MON LANGUAGE BOOKS UNDER SCRUTINY

(IMNA: October 10, 2003)

The SPDC's scrutiny board refuses to grant a permit for the printing of Mon books even though the contents are translated from Burmese language magazine.

A Buddhist monk in Rangoon says, "the articles are not related to politics and we will publish it from previous Burmese language magazines and journals. But the board refuses to give permission".

Mon monks had planned to publish monthly magazines with articles selected from Burmese magazines and journals for educational and entertaining purposes for the Mon public but the Scrutiny Board in Rangoon rejects their application.

Only a few Mon magazines endorsed by senior and revered monks are given permission by the regime according to a source from the Mon community in Rangoon. These books are produced only once in a year or in two years, said a Mon monk from Moulmein, the capital of Mon State, who applied for permission to print the books.

During the BSPP (Burmese Socialist Programme Party - 1962 to 1988) era, the Mon books translated from Burmese language were permitted for publication.

Three years ago it took 6 months to get permission to print but no permission is allowed nowadays. Only some publication from the cease-fire New Mon State Party's Public Relations Department is produced at present.