The New Light of Myanmar, the Burmese regime’s mouthpiece, is moving north from Rangoon to Pyinmana, a nondescript town in Mandalay Division, according to a reporter from the newspaper, quoting her boss. The reporter first heard the news in early February, but she wasn’t sure when the paper would move. Staff from both English language and Burmese editions would be affected, but she was unsure about other official publications.
The staff for both the English and Burmese language versions of the paper are expected to relocate, said the reporter, adding that she was unsure if other official papers would move as well.
The reporter thought the move reflected the generals’ concern about a possible seaborne attack on the regime, perhaps by a “western power.†She also expected other government agencies to move to Pyinmana.