COOPERATION WITH NEIGHBORING NATIONS, KEY TO FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING PAGE-8 (OPINION)

NATIONAL NATIONAL Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye receives Union Education Minister attends workshop Korean women peace advocacy group on matric exam rules PAGE-2 PAGE-3

Vol. VI, No. 261, 9th Waxing of Pyatho 1381 ME www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com Friday, 3 January 2020 2020 New Year Dhamma Ceremony continues second day near Shwedagon

HE second day of 2020 New Min Thein and wife, Regional Hluttaw Year Dhamma Ceremony took Speaker U Tin Maung Tun, its Deputy Tplace at the People’s Park near Speaker U Lin Naing Myint, cabinet Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon yesterday members, donors and people from the evening. regional townships. Rector of Sitagu World Buddhist At the ceremony, well-wishers University and Abhidhamma University donated foods, and private hospitals Dr Bhaddanta Nandamala Bhivamsa and social organizations provided free delivered a sermon on the welfares healthcare services to the congregation. of nation. Yangon Region Government ar- The ceremony was attended by ranged public transportation for the Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo event, and private taxi owners offered their free services. On the third and last day of ceremo- Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Nandamala ny, Chancellor of Sitagu International Bhivamsa delivers the sermon at the second day of 2020 New Year Dhamma Buddhist Academies Sayadaw Dr. Ashin Ceremony at the People’s Park Nyanissara will give Dhamma taks to near Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon the congregation.— Zaw Gyi yesterday. PHOTO: HLA MOE (Translated by Aung Khin)

INSIDE TODAY

NATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL NEWS NATIONAL Myanmar communities Gem, jade emporium Islands near Diplomatic, special abroad donate cash for kicks off in Myanmar Kawthoung attract passport holders allowed disaster-affected people kyat for local local, foreign to enter Nandaw Gate in at home merchants holidaymakers Muse from 1 Jan PAGE-2 PAGE-2 PAGE-6 PAGE-3 3 JANUARY 2020 2 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Equality of opportunity for all To be a genuine democracy, it is not enough to be a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The government must uplift the economic standard of our people to the point where there is equality of opportunity for all. Then only can we go forward towards genuine democracy.

[Extract from the speech given by General Aung San at the Jubilee Hall First Preparatory Conference held on 19 May 1947]

Gem, jade emporium kicks off in Myanmar currency for local merchants GEMS and jades are on sale for yesterday morning, and looked local merchants in Myanmar around the display of gems and kyat during the six-day empori- jade lots. um at Mani Yadana Jade Hall in The emporium will sell 286 Nay Pyi Taw from 2 to 7 January. lots of gems in open tender sys- Union Minister for Natural tem on 4 January, and a total of Resources and Environmental 3,695 jade lots from 5 to 7 Janu- Conservation U Ohn Win, Depu- ary in the same system. ty Minister Dr Ye Myint Swe and The maximum floor price officials visited the emporium for gem lot is K180 million, and that of jade lot is K100 million, Union Minister U Ohn Win and and the merchants will also need Deputy Minister Dr Ye Myint to pay advanced deposit on the Swe check the quality of jade deals.—Maw Si (MNA) lots at the emporium in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. PHOTO: MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye receives Korean women peace advocacy group

UNION MINISTER for Social with the Myanmar National Women, which will be held in Welfare, Relief and Resettle- Committee for Women’s Af- New York, the United States, in ment Dr Win Myat Aye wel- fairs, implementation of the March this year. —MNA comed the members of Inter- National Strategic Plan for (Translated by Aung Khin) national Women’s Peace Group the Advancement of Women (IWPG) from the Republic of (2013-2022), issues on women, Korea at his office in Nay Pyi peace and security, conducting Union Minister Dr Win Myat Taw yesterday afternoon. peace education to promote the Aye meets with a delegation of The IWPG has opened its role of women in peace-mak- International Women’s Peace offices in over 100 countries, ing processes, possible ways Group (IWPG) from the Republic including Myanmar in 2013. of Myanmar women for a side of Korea in Nay Pyi Taw At the meeting, they dis- event at the 2020 edition of UN yesterday. PHOTO: MNA cussed possible cooperation Commission on the Status of

Myanmar communities abroad donate cash for disaster-affected people at home

UNION MINISTER for Social through Union Minister for In- Welfare, Relief and Resettlement ternational Cooperation U Kyaw Dr Win Myat Aye received cash Tin yesterday. and kind for local people in dis- At his office in Nay Pyi Taw, aster-affected areas from the Dr Win Myat Aye, also the Vice well-wishers of Myanmar com- Chairman of National Disaster munities in foreign countries Management Committee, got the funds of US$31,231 of New York-based National Humanitar- Union Minister Dr Win Myat ian Fundraising For Myanmar, Aye presents certificate of cash donation to Union Minister $4,775 of well-wishers from Saudi U Kyaw Tin in Nay Pyi Taw Arabia and $350 of those from yesterday. PHOTO: MNA the Southern California.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin) 3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 3

Find solution based on discussions and negotiations

Our ethnic brothers and sisters must find a solution based on discussions and negotiations free from mistrust and firm in faith. From there, we can proceed in lasting solidarity for the emergence of a Constitution that is fitting for our country and in accordance with democratic practices and federal principles.

[Extract from Message of Greetings sent by President U Win Myint to the 71st Anniversary of Independence Day ceremony on 4 January 2019]

Union Education Minister attends workshop on matric exam rules

UNION MINISTER for Educa- tion Dr Myo Thein Gyi attended the workshop on matric exam rules for the examination su- pervisors, joint supervisors and students at the No.2 Basic Edu- cation High School in Pyinmana Town yesterday. Speaking the workshop, Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi stressed the importance of a good education system for a nation to develop. The Union Minister also urged the attendees to cooper- ate on the implementation of the education system reform- ing process to establish a qual- ity education system, saying Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi delivers the speech at the workshop on matric exam rules for the examination supervisors, joint to increase the strengths and supervisors and students in Pyinmana yesterday. PHOTO: MNA minimize the weaknesses of the reform processes after review- papers would be assigned to sities to cooperate on increasing ment explained the implement- ment discussed the rules to be ing them. the high school teachers who the pass rate of matric exam, ing education processes and followed by the matric exam “The 2020 matriculation ex- are competent in the respective saying not to assign the preg- ongoing processes, followed by supervisors, joint supervisors amination will be held from 11 subjects, and the financial mat- nant teachers, aged teachers, Director-General U Myo Nyunt and students, and answered the to 20 March,” he added, saying ters will also be transparently ailing teachers and the high of Myanmar Examinations De- queries raised by attendees. to cooperate on exam question conducted in accordance with school teachers who are not fit partment detailing the dos and A total of 739 teachers from and answer papers, checking rules and regulations, he added. for the subjects to check answer don’ts for the matriculation ex- Nay Pyi Taw, regions and states answer sheets and exam results Dr Myo Thein Gyi also papers. amination. attended the workshop. — MNA security processes. urged the Region/State educa- Director-General U Ko Lay Afterwards, officials from The checking of answer tion offices and related univer- Win of Basic Education Depart- Myanmar Examinations Depart- (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun)

Diplomatic, special passport holders allowed to enter Nandaw Gate in Muse from 1 Jan

“Today is the day we grant- Diplomatic and special like to urge the Myanmar side ed permission for entry of Chi- passports holders are allowed to make further cooperation nese citizens holding special to stay in Myanmar for 30 days, with us,” said an official from passports through this gate as and as they are officially permit- the Industry and Trade, Science part of efforts to promote friend- ted, they can proceed to other and Technology Department of ship between the two countries. nations. China in Ruili. We are delighted with the two Plans have been made to In accordance with the countries. We want the citizens cope with the expected higher 1997 Myanmar-China Border of the neighboring countries to entries of diplomatic and special Management and Cooperation enter with confidence. Special passport holders from China, Agreement and the 1998 Mutu- passport holders can travel from according to the Immigration al Visa Exemption Agreement Muse to Mandalay. With this ef- and Population Department. between China and Myanmar, fort, economic opportunities will “With the entry of public Myanmar citizens holding dip- Travellers seen at the Myanmar-China Border Gate (Nandaw Gate) in increase and the neighboring servants and businesspersons lomatic and special passports Muse. PHOTO: SALAI VAN ROH HTAN people can see the beauty of My- holding diplomatic and special can enter China through the anmar, and the move can lead passports through the Muse border gate from 1 January, CHINESE citizens holding dip- (Nandaw Gate) in northern to the development of tourism,” border gate, bilateral relations 2020.—Salai Van Roh Htan lomatic passports and special Shan State from 1 January, ac- said director of the Shan State and friendship will be strength- passports have been allowed cording to the Immigration and Immigration and Population De- ened. To grant special passports (Translated by Kyaw Zin to enter the Muse border gate Population Department. partment, U Win Lwin. to the Chinese people, we would Lin) 3 JANUARY 2020 4 NATIONAL THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Chinese film crew shoots Yangon Notice lifestyles in New Year period THE Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony – a full dress rehearsal on 2 January and a ceremony on 4 January – will be A CHINESE film crew of going on pilgrimage to the sha Satellite TV (SSTV) Chan- held at the Square of Nay Pyi Taw City Hall in Nay Pyi Taw. Hainan TV Station took the Shwedagon pagoda and cook- nel of Hainan Broadcasting Therefore, the Pyinmana-Taungnyo Road section between lifestyles of the people in Yan- ing together and eating to- Group- Hainan TV Station in the Municipal Guest House Traffic Light and Thapyaygone gon near Kandawgyi Nature gether Myanmar traditional Hainan Province in China in Market Junction Traffic Light will be closed or diverted for six Park and Myitta Nyunt Rail- foods, celebrating the event. early February.—Ni Ni Win hours from 2 am to 8 am on the two days. way Station on Wednesday. The documented videos (FDC) The road users on the days could divert the ways from They also filmed the New will be broadcast on One Belt Municipal Guest House Traffic Light to Shwe Kyar Traffic Light Year’s Eve holiday of people One Road programme of San- (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun) taking the Taw Win Yadana Road and from Thapyaygone Market Junction Traffic Light to Ayeyawady Road taking Padauk Road.

Nay Pyi Taw Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee

FDC to analyze FIPRESCI prize- winning film ‘Goodbye Dragon Inn’

THE Film Development Center will screen ‘Goodbye Dragon Inn’ film for analysis in its 33rd event of the Cinematheque Programme at its office No. 50, Shwe Taung Kyar Road (Golden Valley Road), Bahan Township, at 12 noon on 5 January. A Chinese film crew shoots New Year’s Eve holiday of the people at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. The Taiwanese drama film PHOTO: NI NI WIN (FDC) was created by Director Tsai Ming-liang in 2003, and the film won several awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize at the 60th Japanese documentary film-makers Venice International Film Fes- tival, It was also one of the 10 conduct shooting in Bagan, Mt. Popa greatest films of 2012 Sight & Sound Directors’ Poll. management board. – Thein The event will be led by Dr Htike Thu (FDC) Aung Min, a member of FDC (Translated by Aung Khin)

3 women sentenced to prisons, labour camps in human trafficking cases

COURTS passed sentences on year in prisons and labour each three women criminals who on the two human smugglers on committed separate cases of 23 December. trafficking in persons in Ay- A 26-year old woman, identi- eyawady delta and Shan State fied as Ma Na Phue, from Mong- last month. pyan Town in Special Region Police filed lawsuits under 2, Shan State, persuaded the the Anti-Trafficking in Persons two girls in their 20s in Keng- Law against Ma Naing, 52, and lat Town in Tachileik Township Ma Su Hlaing,49, in Kyaunggon to marry men in neighbouring Japanese film crew from Tokyo Broadcasting System-TBS film the scenic view of Mount Popa from Popa Town of Ayeyawady Region, for China in exchange of cash for Resort yesterday. PHOTO: KYAW SWAR THEIN (FDC) their plot to sell the two wom- their parents. en in their 25s and 30s living Police from Kenglat Town A JAPANESE film crew of To- the travellers at the Shwezigon The documented vide- in the same town as the wives filed a lawsuit under the An- kyo Broadcasting System-TBS Pagoda, Htilominlo Pagoda, Su- os will be broadcast on TBS for Chinese men after taking ti-Trafficking in Persons Law took the scenes of Bagan Ar- lamani Pagoda, Ananda Pago- Channel in Japan under the ti- them along Yangon-Muse road against Ma Na Phue, and the cheological Museum and da and Thabyinnyu Pagoda in tle “Beautiful Cultural Zone” in to Ruili or Shwe Li although the Tachileik District Court pro- Tharabar Gate in Bagan Ar- Bagan and the Yangon Interna- February. —Kyaw Swar Thein two victims were enticed with nounced the verdict of 10-year chaeological Zone and scenic tional Airport in Yangon. (FDC) jobs for K200,000 per month at prison and labour on 23 Decem- Mount Popa from Popa Resort On 3 and 4 January, they a textile shop in Yangon. ber.—MNA yesterday. will shoot the Mount Popa Nats (Translated by Kyaw Zin Pathein District Court The crew also documented Festival and pagodas in Bagan. Tun) handed down sentences of 20 (Translated by Aung Khin) 3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR LOCAL BUSINESS 5

3rd Yangon International Gems & Jewellery Fair 2020 to be held at Lotte Hotel on 10-13 Jan

By Nyein Nyein and gems associations from China, Hong Kong, and China THE third Yangon Interna- (Taipei) have been invited to tional Gems and Jewellery Fair the fair. Invites have also been 2020 will take place from 10 to issued to local gems and jew- 13 January at the Lotte Hotel. ellery traders and interested The jewellery fair is being buyers through social media organized by the Gems and platforms. Jewellery Entrepreneurs As- The expo will include 128 sociation of Yangon, with the stalls with digital banking support of the Myanma Gems services such as Visa, Master Enterprise and the Ministry of card, MPU, and JCB cards. Natural Resources and Envi- To ensure the quality of gems ronmental Conservation. and jewellery, the fair will also According to the organiz- feature a gem appraising labo- ers, the fair is aimed at improv- ratory with lab experts. ing Myanmar’s gems and jew- The fair will be open to all ellery market, boosting gems gems and jewellery importers, and jewellery production, at- A press conference for the third Yangon International Gems and Jewellery Fair 2020 from 10 to 13 January wholesalers, traders, and retail taining good prices in the global held in Yangon. PHOTO: SUPPLIED shop owners. Visitors will have market, bringing together all to register in advance online the stakeholders in the supply The Gems and Jewellery lab committee. market for finished jewellery; on yangongemsjewelryfair. chain, producing value-added Entrepreneurs Association of Sales will be made using generate opportunities for com, the fair’s official Facebook gems and jewellery rather than Yangon has formed 11 com- the direct payment method heavy, medium, and small en- page, or via email. focusing on rough stones sales, mittees to organize the events, after prices are negotiated terprises engaged in the gem The event will also feature creating job opportunities, or- including sealed-bid auction through a sealed-bid auction. industry and related business- a lucky draw and a jewellery ganizing seminars and busi- committee, design competition According to the Yangon es; promote Myanmar gems design contest aimed at en- ness matching, disseminating implementation committee, Gems and Jewellery Entrepre- and jewellery to foreign buyers; couraging talented designers gems and jewellery research lucky draw competition com- neurs Association, the sealed- help eliminate the illegal gems and recognizing the designs news, and advertising the latest mittee, seminar programme bid auction will be a highlight market; and, raise tax revenue. of traditional gem producers. designs and high value gems implementation committee, fair at the fair. More than 1,000 gems com- Winners of the contest will be to interested buyers through catalogue distribution commit- According to the organiz- panies from 45 countries, My- awarded. social media platforms. tee, and gem quality appraising ers, the fair will help create a anmar commercial attachés, (Translated by Ei Myat Mon) Coffee association estimates Public sector mineral 1,000-ton shipment exports up $454 mln MYANMAR’S coffee produc- practices, coffee will not get a “Myanmar, being rich in tion is likely to reach 2,000- high price,” said U Myo Aye. land resources, can grow both in current fiscal 2,500 tons at harvest time Coffee beans are harvest- Arabica, or highland coffee, this year, and about 1,000 ed between December and which grows best above 2,500 MYANMAR’S mineral exports products, $49.65 million for live- tons of coffee is expected to be February. Then, the beans are feet, and Robusta, or lowland were registered at US$737.36 stock, $232.09 million for fishery shipped to external markets, introduced to foreign buyers. coffee. The country still has million between 1 October and products, $737.36 million for according to the Myanmar At present, Myanmar coffee untouched land suitable for 20 December in the 2019-2020 fi- minerals, $39 million for forest Coffee Association. is mostly exported to the US coffee plantation. Coffee bean nancial year, showing a remark- products, over $2.15 billion for “The production is es- market, according to the Ag- is a profitable cash crop and able increase of $453.96 million manufactured goods, and $79.6 timated around 2,000-2,500 riculture Department. so, expansion of coffee plan- compared with the year-ago pe- million for other goods. tons. We aim to export 800- “Myanmar’s coffee has tations can be a promising riod, according to data from the The country’s export sector 1,000 tons of coffee this year. already earned a good rep- source of revenue genera- Ministry of Commerce. relies more on the agriculture The rest will be distributed in utation. It has penetrated tion for the country. However, Last year, public sector min- and manufacturing sectors. While the local and border market,” markets in Asia such as Hong growers have limited access to eral exports were worth less than export earnings from the CMP said U Myo Aye, chair of the Kong and Singapore, Euro- loans. So, government-backed a million dollars. (cut, make, and pack) garment Myanmar Coffee Association. pean countries, and the US, loans might help develop the Both the private and public businesses are rising, the coun- The association will work and it has a good potential in coffee sector,” said a coffee sector mineral exports witnessed try’s reliance on natural resourc- to link with international buy- the global market,” said an producer. an increase in the current fiscal es such as natural gas and jade ers, he said. official from the Agriculture There are 40,000 acres of year, with the private sector min- has been lessening. “Myanmar primarily pro- Department. highland coffee plantations eral exports pegged at $283.36 Extraction of natural re- duces Arabica coffee. Spe- Myanmar’s coffee has and about 10,000 acres under million. The total mineral export sources has been limited and so, cialty coffee fetches as much grabbed a market share in lowland coffee in Myanmar, to- figure rose by $464 million from exports of forest products and as US$4,500-10,000 per ton. the US, with the support of taling 50,000 acres. Shan State $273.3 million in the year-ago pe- minerals dropped significantly Myanmar’s specialty coffee USAID and WinRock Interna- is the main producer of cof- riod. in the previous year. Permits for beans are highly demanded tional NGO. Efforts are being fee beans. Myanmar’s coffee Of the seven export groups, mining blocks were suspended due to their high quality and made to penetrate markets in beans fetch $1,000-8,000 and exports of agriculture, miner- in 2016, but after a period of two organic production. If we can- Japan, the Republic of Korea, more in the market. – GNLM als, fishery, and finished indus- years, Myanmar’s mining sector not maintain good agricultural and Canada. (Translated by Ei Myat Mon) trial goods showed an increase, is now open to local and foreign while the exports of livestock, investors, according to the Min- forest products, and other goods istry of Natural Resources and declined. Environmental Conservation. – Call Thin Thin May, 09251022355,09974424848 Export values stood at GNLM $805.79 million for agricultural (Translated by Ei Myat Mon) 3 JANUARY 2020 6 LOCAL NEWS THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Bagan water vessel owners profit as number of travellers increases www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com WITH more local and foreign travellers visit- ACTING CHIEF EDITOR ing famous pagodas in the Bagan area, water Aye Min Soe vessel owners at the Ayeyawady jetty, near the [email protected] Bupaya pagoda, are earning a good income by SENIOR EDITORIAL CONSULTANT transporting travellers to and from the Tantky- Kyaw Myaing itaung pagoda, said a local water vessel owner.

SENIOR TRANSLATORS Local and foreign travellers are interested Zaw Min in visiting Bagan because it has several pagodas Zaw Htet Oo that are listed as world cultural heritage sites. Aung Khin They are visiting the pagodas in Bagan area INTERNATIONAL NEWS EDITOR Ye Htut Tin, using their own vehicles, express vehicles, [email protected] three-wheeled motorbikes, bicycles, and horse carts. Some visitors are even opting to take in LOCAL NEWS EDITORS Tun Tun Naing (Editor), the scenic views of Bagan area from a hot-air [email protected] balloon. Nwe Nwe Tun (Sub-editor), “Local and foreign travellers visited Bagan [email protected] region during the New Year holidays. Some

TRANSLATORS travellers came to Bagan to pay a visit to the Hay Mar Tin Win, four ancient pagodas, namely Shwezigon pago- Ei Myat Mon da, Lawkananda pagoda, Tuyin Taung pagoda, Kyaw Zin Lin Travellers visit Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan during the New and Tantkyitaung pagoda, located across the Kyaw Zin Tun Year holidays. PHOTO: YE WIN NAING (NYAUNG-U) Ayeyawady River in Pakokku District. So, water REPORTER vessel owners transported the pilgrims and said Ko Htet, a water vessel owner at boards of trustees are conducting traffic Nyein Nyein Ei, earned a good income during the holidays. The the jetty. clearance and providing assistance to [email protected] fare of water vessels ranged from a minimum In order to ensure safe travel in Ba- travellers.—Ye Win Naing (Nyaung-U) PHOTOGRAPHER of K20,000 to a maximum of K35,000. There are gan area during the New Year holiday, the Kyaw Zeya Win @ Phoe Khwar over 200 water vessels at the Ayeyawady jetty,” Nyaung-U traffic police and the pagodas’ (Translated by Hay Mar) Kyaw Zeya

COMPUTER TEAM Thein Ngwe, Zaw Zaw Aung, Hnin Pwint, Kay Khaing Win, Islands near Kawthoung Sanda Hnin, Thein Htwe, Nyi Lin Thu attract local, foreign EDITORIAL SECTION holidaymakers (+95) (01)8604529, Fax — (+95) (01) 8604305 WITH the development of the the country through Thailand, in CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION tourism industry in Taninthayi accordance with the procedures San Lwin, (+95) (01) 8604532, Region, local and foreign trav- laid down by the Directorate of Hotline - 09 974424114 ellers, who entered Myanmar Hotels and Tourism. They vis- ADVERTISING & MARKETING through Thailand, visited Is- ited Victoria point (also known ( +95) (01) 8604530, lands of the Andaman Sea near as Bayintnaung cape), the King Hotline - 09 974424848 [email protected] Kawthoung during the interna- Bayintnaung ’s statue, Pyita- [email protected] tional holiday period. waye pagoda, 555 mountain view Most of the local travellers point, Malewan natural water- Printed and published at the Global New were from Yangon, Mandalay, fall, hot spring, and some of Light of Myanmar Printing Factory at No.150, Nga Htat Kyee Pagoda Road, Bahan and the upper towns of Myan- the islands near Kawthoung.— Township, Yangon, by the Global New Light mar, while foreign tourists vis- Kyaw Soe (Kawthoung) Visitors seen at the Kawthoung Myoma Jetty during their of Myanmar Daily under Printing Permit No. iting Kawthoung had entered (Translated by Hay Mar) holidays. PHOTO: KYAW SOE (KAWTHOUNG) 00510 and Publishing Permit No. 00629. [email protected] www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com www.facebook.com/TheGNLM Commemorative stamps to be issued for 72nd Independence Day

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We appreciate your feedback and contributions. If you have any comments or would like to submit editorials, analyses or reports please email THE Myanmar Post of the Ministry of Transport and Com- 1381 ME). [email protected] munications will issue three kinds of special commemorative As a special programme, Nay Pyi Taw Central Post Office, with your name and title. Due to limitation of space we are only postages stamps of K 200 denomination on the occasion of the Yangon General Post Office and Mandalay General Post Office able to publish “Letter to the Editor” 72nd anniversary Independence Day. will stamp post mark and date on the commemorative stamps that do not exceed 500 words. Should you submit a text longer than 500 words The sales of the stamps will be launched at post offices and First Day Covers bought on 4 January 2020. —MNA please be aware that your letter will be in states and regions on 4 January, 2020 (10th Waxing of Pyatho (Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun) edited. 3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR SCI/ENVIR 7 Mother and daughters investigated over German zoo fire

BERLIN (Germany)— A moth- was “missing”. er and her two daughters have Flying lanterns have been turned themselves in to police forbidden in Germany for 10 over a blaze which killed dozens years, but Hoppmann said the of monkeys at a zoo in Germany women were unaware of the ban on New Year’s Eve, police con- when they bought theirs on the firmed Thursday. internet. The three women are be- The case has intensified ing investigated for setting an already blazing debate over off banned flying lanterns to the widespread use of fireworks celebrate the New Year, Gerd by private individuals on New Hoppmann, head of the Krefeld Year’s Eve. criminal police, said at a press Setting off fireworks in pub- conference. lic is a long-standing New Year’s The 60-year-old mother and tradition in Germany, but it has her two adult daughters hand- faced increasing criticism from ed themselves in to police on environmental and animal pro- Wednesday after hearing of the tection groups in recent years. fire on local radio, Hoppmann On Wednesday, the German said. animal protection association He said they “seemed like called for all kinds of fireworks sensible and responsible peo- to be banned near zoos, farms ple” who had shown “courage” The zoo in Krefeld, western Germany, remains closed after the fire. PHOTO: AFP and kennels. in coming forward. The tragedy has also Local prosecutors are now Year’s Eve at Krefeld Zoo in the zoo said that it was a “mira- remained closed on Thursday. sparked an outpouring of sym- investigating the women for neg- North Rhine-Westphalia. cle” that the two chimpanzees, Police believe the fire was pathy, with tearful visitors light- ligent arson, a crime which can The enclosure housed go- named Bally and Limbo, had caused by one of the illegal lan- ing candles and leaving flowers be punished with up to five years rillas, orangutans, chimpan- survived the blaze. terns which landed on the roof and soft toys at the entrance fo in prison. zees and marmosets. Only two “Both suffered only light in- of the monkey enclosure. the zoo. The fire, which claimed chimpanzees survived, as well juries. They have been moved Hoppmann said investiga- Krefeld zoo is home to the lives of 30 primates includ- as a family of gorillas in a nearby to the gorilla enclosure and are tors had accounted for four lan- around 1,000 animals and at- ing eight great apes, broke out building. being looked after by several terns but that one, believed to be tracts some 400,000 visitors a shortly before midnight on New In a statement on Thursday, zoo vets,” said the zoo, which the one responsible for the blaze, year. — AFP Dwarf T-rex dinosaurs probably did not exist: study Thai retailers ban WASHINGTON (United States) notyrannus. pointed to the morphology of — For three decades, paleontol- Then, in 2001, another team its skull and bones, which they single-use plastic bags ogists the world over have been discovered the nearly complete said differed from T-rex adults. split over a provocative finding: skeleton of a small Tyrannosaur- Answers in the bones BANGKOK (Thailand)—Thai re- “We should stop the ‘throw- did a dwarf species of Tyranno- us near the town of Ekalaka in In a study published tailers kicked off 2020 with a ban away’ culture in Thailand,” she saurus rex really once exist? Montana, in the rich and inten- Wednesday in the journal Sci- on single-use plastic bags, join- said. The country will continue In 1988, paleontologist Rob- sively studied fossil formation ence Advances, researchers led ing the battle against throwaway to produce plastic packaging and ert Bakker and his colleagues at known as Hell Creek. by Holly Woodward of Oklahoma carriers in the Southeast Asian lacks a proper waste management the Cleveland (Ohio) Museum They named the creature — State University performed a nation where citizens go through policy, she added, while reusable of Natural History reclassified barely bigger than a draft horse microscopic analysis on samples an average of eight every day. bags are typically made out of a a specimen first discovered in — Jane and soon classified it as from the interior of Jane’s tibia The move, taken on Wednes- fabric spun from micro-plastic. 1942 and displayed at the mu- a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. and femur bones, as well as from day by several major mall oper- “Micro-plastic will then cre- seum. But a minority of special- a less complete set of bones from ators and the ubiquitous 7/11 ate another problem... it affects It was, they said, the first ists continued to insist that it an animal dubbed Petey. convenience stores, will see cus- the environment in terms of when known member of a small new was part of the newly classified This technique, known as tomers instead paying a small it’s in the soil because it has chem- species they baptized as the Na- Nanotyrannus species. They paleohistology, confirmed that fee for a reusable bag made of a icals,” she said. the two were immature individ- cloth-like fabric. And some shoppers like Vi- uals — not adults, the scientists Thailand is one of the largest roj Sinchairokekul were unim- said. contributors to ocean pollution, pressed at having to pay for the By extension, the study’s with plastic bags recently turning new bags. authors said, the existence of up in the stomachs of dead marine “Instead, I will go to the local the Nanotyrannus seems very mammals like dugongs and green markets because they still give us unlikely. turtles and prompting national plastic bags,” the 63-year-old said, “The really cool thing about soul-searching. at a Bangkok mall. fossil bones is that a whole bone A government campaign to The European Commission fossilizes even down to the mi- eliminate their use by 2022 has estimates some 70 percent of plas- croscopic size,” Woodward told seen television channels pix- tic waste clogs the world’s oceans, AFP. elating plastic bags onscreen -- killing a range of species from “We can infer growth rate, alongside other no-gos like nudity, turtles, seals, whales and seabirds age (and) maturity level.” smoking cigarettes, alcohol use to fish and shellfish. The researchers took ex- and violent crime. Malawi banned the produc- tremely fine slices from the While Greenpeace’s Pichmol tion, distribution and import of bone samples — so thin that Rugrod said the move by the re- single-use plastics in 2015, and A team of researchers have discovered new information about the Tyrannosaurus Rex aging process after determining that a light could pass through them tailers was a good start, she added last November Slovakia banned pair of skeletons were adolescent T-rex, not a different species — and then studied them under it was “not enough to solve the single-use plastics from 2021.— altogether. PHOTO: AFP powerful microscopes.—AFP plastic crisis.” AFP 3 JANUARY 2020 3 JANUARY 2020 8 OPINION THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR NATIONAL 9

Cooperation 72nd Independence Day Continuing Vocational Training for Workers National Objectives with neighboring By Lokethar

ITH the rapid their occupations, training in “soft workers may seek reimbursement 1. All National Ethnic Races to defend and protect with nations, key to changes of technol- skills” such as communication, of the expenses incurred from the “collective strength” to ensure Non-disintegration of the ogy in “Industry” teamwork, public relations and Skills Development Fund. Union, Non-disintegration of the Unity of National Ethnic W (in the context of so on. Hence continuing skills The “levy” has been fixed in Races and Perpetuation of National Sovereignty. fighting human the broader meaning of the term) training of the workforce by the the relevant sections of the Em- 2. To give priority and work for transformation of the rule the skills sets needed of the work- employers is becoming more nec- ployment and Skills Development of law and justice sector which is important for stability, force are undergoing change as essary than ever. Law as being not less than 0.5% peace and development of the State. trafficking well. Hence there is a continuing However, according to a re- of the monthly wage bill of the 3. To work on amendment of the Constitution, which is the need for up-skilling the workforce cent report (2019) on TVET Sys- workers under the level of “Su- basic foundation for building a Democratic Federal Union. court in Kyaunggon, Ayeyawady Region, sentenced two to manage and utilize the produc- tem review in Myanmar “Unlike pervisors”, payable monthly to the 4. To build and create conducive environments for Union women to 20 years in prison last week for trafficking tion facilities for optimal perfor- most countries in the region, very account of the SDF. A provision in citizens which can elevate their sense of duty and improve two local women to China. In another case, a woman mance. More so if the production few firms in Myanmar provide the law, however, allows employ- their capabilities while the Democratic Federal Union is Acharged with human trafficking in Taunggyi, Shan State, facilities relate to high value–add- formal training to upgrade the ers who are covered by the law but being built. was given a prison sentence of 80 years by a local court in October. ed high tech industries such as skills of their workers”. Employers who can provide sound reasons, 5. Emergence of a peaceful and prosperous Democratic Similar cases are being witnessed nationwide, highlighting production of electronic or elec- in Myanmar are not inclined to to be exempted from paying the Federal Union by implementing the Myanmar Sustainable how many women in search of jobs have fallen prey to traffickers. tromechanical components, chip provide training to their workers, “levy”. As for example, if the work- Development Plan. Lack of job opportunities making, precision instruments either within the Enterprise or ers of the employer concerned and development in the coun- making, jewellery making, food by outside training providers as need to be trained in certain job try, as well as natural disas- and beverage processing, mineral many of them hold the view that specific skills which cannot be pro- Lack of job nd ters and inequality, have led and metal processing, construc- once trained the worker would vided by any external training pro- 72 Independence Day to be opportunities to a high incidence of human tion, furniture making and so on. look elsewhere for employment vider in existence. If an employer trafficking in Myanmar. This calls for employers to provide paying higher wages. This may is so exempted from paying in to broadcast live and develop- The forms of human continuing “up-skilling” training happen when the demand for a the SDF he cannot avail himself of trafficking have changed, but for the professionals, technicians particular type of skilled worker the privileges granted by the Fund. THE flag hoisting and saluting ceremony to mark the 72nd an- Trainees working on a machine at the Industrial Training Center (Thagaya). PHOTO: GNLM ment in the cases have not declined sig- and skilled operatives. From the in the labour market is high. But Under the ESDLaw coverage niversary of Independence Day will be held in front of the City country, as nificantly year by year. It has experience of developed coun- with more such workers being countries that employers should to increase the competency of the er within the enterprise or by of Industries and Establishments Hall in Nay Pyi Taw starting from 7 am on 4 January. also been found that the num- tries, not only do these employ- trained the demand will stabilize, finance the skills development of workforce and hence it’s efficien- sending the workers to training liable to pay the “levy” to the SDF The ceremony will be broadcast live on MRTV, MITV, Up well as natu- ber of cases can be reduced ees need continuing training to and there will be less “job-hop- their employees as they benefit cy and productivity. In Myanmar, programs conducted by private is to be announced by Orders is- to Date, Channel 9, MNTV, MRTV-4, MWD and aired live on by creating employment upgrade their technical skills but ping”. from such training which, when the Employment and Skills De- training providers. sued in progressive stages ac- Myanma Radio starting from 6:40 am on that day. ral disasters opportunities and by giving also, depending on the nature of It is an accepted fact in all conducted systematically, helps velopment Law of 2013, calls for Embedded in the law is a cording to the regions and size of The live stream is available everywhere to watch the reasonable wages through Industries and Establishments system of financing skills train- the industrial undertakings and ceremony on the Ministry of Information Facebook Page, and inequal- discussions with employers covered by the law, to undertake ing of workers practiced in many establishments. For example the MRTV Facebook Page and Myanmar Digital News Facebook ity, have led and the relevant associations. In Myanmar, the Employment and Skills Develop- training of their workers, and countries around the world. It Industries and Establishments Page.—MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin) The five major forms of especially skilled workers, in ac- involves imposing a “levy” on located in the Industrial Zones to a high in- human trafficking seen in My- ment Law of 2013, calls for Industries and Establish- cordance with the policies of the the employers by which a “Skills in the Yangon and Mandalay Re- anmar include forced mar- National Skills Standards Au- Development Fund” would be set gions could be covered first to cidence of riages, forced prostitution, ments covered by the law, to undertake training of thority (NSSA), the organisation up by the agency/body concerned start with, and the “coverage” be forced labour, trafficking in formed under the ESD Law. The to finance systematic training of extended step by step to other human traf- children, and debt bondage. their workers, and especially skilled workers... intent of the law is to promote workers. The Employer who regions. ficking in My- Of the total trafficking cas- skills training of workers, wheth- conducts systematic training of es in Myanmar in 2018, 75.24 Myanmar Daily Weather Report anmar. per cent involved forced mar- (Issued at 7:00 pm Thursday 2nd January, 2020) riages, 13.59 per cent involved forced prostitution, 8.74 per BAY INFERENCE: Weather is a few cloud over the Andaman cent forced labour, 1.94 per Sea and South Bay and partly cloudy to cloudy elsewhere over cent surrogacy, and 0.49 per the Bay of Bengal. cent illegal adoption. In terms of countries by destination, 79.61 FORECAST VALID UNTIL NOON OF THE 3rd January, per cent of trafficking victims were sent to China, 1.46 per cent 2020: Rain or thundershowers will be widespread in Upper to Thailand, and 18.93 per cent were trafficked within Myanmar. Sagaing Region, Kachin, Northern Shan and Chin States, fairly The main reasons for human trafficking in Myanmar included widespread in Lower Sagaing Region and Southern Shan State, socio-economic conditions, natural disasters, and internal armed scattered in Mandalay Region, Eastern Shan and Rakhine States conflicts, while legal or illegal migrants to foreign countries were and isolated in Nay Pyi Taw, Magway and Taninthayi Regions. also trafficked. Myanmar has been taking several measures against Degree of certainty is (100%). Weather will be partly cloudy in trafficking in persons, as a national duty. It has drawn up a five-year the remaining Regions and States. plan which includes four sectors, in cooperation with the relevant STATE OF THE SEA: Sea will be moderate in Myanmar ministries, UN bodies, international organizations, INGOs, and waters. Wave height will be about (5 – 7) feet off and along social communities. Prevention and protection activities including Myanmar Coasts. legal proceedings have also been carried out. OUTLOOK FOR SUBSEQUENT TWO DAYS: Continuation Educational talks on human trafficking in schools are an of scattered to fairly widespread rain or thundershowers in important and right step towards eradicating this scourge from Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Regions, Kachin, Shan, Chin Myanmar. Thanks to preventive measures in the form of a pub- and Rakhine States. lic awareness campaigns, human trafficking has become more FORECAST FOR NAY PYI TAW AND NEIGHBOURING recognized. AREA FOR 3rd January, 2020: Likelihood of isolated rain or To meet the minimum standards for the elimination of traf- thundershowers. Degree of certainty is (60%). ficking, we need to make significant efforts in cooperation with FORECAST FOR YANGON AND NEIGHBOURING AREA neighboring, regional, and international countries in fighting the FOR 3rd January, 2020: Partly cloudy. transnational crime of human trafficking. FORECAST FOR MANDALAY AND NEIGHBOURING AREA FOR 3rd January, 2020: Isolated rain or thundershowers. Degree of certainty is (100%). 3 JANUARY 2020 10 WORLD THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Israeli PM Netanyahu asks for parliamentary immunity amid corruption charges TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Min- tion from the judiciary. It lasts “witch-hunt” to oust him from rary. Immunity gives the peo- ister Benjamin Netanyahu on until the current convocation of office. ple’s representatives temporary Wednesday requested speaker the Knesset [Israeli parliament] In a swift response to Ne- protection from the judiciary.” of the Knesset -- country’s par- stops functioning,” he said, as tanyahu’s request, Avigdor The Israeli PM has been the liament-- to grant parliamentary quoted by The Times of Israel. Liberman, his political rival of subject of multiple corruption immunity for three criminal cas- In November last year, Isra- the Yisrael Beytenu opposed the investigations and cases of im- es against him. el’s Attorney General Avichai immunity request in a social me- propriety, including, advancing “I would like to lead the Mandelblit indicted Netanyahu dia post. a law that would benefit one of government of Israel for many for bribery, fraud and breach of On his plea for immunity, Israel’s major newspapers, and years. According to the law, trust. he further said, “I would like to supporting looser regulation Netanyahu denies the allegations immunity is always temporary. Netanyahu has denied all lead the government of Israel of telecommunication compa- and accuses prosecutors and the Immunity gives the people’s rep- the allegations, saying they are for many years. According to the ny Bezeq in return for positive media of a witch hunt . PHOTO: resentatives temporary protec- part of a politically orchestrated law, immunity is always tempo- coverage. -— ANI AFP Austria’s unlikely coalition to Sri Lanka orders bus operators unveil govt programme to turn down the music COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s gov- low-budget movies. Long-dis- VIENNA — Austria’s conserv- ernment on Thursday gave bus tance buses also frequently atives and their Green partners operators two weeks to turn play high-decibel music vid- were set to present the gov- down the notoriously loud mu- eos. ernment programme of their sic in their vehicles following Wanninayake said there unprecedented coalition, a plan complaints from passengers. had been frequent complaints with right-wing leader Sebastian Transport minister Mahin- from long-suffering passen- Kurz’s clear imprimatur that da Amaraweera has given bus gers. Many on social media could set a European precedent. operators until January 15 to have called for a complete ban The two parties announced voluntarily turn down the vol- on music in buses. late Wednesday that they had ume or he would bring in legis- The National Transport agreed to govern together after lation, said ministry spokesman Commission (NTC), the private key election gains in September Dharma Wanninayake said. bus regulator, was also offering following a corruption scandal There are an estimated a playlist of 1,000 Sinhala, Tamil that broke apart 33-year-old 20,000 private buses plying Sri and Hindi songs free of charge Kurz’s ruling coalition with the Lankan roads, notorious for to be played in buses — at a far right. playing loud Sinhala, Tamil reasonable level. The list is not Kurz — who has styled him- and Hindi songs, mainly from compulsory, however.—AFP self as a tough anti-immigration fighter — said his People’s Par- ty (OeVP) and the Greens had “succeeded in uniting the best of Kurz, shown here arriving for the last round of coalition talks on both worlds” in protracted nego- Wednesday, said the two parties would ‘protect the climate and tiations aimed at “protecting the borders’. PHOTO: AFP climate and borders”. a national level — and that in the voters’ top concern, giving the ‘Daring experiment’ unlikely marriage of conserva- Greens their best-ever result with “Historic accord fixed” ran tives and ecologists. 13.9 per cent. The OeVP got 37.5 the Kurier daily’s main headline Observers say Germany per cent as disappointed voters Thursday, while a column in the and others may follow suit as of the scandal-tainted far-right left-leaning Standard described parties seek to cater to voters’ Freedom Party (FPOe) flocked the coalition as a “daring exper- increasingly populist sentiments to Kurz’s party. Greens chief Wer- iment” and a “political adven- as well as worries about climate ner Kogler, 58, said the parties ture”. Papers said the pact bore change amid massive demon- had managed to “build bridges” the conservatives’ stamp, with strations by students and others to form a government for “the tabloid Oesterreich billing the following calls by young activist future of Austria”, which would OeVP as “powerful as never be- Greta Thunberg. In Austria’s seek to become a frontrunner in fore”. It is the Greens’ first entry September polls, the environ- terms of fighting climate change into the Austrian government at ment replaced immigration as in Europe.—AFP

Australia fires: State of emergency declared in New South Wales, evacuation ordered

SYDNEY — Authorities in New vice has set up a tourist level people have died from the fires South Wales have declared a state zone from NSW coastal town in the last 24 hours. Evacuation of emergency and are planning to of Batemans Bay down to the in several areas is becoming dif- carry out forced evacuations from Victoria border and has urged ficult as several communities are fire-affected area. all visitors to evacuate before cut off. There are 24 such isolated Sri Lanka’s long-distance buses are notorious for playing loud music or The NSW Rural Fire Ser- Saturday, CNN reported. Seven communities.— ANI videos. PHOTO: AFP 3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR HEALTH / SOCIAL 11 Google AI to make breast NHK’s annual “Kohaku” cancer diagnosis more accurate music show sees rating

WASHINGTON — The IT giant fall to record low Google is now putting Artificial Intelligence at work to identify TOKYO — NHK’s “Kohaku” barometer of its popularity. breast cancer with greater ac- song festival on New Year’s Eve The show’s previous low curacy, according to a study pub- saw its viewer share fall to a re- rating was 39.2 per cent in 2015. lished in the ‘Nature.’ cord low despite special appear- This year’s viewership was also The new AI-based system ances by stars including comedi- lower than at any time before scans through mammogram im- an Takeshi Kitano and American the show was split into two parts, ages to spot cancer growth, and rock band Kiss, a survey by a TV according to the TV audience till now has been proven to cut research firm showed Thursday. research company. down false negatives by 9.5 per The average rating for the In its heyday up the 1980s, cent. This comes as a significant annual show’s second part was the music show featuring popu- improvement upon the present 37.3 per cent in Tokyo and other lar singers in Japan logged huge accuracy of the tests which fail to parts of the Kanto region, down ratings, peaking at 81.4 percent detect breast cancer 20 per cent Breast scans are recommended for women above 50 who exhibit no from 41.5 percent the previous in 1963. of the time. Shravya Shetty, a re- signs of cancer. PHOTO: AFP year, according to Video Re- The show started in 1951 as searcher at Google and co-author search Ltd. a New Year radio program and of this the study, told The Verge the AI, which was trained to False negatives and false posi- The public broadcaster’s two years later became a year- “Mammograms are very ef- scan X-ray images. The system tives went down by 2.7 and 1.2 per “Kohaku Uta Gassen” show, end TV program. A red group of fective but there’s still a signifi- scanned for signs of malignancy cent respectively in the UK where literally “red and white song female singers and white group cant problem with false negatives through all the 28,000 pictures, the mammograms are cross- battle,” has been split into two of male singers battle it out, with and false positives”, he stated. after which its findings were checked by two radiologists. parts since 1989, and the rating judges and the audience voting In this research, which is matched against the actual can- The system didn’t function for the second part, including the to decide which group performed funded by Google, scientists took cer status of the women. with spot-on accuracy all the finale, is considered the primary better.—Kyodo News anonymous mammogram imag- The Verge reported that, in time, as there were cases where es of 25,000 women from the UK the US, false-negative diagnoses the AI flunked in spotting cancer and 3,000 from the US. went down by 9.4 per cent and which was later pointed out by The samples were fed to false positives by 5.7 per cent. doctors.— ANI Death toll in Jakarta’s worst flood in over decade rises to 30

JAKARTA — The death toll in ta area had caused serious traffic high of 377 millimeters in the the worst flooding to hit Indo- congestion, while submersion Halim area of East Jakarta, nesia’s capital Jakarta in over a of some railway tracks had also while northern and western decade has increased to 30, with affected commuters. parts of Java Island were also almost 36,000 people displaced, Among the most affected ar- affected, with residents in some the country’s disaster agency eas was Bekasi in the suburbs areas urged to leave. said Thursday. of Jakarta, while the southern Jakarta Gov. Anies Bas- The capital and surrounding and eastern parts of the capital wedan assigned most of the areas have been hit by unusually were also affected, according to blame for the current flooding NHK headquarters in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. PHOTO: KYODO heavy rain since Tuesday. As of the National Disaster Mitigation to massive rain and problems Thursday morning, flooding of Agency. with waterway management. main roads in the greater Jakar- Rainfall reached a record —Kyodo News San Francisco reports lowest rate of homicides in 56 years

SAN FRANCISCO — San Fran- dents, the newspaper said. cisco witnessed a record low rate City officials attributed the of homicides in more than half a improvement in statistics to joint century as only 41 killings were efforts by law enforcement agen- reported in the city in 2019, a local cies and community groups, in- newspaper said Wednesday. cluding anti-crime organizations, The number of killings last to divert resources to combat year was 11 per cent down from crime. 46 in 2018, the San Francisco Official data showed about Chronicle said. 71 per cent of the murders in the The number of other violent city were resolved last year, much cases also dropped in 2019, with higher than the proportion of 20 that of shootings down by 6 per percent in the 1990s. However, de- cent and overall violent crimes spite a 3-per cent reduction in car down by 8 per cent, according to break-ins last year, San Francisco the local daily. is still troubled by a high number The last time the number of auto burglaries, which make of homicides was as low as last the city a place with the highest year’s count was in 1963, when property crime rate across the Photo taken 1 January, 2020 shows floods inundating parts of Jakarta. PHOTOS KYODO NEWS the city had 100,000 fewer resi- United States.—Xinhua 3 JANUARY 2020 12 BIZ THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Stock markets usher in Volkswagen in talks to New Year with big gains settle German LONDON — Global stock mar- “European equities have ‘dieselgate’ kets powered ahead Thursday made a bright start to the New as investors welcomed 2020 with Year with sizable rallies of more mass lawsuit a raft of strong gains after Chi- than one percent,” said XTB na’s central bank announced analyst David Cheetham. FRANKFURT AM MAIN — fresh stimulus, dealers said. “2019 was a good year on Car giant Volkswagen said Asia kicked off the New the whole for stock markets Thursday it would open talks on Year on the front foot, with most and they seem to be wasting a possible settlement in a mass rallying out of the blocks Thurs- little time in attempting to push lawsuit brought by hundreds of day on lingering trade optimism higher again with the bourses thousands of German diesel car and the stimulus news. following the lead of their Asian owners over emissions cheating. Europe also shone as inves- peers. “Volkswagen and the Feder- FILE PHOTO: Expectations that a ‘Phase One’ trade deal between tors remain upbeat about the “Expectations that a ‘Phase the US and China will be signed in less than two weeks have boosted ation of German Consumer Or- global outlook after Washington One’ trade deal between the US sentiment. US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping ganisations (VZBV) have agreed and Beijing eventually reached and China will be signed in less leave a business leaders event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in to enter into discussions regard- a trade agreement to ease ten- than two weeks have boosted November 2017. PHOTO: AFP ing a possible settlement,” the sions between the two. sentiment but the main driv- company said in a statement. Brexit uncertainty has ing force appears to be the an- However, geopolitical moratoriums on nuclear and Both VW and the VZBV meanwhile been removed with nouncement of a further easing worries resurfaced following intercontinental ballistic missile said while “discussions are at Britain set to leave the Europe- of monetary policy from China’s a warning from North Kore- tests had ended, with talks with a very early stage, and there is an Union on 31 January. central bank.” an leader Kim Jong Un that the US going nowhere.—AFP no guarantee” of a settlement, they hoped to find a “pragmatic solution for the benefit of the No. of Japanese restaurants abroad up 30% in 2 years: survey customer”. Around 400,000 die- sel owners have joined a mass lawsuit against Volkswagen over TOKYO — The number of Japa- the 2017 level to about 156,000, farm ministry data. crease in inbound tourism as the group’s 2011 admission to nese restaurants outside Japan with Asia and Africa leading the Global familiarity with well as overseas promotional emissions cheating affecting 11 rose 30 percent last year from increase, according to Japanese Japanese cuisine due to an in- events hosted by government million vehicles worldwide. and private organizations are VW and subsidiaries built thought to be major drivers of so-called “defeat devices” into the growth. engine control software, de- The number of Japanese signed to make them appear restaurants in Asia jumped 50 less polluting in the lab than in percent to about 101,000, while real driving conditions. the figure for Africa climbed 50 The fallout from the so- percent to some 500, the Minis- called “dieselgate” fraud has try of Agriculture, Forestry and cost the company over 30 billion Fisheries said. euros ($33.6 billion).—AFP This was followed by Oce- ania, which includes Australia and New Zealand, increasing 40 percent to around 3,400, Central and South America up 30 percent to 6,100, and North America up 20 percent to 29,400. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese restaurants in Europe and the Middle East remained flat at around 12,200 and 1,000, re- Around 400,000 diesel owners have joined a mass lawsuit against spectively. The number in Russia Volkswagen over its admission Photo taken 9 August, 2019 shows a Japanese restaurant at a New Delhi shopping mall in India. PHOTO: rose slightly to 2,600 from 2,400. to emissions cheating. PHOTO: KYODONEWS — Kyodo News AFP

MoU signed between Forum of Indian Food Importers and NEEA to strengthen trade ties

SHILLONG (Meghalaya) — ingredient sourcing, providing and generate long term brand them getting attention across the the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Forum of India Food Importers market linkages and knowledge equity for them. globe. We are delighted to take Kiren Rijiju, Minister of state of (FIFI) and North East Entrepre- exchange between both the par- The GI tagged commodities this engagement forward,” said the Ministry of Youth Affairs and neurs Alliance (NEEA) agreed ties. remain underutilized and with Pankaj Singhal after signing of Sports and Minister of state in to build cooperation by signing a NEEA aims to work close- FIFI, NEEA hopes to leverage the MoU. the Ministry of Minority Affairs Memorandum of Understanding ly with FIFI to curate products the opportunity not only in India, The MoU was signed by of India, Rameswar Teli, Minister (MoU) during recently organized from the region which can find but across the world. Amit Lohani and Pankaj Singhal of state in the Ministry of Food North East Food Show 2019 by the platform at par to the inter- “While FIFI members see from the FIFI and members of Processing Industries, Biplab the government of Meghalaya national food and beverage prod- great potential in the North-East- NEEA in the presence of lumi- Kumar Deb, the Chief Minister and SIAL Paris. ucts. With this MoU, NEEA is ern states and have expressed nous dignitaries like Conrad K of the state of Tripura, and Bedu The MoU has been signed also looking forward to creating keen interest to connect the novel Sangma, the Chief Minister of Panth, Minister of Tourism and with an objective to facilitate food a few geographical product cat- products not only with the Indi- the state of Meghalaya, Prema Civil aviation and Commerce and business, food processing, food egories, brand them accordingly an market but, to eventually see Khandu, the Chief Minister of Industries.—ANI 3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR ECONOMY / AD 13 Singapore posts sluggish 0.7% growth in 2019 EastMed pipeline deal SINGAPORE — Singapore’s to be signed in economy grew 0.7 per cent in 2019, marking its slowest growth Athens since the global financial crisis a decade earlier, preliminary data ATHENS — Greece, Cyprus showed Thursday. and Israel were set Thursday Though coming within the to sign an agreement for a huge Ministry of Trade and Industry’s pipeline project designed to ship projection of between 0.5 per cent gas from the eastern Mediterra- and 1 per cent annual growth, it nean to Europe. represented a sharp slowdown The move comes amid ten- from the 3.1 per cent expansion sions with Turkey over its own in 2018. activities in the area and a con- Gross domestic product tentious maritime deal with Lib- grew 0.1 per cent in 2009. ya expanding Ankara’s claims The city-state’s economy over a large gas-rich area of the grew 0.8 per cent between Octo- sea. ber and December from a year The city-state’s economy grew 0.8 per cent between October and December from a year earlier, while The 2,000-kilometre (1,200- earlier, while expanding at a expanding at a slower pace of 0.1 per cent from the July-September period on an annualized basis. mile) EastMed pipeline will be slower pace of 0.1 per cent from PHOTO: AFP able to transfer between nine the July-September period on an and 12 billion cubic metres a annualized basis. Singapore. “Our economy is and 2.5 per cent in 2020, while potential growth rate of about 2.5 year from offshore gas reserves In his New Year’s Eve mes- still growing, but less vigorously Irvin Seah, an economist at DBS per cent. “Signs of a turnaround between Israel and Cyprus to sage, Prime Minister Lee Hsien than we would like.” The ministry Group Research, is projecting 1.4 are emerging but recovery could Greece, and then on to Italy and Loong said a global economic last month forecast the economy per cent growth. Seah said his be weak,” the economist said. other southeastern European slowdown has already affected would grow between 0.5 per cent projection was below Singapore’s — Kyodo News countries. The discovery of hydro- carbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a Japan earmarks 1.8 bil. yen to boost promotion of sake scramble for the energy riches and a row between Cyprus and TOKYO — Japan has earmarked erages abroad, especially when fiscal 2020 starting in April and “The new office will assist Turkey, which occupies the north a combined 1.78 billion yen ($16 the country hosts the Olympics the remainder in the supplemen- companies in exporting alcoholic of the Mediterranean island. million) in the state budget for and Paralympics this year. tary budget for the current fiscal beverages by understanding their Greek Prime Minister Kyr- boosting promotion of sake and The total — of which 1.31 year to March — is seven times needs and passing on relevant iakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime other Japan-made alcoholic bev- billion yen is in the budget for larger than similar spending in information such as on sales Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the initial 2019 budget. routes, foreign buyers and other and Cypriot President Nicos An- As part of such efforts, the issues,” said Yui Nagahara, dep- astasiades were to sign the deal government is preparing to set uty director of the division. at 1630 GMT. up an office at the National Tax The office will also be tasked Turkey already faces Eu- Agency in July to better assist with negotiating with foreign ropean Union sanctions over companies in exporting sake and counterparts on lowering liq- ships searching for oil and gas domestically made wine and beer, uor taxes. Nagahara, who han- off Cyprus, whose government according to an agency official. dles issues related to exports of in Nicosia is not recognised by The office, to have a staff of Japanese alcoholic beverages Ankara. 18 within the agency’s Liquor Tax abroad, said the 470 million yen The EastMed project is ex- and Industry Division, will join in the fiscal 2019 extra budget pected to make Cyprus, Greece hands with the Japan External will be assigned to the National and Israel key links in Europe’s Trade Organization to promote Research Institute for Brewing energy supply chain. It aims to and strengthen the branding of for the development of new prod- stymie Turkey’s effort to extend Sake making in Wakayama, western Japan, pictured in November sake and other Japan-made al- ucts matching tastes overseas. its control to the eastern Medi- 2018. PHOTO: KYODO NEWS coholic drinks. — Kyodo News terranean.—AFP

CLAIMS DAY NOTICE CLAIMS DAY NOTICE CLAIMS DAY NOTICE MV OLYMPIA VOY.NO. (952W) MV HAI NAM 86 MV LONDON TRADER VOY.NO. (951S) Consignees of cargo carried on MV OLYMPIA Consignees of cargo carried on MV HAI NAM 86 Consignees of cargo carried on MV LONDON VOY.NO. (952W) are hereby notified that the vessel will VOY.NO. (1901) are hereby notified that the vessel will be TRADER VOY.NO. (951S) are hereby notified that the be arriving on 31-12-2019 and cargo will be discharged arriving on 31-12-2019 and cargo will be discharged into vessel will be arriving on 3-1-2020 and cargo will be into the premises of MITT/MIP where it will lie at the the premises of MITT-4 where it will lie at the consignee’s discharged into the premises of MITT/MIP where it will consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws risk and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions lie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the and conditions of the Port of Yangon. of the Port of Yangon. byelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon. Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 am to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now to 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm to Claim’s Day now declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo declared as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel. from the Vessel. from the Vessel. No claims against this vessel will be admitted after No claims against this vessel will be admitted after No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the Claims Day. the Claims Day. the Claims Day. SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENT MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY MYANMA PORT AUTHORITY AGENT FOR: M/S MCC TRANSPORT (S'PORE) AGENT FOR: M/S RK SHIPPING & TRADING AGENT FOR: M/S MCC TRANSPORT (S'PORE) PTE LTD PTE LTD PTE LTD Phone No: 2301185 Phone No: 2301928 Phone No: 2301185 3 JANUARY 2020 14 ASIA THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Taiwan’s military chief China’s national killed in chopper crash legislature to launch online TAIPEI — Taiwan’s military military official to die while on petition platform chief was killed in a helicopter official duty, the government said. crash on Thursday, the defence Lieutenant-general Tsao BEIJING — China’s National ministry said, just days before Ching-ping, one of five survivors, People’s Congress (NPC) will the island goes to polls to elect a told rescuers in footage broad- open an official online petition new president. cast on local TV: “I am okay... two platform to improve petitioning The chief of the general others are injured and only I can procedures, the general office staff, Shen Yi-ming, was among walk.” “There is one more person of the NPC standing committee, eight senior officers — including who’s more seriously wounded China’s top legislature, said on three major-generals — who died and two or three people in the Thursday. Aiming to make the when their Black Hawk helicop- cabin ... while two more with no online platform a major petition- ter smashed into mountains near signs of life.” ing channel, the NPC pledges Taipei. The 62-year-old gener- President Tsai Ing-wen’s to reply to and handle petition al and his entourage were on a office said that she will cancel letters online in a timely man- routine mission to visit soldiers all campaign activities for three ner. Petitioning, also known as in northeast Yilan county for the days after the tragedy. The ruling Rescuers searching for survivors after a military Black Hawk helicopter “letters and calls,” is China’s upcoming Lunar New Year when Democratic Progressive Party smashed into mountains in Yilan county near Taipei, killing the island’s administrative system for hear- the incident happened. will also suspend campaigning top military chief, Shen Yi-ming. PHOTO: AFP ing public complaints and griev- Flags at all military units will for three days. Tsai is seeking ances. Petitioners can log on to fly at half-mast for three days as a second term against Kaohsi- the Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan will also elect a new par- www.npc.gov.cn to submit their Shen was the highest-ranking ung city mayor Han Kuo-yu of the 11 January elections when liament.—AFP petitions.— Xinhua

Five other lawmakers may be Lebanon denies president welcomed fugitive Ghosn involved in casino-bribery scandal BEIRUT — The Lebanese caster NHK reported that the and Brazilian nationalities, was presidency on Thursday denied court in Tokyo had allowed sprung from his Tokyo residence TOKYO — An adviser to a Chi- resorts” comprising of casinos, reports that President Michel Ghosn to keep a second French in a musical instrument case -- a nese gambling operator under hotels and conference hall facili- Aoun had welcomed fugitive for- passport so long as it were kept story a source in his entourage investigation for allegedly bribing ties, the source said. mer Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn “in a locked case” with the key denied. Japanese lawmaker Tsukasa Aki- Some of the five belong to a upon his arrival in the country. held by his lawyers. How Ghosn was able to moto over a casino resort project cross-party group of lawmakers The French-Lebanese ty- The exact circumstances jump bail has led to a Japanese has told investigators that the dedicated to promoting interna- coon, who had been under house of Ghosn’s daring escape from investigation into what is seen as company also gave cash to an- tional tourism, according to the arrest in Japan over several Japan, where he had been re- an embarrassing security lapse. other five lawmakers, a source source. Speaking to Kyodo News, counts of financial misconduct, leased on bail in April pending Ghosn stands accused of familiar with the matter said one of the five lawmakers admit- escaped in mysterious circum- trial after 130 days in prison, re- deferring part of his salary un- Thursday. ted to meeting with Nakazato, a stances and arrived in Beirut main unclear, though colourful til after his retirement and con- Katsunori Nakazato, the former member of the Urasoe on Monday. rumours abound. cealing this from shareholders, adviser to 500.com Ltd., said he city assembly in Okinawa, with- Several media outlets re- One claim in the Lebanese as well as syphoning off millions handed 1 million yen ($9,200) each out knowing he was advising the ported that he had been greeted media is that the auto mogul, in Nissan cash for his own pur- to the five lawmakers around Sep- Chinese company. The lawmak- by Aoun but a senior presidency who holds Lebanese, French poses.—AFP tember 2017 when 3 million yen er also denied receiving “even a official denied the two men had was given to Akimoto, who as penny” in cash from the company, met. deputy minister was in charge adding it did not give donations “He was not received at the of overseeing government policy or buy tickets for political events. presidency and did not meet the on the introduction of “integrated —Kyodo News president,” the official told AFP. Ghosn flew in from Istanbul on a private jet and has since been reunited with friends and family. Ghosn said he would speak to the media next week. One of his lawyers in Lebanon, Carlos Abou Jaoude, said a date for the press conference had yet to be determined. He entered Lebanon on a French passport, according to Some Lebanese still see the fugitive former Nissan boss as a symbol of File photo shows a close-up of playing cards on a roulette table in airport documents seen by AFP. their country’s fabled entrepreneurial genius and a proud representative Cardiff, Britain. PHOTO: KYODO The public Japanese broad- of its vast diaspora . PHOTO: AFP Lightning strikes kill 95 people in Cambodia last year: spokesman

PHNOM PENH — Lightning thunderbolts injured 83 others to people’s awareness of pro- shelters when there is storm or from lightning strikes, Mekong strikes had claimed 95 lives during the January-December tecting themselves from being rain,” he told Xinhua. Accord- River and flash floods, that hit in Cambodia in 2019, down 14 period last year, said Keo Vy, struck by lightning. ing to the spokesman, lightning parts of the country in Septem- percent from 110 deaths in a the spokesman for the National “To avoid the dangers of strikes occur often during the ber, claimed 30 lives, as storms year earlier, a disaster control Committee for Disaster Man- lightning strikes, people, espe- rainy season from May to Oc- killed eight people and injured spokesman said on Thursday. agement. cially those living in rural ar- tober. 131 others last year, he said. Besides the fatalities, He attributed the decline eas, should stay in houses or In addition to the casualties — Xinhua 2 ; 52 PM

3 JANUARY 2020 THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR W0RLD 15 PM al-Mahdi assured safety of US personnel in Iraq: Michael Pompeo

WASHINGTON — Secretary cooperation to hold Iran and ducted by terrorists against the of State Michael Pompeo on its proxies responsible,” wrote US embassy in Baghdad.” Thursday said that Iraqi Prime Pompeo in a tweet. Moreover, State Depart- Minister Adel Abd al-Mahdi has Earlier in the day, US Secre- ment spokesperson Morgan assured security of US person- tary of State postponed his visit Ortagus apprised about the nel, amid violent protest outside to Ukraine, after its embassy in current development in Iraq, US embassy in Baghdad. Iraq was besieged by Shiite pro- saying, “The situation around “Spoke today with Iraqi testers after airstrikes in Iraq embassy in Baghdad has im- Prime Minister al-Mahdi, who and Syria. proved,” but that effort by Iraqi FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the media agreed that Iraq would continue Pompeo also said that legit- government security forces “to in the briefing room at the State Department, on 26 November, 2019, in to uphold its responsibility to imate efforts of Iraqi protesters clear militia members from the Washington, DC. PHOTO: AFP keep US personnel secure and since October last year against area immediately surrounding would move the Iran-backed at- corruption in Iraq should not the embassy continue.” dad, smashed windows, set fire to Iranian-backed Kataib Hez- tackers away from US Embas- be confused with “the Iranian Protesters broke into the to outbuildings following US air- bollah militia in Iraq and Syria. sy in Baghdad. We’ll continue regime orchestrated attack, con- US embassy compound in Bagh- strikes at five facilities linked — ANI

Turkey parliament to vote on Canadian military Libya military deployment police assigned Pokemon Go after ANKARA — Turkey’s parlia- cy Anadolu on Wednesday that ment was set to pass a bill on no date had yet been set. fans invade bases Thursday approving a military “We are ready. Our armed deployment to Libya, hoping it forces and our defence ministry MONTREAL — At least three will shore up the UN-backed are ready,” he said, adding that military police officers were or- government in Tripoli. parliamentary approval would dered to play Pokemon Go in Ca- The beleaguered Tripoli be valid for a year. He described nadian bases across the country, government has been under the parliament motion as a “po- after players invaded the facilities sustained attack since April by litical signal” aimed at deterring in a quest to catch them all. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Saud, President of Saudi Arabia’s General military strongman General Haftar’s army. “After it passes, The interlopers were not Sports Authority, speaking during a press conference in December about Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by if the other side changes its atti- foreign agents but fans of the the 2020 Dakar Rally. PHOTO: AFP Turkey’s regional rivals — Saudi tude and says, ‘OK, we are with- wildly popular Pokemon Go app Arabia, Egypt and the United drawing, we are abandoning our — launched in 2016 — trying to Saudi uses sports ‘soft Arab Emirates. offensive,’ then what should we capture as many of the game’s President Recep Tayyip go there for?” virtual characters as possible and power’ as lever of influence Erdogan’s office confirmed last A UN report in November even wandering into restricted Friday that a request for military said several countries were vio- army areas. support had been received from lating the arms embargo on Lib- A surge in the number of sus- RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s host- In 2019 the kingdom hosted a the Tripoli-based Government of ya in place since the overthrow pects being apprehended in the ing of the Dakar Rally this month heavyweight boxing rematch be- National Accord (GNA). of its long-time dictator Moamer summer after the game’s release is just the latest international tween Anthony Joshua and Andy No details have been given Kadhafi in 2011. Jordan and the puzzled the army, according to sporting event to take place in Ruiz, a Formula E motor race and on the scale of the potential de- UAE regularly supply Haftar’s internal documents obtained by the kingdom as part of a mul- a tennis exhibition tournament. ployment, and Vice-President forces, it said, while Turkey sup- Canadian public television chan- ti-billion-dollar push to boost its Women’s wrestling, some- Fuat Oktay told state news agen- ports the GNA. — AFP nel CBC. battered global image. what toned down from its usual “Plse advise the Commis- In recent months the ul- razzmatazz, also made its debut sionaires that apparently Fort tra-conservative kingdom — un- in a nation where such events Frontenac is both a PokeGym der fire over human rights abuses were once unthinkable. and a PokeStop,” Major Jeff — has accelerated investment in In December, Cristiano Ron- Monaghan at Canadian Forces sports, mirroring a longstanding aldo and his Juventus teammates Base Kingston wrote. strategy adopted by regional pow- took to the pitch at the King Saud “I will be completely honest ers, the United Arab Emirates University Stadium in Riyadh for in that I have not idea what that and Qatar. the Italian Super Cup. is,” he said in a message among Saudi Arabia is seeking to And in January, a Barcelona the nearly 500 pages of military use glitzy sporting extravaganzas side featuring Lionel Messi will documents obtained by CBC as an instrument of soft power in appear in the Spanish Super Cup, under an access to information its push for regional supremacy two months after the Argentine request. At least three military as well as to project a moderate superstar played his first match police officers, at different bas- image of a country long seen as on Saudi soil in a friendly encoun- A fighter loyal to the internationally recognised Libyan Government of es across the country, were as- an exporter of jihadist ideology. ter against Brazil.— AFP National Accord. PHOTO: AFP signed to wander around army facilities with phones and note- books in hand to search for vir- Tunisia’s PM-designate submits proposed cabinet to president tual Pokemon infrastructure and characters. TUNIS — Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Habib Jemli said on The government will be submitted to parliament for a vote of “We should almost hire a Wednesday that he had offered the lineup of his new government confidence. 12-year-old to help us out with to President Kais Saied. It has to obtain a majority of 109 out of a total of 217 possible this,” wrote security expert Da- “The names of the government ministers will be announced votes. On 23 December, Jemli announced he would form a gov- vid Levenick at CFB Borden in to the public on Thursday,” Jemli said during a press conference ernment of independent ministers who do not represent political Ontario, 100 kilometers (60 miles) in the capital city of Tunis. parties.—Xinhua northwest of Toronto.— AFP 3 JANUARY 2020 16 SPORT THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR World Lethwei Championship: Battlebones Fight planned in Yangon on 31 Jan

A special event titled ‘Battlebones Lua of Viet Nam. In the men’s Fight’ will be organized as part of welterweight class, Myanmar’s the World Lethwei Championship Saw Kaung Htet will face Italian on 31 January at the Theinbyu fighter Samuel Toscano. In the Indoor Stadium in Yangon. men’s lightweight event, Hein Tun The event will have men’s Aung of Myanmar will fight with and women’s bouts, featuring Cambodian fighter Em Sothy. Myanma lethwei fighters versus In another men’s welter- foreign fighters. The competitors weight event, Myanmar fighter will use the fighting style of Myan- Thar Win Tun will fight with an- ma traditional lethwei, including other Myanmar fighter Eh Mwe. various clinching techniques. All In another lightweight event, the fights will be bare-knuckled, Lin Htet Naing of Myanmar will without gloves, with only tape and take on Zin Bo of Myanmar. Tick- gauze allowed on the hands of the ets for the lethwei event will be fighters. In the main event, the priced at K10,000, K15,000, and men’s middleweight class, My- K30,000, and advance tickets anmar lethwei star Too Too will will be available for K15,000 and fight against Naimoin Tuhtaboven K30,000 only from 13 January of Uzbekistan and can be booked on the phone In the women’s Bantam- number—09-775100100, according weight class, Souris Manfredi to the World Lethwei Champion- of France will take on Tran Thi ship.—Lynn Thit (Tgi) Myanmar Futsal League half season Myanmar men’s concludes with VUC in the lead national football team gets new assistant coach THE Myanmar men’s national from the MFF. football team has found a new U Min Tun Lin was found assistant coach, according to a to be the most suitable candi- statement issued by the Myan- date for the position of assis- mar Football Federation. The tant coach for the Myanmar new assistant coach, U Min national team, said officials Tun Lin, has been signed on a from the football federation. two-year contract. U Min Tun Lin is the for- With team Myanmar mer coach of Myanmar Nation- scheduled to face Japan on al League football club Zweka- 26 March and Kyrgyzstan on pin United F.C. and he holds an 31 March as part of the 2022 Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers, head (AFC) Grade A License. coach Antonio Hey had asked U Min Tun Lin helped the the MFF authorities to hire a Zwekapin United claim the new assistant coach to help third place in the 2018 edi- the team shape a good result tion of the Myanmar National in the qualifiers, said a source League.—Lynn Thit (Tgi)

A VUC F.C. player attempts to get the ball past a Winner F.C. player during an earlier Myanmar Futsal League match. PHOTO: MFF FUTSAL

THE Myanmar Futsal League with the same points, but a Twelve teams competed reached the end of the half goal difference. in the first season of the tour- season with the conclusion The GV F.C. is in the third ney, with the VUC F.C. scoring of the Week-11 matches. The position with 27 points from 9 the most goals in the futsal Victoria University Futsal wins and two losses. league half season. Club is currently leading the On Doctor F.C. is in the The team has so far net- table with 31 points from 10 fourth place with 22 points ted 99 goals. wins and one draw out of 11 from 7 wins, one draw, and The top scorer is Rena- matches played. three losses, and Winner F.C. to from MIU F.C., who has The Myanmar Imperial is fifth, with one point less scored 31 goals.—Lynn Thit U Min Tun Lin (L) accepts the contract for assistant coach from MFF general secretary U Ko Ko Thein. PHOTO: MFF University (MIU) F.C. is next, than On Doctor F.C. (Tgi)