Ministry Received Warning from Country’s Leaders
The Union Ministry for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko was warned by the country’s top leaders for the usage of “an extreme religious” expression concerning Bengalis who arrived in Bangladesh according to Zaw Htay, spokesperson of the President’s Office.
During the talk given to the monks at the funeral ceremony for Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw which was held in Kayin State on November 2018, Thura U Aung Ko is said to have used the alleged words, but later in Nay Pyi Taw, he added that those words did not refer to the domestic Muslims, but Bengalis who arrived in Bangladesh. Zaw Htay said Bangladesh summoned Myanmar’s ambassador for the use of the term, but it does not affect the repatriation work that has been undertaken between the two countries, and the work was continued according to the agreement.
Rakhine Chief Minister Discussed about Regional Development
Nyi Pu, Rakhine State Chief Minister, together with State Ministers, Hluttaw representatives, and state and district level departmental officials discussed developmental affairs with local residents of Shwe Oo Kwin, Kingpone and Zeegoene village tracts in Gwa Township on November 24. The party discussed matters regarding the action to take against the illegal timber trade along Set Thwar Creek, assistance from the government for farmers, the conditions of school buildings and reconstructions in Kingpone Village, which was damaged by Cyclone Mala in 2016, and plans for building a rural health center branch and assistance for the tourism sector.
Moreover, the assistance of 1.3 million Kyats for high school in Shwe Oo Kwin Village, 1.5 million Kyats for the repair of schools in Kingpone village tract, and 2.4 million Kyats for schools in Zeegoene village tracts were given out.
State Counselor Meets President of India
State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi met with the President of the Republic of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and his delegation in the Envoys Hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw on December 11. At the meeting, matters relating to increasing the historically long bilateral relations and cooperation; India’s continuing support and assistance to Myanmar’s democracy transition and peace process; increasing trade and continuing cooperation in developing basic infrastructure for peace, stability and development along the border regions of the two countries; increasing bilateral cooperation in education, health, agriculture and economic matters; opening of a temporary liaison office in Nay Pyi Taw in order to move the Embassy of India to Nay Pyi Taw; India’s continued cooperation with Myanmar in its efforts toward receiving returnees back to Rakhine State and rule of law works, were discussed and views exchanged. The President of India expressed his appreciation to Myanmar for granting visa on arrival to Indian citizens arriving in Myanmar via air starting from December 1, 2018 as it would increase contacts and relations between the citizens of the two countries and develop tourism.
