MONGLA Special Region (4) donated K100 million to the Peace Commission to be used in the COVID-19 treatment, yesterday morning in the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre in Yangon.

At the donation ceremony, Chairman of the Peace Commission Dr Tin Myo Win said Myanmar has the third-highest COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia, and it is the time for every citizen to take responsibility for the treatment and containment of the disease. He added the donation by the Mongla Special Region (4) is the necessary help during the crisis and helping to fight against the disease is also the act of peacemaking by the Commission.

Representative for the Mongla Special Region (4) U Kyaw Kyaw handed over the donation to the Chairman of the Commission and received the certificate of honour.

The ceremony was also attended by the officials from the Peace Commission and the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The Peace Commission has donated a total of 19,320 of PPE level-2 surgical gowns, 109,500 surgical masks, 36 sets of powered air-purifying respirator and K162 million cash assistance to the public hospitals and military hospitals in Kayin State, Rakhine State, Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon Region. The Commission will continue to donate the COVID-19 devices to the Yangon General Hospital, North Okkalapa General Hospital, Waibergi Hospital, Muslim Free Hospital, No (1) Military General Hospital, Military Orthopaedic Specialist Hospital and General Hospital in Nay Pyi Taw.

— Ye Khaung Nyunt

Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

A ceremony to mark the 72nd International Human Rights Day was held virtually yesterday morning.

Chairman of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission U Hla Myint read the President’s message.

Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye and the Chairman of Commission delivered speeches at the event.

After presenting an animation jointly created by the MNHRC and the Good Neighbour International (GNI), Mrs Dawn Del Rio, on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative (Myanmar) of UNDP and U Aung Myo Min, the Executive Director of Equality Myanmar, delivered commemorative remarks on occasion.

Prizes were also awarded to the winners in the contests of poems and articles about the event.

Awards were given to the winners in the short film contests organized by the MNHRC and the Alliance Myanmar.

The ceremony was concluded after the staff members of commission sang the song titled ‘Human Rights for All’, composed by Di Ra Mo, which was initially sung by vocalists Aung Htet and Jewel.

—MNA

Translated by Aung Khin

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

MYANAMAR delegation led by Director-General of Social Security Board virtually joined the 37th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting hosted by Cambodia on 9 December.

During the meeting, Director-General for National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Mr Ouk Samvithyea of Cambodia, Managing Director for Employee Trust Fund (ETF) Mr Haji Omar bin Mohd. Dali of Brunei Darussalam and Chairman for NSSF Governing Body Dr Ith Samheng, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia respectively made an opening speech.

The leaders held Recognition Award given ceremony and Myanmar Social Security Board won “Continuous Improvement Recognition Award” with the topic of “The preparation and attempting of SSB, Myanmar for Continuous Improvement”.

 Then, the ASSA Good Practices Session was held and PowerPoint presentation under the topic “Coverage Expansion and Progress of NSSF”, was made by Cambodia, while “Implementation of Health Insurance for Workers in Informal Economy” by the Philippines, ‘Efficiency Communications’’ by Thailand, “Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers” by the Philippines, “Implementation of Pension Scheme for Private Sector” by Viet Nam and “Gig Workers through Platform Providers” by Malaysia.

The Plenary Session of the meeting was held and ASS Secretary-General of Cambodia NSSF and Director of NSSF’s Policy Division Mr Heng Sophannarith made closing remarks.

—MNA

Translated by Khine Thazin Han

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE Ministry of Education organized a virtual meeting on National Education Strategic Plan 2021-2030 yesterday.

Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Deputy Minister U Win Maw Tun, the Permanent Secretary, the Directors-General, the Deputy Directors-General, and those who are from private education sector participated in the meeting.

At the event, the Union Minister said that the government was making more investments in education and supporting technologies and infrastructure buildings, prioritizing the least-developed regions.

The ministry is undertaking the works focusing on promoting safe, healthy, and quality learning opportunities for the students. The NESP 2021-2030 was drawn up to raise the students’ IQ and EQ levels, to meet 21st-century skills that lead to world decent human being spirit, cooperation, responsibility, accountability and creativity and to learn with high technologies.

Results frameworks were included in the strategic plan, and analysis will be made to meet short-term, middle-term and long-term indexes, he said stressing the importance of cooperation from students, teachers, parents and guardians including ethnic parents and nationals.

He added that it is important to increase life-long learning opportunities in accordance with national education framework in the reform of education to get very high skills.

Only quality education and very high skills will guarantee employment. The teaching of private schools should include theories, practical and job internships, he said.

Training of teachers are being organized not only for the teachers of government schools but also for the teachers of private schools, he said calling for the implementation of credit transfer system so that students can easily join international schools and cooperation on implementation of the works that lead to quality education.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Director-General of Basic Education Department, Director-General of Department of Technical, Vocational Education and Training, and Director-General of Higher Education made discussion about the National Education Strategic Plan 2021-2030, followed by the discussions of the attendees.

— MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

I wish all of the participants who attend the International Anti-Corruption Day ceremony today, including the President, the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Union Ministers, Attorney-General of the Union, Auditor-General of the Union, Region/State Chief Ministers, Anti-Corruption Commission acting Chairperson and members, government officials, UN Resident Coordinator for Myanmar, UNDP and UNODC officials, NGOs working for anti-corruption, representatives from the private sector and civil society, happy and wealthy.

The three integral parts of the sovereignty of the country are Legislative power, Executive power, and Judicial power, and courts and judges have the judicial authority. Only if courts and judges are able to resolve the cases of the citizens in a fair manner in accordance with the laws without being involved in corruption, they will earn the trust of the citizens.

Only if the judiciary is fair, impartial and independent, the principles of the judiciary will be upheld, and the rule of law will be achieved in the society. Only if the judiciary in the country is strong and proper, the citizens will be able to enjoy the fundamental rights such as justice, freedom and equality.

In accordance with the Supreme Court of the Union’s theme “Towards Progressive Justice for All”, we aim to provide high-quality justice to all and promote public trust and the rule of law. We are carrying out our judicial duties with the aim of securing the rule of law, achieving community peace, making the judiciary more trustable, handling cases promptly in accordance with the laws, and enhancing the dignity of the courts.

To increase public trust in the judiciary and to maintain the dignity of the judiciary, the judges, both individually and collectively, must adhere to judicial ethics such as equality, diligence, impartiality, honesty, and integrity. All judicial bodies, law officers and lawyers also need to respect the code of ethics. Then, with the support of all stakeholders in the judiciary, public trust, the rule of law and development will be achieved.

Only if the rule of law prevails in the country in full swing, the values such as justice, freedom and equality will be maintained. In a democratic society, the judiciary has important duties for the prevalence of the rule of law, and effectively protect fundamental rights and human rights of the citizens. So, the judiciary must be independent, fair and accountable, and we need to make it clear that we are doing so.

We issued annual judicial reports with the aim of making the judicial process more transparent and accountable, increasing the capacity of the courts, and informing the public about the reform of the judiciary. So, not only those involved in the judiciary but also the general public can understand the judicial processes. That shows the judicial sector is accountable.

In performing judicial duties, judicial officials need to be independent, fair, honest and diligent. They need to ensure quality and maintain dignity. Things that will sustain a country’s judiciary are independence of the court, judges’ integrity, and impartiality and effectiveness of court processes that the general public can trust. Corruption undermines the freedom of the judiciary, impartiality and integrity. Corruption also undermines public trust in the judiciary as a whole.

Timely implementation of court proceedings, accuracy, fairness, impartiality, and being free from corruption are essential in order to improve the judiciary. So, in conclusion, I would like to urge the judges, courts, judicial bodies, law officers, lawyers, the general public and media to collaboratively work in a balanced manner in order to maintain the integrity of the judiciary, establish an impartial, corruption-free and trustable judicial system.

Translated by Maung Maung Swe

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE relief flight of All Nippon Airways, organized by the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, landed at Yangon International Airport bringing 157 Myanmar nationals back home yesterday.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries to bring back Myanmar citizens stranded abroad in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, and it has organized 15 relief flights from Japan to date.

—MNA

Translated by Khine Thazin Han

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

THE fifth Director-General Level Bilateral Meeting between Myanmar and India on Drug Control Cooperation was held virtually yesterday.

Myanmar delegation led by Police Brig- Gen Win Naing, Joint Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Commander of Drug Enforcement Division, Myanmar, and Indian delegation led by Mr Rakesh Asthana, Director-General, Narcotics Control Bureau, participated in the meeting via videoconferencing.

At the event, Police BrigGen Win Naing said that the meeting on drug control cooperation was held virtually because of the pandemic.

Drug dealers, taking the pandemic as an opportunity, were doing more drug production and trafficking, and opium cultivation and opium production became a major problem for the region, he said.

He added that stimulant tablets and ICE methamphetamine problems became worsen with wider drug market and involvement of cross-border organized criminals in the trafficking.

Suggestions for the future and good experiences of Myanmar’s CCDAC and India’s NCB will help overcome problems facing, he added saying that Myanmar is ready for cooperation with world countries, regional organizations and international organizations on the fight against drug trafficking.

He also urged the delegates of the two countries to openly discuss the matters relating to drug control for the benefits of the two nations.

Leader of the Indian delegation Mr Rakesh Asthana made remarks at the meeting.

The meeting discussed bilateral drug control cooperation, implementation of decisions made in fourth meeting, bilateral cooperation on illegal opium trafficking, illegal trading of amphetamines, capacity building training for drug control members of Myanmar Police Force, and control of illicit drug trafficking routes.

They also detailed about monitoring of opium fields via satellites, exchange of information if the nationals of the two countries are arrested, and location and date for the sixth meeting on drug control cooperation.

—MNA

Translated by Kyaw Zin Tun

Photo: MNA

#The Global New Light Of Myanmar

A relief flight of Myanmar Airways International (MAI) organized by Myanmar Embassy in Seoul brought 93 Myanmar nationals via Incheon International Airport yesterday.

The returnees on the flight were 73 from the Republic of Korea, 2 from Switzerland, 4 from Indonesia, 1 from South Africa, 2 from Belgium, 5 from Qatar, 1 from Canada and 5 from the US.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working with Myanmar embassies in foreign countries and local ministries to bring back Myanmar citizens stranded abroad in accordance with the guidance of the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19, and it has organized 34 relief flights from the ROK to date.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

THE second-day meeting on amendment of political dialogue framework was concluded yesterday afternoon, with making common plans of government side participated by the administrative sector, Hluttaw and the Tatmadaw.

The meeting at the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre was attended by Vice Chairman of NRPC and Union Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung and Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dwe from the Office of Commander-in-Chief (Army), Secretary of Peace Commission Retired Lt-Gen Khin Zaw Oo, Pyithu Hluttaw Representative U Pyone Cho (a) U Htay Win Aung, Members of Advisory Body from Peace Commission U Hla Maung Shwe and U Moe Zaw Oo and Director-General of Ministry of State Counsellor Office.

They held talks on emergence of a realistic political dialogue framework, formation of implementing mechanism on agreements, and carrying out phase by phase agreements and step by step implementation.

MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: Kyaw Ye Swe

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar

UNION Minister for Hotels and Tourism U Ohn Maung and Deputy Minister U Tin Latt virtually joined the discussion under the topic “The impact of COVID-19 on Myanmar Hotel Industry & Better Future Plan” hosted by the Myanmar Hospitality Professionals Associations yesterday afternoon from Nay Pyi Taw.

At the discussion, Deputy Minister U Tin Latt, Director from the Ministry of Health and Sports Dr Khin Khin Gyi, Vice-Chair of the Myanmar Hotelier Association U Than Htut and Advisor to the Myanmar Tourism Federation U Thet Lwin Toe acted as panellists.

Union Minister U Ohn Maung said the topic of the discussion is very timely as it is aimed at overcoming the current situation and how to overcome it. He said the present Government started to develop not only regular hotel-centred tourism but also community-based tourism in 2016 as well as the development of the primary destinations such as Yangon, Bagan, Inlay, Ngapali and secondary goals in 2017.

He continued the number of tourist arrival increased from over 2 million in 2016 to over 4 million in 2019 because of visa liberalization in 10 Western European countries and 5 Asian countries in 2019. He said the COVID-19 pandemic occurred by the time more than 400,000 tourists arrived in the early months of 2020, which was expected to reach 5 million tourists in 2020 and 6 million in 2021.

The Union Minister added the implementation of COVID-19 Tourism Relief Plan and the development of the Myanmar Tourism Strategic Rescue Roadmap (2021-2025) MTSRR in accordance with the Myanmar Economic Recovery & Reform Plan MERRP for the post-2020 years which aim to revive the tourism and to return to its original state in 2023-2024.

He also said the tourism businesses that follow the protocol of the Enchanting Myanmar Health & Safety Protocols would be allowed to use Safe Tourism Myanmar Stamp. He called on the tour operators to work with the Ministry to restore the trust of foreign tourist and domestic travellers as the Ministry is cooperating with relevant ministries to develop Myanmar’s rural tourism areas in line with the World Tourism Organization’s 2020 theme of rural development with tourism.

The panellists coordinated the meeting after the discussion of Deputy Minister U Tin Latt on development of tourism recovery plan, conditions on impact survey for Hotels and Tourism and the development of COVID-19 Tourism Relief Plan and Myanmar Tourism Strategic Rescue Roadmap (2021-2025) (MTSRR) as a follow-up to COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP).

MNA

(Translated by Ei Phyu Phyu Aung)

Photo: MNA

#The_Global_New_Light_of_Myanmar