( 1 ) Holding of Myanmar-Malaysia bilateral economic coord meeting discussed

Yangon, 19 June - A co-ordination meeting for holding Myanmar-Malaysia bilateral economic co-operation meeting took place at the meeting hall at Zeyathiri Beikman in Konmyinttha here this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 The Secretary-1 delivered a speech. He said today's meeting is to take measures for holding of Myanmar-Malaysia bilateral economic co-operation meeting in Myanmar. He said after Myanmar became a member country of ASEAN, bilateral co-operation including Myanmar-Malaysia economic co-operation was promoted. He called for making preparations for promotion of mutual interest and systematic holding of Myanmar-Malaysia bilateral economic co-operation meeting. It will be held soon after formation of the committee and sub-committees. Then, ministers, deputy ministers and officials presented matters related to successfully holding of Myanmar-Malaysia bilateral economic co-operation meeting sector-wise.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 made concluding remarks regarding the discussions and the meeting came to an end.

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( 2 ) H&T Minister receives Japanese guests

Yangon, 19 June - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Chairman of Index Worldwide Travels & Tours Co Ltd (Japan) Mr Hiroyuki Suzuki and Managing Director U Sunkawyu at his office at 10 am today.

Ambassador U Wunna Maung Lwin presents credentials to King of Spain

Yangon, 20 June - U Wunna Maung Lwin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Kingdom of Spain, presented his credentials to His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain, on 12 June 2002, in Madrid.

( 3 ) Instigations and tests and lacking of good-neighbourly practices in attempts to colonize Myanmar's territory will be reacted strongly
Sagaing Division supports mass rallies denouncing SURA drug traffickers, KNU insurgents, who encroach upon security and peace of border areas, and shows respect for sovereignty

Yangon, 19 June - A ceremony to support the national people's mass rallies denouncing SURA and KNU insurgents, who are undermining the security and peaceful situation of border areas, and to show respect for sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar took place at the People's Sports Grounds in Myinmu, Sagaing District, Sagaing Division, on 15 June morning.

It was attended by local residents of townships in Sagaing District, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade, War Veterans Organization, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, band troupes, the State Flag bearing troupes, and teachers and students of basic education high schools.

The columns from assembly points holding the State Flags took the designated places in the sports grounds.

Member of USDA U Tin Hla acted as master of ceremonies.

Those present at the ceremony saluted the State Flag.

Then, Member of Township USDA Daw Malar Tun explained the purpose of holding the ceremony.

She said, Myinmu is hoisting State flags to show people's strong patriotism and nationalistic fervour to crush any attempts to encroach on sovereignty and all forms of aggression and to show respect for sovereignty.

Since the early 2001, the SURA drug-trafficking insurgents and KNU insurgents taking footholds in and accepting the assistance of Yodaya have been launching aggressive attacks on Myanmar territory along the border.

Yodaya has permitted and assisted the insurgents to conduct training courses, and build an arms repair workshop, a hospital and houses in its territory. The country is also providing nine pyis of rice and five cans of tinned fish monthly to individual insurgents at the SURA camp in Minena. Yodaya is providing assistance to the insurgents to that degree to encroach on the sovereignty of Myanmar. Thus, we hold the ceremony to support the mass rallies denouncing the insurgents.

The ceremonies to support the mass rallies are being held to show that the blood of the national races of the border areas is thick in times of emergency regardless of the distance between their regions. Thus, just like the local people of the border regions, we oppose and condemn the destructive insurgents.

We hail the mass rallies which were held in Kengtung, Taunggyi and other places. Thus, the people of Myinmu are hoisting State flags all over the town showing our strong patriotism and nationalistic fervour to crush any attempts to encroach on our sovereignty and all forms of aggression. On behalf of the people, I warn the instigations and tests in the form of colonizing our territory. Such acts lacking good neighbourly practices will be reacted strongly. I urge all to be always equipped with the national spirit to crush the ones attempting to break up our nation and to uphold Our Three Main National Causes  non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty.

Myinmu Township USDA Organizer U Moe Thu said we support the mass rallies denouncing the encroachments on sovereignty of Myanmar. Hoisting the State flags in various parts of Myinmu and saluting the State Flag at the gathering show that we take pride in respecting sovereignty and how we value the sovereignty. In other words, we declare that we will respond to every encroachment on sovereignty effectively and strongly.

I will report on encroachments by some destructive insurgents in collusion with Yodaya in brief.

On 11 February 2001, SURA drug trafficking insurgent group launched surprise attack on Myanmar Tatmadaw camps on "O" hill near Tachilek. They fired shells of heavy weapons into Tachilek with the help of Yodaya army.

They attacked Lwetawkhan camp in border area on 21 February and Pachee camp near Pungpahkyem camp in Mongtong Township on 21 April 2001 and Maikyoke camp and new Maikyoke camp on 8 February 2002. On 6 May 2002, KNU terrorist group destroyed Yangon-Myainggalay gas pipe line near Kazaing Bridge on Yangon-Mottama Road between Bilin and Thaton by planting mines. On 15 May 2002, KNU terrorists and ABSDF attacked Minletpan Village in Myawady.

As a result, not only lives but also property and religious structures were destroyed.

On 20 May 2002, the drug-trafficking insurgents with the tanks and heavy weapons support from Yodaya brazenly opened fire on Panmongsun, Nyaung-bingon, Pangangaw and Yanpaingsun outposts in Yodaya-Myanmar border.

Yodaya bred some national traitors and provided them with arms, food, shelter and recruits. Yodaya herself helped the insurgents firing shells of heavy weapons. It is obvious that the acts of Yodaya repeatedly encroaches on our country that preserves the dignity.

Moreover, Yodaya yearly performs military exercises involving a large number of soldiers near our border. It is a sign of hostile military movement. We regard such act as a danger to our country.

Respecting our territory and sovereignty, we must annihilate destructive insurgents and external intruders sacrificing the lives and safeguard perpetuation of sovereignty without letting them encroach on any inch of our territory for dignity of the country built by our ancestors.

Then, the mass rally shouted slogans "non-disintegration of the Union - our cause, our cause; non-disintegration of national solidarity - our cause, our cause; perpetuation of sovereignty - our cause, our cause", which brought the ceremony to a close. On that day morning, State flags were proudly hoisted at the houses, buildings and government offices in Myinmu Township to show respect for the sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar.

( 4 ) Regular press conference explains "The Control of Money Laundering Law" to ease public anxiety
The Law enacted to protect public interests and not to cause public sufferings

Yangon, 19 June - The regular press conference this afternoon explained "The Control of Money Laundering Law" to refute the rumours and fabrications spreading among the public.

The Law was promulgated under the State Peace and Development Council Law No 6/2002, of the Union of Myanmar on 17 June 2002.

At the press conference which was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said rumours concerning the Law are spreading among the public. Due to the fabrications, some of the persons are withdrawing their savings from the banks. The people are experiencing anxiety over the Law. Public may suffer losses due to withdrawal of their savings unnecessarily. The minister deputy minister, and officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Revenue will explain the Law in detail to ease the public anxiety. The Law has become effective only after its issuance date. Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing said the Law was issued with the aim of protecting the public interests and not of causing public sufferings. It was drafted as the transnational crimes are occurring world-wide threatening the global peace and stability. The world's average annual amount of the money laundering cases is US $ 1.5 trillion. The 20th UN General Assembly which was held in 1998 urged the UN member nations to introduce the Law before 2003.

The drafting of the Law began in May 2000.

The respective ministries and organizations with the leadership of the Attorney-General drafted the Law after coordinating many times taking into consideration the UN Conventions, the UN Model Law, the Forty-Eight Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the laws of the ASEAN member nations.

The four objectives of the Law are:

1. To control and enable taking of effective action against money and property obtained by illegal means and to prevent offences arising there from;

2. To prevent interference in the executive, economic and social sectors of the State, using money and property obtained by illegal means;

3. To carry out measures in conformity with the international conventions that Myanmar has acceded, in implementing control of money and property obtained by illegal means;

4. To cooperate with international organizations, regional organizations and neighbouring countries for controlling money and property obtained by illegal means.

The Law has 11 chapters.

The characteristics of the Law are:

1. In accord with the 1988 UN Convention on illicit trafficking of drugs, it is required to prove that the profits are obtained from drug offence; as the Law was enacted with reference to the Convention on control of transnational offences, action can be taken against money laundering offences in accord with the Law;
    

2. Under section 2, the Law shall have jurisdiction on any person who commits any offence cognizable under this Law in the territory of Myanmar, or on Myanmar citizen or any person residing permanently in Myanmar who commits the said offence outside the country or on any person who commits the said offence on board a vessel or an aircraft registered under its existing law.
    

3. The Law shall also be applicable to the commission of the ten crimes under section 5 (a) and the transnational offences. It is also applicable to the crimes inclusive in UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and 3 Protocol.
    

4. The Central Control Board shall be formed with the Minister for Homes Affairs as the chairman, the Minister for Finance and Revenue as the deputy chairman, the respective ministers, the deputy ministers and the directors-general as members and the director-general of the Bureau of Special Investigation as the joint secretary.
    

5. If necessary under the law, the Investigation Body comprising not less than three members from suitable persons of relevant government departments and organizations to investigate a case.
    

6. The report on findings of the Investigation Body shall be presented to the Preliminary Scrutiny Body comprising not less than three members chaired by one deputy minister.
    

7. The banks and financial institutions shall record the important facts of the customers in accord with the stipulations; the records must be kept for at least five years. The Investigation Body shall have the right to inspect, copy and keep the records. The frozen accounts shall not be drawn, transferred or destroyed.
    

8. If any person who enters Myanmar bring foreign currency exceeding the prescribed amount, the official concerned have the duty to submit the matter to the Central Control Body.

The section 34 states "In respect of money and property obtained by illegal means, if any other person who is not under investigation is able to prove clearly that such money and property were transferred by certain means with consideration and in good faith, his right shall not be affected.

The section 38 stated that the offences mentioned in the section 5 (a) and (b) are affected by the Law only after the effective date of the Law, 17 June 2002. Action will be taken against ten different types of money laundering offences mentioned in section 5 (a) and (b) in accord with the existing laws under the section 39. The Law only concerns with the laundering of money and property obtained by illegal means. Only the offences committed after the issuance of the Law will be dealt with it. The offences have been taken action and the laundered money and property been impounded under other existing laws will be exempt from punishable by the Law. Action will be taken against offences in accord with the Law only under the prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Minister Col Tin Hlaing, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun and Deputy Attorney-General U Khin Maung Aye replied to queries raised by the journalists.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, senior military officers, heads of departments, officials of the Ministry of Information, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe, Secretary U Nyunt Tin and others.

( 5 )  All Mon State pepper cultivation ceremony held in Mawlamyine

Yangon, 19 June - The all Mon State pepper cultivation ceremony was held in front of the local medical battalion in Mawlamyine on 15 June morning.

First, the commander formally opened the ceremony. Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party inspected demonstration of pepper cultivation. Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and officials planted pepper saplings at the designated places and viewed the pepper cultivation ceremony. A total of 1,029,751 pepper saplings were grown at offices, schools and departments in 10 townships of Mon State in the previous year.

At present, 323,917 pepper saplings have been cultivated in South-East Command area including Mon State.

Maj-Gen Ye Myint inspects crops cultivation in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 19 June - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence,  left Mandalay on 17 June morning and arrived in Sagaing.

Then, Maj-Gen Ye Myint and party, together with Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Chairman North-West Command Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing, proceeded to Wetlet Township through Sagaing-Wetlet-Shwebo Road by car. At 9 am, they arrived in Kyeegan village of Hladaw camp, Wetlet Township, and inspected thriving of summer paddy and double cropping during monsoon paddy in the field No 3275 of Daw Waing Yi. Shwebo District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Than Han, Wetlet Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Kyaw Kyaw and Wetlet Township Manager of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Thein Aung reported on harvest of summer paddy from sample plot, thriving of first phase of monsoon paddy and agricultural tasks carried out by the Township Agricultural Supervisory Committee. Wetlet Township has 254.53 per cent of rice sufficiency rate and 330.56 per cent of edible oil surplus rate. In addition, the plan is under way to designate Wetlet Township as the granary of Sagaing Division. 

Over 24,000 acres of monsoon paddy and over 40,000 acres of summer paddy will be cultivated in the township. Afterwards, they arrived at the plantation of irrigated long staple cotton in Aungchantha village in Shwebo Township. Deputy Minister U Ohn Myint and officials reported on experimental cultivation of various kinds of long staple cotton with the use of pearl fertilizer. At 3.30 pm, they met with Shwebo District and Township departmental officials at Kanbalu Township Peace and Development Council Office.

Also present were local authorities, departmental officials and Kanbalu Township USDA Secretary U Kyaw Aye. First, the Kanbalu Township Peace and Development Council chairman reported on geographical condition and agricultural tasks and District Chairman Lt-Col Than Han on condition of the district and agricultural tasks being carried out in the district.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj-Gen Ye Myint said that Shwebo District is an important one in the agricultural sector of Sagaing Division; the district will lay emphasis on undertaking of rural development tasks, it will gain more development; departmental personnel should give priority rural development tasks in their respective regions; He also gave instructions on better transportation, educating school going-age children, establishing model villages, extending cultivation tasks with the water supply from Thaphanseik Dam and suppressing destructive elements with the Union Spirit and the national spirit.

Then, Maj-Gen Ye Myint presented exercise books for basic education schools in Kanbalu Township to Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Ye Myint proceeded to Maha Shwesigyi Pagoda in the township. He paid homage to Maha Muni Buddha Image at the eastern archway. Next, they went to the Post-Primary School in Seikphumyaung village in Kanbalu Township. Maj-Gen Ye Myint met with local authorities and local people.

The Township Peace and Development Council Secretary reported on conditions of Seikphumyaung village and its environs, education, health and social affairs. Then, local people reported on requirements of the village and local Red Cross Society. Maj-Gen Ye Myint explained that he arrived at the village to provide assistance for the education of school going-age children and uplift of health, social and economic standard of the village, and local people should make efforts for development of the village.

The commander also gave a speech. Later, Maj-Gen Ye Myint presented exercise books and pencils to students of the post-Primary School of the village.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than tours Bago Division

Yangon, 19 June - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence and party,  arrived at Chanmye General Economic Enterprise Cooperative Syndicate Ltd in Thegon Township on 17 June morning.

Pyay District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Khin Win reported on digging of fish breeding ponds in the district and future tasks; Head of District Fisheries Department U Soe Myint on tasks being carried out; and Chairman of the Company U Than Win on Kantaya agriculture and livestock breeding tasks being undertaken. The commander and officials gave supplementary reports. Then, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein dealt with matters on fish breeding, sending fish to markets and obtaining feedstuff.

The commander explained ways for developing the socio-economic lives of local people. Next, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than elaborated on development of agricultural work in Bago Division; extension of livestock breeding work; digging of fish breeding ponds in fallow and virgin land for boosting fish production; paying attention to not affecting cultivated acreage in expanding fish breeding work; making collective efforts to meet economic plan targets; and ensuring prevalence of peace and stability in the region. He also urged local authorities, departmental officials and personnel of social organizations to make collective and harmonious efforts in implementing the five rural development tasks through making field tours to the grassroots level.

Afterwards, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected the South Nawin embankment in Inma of Thegon Township. Later, they inspected fish breeding ponds of the regional battalions and units as well as those of Inma Pond communal fish breeding farm and gave necessary instructions to the officials concerned. They next proceeded to North Nawin Dam in Pyay of western Bago Division. At the briefing hall there, Assistant Director of Irrigation Department U Khin Maung Myint explained matters on the dam. Manager U Tin Wa of Pyay Township Myanma Agriculture Service reported matters on irrigated acreage and cultivation of mixed and double cropping. Director of Irrigation Department U Ohn Khaing reported measures for local farmers to effectively utilize irrigated water from the dam. General Manager of MAS Dr Min Aung reported matters on cultivation of other crops in addition to the local crops.

The commander gave supplementary report. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than then gave instructions on utilization of irrigated water effectively; maintaining the dam for long-term use; cultivation of scheduled crops in full in irrigated land; digging of tributary canals for irrigating water extensively and triple cropping cultivation. Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected round the dam by car. The North Nawin Dam stores water in rainy season from North Nawin Creek near Hsigon Village in Pyay Township. The dam was built to irrigate 96,769 acres of land.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party later arrived at the Youth Rehabilitation Camp (Shwepyitha) under the Ministry of Home Affairs at Wethtikan Village of Pyay Township. Officials concerned reported the progress of work and future work programmes to them.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions. He also inspected the clinic, hostels, gymnasium, art (music) room, poultry farms and vegetable farms. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions and left for Pyay. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived Pyay industrial zone at 7.30 am yesterday and were welcomed by responsible personnel, local authorities, departmental officials and industrialists. At the briefing hall there, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin explained objectives of the industrial zone and progress of work for developing the zone. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min also reported on matters relating to the zone. On behalf of the industrialists, U Hla Khaing and U Ohn Myaing reported matters on production of goods at the industrial zone and production of local-made quality motor vehicles at the zone.

Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than said industrial development is vital for achieving rapid development of the national economy. The Government has allotted plots for industrialists at the zone and been providing necessary assistance, he said. He urged the industrialists, local authorities and departmental officials to make concerted efforts for developing the industries at the zone and boosting production of machines and goods. He observed that the Government is gradually changing the conventional agriculture to mechanized farming and the farmers are now utilizing farm machinery increasingly. He pointed out that the industrial zones are required to invent and produce farm machinery, equipment and implements. Efforts should also be made to produce import-substitutes such as machines, parts and motor vehicles, he urged. Next, he inspected round the Aung Gandamar industry, Super One farm equipment production industry, One Top industrial factory, Auto Body industry and Great Power industry and gave necessary instructions.

They also viewed round the development of Pyay by car. They proceeded to right embankment of Wegyi Dam near Natpadee village in Paungde Township where they were welcomed by local authorities, departmental officials and others. Irrigation Department Assistant Director U Khin Maung Myint reported matters on digging of drainages. Bago Division (western branch) Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Soe Nwe reported matters on preventing cultivated land from flood and ensuring regular flow of water in Myitmakha creek with a view to ensuring successful cultivation of crops in 11,670 acres of land. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min made supplementary report.

Next, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than said that as the national economy is based on agriculture, the agricultural development is important for the country. As agricultural works are located at rural areas, the rural people are to strive for agricultural development, he said. Inasmuch as agriculture sector meets success, the economic lives of the rural people will also be improved, he observed. He continued to say that the Government has laid down five rural development tasks for equal development of rural and urban areas. Collective efforts must thus be made by regional authorities, departmental officials and social organizations for rural development, he pointed out. The Government has built ten dams in western part of Bago Division. Two more dams are under construction there. The irrigated water should be utilized most effectively and the farmers are to strive for carrying out triple cropping as well as for boosting yields of crops. In Pyay District, 171,474 acres of monsoon paddy and 68,874 acres of summer paddy are cultivated with irrigated water. Oil crops and beans & pulses are also cultivated as mixed and triple cropping there.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party went to Thein Shwe Family Agricultural Company at Htanbin-gon village in Minhla Township. He met with farmers and local authorities of Minhla, Okpo and Moenyo townships and gave necessary instructions. Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported matters on fish breeding at inundated lands and efforts for boosting production of fish and meat sector. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min made supplementary report. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions. Thein Shwe Family Agricultural Co reclaimed 4,200 acres of land from 7,500 allotted acres in Minhla and Moenyo Townships. It has put pulses and beans and summer paddy under cultivation. Altogether 700 acres of fish breeding ponds are planned to be dug by the company and now it has dug 300 acres of the ponds.

Afterwards, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected vegetable cultivation of Farmer U Htein Win at Thedaw village of Minhla Township and gave necessary instructions. Various kinds of vegetables are cultivated in over 200 acres there and outputs are sent to Yangon and Minhla. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than then left for Yangon.

( 6 ) Minister inspects health care services in Kachin State

Yangon, 19 June - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, together with Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, inspected Myitkyina General Hospital on 16 June. On 17 June, the commander, the minister and party met with USDA members in Karmaing and accepted K 1,967,000 for construction of Karmaing Station Hospital donated by well-wisher U Insan Naw Ja and provided medicines to the hospital.

Then, they inspected Lonkhin Station Hospital in Phakant Township and presented medicines to the hospital. Next, the minister attended the meeting between the commander and the departmental personnel of Phakant Township at Uru Yadana Hall in Phakant. The commander accepted cash donations by local people for trust funds of Myitkyina General Hospital and Phakant Township Hospital. Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Director-General Dr Kyi Soe of Health Planning Department, who accompanied the minister, met with Township MCWA members and explained tasks of the association.

Construction Minister installs suspension cables at Wakema Bridge

Yangon, 19 June - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, left here for Pathein through Yangon-Pathein Road yesterday. Officials reported on maintenance work for Yangon-Pathein road section in rainy season and work to be done.

Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Wakema through Pantanaw-Shwelaung-Wakema Road. Officials reported on maintenance of the road. This morning, the minister and party attended the ceremony to install suspension cables at Wakema Bridge. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Tin Aye sprinkled scented water on the cables to be installed at the main bridge. At the auspicious time, the minister pressed the button to install the cables at the bridge. Then, the minister inspected progress in construction of the approach bridges, opproach roads and towers of the main bridge. The main bridge of Wakema Bridge was built of steel suspension cables and approach bridges of reinforced concrete piles, beams and floor tiles.

The bridge, 3,020 feet long, will have a 24 foot-wide motorway and two four-foot-wide pedestrian lanes. The bridge has 582 feet wide and 46 feet high water clearance and it can withstand 60-ton loads.

Minister inspects Ponnyataung tunnel

Yangon, 19 June - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung inspected construction of the tunnel in the east of Ponnyataung and gave instructions on timely completion of the project and work-site safety on 15 June.

Then, the minister inspected construction of the railroad between Ponnyataung tunnel and Yaymyetni, and Myat Hmyaung Creek Bridge. On 16 June, the minister inspected tunnel construction in the west of Ponnyataung and gave instructions. At the briefing hall of Ponnyataung tunnel project site on 17 June, the minister met with engineers and workers and presented cash awards for dutiful staff to Assistant General Manager U Maung Maung Thwin. In the afternoon at locomotive workshop (Ywa-htaung), the minister also met with workshop manager, engineers and officials and gave instructions on maintenance work.