Advance voting of Myanmar citizens started in South Africa and the Nanning city of China yesterday.

Nine eligible voters cast their votes at the Myanmar Embassy in Pretoria of South Africa and 17 persons at the Myanmar Consulate-General in Nanning city of China.

Moreover, Myanmar people continued advance voting, with 791 persons in Bangkok of Thailand, 71 in Cairo of Egypt, over 1,700 persons in Singapore, 93 persons in Seoul of the Republic of Korea and 402 persons in Tokyo of Japan.

More advance voting stations will be set up at Myanmar Embassy in New Delhi of India and at Myanmar Consulate-General in Kunming city of China on 8 October, and at Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia and in Nagoya city of Japan on 9 October respectively.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than and government officials presented cash donations to the National-Level Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 through Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe yesterday.

At the donation ceremony, the Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker said that the cash contribution was aimed to support the containment measures of COVID-19 and to honour the health workers in front-line of the measures.

Deputy Minister for Planning, Finance and Industry U Maung Maung Win explained the donation from the staff members of his ministry who also took part in adopting the COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan, in the process of getting international loans, relaxing financial rules in the government’s response to the pandemic, extension of budget expenditure period, production of ambulance cars, medicines and personal protective equipment from the factories under the ministry. Director-General Dr Sai Kyaw Naing Oo from the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training talked about the volunteer services of teachers under the department and production of robot trolley, and the cash donation was to honour health workers in fight against the pandemic.

Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe expressed thanks for the donations, and explained the activities of ministry, effective use of funds and cooperation with the relevant organizations.

Then, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than donated K5 million, Deputy Ministers U Maung Maung Win and U Sett Aung K70.5 million on behalf of the ministry’s staff and Director-General of DTVET Dr Sai Kyaw Naing Oo K27 million representing teachers of the department.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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The Ministry of Commerce held a videoconference with the Yangon Region government, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and its associate organizations yesterday for the smooth flow and stable prices of commodities.

At the meeting, Union Minister Dr Than Myint confirmed sufficient fundamental commodities such as rice, cooking oil, beans and onion for the whole country during COVID-19 crisis, based on the data collected by the ministry.

He also said that the commodities are still flowing in and out of the Yangon Region despite some difficulties in the processes, and the ministry is coordinating with the Yangon Region government for the regular flow of goods and the stability of prices.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein explained the coordination of his government and relevant organizations in transportation of goods for 44 townships in the region, stability of prices, using COVID-19 test kits for truck drivers and their mates, the use of Yangon-Mandalay highway in line with the directives of Ministry of Construction, the government-to-government discussions for using test kits and the trade between the business-to-businesses.

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The Ministry of Education yesterday morning organized a virtual event celebrating the World Teachers’ Day, which falls on 5 October.

During the event, the Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi said that the development of a country largely depends on the development of the education sector of that country, so the role of teachers is very significant.

He stressed that teachers can also provide leadership in trying to overcome various problems of the world, including the impacts of pandemic, by sharing knowledge. Teachers can shape the future of a country, he said.

Nowadays, the world faces various challenges such as economic issues, rapid changes of technology, uncertainties, climate changes and other natural disasters. One of the greatest challenges that the world is facing now is COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affected people’s health, economies and the entire society. During the event, the Union Minister pointed out that the COVID-19 crisis also affected educational systems worldwide.

He said that teachers from various fields in Myanmar will have to lead in responding to the COVID-19 related impacts on the education sector, and in shaping the future. He also highlighted the theme of 2020 World Teachers’ Day “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future” and said that teachers’ efforts can be good examples to the people.

He said that education will have a crucial role in rehabilitating various sectors of the country in the post COVID-19 period. He said that teachers, who will shape the country, need to be healthy and have great capabilities.

During the event, he also reiterated what State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said in a forum on educational development in December 2018 by saying that teachers, who perform a key role in education, need to be very knowledgeable about their relevant fields and need to have goodwill.

Regarding showing good examples and providing effective leadership, the Union Minister said that teachers should be mentors for students not only in schools but also outside classrooms. He said that the Ministry will help all stakeholders to arrange various learning systems including “face-to-face learning, online learning, offline learning, and blended learning” systems.

The Union Minister said that the Ministry’s Education Channel will broadcast TV lessons and Myanmar Digital Education Platform will provide online lessons. Those who cannot access the Internet will be given DBE Boxes, which consists of teaching and learning contents in various formats such as videos, short stories, poems and illustrated materials, according to the Union Minister, who added that the Ministry will also cooperate with MRTV and privately-owned TV stations to deliver TV lecturers, in which teachers will have a key role.

He also highlighted the need to provide 21st Century skills to students, the need to nurture them and the need to create jobs for them.

During the ceremony, Secretary General of Myanmar National Commission for UNESCO Dr Kyi Shwin read the joint message sent by five UN organizations, and Myanmar Teachers’ Federation chairperson Dr Sai Khaing Myo Tun read the message of his federation.

On World Teachers’ Day, the Ministry of Education annually presents awards for honourable teachers, those who took no leave for 25 years and above, and those who had worked in difficult locations. As for this year, Education Research, Planning and Training Department Director-General Dr Win Tun presented the activities of the 14 honourable teachers, and announced the names of the six teachers who took no leave for 25 years and the 55 teachers who had worked in difficult locations in the Rakhine State.

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THE MINISTRY of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement hosted a virtual meeting on drafting of work plan for civics and decent citizens which is a priority of National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020- 2024) on 2 October.

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye, in his capacity as Chairperson of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee, Deputy Minister U Soe Aung, Permanent Secretary, Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General, officials of the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, Union Civil Service Board, Anti-Corruption Commission, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, National Reconciliation and Peace Centre and young members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee joined the meeting.

The Union Minister said that implementation of youth policy strategic plan (2020- 2024), which was already approved, will begin in 2020-2024 FY.

All people cooperatively need to fight against COVID-19, and the ministry is also largely participating in COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment processes.

 Youths including Nay Pyi Taw Council/State/Region youth affairs committees are working on implementation of the strategic plan, he added, saying that not only three responsible Union Ministries but also departments concerned need to cooperate in the process.

He called for participation of civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN organizations and experts in drawing up of policy and strategic plan.

There are 16 procedures in the strategic plan, and it is important to nurture new youth generations. The Ministry of Education plays a crucial role in implementing the strategic plan.

There are six strategies in one sector. Strategy 1 is adopting teaching methods for civics curriculum that based on the values of human rights, democratic norms and federalism.

The ministry will cooperate with relevant ministries including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs to add in long-term curriculum plans.

Strategy 2 is about teaching – which includes conducting training for out-of-school youths, trainings that can bear benefits during stay-at home period, teaching youths in wards and villages and cooperation with youth affairs committees.

Strategy 3 emphasizes on conducting educating programmes for the emergence of youths in full of responsibility and accountability.

The youth affairs committees should lead for the participation of young ethnic people. The Human Rights Commission, civil organizations and international organizations should hold online roundtable talk for the people to know the democratic norms. But it will need technological support.

Strategy 4 states to create programmes for the volunteering sprit among the young people while Strategy 5 focuses on participation of young people in altruism sectors. Nowadays, Myanmar young people actively participate in volunteering processes.

Strategy 6 is to develop the mindset of young staff to actively perform in their works and to implement programmes to practise good habits without any corruption in workplaces by understanding well the democratic norms and federalism. The Union Minister also called on the attendees to participate in discussion to implement these six strategic plans.

Director-General of Social Welfare Department reported on budget allocation, expenses, programmes for youths affairs and drafted work plans.

Officials from relevant Union Ministries and organizations, and members of Myanmar Youth Affairs Committee also gave suggestions for drawing up of work plan for civics and decent citizens which is a priority of National Strategic Plan for Youth Policy (2020-2024).

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

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UNION Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint joined the Digital Media Trends and Opportunities Webinar organized by the formation committee on Myanmar Digital Media Association yesterday.

The discussion was taken part by Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun, Permanent Secretary U Myo Myint Maung, departmental heads, the committee members, media personnel and some other enthusiasts of digital media.

In delivering opening remark, the Union Minister expressed his appreciation for the efforts of leading persons at the committee and the speakers for sharing knowledge at the event.

He also remarked that it was expected more experts and media enthusiasts could join the future works after they realized the objectives of the committee.

U Thaung Su Nyein, the chairman of formation committee, made an opening remark, talking about the 2020 General Election and the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar as both issues are largely concerned with the media personnel.

He continued the background reasons for forming an association to promote and protect the rights of digital media producers and its users, adding that the committee was set up on 1 September and it will invite more members for digital media development in Myanmar.

U Ko Ko (Ko Ko-YIT), vice-chairman of committee, discussed the topic of ‘Digital Media Guide to Work-fromHome that explained the need of a balance between comfort and professionalism in this working style, skills in using mobile applications for management in the works, media equipment, quality productions and media ethics.

U Min Swe Hlaing, the secretary of committee, presented the topic of ‘Digital Media Monetization Opportunities & Challenges’ on the importance of content and production in digital media based on the changing trend and figures of mobile phone users, internet users, social internet users, and number of viewers.

He also talked about international trends in producing quality content and effective distribution, monthly-payment of viewers, relations between advertisement on digital media and E-commerce, income sources of digital media, and difficulties in getting incomes through Facebook and Youtube.

The questions of Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun and online participants were answered by U Thaung Su Nyein, U Min Swe Hlaing and Acting Director-General U Aye Kywe from the Information and Public Relations Department.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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National United Democratic Party Chairman U Sein Win presented party’s policy, stance and work programmes through radio and TV on 2 October.

Greetings esteemed people and farmers.

I am Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party (N.U.D), and I will be contesting for the Pyithu Hluttaw seat of Lewe constituency.

Party’s policies, work programmes

I will summarize our party’s policies and work programmes. We are a party for the farmers formed with farmers, labourers and experts. The farmers and residents of rural areas must be prosperous to elevate their living standards, and the right people with the right skills need to be appointed to suitable positions for actual changes and development to take place.

We are the only party who will bring about the formation of a farmers’ union to freely bring development and protection of the rights of farmers in rural areas who make up 70% of Myanmar’s population.

We will lay the foundation for improving the agricultural, livestock and fishery sector and raise the national economy. We will prioritize rural development. We will strive for a Constitution that promises a Federal Democratic Union.

We will create jobs so that migrant workers can return home and find employment. We will prevent exploitation and waste of natural resources and set regulations that benefit local people.

We will find peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts and issues with armed organizations. We will work together with experts and ethnic leaders and representatives of the people in agriculture, business, education, healthcare, and ethnic affairs.

N.U.D party will pursue legal routes to prevent losses when resolving unfair land confiscation cases.

We will focus on the issue of low sources of investment for farmers, providing them with farming machinery, getting connected to a water supply and proper use of water, enabling them to produce high-quality products, protection from climate change, and acquiring guarantees for market share and acceptable prices for their products.

N.U.D party will always respect the ideals of Galon Sayar San, Thakin Poe Hla Gyi and Bo Aung Kyaw and strive to implement their objectives as appropriate.

Our party will have 15 candidates contesting for seats in the following ten townships: Mogok, PyinOoLwin, Myittar, Pyinmana, Zabuthiri, Dekkhinathiri, Lewe, Yedashe, Maubin and Kyaiklat.

While our party may not currently have the strength to form a government, we will bravely carry out our duties in the Hluttaw to bring about a clean and good government with the available power we have. Thus, we request you to vote for our party representatives if you think they have the required qualities.

1. To bring the rural residents out of poverty

2. To assist people in reclaiming unfairly-confiscated-land

3. To work hand-in-hand with experts and professionals

4. To practise correctness about people, place, duties, systems, ethics, spirit, and action,

Vote for N.U.D.

We have successfully helped people of Lewe Township reclaim confiscated land in Ayelar, Thaekawgyi, Thawmawgone, Kyaungyi, Kuthabeik, Ayechantha, Pyanchi, Nyaung Motesate, Yaykar, Bogadaw, and Hsipaing.

We worked together with residents of Kyogone and Theyetgone and found solutions to acquiring dam water.

We helped with getting Form-7 for forest space in Zali Nghat Gyi Taung, Thit Kyein, Sanpya and Bogadaw.

We also helped with matters related to trade, road networks, Theyetgone, electricity, Kyogone, and national registration. We helped with all requests from all regions of Myanmar.

We helped Lisu people in Mogok Township get 1,600 national registration cards, and we are cooperating in reclaiming confiscated land in PyinOoLwin and across Myanmar.

We have taken matters relating to regional development, roads, bridges, electricity and schools from respective townships and submitted them as non-asterisk-marked questions in the Hluttaw.

I have served as the Chairman of the farmers, workers and youth affairs committee from 2015 to 2016.

We have submitted proposals to the Hluttaw regarding food reserve, lending short-term and long-term loans to prevent farmers from selling draught animals, crop prices and market share, and forming a market system for farmers. However, we were unsuccessful because we didn’t have enough strength in the Hluttaw. We need representatives for farmers in the Hluttaw.

As a Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Maubin, I participated in the 4th stage of amending 420 articles in the Constitution.

N.U.D party has made several statements in the Hluttaw:

• (11-7-2012, Pyithu Hluttaw) There needs to be peace at the village level for development at the township level, which will, in turn, drive national growth. That is why we need to develop the village first.

• (13-7-2012, Pyithu Hluttaw) For the development of the national economy, it’s crucial to have a sound system between the people in administration and the people under administration. If there isn’t a proper system between the government and the people, it doesn’t matter if America or even three other countries come to our aid, we will still be in poverty.

• (13-2-2013, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) We need to implement clear and precise work programmes concerning how we will handle the benefits, interests and opportunities of farmers.

• (13-2-2013, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) A democratic government needs to give back the unfairly-confiscated-land and offer compensation. You cannot safely allow the tiger to herd the cattle.

• (17-1-2014, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) In terms of a democratic agricultural perspective, the roots must spread wide for the trunk to grow well. Many branches will grow on a strong trunk and produce as many fruits. We need to work hard to develop the fruits of democracy.

• (23-9-2014, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) The farmers who’ve had their land confiscated are now like crows staring at a spirit offering; their time wasted.

• (8-2-2018, Pyithu Hluttaw) Successive governments across multiple systems through the years have shouted for ‘changing traditional farming to industrial farming’ for nearly 50 years. However, there is still no practical implementation with the situation as unchanged as ever.

In conclusion, N.U.D party is formed with honesty, purity and reasonable beliefs to establish a Federal Democratic Union through cooperation with farmers and workers from rural areas and experts. Indeed, we are a farmers’ party. We will produce tangible results and match our words with our action. We are resolving the unfair-land-confiscation problems as well. If you want to vote for us, put a tick beside the khaki-earth flag with the full moon and farmer image.

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The relief flights of Myanmar Airways International and Myanmar National Airlines landed at the Yangon International Airport yesterday bringing back a total of 201 Myanmar citizensstranded in Cambodia and Singapore.

Fifty-four Myanmar citizens were taken by the second relief of MAI from Cambodia, and 147 citizens by 20th relief flight of MNA.

The relief flights were organized by the Myanmar embassies in these countries.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the Ministry of Health and Sports and the Yangon Region government arranged 14-day quarantine at specific places or designated hotels, followed by the 7-day home quarantine.

To bring back the Myanmar citizens who are stranded in foreign countries by relief flights and chartered flights in accordance with the instructions from National-Level Central Committee on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cooperated with the relevant ministries and Myanmar embassies from respective countries and brought back a total of 17,640 citizens to date.

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

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Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye gave a speech for the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held online on 1 October during the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which was first organized in China in 1995. It was held under the topic of gender equality and empowerment women worldwide.

In his remarks, the Union Minister said that all the world countries face many challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar also conduct COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities while carrying out the transition processes into democracy system, the participation of women in transition processes for democracy system including peace processes, prohibition of gender discrimination according to the Union Accord as part of peace processes, 30 per cent of women participation in each sectors, drafting policies to prevent gender based violence and agreements to promote women›s abilities.

Myanmar is working hard to promote gender equality and protect vulnerable groups in some ways by stipulating laws and policies and 11 women organizations are serving for the women affairs in active ways under the instruction of Myanmar National Committee on Women Affairs with 2013-2022 National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women.

He continued saying that the Prevention and Protection of Violence against Women Bill was submitted to the Hluttaw, and the country also carries out to approve the action plan (bill) to prevent and protect the violence against women in conflict areas. The government also conducts response activities for all inclusive of women and girls in vulnerable groups and uses K2.1billion to help the people at IDP camps by making COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Treatment Plan.

He also pledged that the country will continue carrying out for the gender equality and empowerment of women while adopting CERP for economic impacts including rehabilitation processes.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

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The Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security under the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Information jointly held cyber security awareness talks via videoconferencing yesterday morning.

The online event was attended by Union Minister Dr Pe Myint, Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun and departmental heads, officials from the Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security and the National Cyber Security Centre, those from the Union level organizations, the ministries, chief information officers from region/state governments, vice-rectors, deans and tutors from the technology universities and computer universities, representatives from communication operators and internet service companies, and staff members and officers from the Ministry of Information.

In his opening remark, Union Minister Dr Pe Myint talked about the importance of cyber security for internet users, prevention of damages to hardware and software for information security, the emergence of ‘new media’ with the development of ICT, and upgrade of media platforms to meet new modern technologies.

He also explained studies, discussions and exchange of knowledge of new technologies in media at the MoI departments this year by inviting experts in this sector.

U Sai Saw Lin, Acting Director-General of Department of Information Technology and Cyber Security, discussed the information theft and damage in cyber attacks across the world, disclosure of secret information to destroy dignity of the organizations under the attacks, hacking the websites of government ministries, private companies and online shopping, increasing cyber attacks and abuses during COVID-19 crisis, organizing annual events of Myanmar Cyber Security Challenge since 2015, participating in international cyber security contests, and more effective cooperation in security issues among the relevant organizations.

Officials then held talks on the topics about the Cyber Security Policy & Legal Framework Development, the Role of Cyber Security in Government Organization, the PlugX RAT, CobaltStrike and Mustang Panda, the Learn about Ransomware attacks in Myanmar and how to prevent them, the SIEM Platform Introduction, the Email Security Introduction, and the Approach to Hardening of Individual Host -Host Security.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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