The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 9 October, 2000)

[Ok Kar <Okkar66126@xxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 9 October, 2000)
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1. Secretary-1 accepts donations to fund of Lawka 
   Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image  
2. Pun Hlaing Golf Estate opens  
3. Secretary-2 tours fish breeding stations, inspects 
   agriculture projects in Bago, Yangon Divisions  
4. - Minister arrives back from ASEAN meeting 
   - Myanmar delegation arrives back  
5. - Entries invited to Armed Forces Day Poetry 
     Competition 
   - Minister inspects Nyaungdon (South) oil and gas 
     filed in Nyaungdon Township 
6. - Commander, ministers inspect border trade, 
     industrial zone in Tachilek 
   - Minister views Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium  
7. Rice, Cash donated to monasteries, nunneries 
   in North Okkalapa 
8. Stimulant tablets seized  
9. 22 members resign from Pale Township NLD of own accord 

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( 1 ) Secretary-1 accepts donations to fund of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha 
Muni Image


Yangon, 8 Oct - A ceremony to make donations to the fund of all-round 
construction work of Mindhamma Hill where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni 
Image will be kept for public obeisance, was held at the central pandal on 
the hill in Insein Township this morning. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and 
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony.

Also present were the ministers, members of the Central Committee for 
All-round Construction Work of Mindhamma Hill, chairmen and officials of 
various subcommittees and well-wishers.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Ministers Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, U Aung Khin, U 
Pan Aung, Col Tin Hlaing, U Win Sein and Brig-Gen Ohn Myint accepted 
donations. 

Chairman of the Fund-raising Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa reported on 
condition of the funds. The Secretary-1 said that well-wishers, inspired by 
generosity, have been making donations to the fund, which will be used for 
the construction of religious buildings on Mindhamma Hill where Lawka Chantha 
Abhaya Labha Muni Image will be kept for public homage. It is a 
once-in-a-life-time opportunity for all to contribute to the fund of the 
Image. 

Huge rocks of marble have emerged five times in Myanmar. These rocks emerged 
two times during the reign of King Taninganwe, one time during the reign of 
King Bagyidaw and one time during the reign of King Mindon. They were carved 
into marble Buddha Images which are now in Innwa, Sagaing, Amarapura and 
Mandalay. In the time of King Mindon, a huge rock of marble, 27 feet in 
height, emerged and it was the highest among the previously-found marble 
rocks. It has been after over one hundred years and in the time of the State 
Peace and Development Council that a chance of carving Lawka Chantha Abhaya 
Labha Muni Image, 37 feet in height, has manifested itself.


Today the nation is enjoying peace and tranquillity and development. All the 
citizens of the nation are living a stable and happy life and are able to do 
the work benefiting race, religion and Sasana. These favourable conditions 
can be put down to the cooperation of the government and the people. 

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 wished all well-being in body and mind. Then, 
the Secretary-1 and party inspected construction work on the hill. Today's  
Donations received to date amounted to over K 244.6 million, 1,200 FECs and 
US $ 4,667.


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( 2 ) Hlinethaya becoming new thriving town with industrial zone, modern golf 
resort, modern housing World-class Pun Hlaing Golf Estate opens 


YANGON, 9 Oct-Ñ Pun Hlaing Golf Estate built by Hlaing River Golf and Country 
Club Co Ltd at Hlinethaya City of Industry in Hlinethaya Township was 
commissioned with a formal opening ceremony this morning. Secretary-1 of the 
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

It is a joint venture of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing 
Development of the Ministry of Construction and Yangon Nominees Ltd, a member 
of SPA/FMI Companies Group. The agreement was reached between the DHSHD and 
Yangon Nominees Ltd to build the golf estate on 652 acres. Since the two 
parties signed the contract on 24 December 1998, construction work has been 
in progress for an 18-hole international golf club, putting greens, a driving 
range, a country club, 300 detached houses, and houses with 240 high-class 
apartments with modern facilities.

The opening of the golf course was held to enable golfers to play with nine 
holes and those present at the ceremony to view the houses completed so far. 

First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt formally unveiled the signboard of Pun 
Hlaing Golf Club. Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Managing 
Director of Hlaing River Golf and Country Club Co Ltd U Thein Wai formally 
opened the Club House. The ceremony continued in the Club House.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun said that while all 
ministries are striving for all-round national development, Public Works of 
the Ministry of Construction is undertaking tasks to build roads and bridges, 
and government estates, and the DHSHD builds new towns for civil development, 
modernizes wards and townships in cities to improve the social standard. 

For national economic development, industrial zones have been established in 
the areas such as Shwepyitha, Hlinethaya, Dagon Myothit, Shwepaukkan and 
Mingaladon. In addition to implementing modern housing, service apartment and 
economic complex projects for development of people's social standard in 
accord with the motto"Always Searching for Better Living " the DHSHD builds 
garden cities with parks and ponds, recreation centres and playgrounds, 
condominiums, modern golf clubs and housing estates. After establishment of 
Hlinethaya new town, the department has taken one step after another to 
develop the infrastructure. Hlinethaya Industrial Zone paves the way for 
greater job opportunities for the town dwellers, and the low-cost housing 
projects and modern housing projects are also being implemented.

Land preparation was made on 652 acres. The 120 bed Pun Hlaing International 
Hospital will be built on seven acres of land in December and it will be 
completed by the end of 2002.

The Secretary-1 and party observed advanced single unit houses of the housing 
project. Minister for Construction Maj- Gen Saw Tun then teed off. The 
Secretary-1 and party and guests had a photo taken.

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( 3 ) Secretary-2 tours fish breeding stations, inspects agriculture projects 
in Bago, Yangon Divisions 


YANGON, 8 Oct - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen 
Tin Oo today inspected the fishery and agriculture projects in Bago and 
Yangon Divisions. 

He was accompanied on his tour by member of the Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than,   
Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, the deputy ministers, senior military 
officers and departmental heads. They reached Thayagon Fish Breeding Station 
in Bago Division near the border of Yangon and Bago Divisions at 12.30 pm. 

They heard reports on digging of fishery ponds and fish breeding presented by 
Commander of No-77 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, 
Secretary of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Min and 
other officials. 

They later inspected the appropriate sites for fish breeding in the region 
adjoining Hlegu, Mingaladon and Hmawby townships, and proceeded to Ahtayu 
Fish Breeding Station of No-11 Light Infantry Division in Hmawby Township. 
Commander of No-11 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Myint Swe reported to 
them on digging of fish ponds on 120 acres of the station, breeding of 
240,000 Nile Tilapia in 24 two-acre ponds. The Secretary-2 gave instructions 
upon the supplementary reports presented by Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than 
and Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein. Later they 
inspected the ponds. 

They next went to the forward supervision station of Barlar agriculture zone 
at Yaytalabaung Village in Hlegu Township. At the station, Yangon Division 
Director of Irrigation Department U Tin Maung Win reported to them on the 
salient points about the Uto zone, Kyar-in zone, Nyaunghnapin vegetable zone 
and Barlar agriculture zone, irrigation network, arable acreage and 
cultivation of monsoon crops. Divisional Manager U San Maung of Myanma 
Agriculture Service briefed them on the plans for cultivation of cold season 
crops and summer paddy, and other officials on cultivation of monsoon and 
summer paddy and the wetlands where fish can be bred. 

Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than spoke of the need for those who have got 
permit to implement the agriculture project in Yangon Division to expand sown 
acreage and boost production. 

Director-General of Agricultural Mechanization Department U Win Maw reported 
on assistance of AMD. The Secretary-2 called on the supervisory committees 
and administrative bodies to cooperate.The Secretary-2 and party inspected 
monsoon paddy cultivation in Barlar zone.

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( 4 )  Minister arrives back from ASEAN meeting 


YANGON, 8 Oct - Minister at the State Peace and Development Council 
Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Able arrived back here by air this evening after 
attending the 32nd meeting of ASEAN economic ministers, 14th meeting of AFTA 
council, the fifth informal meeting between ASEAN economic ministers and 
ministers of Australia and New Zealand, the economic ministers of ASEAN + 3 
(China, Japan and ROK) and the third meeting of  economic ministers and 
ministers of international trade and industry of Japan. 

The minister was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister 
for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, 
Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pensak Chalarak and officials of the Ministry of 
National Planning and Economic Development. Director-General of National AFTA 
Unit of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development U Maung 
Maung Yi, adviser to the minister Dr Daw Khin Ohn Thant, Deputy 
Director-General of the Customs Department Thiha Thura U Thein Tun Tin, who 
accompanied the minister, arrived back on the same flight.

Myanmar delegation arrives back 

YANGON, 8 Oct-A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Hotels and 
Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu arrived back here by air this evening after 
attending the Ministerial Meeting for Regional Travel Service in Bangkok, 
Thailand, on 6 October, at the invitation of Minister at the Prime Minister's 
Office and Chairman of Tourism Authority of Thailand Dr Adisai Bodharamik. 

Members of the delegation Director-General U Win Maung of Department of Civil 
Aviation, Deputy Director-General U Aung Kyaing of Archaeology Department, 
General Manager U Htay Aung of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and Deputy 
Director U Tin Win of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism also arrived back on 
the same flight. 

The delegation was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister 
for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pensak 
Chalarak, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of-Directorate of Hotels and 
Tourism and officials.

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( 5 ) Entries invited to Armed Forces Day Poetry Competition 

YANGON, 8 Oct-Hailing the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day which falls on 27 
March 2001, the Poetry Competition Organizing Sub-committee of the Work 
Committee for Poetry and Art Competition chaired by Deputy Minister for 
Culture U Soe Nyunt announced rules for the poetry competition. All works 
must be based on the national objectives and objectives of the 56th 
Anniversary Armed Forces Day and twelve noble traditions of the Tatmadaw. The 
competition will be categorized into the open long poem level-1 and level-2, 
open short poem level-1 and level-2. Short poems must be between 100 and 300 
lines and the long ones between 1,000 and 2,000. 

The poems must be composed in consonance with Myanmar Culture and literature. 
Free verses and modern poems will not be taken into consideration. Those who 
won first, second and third prizes in the previous competitions are to enter 
the level-1 and those who have not won prizes are to enter the level-2.The 
competitors may portray the work based on not only historical features of 
Konbaung Period (AD 1824-1885), British Period (AD 1885-1948), Independence 
Period (1948-1988), the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the State 
Peace and Development Council Period (1988-to date) but also nation building 
endeavours, peace efforts and narcotic drugs eradication tasks of the State 
Law and Order Restoration Council and the State Peace and Development 
Council. The competitors must submit two copies of the work together with 
curriculum vitae, two license photos and one colour postcard to Daw Cho Cho 
Than, Secretary of Sub-committee, Sarpay Beikman, No 529/531, Merchant 
Street, not later than 31 January 2001.

Minister inspects Nyaungdon (South) oil and gas filed in Nyaungdon Township 

YANGON, 8 Oct-Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, accompanied by officials, 
inspected Nyaungdon (South) oil and gas field in Nyaungdon Township this 
afternoon. 

Chief Engineer (Drilling) U Myint Thein reported on drilling of Test-Well No 
8 and Managing Director U Kyaw Nyein of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise on 
geological condition in Ayeyawady Division and production of Nyaungdon 
(South) natural gas area. The minister presented bonus K 300,000 to workers 
who participated in the drilling of Test-Well No 8. 

Then, the minister and party inspected production of natural gas and 
condensed gas and preparation for drilling Test-Well No9. 

A total of 4 million cubic feet natural gas and 20 barrels condensed gas are 
being produced per day from the newly drilled Test-Well No 8 in Nyaungdon 
(South) area. Natural gas is being sent through pipe-lines from Nyaungdon to 
Yangon. 


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( 6 )  Commander, ministers inspect border trade, industrial zone in Tachilek 


YANGON, 8 Oct- Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council 
Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, together with 
Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi 
Sone and Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, met 
district level departmental personnel at Golden Triangle Yeiktha in Tachilek 
yesterday afternoon.

Their discussions focused on the condition of border trade. Chairman of 
Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thet Naing Win 
reported on agriculture, livestock breeding and regional development, border 
trade and allotment of the industrial zone in Tachilek and Director Lt-Col 
Saw Hla Tun of Border Trade Department on progress of border trade. Commander 
Maj-Gen Thein Sein elaborated on progress of economic and social affairs in 
Tachilek District and matters related to border trade.

U Kyee Myint of Border Trade Merchants Association of Tachilek reported on 
condition of trade and difficulties. Minister U Aung Thaung gave necessary 
instructions. Then, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun reported on matters 
pertaining to Myanma Economic Bank in Tachilek and private banks.

Afterwards, Minister U Aung Thaung met officials of the Customs Department, 
banks and Internal Revenue Department in Tachilek. This morning, the 
Commander, the ministers, the deputy minister and officials paid obeisance to 
Tachilek Shwedagon Pagoda. After that, they donated provisions to member of 
the Central Working Committee of the Sangha Chairman of Tachilek Township 
Sangha Nayaka Committee Tachilek Naga Hnakaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita 
Bhaddanta Dhammasiri. Then, Chairman of Myanmar Industrial Development 
Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung went to the plastic factory 
of Lucky Co in Tachilek Industrial Zone.

Chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thet Naing 
Win and Factory Manager U Khin Maung Myint conducted the minister round the 
factory. The minister and party inspected production work of the factory. 
Next, the Commander, the ministers and party proceeded to Shan Yoma 
Department Store and inspected preparations for Four-Nation Golden Triangle 
Friendship Trade Fair. Patron of Shan State (East) Union Solidarity and 
Development Association Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Central Executive 
Committee members U Aung Thaung and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone accepted membership 
applications at Tachilek District USDA Office. Then, CEC members gave 
instructions to USDA members. Afterwards, the Commander, the ministers and 
party inspected Shwe Nandaw Department Store of Tachilek in Thai-Myanmar 
border area.

Minister views Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium 


YANGON, 8 Oct-Patron of Myanma Gems Emporium Central Committee Minister for 
Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint inspected sale of jade lots at Myanma Gems Emporium 
on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning. Then, the minister viewed Mogok gems 
and lots of raw gems of the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, lots 
of gems and pearl on display upstairs of the Emporium. Next, the minister 
also inspected private jewellery shops and jade carvings on display on the 
ground floor, and gave instructions to the officials. A total of 32 jade lots 
worth US $ 1,275,568 were sold through competitive bidding, and gems sold at 
fixed prices fetched US $ 3,237 from 9 am to 5 pm today. Lots of gems will be 
on sale through competitive bidding at 9 am on 9 October. So far, 649 local 
and foreign gem merchants have arrived here.


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( 7 ) Rice, Cash donated to monasteries, nunneries in North Okkalapa


YANGON, 8 Oct-Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and 
well-wishers donated rice and cash towards the funds of monasteries and 
nunneries in North Okkalapa Township this morning. 

Present were senior military officers of Ministry of Defence, the officer on 
special duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office, officials and 
well-wishers Afterwards, well-wishers donated provisions to S.Sayadaws and K 
280,000 to the funds of monasteries to officials. 

Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nandadhaja delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of 
merits. Similarly, Chief of Staff (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Deputy 
Adjutant-General Col Ye Tun, General Staff Officer (Grade-I) (Navy) 
(Mechanical) Cmdr Aung Min presented rice donated by Tatmadaw families to 
Mahiyadana, Sasana Myinzayi, Myanmar-Nepal and Zeya Theingi nunneries in 
North Okkalapa Township this morning. Well-wishers also presented provisions 
and K 193,000 to nuns of the nunneries. 


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( 8 )  Stimulant tablets seized 

YANGON, 8 Oct-A combined team comprising local intelligence unit and Myanmar 
Police Force, waiting at the junction of YayhtwetU Street and Nayla Street, 
on 26 September this year, searched and arrested Nay Swam, son of U Shauk 
Htauk, near Ayetpho, Phayapyu Ward, Taunggyi, and Byahan, son of U Sho, of 
Heindama Ward, Phekhon, together with 7,100 stimulant tablets. Action was 
taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.


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( 9 )  22 members resign from Pale Township NLD of own accord

YANGON, 8 Oct- Twenty-two members resigned of their own accord from the 
National League for Democracy of Pale Township, Sagaing Division. Twenty-two 
members of Pale Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own accord, resigned 
by sending letters of resignation to Pale Township Multiparty Democracy 
General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 4 April 2000 as 
they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD. 


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WEATHER REPORT

TODAY

Forcast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 9th October  2000: Intermittent 
rain which may be heavy at time. Degree of certainty is 50%.
 

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http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/