愛華網(wǎng)大毒梟羅興漢
海洛因大王兼商業(yè)巨擘羅興漢于7月6日亡故，終年約80歲
Jul 27th 2013 |From the print edition
干他這行的人通常短壽。他們往往飲彈身亡：要么死于警察狙擊手、要么死于黑幫傾軋；然后人們會在莽林中匆匆地把他們草草埋葬。羅興漢可不是這樣的慫包；他得了善終，死后也極盡哀榮。葬禮出席者乘坐的車子排成了長龍，有些車上還豎立著他的肖像，肖像周圍飾以花環(huán)；車隊浩浩蕩蕩地在緬甸首都仰光街頭招搖過市，直奔他緊靠仰光市高爾夫俱樂部第16洞的別墅，別墅四周圍墻高聳。來自他的家鄉(xiāng)地區(qū)，緬甸東北地區(qū)金三角的村民成群結(jié)隊地參加了葬禮，與他們薈萃一堂的有退伍將軍、兩名內(nèi)閣部長和仰光市的社會名流。
羅興漢是一位受人尊敬的商業(yè)大亨。他也是緬甸經(jīng)濟的中流砥柱。無論你把目光投向何處，你都會看到某個他和他所創(chuàng)建的企業(yè)集團——枝蔓橫陳的亞洲世界集團——所涉及的項目，這些項目往往與中國合伙人合作。位于皎漂市（Kyaukpyu）的深水港口、從阿拉干邦（Arakan）直通中國國境線的公路（耗資3300萬美元）、一條油氣輸送管道和豪華的商貿(mào)酒店是其中幾例。他生前掌管著國內(nèi)的主要公共汽車公司，還在修建密松（Myitsone）大壩。盡管他很少公開露面，即使露面也很少講話，但舉行宴會他卻很在行：2006年他操辦了當(dāng)時緬甸軍政府首腦的女兒的婚禮，出席者佩戴的鉆飾琳瑯滿目，痛飲的香檳酒如瀑布般傾瀉。據(jù)傳他的財富如同金山，已經(jīng)到了無人可以猜度其數(shù)量的程度。因此，他的主要產(chǎn)品于1998年的出口額等于緬甸所有合法出口的總和，這也就不足為奇了。
他的致富之道是能把某種產(chǎn)品做得比其他人都好；其成功產(chǎn)品是4級高純海洛因1。該種產(chǎn)品以塑料袋包裝銷售，商標(biāo)名“雙獅地球”，“純凈100%”為中文2。而且該產(chǎn)品確實純凈，與產(chǎn)自阿富汗的棕色骯臟產(chǎn)品大不相同?！半p獅地球”不但可卷煙吸食，也可用于注射，其效果作用時間更長。他監(jiān)督海洛因生產(chǎn)的每一步驟：從付款給金三角坡地上種植罌粟的農(nóng)民，到使用數(shù)以百計的騾子在叢林窄路上跋涉，用大口袋把鴉片生膠運往市場和泰國邊境上的加工廠，直到發(fā)送國外。正是羅興漢，他于20世紀60與70年代運往越南的海洛因蹂躪了那里10%的美軍官兵。對此他面不改色。緬甸東部撣邦（ShanState)的華裔（羅先生的族裔）中間有一句俗語：買賣歸買賣。
但他并非以販賣鴉片出身的。他生于果敢地區(qū)（KokangDistrict），自幼貧寒，混跡于影像沙龍與酒類店鋪之間。他也曾在當(dāng)?shù)丶易逦溲b中任分隊長一職。當(dāng)緬甸政府軍封殺所有家族時，他又見風(fēng)使舵，轉(zhuǎn)變了立場。在20世紀60年代撣邦進入無政府狀態(tài)時，他搖身一變，成為一支由3000人組成的準(zhǔn)軍事力量的領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人。他這時要做的，是在緬甸政府的完全支持下對鴉片運輸征稅，以此籌款與撣邦的民族主義游擊隊和共產(chǎn)黨游擊隊兩面作戰(zhàn)。（鴉片是山區(qū)通用的唯一貨幣。）沒過多久，他手下身穿正規(guī)軍服，肩扛AK47自動步槍的士兵就對大部分鴉片貿(mào)易進行了保護。一旦趟進了這趟渾水，開始在泰國用成口袋的鴉片換取金條和高檔家具，他就從此一條路走到黑，再也沒有回頭。
或許他也曾回過一次頭。1973年，當(dāng)準(zhǔn)軍事力量開始被整肅解散時，他投奔了反叛的撣邦軍（Shan StateArmy），消失在叢林深處。（彌留之際，他說著帶有濃重果敢口音的中文普通話，用喉音聲稱自己是一個撣邦分離主義者。）他也曾目空一切，提出要把緬甸所有的罌粟收成以1200萬美元的價碼賣給美國；就在討論這一交易的過程中，他在泰國被捕、被驅(qū)逐出境，旋以叛國罪被緬甸軍政府起訴并判處死刑。但正像事情往往發(fā)生的那樣，他對軍隊的高級將領(lǐng)賄以重金，而上述一切都在杯盞交錯間消弭于無形。他只不過遭到軟禁，但于1980年被釋，隨之又重建了他的毒品帝國。到了1991年，二十多個新的羅氏海洛因加工廠再次于緬甸北部山嶺中星羅棋布。
軍政府再次認為可以利用他。他掌握了豐富的資源，并且似乎在民族關(guān)系混亂的撣邦人脈極廣。軍政府的將軍們答應(yīng)他，如果他在撣邦、佤族（Wa）和果敢的叛軍中擔(dān)任內(nèi)線，他就可以不受盤查地攜帶毒品直達泰國邊境。此后不旋踵，和平協(xié)議便露出了曙光。情報首腦認為他極為有用。
拯救眾將軍
困頓中的緬甸經(jīng)濟也需要他。20世紀90年代初，在向緬甸幾近空空如也的國庫繳納了一筆“洗白稅”后，羅興漢得到允許，可以讓他滯留海外的資金回歸緬甸。他于1992年創(chuàng)建了亞洲世界集團，并與在美國受過教育的兒子史蒂芬•勞（TunMyint Naing、 Steven Law and Lo PingZhong）共同管理該公司，后者出任董事總經(jīng)理。他財源廣大，又有與政府的幾項合同，因此成了外國投資者來訪時都會前來拜會的商界大亨。到了1998年，新加坡在緬甸一半以上的投資（價值高達13億美元）都是與亞洲世界集團合作達成的。
此前兩年，羅興漢父子因販毒而躋身美國政府黑名單。2008年，美國人受命不得與他們有商業(yè)來往。對他們來說，這就像鴨背上的水珠一樣無傷毫發(fā)。亞洲世界集團持續(xù)走強。羅興漢管理著一座港口、一條通往中國的公路、甚至還有一家塑料袋公司，這起碼可以讓他便宜從事了。但人們對懷疑主義者置之不理。在走向民主的新緬甸，眾將軍的拯救者仍舊是一個有影響并令人尊敬的人。人們在仰光為他設(shè)計了一座輝煌的墓碑。
注1：海洛因純度共分四級，其中第四級為最純，形式為白色粉末，易溶解，可用于注射；第三級為棕色，可用于吸煙式吸入；一級與二級為未經(jīng)加工的粗海洛因。
注2：羅興漢的四級純海洛因商標(biāo)
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.
