Potential conflict with farmers over development project

30 Jun 2019

Min Tun | DMG

30 June, Sittwe 

The new town project “Sittwe Myanmar City 2030” which is planned to be developed on 7000 acres of land in the capital Sittwe might cause friction with local farmers, members of parliament from Sittwe Township said.

The Gold Coast KTMG Development Co., Ltd has proposed the project to establish a new town on land in Kyay Taw and Shwe Min Gan villages near Sat Yoe Kya Bridge in Sittwe. The project will cost 38 billion USD, the company explained to the state parliament on 26 June.

“If farmers do not have farmland, they cannot earn a living. Consequently, they will have to move to another township. So, our question is: can farmers sell their land that’s slated to be used in the new project? The project can be initiated only when the required amount of farmland can be purchased,” said U Aye Thein, Arakan State MP for Sittwe Township.

Deputy speaker of Arakan State parliament U Mya Than said that the project needs permission from the Myanmar Investment Commission and recommendations from the regional government and parliament.

“After all required departments sign on for the project, the company will have to invite international companies. Meanwhile, it needs to try to get 7000 acres of open land. Once they can get the land, the project can be started. So, the exact starting time for the project is uncertain at the moment,” he said.

Speaker of Arakan State parliament U San Kyaw Hla told officials from the company on 26 June that Arakan State is in a strategic location in regard to geopolitics, both eastern and western countries are interested in the undertaking but they need to cooperate with local people and give priority to the interests of local residents when it comes to decision making.

The project will consist of a deep-water port, five water purified factories, five sewage treatment plants and oil and gas storage tanks, according to the Arakan State parliament.