爱华网大毒枭罗兴汉
海洛因大王兼商业巨擘罗兴汉于7月6日亡故，终年约80岁
Jul 27th 2013 |From the print edition
干他这行的人通常短寿。他们往往饮弹身亡：要么死于警察狙击手、要么死于黑帮倾轧；然后人们会在莽林中匆匆地把他们草草埋葬。罗兴汉可不是这样的怂包；他得了善终，死后也极尽哀荣。葬礼出席者乘坐的车子排成了长龙，有些车上还竖立着他的肖像，肖像周围饰以花环；车队浩浩荡荡地在缅甸首都仰光街头招摇过市，直奔他紧靠仰光市高尔夫俱乐部第16洞的别墅，别墅四周围墙高耸。来自他的家乡地区，缅甸东北地区金三角的村民成群结队地参加了葬礼，与他们荟萃一堂的有退伍将军、两名内阁部长和仰光市的社会名流。
罗兴汉是一位受人尊敬的商业大亨。他也是缅甸经济的中流砥柱。无论你把目光投向何处，你都会看到某个他和他所创建的企业集团——枝蔓横陈的亚洲世界集团——所涉及的项目，这些项目往往与中国合伙人合作。位于皎漂市（Kyaukpyu）的深水港口、从阿拉干邦（Arakan）直通中国国境线的公路（耗资3300万美元）、一条油气输送管道和豪华的商贸酒店是其中几例。他生前掌管着国内的主要公共汽车公司，还在修建密松（Myitsone）大坝。尽管他很少公开露面，即使露面也很少讲话，但举行宴会他却很在行：2006年他操办了当时缅甸军政府首脑的女儿的婚礼，出席者佩戴的钻饰琳琅满目，痛饮的香槟酒如瀑布般倾泻。据传他的财富如同金山，已经到了无人可以猜度其数量的程度。因此，他的主要产品于1998年的出口额等于缅甸所有合法出口的总和，这也就不足为奇了。
他的致富之道是能把某种产品做得比其他人都好；其成功产品是4级高纯海洛因1。该种产品以塑料袋包装销售，商标名“双狮地球”，“纯净100%”为中文2。而且该产品确实纯净，与产自阿富汗的棕色肮脏产品大不相同。“双狮地球”不但可卷烟吸食，也可用于注射，其效果作用时间更长。他监督海洛因生产的每一步骤：从付款给金三角坡地上种植罂粟的农民，到使用数以百计的骡子在丛林窄路上跋涉，用大口袋把鸦片生胶运往市场和泰国边境上的加工厂，直到发送国外。正是罗兴汉，他于20世纪60与70年代运往越南的海洛因蹂躏了那里10%的美军官兵。对此他面不改色。缅甸东部掸邦（ShanState)的华裔（罗先生的族裔）中间有一句俗语：买卖归买卖。
但他并非以贩卖鸦片出身的。他生于果敢地区（KokangDistrict），自幼贫寒，混迹于影像沙龙与酒类店铺之间。他也曾在当地家族武装中任分队长一职。当缅甸政府军封杀所有家族时，他又见风使舵，转变了立场。在20世纪60年代掸邦进入无政府状态时，他摇身一变，成为一支由3000人组成的准军事力量的领导人。他这时要做的，是在缅甸政府的完全支持下对鸦片运输征税，以此筹款与掸邦的民族主义游击队和共产党游击队两面作战。（鸦片是山区通用的唯一货币。）没过多久，他手下身穿正规军服，肩扛AK47自动步枪的士兵就对大部分鸦片贸易进行了保护。一旦趟进了这趟浑水，开始在泰国用成口袋的鸦片换取金条和高档家具，他就从此一条路走到黑，再也没有回头。
或许他也曾回过一次头。1973年，当准军事力量开始被整肃解散时，他投奔了反叛的掸邦军（Shan StateArmy），消失在丛林深处。（弥留之际，他说着带有浓重果敢口音的中文普通话，用喉音声称自己是一个掸邦分离主义者。）他也曾目空一切，提出要把缅甸所有的罂粟收成以1200万美元的价码卖给美国；就在讨论这一交易的过程中，他在泰国被捕、被驱逐出境，旋以叛国罪被缅甸军政府起诉并判处死刑。但正像事情往往发生的那样，他对军队的高级将领贿以重金，而上述一切都在杯盏交错间消弭于无形。他只不过遭到软禁，但于1980年被释，随之又重建了他的毒品帝国。到了1991年，二十多个新的罗氏海洛因加工厂再次于缅甸北部山岭中星罗棋布。
军政府再次认为可以利用他。他掌握了丰富的资源，并且似乎在民族关系混乱的掸邦人脉极广。军政府的将军们答应他，如果他在掸邦、佤族（Wa）和果敢的叛军中担任内线，他就可以不受盘查地携带毒品直达泰国边境。此后不旋踵，和平协议便露出了曙光。情报首脑认为他极为有用。
拯救众将军
困顿中的缅甸经济也需要他。20世纪90年代初，在向缅甸几近空空如也的国库缴纳了一笔“洗白税”后，罗兴汉得到允许，可以让他滞留海外的资金回归缅甸。他于1992年创建了亚洲世界集团，并与在美国受过教育的儿子史蒂芬•劳（TunMyint Naing、 Steven Law and Lo PingZhong）共同管理该公司，后者出任董事总经理。他财源广大，又有与政府的几项合同，因此成了外国投资者来访时都会前来拜会的商界大亨。到了1998年，新加坡在缅甸一半以上的投资（价值高达13亿美元）都是与亚洲世界集团合作达成的。
此前两年，罗兴汉父子因贩毒而跻身美国政府黑名单。2008年，美国人受命不得与他们有商业来往。对他们来说，这就像鸭背上的水珠一样无伤毫发。亚洲世界集团持续走强。罗兴汉管理着一座港口、一条通往中国的公路、甚至还有一家塑料袋公司，这起码可以让他便宜从事了。但人们对怀疑主义者置之不理。在走向民主的新缅甸，众将军的拯救者仍旧是一个有影响并令人尊敬的人。人们在仰光为他设计了一座辉煌的墓碑。
注1：海洛因纯度共分四级，其中第四级为最纯，形式为白色粉末，易溶解，可用于注射；第三级为棕色，可用于吸烟式吸入；一级与二级为未经加工的粗海洛因。
注2：罗兴汉的四级纯海洛因商标
Asia World Group (Burmese: အာရှဓန ကုမ္ပဏီ) is Myanmar's largestand most diversified conglomerate, with interests in industrialdevelopment, construction, transportation, import-export, and alocal supermarket chain.[2] About half of Singapore's investment inMyanmar (totaling $1.3 billion USD in 2000) comes from Asia Worldaffiliates.[3]
Contents [hide]
1 Controversies
2 Portfolio
3 Construction
4 Energy development
5 Other industries
6 References
Controversies[edit source | editbeta]
The company's founder, Lo Hsing Han, was an ethnic Kokang Chinesewho controlled one of Southeast Asia's largest heroin traffickingarmies.[4][5] Ten more companies in the group are owned inSingapore, under the name of Cecilia Ng (Ng Sor Hong), Steven Law'swife, who operates an underground banking system to conductbusiness transactions on behalf of Lo Hsing Han, a convicted drugtrafficker.[2][6] The company is associated to the United Wa StateArmy.[7] Asia World is widely believed to have committed moneylaundering to fund its activities and business expansions.[8]
Six subsidiary companies of Asia World, including Ahlone Wharves,Asia Light, Asia World Company, Asia World Industries, Asia WorldPort Management, and Leo Express Bus, are currently sanctioned bythe British government as part of investment bans in Burma.[9]Since 2008, Asia World and its subsidiaries, including those run inSingapore, have been part of American targeted sanctions.[10]
Portfolio[edit source | editbeta]
Asia World's expansive portfolio includes the following enterprisesand businesses:[11]
Asia Light Supermarket - Lanmadaw Township, Rangoon
Asia World Industries Limited, Hlaingthaya Industrial Park,Rangoon
Asia World Thilawa Deep Sea Port
Hledan Centre Condominium - Rangoon
Traders Hotel - Rangoon
Sedona Hotel - Yankin Township, Rangoon
Sedona Hotel - Mandalay
Myanmar Brewery Limited - Mingaladon Township, Rangoon
Construction[edit source | editbeta]
Asia World was one of two major contractors (the other being HtooGroup of Companies) to build the country's new capital atNaypyidaw, including the National Landmark Garden.[4][12] Thecompany, with the technical assistance of Singaporean firm CPGConsultants, was also responsible for developing and constructingNaypyidaw Airport, which opened on 19 December 2011.[13]
The company also operates toll booths on Burma Road since 1998,after it was granted a Build-operate-transfer agreement by thegovernment, to renovate this trade route to China.[14][15] The $33million USD project connects the opium-growing regions of ShanState to China.[3]
In 2000, Asia World constructed a major road connecting the portcity of Pathein to the beach resort of Ngwesaung.[16]
In June 2007, Asia World announced that it would be building a deepsea port on Maday Island in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State.[17]
Asia World was responsible for a major Yangon International Airportexpansion project, including the construction of a newinternational terminal (opened May 2007)[18] and extension ofexisting runways (completed July 2008).[19]
Asia World is one of 18 Burmese firms involved in the developmentof the 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) Thilawa Special Economic Zone nearYangon.[20]
Energy development[edit source | editbeta]
The company is also involved in the energy development sector, andhas recently been involved in constructing dams on the ThanlwinRiver.[4] The company has also partnered with China PowerInvestment Corporation to build controversial dams (including theMyitsone Dam) along the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State.[21]
Other industries[edit source | editbeta]
In Yangon, the company has in stakes in supermarkets, officetowers, condominiums and road construction. In 2011, it partneredwith the Yangon City Development Committee to upgrade StrandRoad.[22] The company is also involved in garment industries, beerproduction (Tiger Beer), paper mills, palm oil and infrastructuredevelopment.[7] Asia World has also operated a port in Yangon'sAhlone Township since 2000[23]
In 1996, Asia World's Lo Hsing Han joined a joint venture withShangri-La Hotels and Resorts's Robert Kuok to build the TradersHotel in Yangon, of which Asia World holds a 10%stake.[15][24]
In July 2010, the government granted Asia World control of YangonInternational Airport's passenger services operations andmanagement, including collections of departure taxes.[25][26]
In December 2010, Asia World was granted a contract to build 13jetties at the Thilawa and Yangon ports.[27]
In February 2011, Asia World was named an investor in the plannedSpecial Economic Zone at Dawei, which is being developed by theItalthai Industrial Group.[28]
In August 2011, Asia World was one of four companies to be grantedgovernment licences to import and sell fuel in thecountry.[29]
In September 2012, Asia Mega Link, a subsidiary of Asia World, wasgranted a joint venture with the Myanmar Posts andTelecommunications department to sell cellular phone SIMcards.[30]
References[edit source | editbeta]
^ "Tracking the Tycoons". The Irrawaddy. September 2008. Retrieved5 March 2012.
^ a b McCartan, Brian (26 August 2009). "On the march to dobusiness in Myanmar". Asia Times. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
^ a b "Burmese Tycoons Part I". The Irrawaddy. June 2000. Retrieved5 March 2012.
^ a b c Molle, François; Tira Foran, Mira Käkönen (2009). Contestedwaterscapes in the Mekong Region: hydropower, livelihoods andgovernance. Earthscan. pp. 126, 140. ISBN 978-1-84407-707-6.
^ Glendinning, Chellis (1 February 2005). Chiva: a village takes onthe global heroin trade. New Society Publishers. p. 174. ISBN978-0-86571-513-4.
^ Kean, Leslie; Dennis Bernstein (Spring 1998). "TheBurma-Singapore Axis: Globalizing the Heroin Trade". Covert ActionQuarterly.
^ a b Rotberg, Robert I. (1998). Burma: prospects for a democraticfuture. Brookings Institution Press. pp. 179,. ISBN978-0-8157-7581-2.
^ Falco, Mathea (200 3). Burma: time for change. Council on ForeignRelations. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-87609-333-7.
^ "CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK". HMTreasury. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Wai Moe (26 February 2008). "More Junta Cronies Hit By USSanctions". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ "Dropping the Hammer on Crony Steven Law". WikiLeakscable:07RANGOON1211. US Embassy at Rangoon. 28 December 2007.Retrieved 28 October 2012.
^ Thein Linn (2 February 2009). "Nay Pyi Taw hosts landmarkgarden". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Zaw Win Than (26 December 2011). "Nay Pyi Taw InternationalAirport opens". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Fujita, Kōichi; Fumiharu Mieno, Ikuko Okamoto (2009). TheEconomic Transition in Myanmar After 1988: Market Economy VersusState Control. NUS Press. p. 114. ISBN 978-9971-69-461-6.
^ a b Chua, Amy (6 January 2004). World on fire: how exporting freemarket democracy breeds ethnic hatred and global instability.Random House. pp. 26,. ISBN 978-0-385-72186-8.
^ Pan Eiswe Star (1 June 2009). "Tourism boosts Ngwe Saung growth".Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ "B’desh eyes deep-sea port near Myanmar". Myanmar Times. 30 July2007. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Aye Sapay Phyu (20 June 2011). "Government reveals plan to expandYangon International Airport". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March2012.
^ Pan Eiswe Star (28 July 2008). "Yangon airport completes runwayextension". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ "500 foreign, local firms get land permits". Weekly Eleven. 30September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
^ "US embassy cables: how Rangoon office helped opponents ofMyitsone dam". The Guardian. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 4 March2012.
^ Kyaw Hsu Mon (21 March 2011). "Strand Rd to become maincommercial artery: YCDC". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March2012.
^ "State-owned ports to be privatised as soon as possible". MyanmarTimes. 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
^ Anthony Davis and Bruce Hawke. "Business is Blooming". Asiaweek,January 23, 1997 Vol.24 No.3. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
^ Zaw Win Than (4 April 2011). "Yangon airport departure tax torise from July". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Zaw Win Than (11 July 2011). "Airport ups departure tax, again".Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Nay Yee Lin Latt (14 December 2010). "Asia World to Build NewJetties in Rangoon". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Aye Thidar Kyaw (14 February 2011). "Dawei development stirsdebate". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ Shwe Gaunh, Juliet (10 October 2011). "Privatised LPG not marketrate: traders". Myanmar Times. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
^ "No plan to cut SIM card prices, says govt". Weekly Eleven. 25September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
