Motion Picture Academy Awards for 2005 presented Film stars urged to uphold Union Spirit and Our Three Main National Causes, to exert efforts with might and main in building discipline-flourishing democratic nation through seven-step Road Map

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March — Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise of Ministry of Information organized the Motion Picture Academy Awards Presentation Ceremony for 2005 here today.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win attended the ceremony.

Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan delivered an address and presented the awards to the winners for 2005.

Also present on the occasion were members of the State Peace and Development Council and wives, Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Brig-Gen Wai Lwin and wife, the ministers, the chief-justice, the attorney-general, the deputy ministers, departmental officials, members of the panel of judges of Myanmar Motion Picture Promotion and Scrutinizing Board, officials of the Motion Picture Censor Board, directors-general and managing directors of the departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Information, officials of Myanma Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon and Myanmar Music Asiayon, film artistes, technicians, film makers and fans.

Before the ceremony, guests were entertained with songs by artistes to the accompaniment of Myanmar Athan Modern Music Troupe.

The Academy Awards presentation ceremony starts at 6.30 pm. Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan delivered a speech on the occasion. He said:

I wish, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife, SPDC members, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, the ministers, the deputy ministers, heads of departments, officials of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon and other NGOs, film artistes and technicians, guests and movie fans, health and happiness.

I also would like to express special thanks to all of you who are attending the Motion Picture Academy Awards presentation ceremony for 2005 which is held for the very first time in Nay Pyi Taw.

We have tried our best for holding this ceremony and for the convenience of all the guests.

This evening, I am going to present awards to outstanding artistes and technicians of Myanmar films released in 2005. Beginning 1952, Myanmar has been presenting Motion Picture Academy Awards annually with a view to developing her movie industry. Moreover, the number of awards has been increasing year after year, and it has risen to 11 awards. Up to now 290 Academy Awards have been presented.

With the encouragement and guidance of the Head of State, the University of Culture (Yangon) under the Ministry of Culture, has opened a three-year pre-graduate movie and theatre course to bring out proficient film artistes and technicians. Sixty-six trainees are attending the course. The result of the course will be the emergence of a large number of new generation professionals of the film, video and theatre business, and the increase in the number of high standard movies and videos. Likewise, in accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the Ministry of Information formed a committee, that is seeking means to produce high quality films and videos.

In addition, the MOI has been giving priority to rendering assistance for Myanmar artistes and technicians to attend foreign film festivals and screen their movies abroad. An international relations committee was formed with the participation of the executives of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, and the committee’s work is to find international markets for Myanmar films. Hence, Myanmar was able to screen her films of high artistic value at ASEAN Film Festival held in Singapore, International Film Festival held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, International Film Festivals held in Mumbai and New Dehli, India, Myanmar Film Festival, held in Bangkok, Thailand, and Golden Cock Hundred Flowers International Film Festival held in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China. Myanmar artistes and technicians also took part in the festivals. Thanks to MOI assistance, Myanmar movies were shown at the Fifth Gwangju International Film Festival, and the 30th Anniversary of Korea-Myanmar Friendship, held in Gwangju, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN Film Festival, held in Pretoria, South Africa. Myanmar also used the festivals as a testing ground to find foreign markets for her movies.

In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the government has been providing all necessary equipment for improving the standard of Myanmar films. It is now importing equipment for the development of Myanmar movies. Soon, the film industry will have more advanced filming equipment to produce movies of higher quality in colour and sound. All these are the results of government’s goodwill to the development of the movie world and its members. The members should continue to strive with greater momentum, while understanding that quality improvement and market expansion is the life of their industry.

As the government has been providing assistance for development of the film industry and improvement of the standard of movies, it also reorganized the Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon nearly two years ago. During the two years, the executives were actively and energetically working for the progress of the movie industry. In 2005, coordination was made to lay down the five objectives for the Asiayon and the members of the film industry. The objectives are:

(1) To give priority to the development and unity of Myanmar film and video industry for its members’ social progress.

(2) To work for development of the film and video producing techniques. (3) To strive for developing production techniques and the standard of Myanmar films and videos.

(4) To enable Myanmar films and videos to find markets abroad.

(5) For all the members of the film world to join hands with the government in implementing the national tasks.

I have already explained the following five tasks members of the film world and entrepreneurs should carry out under the leadership of the Asiayon for the film industry’s development. They are:

(1) To set up a modern studio individually or collectively with the assistance rendered by the government within the framework of the principles.

(2) To install stereo sound system editing machines.

(3) To strive to obtain advanced filming equipment including world-class cameras.

(4) To modernize the private cinemas and the state-owned ones run by the private owners under lease system.

(5) To work for the emergence of world-class cinemas in Yangon and Mandalay.

Moreover, national film experts should study thoroughly the e-Cinema that many other countries are now studying to launch it. If it is found beneficial, you will have to take steps to replace the old system with it. In every field there will be both strengths and weaknesses. So, in this regard, you should conduct a comparative study of the strengths and weaknesses of e-Cinema in the interests of the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise, film and video producers, cinema hall proprietors and film lovers.

I am urging you for the benefit of the Myanmar motion picture industry and movie professionals. Therefore, I would also like to urge the Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and movie professionals to work even harder.

In 2005 and 2006 foreign movies, VCDs and CDs flooded into Myanmar. Such films outnumbered domestic films. They constituted a threat to Myanmar film and video industries as well as to national culture, nationalistic spirit, patriotic spirit and Union Spirit of the people. Only when that threat is removed would there be improvement in the Myanma film and video industries. And national culture, nationalistic spirit, patriotic spirit and Union Spirit would flourish and could be preserved. Besides, the Myanmar movie industry still has its weaknesses in various sectors such as plots, presentation, acting, costumes, production, studio covering sound, pictures, colour and techniques, screening and cinema services. Only when there are some remedial measures would the standard of the Myanmar film world improve and it would be able to cope with media challenges. That was why I had often mentioned the 12 other points that should be adopted by the film world at the pervious ceremonies and in meeting with movie artistes and technicians. You all have to focus on these points. In the process, you may face a variety of difficulties and contradictions. Here, I would say members of the Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and movie professionals have to play a leading role in tackling these possible difficulties and contradictions. No doubt, you will achieve success if you ensure:—

(1) intensive pursuit of the goal of development of the Myanmar Motion Picture industry,

(2) fair share of the interests of others and your own,

(3) perseverance, diligence and tenacity,

(4) unity,

(5) harmonious cooperation,

(6) patience, mutual understanding and forgiveness.

I pledge the Ministry of Information will render assistance as much as it can and will continue to take necessary measures to achieve the goal.

The list of academy awards for 2005 will be announced soon. Myanma motion picture academy awards scrutinizing committee at different levels selected the winners in accordance with the standards prescribed in the seven basic principles of the Motion Picture Law. The awards have been selected out of 16 films screened during the year of 2005 through a careful scrutinization. I would like to urge this year’s winners to make continued efforts to win more awards and those who have not won any awards, to make greater efforts to win academy awards in the coming years.

National film artistes and technicians played an active role during the period of the independence struggles of the Union of Myanmar, that of preservation and safeguarding of independence and that of making efforts for restoration of peace and stability and national development . Now as well, they are participating actively in those endeavours. I would again like to urge you to continue to uphold Union Spirit and Our Three Main National Causes and to exert efforts with might and main in building a discipline-flourishing democratic nation through the seven-step Road Map.

In conclusion, I would like to exhort all from the movie world,

– to focus on the five objectives of the Myanma Motion Picture Asiayon, and the five objectives to be implemented by the motion picture entrepreneurs to achieve the development of the Myanmar film industry and film artistes,

– to make harmonious efforts to raise the motion picture standard, the lifeblood of the Myanmar film industry,

– for film artistes to follow the leadership of the Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon to develop the Myanmar film industry,

– to contribute towards the preservation and uplift of national cultural heritage and national character,

– to join hands with the government and the people in the drive for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation. Thank you.

Next, the list of Academy Award Winners was announced. Best Film Editing Award went to Aung Thwin for his work in “Sahtagan”; Best Sound Award to Ye Win (a) Richard Ye Win for his work in “Kyansit Min”; Best Cinematography Award to Naing Nu Shein (Pa-hti) for his work in “Moe-gok-hsat-wai-ko-kyaw-lunyway”; Best Music Award to Khin Maung Gyi for his work in “Kyansit Min”; Best Scripwriter Award to Kyi Soe Tun for his work in “Sahtagan”; Best Supporting Actress Award to Myat Kay Thi Aung for her work in “Chit-chin-phwe-mitta”; Best Film Award to “Kyansit Min” produced by Ayewarat Film Production; Best Supporting Actor Award to Chan Tha Kyi Soe for his work in “Sahtagan”; Best Film Director Award to Kyi Soe Tun for his work in “Sahtagan”, Best Actress Award to Tun Eindra Bo for her work in “Moe-gok-hsat-wai-ko-kyaw-lunyway”; Best Actor Award to Lu Min for his work in “Kyansit Min”. Next, some good scenes that helped them win the awards were shown. Later, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan presented Academy Awards for 2005 and K 200,000 each contributed by Super Coffeemix to the winners. After the ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party cordially greeted the award winners.

Minister inspects construction of Bwetgyi Bridge on Yangon-Pyay-Mandalay Road

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March — Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and officials of Public Works inspected paving of Pyinmana-Taungnyo-Taungdwingyi road being undertaken by Pyinmana Public Works on 25 February.

At the Gwaygyo briefing hall, Pyinmana District senior engineer and senior engineer of road construction project special group-5 reported on work of road sections and future tasks.

The minister told officials to pave the road in accord with the standard set. He also inspected roads and bridges on the road. In the afternoon, the minister and party arrived at Bwetgyi Bridge construction site on Yangon-Pyay-Mandalay Road. Engineer in-charge U Kyaw Thu of bridge construction project special group-1 reported on progress of work and future tasks.

The minister told officials concerned to start laying of reinforced concrete on the bridge and to complete the project in time.

The bridge, 1,770-foot long and 29 feet wide, has three feet wide walkways on both sides and it can withstand 60-ton loads.

Out of 10 spans of the bridge on Pyay bank, nine have been installed. On Aunglan bank, five of eight spans have been placed.

Construction of Kyangin-Okshitpin railroad section inspected

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March—Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min yesterday inspected construction of Kyangin-Okshitpin rail road section and Phatashin Bridge in Kyangin Township.

At the briefing hall, the minister heard a report on progress of construction work, future plan and stockpiling of construction materials and gave instructions on meeting the set standard, timely completion and minimising loss and wastage.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister U Pe Than and officials, the minister proceeded to Phatashin Bridge construction project site where he looked into progress of work.

Next, the minister and party inspected construction of embankment between Kyangin and Panyansu and land preparation for construction of the railway station and attended to the needs.

On arrival at Wawchaung Bridge construction project site in Padaung Township, the minister heard a report on progress of work and fulfilled the requirements.

At the Kwinhla Junction, the minister and party viewed the producing of concrete bridge frames and stressed the need to send the concrete frames to the work site in time.

After that, the minister inspected construction of Kyaukphu Bridge and attended to the needs.

Next, the minister proceeded to Kyankhin-Okshitpin railroad section where he looked into construction of bridges and earth work along the road and gave instructions on timely completion of work.

USDA Secretary-General inspects construction of monastic education school

Yangon, 5 March— Secretary-General of Union Solidarity and Development Association U Htay Oo looked into the construction tasks of monastic education school in Kyaukyedwin Tadagyi ward, North Okkalapa yesterday.

Secretary-General U Htay Oo paid homage to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Candavara of PhaungdawU Phaya Dhamma Lankara monastery and donated provisions to the Sayadaw.

Next, the secretary- general met with officials of Township Peace and Development Council, members of school committee, USDA members and townselders. They discussed construction tasks of the school and stockpile of construction materials.

The USDA Secretary-General urged officials to expedite the construction tasks.

The monastic education school was established in 1960. The school is now being renovated with the funds raised by USDA members, townselders and wellwishers.

Foreign Minister arrives back from Cambodia

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 March — Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win arrived back here by air this afternoon after attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on 1 and 2 March.

During his stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Minister U Nyan Win attended the meeting with High Level Task Force for Drafting the ASEAN Charter and the Working Dinner hosted by Mr HOR Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia at the Hotel Sokha Angkor in the evening of 1 March 2007. The minister also participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on 2 March held at the Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel.

Members of the Myanmar delegation, Director-General of the Department of Political Affairs U Nyan Lynn, Deputy Directors of the Department of ASEAN Affairs U Aung Htoo and U Nyi Soe also arrived back here on the same flight.

Education Minister Dr Chan Nyein inspects schools

Yangon, 5 March— Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein together with directors-general of Nos 1 and 3 Basic Education Department inspected No 2 BEHS, No 2 BEPS and Practising High School of Yangon Institute of Education in Kamayut Township today.

The minister inspected test, and learning of students and greening tasks in the school compound.

On his tour of inspection, the minister also inspected No 2 BEHS in Sangyoung, No 3 BEHS and No 10 BEPS in Dagon.

Measures taken as regards death of fowls and birds in townships of Yangon Division

Yangon, 5 March—The Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department is taking measures as to the death of fowls and birds in townships of Yangon Division.

The death of 12 crows, six pigeons, one sparrow was found in Tamway, Thingangyun, Kamayut, Pazundaung, Hline, Kyimyindine, Mingaladon, Pabedan, Yankin and Botahtaung Townships on 5-3-2007. But, no fowls and ducks were found dead in those townships.

No bird flu was detected on the dead birds. As the post-mortem on the dead birds revealed a sign of cerebral haemorrhage, cause of the death is under investigation.

The LBVD has requested the poultry breeders and producers under Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation to have bio-security, to control transport of poultry from one farm to another, to carry out disinfection in poultry farm and its environs and to take care of animal health.

Myanmar reaches seminal final after defeating Cambodia 7-0

Yangon, 5 March—The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for U-21 ASEAN Youth Football Championship 2007 continued at Kompleks Belapan & Padang in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, at 8 pm Brunei Standard Time today.

Myanmar youth team and Cambodian youth team played the second match of the Group (B) and the former trounced the latter 7-0.

Sithu Than scored an opening goal for Myanmar team in the 30th minute, Aung Myo Thant scored second goal for Myanmar team in the 33th minute. Till the break, Myanmar led the plays with two goals.

In the second half, Myanmar scored next five goals.

In Group (B), Brunei beat the Philippines 3-2. Myanmar reached the seminal final with six points.

At 8 pm Brunei Standard Time on 7 March Myanmar and host Brunei will play the third match of Group (B).

Minister for Electric Power No 2 inspects Thakayta Power Station

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 March—Minister for Electric Power No 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint on 1 March arrived at Thakayta Power Station and inspected new fuel nozzle, cross fire tube, combustion liner and filter of the station.

Accompanied by Chairman of Yangon City Power Supply Board Col Khin Maung Soe and officials, the minister heard a report presented by officials concerned on installation of new fuel nozzle, cross fire tube, combustion liner and filter for running the station at full capacity and the first stage nozzle.

The minister called on officials to make efforts for production of local made items such as fuel nozzle, cross fire tube and filter.

Next, the minister looked into progress of installation of new parts for running the station at full capacity while Executive Engineer U Khin Maung Oo reported on condition of gas control equipment, turbine and generators.

On arrival at the Gas Station, the minister and party viewed preparations for sending of gas from the Gas Control and Distribution Station to the Gas Station and acquisition of gas.

After inspecting, the minister stressed the need for the full supply of power to the people, maintenance of the station and making concerted efforts for more power supply.

Four houses gutted in Mawlamyine fire

Yangon, 5 March— The house of U Htay Aung on Kyaikmayaw Street in Zaygyo Ward, Mawlamyine, was on fire at 6 pm yesterday while filling gasoline into a barrel. The fire destroyed four houses, leaving 11 people homeless and two injured.

YCDC Chairman inspects development works

Yangon, 4 March — Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, accompanied by officials concerned, went on an inspection tour of Ngamoeyeik water work of YCDC, Engineering Department (Water and Sanitation) this morning.

First, Committee Member of YCDC U Kyaw Soe and Head of Department Dr Tun Than Tun of Engineering Department (Water and Sanitation) briefed Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin on progress in building of the water work which will supply 45 million gallons of water to Yangon City daily.

After inspecting water works, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin gave instructions on water works. Upon arrival at Royal Ruby Jade Hotel, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin looked into decoration of water fountain, hostels and lighting.

The hotel, a four-storey building over 100 rooms, is 380 feet long and 60 feet wide.