• Burmese
Sunday, September 24, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

New Commission to Decide Fate of Myitsone Dam in Kachin State

by Nyein Nyein
August 12, 2016
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
New Commission to Decide Fate of Myitsone Dam in Kachin State

Entrance to the Myitsone Dam construction site

7.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

President Htin Kyaw on Friday formed a new commission to evaluate all proposed hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River prior to their going ahead.

The committee formation comes a week before State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s trip to China as Burma’s foreign minister.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters

Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters

September 23, 2023
1.6k
Myanmar’s Civilian Government Calls on International Community to Help Unseat Junta

Myanmar’s Civilian Government Calls on International Community to Help Unseat Junta

September 23, 2023
858
Myanmar Junta Troops Loot Abandoned Magwe Town

Myanmar Junta Troops Loot Abandoned Magwe Town

September 23, 2023
755

Since the installation of the National League for Democracy (NLD) government in April, China has been lobbying for the resumption of the multi-billion dollar Myitsone Dam, which was being constructed with Chinese backing just downriver of the confluence that forms the Irrawaddy, in Kachin State, prior to a government suspension order in 2011.

The Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament T Khun Myat chairs the 20-member commission. Its vice chair is State Counselor’s Office Minister Kyaw Tint Swe.

The commission is tasked with assessing the potential environmental and social effects of any proposed project—both up- and downstream—its possible impact on foreign investment and the wider economy, and potential losses in water resources set alongside public access to electricity.

The halt order on the China-backed Myitsone Dam, issued by former President Thein Sein in September 2011, followed widespread public protest against the project—led partially by Suu Kyi, then opposition leader, in her calls to “save the Irrawaddy.”

Protests against the dam were fueled by a variety of fears and misgivings: that the lion’s share of electrical power generated would go straight to China, that its location near a seismic fault line posed a flooding risk to large swathes of Burma downriver in the event of an earthquake, and the general lack of public consultation undertaken beforehand.

Since assuming office, Suu Kyi and the NLD government have been tight-lipped on the subject of the Myitsone Dam—aware of pervasive public opposition to the project, but also the need not to upset relations with China, Burma’s biggest trade and investment partner.

However, an editorial in state-run newspaper The Mirror in July called for the cancellation of the Myitsone Dam, echoing a line taken by most of Burma’s private media.

The newly formed commission must send its first assessment report to the President no later than November 11 this year.

A member of the new commission, Cho Cho, who is also on the advisory board of the National Water Resources Committee, told The Irrawaddy they would be assessing proposals against “international standards,” as well as consulting with local communities and incorporating their voices and concerns into their recommendations.

“The public has already expressed concern over the Myitsone project and we will be referencing that in our assessment,” he said.

He added that a full study on the effects of the dam, including on areas and communities downstream, would require “three to four years.”

The President’s Office will take care of the commission’s administrative needs, according to the presidential order, which also charged relevant ministries and the Kachin State government to work with the commission.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: A_FactivaForeign RelationsNatural Resources
Previous Post

Who Is The Head Of The Country?

Next Post

Parliament Appoints New Member to Central Bank’s Board of Directors

Nyein Nyein

Nyein Nyein

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 24, 2019. / Reuters

TIMELINE: China-Myanmar Relations

January 13, 2020
354.5k
Inspiring Women of Burma  

Inspiring Women of Burma  

March 18, 2016
32.1k
Burmese Director Explores Same-Sex Relationships in New Film

Burmese Director Explores Same-Sex Relationships in New Film

January 28, 2016
7.7k
New Delhi Is Backing the Wrong Horse in Myanmar

New Delhi Is Backing the Wrong Horse in Myanmar

June 19, 2023
6.9k
Burma’s Media Landscape Through the Years

Burma’s Media Landscape Through the Years

May 4, 2016
13k
Lucky Numbers in the Quest for Peace

Lucky Numbers in the Quest for Peace

September 10, 2015
8.3k
Load More
Next Post
Parliament Appoints New Member to Central Bank’s Board of Directors

Parliament Appoints New Member to Central Bank’s Board of Directors

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (August 13

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (August 13, 2016)

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Former Refugee Puts Plight of Myanmar Children Center Stage at Miss Universe Pageant

Former Refugee Puts Plight of Myanmar Children Center Stage at Miss Universe Pageant

5 days ago
1.9k
Myanmar Junta Boss Unlikely to Get BRI Forum Invite He Craves From China

Myanmar Junta Boss Unlikely to Get BRI Forum Invite He Craves From China

4 days ago
1.4k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters

    Myanmar Junta Massacres Sagaing Resistance Fighters

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar’s Civilian Government Calls on International Community to Help Unseat Junta

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Troops Loot Abandoned Magwe Town

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Watch: Belarus Seals Bloody Alliance With Regime; Resistance-Hit Naypyitaw Touted as Top Tourism Destination; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Fighting Set to Intensify on Myanmar’s Border with China: Analysts

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.