Saturday, May 31, 2025
Home Blog Page 355

Israeli company sold surveillance technology to MPT before coup, NUG claims it raised tens of millions in ‘Spring Investments’

0

FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

DVB’s Weekly Cartoon: Thai police discovered assets belonging to Min Aung Hlaing’s children during the arrest of his associate Tun Min Latt in Bangkok last September.

Israeli company sold surveillance software to MPT before coup

The Israeli company Cognyte Software Ltd won a tender to sell intercept spyware to the state-owned telecommunications operator Myanma Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) one month before the coup in Burma, Reuters reported. Israel claims that it has not sold defense technology to Burma since a ruling made by its Supreme Court in 2017, which was made after the Burma Army’s genocidal campaign against the Rohingya. MPT purchased the spyware from Cognyte in December 2020 and was listed as the winning tender in January 2021. Sources told Reuters that MPT had tested Cognyte’s technology since the junta took control of it in February 2021. Israeli human rights lawyer Eitay Mack is calling for an investigation into the deal, as it may be in violation of the Supreme Court of Israel ruling. Last year, Norway’s Telenor exited Burma citing pressure to activate surveillance technology.

Rumors swirl of President being transferring to Taungoo Prison

Unconfirmed reports state that President U Win Myint was transferred from Naypyidaw Prison to Bago’s Taungoo Prison on Jan. 14. “Two express cars came into the prison compound on Jan. 14. Ordinary prisoners normally have to walk in from outside the prison, but I think they were carrying VIPs. There has not yet been any changes of staff inside the prison. The night time staff had not changed shifts with the daytime ones. I think the authorities are afraid of information leaking out. Security has been tightened. I previously heard that the president would be moved to this prison,” a former inmate of the prison told DVB on the condition of anonymity. That same day, inmates believed to be political prisoners from Yangon’s Insein Prison were transferred to Bago’s Thayawady Prison, according to sources. “There were only women in one car and men in the other three cars,” said a visitor to the prison on the condition of anonymity. The junta transfers inmates to different prisons arbitrarily.

NUG claims to raise tens of millions through its fundraising efforts

The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Planning, Finance and Investment stated that it has raised up to $100 million USD from its “Spring Investments” fundraising project on Jan. 15. NUG Minister Tin Tun Naing claimed that Min Aung Hlaing’s two mansions in Yangon were sold for $10 million USD and $4 million USD each. Plots of land located in Yangon and Mandalay that were seized by the Burma Army are reported to have been sold for up to $50 million USD. In addition, it is reported that the NUG sold $5 million USD worth of treasury bonds since November 2021. It states that the funds raised are being allocated to areas in urgent need “for the revolution.”

News by Region

MON—The Mudon Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed to have conducted an attack on a retired Security and Border Affairs minister Win Naing Oo. The attack is reported to have been conducted with a remote-controlled explosive when the former minister was on his way home to Mudon town on Jan. 15. The vehicle was damaged, according to the PDF.

SAGAING—Twenty-seven civil servants in Sagaing Region joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) from September 2022 to January 2023, the NUG claims. The new CDM members are reported to be from the health, education and agriculture departments. The NUG Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Lwin Ko Lat has encouraged non-striking civil servants to participate in the CDM or else they could face prosecution under the Counter-Terrorism Act for supporting the junta.

RAKHINE—Around 20 shops were dismantled and decorations were put up for the expected arrival of Min Aung Hlaing. The junta leader will be joined by the Thai army chief on a visit to Rakhine State on Jan. 19, according to political analysts and local residents who wish not to be named. Regime forces have increased in the townships. Roads have been repaired and decorated in Sittwe. “Along the road in front of the admin office, We can see the crosswalk and platforms along the road in front of the admin office are being repaired and painted, and new garbage cans provided by Shwe Natural Gas [have been installed],” said a political analyst from Sittwe on the condition of anonymity. In Thandwe, there were reports that around 20 shops had been demolished. “There has been an increased Burma Army presence in the town since Jan. 11,” said a local resident on the condition of anonymity. Thailand has been criticized for meeting with junta officials.

YANGON—An administrator was killed on Jan. 15 in Thaketa Township. He was reportedly collecting household lists from his ward for the population census. “He was shot four or five times,” a local told DVB on the condition of anonymity. No group claimed responsibility for the murder.

PODCAST—Meet Chu Wai, a Burmese artist now living in France. In this episode, she discusses the cultural taboos her art addresses in Burmese society. DVB English is available on-demand via all major podcast apps.

News Cartoon: January 17, 2023

0
“Thai pressure on the blood flow to junta leader’s family”

Over 48,000 civilian homes burned down in Burma since coup, the NUG reiterates its calls for air defence systems

0

FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

As of Dec. 31, 2022, the Burma Army and its affiliated groups burned down approximately 48,463 civilian houses across the country, according to the latest statistics from Data for Myanmar. Among this figure, 36,667 houses were in Sagaing Region, 8,575 in Magway Region, 1,475 in Chin State and 1,746 in other states and regions.

The National Unity Government (NUG) called on its supporters around the world, and international organizations, to support its air defense measures to counter the military council’s airstrikes on civilians. The NUG Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management made the plea on Jan. 12. There are now 1.5 million people displaced from their homes in Burma due to violence or insecurity. This number has doubled since last year, according to the UN. The NUG also requested humanitarian assistance.

The Thanlyin Township court sentenced 77 Rohingya to two years in prison on Jan. 10. All had been arrested from Jan. 2 to 8 in Yangon, according to sources close to the court. “Fourteen of them are children. I think they will send them to a youth detention center,” a lawyer said. The 77 Rohingya had departed from Taungup, Rakhine State but were arrested in Thanlyin, Yangon Region. A total of 148 Rohingyas have been arrested in Yangon since Jan. 1.

News by Region

KAREN—Four civilians, including a Catholic priest, were killed and seven were injured following an airstrike on Lay Wah village, located in Lu Thaw Township, Hpapun District, in the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 5 on Jan. 12. Captain Saw Kalah Doh, spokesperson of KNU Brigade 5, told DVB that three bombs were dropped. “There might be more casualties. We are still looking for people,” he said. On Jan. 7, the Burma Army’s air force struck Dwe Lo Township in the KNU’s Brigade 5, killing six civilians, according to the KNU’s Mutraw News. Several buildings, including a hospital, were damaged. There have bee numerous airstrikes on the KNU Hpapun District after it ordered the military council’s civil servants to leave the district.

RAKHINE—The Arakan Front Party (AFP) stated that it would compete in the military council’s planned 2023 election. The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) stated that it would not. The Arakan National Party (ANP) remains undecided. The AFP chairperson, Dr. Aye Maung, called the planned election a “political breakthrough.” He went on to state: “How can we stop the 75 years of bloodshed? This upcoming election is a way out for this crisis.” In Rakhine, the military council has been collecting census data since Jan. 1.

SAGAING—Eight family members, including children, were killed in their homes on Jan. 14 in Ngarmyaung village, Kanbalu Township. The family were reported to be supporters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and used their home as the party’s local office. “They were killed very early in the morning. Their house is located on the outskirts of the village,” a local said.

SHAN—Over 30 people from villages near Inle Lake in Nyaung Shwe Township were arrested by the Burma Army and later released. “Thirty civilians who were helping out at a funeral home were arrested by a group of soldiers, Pyusawhtee militiamen and members of Pa-O National Organization for holding a [funeral] gathering,” a local said. Since December, regime forces have raided local homes searching for National League for Democracy (NLD) party supporters and political activists. 

On Jan. 7, regime forces announced that it had killed four Inlay People’s Defense Force (PDF) members and arrested four others, along with an abbot of Nyaung Tain monastery and two civilians. Fighting between the  Burma Army and PDF broke out in two villages near Inle Lake on Jan. 3. The Inlay PDF has not commented.

TANINTHARYI—An anti-UN rally was held in Myeik Taung village, located in Myeik on Jan. 12. Locals claimed that 100 people were paid 10,000 Kyats each to attend. “They gathered at the football stadium,” a local said. The rally denounced the UN Security Council resolution last month calling for the release of all political prisoners, including detained leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

YANGON—At least 29 residents became sick in Hlaing Township after a gas leak from an ice factory on Jan. 12. Locals are reported to have suffered from dizziness, eye irritation, and headaches. Ambulances arrived and medical personnel conducted emergency medical treatments. Several people were sent to the hospital for further medical attention. The Myanmar Fire Service Department arrived to fix the gas leak.

DVB PICKS—Many in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) have fled to the Thai-Burma border for safety. Struggling to survive financially, several of them have decided to take up crocheting. Watch the latest DVB Reports.

DVB Athan: Countering Cultural Taboos With Art Beyond Burma

0

Meet Chu Wai, a Burmese artist now living in France. In this episode, she discusses the cultural taboos her art addresses in Burmese society.

DVB English On-Demand, via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, TuneIn Radio, Anchor FM, Amazon Music, Audible, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts: link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish

Voices from Burma’s Borderlands III: Teaching and Learning Life Skills

0

By Saw Kel Taw

Guest contributor

Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) Teacher

On the way to Hpa Yar Thone Su, one of my colleagues from the school asked me to wait in the car for our other colleagues on the way to a funeral. After waiting over thirty minutes, we drove down the dusty road and arrived at our destination. One of my students, who had just lost his mother, greeted us with tearful eyes. We went up to the house and tried to comfort him but I knew how difficult it must’ve been  for him to deal with. Several people gathered at the house and some were decorating the coffin. Something I found shocking was seeing a burial site at the corner of the garden. I have seen this at churches but not in someone’s yard before. In the evening, we left after hugging him and saying “it would be alright…” even though I myself knew it would not be.

Six months ago, COVID-19 reached our campus. Two students had gone into town where roads were inundated by floods. Heavy rain, leaky roofs and over a hundred students made me feel scared, disappointed and desperate. Nevertheless, the teachers did not give up on our students. We took care of them by measuring body temperature, cooking rice soup, and making herbal medicines. Some of them were physically and mentally exhausted because there was almost no nutritious food left and even worse, they could not even call their parents on the phone as the access to mobile signals was nearly impossible in the jungle. Fortunately, I tried to contact one of my friends who worked at a humanitarian organization assisting those in need. They sent us packs of potatoes, onions and other food that could be preserved. 

My school is called “Taw College” as facilities are basic, and its located in the jungle. The good thing is that the facilities have improved for the better as time has passed, and we’ve spent time making life here better. Over one hundred students chose this place after the 2021 military coup to continue with their education. Many are from remote areas. Most of the students are quite weak in subjects such as Maths and English. These subjects are vital to be able to continue on with further studies. Some have finished their matriculation exams. Some had even finished the first or second year of university. Some had even graduated before February 2021 when everything came to a halt. For many students, their core purpose is to learn  English. We do offer other subjects like Maths, Social Science, Science and Thai language. I sometimes get upset when they do not complete their homework and other tasks. But I don’t let it get to me.

One night, I was hungry after watching a movie and went down to the kitchen from my room. Everyone should be finished eating dinner by that time. I looked for food on the table but there was nothing.  I wondered what was under the cover and flipped it with curiosity. My heart stopped as I saw the skinned head of a dog. It reminded me of the time, I refused to eat fried cow tongue at a restaurant and a friend said to me: “You already ate the other part of the cow, but why not the tongue?”. In the last two years, I have eaten monkey, rat, snake and numerous vegetables that I cannot even name. Living here now, we have to eat whatever is on the table in front of us (as long as it is not poisonous).

DVB Reports: Civil Disobedience Movement raises funds with handicrafts

0

Many of Burma’s striking civil servants participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) have had to flee to the Thai-Burma border for safety. They have been struggling to survive financially, so several of them have decided to take up crocheting to raise funds through the sale of toys and other handicrafts.

DVB English – https://english.dvb.no
Facebook – https://bit.ly/3PhmElC
Twitter – https://twitter.com/dvb_english
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@dvbenglish
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@dvbenglish
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/dvbenglish
Podcast – https://link.chtbl.com/dvbenglish
Substack – https://dvbenglish.substack.com

Subscribe to the Daily Briefing: [email protected]
DVB TV News – https://youtube.com/dvbtvnews https://t.me/dvbtvnews

About DVB
The DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma) is a non-profit Burmese media organization committed to independent and responsible journalism. The DVB Foundation is registered in Oslo, Norway since 1992.

Feel the passion for press freedom ignite within you.

Join us as a valued contributor to our vibrant community, where your voice harmonizes with the symphony of truth. Together, we'll amplify the power of free journalism.

Lost Password?
Contact