Features

Features

Staring March 17, the country no longer has a single independent newspaper in publication.
Myanmar becomes a nation without newspapers
The closure of Myanmar’s last independent newspaper marks a new milestone in the country’s political descent
Mar 18, 2021
Illustration: (Moe Htet Lyan / Myanmar Now)
Rakhine development scheme with deep links to NLD raises transparency concerns
A company tied to ruling party MPs is still working to develop a resort area in southern Rakhine state, despite being dissolved last year
Dec 22, 2020
The KySDP campaigning in September before the election. (Photo: Kay Zun Nwai / Myanmar Now) 
Kayah state gears up for post-election political manoeuvres
The NLD’s failure to win an outright majority in the state means that it will have to find a way to work with a local rival
Dec 9, 2020
The wives of the abductees from Tin Ma Gyi village hold a press conference in Sittwe in April (Photo: Myat Tun)
In Rakhine, those left behind struggle as husbands and sons go missing
The abduction of civilians in Rakhine state has added to the hardships of family members displaced by war
Dec 4, 2020
Over 40 people lost their lives and many more were left homeless in the wake of riots that hit Meiktila in 2013. (Yan Moe Naing/Myanmar Now) 
Meiktila voters turn to NLD in hopes of putting painful past behind them
After years of communal tensions, the people of Meiktila are counting on the ruling party to restore peace and stability
Nov 21, 2020
Military representatives are seen walking out of the Shan state parliament meeting hall in 2019. (Myat Moe Thu/Myanmar Now) 
Could this year’s election pave the way to a new federal model in Shan state?
A shift in the state’s electoral map has opened up the possibility of power-sharing with ethnic parties
Nov 20, 2020
Ye Min Oo and Nandar Hla Myint, leading figures from two rival parties and also business partners
The NLD’s rising star is business partners with a senior official from the military’s proxy party
Ye Min Oo is tipped to be the next chief minister of Yangon, but he has deep ties to military-linked corporations
Nov 7, 2020
KNDP members campaign in villages in Hlaingbwe township in September. (Nan Aye Mya Marlar/Facebook)
Voting to go ahead in all of Hlaingbwe for the first time
The Karen National Union, which has its headquarters in the township, won’t be taking part in the election, however
Nov 7, 2020
Drug lord Khun Sa’s former confidante Sai Mon is contesting in the upcoming election as a USDP candidate. 
A Khun Sa confidante sets his sights on parliament as a USDP candidate
Former militia leader Sai Mon looks to use his influence in eastern Shan state to win respectability as an MP
Nov 6, 2020
State Counsellor casts an advanced ballot for the November 8 poll
Myanmar’s pandemic-era election is plagued with difficulties, and the EU has made things worse 
Reliable information is a rare commodity this election, so why has the EU funded an app promoting useless and inflammatory ‘race and religion’ data?
Nov 4, 2020
PPP supporters put party flags and stickers on vehicles on September 12 (Sai Zaw/Myanmar Now)
The PPP, a party of NLD defectors, military men, and ultranationalists 
The People’s Pioneer Party seeks ‘national reconciliation’ with the Tatmadaw, but takes a less conciliatory stance on minorities
Nov 4, 2020
Pyithu Hluttaw candidate Hnin Hnin Hmway is seen at her party's Botahtaung township office on October 10 (Myo Set Pai/Myanmar Now)
A child of the revolution seeks office to fulfil a youthful ambition 
Robbed of her own youth, Hnin Hnin Hmway is running on a promise to improve young people’s prospects for a better life
Oct 31, 2020
Hmwe Hmwe Khin, who became Sagaing’s Shan ethnic affairs minister in 2015, is running again this year with hopes of remaining in the position. (Hmwe Hmwe Khin/Facebook)
A voice for the Red Shan of Sagaing
As minister for ethnic Shan affairs in Sagaing region, Hmwe Hmwe Khin hopes to continue working for her people
Oct 27, 2020

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