Myanmar Today News Brief

Myanmar State television reported that 7,114 convicted prisoners across the country will be released from prison. However, it was not clear how many of then will be political prisoners. The amnesty was granted for good behaviour and humanitarian ground. The amnesty comes just ahead of the opening of this year’s U.N. General Assembly session, which will be attended by Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein, the highest-ranking government leader in recent years to participate.

In another breaking news, a series of seven small explosions hit the outskirt of Yangon (Rangoon) today. Five blasts went off at the Hlaing Tharyar industrial zone in western Yangon and a separate explosion occurred at another industrial zone in Shwepaukan on the city’s northern outskirts in the pre-dawn hours. A separate seventh explosion took place at around 10 Am Thursday in the Mingalardon Industrial Park, in the north of Yangon. No casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, a new political party was formed by veteran politicians and headed by three daughters of former prime ministers of Myanmar during parliamentary democracy period. The new party, the Democratic Party, was formed by U Thu Wai in Yangon. The daughters of U Nu, U Ba Swe and U Kyaw Nyein, who were once prime ministers and deputy prime minister of parliamentary democracy period will act as secretaries of the new party. The announcement said they will participate in the 2010 election which will be held under 2008 constitution, although they believe the constitution is flawed and far from perfection.

In an unconfirmed report, Myanmar post and telecommunication is planning to install 150,000 CDMA mobile telephones in Yangon and Mandalay. The phones will be installed in three phases, with a total of 100,000 CDMA mobile phones and Yangon and 50,000 in Mandalay. The mobile phones will be in pre-paid top up system and will be sold at 650,000 kyat (about US$ 650) each.

Myanmar Today News brief