Reported by Arkar, Locals from the Parlain Region of Ye Township, Mon State, urged the Myanmar Investment
Commission (MIC) on August 24, to abandon the planned coal-fired power project by Toyo Thai Corp to be constructed near Anndin Village, Ye Township.
“The Myanmar Investment Commission has to decide whether it should give permission to any foreign companies, after it considers all the data. For the commission to be able to reflect and make decisions, we ourselves went there [to MIC office] and pressured them with a petition letter,” said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Mon State Hluttaw representative, who also joined the locals, meeting the MIC.
Dr. Aung Naing Oo continued that local representatives demonstrated to the MIC using both the letter and a video presentation, wherein they gave explanations of how the proposed coal-fired project could negatively [impact] affected Mon people and their culture as well as natural resources. Also, asking that the MIC consider these factors and not support the project.
Dr. Aung Naing Oo also said that according to foreign investment law, a company can’t legally invest in a project that could affect a native people’s culture, heritage, environment and the local people as well as it’s ecosystem.
“We were on the side of the locals since the beginning and we already sent a letter to the Toyo Thai Corp opposing its project. We also sent a letter to the President with a request to stop the project. We ourselves have also met with the Mon State government, reporting this matter. But, there is so far no response from the government and no special replies from the government. So, we now go to the MIC and report it,” said a local monk, named Ashin Visaryada, who was also present at meeting with MIC.
In early 2014, Toyo Thai Corp and the Union Government signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the coal-fired power plant near Anndin Village, Ye Township.
On April 25, 2014, the meeting between locals and a few state ministers, Hluttaw delegates and Toyo Thai Corp representatives, saw locals already reiterate that they did not want the project.
On December 14, 2014, about 500 locals staged a protest against the construction of the coal fired plant, and they also sent an opposition letter to the Toyo Thai Corp.
However, the Toyo Thai Corp continued to proceed with its plan and on April 9, 2015, it signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Union government.
In response to the MoA signing, last May, about 6000 locals staged another protest in a football field in Anndin village and requested the project’s termination.
The Toyo Thai Corp continues with its plan. However, due to some difficulties with securing the project, it has cooperated with Win Yaung Chi Oo Company and is covertly bidding for the land.
