CNI News

5 February 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) are expanding territory by forcing civilians to steal wood from the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA)'s territory, an official from the SNA told CNI News. 

The KIA/PDFs and businessmen cooperated and asked local civilians in Banmauk Township to steal wood from Banmauk region within the SNA territory, said some of the locals.

Because the jobs are scarce due to the current political situation, they accepted the job of chopping wood and but they did not know that they would have to chop wood in the SNA territory, said one of the people who were arrested by the SNA when they came to steal wood.

" When Ko Tu, a friend of ours, phoned and asked us if we would accept that job. We accepted that job because we had no jobs and our families' livelihoods are not okay. And then, we went to Banmaw to take money." he said.

While seeing the KIA/PDF joint force

Those who were forced to smuggle wood out by the KIA/PDF and businessmen were arrested in Banmauk Township that is controlled by the SNA's Brigate-614. Those arrested contained 16 men, 5 women and 4 children including a baby reportedly.

The place where wood was smuggled out was not easily accessible to people and the paths were not good. 

So, When the workers told the businessmen that they wanted to go home, the businessmen replied that they had given the workers' national registration cards and CVs to the KIA/PDFs as well as that the workers had been forbidden to pass through, said a person who was arrested.

" They told us that the road to the workplace was good and the workplace was not so distant as well. And we were told we had to work as soon as we got there. But when we saw for ourselves, the road was not good. So, when we told the businessmen that we wanted to go home, we were not allowed to go home. When we told them if we could go home after paying the debt, they replied we could. So, we went to the workplace. But we were arrested after sleeping one night there." he said.

About 200 KIA/PDF joint forces attacked a frontier camp of the SNA in Banmauk Township in August 2023 and at present, the joint forces often launch offensives.

 while seeing the SNA force

" We accepted their offer and went there because we had no jobs. They told us that everything was just fine and we would have to work as soon as we got there. But we had to wait there nearly one month. We couldn't wait any longer. So, when we told them that we wanted to go home, they didn't accept. When we went and see the road and workplace on motorbikes, the workplace also is very distant. It would not be convenient if we worked with our families. When we told them that we wanted to go home, they replied that the gates had been closed. They did not allow us to go home. When we told them, we would give the money back, we would go home. We were not allowed. They had given the numbers of our NRCs to every PDF gate." said a person who was arrested.

The SNA had told those arrested not to steal wood within the controlled area of the SNA, and all those arrested would be released, and they had been looked after for the time being , said an official from the SNA.

The SNA is an EAO that is trying to build Shanni State that will contain Mawlike, Kalay, Khamti, Homalin, Katha and Tamu Districts in Sagaing Region as well as Banmaw, Myitkyina, Mohnyin districts in Kachin State.

CNI News
3 Feb 2024

More and more Myanmar nationals in Malaysia have asked philanthropic associations for help than last year, Malaysia-based philanthropic associations told CNI News.

Requests from Myanmar nationals for help contained to help them with places to stay, with jobs, with foods and with health issues, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Hearts Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Organization, told CNI News.

" There have been requests for help almost every day since operaci checks and arrests. Some have no places to stay. Some want to go to clinics, but it's difficult to go there if you don't have any documents. Some don't have jobs for the time being. Some are cheated by brokers. Those cheated were abandoned in oil palm plantations. Some have to be staying under bridges. There are also people who are suffering in far away places such as Penang, Johor and Malacca. We can't go to so distant places to help them." he said.

Philanthropic associations have to go and guarantee for those who want to see physicians at the hospitals and clinics and to give places to those who have no places to stay at the offices of the associations and shops of acquaint ants or friends reportedly.

Moreover, if those arrested were sent to Malaysian immigration department, they would be sentenced to three month imprisonment reportedly.

More requests for help from Myanmar nationals might be because there have been an increase in the number of foreign workers than 2022, Ko Naing Lin, general advisor of the Dana Kusala Funeral Service Association, told CNI News.

" Because the population has increased, the arrests have increased as well. And then, it's also difficult to find jobs. Those who ask for help have increased. Some ask us to help find the jobs. Some have no permits and their employers can't accept them anymore. We haven't helped those arrested. Sometimes, when we help those who are inspected by the police as interpreters." he said.

Some of the undocumented Myanmar people were arrested while they were staying in the shops and offices opened by Myanmar citizens.

So, some philanthropic associations have suspended helping Myanmar people who have found it difficult to stay while the arrests are rampant and the associations will help them again only when the arrests have been reduced.

However, those who were finding it difficult might ask for help anytime, said philanthropic associations.

CNI News
3 February  2024

Rakhine locals were suffering from the instability caused by the actions of the Arakan Army (AA), said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) at the meeting of the National Defense and Security held on 31st January 2024.

The AA started attacking the Donpike police outpost of the Tatmadaw on 13th November 2023 seven months after Cyclone Mocha, he said.

“ AA insurgent group is making the region unstable and most of the Rakhine nationalities are suffering from the instability. Now is the time when basic education schools and universities are educating in the 2023-2024 academic year. When the academic year started, 573,000 students were learning. But now, due to the terrorist threats of the AA insurgent organization, 279, 392 students only are studying in the basic schools. Because over 48.76 percent has been absent, local students suffer from the negative effects of the AA insurgent group, affecting their future." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing an intersection in Rakhine State

Only when everlasting peace could be built in Rakhine State, could a good future life be passed on to the local next generations. So, the Tatmadaw was carrying out for the regional stability, he said.

The battles resumed between the Tatmadaw and the AA on 13th November 2023 and roads have been closed since then. Because the roads have been closed, trades have been interrupted and commodity prices also have gone up.

Myanmar political problem should be solved practically and a situation that could be solved practically should be created, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP), told CNI News.

While seeing Maj-Gen Tun Myat Naing, leader of the AA

"The current battles in Myanmar are a political problem. They are the consequences of the political problem that has arisen since Myanmar gained her independence. The political problem is that rights to self-determination and self-governance of ethnic people were lost. We need to work hard on the processes that will be solved by political means. Because of the situation that was just talk, battles are severely taking place like this, I think." he said.

Over 500,000 Local people have fled to safety due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA started again on 13th November 2023 reportedly.

The battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Sittwe, Kyauk Phyu, Ranbye, Myebon, Taung Gote, Thandwe, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U and Ponnagyun Townships in Rakhine State as well as in Paletwa Township in Chin State.

CNI News

2 Feb 2024

A system in which rupees and kyats can be used in direct paying could be started in February, said the Central Bank of Myanmar. 

There will be a decline in the need of US dollars in paying for the products including medicine mainly imported from India by implementing the system.

Moreover,  there will be advantages such as easier payment, smooth flow of goods and better bilateral relation. India-Myanmar border trade could not be opened up to now. So, the system would not take effect for the time being, U Ne Win Soe, In charge of the Region, Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization ( Ayeyarwady Region), told CNI News.

" Some say the current situation is convenient. Others say it will be more convenient if rupees can be directly exchanged to kyats. It's 50-50. Because dollars are not needed in the middle anymore. It's more convenient if it is realized. But how will it be implemented due to territorial instability. I don't think it will work because of instability on this side." he said.

However, the direct paying system with Indian rupees and Myanmar kyats could not be used at the maritime trade, said traders.

Myanmar kyats

The regulations regarding payment for trade would be cooperated by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the Indian Traders Association, according to the Central Bank of Myanmar. 

However, there is a gap between the Central Bank's exchange rate and market rate at the border trade. So, the price of Myanmar kyat was needed to be stable, U Khin Maung, a border trader, told CNI News.

" Mainly, it's necessary to have territorial stability and make the price of Myanmar kyat stable. The price of Myanmar kyat is declining so much. At the currency exchange of the border trade, the price designated by the Central Bank is different from the market price. So, traders are worried that they will make a loss." he said.

The authorized banks are the UAB Bank and the CB Bank on the Myanmar side for the direct payment with rupees and kyats and on the Indian side, the Punjab National Bank reportedly.

CNI News

2 Feb 2024

U THein Soe, chairman of the Union Election Commission,was retired and he was replaced with U Ko Ko, the State Administration Council (SAC) stated on 31st January 2024.

 U Thein Soe served as the chairman of the UEC from 2021 to 31st January 2024.

While U Thein Soe was meeting with political parties

The law on registration of political parties was enacted on 31st January 2023 and political parties were forced to re-register. 

According to the law, a political party that will compete all over the country must have 165 offices and 100,000 members, which was criticized.

CNI News

1 Feb 2024

The presence of disloyal armed forces destroying the country was greatly dangerous to the country, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of the Tatmadaw. 

He said the above at the meeting (1/2024) of the National Defense and Security Council held 31st January 2024. 

" While the country is being built to become a union based on democracy and federalism, the presence of unfaithful armed forces that are destroying the country and worsening the conflicts is greatly dangerous to the country." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic armed organization, has trained and supported the People's Defense Force (PDF) troops. 

And then, they attacked the Tatmadaw's military camps. Moreover, the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the PDF waged terrorist attacks. And a drug smuggling gang including the Arakan Army (AA) was identified and arrested. 

Next, the Chin National Front (CNF) is conducting terrorist acts in Chin State in collaboration with the Chin Defense Force (CDF). In addition, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) attacked border trade routes including the Tatmadaw's military camps, he said.

However, he didn't mention the disloyal armed groups by name. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) have supported so-called PDFs and are conducting terrorist acts, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Battles are severely ongoing between the Tatmadaw and  armed groups including the KIA, TNLA, MNDAA, AA, KNU, CNF, KNPP, PNLO and ABSDF. And the Tatmadaw is fighting with the PDFs that are being supported by the EAOs.

CNI News

1 Feb 2024

Democracy could not implemented by trying to hold election under the 2008 Constitution, said in the statement jointly released by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front (CNF), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the National Unity Government (NUG). 

The Tatmadaw that has taken power violated the provisions of the 2008 Constitution and so, the constitution had been illegal, said in the statement.

" According the 2008 Constitution, trying to hold election cannot implement democracy. But it legitimizes the coup and allows the Tatmadaw to rule the country for an unlimited period. The Tatmadaw must not be allowed to participate in the future political process. A new constitution of federal and democracy that can be accepted by all the stakeholders is needed for the implementation of self-determinism, national equal rights, democracy, peace and stability." said in the statement.  

While seeing the Defense Minister of the NUG

The state contained to abolish the 2008 Constitution for good, to combat any attempt that revives it and to draft and enact a constitution based on a federal and democratic system. Two general elections were held under the 2008 Constitution and democracy could be implemented, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), told CNI News.

" As we were able to implement democracy, from 2010 to 2020, two general elections were held for two governments. The democratic system must be practiced gradually. According to the current situation of Myanmar, some limitations are still needed. Our democracy is still young. There were inconveniences even in the last two elections. We have to change gradually to democracy." he said.

The statement described only their policies and the public would make a decision whether democracy could be implemented under the 2008 Constitution or not, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the NUG

" They have released their opinion. History will go depending on whom most of the people support. There are two kinds of the public support. One is asking for support by pointing guns at the people and the other is asking for help by holding democratic elections. Depending on the current situation, the public will make a decision." he said.

The State Administration Council has said that the census-taking would be conducted all over the country in 2024 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party after a general election had been held.

CNI News

1 Feb 2024

South Korea has not contacted to recruit seasonal workers from Myanmar for 2024, U Nyunt Win, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, CNI News.

Although Myanmar and South Korea have discussed to recruit seasonal workers from Myanmar, there has been no contact from South Korea up to now, he said.

" It's right that we have discussed. They have offered to recruit seasonal workers from Myanmar. But they haven't contacted. If they contact, we will continue in accordance with the rules and procedure. If they don't contact, we can't send the workers." he said.

Myanmar amd South Korea have signed an MoU to send seasonal workers from Myanmar and the Ministry of Labor has allowed to send Myanmar workers to South Korea, Ministrty of Labor told media on 19th December 2023.

He did not want to tell whether it was right or not that Myanmar was not included in the countries from which seasonal workers would be recruited by South Korea, U Kyunt Win told CNI News.

According to South Korean newspapers,  South Korea have agreed to call seasonal workers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos. But Myanmar was not included.

Migrant workers who came to South Korea to work as seasonal workers _ their rights have been increasingly violated since last year, Ko Khant Nay Kyi, in charge of the centre for supporting migrant workers, told CNI News.

There are 15 countries that have agreed with South Korea to send workers on E9 (labor hiring system) visas. However, not all the 15 countries have been included in the countries from which seasonal workers must be sent to South Korea. So,  it was too early to say whether Myanmar was included in the countries that must send seasonal workers, he said.

" The companies that send workers abroad want to hear that South Korea is going to call workers so that they can have gathered workers and asked money. Seasonal workers have faced labor rights and human rights violations since last year. This is a testing system only. There were not many problems as families and their relatiuves were called on a small scale." said Ko Khant Nay Kyi.

Myanmar workers who want to work in South Korea have been more interested because the pieces of news related to sending Myanmar seasonal workers to South Korea emerged in the last week of 2023. Seasonal workers have to work for eight months a year.

CNI News

31 January 2024

It would collaborate with friend groups that oppose territorial expansionism and narrow-minded patriotism, the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP/SSA) stated. The SSPP/SSAA held its Annual Plenary Meeting for 2023 of the Central Committee from 20th to 29th January 2024 and released the statement.

The SSPP/SSA opposed dictatorship, chauvinism and expansionism and only when a federal democratic union based on equal rights and self-determinism could be built, would a developed union that could keep abreast with the world be built. Moreover, it would match together with its friends, the SSPP stated on 29th January.

The SSPP has a territorial dispute with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and there is tension between the two sides. 

While seeing the statement released by the SSPP

The TNLA has captured the Tatmadaw's military camps in Namkham Township and made an effort to control the township. However, Namkham Township has been a territory that the SSPP has controlled since before.

There are disputes related to military and administrative territory within Namkham Township between the two sides.

The SSPP would make efforts to protect and maintain regional stability and would carry out for the regional development tasks such as education, agriculture, health, irrigation, road and bridge construction and it would help local people for the improvement of life and food security as able as it could, it stated on 29th January 2024.