CNI News

10 October 2025

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Hasan, stated that ASEAN would cooperate to ensure that Myanmar’s upcoming general election is conducted successfully.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister made this remark during his meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, in Naypyidaw on October 9, 2025.

Mr. Hasan said, “We are pleased to see Myanmar’s preparations for holding a multi-party democratic general election. ASEAN will work together to help make Myanmar’s efforts as successful as possible.”

He added that Malaysia would like to encourage the holding of an inclusive election and that election observation teams would also be sent.

Myanmar’s multi-party democratic general election (Part 1) is scheduled to be held on December 28, 2025, in 102 townships across the country.

The remaining townships are planned to hold elections in January 2026.

CNI News

10 October 2025

All eyes are on how undocumented Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are coping with difficulties in converting their Certificates of Identification (CI) into “Passport for Job” (PJ) passports.

Those who successfully changed from CI to PJ passports used to be able to travel not only within Thailand but also to other countries. However, since September 25, a new stamp has been added to PJ passports stating that they can only be used for living and working in Thailand and for returning to Myanmar.

For Myanmar migrant workers holding CI documents who plan to live and work only in Thailand, this restriction might not cause serious problems. However, those who wish to continue their education abroad are reportedly facing significant setbacks due to the new limitations.

The Myanmar Embassy in Thailand

Similarly, migrants hoping to seek better opportunities in third countries have also been negatively affected, said U Min Oo, the labor affairs officer of the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), in an interview with CNI News.

“For those who plan to stay and work only in Thailand, it’s not really an issue. But among them, some workers later want to further their education or move to other countries — for those people, this is a huge loss. Many fled to Thailand for various reasons, and after settling as workers, they now wish to study in third countries. For them, this restriction is a major setback.”, he said.

According to U Thein Tun Oo, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies Group, such policy changes are often made by governments in response to national needs, and some negative consequences are inevitable.

Officials issuing CI documents to Myanmar migrant workers

“When a law or policy is implemented out of necessity, there are always some side effects. These are unavoidable consequences. No law can perfectly cover and benefit 100 percent of people. Most of the time, laws are designed to protect what’s important to the country, and in doing so, some side effects will naturally occur. That’s part of the process when enforcing laws or policies.”, he explained.

Meanwhile, U Aung Kyaw, who works with migrant labor affairs, told CNI News that the restriction limiting passport use only to Thailand and Myanmar is unprecedented and inappropriate, as no other country applies such measures to its citizens abroad.

He said: “No country in the world does this. As far as I know, no country issues a passport that restricts its holder to live only in one country. Imposing such a limitation on all Myanmar nationals and migrant workers is completely inappropriate, in my opinion.”

Myanmar migrant workers holding CI documents are now hoping that the government will ease or lift the new restrictions.

Similarly, other CI holders are urging the authorities to clarify the reasons behind the new limitations and to take steps to avoid circumstances that could lead to further restrictions.

CNI News

10 October 2025

Theinni, a town in northern Shan State currently under the control of the Kokang armed group (MNDAA), could reach a balanced settlement between the MNDAA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw with China’s guarantee, said Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), to CNI News.

Military and political analysts point out that since both the Myanmar military and China are prioritizing control over border trade routes, efforts are being made to reestablish control over Theinni, a town strategically important for China–Myanmar border trade.

According to Colonel Khun Okkar, there is no plan to retake Theinni by force. If China guarantees the MNDAA a degree of administrative autonomy similar to that of the Wa region, a fair settlement could be achieved.

“At the moment, there’s no intention to resolve the issue through fighting. The military also knows that if they fight for something that can be settled through negotiation, people will suffer and there will be loss of property. So, like in Lashio, they will probably settle it through negotiation. China will have to give some guarantees. If China guarantees the MNDAA a level of control similar to the Wa region, allowing them to manage their territory well, then the exchange could be fair, and Theinni could be handed over to the Myanmar Tatmadaw by the MNDAA. But the military will have to guarantee that. The idea is to allow them to govern their area properly. The Wa already have such an arrangement, and giving similar rights to another group wouldn’t be a big loss. However, both China and the Myanmar Tatmadaw want control over towns along the Union Highway because the closure of trade routes is not in their interest.”, he said.

MNDAA troops

Reports suggest that within the past two months, there have been five meetings between the MNDAA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw to discuss administrative control over Theinni.

Theinni is a key town for China–Myanmar border trade routes. Within Theinni District, the MNDAA’s taxation department operates six inspection gates along the border trade routes in Muse and Chinshwehaw, allowing 24-hour transport and trade of goods, according to an MNDAA statement issued in August.

Maj-Gen Khun Okkar also noted that Theinni serves as a defensive front for the MNDAA, and if the group receives political guarantees, it would not suffer losses from handing the town back.

“Theinni is like a frontline defense position for the Kokang MNDAA. If they hand it back but receive political guarantees, they won’t lose anything. What they want is full political guarantees and rights. It depends on how strong their control area will be. Based on that, I think they’ll reach a settlement over Theinni. It doesn’t look like either side will resume fighting. Since both sides have already agreed to a ceasefire, it will likely be resolved through negotiations.”, he said.

The MNDAA seized control of Theinni during the first phase of the 1027 Operation launched by the Northern Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA, and AA) in northern Shan State on October 27, 2023.

Theinni town

Later, during the second phase of the operation in August 2025, the MNDAA also captured Lashio, the headquarters of the Myanmar Tatmadaw’s Northeastern Command.

However, due to China’s mediation, the MNDAA handed Lashio back to the Myanmar Tatmadaw in April 2025.

Among the border trade points, Muse’s 105-Mile Trade Zone is the largest, and Chinshwehaw is the second largest. Both trade zones must be accessed through Theinni, making the town strategically essential.

Although the Myanmar Tatmadaw regained control of Lashio, analysts say that it must also retake Theinni to reopen the trade routes between northern Shan State and China.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has retaken Kyaukme and Naungcho—towns along the China–Myanmar trade routes previously controlled by the TNLA—in July and October 2025.

Afterward, the Tatmadaw has continued offensive operations toward Hsipaw.

CNI News

10 October 2025

In Myanmar, public interest in the upcoming December 28 election remains low, and few people have come to check the voter lists, according to political parties.

During previous elections held under the civilian government, the public showed great enthusiasm—many people personally checked their names on the voter lists and corrected any errors themselves.

However, because the results of the last election were annulled citing disputes over voter list errors, public trust in the upcoming election has weakened, and many are showing little interest or engagement, according to observers.

Among voters, there may be some who are interested and others who are not. If candidates and political parties work together to encourage greater participation, voter interest could improve, said U Thein Tun Oo, spokesperson for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), to CNI News.

A person checking the voter list

“We’re all trying to encourage the public to take more interest in the election. When the voter lists are announced, people should check if their names are included. If not, we’ve already explained how they can apply to have them added.Even if voter enthusiasm is low, political parties and their candidates should cooperate to fix errors in the voter lists. There will always be some people who care and some who don’t — we can’t blame them for that. It’s their freedom and their right to think as they wish.”, he said.

At present, the public rarely visits to verify voter lists, and there is little interest in correcting inaccuracies or errors found in them.

Because the voter lists have shown such errors since their initial release, the Union Election Commission (UEC) must issue accurate and reliable lists to ease public concern, said Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), to CNI News.

Voters waiting in line to cast their ballots

“People who were interested before are now seeing these voter list errors again, and they’re starting to feel the same doubts and disappointments as before. In the 2020 election, voter list mistakes caused major problems. Now, as soon as the lists were announced, similar errors have appeared again. To reduce public concern, the UEC needs to publish accurate lists. After the first announcement, the public already had some doubts. But if the second announcement is correct and reliable, public trust could improve. The UEC must take responsibility for this, even though we’ve heard that the lists were compiled by administrative departments, not directly by the UEC. Still, the UEC must oversee and clarify things through the administration.”, he said.

Voters must check the voter lists themselves to ensure they are complete and accurate.

The first round of voter list announcements runs from September 30 to October 13, 2025, and the UEC has been urging the public daily—through state media, newspapers, and social media—to come and verify their names.

The first phase of the 2025 election will be held on December 28 in 102 townships, with the remaining townships to follow in January 2026.

CNI News

9 October 2025

Political parties are expressing concern over errors found in the voter lists released by the Union Election Commission (UEC), according to party representatives and election observers.

They said the voter lists issued by the UEC contain numerous mistakes, and when they checked the lists displayed publicly, they found many inaccuracies.

U Hla Swe, chairman of the Union Territory (Nay Pyi Taw) of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), stated on his social media account on October 5 that there were many errors in the voter lists published by the commission. He also pointed out that in some cases, only the name of the candidate was listed, while the names of the candidate’s family members were missing from the list.

U Thein Tun Oo, USDP spokesperson, told CNI News that if voters and political parties cooperate to address these voter list errors, the situation could be rectified.

Citizens checking the voter lists

“We’re aware that candidates from each constituency are already discussing these issues. There will naturally be concerns about mistakes in the voter lists because such errors can occur. But if political parties work together to ensure their voters are correctly included on the lists, things can be set right. If the relevant election commissions and the parties coordinate properly, these issues can be resolved. Instead of just worrying, the parties should cooperate with the commissions so that everything can be corrected.”, he said.

The Union Election Commission announced that the preliminary voter lists for the upcoming election would be displayed from September 30 to October 13.

The voter lists released for the December 28, 2025 election reportedly include the names of deceased persons, duplicate names, repeated street names, and voter list gaps that political parties have raised concerns about.

Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News that voter lists should not contain errors, as maintaining accuracy is the UEC’s responsibility.

Citizens checking the voter lists

“The voter lists should not have mistakes because this is the duty of the UEC. If the commission performs its duties accurately and properly, political parties can focus on theirs. Political parties must also report accurate information back to the UEC—such as who has died, who is missing from the list, or who is wrongly included. These are things that the parties must verify carefully. Mistakes and duplications happened before, and parties have already experienced that. The current concern doesn’t mean it’s the parties’ fault—it’s because such mistakes occurred previously, and they fear they’ll happen again. Since the UEC compiles data from the General Administration Department, they should make sure it’s accurate and correct before publishing.”, he said.

The UEC stated that the voter lists have been posted at election sub-commission offices in respective townships, wards, and villages. Therefore, it urged voters to check whether their names are included and whether the information on the voter lists is accurate.

CNI News

9 October 2025

Among the towns controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, the towns of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa are currently being discussed by military and political analysts regarding their strategic importance to the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

Out of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, the AA now controls 14, while the Tatmadaw still holds Sittwe, Manaung, and Kyaukphyu. The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on September 14 that elections could not be held in 56 townships across eight regions and states, but notably, the four AA-held townships of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa were not among them.

According to Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Tatmadaw considers these four southern Rakhine townships critical for defending the Ayeyarwady Region.

A map showing Ann, Taung Goat, Gwa and Thandwe

He explained: “The military likely has primary and secondary objectives. I can’t say which is which, but it’s a matter of necessity and ambition. What remains unclear is whether they will pursue these objectives through military means or negotiation. However, the decision to include those four townships in the election list wasn’t coordinated with the ULA/AA—it shows the military’s intent to eventually retake them by force if needed.Only by regaining control of those southern four townships can the Tatmadaw secure the entire Ayeyarwady Region. These townships adjacent to Ayeyarwady Region, are ways going into the mainland. Fighting could reach as far as the Ayeyarwady’s fringes. Ann is linked to Minbuu by road; Taung Goat connects toward Pyay. Along the western banks of the Ayeyarwady River are many of the military’s weapons factories. This means the AA might have plans to target those areas, while the Tatmadaw must prioritize defending them. Whether they’ll prioritize the south first, or places like Buthidaung and Maungdaw for international or strategic reasons, is uncertain.”

Analysts suggest that because the Tatmadaw considers these four townships strategically secure, they were not listed among areas where elections cannot be held. They further assess that elections could be conducted in seven townships of Rakhine State.

The towns of Ann, Thandwe, Taung Goat, and Gwa serve as key outlets connecting Rakhine State to central Myanmar.

Additionally, U Myo Kyaw of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News that the Tatmadaw suffered a significant loss when it lost control of Ann, home to the Western Command headquarters.

The AA troops

“Those four towns form the eastern front of Rakhine. They lie along the main routes connecting Rakhine and central Myanmar. The Western Command’s headquarters was in Ann, and losing it was a major blow to the military. Currently, fighting is taking place along those same routes, where pro-democracy resistance forces—such as the Federal Democratic groups formed after the 2021 coup—are also active in alliance with others to resist the Tatmadaw. Because of this, the military has resorted to intimidating civilians in those areas out of frustration at its defeats. After retreating from those territories, it’s now making excuses about elections and claiming those areas as its own—behavior I find utterly disgraceful.”, he said.

The townships in Rakhine State where elections cannot be held are those under AA control, including Ranbye, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon in Rakhine State as well as Paletwa in Chin State.

For the upcoming December 28, 2025 elections (Phase 1), six political parties are set to compete for representation in Rakhine State.

They are Arakan Front Party (AFP) led by Dr. Aye Maung, Arakan National Party (ANP) led by U Ba Shein, Rakhine National Force Party, Khami National Development Party, Mro Ethnic Party, Mro Development Party.

CNI News

8 October 2025

Narcotic drugs worth approximately 195.85 billion kyats, belonging to the Arakan Army (AA) and destined for Rakhine State and Malaysia, were seized in Yangon, according to a statement released on October 7, 2025, by the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) Press Team.

Authorities received intelligence that narcotics from Shan State were to be transported through Yangon en route to Rakhine State and Malaysia. During the subsequent search operation, on September 24, at Hlegu Township along the Hlegu–Phaunggyi road, police intercepted a Nissan Condor truck driven by Aung Khant Kyaw and Htet Wai Phyo, seizing 1,439 kilograms of Ice (methamphetamine) worth around 35.97 billion kyats.

Based on their statements, further arrests followed. On September 25, at the “Shwe Maung” tea shop near Danyin Kone junction in Shwepyithar Township, Zaw Win Tun and San Htun Kyaw, who arranged vehicles for drug transport, were arrested. At Zaw Lin and Saw Zing Min Han’s residence in Si Pin Tha Village, Htantabin Township, police seized an additional 1,999 kilograms of Ice worth approximately 49.97 billion kyats.

Subsequently, authorities learned that narcotics were to be shipped from Thone Gwa Township, Thamma Saitta beach, to Malaysia. On September 27, at a warehouse near Thamma Saitta Village, Kyaw Naing, the warehouse owner, and several vehicle operators—Thet Paing Oo, Ye Ko, Hein Htet Soe, Htet Nay Lin, Zing Min Hlaing, and Wai Phyo Aung—were arrested with 2,198 kilograms of ketamine valued at about 109.9 billion kyats, along with a white Mitsubishi Fuso truck used for transportation.

Additionally, Soe Min Paing of Ye Okkan Village, Hlaing Tharyar Township, was arrested for involvement in the narcotics network. On September 28, at Smile World Spa in Ward 15, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Khin Maung Tuat, who stored the drugs, was also arrested. On September 29, in Phayangu Village, Twantay Township, Tint Naing Tun was taken into custody.

According to the NDSC press release, a total of 16 suspects, 4 vehicles, 3,438 kilograms of Ice, and 2,198 kilograms of ketamine—with a combined market value of 195.85 billion kyats—were seized.

The statement added that the AA engages in narcotics trafficking to fund the purchase of weapons and ammunition, which are then used to conduct terrorist operations in Rakhine State, including acts of violence, coercion, and killings against innocent civilians.

CNI News
5 October 2025

Since the upcoming 10th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is a peace-related event, all stakeholders involved in the current situation must be invited, said U Khun Sai, who is engaged in peace-related processes, to CNI News. However, if hostilities remain, not every group may need to be invited, he added.

The 10th anniversary ceremony of the signing of the NCA will be held grandly on October 15, followed by a two-day peace forum on October 16–17.

U Khun Sai stated that if the event is truly for peace, everyone should be invited, and if Myanmar were to conduct the process in the same way as Ukraine—where parties negotiate even while fighting—it would not be wrong.

He said: “The question is whether the organizers will invite all stakeholders and whether they actually want to invite them. And whether those invited will attend or not—I don’t know. But if it’s for peace, then everyone should be invited. If there are hostilities, then not everyone needs to be invited. No matter how much the groups keep fighting, in the end, they will have to negotiate. So if they are invited, they should accept it. Looking at international experiences, negotiations take place even while fighting. Look at Ukraine—it’s fighting and negotiating at the same time. If Ukraine can do it, then it wouldn’t be wrong for us to do it too.”

It is reported that leaders of Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) who took part in the NCA drafting will be invited to the 10th anniversary event.

In addition to the seven groups that signed the NCA, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) are also expected to attend. The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Karen National Union (KNU) may also attend, according to assessments by military and political analysts.

Although suggestions have been made on which groups should be invited to the NCA anniversary and peace forum, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) has not issued any official response, U Khun Sai told CNI News.

“I have personally made suggestions on which groups should be invited. But since no reply has been received, I can’t say anything. Whether fighting groups or non-fighting groups, they should all be invited. Whether they attend or not is another matter. But whether or not they will actually be invited—we don’t know. And whether or not those who were invited received the invitations—we don’t know either. So I can’t really say anything.”, he said.

Military and political analysts also suggest that neighboring countries may exert pressure on EAOs to attend the 10th anniversary ceremony of the NCA and the peace forum.

CNI News

4 October 2025

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has become weak militarily due to declining alliances, according to Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), who spoke to CNI News.

He said that because the TNLA is essentially a locally-based organization, it is facing difficulties in regaining manpower, weapons, and popular support at a time when it is confronted with opposition from its former strongest allies as well as from local communities.

On the other hand, since the Myanmar Tatmadaw is a state institution, it is able to replenish its manpower and arms in the long term, which allows it to exert increasing pressure and regain advantages in various areas, Khun Okkar explained.

Colonel Khun Okkar

“In short, they have fewer strong allies now. In the long run, the state institution (the Myanmar Tatmadaw) can quickly replenish and reinforce, applying greater pressure and gaining more opportunities. But for groups like the TNLA, which are more localized, it’s much harder to replenish manpower and arms. At this point, when TNLA is struggling to regain popular support, it faces opposition both from local people and local allied organizations. In civilian terms, you could say they’re short on friends. That means TNLA needs to rethink its situation,” he said.

The TNLA, along with the Kokang MNDAA, the Arakan Army (AA), KNDF, BNRA, BPLA, MDY-PDF, DPLA, PLA and other armed groups, launched the “Operation 1027” in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region on October 27, 2023.

During that offensive, the TNLA seized control of towns in northern Shan State such as Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Monekoe, Namtu, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Nawngcho, Momeik, Monglon, Kutkai, as well as Mogok in Mandalay Region.

However, by expelling other armed groups such as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), and local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) from the seized territories, the TNLA disrupted its military and political relations.

Myanmar Tatmadaw retaking Kyaukme

Similarly, disputes also broke out between TNLA and its Operation 1027 partner, the Kokang MNDAA, regarding administrative control of Kutkai Township.

Subsequently, on August 20, 2025, the United Wa State Army (UWSA)—the group most capable of supplying TNLA with arms and ammunition—announced after a meeting in Pangsang with leaders of TNLA, MNDAA, and SSPP that it would no longer provide weapons, funds, or any other assistance to any armed organization.

Amid these developments, the Myanmar Tatmadaw launched counter offensives into TNLA-held territories, recapturing Nawngcho in July 2025 and Kyaukme on October 1, 2025.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw’s offensive to retake Mogok has already reached the outskirts of the town, and operations to retake Hsipaw are also underway.