No to dirty election

MALAYSIA first and now Cambodia follow the same path in election fraud. In the ASEAN region, all nations has been transformed to a republic in term of words and I think no nation is fully democratic to date. Thailand and Philippine has fair system to accept while others has worse facts whenever it come to election to select their next government. Why ruling party leaders are not respecting people's will? Why they are shameless to win by dirty ways? It is not totally graceful to continue holding power in hand like that. But still such dirty minded leaders are surviving, at least in the region. For them, no matter western nations do not recognize their election result so long as China is backing them. It is obvious, communist China will always has a hand to support such leaders in the region. They know such nation with communist minded leader are easier for them to do business that can generate better return in quick manner. Let it be.

Our GE2015 is around the corner and I don't want to see the same trend as Malaysian and Cambodian people has witnessed with their own election. It is however most likely to see dirty methods to ensure ruling party keep control the power. People are desperate to see new leader on ASSK so that the country move forward and ease people's plight. The shameless people will surface just before election again and promise to people with their boneless tongues. It is time for our people to be wise enough and understand who is capable of carrying our country move forward. I'm hopeful that I will be able to vote this upcoming election for very first time in life as an eligible voter.

Why China got upper hand in Myanmar?

NO matter you like or dislike, China owned natural gas pipe line has been lunched yesterday in Myanmar. Though a lot of criticism through construction of pipeline, China has built its ambitious project to the end and launched officially in front of Myanmar's VP-2. The pipeline development has paved the way in the expense of our forests. Its quality has been casted under doubt by watchdog. There were a lot speculation that the gas pipeline was leaking when it was tested for commission. Also some victims along pipeline yet to receive their compensation though pipeline opened. 

Overall, China is getting another license to absorb Myanmar's latest natural resource with probably under market price. It is China who take advantage from the project and Myanmar's people are put under risk of exploration anytime while it is operating. We all know that China's product are sub-standard and dangerous. The problem is our government still apparent happy with the activities of Chinese firms on our home soil. China is doing more and more projects on Myanmar's soil as if it is their own territory and Myanmar citizen's unhappiness against Chinese become bigger by time.

The fact said natural pipeline would be joined by another ambitious oil pipeline and cross nation railway line. As some activists highlighted before, I am sadden to learn our country's map is effectively divided by Chinese own projects. I just don't understand the army's slogan that nobody is more loyal than army/soldiers. It look like my country is fond of planting signboards across the nation and do not care to enforce about it. I guess NLD won coming election in 2015 and ASSK become next president. Otherwise Myanmar's future is in the brink of Chinese influence. May God this time favors the will of our people.

BOT Headache

NOWADAYS, our civilian government trying to give all public assets to private firms to the name of BOT which is build, operate and transfer. Some of them were sold through public tender process. The most visible projects under BOT scheme are public roads. During my recent visit, we went to my wife's village to pay homage to my in-laws who are still alive. It is not easy place to go because the village located in a mountain region. It took us the whole day by own car. I noticed that we need to pay variety of tax through journey. It includes road tax, bridge tax, wheel tax, etc. Though we keep paying taxes, the road are not so good in condition. Driver told me that all roads has been controlled by companies who collect taxes from road users. They even do not spare to a motorcyclists.

Our people enjoyed free road in old system before and now suffer from paying money for travelling all the way. Is it fruit of transforming democracy? Why the government has handed over to private firms? What for paying tax to government if almost everything have to be paid by public? It is so easy to transfer to company under BOT. But it is part of government's responsibilities to consider public's interests. If they are adapting this method all area, then where gone our tax money as well as natural resource selling money. I don't want to think so much. I just want to wonder because our people are poor and cannot get assistance from authorities. They deserve their help because the ruling MPs were elected by their votes. After getting a seat in government office, forgot about all promises during election campaign is not something right. People will backlash on upcoming GE if the ruling party do not care enough of our people's plight. I see giving BOT easily is quite cheap for officials who do not want to manage at their disposal. At the end of the day, the officials keep fat commission and public suffer from the mismanagement. 

Please use public money wisely.

Melted Dream?

THERE were other reason for home returning this month other than joining our daughter's 3 years B'day celebration. It was to find an opportunity on setting up a contractor with local partner at Yangon. It is part of our dream to return homeland and do private business for the sake of family reason. My wife is so serious to return home as she wants to teach a lot to her curious girl who has turned 3 years mark now. We have thought of to discuss on term and conditions of setting up a firm with local partners. In realistic, it is easier said than done. Our partner has been on the chase for initiative and asking us to return for launching a site.

Upon inquiry, he tried to answer what he has learned from local industrial through asking. One of the reasons that can block our way is that all contractor has to put 50million Kyats as a deposit to YCDC which is local municipal authority. It is not a big amount for local big firms. But it is a big blow for a small firm with no background like us. Another problem I learnt from him is that dealing with land owners who demand for a better offer but sometime cannot guarantee for their legal right on ownership. As such, we got to approach agent who demand for 1 million Ks for their service. There were other things we discussed on potential ways and we guess to start with one good plot in coming winter season. Though there would be unseen difficulties, we hope that we could find a way to capture for our return home with permanent basis. My wife and I still dreaming and dreaming for the sake of our daughter. May God favor us this time by finding the best possible way for our plan. We're ready to scarify our lives for new chapter of our life now.

Tear for Joy

EARLY this month, we went back our country to participate our daughter's 3 years old B'day celebration. Unlike previous 2 years, this year celebration was held on her preschool hall together with her classmates. It is worth for our money to the service of preschool. The school management takes all responsibilities for B'day program including B'day cake order. As a parent, we only need to decide what kind of present we would like to give to our daughter's friends on celebration day. It was held 2 days advanced on Friday as actual birthday fall on Sunday which is closed. Other than this minor obstacle, so far all the program went well as per plan.

Our daughter, as usual, goes class in the morning and we joined her afternoon time to participate her big day celebration. As a small hometown preschool class, my wife and I didn't expect so much for the celebration. We realized that we were wrong only when we arrived there to open celebration together with our daughter. Our daughter and her senior teachers meet us at the reception and straight away start celebration as soon as we arrive. It was surprise for us to see decoration for B'day celebration. Ballooning all round and music are live by a keyboard player on stage. B'day cake is readily put there and our daughter and her some classmates were placed around the table right in front of stage.

Several program announced by a teacher and all went well. Music made our mode think of special moment as well as feel VIP. Photos were taken for preschool records and I was also busy with clicking my camera. My wife and I were fully satisfied with the celebration and felt our daughter is lucky to have such big celebration at her age. At some time halfway, I almost cry by circumstance and hope those tears come out of my joy from the deepest heart. We are hopeful that our daughter will understand us one day for failing to nurturing her in person due to oversea jobs. Wish her able to live together with parent as soon as possible for this year birthday wish.