Government
National government
Myanmar President to meet political parties on 15 November
President U Thein Sein has called political parties to a meeting in Yangon on 15 November to discuss the post-election political situation, party sources say. U Nay Min Kyaw, secretary of National Democratic Force (NDF), said that an invitation letter sent to the party stated that ...
Myanmar government rejects key human rights recommendations
Human rights groups at the United Nations and in Myanmar are hopeful the incoming government will radically change the country’s attitude to protecting human rights, after representatives for Naypyidaw rejected a large number of proposed human rights reform made under the Universal Period Review process. The ...
NLD wins absolute majority in parliament
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has secured an absolute majority in the combined houses of parliament which guarantees her party has the numbers to secure her choice of the next president. Official results posted by the Union Election Commission at noon on ...
Business leaders see brighter future in NLD win
Business leaders have welcomed the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) thumping victory in the 8 November election, saying the opposition is well poised to drive economic growth when it forms the next government in March. Industry insiders say that the change of government is certain to lead ...
NLD leader seeks talks on transition
Myanmar’s president and the Tatmadaw commander-in-chief have congratulated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her party’s election victory and agreed to her request to hold talks following the crushing defeat of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. Expressing his intention to cooperate with the opposition National ...
Myanmar's election good for ASEAN: Surin
The November 8 election in Myanmar marked a good start for the country as well as Asean, said Surin Pitsuwan, former secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Keep reading ...
Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia to ease visa rules for Chinese
Three of China’s neighbors in Southeast Asia are further easing their visa regimes to attract more Chinese tourists. Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance announced move to lower Chinese visitors’ visa-application fees in a new step to boost its tourism. Starting from 23 November, Chinese tourists’ visa fees ...
Myanmar polls a success: international observers
Despite criticism of Myanmar’s “flawed” constitutional framework, international observers on 10 November gave a largely positive appraisal of the elections, commending a well-run election day while highlighting major issues such as an opaque system of advance voting. The Carter Center, the Asian Network for Free Elections, and ...
Myanmar Government accepts offer for talks
The Myanmar government has agreed to a request from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to meet for “national reconciliation” talks, a spokesperson said. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 10 November wrote to President U Thein Sein, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann and Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief ...
President congratulates NLD, promises peaceful power transfer
President U Thein Sein has congratulated the National League for Democracy on its landslide victory in the 8 November vote and promised a peaceful transfer of power, the party said. The NLD said in a statement this afternoon that Minister for Information U Ye Htut, a ...