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Building D in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Key Figures Assess the Myanmar Legal Team’s Performance in The Hague
The Irrawaddy asked prominent figures for their views on the arguments put forward by Myanmar’s legal team in response to The Gambia’s genocide lawsuit at the ICJ.
— Irrawaddy

University to offer course for degree in education
The Yangon University of Education is offering a correspondence course for private school teachers to get certification from the Ministry of Education.
— Myanmar Times

Vice President U Myint Swe calls for development of human resources in traditional medicine sector
Vice President U Myint Swe gives the opening address at the 20th Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Conference in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Agriculture as an economic driver
It’s common to see roads in Shan State full of trucks loaded with vegetables. The state produces 60 percent of all vegetables consumed within the country.
— Myanmar Times

Newspaper headlines: Bellamy tributes and Myanmar ‘genocide denial’
Political coverage and commentary takes up most of the front pages. The BBC, along with other broadcasters, is not allowed to report details of campaigning while the polls are open.
— BBC

Professor William Schabas’s Full Transcript in Myanmar’s defense in genocide trial
Myanmar defended on December 11, 2019 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located at The Hague, Netherlands in the genocide trial initiated by The Gambia.
— Eleven Myanmar

Japan’s Princess Yohko of Mikasa to visit Myanmar
Japan’s Princess Yohko of Mikasa has left Tokyo for a trip to Myanmar, becoming the first member of the imperial family to visit the Southeast Asian nation, NHK World reported.
— Mizzima

Three times genocide was argued at the UN’s top court
Aung San Suu Kyi’s rejection of genocide claims against Myanmar at the UN’s top court referred to a number of previous international cases where genocide could not be proven.
— Mizzima

Yangon draws up plan for restaurants in public parks
Yangon city plans to invite businesses to bid on opening restaurants in parks that offer food at reasonable prices, Yangon Mayor Maung Maung Soe said in a press briefing.
— Myanmar Times

Kyat only Gems sale to take place in January
Sale of Myanmar gems with Myanmar Kyat will take place in Nay Pyi Taw from January 2 to 7 in 2020 and only Myanmar citizens are allowed to make purchases, said Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Ohn Win.
— Eleven Myanmar

Peace and quiet at Grand Myakantar Condos
This week we highlight a luxury condo suitable for families who appreciate peace and quiet, while still living in the city.
— Myanmar Times

Feature photo Rohingya Community

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, December 9.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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