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Malay-speaking wing of ISIS sends video warning to Malaysia

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Malay-speaking-wing-of-ISIS-sends-video-warning-to-30277674.html

AEC NEWS

The Star   MON, 25 JAN, 2016 12:33 PM

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malay-speaking wing of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has sent a warning to Malaysia for stepping up its campaign against the terror group.

In a strongly defiant video posted in Bahasa Malaysia, the Malaysian-Indonesian unit of ISIS, called the Katibah Nusantara, threatened revenge for the arrests of its members.

Titled “Mesej Awam Kepada Malaysia” (Public Message for Malaysia), the video warned: “If you catch us, we will only increase in number but if you let us be, we will be closer to our goal of bringing back the rule of the Khalifah (caliph).”

“We will never bow down to the democratic system of governance as we will only follow Allah’s rules.”

Another video called on Katibah’s “brothers” from Somalia’s Al-Shabaab, a militant group aligned with the Al-Qaeda, to join the group in the “real front-line in Syria”.

In the video, which lasts more than a minute, Katibah’s Malaysian militants can clearly be seen speaking in Bahasa Malaysia, urging their compatriots from Al-Shabaab to join the ISIS and its so-called jihad or holy war.

The video shows Katibah member Abdul Halid Dari urging them to pledge their allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and join the “real” fight in Syria as fellow militant Mohd Nizam Arifin looks on.

Abdul Halid also quotes Prophet Muhammad’s teachings to convince fighters in Somalia to join ISIS.

Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division head, Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayob Khan, said the threat and direct challenge to the government reflected Katibah’s brazen stance.

“It further proves that IS, especially the Katibah group, views our country as secular, and as such makes the government and the people as its targets. This is no doubt in retaliation against our security forces’ actions against them,” he told The Star on Sunday (Jan 24).

He said the counter-terrorism division would be more vigilant as attacks could occur at any time, adding that reliable intelligence was the key to prevent attacks from taking place in the country.

“We have to be constantly on our toes and cannot afford to let our guard down,” he said.

On the video addressed to the Somalians, SAC Ayob Khan said although it had subtitles in Arabic, the fact that Abdul Halid spoke in Malay led intelligence agencies to suspect there were also Malaysians in Al-Shabaab.

“This is certainly a new development resulting in more involvement of Malaysians in terror groups,” he said.

Both videos were posted on an ISIS-sanctioned website, signifying Katibah’s increasing recognition within the terror group.

“Prior to this, we only saw videos posted on Facebook or other social media sites but this particular video is a clear indication that Katibah is among the major foreign factions in IS,” said SAC Ayob Khan.

He said the video was also the first clear indication that there were Malaysians or at least Malay-speaking militants in Al-Shabaab.

“It is certainly alarming if true. Why would the militants speak Bahasa Malaysia if they were not calling out to their fellow countrymen?” he asked.

It is believed that Katibah has more than 200 fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia, who are highly sought after for “specialised missions”, including serving as snipers and becoming suicide bombers.

Katibah first came under the radar of intelligence agencies two years ago when it was called Majmu’ah al Arkhabiliy.

According to Indonesian police, Muhammad Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian Katibah fighter, was behind the recent bomb blasts and gun attacks in Jakarta.

Military-backed firms must be transparent: CSOs

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ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Military-backed-firms-must-be-transparent-CSOs-30278004.html

AEC NEWS

Khine Kyaw
Myanmar Eleven   MON, 25 JAN, 2016 1:00 AM

YANGON – Though Myanmar managed last month to publish its first-ever Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative report, civil society organisations believe that there is still a lot of room for improvement, particularly in the part of inflows to military-backed firms.

The Myanmar Alliance on Transparency and Accountability, a coalition of 518 organisations, said last Wednesday that the next EITI report to be published in the second half of this year would be more transparent.

Military-back firms like Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (UMEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) were mentioned at the press conference.

Ye Thein Oo of the Myanmar-China Pipeline Watch Committee said military-backed firms should be on the same playing ground with other state-owned enterprises and private companies. Military-backed firms usually take a lot of advantages in doing business at the cost of the national budget and state revenues.

“The firms are always lacking transparency. In some cases, we noticed that their way of doing business is beyond legal procedures.

“We notified the Ministry of Mines and called for investigation. But even ministry officials dare not investigate them even though they know that the firms’ activities are illegal,” he said.

Moe Moe Tun of Sein Lan Pyin Oo Lwin said most of the activities of UMEHL, which is doing business largely in Hpakant, the capital of Kachin state, are not in line with the mining law.

“But even authorities dare not investigate if their activities are legal or not. And they enjoyed tax exemptions. They have to pay for taxes starting from the 2015-16 fiscal year. So, the state has lost a lot of revenues for that,” she said.

No one took responsibility for the loss of human lives in Hpakant, she said.

Mining activities reportedly continued as usual after the landslides in December that left over 100 dead.

According to Mata, military-backed firms need to be transparent with their rules and regulations, financial relationship with the government, shareholdings in mining and oil and gas companies, money injection to the national budget, social costs, costs to support infrastructure and debt settlements of the state, loans and grants from mining and oil and gas firms that are operating in Myanmar.

Moe Moe Tun said civil society organisations (CSOs) had noticed a large sum of money was kept under the title “Other Budgets”, which many state-owned enterprises kept at the state-run Myanmar Economic Bank.

CSOs did not have a chance to investigate what other budgets were and if they were really needed, she said.

Myanmar’s extractive industries have been criticised for lacking transparency. In its October report, Global Witness said several ex-generals extracted money from the jade trade. It said the Than Shwe, Maung Maung Thein and Ohn Myint families hold multiple concessions that between them generated pre-tax sales of US$220 million (Bt7.9 billion) at the 2014 jade emporium, the official government jade sale, and $67 million at the 2013 emporium. It also said official emporium sales of army companies amounted to $180 million in 2014 and $100 million in 2013.

Myanmar’s application to join EITI in late 2012 is expected to improve transparency. In May 2014, its candidacy was approved, requiring the country to submit biannual reports on revenue generated from the industries.

While the first report covered only three industries – oil, gas and mining – the second will be expanded to forestry, hydropower and fishery.

Nine representatives from Mata are involved in the union-level EITI process. A stakeholder group was formed with 21 representatives from the government, CSOs and private sector.

Moe Moe Tun said the licensing process should be urgently improved while the Mines Ministry should closely monitor if the licensees follow the procedures.

“Some operators applied for a licence to explore 40 acres but in reality, the mining area covers 80 acres. They know perfectly well that nobody will come and investigate what they are doing on the ground,” she said.

Kyaw Thu of Paung Kuu said some operators are not the ones receiving licences.

Moe Moe Tun is optimistic that greater transparency is possible under the new government.

Week in Review: Myanmar

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Week-in-Review-Myanmar-30278006.html

AEC NEWS

Myanmar Eleven   MON, 25 JAN, 2016 1:00

No change in FDI target Myanmar Investment Commission secretary Aung Naing Oo said the body expected US$6 billion (Bt216 billion) in foreign direct investment in the next fiscal year.

The amount shows no change from its target for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which will end on March 31.

From April to December 2015, FDI inflows from 20 countries were more than $5 billion.

Journalist wins award

Myanmar national Htet Khaung Linn was among nine journalists, selected from more than 1,400 registered participants from across the world, awarded the European Commission’s Lorenzo Natali Media Prizes.

The prizes honour those reporting on development issues. The winners’ reports covered topics ranging from the e-waste economy in Ghana to innovative farming methods in slums in Kenya, drug crime in Mexico, and child prostitution in Myanmar.

Htet Khaung Linn’s winning article “Poverty drives Myanmar girls into underage sex work” can be found at http://bit.ly/1ZwLpgH.

CNPC faces disruption

China National Petroleum Corporation’s land fencing in Maday Island, Kyaukphyu township, Rakhine state, was suspended because of protests.

The administrator for Kyaukphyu township, along with CNPC and the Land Records Department, promised 1 million kyat per acre (Bt68,000 per hectare) to each of 12 landowners, but some owners do not want to leave their farm land.

Kyaw Hla, one of the landowners who is also a member of Maday Island Development Committee, said some landowners were threatened to take money and leave. He said he might leave if the compensation were raised to 40 million kyat.

CNPC plans a port and oil-storage tanks on the island, as part of its oil pipeline from Kyaukphyu to Yunnan.

Budget bill approved

The Myanmar Parliament approved the budget bill for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which targets revenue of 17.45 trillion kyat (Bt483 billion) and expenditure of 20.74 trillion kyat.

The fiscal deficit is projected to account for 4.16 per cent of gross domestic product.

The deficit ratio could be 4.66 per cent but for a budget cut worth 625 billion kyat.

Tram link

Myanma Railways reportedly plans to link tram routes to Kyimyindaing and Pazundaung railway stations in the next fiscal year.

Domestic and foreign companies would be invited to bid for the project, designed to promote public transport.

Ethnic MPs win nominations

The National League for Democracy nominated four MPs for Speaker positions in the two parliamentary houses, including three ethnic-minority MPs.

NLD spokesman Nyan Win said Win Khaing Than, an ethnic Karen, and spokesman U Win Myint were nominated for upper and lower house Speaker. The other nominations for deputy Speakers are an ethnic Rakhine from the Arakan National Party and an ethnic Kachin from the incumbent military-backed party.

The vote is set after both houses convene on February 1.

Suu Kyi inspects MP guest houses

National League for Democracy chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi and lower house Speaker Thura Shwe Mann inspected Nay Pyi Taw’s guest houses, seeking accommodation for MPs who do not live in the city.

They talked with guest-house managers on security measures and availability of rooms.

The MPs are set to arrive in Nay Pyi Taw before January 26 tomorrow.

Expenses are to be billed to Parliament as part of the capital’s municipal budget.

Higher arsenic level

The arsenic level in drinking water in Ayeyawady and Bago regions and Rakhine state has reached dangerours levels, said the Department of Medical Research.

It took samples from 97 wells in Ayeyawady region and found that 29 per cent exceeded the standard level.

Protest anniversary marked

The All Burma Federation of Student Unions for Upper Myanmar marked the one-year anniversary of the march against the National Education Law. The march to Yangon culminated in a crackdown in Letpadan on March 10.

The students joining the commemoration demanded the release of all students still detained, as well as other political prisoners.

On Friday, Myanmar pardoned more than 100 prisoners, including a New Zealander and 34 others jailed on political charges. The move comes after a US envoy urged the quasi-civilian government to free all remaining political prisoners before the new Parliament convenes next month.

Last week, 12 workers protesting for a pay rise in 2015 were indicted for unlawful assembly.

Age restriction on car importers

MP Win Oo submitted a proposal to raise the age restriction on car imports, from 18 to 25.

He said Myanmar had imported around 600,000 cars over the last five years, causing traffic jams and parking problems.

Military appointees

A total of 220 military personnel were appointed as members of regional and state parliaments. On the list of 220 appointees, 203 are from the army, seven are from the air force and 10 are from the navy. The new MPs include one brigadier-general, 14 colonels and 10 lieutenant-colonels.

On the list submitted to the Election Commission, 13 military personnel were appointed to the Kachin state parliament, five for Kayah state, six for Kayin State, six for Chin state, seven for Taninthayi region, 19 for Bago region, 17 for Magway region, 19 for Mandalay region, eight for Mon state, 12 for Rakhine state, 31 for Yangon region, 34 for Shan state and 18 for Ayeyawady region.

No show for some candidates

Only 14 out of 34 candidates for Yangon Region Parliament who failed to submit election expenses during Myanmar’s general election in November appeared before the Union Election Commission.

The UEC will rule on whether they were qualified on February 4, while the verdict for those who failed to appear will be issued on February 5.

A total of 52 new MPs for the lower house, 30 for the upper house, 122 for regional and state parliaments and three ethnic representatives failed to submit expenses.

Only Suu Kyi speaks for party: NLD

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Only-Suu-Kyi-speaks-for-party-NLD-30277623.html

AEC NEWS

Eleven Myanmar   SUN, 24 JAN, 2016 5:36 PM

YANGON – The National League for Democracy said only its chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi could make announcements on policy and transitional affairs.

Its statement stressed the delicate nature of transitional politics and said Suu Kyi was handling the process with great care.

During the week, Nyan Win, an executive committee member, told AFP that four MPs were nominated for Lower House Speaker and Upper House Speaker, including three ethnic MPs.

Subsequently, Suu Kyi on January 21 refused to answer questions on the appointments.

Win Htein of the NLD central executive committee said: “We will not answer every question. We regard every matter seriously. Suu Kyi does nothing carelessly. We will announce the speakers and vice-speakers after seeking approval from the CEC. We asked Nyan Win why he did it. We emphasise that appointments must represent the interests of ethnic groups and promote national reconciliation. We will issue an announcement at the opportune time.”

Snow envelops northern mountains in Vietnam

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Snow-envelops-northern-mountains-in-Vietnam-30277620.html

AEC NEWS

Viet Nam News   SUN, 24 JAN, 2016 5:17 PM

LAO CAI – Snow fell in many areas across the northern mountainous region as a strong cold spell envelops almost half of the country since yesterday.

Snow blanketed Sa Pa resort city in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai today and temperatures plunged to minus 5 degree C yesterday night, the lowest for many years. The temperature at Sa Pa was measured at 0 degree C this morning.

Local elderly people said this is the biggest snowfall they ever saw for many years.

Freezing temperatures were also reported in other areas, such as minus 0.4 degree C in Tam Dao (Phu Tho Province), minus 0.2 degree C in Dong Van (Ha Giang province) and minus 4 degree C in Mau Son Mountain (Lang Son province).

Tens of kilometres on national road 4D on the section from O Quy Ho Pass (Sa Pa district) to Tam Duong District (Lai Chau Province) have been covered with snow and 1cm of ice, posing danger to traffic.

Local residents in Nam Bung and Tu Le communes, Van Chan District, Yen Bai Province, were surprised to see snow fall for the first time in the area. Snow was also seen in higher areas, including Khau Pha Pass in Mu Cang Chai District, Suoi Giang Commune in Van Chan and Hat Luu and Tram Tau communes in Tram Tau District.

In Hanoi, the highest temperature today is forecast from 7 to 10 degree C.

The cold spell has expanded as far as the south central localities, bringing rain to most areas along the central coast.

Court hands out 6-month term for army chief insult

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Court-hands-out-6-month-term-for-army-chief-insult-30277618.html

AEC NEWS

Eleven Myanmar   SAT, 23 JAN, 2016 5:11 PM

YANGON – The Hlaing Township judge has sentenced Khun Ja Lee, who was charged under Section 66(D) of the Telecommunication Act, to six months in prison for defaming the commander-in-chief.

Khun Ja Lee was arrested in Yangon in October last year for allegedly sharing a photo of a man in traditional Kachin dress stepping on a portrait of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The judge said Khun Ja Lee’s act contravened cultural ethics, defaming the military chief.

Khun Khun Ja Lee could have been jailed for three years but he was suffering from asthma and was therefore given a more lenient term, the court said.

“It is injustice. This Telecommunications Act does not have by-laws yet and isn’t finished. I don’t want anyone to be handled like me,” Khun Khun Ja Lee said.

EU, US and UK envoys and human rights activists observed the trial.

“The verdict was anticipated. In December, Chaw Sandi Tun, a member of the National League for Democracy, was sentenced to six months in jail for defamation for uploading a photo to Facebookthat compared the colour of the army’s new uniforms to that of a sarong worn by NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It is not justice. Insufficient evidence was given,” Sabe Phyu, wife of Khun Khun Ja Lee, said.

Khun Ja Lee has already served three months of his sentence.

Fusion cuisine is king at Bangkok’s first Hawaiian-Japanese fusion restaurant chain

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Fusion-cuisine-is-king-at-Bangkoks-first-Hawaiian–30277203.html

FOOD & RESTAURANTS

Pattarawadee Saengmanee
The Sunday Nation   TUE, 19 JAN, 2016 9:44 AM

You don’t have to say “aloha” or wear a lei to gain admission to Mokuola Hawaii nor will you find Lau lau, the traditional dish of steamed fish and pork wrapped in taro leaves and a ti leaf. That’s because the menu at this chain of Hawaiian-Japanese fusion restaurants is designed to titillate the Thai palate, with easy-to-eat dishes made for sharing along with pancakes and other sweet delights guaranteed to please.

Founded in 2001, Mokuola Hawaii is the brainchild of Dexee Diner and has seven branches in Tokyo. The successful Japanese company opened it first overseas outlet in Thailand almost two years ago and has since expanded to South Korea and Taiwan.

Located in Siam Paragon’s Food Passage zone, the restaurant is operated by Dexee subsidiary AD Emotion and boasts a Hawaiian holiday design concept. The name means “healing island” in Hawaiian and this idea is promoted through a healthy and light menu.

“The first Thai branch opened in 2014 at Mercury Ville with the Siam Paragon outlet following a few months later. We offer a wide range of easy-to-eat fusion food and desserts based on Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine and we have also created a selection of dishes to appeal to Thais,” says Supakanya Chanthawilart, director and marketing manager.

“Most of the dishes come in large portions but because Thais prefer to share, the chef has added appetisers, cafe-style plates as well as smaller dishes featuring rice and a main dish.

The kitchen is in hands of a Japanese team and they use yellow curry and beef from Japan to ensure authentic flavours. They also offer a traditional Hawaiian dish called Loco Moco Combo (Bt260), which features hamburger patties topped with a fried egg over Japanese rice, served with salad, French fries and clear soup plus a selection of sauces ranging from barbecue, shio, original pepper to gravy and demi-glace.

Supakanya says the Garlic Chicken Plate (Bt190), which comes with shoyu-flavoured rice, a boiled egg, soup, sliced tofu and a refreshing yoghurt fruit salad, is particularly popular with local office workers after a quick lunch.

Popular desserts include Berry Blossom Pancake (Bt190), a soft yet crispy pancake paired with fresh sliced strawberries, blueberries, white chocolate chip and low-fat berry whipped cream, and the Japanese-style Pancake (Bt210), with red bean, sticky mochi, orange brulee and plain whipped cream smothered with green tea matcha sauce.

“Our chef has developed a special flour to make the pancakes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The texture is very enjoyable even when the pancakes are eaten cold,” Supakanya says.

In addition to coffee and tea, the restaurant also offers a wide range of smoothies, mocktails and colourful cocktails, among them the Pele, a mixture of orange, strawberry and mango, and Blue Lemon Squash, a blend of blue lemon, honey, soda and lemon juice.

Mokuola Hawaii also has branches at Mercury Ville and EmQuartier too.

King Kong filming in Ninh Binh gets date

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/King-Kong-filming-in-Ninh-Binh-gets-date-30277568.html

ENTERTAINMENT

Viet Nam News   SAT, 23 JAN, 2016 1:00 AM

HCM CITY – The technical crew for Legendary Pictures arrived in Ninh Binh Province on Wednesday to prepare for the company’s new film, Kong: Skull Island or Titan, the upcoming King Kong prequel.

The film staff, including director and screenwriter Jordan Charles Vogt-Roberts and cinematographer Larry Fong, will arrive later. Shooting takes place between February 18 and late March.

The film crew will shoot scenes in Trang An, Van Long and Tam Coc of Ninh Binh before moving to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Rao Nan River and Yen Phu Lake in Quang Binh Province and Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh.

According to local authorities, the film crew has kept its work secret but they have committed to keep the natural environment clean and intact.

Ha Quang Long, director of Quang Ninh Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: “The film staff will spend three days shooting in Ha Long Bay in mid-March.”

“Many moviegoers around the world are waiting to see Kong: Skull Island in cinemas. We think the filming in Ha Long Bay and other destinations is a good chance to introduce the beauty of Vietnam to the world,” he said.

According to unofficial sources, around 10 per cent of the film’s total expense, US$160 million, will be spent on filming in Vietnam.

According to Hollywood Reporter magazine, Kong: Skull Island will star actors Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, John C. Reily, Samuel L. Jackson and Toby Kebbell.

The film is expected to hit theatres in 2017.

Last year, Vogt-Roberts and his staff of 23 conducted research for the film by travelling around Quang Binh and Ninh Binh.

They visited the mountainous areas of Bo Trach, Thuong Hoa, Trung Hoa and Tan Hoa, all of which are famous tourist destinations.

In his mid-30s, Vogt-Roberts made his directorial debut with the film The Kings of Summer at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. It was also screened at the 2013 Cleveland International Film Festival.

It won the Narrative Feature Audience Award at the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival.

Vogt-Roberts also co-wrote and directed the TV series Mash Up.

Penang Hokkien MOVIE PREMIERE

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Penang-Hokkien-MOVIE-PREMIERE-30277208.html

ENTERTAINMENT

THE STAR
ASIA NEWS NETWORK   TUE, 19 JAN, 2016 11:25 AM

The world’s first movie in Penang Hokkien, “You Mean the World to Me”, is set to premiere at the Majestic Theatre, a notable historical landmark in Penang.

The movie’s producer Leonard Tee said the screening would most likely take place in the third quarter of this year.

Some of the scenes were shot in the theatre located at the corner between Jalan Phee Choon and Jalan Khoo Sian Ewe.

Formerly known as the Shanghai Sound Theatre, it was said to be the first theatre to feature “talkie” movies in the Northern Malaya region.

It was originally designed as a live performance theatre back in the 1920s.

Tee said they were grateful to building owner 1919 Global for agreeing to let out the space for the movie.

“It will surely be a nostalgic moment for Penangites to watch a local production at this theatre.

“It will remind all of us of the golden era of Asian cinema,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The theatre and the adjoining 12 shop houses were designed by one of the earliest known Straits-Chinese architects, Chew Eng Eam, in 1926.

It was commissioned by local businessman and philanthropist Khoo Sian Ewe, whose name now adorns the street fronting the building.

In 2007, the property was bought over by Singaporean property developer Jonathan Foo, who has given the building a facelift.

The building’s carvings and top crown, which had been removed, have been restored.

Foo, when met at the scene, said they had gone through some old photographs of the building before carrying out the restoration.

“Before that, the building was adorned with a square mosaic structure from the 70s. It didn’t look that nice.

“We brought back the original architecture to it. We are happy as we have managed to get back to its original spirit,” he said.

Following the restoration, Foo said he had big plans for the place, including holding an international squash competition.

“If you look at the space inside, you can literally build a glass court for an international squash event.

“We are also looking at holding theatre screenings, event launches, banquet events and so forth.

“There can also be sporting events such as squash, fencing and badminton, or even art events, fashion and ballroom dancing.

“It will be nice to bring life back to this district again,” he said.

Foo, who had “uprooted” his family from Singapore to live in Penang, said the state is a fantastic place for opportunities, in terms property development. “I always have passion for the restoration of old buildings. My family and I are here to stay.

YouTube videos celebrating spring’s arrival go viral

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/YouTube-videos-celebrating-springs-arrival-go-vira-30277206.html

ENTERTAINMENT

VietnamNews   TUE, 19 JAN, 2016

Music videos celebrating spring by local composers and singers have seen millions of hits on YouTube.

Composer Nguyen Van Chung’s Me Mang Xuan Ve (Mother Brings Spring to the Home) video is a gift to all Vietnamese women to celebrate the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

“I want to show gratitude to all mothers who bring us a happy life,” said Chung, who is from HCM City.

Chung is popular for his song Nhat Ky Cua Me (Mom’s Diary) about a mother’s feelings and thoughts during her child’s growth.

Me Mang Xuan Ve is performed by veteran singer Ly Hai and young singer Ngoc Thanh Thao.

The song has a joyful melody and simple lyrics which describe a family’s feelings as they clean the house during preparations for Tet.

Its video features the acting of both singers and Hai’s wife and three children.

“After watching video, I miss my mother so much. She has worked so hard to bring a happy and comfortable life for me and my family,” said Tran Cam Tien, a native of Dong Nai Province who is studying at the HCM City Medical and Pharmaceutical College.

“The video sends a message to people to think more about their families during the Tet holiday, and work together to bring Tet to the home,” the 33-year-old songwriter said.

Chung began composing songs when he was in university.

He has written nearly 200 songs, including top hits such as Vang Trang Khoc (Tears of Moon) and Chiec Khan Gio Am (Beautiful Scarf). He released two albums with songs for children in 2013 and 2015.

Three weeks after being released, his music video Me Mang Xuan Ve attracted more than 6.3 million viewers on YouTube.

Another music video called Bung Toa Huong Xuan (Spring Fragrance) has also had about 6.3 million views since it was released on YouTube in early December.

The HCM City-based composer Hoai An wrote the song’s lyrics praising spring based on the melody of a famous folk song for children, Tap Tam Vong, by veteran composer Le Cao Phan.

“Tap Tam Vong is familiar to both adults and children. The song is easy to listen to and remember,” said An, who has released dozens of hits and won several music prizes at nationwide competions in the 1990s and 2000s.

Nine cute singers and performers aged four to 14 appear in the video.

They include Phuong My Chi, Phuc Nguyen, Hoang Anh Doraemon and Ruby Bao An, all of whom are popular from television singing competitions for children, Voice Kid Vietnam and Do Re Mi.

Young competitors in other television reality entertainment shows for children, including Ku Tin, Bao Ngoc, Jason and Leica, also appear in the video.

Lam Thanh My, who plays a leading role in Vietnamese-American Victor Vu’s Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) film, is also in the video.

“All nine young artists show their sweet and clear voices as well as natural acting.” the 39-year-old An said.

Nguyen Kim Yen, a mother of two daughters in District 2, said her kids loved the video and watched it again and again.

“We were excited about the upcoming Tet after seeing the images of children in ao dai in the spring flower market,” Yen said.

Three young singers Dong Nhi, Trong Hieu and Uyen Linh contributed their voices in the music video Khai Xuan Don Loc (Waiting for Spring Buds), gaining more than 1.5 million viewers on YouTube.

The video features three famous songs about spring, Chau Dang Khoa’s Nhu Hoa Mua Xuan (Spring Flowers), Minh Ky’s Xuan Da Ve (Spring Comes), and Tu Huy’s Ngay Tet Que Em (Spring in the Homeland).

“We hope the video brings joy to people during Tet, and helps them realise that life is beautiful,” Dong Nhi said. — VNS

SOURCE

http://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/281373/youtube-videos-celebrating-springs-arrival-go-viral.html