N-nga mat sai, Ningbaw Kaba Maran Brang Seng a labau kadun

N-nga mat sai, Ningbaw Kaba Maran Brang Seng a labau kadun

Ningbaw Kaba Maran Brang Seng

N-nga mat sai, Ningbaw Kaba Maran Brang Seng gaw, anhte Jinghpaw Wunpawng Myu Sha ni a matu, malap n-mai ai Ningbaw Kaba langai rai nga ai. Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt hpung hpe, magrau grang grang hte' woi awn wa sai, Ningbaw Kaba Brang Seng gaw, Hpaji lam hta mung, Ning Hkring Kaba langai re ai hpe mu lu ai.

1930 hta Hpa Kant kaw shangai chying hkai wa n-htawm, KBS(Kachin Baptist School) kaw hpaji sharin lai wa sai. 1952 hta gaw, Ragoon University de' matut lung n-htawm, 1955 hta, BA, BED jang mau ni hpe gup la lai wa sai rai nga ai. Dai ten hta, jan mau langai lu gup la na ngu ai gaw, grai yak ai sha n-ga, jan mau gup la sai ni mung, anhte Jinghpaw Wunpawng Myu Sha ni hta, hti dang daram sha rai na re.

Jan mau gup la ngut ai hpang, 1957 kawn 1960 du hkra, Myitkyina Baptist School hpe jawng up galaw lai wa sai. Dai hpang, 1963 hta, Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Hpung(KIO) de' shang lawm woi awn mat wa sai. 1975 hta, KIO a Ningbaw Kaba tai wa n-na, lam a myu myu hta, woi awn lai wa sai.

N-dai hku woi awn nga yang, 1993 October 21 hta, Stroke(called a "brain attack" and happens when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow) ngu ai, a na hpe hkam sha hpang wa n-htawm, 1994 August 8 e`, Kumming, Yunnan hta n-nga mat wa sai rai nga ai.

Ningbaw Kaba Maran Brang Seng a, lup ding lup wa

La Kap: Wiki

Mara' Ai: Shang Lawt

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Du Daju Lahtaw Zau Seng a labau kadun

Du Daju Lahtaw Zau Seng a labau kadun

Ka lajang ai: (Du Kaba Tu Jai)
Ginjaw Komiti Rung
Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Hpung
Wungpawng Gumrawng Gumtsa Mungdan

Source: www.kachinnet.com, www.kachinstate.com

Lashio Ginwang, Mung Jet Bang Shau mare na Hpung Up Sara Lahtaw Balawng Du (wai wa sai) hte Jawng Saranum Lahpai Nang Htang yan a shadang sha marai (6), shayi sha marai (3) hta na shadang sha alat wa re. Shi mying hpe Zau Hkrang mung nga ma ai. 1920 ning, February 14 ya hta shangai n'htawm, laika hpaji tsang 7-8 sharin chyoi la lu wa ai ten, 1940-41 ning hta Japan ni du bang wa ai majaw, Japan Hpyen Dap e ga gale salang makan bungli shang gunhpai ai.

1944-45 ning hta Japan wai mat wa n'na, Jinghpaw-American Ringja (Kachin American Ranger) dap kaw Gyi Jum /Jere (Sgt/Clk) makan lit shang gunhpai wu ai. Dai hpang Inglik Levi dap hta Du (Lt.) atsang du hkra hpyen amu bai shang gunhpai ai. Inglik ni Myen Mung hpe shanglawt jaw ai hpang 1949 ning hta tsang (10) hpaji hpe matut sharin awng la lu ai. Dai shaning hta sha Du Up Daju Naw Seng hte rau KNDO hte matut let Myen Mung Asuya hpe rawt malan gasat ai. 1950 ning hta Du Kaba Naw Seng Miwa Mung de shang mat wa ai ten shi gaw Kayin Mung de yu mat n'na, KNDO kata e dap ba (Brigade) langai mi up hkang nga yang, 1957 ning hta Yanggung Dakkasu Jawng lung nga ai kanau Zau Tu hte rau dakkasu jawng ma ni hpe matut mahkai la n'htawm, 1959 ning hta Lashio de bai mayun lung wa ngut jang Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Rawt Malan lam hpe woi awn galaw hpang wa sai.

Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Rawt Malan Hpung hpe woi awn shalat hkrang shapraw da lu ai hte rau, 1965 ning, December shata hta sinat laknak tam let mung masa mahkrun waw majen je na matu Htai Mung de rawt sa wa wu ai. 1970 ning, April 4 ya hta Bang Noi Man Hying Du Wa Hkun Hpung hte Du Jan Nang Htu yan a shayi sha Nang Bawk hpe hkungran dinghku de sai. Htai Mung kaw mungdan shalawt makan lit matut gunhpai nga ai ten, 1975 ning, August shata (10) ya shani, Htai Mung kata Htam Ngawp kadawng hkrun lam e, n hkru n shawp yuk jahtuk sa namdan masha Seng Tu ngu ai Tu Bung hpung ni a lata hta mungdan hte mung shawa a matu asak ap nawng mat wa nu ai rai.

Du Daju Lahtaw Zau Seng gaw;-

(1) Dip up sai chyup hkrum nga ai Wunpawng Amyu Sha ni hte Wunpawng Mungdan Sha ni hpe shalawt la lu na matu, Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Rawt Malan Hpung kaba hpe shawg ningnan woi de gaw hpang dat ai ning baw kaba re.

(2) Myu tsaw myit mung tsaw myit nachying kaba la ai wa re.

(3) Galaw gwi ai hte dawdan gwi ai myit atsam marai ni hte hpringtsup ai wa re.

(4) Wunpawng ga ni hta na, Jinghpaw ga, Azi ga, Maru ga, Lashi ga hte maigan amyu ni a Myen ga, Sam ga, Inglik ga,Kala ga, Htai ga, Lahu ga ni chyoi hkung hkyang ai wa re.

(5) Shingnaw shangna hpe lapu shabyin shatai lu ai, tai hpyen wa hpe myi magap kau ya ai zawn re ai myi le hpaji ni mung chyoi ai.

(6) Ranger prat e Lashio mare na Japan hpyen la marai hkru hpe chya-hkrung sa rim wa n'na, BGM arawng shagrau la lu ai re.

Lashio Mare Na Gumhpraw Dum Zing Madu La Ai Hte Shawng N-nan Sinat Gapaw Shangoi Hpang Wa Ai Lam.

Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Magam bungli hpe galaw na matu masing jahkrat daw dan tawn ai lam nga sai. Raitim lata tut hkrang shapraw na, nam shang na, Hpyen dap hpaw rawt gumlau gasat malan hpang wa na matu ja gumhpraw arang n lu, n pawt hpang na n-gun atsam ra gadawn taw nga sai.

Dai majaw, Du Kaba Zau Seng a matsun hpaji jaw masing jahkrat ya ai hte maren, 1961 ning March shata praw 7 ya jahpawt hkying 8 ten hta Lashio mare kata na Myen Asuya a gumhpraw dum hpe PYADA ni bau sin nga ai lata na sa htim gap gasat mazing madu awng padang dip la lu sai. Zing madu la lu ai Gumhpraw Lap, 90,000/- (Lap Mun Jahku) jan re. (Ndai bungli hta Salang myitsu langai mi a Mawdaw Jeep langai mi asum hkam ai lam nga ai).

Ndai gasat poi Awng Padang hta shang lawm atsam marai dat lai wa ai myutsaw share shagan ni gaw: -

1. Du Wa Zau Tu (Woi Awn ai wa)
2. Lama La Ring (Mawdaw gawt ai wa)
3. Dumhpau Gawng
4. La Mai Bawk Naw
5. Lamung Tang
6. Jangmaw Tu
7. Zau Shan Bala Gam ni marai 8 rai ma ai. Kinyu kaichyan bungli lit la galaw ai gaw,
Myitung Naw Tawng re ai.

Shang Gasat Zing La Ai Ladat

March shata praw 6 ya shana de Lashio Sinli Mawdaw lam Hka lum makau kaw Mawdaw Driver hpe gyit dun kau da n htawm, Mawdaw hpe gashun gau mat wa n na Lashio na KTC ni a mawdaw ginsum kaw makoi tawn n htawm hpang jahpawt gumhpraw dum chyinghka hpaw ai hte rau, Kaichyan wa lagaw leng hte gagat lai wa let shiga wa jaw sai. Tau hkyen shajin la nga ai Du wa Zau Tu hte hpung ni mung shiga lu la ai hte rau kalang ta jeep mawdaw gawt gagat sa n na gumhpraw dum n daw kaw mawdaw jak n sat ai sha jahkring tawn n htawm, gumhtawn hkrat ai hte Sinat kapaw, lata bawm kabai kapaw rai PYADA ni hprawng bra mat wa ai hte gumhpraw ni hpe apyaw sha shang zing madu la lu sai.

Dai aten jahkring mi na laman hta Lashio mare ting gajawng ganan mat wa ai hte, ARMY, UMP, PYADA DAP hkan na HPYEN HPUNG, HPYEN MAWDAW, HPYEN N BUNGLI ni hpring chyat rai rawt gasu gabrawng mat wa sai. Raitim, Du Zau Tu hte hpung ni gaw, lawan dik ai hte mawdaw n tsa gahkan lung n htawm, Jeep mawdaw hpe chyang dik ai hku gawt n na hpyen lapran kaw n na Lashio Gyi hte Lashio gat lapran hku Lashio mare a dingdung maga de apyaw sha lawt pru mat wa lu masai. Loi Hkam ngu ai kahtawng kaw du hkring sa n na shat shadu sha let mare masha hpe tara hkaw rai nga yang, shana de Mungyaw lam hku hkan gayin bang wa ai Myen Asuya Hpyen Hpung langai mi hte gasat poi byin ma ai. Hpyen masa n 'htap n htuk mat ai majaw Lama La Ring hte Zau Shan hpyen lata de rim hkrum ai hte nga leng hta gyit magaw bang htaw mat wa n htawm, Lashio PYADA htawng hta wa hkyuk sharawng da ai hkrum ma ai. Ngam ai ni yawng apyaw sha lawt lu shajang ma ai.

Du Daju Lahtaw Zau Seng (lapran)

Mara' Ai: Shang Lawt

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Du Up Daju Lahtaw Zau Tu a labau kadun

Du Up Daju Lahtaw Zau Tu a labau kadun

Lashio Ginwang, Mung Jet Bang Shau Mare na Hpung Up Sara Balawng Du hte Jawng Saranum Lahpai Nang Htang yan a Shadang sha Ma Tu madaw re. Shi gaw Major General Zau Seng a kanau majing re. Asak Aprat ram wa ai hte Kanu a lata hta laika tsang lahkawng du hkra sharin la ai. Namhpaka, Lashio Jawng ni kaw laika tsang 10 bai sharin la ai. Matut nna Yanggung Dakkasu kaw (ISC) madang du hkra sharin hkam la ai. Jawng lung let, (UTC) Hpyen Training hpe mung sharin hkam la sai.

1957 ning hkan n'na Mung masa hkaja bang wa ai. Kahpu Ba Zau Seng hte matut nna Wunpawng Mungdan hte Wunpawng Amyu Shanglawt Rawt Malan lamhpe n 'pawt n 'hpang galaw mat wa ai. 1961 ning March shata 7 ya shani Lashio Gumhpraw Dum hpya ai kaw woi awn Ningbaw ai. Myen Asuya Hpyen ni hte shawng nnan lang gasat gap hkat ai. May shata 18 ya shani Manmaw Mungleng gasat poi hta woi awn ai.

1961 ning August shata hta Model Bde.H.Q Sinli ga kaw nna, Kanu Mungdan de rawt lung mat wa n'htawm, Manmaw Ginwang, Sadung Ginwang, N'mai Wa Lawng, Hkrang Wa Lawng, Sumpra Bum Ginwang, Putao Ginwang hte Hu Gawng Ginwang ni shara shagu chyam ra hkra Shanglawt majen je mat wa ai. Gahkyin gumdin lam, Hpyen lam, Uphkang lam ni hte seng nna woi awn hpaw masat hkrang shapraw mat wa ai. Kala Mung Miwa Mung de Mungsang makyit mahkai lam woi galaw mat wa ai.

1966 ning hta Law Wai Lu Awn hte Hkungran Dinghku de nna shayi sha lahkawng shaprat sai. Dai hpang 1973 ning hta Labya Seng Tawng ngu ai Num sha hpe Num htap bai Hkungran la ai. Dai shaning June shata 16 ya shani G.H.Q. kaw nna (THAI OKFA) de sa na matu rawt mat wa ai. Thai kaw Ningbaw Kaba Gen. Zau Seng hte sa hkrum nna bungli matut galaw nga ai ten laman 1975 ning August shata 6 ya shani Thai Mung kata Htamngawp kadawng hkrun lam kaw, n 'hkru n 'kaja Yuk jahtuk Sa Numdan masha Seng Tu (Tu Bung) Hpung ni a lata hta Asak sum mat wa sai.

SHI GAW:-

1. Dip Up sai chyup hkrum nga ai Wunpawng Amyu Sha ni hpe Shanglawt la na matu Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Rawt Malan Hpung hpe woi de gaw sa wa ai hta, Ningbaw Malai hku nna Magam lit la ai wa re.
2. Galaw gwi ai, daw dan gwi ai, atsam nga ai.
3. Myu Tsaw myit, Mung Tsaw myit kaba ai.
4. Hkam kaja ai hte Atsam marai rawng ai wa re.

1961 - 1978 Ning Na Rawt Malan Labau (Ka ai, Du Kaba Tu Jai

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Lt. Col. Zau Dan A Labau Kadun

Lt. Col. Zau Dan A Labau Kadun

Lashio Ginwang, Mung Jet Bang Shau Mare na Hpung Up Sara Balawng Du hte Jawng Saranum Lahpai Nang Htang yan a Shadang sha re. Zau Seng yan Zau Tu a Kanau majing re. Ma kaji daw Kanu a lata hta Jawng lung laika sharin la n'htawm, Kuthkai Lashio jawng matut lung nna Yanggung Dakkasu hpe B.A. madang du hkra sharin hkam la lu ai. Jawng lung let (UTC) Hpyen Training sharin hkaja la ai lam nga ai. Jawng rai n'pru ai sha Shanglawt Dap de matut mahkai nna Myo kata kaw bungli galaw nga yang, Myen Asuya ni rim nna Lashio Hkyuk Htawng hta sharen da ai hkrum u ai.

Htawng kata rawng nga yang hpri chyen langai mu masawp mazing la nna dai hte Htawng shakum shadaw langai hpe n'htoi aten galu hte gadoi ret ga-nyet di hpaw la n'htawm, atsam dat ai hte Hkyuk Htawng kaw na bai lu gale lawt wa lu ai. 1962 ning kaw nna Shanglawt Dap de du sa wa ai. GSO magam lit hte bungli gun hpai mat wa ai.1964 ning hta Sam Amyu shayi Saranum Nang Htwi Hkam ngu ai (Manmaw Ginwang, Special Kong Hkam Circle kaw Orgr. galaw nga ai. ) Jan hpe Hkungran Dinghku de nna Shadang sha langai hte shayi sha langai shaprat ai.1966 ning kaw nna No.1 Bde. Comdr. 1973 ning kaw nna, 4th.Bde.Comdr. Magarn lit matut gun hpai mat wa ai. 1975 ning March shata praw 1 ya shani, Kudawng Ginwang, Mungmaw Pa Manhai mare Jawng wang kaw Myen Hkyeng (CPB) ni hte gap hkat ai gasat poi hta hkrat sum mat wa ai.

SHI GAW:-
1. Myu Tsaw myit, Mung Tsaw myit kaba ai.
2. Prat nnan hpaji hpe chye chang ai.
3. Mung Masa Hpyen Masa lam hta kung kyang ai.
4. Hkam kaja n'gun atsam marai rawng ai Ningbaw Ningla langai mi re.

1961 - 1978 Ning Na Rawt Malan Labau (Ka ai, Du Kaba Tu Jai)

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KIA

Lahkrip ra ra !!

Mara' Ai: Shang Lawt

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Welcome to the jungle, Dickhead than shwe

Welcome to the jungle, Dickhead than shwe

Photo By: Ryan Libre

Mara' Ai: Shang Law

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KIA Staffs, Laiza

Laiza na, magam gun ni

Mara' Ai: Shang Lawt

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Than Shwe at Toilet

Than Shwe hte shi a maw lanyet hkyen ai masing hpe n dai zawn di kau ga. (Ngut jang hka jaw kau yaw.... :)

Mara' Ai: Shang Lawt

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Kachin hydropower projects to spell doom

Construction of two of seven Burmese military junta's hydroelectric power projects have started to take shape in Kachin State spelling doom for thousands of people. They are on the verge of despair threatened as they are of being displaced.

Of the seven hydropower projects on the anvil one will be in Myitsone near Myitkyina the capital of Kachin State and the other is the Chibwe hydropower project which is planned to be built near Chibwe town on N'mai Hka River.

Work has begun at a brisk pace at Chibwe, the second largest hydroelectric power project in Kachin State in Northern Burma and the construction company has issued notices, albeit word of mouth, to the villagers to relocate at their own expense.

The villages in Washapa and upper Nyawngmawpa valley near Chibwe project site in N'mai Hka River also called May Kha River are in the face of pressure to relocate from the project site by the Asia World Company. The pressure has been on for the past two months. Villagers have stubbornly refused to shift but how long they will be able to hold put is anybody's guess.

In what is a joint sector project between Burma and China, main offices have been opened in Mandung, 10 miles north of Chibwe. There is a flurry of activity and Chinese engineers are swarming all over the place inspecting the project site armed with modern equipment. Typical of a project sites, roads are under construction with bulldozers and excavators grunting their way along. Workers have been hired from among the locals each getting Kyat 5,000 equivalent of US $ 4 per day as minimum wage.

The Chibwe hydropower project is estimated to generate a total of 2,000 megawatts of electricity.

Much in the same manner preliminarily inspection of the largest hydroelectric power project is underway in the Myitsone, on the placid confluence of the two rivers Mali Hka and N'mai Hka, 26 miles north of Myitkyina, This project will generate 3,600 megawatt of electricity.

The Myitsone project is a beehive of activity with dynamite being used on the river bed. Work continues day and night and the pace seems to be hurried with over 1,000 construction workers. That the junta is according a lot of importance to the projects is evident from Burma Army troops providing security. The Myitsone project happens to be the biggest of all seven projects.

Despite repeated appeals by environmental and human rights groups to halt the Myitsone project the junta has paid no heed.

Kachins had made an official appeal to Burmese junta supremo Sn-Gen Than Shwe to halt the project. He has turned a deaf ear. Besides the prospect of thousands being displaced and their means of livelihood shattered, the environment and the eco system of Kachin state stands to suffer irrevocable damage. Flora and fauna and the marine life in the dam area will be destroyed. The Chibwe hydropower project will flood the villages in Triangle Areas and thousands of villagers have to be relocated. Reports in the Burmese media in exile suggest that no environmental study was done before the project was planned. The people of Kachin state were kept totally in the dark and the opinion of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armed wing the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) were never sought. The junta has kowtowed to the Chinese over the dam projects.

The fact of the matter is that the KIO has been ambivalent in its stand on the two projects. Known to play second fiddle to the arrogant Burmese military regime after it reached a ceasefire agreement with the regime, the KIO has never in all these 14 years known to take on the junta, showered as it is with favours by the generals.

It is only lately that the KIO and the KIA are toying with the idea of opposing the Chibwe hydroelectric power project. It has said that it may oppose the Chibwe project, if it threatens native Kachins around the project site. The KIO has added a rider saying if the project really benefits people and the junta relocates the locals without force, "we completely support it".

At the official level it had made noises and demanded a stop to the project at Myitsone.

However, they have neither unofficially nor officially issued any statement against the Chibwe project. The project is being constructed in the joint sector by Burma's ruling junta and the Chinese government's China Power Investment Corporation (CPI). The agreement was signed in 2006.

(The author is a veteran journalist from India and has been in major newspapers as a Reporter, Deputy Chief of Bureau, News Coordinator, Op-ed and Edit writer.)

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Three Kachin peace groups give into junta

Three Kachin ceasefire groups in northern Burma last week, gave into the demands of the Burmese military junta of transforming their armed-wings into the kind of forces that the regime wants, said sources close to the groups.

The New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), the Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group in Kachin State and the Kachin Defense Army (KDA) in northeast Shan State agreed to transform their armed-forces to a Border Guard Force or local militia, said sources in the three outfits.

Soldiers of Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group in Gwi Htu base, near Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.

KDA and Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group agreed to convert their forces into local militia groups with less manpower than it has now, said insiders.

The KDA led by Mahtu Naw based in Kawng Hka near Kutkai Town was formerly the 4th brigade of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). It has about 500 soldiers. It has been receiving rations from the ruling junta since it surrendered in 1990.

Kachins in northeast Shan State are terribly upset over the KDA agreeing to transform to a local militia group, said a Kachin resident in Muse.

Similarly, the Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group is also ready to transform its force, which accounts for about 200, to a local militia group because it is in no position to oppose the orders of the junta after it split from the mother unit the KIO/A in January 4, 2004.

The group is based in Gwi Htu Pa near the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, where it was set up by former Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Ohn Myint of the Burmese Army in late 2004. It receives rations from the regime, said insiders.

The New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K) in Kachin State agreed to transform to a battalion of a Border Guard Force on June 24 in the meeting with the junta's Northern Command Commander Brig-Gen Soe Win in the organizational headquarters in Pang Wah, said Baptist pastor-turned NDA-K officer, Lt-Col Nhkum Doi La.

The Zahkung Ting Ying led NDA-K was formerly the Army Division No. 101 of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) after it split from the mother unit the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) in 1968 and signed a permanent peace agreement with the junta on December 15, 1989.

Currently the NDA-K has about 800 soldiers and at least 500 of them are receiving monthly salaries from the junta, said NDA-K officers.

However, the KIO/A, the original mother unit of the three Kachin peace groups has refused to transform its armed-wing. It has told the junta that it could change to a State Security Force not a Border Guard Force.

KNG

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Junta to resettle 200,000 Burmans in Hukawng Valley

The Burmese military junta plans to resettle 200,000 Burman people in ethnic Kachin’s Hukawng Valley (also called Hugawng in Kachin) in the country’s northern Kachin State before 2010, said regime insiders.

The new Burman settlers, who make up the majority of the country’s population, will be mainly settled in areas close to three Kachin villages known as Nawng Mi, Sahtu Zup and Wara Zup on the Ledo or Stilwell Road also called Burma Road during WW II, added insiders.

In the guise of Rangoon-based Yuzana Company’s crop plantation in the Valley, only Burman people from different areas of lower Burma have been resettled in the Valley since late 2006, said native Kachins from the Valley.

U Htay Myint a Chinese-Burman from Kutkai town in northeast Shan State chairs the company, which bought over 200,000 acres of land in Hukawng Valley from the junta. The purchase was politically motivated, said company sources.

The company is now continuously transporting Burman workers into its crop plantation area in the Valley. However, many workers are leaving the job and fleeing because of very low salaries, said sources among workers.

All runaway workers not only do not return homes from the Valley but the company also does not have a programme of bringing them back, added company sources.

The company has already constructed over 1500 houses for the workers in identical styles in two separate places. Two Thai-styled big factories are also being constructed in two different places near the labour quarters, said eyewitnesses.

The company is now mainly growing Cassava Plants and Sugar Cane in the newly ploughed fields, said eyewitnesses. The glue and curry-sweet powder are being produced for export from next year, according to company sources.

Till now, the junta has already resettled over 40,000 Burman people from lower Burma in the Valley. They were systematically transported by both Yuzana Company and local Burmese Army battalions, said native Kachin community leaders.

There are an estimated 20,000 native Kachin in villages in the Hukawng Valley along the Ledo Road starting from Namti to Shingbwi Yang. The entire Valley has been separately ruled by 12 Kachin Duwas (rulers) in Kachin history until the Britishers gave Burma Independence on January 4, 1948.

At the same time, Htoo Company owned by the Burman tycoon U Te Za (also spelled Tay Za), son-in-law of the junta supremo Senior General Than Shwe is taking out at least 50 trucks of hardwood per day from the Valley to Mogaung train station for export under the banner of Yuzana Company, said company sources.

Besides, U Te Za’s Htoo Company is also practically supporting the Yuzana Company with essential finance and construction machinery, according to company insiders.

Recently, the junta’s Northern Command (Ma Pa Kha) commander Brig-Gen Soe Win landed in a helicopter at the helipad in No. 1 Yuzana Village of Yuzana Company in the Valley. He proudly spoke to the local people that the crop plantation can be done by every one because peace has been restored in the Valley, said local people.

The Hukawng Valley was named as the world largest Tiger Reserve by the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in 2004. However, the Yunaza Company is destroying the reserve by heavy logging and converting forests into crop fields, said locals.

Locals and eyewitnesses told KNG, the Yuzana Company has already occupied and destroyed the No. 1 Tiger Conservation Camp near Nawng Mi village for crop plantation.

The Burman-dominated junta’s response to people or organizations who oppose the crop plantation of Yuzana Company by saying, “Man is more important than the Tiger”, said company sources.

Kachin people in Burma feels that the junta is deeply is into ethnic cleansing and huge land confiscation in Hukawng Valley by using the Yuzana Company and local Burmese Army bases.

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KIO Wants KIA To Be "State Security Force"

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), one of strongest ethnic ceasefire groups in military-ruled Burma would rather transform its armed-wing to a "State Security Force" rather than a "Border Guard Force" it has told the junta, said KIO sources.

The KIO has officially informed the junta of its willingness to transform the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to a “State Security Force” (SSF) instead of the junta’s proposal that it be changed to a battalion of a "Border Guard Force" when the two sides met at Mali Hka Center in the junta's Northern Command headquarters in Kachin State's capital Myitkyina on June 21 (Sunday), said KIO leaders.

Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng, Vice-president No. 1 of KIO/A

The KIO delegates were led by Vice-president No. 1 Lt-Gen Gauri Zau Seng at the meeting while the junta was led by Brig-Gen Soe Win, the Commander of the Northern Command (Ma Pa Kha), added KIO sources.

The KIA, the armed-wing of KIO, is currently based in Kachin State and in Northeast Shan State. There are four brigades and five army divisions in Kachin State and one brigade in Northeast Shan State with over 20,000 men and women in both KIO and KIA, insiders said.

The junta has responded to the SSF proposal of the KIO by despatching more Burmese Army troops secretly to Kachin State and the border between Kachin State and Shan State on the orders of Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Chief of Military Affairs Security (Sa Ya Pha) of the junta, according to local sources, who are reliable.

Fresh batches of Burmese troops are being sent to Kachin State as standby for a possible civil war with the KIA, said sources close to Burmese troops.

The KIA, however, will not start a war with the ruling junta but it has ordered its soldiers to standby in the event of a war which will basically be defensive in nature, according to sources in the KIO/A headquarters Laiza on the Sino-Burma border in Kachin State.

Local political and military analysts believe that the palpable tension between the KIO and the junta may lead to a resumption of civil war but that may happen after the next year's general elections proposed by the junta.

The KIO/A signed a ceasefire agreement with the junta on February 24, 1994 and it supported the junta-conducted National Convention (NC) for drafting the country's new constitution and referendum on the new constitution against the wishes of the Kachin people.

KNG

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pic

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MUT TSAWM TSAW RA AI “NU”

Mut Tsawm hpe shangai shaprat ai Nu
Mut Tsawm a tsaw ra dik ai Nu

Myi sha mi tu tu rai tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm nga
Nyep gaw baw baw rai tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm nga
A chyang hkret hkret mi rai tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm nga
Ga n madat ai rai tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm myitsu ai nga
Laika n dang hkan rai tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm grai ram ai nga
Jawng na sara ni shaga gatut tim, Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm grai byin ai nga

Hpaji jawng de Mut Tsawm lahkam sai, Nu a myi ma mani sai
Jawng kaji kaw na Mut Tsawm lawt, Nu mung kabu gum lawt
Lapran tsang de Mut Tsawm du, Nu mung arawng lu
Tsang shi hpe Mut Tsawm awng, Nu gaw yawng yawng hpe shakawng
Dakkasu de Mut Tsawm du, Nu she janmau lu
Maigan de hpaji sharin na Mut Tsawm pru, shakawng na Nu gaw mare de shamu
Myu Sha lam hpe Mut Tsawm gun hpai, Nu a myi man grau pa sai

Tim daini...,
Nu hpe Mut Tsawm kau da, maigai ga de du hkawm mat wa
Nu, Mut Tsawm hpe marit nga na sai, Mut Tsawm mung Nu hpe dum dik ai
Nu, Mut Tsawm hpe shing ran nga na sai, Mut Tsawm mung Nu hpe hkrum mayu ai

Mut Tsawm a Nu hkam ja nga u ga
Mut Tsawm a Nu ngwi pyaw nga u ga
Mut Tsawm a Nu hpe Karai Wa bau sin ya u ga

Nu a Kasha Mut Tsawm kyu hpyi ya dat ai, Nu

Nu a Kasha
Mut Tsawm
24th June, 2009

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Korean Scholarship Opportunity

The May 18 Memorial Foundation Accepts Application for 2009 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School

“I recognized that the power of small individuals could forge andunite in solidarity to bring about the constructive change to theworld. Eventually, Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School (GAHRFS)was a true moral blessing and encouragement to me” a reflection madeby Ms. Ratchada Arpornsilp, participant from Thailand 2007.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is now accepting applications for the2009 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School. This year, theapplication is being made more competitive to screen the number ofapplications. The emphasis is organizational partnership, soapplicants endorsed by their organization will be given priority.Since the foundation will not be able to provide multipletranslations, English language will be the medium for exchange.

The GAHRFS aims to contribute to the development of democracy andhuman rights throughout Asia. Twenty (20) participants will beselected from among applicants from all over Asia who have beenworking for human rights, peace and democracy. They will be given anopportunity to learn and experience the history and developmentprocess of human rights and democracy in Korea(S). The folk schoolwill also serve as an opportunity for participants to exchange andnetwork with other human rights activists.

One of the perks of attending the Folk School is the opportunity to beendorsed for a scholarship. For the last 3 years the foundation hasbeen supporting scholars at Sungkonghoe University studying for theirMaster of Arts in Inter-Asia NGO Studies (MAINS). They were chosen andselected by the folk school committee based on their activeparticipation and performance during the folk school.

Interested applicants should download the attached form. Applicantsare advised to read carefully the guidelines and the rules in orderfor their application to be considered. The foundation will onlyaccept and consider applicants who will properly comply with the setguidelines and rules.

Useful Information

This year the foundation will accept 20 applicants:

Junior Staff 8 (with 2-5 years experience)

Middle Management/Advisory 8 (with 5-15 years experience)

Senior/Director 4 (with more than 15 years experience)

Applicants should ensure that they have no potential visa problems. Ifan applicant is denied entry to Korea because of personal historywhich they did not disclose to the May 18 Memorial Foundation, thefoundation will absolutely not cover their travel expenses. This isthe applicant’s responsibility.

If an applicant later decides not to come to the folk school (cancelstheir application) after they have been selected, the May MemorialFoundation will not accept any applications from their organizationfor three years.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation will cover the following expenses:

l Visa fees

l International airfare to Korea

l Transportation in Korea

l NOTE: Internal airfares (in your country) will be covered ifyou can prove that the flight is necessary

The following expenses will NOT be covered:

l Internal transportation in your country (for example, to theairport or to the embassy)

l Official fees other than visa fees (for example, travel tax)

The selection committee may change your status if they believe youhave entered under the wrong category (for example, if you apply as asenior but have less than 15 years experience).

We look forward to your application!

Kind regards

Subash AdhikariChloe Simons

International OfficersCulture and Solidarity Team

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Call to free political prisoners

NEW YORK - A GLOBAL petition signed by nearly 680,000 people urges UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to make the release of more than 2,100 political prisoners in Myanmar, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a 'personal priority.'
Former political prisoners and human rights activists who launched the petition drive told a news conference Tuesday they are also urging the UN Security Council to establish a commission of inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity by the ruling generals in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

SPEAKING OUT
Nyi Nyi Aung, a delegate whose mother and two cousins are serving jail terms of up to 65 years for their pro-democracy activities, said the secretary-general's words show he takes the issue seriously.'But now I want to see what action you will take to secure the release of my family and all Burma's political prisoners,' he said.
... moreA delegation of ex-prisoners and activists delivered the petition with names from 220 countries and territories to the secretary-general's top envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, on Monday.
'Mr Gambari is going to transmit the petition to the secretary-general who has been calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Myanmar,' UN spokesman Michele Montas said.
Khin Ohmar, who has lived in Thailand since 1988, when she took part in the revolt against the ruling junta, and is now foreign affairs secretary of the Forum for Democracy in Burma, said getting into the UN to deliver the petition 'is a huge step' in the call to release political prisoners. She said the delegation would have liked to meet the secretary-general in person.
'We urge Mr Ban Ki Moon to accept nothing less than the immediate and unconditional release of all Burma's political prisoners in his current negotiations with the regime,' Ms Ohmar said.
Unless the regime stops attacking ethnic groups, including a counterinsurgency offensive against Karen rebels, the country will also be unable to move forward towards reconciliation or change, Ms Ohmar said.
The petition was delivered ahead of Suu Kyi's 64th birthday on Friday which she will spend in Yangon's notorious Insein prison. She faces charges of violating terms of her house arrest by harbouring an American who swam uninvited to her lakeside home.
The junta is widely expected to deliver a guilty verdict, which could put the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in prison for up to five years. She has already spent more than 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest.
Since October, more than 350 of the more than 2,100 political prisoners have received harsh sentences of up to 104 years.

--- AP

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U.N.'s Ban urged to help free Myanmar prisoners

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy to Myanmar have received a petition from over 670,000 people worldwide urging them to press Myanmar's military junta to release all political prisoners.
The petition calls on Ban and his special envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the democratic opposition in the country formerly known as Burma, and other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi is currently on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her imprisonment.
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas confirmed on Tuesday that Gambari had received the petition.
"The release of all political prisoners is the first and most important step toward freedom and democracy in Burma," the petition says. "We, the undersigned, call upon U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners."
More than 670,000 signatures were collected in some 220 countries and territories, said the petition organizers, who include former political prisoners and human rights activists.
Among the Burmese activists behind the petition are Khin Ohmar, vice chairwoman of the Burmese Women's Union, and former political prisoners Tate Naing and Aung Din.
Myanmar is holding 2,100 political prisoners and since October more than 350 prisoners have been given jail sentences of up to 104 years, according to a statement issued by the Czech Republic, which has helped publicize the petition.
Among the world figures who signed the petition is former Czech President Vaclav Havel, who spent many years in prison due to his activities as an anti-communist dissident.
The trial of Suu Kyi and of American John Yettaw, whose uninvited visit to her home last month was deemed a breach of her house arrest, is set to resume on June 26. Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.
Ban is considering a visit to Myanmar next month to personally urge the junta generals to keep their promises to democratize.

By Eric Beech

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Petition to UN seeks release of prisoners in Burma

HUMAN RIGHTS activists have sent a petition to the United Nations calling for the release of over 2,000 political prisoners in Burma.
The petition was yesterday delivered to UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon in New York, urging him to make the release of these prisoners his top priority.
More than 670,000 people from 220 countries and territories have signed the petition, which is part of a campaign organised by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) and the Forum for Democracy in Burma.
Since last October more than 350 political prisoners in Burma have been subjected to jail sentences of up to 104 years. Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is currently on trial after being charged in relation to the military junta’s failure to protect her security, and could face five years imprisonment if convicted.
After the arrest of Ms Suu Kyi in May, the group Burma Action Ireland held a protest in Dublin to raise awareness of the issue and collect signatures for the petition.
Speaking at the time of the arrest, chairman of Burma Action Ireland Gearóid Kilgallen said: “This totally unwarranted action against Aung San Suu Kyi is yet another example of the cruelty and inhumanity of the military thugs who have been ruling Burma for the last 47 years.”

Irish Times

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Trafficking report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Millions of people around the world are living inbondage and the global financial crisis has made many more vulnerable tolabor and sex trafficking, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday.
In its annual "Trafficking in Persons" report, which tracks "modernslavery" like forced labor and the sex trade, the State Department saidgrowing poverty around the world has sparked an increase in both supply anddemand for human trafficking.
"In a time of economic crisis, victims are more vulnerable, affectedcommunities are more vulnerable," Luis de Baca said as he presented the report.
"Persons who are under economic stress are more likely to fall prey to thewiles of the traffickers who often get their victims through promises of abetter life, promises of better earnings," he said.
De Baca said human trafficking can be valued at about $50 billion a year.That includes about $31 billion profit earned by the traffickers plus about$20 billion in opportunity cost from lost labor of the people who are putinto bondage.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged governments to work toeliminate forms of human trafficking.
"This year, there is a new urgency in this call," she wrote in a letterprefacing the report.
"As the ongoing financial crisis takes an increasing toll on many of theworld's migrants -- who often risk everything for the slim hope of a betterfuture for their families -- too often they are ensnared by traffickers whoexploit their desperation."
"We recognize their immense suffering and we commit to aiding their rescueand recovery."
The State Department expanded a blacklist of governments it believes arenot doing enough to stop human trafficking to 17, out of 175 countries itmonitors in the annual report.
Chad, Malaysia, Niger, Mauritania and Zimbabwe were included among theworst offenders -- putting them at risk of losing some U.S. aid.
Cuba, Myanmar and North Korea have received the lowest ranking in each yearthey have been included in the report started nine years ago.
The lowest ranking means the United States could withhold aid that is nothumanitarian or trade-related.
According to the International Labor Organization about 12.3 million adultsand children are in forced labor and sexual servitude at any time in theworld. Nearly 1.4 million of those are victims of sex trafficking, ILOfigures show.
"They labor in fields and factories, under brutal employers who threatenthem with violence if they try to escape," Clinton said at an event topresent the report. "They work in homes for families that keep themvirtually imprisoned. they are forced to work as prostitutes or to beg inthe streets, fearful of the consequences if they fail to earn their dailyquota."
"This is modern slavery," she said. "A crime that spans the globe,providing ruthless employers with an endless supply of people to abuse forfinancial gain."

U.S. says financial crisis adds to human trafficking

By Deborah CharlesReuters - Tuesday, June 16

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration on Tuesday expanded the U.S.watchlist of countries suspected of not doing enough to combat humantrafficking, putting more than four dozen nations on notice that they mayface sanctions unless their records improve. The move came as officialssaid the world financial crisis has left more people at risk for the crime.
The State Department's annual "Trafficking in Persons Report," the firstreleased since President Barack Obama took office, placed 52 countries andterritories ­ mainly in Africaa, Asia and the Middle East ­ on thewatchlist. That number is a 30 percent jummp from the 40 countries on thelist in 2008.
Several nations that had been cited previously were removed from the list,but new countries cited for human trafficking problems included Angola,Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iraq, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Pakistan, the Philippines,Qatar, Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.
The report also placed the Netherlands' Antilles, a self-governing Dutchterritory in the Caribbean, on the watchlist.
"With this report, we hope to shine the light brightly on the scope andscale of modern slavery so all governments can see where progress has beenmade and where more is needed," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clintonsaid as she released the 320-page document.
"Economic pressure, especially in this global economic crisis, makes morepeople susceptible to the false promises of traffickers," she said.
Inclusion on the watchlist means those countries' governments are not fullycomplying with minimum standards set by U.S. law for cooperating in effortsto reduce the rise of human trafficking ­ a common denominator in the sextrade, coerced labor and recruitment of child soldiers.
If a country appears on the list for two consecutive years, it can besubject to U.S. sanctions.
Seventeen nations, up from 14 in 2008, are now subject to the traffickingsanctions, which can include a ban on non-humanitarian and trade-relatedaid and U.S. opposition to loans and credits from the InternationalMonetary Fund and World Bank. The penalties can be waived if the presidentdetermines it is in U.S. national interest to do so.
Those 17 countries include traditional U.S. foes like Cuba, Iran, Myanmar,North Korea, Sudan and Syria, but also American allies and friends such asSaudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Malaysia, another U.S. partner, was added to the list of worst offenders,as were the African nations of Zimbabwe, Chad, Eritrea, Mauritania, Nigerand Swaziland.
Luis Cdebaca, the director of the State Department's Office to Monitor andCombat Trafficking in Persons, said the addition of the six Africancountries was due largely to a relaxation in efforts to fight domesticslavery, which has persisted.
"Those efforts seem to have stalled," he said.

US expands human trafficking watchlistBy MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 3 mins ago

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Kachin Youths Beaten and Hospitalized

Around fifteen ethnic Kachin youths, including schoolchildren, were reportedly seriously injured and three were hospitalized in a beating by Burmese soldiers. The beatings took place after the youths prevented the soldiers from physical abuse a Kachin girl in Mayan village in Namti Township, Kachin State, northern Burma.
The incident came after village youths attacked the Burmese soldiers to prevent them gang-raping the teenage girl, according to a report released on Wednesday, June 17, by rights campaign group, Burma Campaign UK (BCUK).
The soldiers attempted to rape the 17-year-old Kachin schoolgirl, Wa Sha Ki, as she was going home on 31 May, but she was rescued by the Kachin youngsters, according to the report.
The soldiers later returned to Mayan village to take revenge, attacking the youths.
The Burmese commander of Artillery Battalion 372, Lt-Col Ye Yint Twe, gathered about thirty of his soldiers and ordered them to punish the young men in the village. The Burmese soldiers rampaged through the village, dragging the youths out and beating them mercilessly.
According to the BCUK report, fourteen-year-old Sawan La San was left unconscious after the beating. Four of his ribs were broken and he was vomiting blood before falling into a coma as a result of brain injury. He is reportedly hospitalized in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
The army commander warned the villagers not to talk about the incident, and Burmese soldiers have been patrolling the village since the beating took place. Young males in the village are in hiding for fear of arrest and torture.
Human rights abuses that include land confiscation, forced labor, illegal taxation, rape and sexual abuse are regularly occurrences in Kachin State, according to Kachin rights groups.
A Kachin villager was quoted as saying: “We have been suffering this kind of abuse by Burmese soldiers for decades since the time of our grandfathers, but no one can help us.”
“We don’t want the soldiers in our village. They are not here to help but to abuse and oppress us in different ways every day. Until they leave, we will continue to suffer,” said the villager.
There are more than 600 mostly ethnic Kachin people living in Mayan village.
In August 2008, a 15-year-old school girl was gang-raped and killed by Burmese soldiers in Bamaw district, Kachin state, and a 21-year-old was gang-raped by Burmese soldiers in Sarmaw in December. No action was taken in either case, according to the BCUK report.
Nang Seng, a campaign officer with the BCUK said: “This incident is typical of the kind of things going on in villages and towns across Kachin State. This will continue after elections next year, as ethnic people have been given no rights, no level of autonomy, and Burmese Army soldiers will still occupy our villages.”

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KIA hpyenla ni nam shang hpang wa sai

Wunpawng Mungdan Shanglawt Hpung (KIO) gaw Myen a "Ga Jarit Sin Dap Galai Na Ningbawn Masing" hpe masa hku hkap la tawn tim, tinang KIA hpyenla ni gaw nam shang hpang wa sai lam, chye lu ai.

Ndai June shata praw kawn grau grau KIA hpyenla ni nam shang hpang wa ai rai nna, dai hta KIO/A ginjaw ginra rai nga ai, Laiza, Laisin Bum hte Mai Ja Yang grupyin ni hta hpyen n-gun grau jahtat tawn ai re lam, KIA shiga lawk kawn chye lu ai.

Manmaw buga masha langai tsun ai hta, lai wa sai bat lahkawng ram hta, Manmaw-Kai Htik mawdaw lam lapran e KIA hpyen hpung langai hpe moi ten shawnglam majan rawt ai zawn "di mala hka wan, n-gu hte sinat laknak hte hkrak rai" lai wa ai hpe mu hkrup nna, yu kajawng mat ai lam, tsun wa ai.

Ya ten, KIA hpyenla ni yawng hpe sinat kaja lang na matu hte tinang a dap ba, dap dung, shawnglam post ni hta mung, hkying hkum 24 yu sin maja na matu, KIA Dai Lawn Rung kawn matsun tawn sai lam, KIA shiga lawk kawn chye lu ai.Ndai zawn shajin wa ai gaw, KIA shawng Myen hpe htim gasat na matu n re sha, lama Myen hpyenla ni htim gasat wa yang, ninghkap gasat na matu she re lam, matut chye lu ai.lahkawng lapran na mungmasa manghkang hpe shawng n hparan ai sha, KIA hpe hkrang galai shangun ai lam gaw, lachyum n pru nna, n mai hkap la ai lam hpe, KIA Dap Awn Daju, Du Daju Gunhtang Gam Shawng tsun wa sai re.

Ndai ten, Myen matsun ai hku, KIA hpe "Ga Jarit Sin Dap" hkrang galai hpaw na hpe tsepkawp n hkap la ai lam, mungdan kata shinggan na J.W mungmasa hpung ni, Myen mung ting na J.W dakkasu jawngma ni hte mungchying mungmasha ni mung, KIO/A de hpaji jaw tawn sai, rai nga ai.

KIA gaw Myen mung kata na kaba dik amyu bawsang laknak hpai hpung ni hta, langai hku shanglawm nga ai re. Hpa majaw nga yang, KIO/A hta tinang J.W amyusha ni yawng ngu na madi shadaw shanglawm ai majaw, rai nga ai.

KNG

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Say NO to BORDER GUARD !!

Tsawra Hkunnga ai Wunpawng myusha ni hpang de,
Wunpawng Mungdan Shawng Lawt Hpung gaw Myen hpyen asuya e woi galaw ai NC kaw mung ngut hkra shang lawm, dai kaw na pru wa ai constitution hpe mung madi shadaw lawm rai sai re hpe yawng chye na re ngu kam ga ai. Constitution hpe madi shadaw lawm ai ngu ai gaw, maga mi hku yu yang constitution hta lawm ai lam ni hpe hkan nang na ngu ai hku mung mai sawn la nga ai.
Dai hku rai nga ai hta Myen Hpyen asuya gaw KIO hku na, dai constitution hpe hkap la hkan sa na hku sawn la ai hku mu mada ai. Dai majaw ndai lapran, Myen mung na laknak lang rawt malan hpung ni yawng hpe Jarit Sin Makawp Hpyen Dap hku shabyin kau na lajang nga ma ai.
Laknak lang rawt malan hpung yawng hpe mung dai lam yan de sa wa na matu ndai lapran aja awa shadut nga sai hku re. Dai hpung ni hta Wunpawng Mungdan Shang Lawt Hpung (KIO) mung lawm nga sai re.
Ndai lam hpe KIO Ginjaw committee salang ni grai bawngban nga ai lam mung na lu ai. Gara hku bawngban nga ai kun gaw n chye ai. Ndai shata (May) garai n htum shi yang KIO ni hku na Myen Hpyen Asuya hpe border guard galaw na, n galaw na mahtai asan sha jaw ra ai lam na chye lu ai. Ndai gaw anhte WP myu sha ni yawng hte seng wa sai majaw, ndai hte seng nna anhte manaw manang ni yawng mung lama ma nsen sha gaw shapraw nna ningbaw ningla ni hpe tsun dan, shana dan, shadum hpaji jaw la ga ngu myit sawn lu nna ka shana shabra dat ai ga rai sai. Nanhte manaw manang ni a ningmu ni shana wa marit. Dai ningmu ni yawng hpe mahkawng nna KIO ni hpe OPEN letter hku na sa na ga ai. Dai majaw manaw manang ni yawng hpe myit mada kam hpa let lajin shana shabra dat ai re law.. Tinang a ningmu ni hpe May shata 18 ya hta hpang n hkrat ai sha shana wa ya marit ngu mung lajin dat ga ai.. Tinang hte ni nawn ai manaw manang ni hpe mung ndai mail forward galaw nna shana shabra ya marit ngu mung lajin dat ga ai.

Myu Sha Lam yan hta,

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Use refugees for labour needs

DIPLOMATICALLY SPEAKING:By DENNIS IGNATIUS
The predicament of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia has been grabbinginternational media attention. There are growing calls for theGovernment to address the issue.
FOR the last several weeks, the international press has beenhighlighting the sad plight of the more than 80,000 Myanmar refugeesin Malaysia.
An explosive report by the United States Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee that was released recently alleges the involvement of someMalaysian officials in the trafficking of these refugees. The refugeeshave reportedly been abused and harshly treated by other governmentagencies, including Rela.
The Government has until now, consistently denied all allegations ofmistreatment, abuse or trafficking. The former minister of homeaffairs rejected these allegations outright.
The allegations themselves are not new. Malaysian and other NGOs havebeen voicing similar concerns for years. Malaysian print andtelevision media have also featured investigative reports on thisissue. Just google ‘Burmese refugees – Malaysia’ and dozens of siteswill pop-up.
In need of serious attention: Myanmar refugees participating in ademonstration outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur in this Januaryfile picture.-AP
The UN High Commission for Refugees has also expressed alarm at thetreatment of refugees in Malaysia. Anyone who bothers to seek outthese hapless refugees, in and around our larger cities, and talk tothem, as I have, will be shocked by their stories of harassment,intimidation and abuse.
Of course, there may be some exaggeration involved. Nevertheless,their stories are credible, compelling and distressing, and must betaken seriously. Denial is not an option any longer.
It is to our great shame that we treat people who are fleeing fromoppression in such a callous manner. It goes against the norms ofdecency and violates international conventions on the treatment ofrefugees. It even flies in the face of our own claim to be “a caringsociety.”
Pretending that this problem does not exist in the hope that it wouldgo away is not going to work. The issue has now gained internationaltraction.
European and Canadian parliamentarians, together with members of theUS Congress, have taken up the cry, as have many respected NGOs.
Even our own parliamentarians are demanding action. We can thereforeexpect more negative publicity and criticism from abroad. It is goingto get very messy unless appropriate action is taken.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has done the right thing incalling for a thorough investigation. Our Inspector-General of PoliceTan Sri Musa Hassan has promised the same. Officials and others whoare found to be complicit in these abuses must be brought to book. Wehave no obligation to defend them or cover up for them.
However, these encouraging statements must now be followed up with amore comprehensive plan of action that should include the following:
First, a policy decision must be made to recognise that legitimaterefugees are different from illegal and other economic migrants. TheUNHCR already has in place a credible refugee registration system.Malaysian agencies should recognise UNHCR refugee documentation andextend appropriate protection to those who hold them. The harassmentof refugees must end immediately.
Second, the Government should henceforth give priority to documentedrefugees when it comes to recruiting temporary foreign labour. Itmakes no sense to contract thousands of foreign workers from abroad,and particularly from Myanmar, when we already have a huge pool ofunemployed refugees within our borders.
By providing refugees with legal employment, they will be able to livein dignity while awaiting resettlement in third countries.
Third, the Government should acknowledge the work of our NGOs incaring for the refugees despite many limitations, including hostilityfrom some government agencies.
These NGOs are already on the ground and have a good track record.With even modest government assistance, support and encouragement,they can do much to help the refugees.
Fourth, the Government should take the initiative to host an Aseanconference on refugees. Resettlement countries, as well as China,should be included.
The objective would be to construct a proper regional framework toprevent the abuse and trafficking of refugees and speed up theirresettlement to third countries.
Myanmar’s military rulers must also be persuaded to end their campaignof terror against their own minorities.
There is, of course, the fear that extending humanitarian support torefugees would open the floodgates, so to speak.
The real problem we face, however, is not from genuine refugees butfrom out of control illegal immigration that is exacerbated bycorruption and short-sighted labour recruitment policies. Theunfortunate people fleeing from tyranny in Myanmar should not have tosuffer because of this.
Najib has a unique opportunity to mend the damage done to ourinternational image and to restore our own self-respect. Bold measuresare needed, and needed quickly.
Malaysians, too, can help by reaching out to these refugees with thecare and compassion that has always been our hallmark, instead ofreacting with fear and suspicion.
In the final analysis, the measure of a country is not the high idealsit claims to possess but the compassion and care it shows to the weakand vulnerable in its midst. Malaysia must rise to this challenge.
Datuk Dennis Ignatius is a 36-year veteran of the Malaysian foreignservice. He has served in the United Kingdom, China, the UnitedStates, Chile and Argentina. He retired as High Commissioner forMalaysia to Canada in July 2008.

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