( 1 )  Malaysian Prime Minister and wife to pay a working visit to Myanmar

Yangon, 16 Aug - At the invitation of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Prime Minister of Malaysia His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali will pay a working visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

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( 2 ) H&T Minister receives guest

Yangon, 15 Aug - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received General Manager of Shwe Lay Ta Gun Travels & Tours Co Ltd Mr Brett Melzer at his office on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon.

Seminar on e-Government Opportunities and Challenges continues

Yangon, 15 Aug - The seminar on e-Government Opportunities and Challenges, jointly organized by the e-ASEAN Task Force and the e-National Task Force of Myanmar, continued for the second day at Myanma Information and Communication Technology Park (MICT Park) in Hline Township this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Application Committee for e-National Task Force of Myanmar Col Thein Swe, Secretary U Zaw Tint, Joint-Secretary U Pyone Maung Maung and members, responsible personnel from departments of ministries related to information and communication technology, IT experts, Executive Director Dr Emmanuel C Lallana of the e-ASEAN Task Force, Managing Director of SCS Foresight of Singapore Mr Khoong Chan Meng, Deputy Director Mr Mohamad Shahimin of Administration and Modernization Planning Unit of Project Management & e-Government of Malaysia and guests.

Secretary U Zaw Tint gave an account of the e-National Task Force and the e-Government activities and then replied to the queries put by those present. After Executive Director Dr Emmanuel C Lallana presented a review of the e-Government activities, the seminar came to an end.

( 3 ) Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo attend final rites of Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kavindacara

Yangon, 15 Aug - The final rites of Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Nayaka of Lashio Myole Sarthintaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kavin-dacara were held in Lashio on 14 and 15 August, attended by Members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo of the Ministry of Defence. The final rites were held at the central pandal of the Sarthintaik in Lashio on 14 yesterday afternoon. The final rites were graced by the presence of Secretary of SSMNC Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara and member Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Vocalist U Tun Shwe read out the Gatha titled "Kilhitum Sadhu Kilaya" composed by Adviser to the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Min Kyi (Dhammacariya B.A). Then, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, Minister Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko put the velvet drapery donated by the Religious Affairs Department over the remains of the Sayadaw. The Magway Sayadaw administered the Five Precepts to the congregation.

Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. Vice-Chairman of the SSMNC Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Thayet Aung-mingalar Kyaungtaik Saya-daw Bhaddanta Kesara read out the message of condolences of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee. Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko read out the message of condolences of the government, members of the Sangha and the public. Other Gathas on the final rites were also read out. After that, the remains of the Sayadaw were conveyed to the temporary pandal. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Minister Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and officials conveyed the remains to the Archway of the temporary pandal. Next, the Sayadaw's relatives and lay disciples and members of the committee for holding the final rites conveyed the remains onto the decorated float.

Then, the remains were conveyed by the decorated float to the crematorium near Sasana Aye Kyaungtaik in Ward 1, Lashio. Along the route, members of the Sangha and people paid reverence to the remains of the Sayadaw. Later, the remains were conveyed to the crematorium by the decorated carriage and then cremated. At 6 am today, lay persons extinguished the flames, and put the ashes of the remains into a silver urn. Afterwards, Chairman of the leading committee for holding the final rites Deputy Commander Col Hla Myint presented the urn to Lashio Yanaungmyin Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vicitta. Then, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicitta presented it to Secretary of the leading committee to hold the final rites Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Secretary Lt-Col Win Han, who conveyed it to the designated place near the Namthmyaw Creek bridge, and then handed it over to the commander.

Then, the commander conveyed it to the pandal where Dhatudakapuja ceremony would be held. Next, the commander and the deputy minister put the ashes from the silver urn into the golden urn. Later, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe set the urn adrift into the Namthmyaw Creek.

( 4 ) Cooperatives Minister tours Mon State, Bago Division

Yangon, 15 Aug - Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe attended the meeting on participation of members of cooperative societies in rural development tasks and conclusion of the training course No 2/2002-2003 at the Cooperative Training School in Mon State on 12 August morning.

Then, the minister and party inspected the weaving training centre under the Cottage Industries in Mudon Township. There he addressed the work coordination meeting on development of cooperative industries. Managing Director of Cooperative Syndicate (Central) U Kyi Tint and Chairman of Cooperative Industry Syndicate U Tun Yee reported on work being carried out. Director-General of Cottege Department U Sein Than, Deputy Director of Mon State Cooperatives Department U Sein Teik and Deputy Director of the Office of Director-General of the Cooperative Department U Htein Win discussed matters regarding their reports.

The minister and party next looked into the delivery room of Khitthit Health Care Cooperative Society in Mudon Township and left necessary instructions. Afterwards, they viewed the looming of private weaving proprietors. On 13 August, the minister went to Bago General Services Cooperative Society and delivered a speech at the work coordination meeting on cooperative tasks at the hall of the society. Later, the minister and party inspected the workshop of Oktha Lathe Cooperative Society.

Construction of Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) inspected

Yangon, 15 Aug - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein, together with officials, inspected maintenance of six-lane Yangon-Bago Highway in the rainy season, Bago-Kyaikto road section, maintenance of Sittoung Bridge, Kyaikto-Thaton-Myainggalay-Hpa-an road section and Hpa-an-Kawtkyaik, Kawparan-Zatha-byin road, and gave necessary instructions to the officials on 12 August.

Deputy Superintending Engineer U Myo Chit reported to them on progress of the bridge construction. The commander, the minister and party then inspected bridge. At the briefing hall of the project site of Mawlamyine bank, officials concerned reported on the progress of work so far carried out. The minister gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements. Then, the commander, the minister and party left Mawlamyine bank by boat and inspected the installation of bole piers in Thanlwin River. They proceeded to Mottama bank and inspected the construction work.

On 14 August, the commander, the minister and party inspected maintenance of Gyaing River (Zarthabyin) Bridge and Thanlwin River Bridge (Hpa-an) being undertaken by Public Works.

Road construction contract signed

Yangon, 15 Aug - Public Works of the Ministry of Construction and Asia World Co Ltd signed a contract to repair and construct the Mandalay-PyinOoLwin-Wetwun-Naunghkio road section at the meeting hall of Public Works (Head Office) on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this afternoon.

Maj-Gen Saw Tun delivered an address on the occasion. U Tun Myint Naing explained matters related to the tasks to be carried out. Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing and U Tun Myint Naing signed the contract and exchanged the documents. Maj-Gen Saw Tun presented the permit of Myanmar Investment Commission to U Tun Myint Naing, which brought the ceremony to an end.

( 5 ) Victorious judo athletes honoured

Yangon, 15 Aug - A ceremony to honour the judo athletes who won prizes in the 2nd Vietnam International Invita-tional Judo Contest and the 7th ASEAN Invitational Judo Contest, was held at the Ruby Hall of the National Indoor Stadium-1 (Thuwunna) this afternoon.

Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint made a speech. President of MJF U Hla Thaung Myint reported on participation of Myanmar judo athletes in the competition. Then, wellwishers made donations to the fund of the MJF  K 1 million by Administrative Director of Kanbawza Bank Ltd U Zaw Win Naing, K 670,000 by Lecturer U Myint Thein, K 200,000 by Yangon Division Road Transport Department, K 150,000 by U Min Zaw Tun of Yangon Division Judo Federation, and K 800,000 by Shwe Than Lwin Co.

The minister accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Then, the minister presented prizes to those who won the gold medal and silver medals; the president of the MJF, to those who won the bronze medals. Later, a gold medalist spoke words of thanks.

USDA CEC members meet with secretaries, executives in Lashio

Yangon, 15 Aug - Members of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Col Tin Hlaing and Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko met with USDA secretaries, executives and members from Shan State, Lashio District and Lashio Township at the USDA office in Lashio, Shan State (North), yesterday. Secretaries and executives from Shan State, Lashio District and Lashio Township USDAs reported to the CEC members on the tasks being carried out by Shan State (North), Lashio District and Lashio Township USDAs. Then, CEC member Col Tin Hlaing attended to the requirements and gave instructions.

CPT Minister hosts dinner

Yangon, 15 Aug - Chairman of Myanmar e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts, and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw hosted a dinner in honour of those who attended the Seminar on e-Government Opportunities and Challenges and the Seminar on Cyber Law at the Kanyeiktha Restaurant on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Bahan Township this evening.

Also present were Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Vice-Chairmen of the Myanmar e-National Task Force Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win and Member of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board U Aung Myint, chairmen and members of the respective committees of Myanma e-National Task Force, Executive of e-ASEAN Task Force Dr Emmanuel C. Lallana, Vice-President of Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia Dr Abu Talib Bachik, IT experts from Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines and guests.

Telecommunication stations inspected

Yangon, 15 Aug - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, accompanied by officials of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, arrived at Pyawbwe in Mandalay Division on 13 August.

The minister inspected the telephone exchange and the post and telegraph office in Pyawbwe Township and gave instructions on making arrangements for installation of auto telephone exchange system in the township. Then he went to Yamethin and inspected the installation of machines at Yamethin microwave station. Afterwards, he proceeded to Tatkon and Pyinmana and inspected the microwave station and the auto telephone exchange there. In the afternoon, the minister heard reports presented by officials on installation of telephone cables in Taungoo Township.

Next, the minister inspected the Taungoo auto telephone exchange. Later, he inspected the installation of equipment at Phyu auto telephone exchange and gave instructions on arrangements for providing better service in making trunk calls. In the evening in Nyaunglaypin, the minister inspected the new building of post and telecommunication station and then left instructions on tasks for installation of new auto exchange.

( 6 ) Leading Committee for Holding Performing Arts Competitions and state/division committee delegates meet

Yangon, 15 Aug - To ensure success in holding the Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, the Leading Committee for Holding the Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions and delegates from state/division committees held a coordination meeting at the National Museum on Pyay Road in Dagon Township here this afternoon, attended by Leading Committee Chairman Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

He urged the delegates from state/division committees to take part in the discussions. Vice-Chairman Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt made a speech. He said the Ministry of Culture is the one that preserves Myanma culture, which is world famous because of its own characteristics. If culture is lost, then the race will disappear. So, it can be said that the holding of competitions makes Myanma culture more and more deep-rooted.

Then, the officials concerned and the delegates from state/division committees discussed matters related to the competitions. The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the chairman. They then viewed postcards, posters and paintings to be used at the competitions.