India, China push poll plan
Despite widespread skepticism that the junta can organize an election while anti-regime forces are threatening its grip on power, the regime has ramped up preparations after Myanmar’s neighbors apparently bought Min Aung Hlaing’s promise of a poll next year.
After the junta boss made the vow last month, India’s ambassador paid a call on Myanmar’s election chief Ko Ko to offer Delhi’s assistance with election preparations.
China’s departing ambassador, Chen Hai, also discussed the junta’s poll arrangements in farewell talks with Min Aung Hlaing recently.
Junta No. 2 Soe Win then explained the poll preparations during his first official visit to China last Sunday.
The same day, Ko Ko urged his staff to step up the preparations at a workshop on managing voter lists.
The majority of Myanmar’s people, who elected the NLD government ousted by Min Aung Hlaing’s coup, believe that any election held under the junta will be a sham intended to solidify military rule. The US and other western governments agree with them.
Crony celebrities sacrifice careers at military altar
When junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun, notorious for his skill in delivering brazen lies for hours, awarded comedians known for vulgar jokes on Sunday, observers noted that birds of a feather were flocking together.
While many Myanmar artists have revolted against junta rule after the 2021 coup, most of the comedians, actors and celebrities who attended Sunday’s event were military sympathizers.
Myanmar people are well aware of celebrities’ ties with the regime, and junta attempts to employ these so-called artists in propaganda campaigns have proved futile.
Legendary Myanmar rocker Lay Phyu provided the latest evidence when he jokingly told the audience at a popular Naypyitaw nightspot that “BC” meant nothing to him as he doesn’t read English. The quip came after his fans called on him to respect the popular boycott (BC) against the regime by refusing to perform in the junta’s nerve center. The rockstar’s statement triggered outrage among his millions of fans, who are now calling for a boycott against him.
Sea rescue for blocked border trade
The regime has opened a new marine route for border trade with Thailand, with the major border hub of Myawaddy in Karen State blocked for months by fighting.
The sea route launched on Sunday as a cargo ship left Yangon port for Tanintharyi Region’s Kawthaung. The ship will unload export goods in the Thai port of Ranong and return with imports to Yangon.
Junta media reported that the new route was established at a meeting of the Myanmar-Thai regional border committee in Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik on June 29.
The maritime trade channel will however be costlier and more time-consuming since cargo ships will need to cross the Andaman Sea.
The new route is expected to give the regime breathing space as Myanmar’s border trade with China through Muse in northern Shan has also been halted for months due to fighting.
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Bankers ordered to Naypyitaw for ‘confidential’ meeting
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No. 2 on mission to mollify Beijing
Vice-Senior General Soe Win has been telling the Chinese about his regime’s preparations for a general election as it loses its grip on the border with China. Read more
