Kyaukphyu SEZ gains momentum, ignoring locals’ calls for suspension

Kyaukphyu SEZ gains momentum, ignoring locals’ calls for suspension

Despite local opposition, Myanmar appears to be plowing ahead with the divisive, China-backed Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, with some suggesting work could start as early as January next year.

During a recent visit to Beijing led by President U Htin Kyaw, Chinese and Myanmar officials signed a vague agreement which the President’s Office called an “Exchange of Letters of Implementation of Deep Sea Port Project and Industry Park Project in Kyaukphyu SEZ in Myanmar”. The meaning of the “exchange” is not immediately clear.

At a recent meeting with Kyaukphyu residents, Union Minister for Commerce U Than Myint tried to allay locals’ fears by assuring them that the inked agreement represents only “temporary recognition” of the SEZ. He added that additional evaluations will be carried out before the project can get started.

However, at an earlier meeting in Sittwe on April 29, the minister offered a contradictory interpretation, and made it sound like restarting the long-stalled zone in Kyaukphyu was a done deal, one fully backed by the president.

“It will be beneficial for our country if we can work together on the industrial zones and economic zones. When the president visited China, he told the Chinese minister that Myanmar will cooperate,” he said.

He added that the Kayukphyu SEZ will be developed by the Kyaukphyu Public Company, an association of 11 private Myanmar businesses that was established in 2014, and will be assisted by an additional 40 companies. If arrangements go according to plan, the project can get started in January next year, the minister said.

The Kyaukphyu SEZ was green lit in 2013 under U Thein Sein’s administration. But for years the project stalled amid controversy over land grabs and inadequate compensation. The SEZ was set to cover 4,289 acres of land from 35 villages under nine village groups, including 1,869 acres of disputed “vacant” land.

The National League for Democracy-backed government promised to scrutinize the details of the SEZ, and make sure it was in the public’s interest, before allowing it to move forward.

Last week, residents of Kyaukphyu reiterated their call for the government to suspend the project until adequate public consultation is undertaken, and land compensation and resettlement options are provided according to international norms.

Ko Tun Kyi, coordinator of the Kyaukphyu Rural Development Association, said the government must reform the legal framework before backing any large-scale developments that may have irreversible consequences on local communities.

“Before development can be carried out, the policies, laws and bylaws need to be amended. We won’t agree to just verbal promises that can be subject to the government changing its mind at any time. We have to protect the rights of the people from Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu township who will be affected directly and indirectly by the project. There are still too many weaknesses in the existing SEZ law to implement the project. I believe it should be suspended until the law is amended,” he said.

In February, the International Commission of Jurists recommended the government reform the 2014 SEZ law to meet international standards and ensure land acquisitions do not violate human rights.

Daw Kyi Kyi Hnin, a local resident, urged the government to consider the best interests of the public.

“The government hasn’t taken responsibility to solve [the land issues]. In this situation, the SEZ should be suspended,” she said.

Commerce minister U Than Myint told the Kyaukphyu residents that the SEZ would create over 380,000 jobs. But locals said they don’t want to hear about work opportunities until outstanding land grievances are resolved.

“The Minister said job opportunities will be created and will be arranged in line with international standards. But what I want to know is how much is the compensation for an acre? What arrangements have been made for the people who have already had to relocate?” said Ko Hla Myo Kyaw, a Kyaukphyu resident.

Rakhine State Hluttaw representative U Kyaw Lwin said some of the problems around the SEZ could be cleared up if the government agreed to be more transparent, and talked directly with the local residents.

“When the officials come, they only meet with the authorities and leave without talking to local residents,” he said.

“Protests will arise if they continue to negotiate only with the authorities instead of the local residents,” he added. “The SEZ will bring no benefits to the public if there are no laws protecting the public. I want them to discuss [the project] directly with the local residents.”
 
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron

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