Mon Deputy Speaker urges UEC to place more polling stations for Burmese nationals abroad
June 18, 2020
HURFOM: Dr Aung Naing Oo, Deputy Speaker of Mon State Parliament urged the Union Election Commission (UEC) to facilitate better advance voting processes for Burmese nationals abroad, by locating polling stations not only in embassies but also in suitable places near workplaces of Burmese migrant workers.
“Polling station at the embassy isn’t enough for Burmese nationals abroad to cast their advance votes. (The UEC) should place more polling stations in some districts or townships, for examples in Phuket or Samut Sakhon in Thailand, where there are many Burmese migrant workers. The UEC must manage this issue,” said Dr Aung Naing Oo.
Read moreIllegal returnees and those who assist them will be punished
June 15, 2020
HURFOM: On June 10, 2020, the National Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) announced that migrant workers who returned to Myanmar via unsanctioned routes will face punishment under the law. This directive includes anyone who assisted the returnees.
Read moreMawlamyine Lab now able to process 280 COVID-19 tests a day
June 12, 2020
HURFOM: Starting June 4, 2020, the laboratory of Tuberculosis (TB) Control, a sub-department in Mawlamyine General Hospital will be able to process 280 COVID-19 tests a day, according to the Mon State Public Health Department.
Professional experts from the National Health Laboratory have trained and supervised medical staff at the Mawlamyine Hospital in how to conduct the tests. The Mon State government provided support for the lab equipment, noted Dr Than Lwin Aung, the Deputy State Director of the Mon State Public Health Department.
Read moreDengue hits Mawlamyine and Paung Townships
June 11, 2020
HURFOM: As of June 6, 2020, there were 164 dengue patients and 2 related deaths were recorded in Mon State. According to the Mon State Public Health Department, the communities in Mawlamyine and Paung Townships are with the highest numbers of dengue patients.
Mawlamyine has 52 dengue patients while Paung has 43 patients. These figures are much higher than other townships.
Read moreMUP urges migrant workers to vote in advance in their home constituency
June 11, 2020
HURFOM: During a meeting with local media, Nai Layi Tama, the Secretary #1 of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) urged migrant workers across Burma to vote for candidates in their native or home constituency, via advanced voting for the 2020 general election.
“It’s not reasonable that migrant workers in the ethnic regions vote for candidates where they temporarily work. They should vote for candidates in their native constituency via advanced votes,” said the Secretary #1.
Read moreElection will be held in November despite declining interest in politics due to Covid-19
June 8, 2020
HURFOM: Despite financial hardship and a low interest in politics due to the COVID-19 world pandemic, the Union Election Commission (UEC) says they will not postpone the November election.
U Win Maw Oo, State Secretary with the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) believes people must be interested in politics in order to bring changes to the country in 2020.
Read moreMon people not reporting to “Special Anti-drug Reporting Center” due to lack of trust and awareness
June 4, 2020
HURFOM: On June 1, 2020, the President Office released a statement related to drug arrests reported to the ‘Special Anti-drug Reporting Center.’ According to the statement there have been 18 drug arrests but there have been no reports filed from Mon State.
“Mon State ranks high in drug problems. But why was there no report? Frankly, people don’t trust the reporting mechanism,” said an activist from Ye Township.
Read moreKNU arrests Mon adolescents and demands heavy fine
June 4, 2020
HURFOM: On May 28, 2020, the Karen National Union (KNU) arrested 4 Mon adolescents, accusing them of using illicit drugs, at a rubber plantation near Ngar Kalay stream of Kyaung Yaw village, Ye Township, Mon State. The KNU demanded 2 million Kyat for their release, according to family members of the detainees.
Read moreMNEC conducts a survey to start school season
June 2, 2020
HURFOM: With the start of the school season, the Mon National Education Committee (MNEC) is conducting a survey to better implement protective measures against COVID-19.
“We’re collecting data related to how to start the school season. We’re considering how to manage students and timetables. [This includes surveying what] protective measures we should implement, for instance, how to use surgical masks and hand sanitizer and where to place hand washing basins. We’re collecting data on how we should implement protective measures,” said Min Aung Zay, the Director of the MNEC.
Read moreNew Documentary Highlights Challenges Amid COVID-19 for Civilians in South-Eastern Myanmar
June 1, 2020
The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has released a new documentary on the response to COVID-19 in southeastern Myanmar. The film titled, “Reflections on Grassroots Livelihoods During COVID-19” spotlights the challenges faced by farm laborers, returning migrant workers, and those living in remote areas and IDP villages. Many of the hardships experienced are a result of the area movement restrictions and lockdown decrees imposed by local governments and the New Mon State Party (NMSP).
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