Stories about Myanmar (Burma) from August, 2009
Myanmar: Tension in the Sino-Burmese border
ESWN collects news reports on the military conflict between the Burmese government and the Kokang Ceasefire Group near the Sino-Burmese border. The situation has been getting worse in the past few days and thousands of Burmese refugees fled to China. Last Friday, a bomb fired across the border killed one...
Vietnam: Blogger fired by newspaper
Blogger Huy Duc, who writes under the pen name “Osin,” was fired from his job in a Saigon newspaper after Communist authorities in Vietnam complained about his writings
Myanmar: Cooking oil ban removed
According to The Irrawaddy News, seven brands of cooking oil that had been banned for health reasons in Myanmar are now on sale again in Yangon after government authorities recommended their sale in the market.
Southeast Asia: Twitter reactions on Suu Kyi guilty verdict
Myanmar opposition leader and global democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest for violating the terms of her detention. Suu Kyi’s conviction was condemned by world leaders, Burmese activists, and also bloggers. Twitterers based in Southeast Asia also reacted to the “harsh” sentence
Singapore: Reaction to Aung San Suu Kyi verdict
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar was found guilty and sentenced to three years hard labour. But the Ministry also recognized the “significant gestures” by the Myanmar Government
Fake eggs in Myanmar
Today in Myanmar reports that fake eggs are being sold in some areas in Myanmar. The fake eggs were allegedly transported from neighboring countries.
Myanmar: Buddhists Outraged by Actor's Photo
A controversial photo of a Burmese actor and his friends wearing saffron robes was posted on a popular Burmese blog, creating a severe outrage within the Burmese Buddhist community. GV author Tan translates a few Burmese blog posts.
Myanmar: Actor in Monk Photo Scandal
A controversial photograph of a popular Burmese actor and his friends posing in saffron robes on the day of their ordination at a Buddhist monastery was published on a popular Burmese Website on Tuesday causing outrage and a severe backlash.
Singapore Minister's “incorrect” remarks on Myanmar
Singapore's Foreign Minister has been criticized for issuing “incorrect” statements about Myanmar. The Minister has answered his critics by posting a reply on Facebook.
Southeast Asia: Internet and Nationalism
The Internet is increasingly being used by many Southeast Asians for various nationalist campaigns. This trend is positive in so far as it expands and improves the political participation of ordinary citizens. However, there are also ultra-nationalist online initiatives which prevent the formation of regional solidarity in Southeast Asia.