Weekly business newspaper The Myanmar Times, which is closely tied to Burma's ruling junta, may soon be permitted to publish the country's first privately owned daily newspaper since the military took over power in Myanmar in 1962, The Irrawaddy reported Monday.

Sources in Rangoon told The Irrawaddy, a Thailand-based newspaper that covers Burma and Southeast Asia, that it seems “very likely” The Myanmar Times will receive permission to publish the new privately owned daily following a national referendum held by the regime, which is scheduled for May.

The Irrawaddy also reported that Burmese officials refused to comment.

Since 1962, private publishers have not been allowed in the country. Australian Ross Dunkley, who publishes The Myanmar Times, has “maintained close relations with regime officials since the paper was founded in 2000,” according to The Irrwaddy.

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