Mon language books under scrutiny
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.