The Irrawaddy News Magazine [Covering Burma and Southeast Asia]

PHOTO ESSAY
There’s No Place Like Naypyidaw

AUGUST, 2010 - VOL.18 NO.8

With the polls drawing near, the Burmese regime is completing construction of Naypyidaw’s new parliament building intended to house the new civil government

November 6 marks the fifth anniversary of the day that Burma’s military regime began relocating thousands of civil servants from Rangoon to the new capital of Naypyidaw. Sometime close to this anniversary date, Burma will hold its first elections in 20 years, and the junta is busy putting the finishing touches to Naypyidaw.

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Although many buildings will soon celebrate their grand opening, Naypyidaw is unlikely to see a flood of new residents after the election. Most of the civil servants moving into the new administrative buildings will probably be familiar faces to Naypyidaw. The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), whose membership includes most of Burma’s civil servants, has recently transferred all of its assets to the USDP, presumably including the brand new administrative headquarters in Naypyidaw.

Although the generals and senior officials may be happy with the insular security provided by their new home in Naypyidaw, there may not be many smiles on the faces of lower-level civil servants. Although the city–which the regime claims has a population of more than 900,000–boasts of modern buildings, broad boulevards and 24-hour electricity, most government workers have left their families behind in Rangoon due to the initial lack of essential services and the current lack of free-time activities in the new capital.

Photojournalist Myat Moe Maung recently toured Naypyidaw and captured the look of the seat of Burma’s new government.