CNI News
17 February 2024

The Central Bank of Myanmar has re-tighten the export earnings policy according to traders.

If the export earnings gained from exporting rice, bean, pea, corn and rubber would be spent to import fuel and edible oil, 70 percent of the export earnings was allowed to import fuel and edible oil while 65 percent of remaining 30 percent must be sold at the price designated by the Central Bank and 35 percent could be sold at the market price in the past.

However, at present, if an individual or a company that exports products doesn't import fuel and edible oil, 35 percent of their export earnings must be sold at the price designated by the Central Bank and 65 percent can be sold at the market price, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association (MCIA), told CNI News.

" The price of corn will decline a little because in the past 70 percent of the export earnings could be sold at the market price. We could calculate on the basis of 70/30. But now when the traders are asked to import fuel, some companies can import fuel and others can't. When we have to calculate 65 and 35 percent, we could be busier. In the past, we had to submit 35 percent to the Central Bank and 65 percent was allowed to be spent on imports. We could sell the export earnings to those who would import fuel, which was stated before. If we sold oil companies, we could sell 70 percent of the export earnings at the market price. Of the remaining 30 percent, 65 percent and 35 percent were divided again. But it has changed now. If you export corn or rice and import the products designated, 70 percent of your export earnings can be sold at the market price. Otherwise, you can sell 65 percent only at the market price. So, for the time being, the prices will be unstable." he said.

According to the export earnings policy designated in the past, if rice, bean and corn were exported, and fuel was imported, nearly 90 percent of the export earning could be sold at the market price. So, the products that would be exported could be bought at a higher price.

But at present, because the export earnings policy has been changed, the profits gained from these commodities have been reduced.

Due to the change of export earnings policy, although the export sector is not affected, traders and farmers have got less profit. As the export earnings policy often changes, traders are finding it difficult to do business, an official from the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Traders Association, told CNI News.

" In the past, 30 percent of the export earnings was divided into 65 percent and 35 percent. So, exporters were able to sell nearly 90percent of the export earnings at the market price. But now they can sell only 65 percent at  the market price. So, traders find it a little difficult. The current rate is also fair. If the prices were open, it will be freer. The price of dollars also will go up quite a bit. If the policies were stable, it would be better." he said.

As the agricultural inputs were more expensive this year, although farmers expected to sell their product at higher prices, due to the change of policy, they have to be hoping the current prices do not to decline any more, Ko Min Khaing, a corn farmer from Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.

" Corn farmers want to sell their products at a higher price because inputs are quite expensive. They expected to sell at a little higher price. But due to the change of policy, the price of corn will not probably go up quite a bit. We have to pray that the prices do not decline kind of." he said.

In the past, 70 percent of the export earnings gained from exporting rice, bean and corn was allowed to be spent to import fuel and edible oil. Moreover, 70 percent of the export earnings gained from exporting rubber was allowed to be spent to import fertilizer.

CNI News
17 February 2024

All the agencies that are sending workers to foreign countries have been allowed to submit new demand letters to the Ministry of Labor on 15th February, overseas employment agencies told CNI News.

New demand letters that were being submitted to the ministry was temporarily suspended starting from 13th February and news came out that suspension would be long until April after which submitting new demand letters has been allowed again, U Myat Thu, general secretary of the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF), told CNI News.

" New demand letters can be submitted. The ministry announced that at 11:00 a.m. today." he said..

The temporary suspension of submitting demand letters from foreign countries might be related to the People's Military Service Law, the agencies reviewed. However, Myanmar nationals who will go abroad for work apply for Overseas Worker Identification Card (OWIC), they have to do more processes, agencies told CNI News.

At present, when applying for OWIC, it is necessary to fill up the slip issued by the immigration department, which is one more thing to do reportedly.

Those who will go abroad with MoU

" According to the mandatory military service law, a new committee is formed. Those who will go abroad need to have a letter of recommendation from the committee, namely biometric form, which is one more thing to do. Most of the people who go abroad are youths. They want to scrutinize the youths thoroughly. So, submitting demand letters was temporarily closed, I think. More people want to go to Japan and South Korea where better salaries are paid." said Ko Nay Oo, director from an overseas employment agency that sends Myanmar workers to Japan.

After the compulsory military service law was approved, as the number of Myanmar citizens who apply for a visa to Thailand is too many, only 400 people who could apply would be accepted a day, the Thai Embassy in Myanmar has stated.

The People's Military Service Law was approved by the chairman of the State Administration Council(SAC) on 10th February 2024.

5,000 people will be recruited for one training course every month to do the military service. Only men will be called for the Training Course No.1. Women will be called  starting from the Training Course No.5 reportedly.

CNI News

16 February 2024

With more widely spread armed conflicts in Myanmar, distributions of hatred between ethnic groups or organizations have been found, said political analysts. 

So, hatreds have been spreading and all the stakeholders should make efforts so as not to make ethnic conflicts arise.

The group that is manipulating politics in Myanmar often created an ethnic conflict and political organizations should carry out so as not to cause hatred, said Dr.Nyo Nyo Thin, chairperson of the Yangon Watch, told CNI News.

" In fact, the groups that are manipulating politics tend to create ethnic conflicts in successive ages. So, the public need to beware of it. If an ethnic conflict arose, the public would suffer from it. Any ethnicities are our people. So, our people need to beware of political tricks cool-headedly and to evade the conflicts. Hatred is not a good thing. The religion of any country doesn't encourage the hatred. So, relevant political organizations should carry out so as not to spread hatred among the public." she said.

While seeing a warship of the Tatmadaw that has been captured by the AA

The letters that forbid the people not to buy goods at the shops owned by Rakhine people were sticked in Yangon and Mandalay a few days ago. 

Before that, the battles were severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and the AA announced on 11th February that it was able to sink three warships of the Tatmadaw on 7th and 8th February.  

Over 600 people including children, men, women, government staff and the unwell, aboard a military vessel were killed by the AA on 8th February and it denounced the AA that committed the killings, Myanmar Farmers Development Party stated on 13th February 2024.

While seeing a variety of ethnicities

"If the Information Team of the SAC stated the piece of news, Rakhine people in Yangon and Mandalay could get into trouble. Our statement denounced, targeting the AA. We don't mean Rakhine people." said U Thet Zaw, an advisor of the party.

In spite of the distribution of anti-Arakanese letters in Yangon and Mandalay, the public understood very well that it was creating an ethnic conflict and the ethnic conflict would not take place, a Rakhine politician reviewed.

There are 135 indigenous ethnic groups in Myanmar and in spite of many different cultures, traditions and customs, efforts should be made so as not to cause ethnic conflicts and for the peaceful co-existence, politicians said.

CNI News

16 February 2024

In collaboration with the forces of the Spring Revolution, it would fight against the Tatmadaw, the breakaway New Mon State Party stated on 14th February 2024.

The New Mon State Party (NMSP) signed the bilateral ceasefire agreements with the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in 1995 and then with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and then with the government led by U Thein Sein at the state and union levels.

After that, the NMSP signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement(NCA) on 13 February 2018.

The NMSP, according to the NCA, made constant efforts to find a political answer to political problems and discussed with the State Administration Council three times. 

Although the NMSP presented and discussed the current political problem could be solved by all inclusive political dialogues and the principles of federalism that their party wanted, the results expected did not come out at all, the breakaway NMSP stated.

While seeing the statement by the breakaway NMSP

"The breakaway NMSP believes that ending the military dictatorship or any dictatorship is the only way for the emergence of a federal union in which there are national equal rights and self-determination that we desire and for the protection of the people. Although the belief was thoroughly discussed at the 11th party conference, the party made a decision to communicate with military council, standing on the Bilateral Ceasefire Agreement that was signed in 2012, which was not accepted at all by the breakaway NMSP," the breakaway NMSP stated.

After that, general secretary of the New Mon State Party Naing Zeya, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Salun Htaw, some party leaders, commanders, majors, lieutenants, corporals and privates broke away under the name of the New Mon State Party (Anti-dictatorship).

So, chairman of the NMSP Naing Han Thar, vice chairman Naing Aung Min, chief of staff, secretary (1) Naing Hla Win will continue the NMSP and the party including six other NCA signatories discussed the peace processes with Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the SAC in Naypyidaw on 13th February 2024.

CNI News

16 February 2024

Due to the requests of veterans that they wanted to serve again in the defense of the nation, the reserve force law was approved, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above while meeting with officials from the political parties that have been registered on 13th February 2024.

The Reserve Force Law that was enacted  with Law No.28/2010 under the State Peace and Development Council (SDPC) in 2010 must take into effect starting from today according to the section.1, sub-section (b). 

" The reserve force law has been approved because veterans' requests that they want to serve again in the defense of the nation have increased. All the veterans won't be called and only suitable ones will be." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw

In the same way, the People's Military Service Law, a law that every citizen must do military service, would be exercised for the first time, the SAC stated. Defense strength would increase by implementing the two laws and it was necessary to make the economical driving force strong so that defense driving force would be strong, said chairman of the SAC.

The People's Military Service Law was before and it would be implemented only now. Moreover, only a limited number of the population would be recruited, U Thet Zaw, a political commentator, told CNI News.

" The People's Military Service Law was activated the other day (10th February 2024). But the people have nothing to worry about the law, I think because Maj-Gen said that 5,000 people would be called at one time. The population has been limited. There's a limitation about the budget. There are limitations about the facilities and places. The reason why the mandatory military service law is implemented is that to tell you frankly, most young people aged from 18 to 35 don't understand 'our three main causes'. We have to explain it to them to make them understand. I think they won't be asked to fight on the battlefield kind of." he said.

While seeing an ethnic armed group

At a time when political attitudes are divided and a civil war is going on in Myanmar, the People's Military Service Law could not be implemented, politicians pointed out.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and then the Tatmadaw has been taking power after declaring a state of emergency. up to now.

After that, democratic elements have been waging armed resistance against the Tatmadaw in order to overthrow it. At present, the battles are taking place between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDF joint forces across the country.

CNI Interview

16 February 2024

The People's Military Service Law was signed and approved on 10th February 2024 by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

And then, parents and young people are worried so much and the youths are making preparations to go abroad in order to evade military service. 

In the same way, some people think that they must do military service at once because a piece of news that everyone has to perform military service soon came to spread.

CNI News contacted and asked the Information Team of the SAC regarding the above-mentioned situations and they have been re-stated.

CNI News: Now that the People's Military Service Law has been imposed, when will the first batch be called? How many months will it take to train the first batch? How many people will be called?

Information Team: Training Course No.1 will be open with 500 people who are eligible to do military service only when necessary preparations and formations have been conducted already.

While seeing Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC

CNI News: What duties and in which places will the trainees be asked to perform at the end of the training course? For example, will he or she have to perform the military service in his or her native township or the place where he or she is making a living?

Information Team: When the training course is finished, the trainees will have to perform the military service in the region where they want until the period designated.

CNI News: Those who have finished the training - how much salary and ration will they be paid?

Information Team: As the trainees, during course attendance and during military service periods after course, they can enjoy salary, ration and all other benefits like currently serving military personnel.

CNI News: Myanmar is made up of many ethnic groups and there are many EAOs as well. When ethnic people are summoned to serve in the Tatmadaw, if they join their relevant EAOs, how does the SAC plan to proceed?

Information Team: The People's Military Service Law is a law that applies to all citizens. If a citizen evades the law and joins another armed group, he breaks the law. So, he will be taken action against according to existing laws.

While seeing the Ta'ang National Liberation Army(TNLA)

CNI News: How are those studying and working abroad covered by the law? Are they exempt from the military service?

Information Team: Those studying and working abroad can postpone their military service in accordance with the section.15 (a) of the People's Military Service Law. 

But when they finish their education and work abroad, they must perform their military service until the period designated in accordance with the section.15 (b) of the law.

CNI News: When the Training Course No.1 is started, will only men be recruited or will men and women be recruited at the same time. When will women be recruited?

Information Team: According to the current plan, only men eligible for military service will be recruited for the Training Course No.1. Women eligible for military service will be recruited starting from the Training Course No.5.

CNI News: As a final question, how many people do you plan to recruit in 2025?

Information Team: 5,000 people eligible for military service will be taken for a training course every month. We have planned to take 60,000 people a year.

CNI News

15 February 2024

Because of the people's military service law that has been approved, the number of people who go abroad from illegal channels might increase, those who are helping in the affairs of workers, told CNI News. 

As the State Administration Council could have calculated in advance, the process of issuing passports could be restricted. So, the number who go abroad from illegal channels might increase, Ko THargyi, a person who is helping migrant workers, told CNI News.

"Young people from all walks of life probably will leave for neighboring countries from illegal channels because of the compulsory military service law. They might be be sold and cheated by unscrupulous brokers and agents. About 75 percent of young people might sneak into foreign countries. And the remaining 25 percent might join the revolutionary forces. The safety of young people is also a concern while the number of people who will sneak into foreign countries might increase." he said.

Myanmar Tatmadaw personnels

Because of the mandatory military service law that has been approved, the number of Myanmar nationals who will go abroad might increase more than those of Myanmar people who went abroad after political changes in 2021, the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers, reviewed.

When a person tries to go abroad, just having a passport is not enough, he or she would need money, language skill, acquaintances or friends, employment skill and so on, they pointed out. Although the mandatory military service law has been stated, if the children of top officials of the government, the children of the rich and artists were exempt from military service, it would be discrimination, they pointed out.

South Korean nationals do their military service with their sense of responsibility and they are doing military exercises in advance to protect them from foreign enemies. In South Korea, All those designated must serve in the military without caste discrimination.

No one would want to join the army because they would have to fight in internal battles, not against foreign enemies, Ko Khant Nay Kyi, the supporting center for migrant workers in Busan, told CNI News.

Those who are waiting in line to get passports in front of the passport office

If Myanmar nationals in foreign countries were notified that they must serve in the military, they would go on staying in the foreign countries where they are as long as evidence documents are valid, he said.

" According to the Myanmar community in South Korea, humanitarian visas have been issued to Myanmar people because there is a political crisis such as a civil war in Myanmar. They will go on staying with the visa. If South Korea has designated that the number of Myanmar workers must be 30,000 at least in South Korea, the 30,000 won't go home. But it will be difficult to call anymore Myanmar workers." he said.  

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged from 18 to 45 and female specialists aged from 18 to 35 must serve. 

Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

CNI News

15 February 2024

As the mandatory military service law that every Myanmar citizen who reaches the age of 18 must serve was enforced on 10th February 2024 by the State Administration Council, human resources could decrease and it could affect the productivity within the country. 

Regarding the impact on productivity, questions are emerging.

Because the law has been stated, young men have to serve in the military. However, some youths are making preparations to go abroad. So, because of mandatory military service law, local productivity could be affected.

Although the number of people in the age range eligible for military service is about 20 million, since only about 100,000 people could be recruited, it might not affect the productivity, U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, told CNI News.

While seeing a person carrying a bag of rice

" About 10 million people can't be trained at the same time. Training schools can receive from 5,000 to 10,000 people. In this way, they will recruit. Our offices have to allow some staff to go to the university. But our industries are going on. Military service is like that as well. Moreover, now many young people leave for Japan. 5,000 to 10,000 leave in one day. It doesn't make any difference. I don't think the law will affect the productivity." he said.  

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged from 18 to 45 and female specialists aged from 18 to 35 must serve for three years. Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

However, if there was a state of emergency, the period of people's military service would be extended to five years. Although those who will soon be 35 years of age might be taken for the first time to do their military service, all of them could not be taken. So, around 10,000 people might be recruited for the first time, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" Those who will soon be 35 will be recruited for the first time. Let alone young people, all the people who will soon be 35 can't be recruited. If about one million new people join the army, they don't have enough budget for one million people. So, if you call a new batch of soldiers, you can call only ten thousand. This is not the number which can affect the productivity." he said.

While seeing Myanmar Tatmadaw was arming militia with weapons

Depending on the number of the population to be recruited for military service, workers might be scarce for the production. If only 10 out of 1000 of the population were recruited, although it had no effect, if more than 10 percent of the population were recruited, workers might be scarce for the production, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" If 10 percent of the population were recruited, it wouldn't be dangerous. But if 20 percent were recruited, it would be dangerous. If you call for one person per house, who is going to work for the family?" he said.

The Recruitment Center for the People's Military Service is formed and as the duties of the law that groups must be formed by regions, states, districts and townships have been mentioned, it will take time to summon and scrutinize. 

So, it might take from three to six months in order to implement the people's military service.

CNI News

14 February 2024

As the People's Military Service Law has been signed and enacted by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, possible situations are being discussed and reviewed by political and military experts. 

The law No 27/2010 enacted in 2010 by the State Peace and Development Council must take effect starting from 10th February 2024, the State Administration Council stated.

Using that law was showing that the Tatmadaw was getting weak and it wouldn't be successful, Dr.Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News. 

While seeing the militiamen

" Many people are also saying that using that law is showing the Tatmadaw is becoming weak. Although they use the law, I don't think they will be successful. There has been a great decrease in the number of soldiers of the Tatmadaw. They seem to replenish. But they don't seem to be successful." she said. 

Due to the law, moderates also  may be on the way to the revolution, she added.

According to the people's military service law, All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for up to two years under military command and man specialists aged up to 45 and female specialists aged to 35 must serve for three years. 

Specialists mean doctors, engineers, technicians or those who live by any profession.

While seeing the revolutionary forces

At a time of political divisiveness in Myanmar, the mandatory military service law should not be enforced, a politician reviewed.

" In a country where there is politically divisiveness but not geographically such as Myanmar, mandatory military service law must not be enforced. There are many lessons relating to the law in the world. So, it should not be enforced at all. If the law is implemented, to tell the truth, it will be the same as they are digging their grave." he said.

Armed conflicts are widely taking place in many parts of the country at present, including mainland areas where there were no battles in the past. 

As the People's Military Service Law has been enforced, ethnic people who are not Bamar are preparing to join their EAOs while Bamar nationalities are preparing to join the revolutionary forces, which people are saying.