Myanmar: Peace Brings Plantations and Displacement in Myeik Hills

Mar 2, 2015 | Wa Lone, Myanmar Times
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The Kawutt-Kawmabyin area is more than 40 kilometres (27 miles) from Myeik and 80-km (50 miles) from Tanintharyi township. Much of the area, including the farmland, was abandoned during the fighting between Tatmadaw forces and the Karen National Union that ended with a January 2012 ceasefire.

But as peace allowed the former residents to return home, large investors in search of land for plantations came too.

Malaysian-owned Myanmar Stark Prestige Plantation (MSPP) launched an oil-palm project on more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) in the area in 2011, investing US$36 million over a 30-year contract. The joint venture is 95 percent owned by Malaysian Prestige Plantation and 5pc by Stark Industrial Myanmar.