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CNI News
25 Mar 2023
As the National Unity Government says it has been trying to force the State Administration Council to stand before a tribunal, political observers have raised a question whether it was possible or not.
In a recent meeting of the NUG, the issue was discussed.
He thinks it is just a maneuver of the NUG that is unlikely to achieve success, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party Dr Aye Maung told the CNI.
Dr Aye Maung said," I think it is just a maneuver of the NUG that is unlikely to take effect. The SAC will take its own path. Some political parties and ethnic organizations are following the path and cooperating with the SAC for elections. So, it is not the NUG but the SAC that holds the key. It is just a maneuver that will not achieve success."
He added that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had appeared before the International Court of Justice and the ICJ would not be able to address the issue. He said the International Criminal Court is not recognized by the majority of the UN Security Council members.
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and former Chinese Foreign Minister Wan Yi.
At the NUG meeting on 21st March, NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La said that it was encouraging to see that Myanmar women human rights activists were able to make a point of bringing the SAC before a tribunal at a press conference, which was held before the closed door meeting of the security council.
Talking about bringing the SAC before a tribunal is intended to give an inspiration to resistance forces, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.
He said, "I think it is just a claim to give inspiration to their forces. The situation has not ripened. First of all, it is necessary to defeat the forces of the SAC. As long as they cannot rout SAC forces, the SAC will make attempts to take its own path under the protection of dictators."
A protest against military rule.
After the SAC took over power on 1st February 2021, protests and armed conflicts erupted to topple the military.
Armed conflicts have erupted between the military and allied forces of some EAOs and People Defence Forces in Kayin State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Chin State, Sagaing Region and Magway Region.
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CNI News
25 Mar 2023
The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and leaders of the United Wa State Army, the Shan State Progressive Party and the National Democratic Alliance Army discussed regional stability and election issues on 22nd March, 2023.
They discussed demands of respective groups, regional development and stability, elections, the peace conference and amending some provisions of the 2008 constitution.
The meeting was attended by NSPNC Chairman Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, SAC Member Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, Secretary of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Win Bo Shein, Vice Chairman of the UWSA U Lord Yarku, Vice Chairman of the NDAA U San Pae and Central Committee Member of the SSPP Sao Say Pai Pha.
The NSPNC and leaders of the UWSA, NDAA and SSPP hold discussions on 22nd March, 2023.
The meeting is scheduled to continue until 23rd March.
Negotiation between the three northern alliance and the SAC first started in September, 2022.
The SAC has planned to hold a general election and promised to transfer power to the winning party.
The NSPNC and leaders of the UWSA, NDAA and SSPP hold discussions on 22nd March, 2023.
At the same time, the Union Election Commission enacted the Political Parties Registration Law on 31st March, 2023 and political parties are required to register with the commission within 60 days from the enactment of the law.
A total of 38 parties have registered with the commission.
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CNI News
25 Mar 2023
Plans are underway to build private Thingyan pavilions without imposing taxes on a first-come-first served basis in Mandalay to encourage festivities during the Thingyan festival, according to the Mandalay City Development Committee.
Applications for construction of Thingyan pavilions have been received and the Thingyan festival will be full of festivities, Spokesperson U Thein Htay of the Mandalay Region Government told the CNI.
He said, "Organizers are not required to pay taxes and we will give permissions to build pavilions on a first-come-first served basis from 16th street to 18th street along 26th street and from 19th street to 26th street along 66th street. We have received some applications. Some have chosen the sites for their pavilions. We are trying to make the festival more festive. We have not celebrated the festival for a long time due to COVID. We will celebrate the festival again this year."
Participants in a Thingyan festival.
At present, the Mandalay Mayor's Pavilion is being constructed in front of the Office of the MCDC and discussions with companies and entrepreneurs are underway to build pavilions around the moat, at Zegyo Market and other busy places.
Pavilion organizers are required to apply for permission to build pavilions, an MCDC official told the CNI.
He said, "We do not levy taxes on pavilions this year. We have announced that those who want to build pavilions can apply for permissions to do so whether they use pumps or not. We will submit the applications to the regional government and seek approvals."
Before the outbreak of COVID, pavilion organizers were required to pay at least MMK 10 million to build a pavilion of 100-foot x 25 foot around the moat through the auction system. However, organizers are not required to pay taxes this year.
Participants in a Thingyan festival.
Walking Thingyan festivals will be organized along 26th street and from 66th street to 78th street.
Walking Thingyan festivals were first organized during the term of the NLD by levying taxes ranging from MMK 500,000 to MMK 1.5 million depending on the size of pavilions.
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CNI News
23 Mar 2023
As a large number of Myanmar nationals who hold visit visas opened accounts at the Bangkok Bank in Thailand, the bank is likely to suspend such accounts, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.
The bank has suspended opening such accounts for holders of visit visas since 8th March, the Myanmar embassy in Thailand announced.
The number of Myanmar nationals who open accounts at the Bangkok Bank by faking recommendations from hospitals and clinics and applying documents recommending that they are Myanmar nationals have increased recently, Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.
He said, "There are Myanmar patients who come to Thailand to receive medical treatments. Although they hold visit visas, the bank opens accounts for them by requiring them to submit recommendations from the Myanmar embassy and their physicians. Therefore, such accounts have increased recently. Some Myanmar nationals do not understand money laundering laws. They fake recommendations from hospitals and clinics, apply for the embassy recommendations to open bank accounts. The Thai government has been launching an anti-money laundering campaign for four months before the embassy announcement. When the Thai anti-money laundering agencies investigated the accounts, the majority of them were of Myanmar nationals who came to Thailand on visit visas. Thai authorities know whether such visas and accounts are still valid. However, there are transactions in the accounts."
A counter offering services of the Bangkok Bank at the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.
Despite suspension of opening accounts for visit visas at the Bangkok Bank, the bank will continue to open accounts for holders of business visas, students at private and public schools, patients receiving treatments at hospitals, those who submit property rights, investors, staff of NOGs, retirement visa holders and members of religious organizations with the recommendations of the embassy.
However, holders of Thailand Elite/Thailand Privilege Card, foreigner members of Thai household lists and legal migrant workers are not required to apply for the recommendations from the embassy, according to the announcement.
The suspension of opening accounts at the Bangkok Bank for foreigners who hold visit visas will cause delays for Myanmar nationals who really need bank accounts, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.
He said, "Thai authorities are launching investigations into drug trafficking, money laundering and tax evasion. They have intensified the operations. However, there are about 10 exceptions for business visa holders, students, investors, members of religious orders and legal migrant workers. When migrant workers have officially registered, they can open bank accounts officially."
As Thai authorities are launching a campaign against money laundering, they are worried about opening accounts for those who are involved in illegal businesses, according to labour activists.
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CNI News
23 Mar 2023
As Rakhine State was hit by gales on 20th March and shelters in camps for internally displaced people were damaged, IDPs have needed aid, according to them.
More than 80 shelters of IDPs were destroyed by the gales in Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U townships.
Although international organizations are providing assistance to IDPs, it will take a long time to receive assistance for rebuilding the shelters. As rains are expected, we are worried that the rain will further damage more shelters, Ma Aye Khaing, a woman leader from Taungminkalar IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, told the CNI.
She said, "Some shelters were damaged. Roofs were blown away. Walls were destroyed. From 10 to 20 shelters were damaged in each camp. We need to rebuild shelters in early April. However, it will take time to receive aid from international organizations. Monsoon has started. One or two more rains will destroy all shelters. We are worried because there are many vulnerable groups like single mothers, infants, pregnant women and the disabled."
An IDP camp in Rakhine State.
In some IDP camps, shelters are being rebuilt on a self-help basis by using thatches, bamboo and small wood posts.
IDP Ko Tun Nyo from Tainpyin IDP camp told the CNI, "Our camp is located in a monastery compound. Now, the roofs of all shelters have been damaged. Now, it is raining unseasonably. It is very difficult for residents and will be more difficult when the rainy season begins."
As the monsoon is going to begin soon, IDPs want to rebuild their shelters as soon as possible, he added.
Those who lost their shelters to the gales include residents from Zeditaung and Pyarchaunggyi IDP camps in Rathedaung Township, Kawiyadana camp in Kyauktaw Township and Gananhtaung and Butaryon camps in Ponnagyun Township.
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CNI News
23 Mar 2023
The National Unity Government will never do anything against the will of the entire ethnic peoples, Acting President Duwa Lashi La of the NUG said.
The NUG has been holding constructive talks with ethnic armed organizations and views the talks between China and the northern alliance positively, he said.
Duwa Lashi La said, "The only way to achieve our ultimate goal is routing the military with the united force of EAOs and the People's Defence Forces. That is why the NUG has been holding constructive talks with EAOs. Moreover, the NUG hopes that the talks between China and the northern alliance are constructive ones. As for our government, we can guarantee that we will never do anything against the will of the entire ethnic peoples."
Members of the NUG.
As the NUG has said it will not do anything against the will of the entire people, it bodes well for the counry, U Khun Sai, who has been involved in the peace process, told the CNI.
He said, "It bodes well for the country. They are required to organize political parties, EAOs and civil society organizations. As democracy stems from elections, they need to follow the guidance of those who elected. However, they cannot accept this and call for equality.”
The NUG seems to suggest that they have the same attitude as the people but if they are thinking about their ethnic group, it is unacceptable, Kachin Politician U Kwan Guang Aung Kham told the CNI.
Members of the NUG.
He said,"They said they will not be against the will of the people. However, I don't know who the people are talking about. Are they talking only about the majority? They need to think about Kachin, Kayin, Shan and others. If the Panglong Agreement is implemented, the situation will be inclusive. Otherwise, minorities will find it is difficult to accept it. We hope they will create an inclusive environment."
The SAC seized power from the NLD by declaring a state of emergency after accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters' list dispute in the 2020 elections.
Democratic forces have protested the coup and the NUG has launched an armed struggle to topple the junta.
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CNI News
22 Mar 2023
Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI that they have registered the ANP out of political necessity of Rakhine state and its people.
He added that they still had a long way to go politically for ethnic groups in Rakhine State and for its future before building a genuine federal union together with other ethnic political forces.
He told the CNI, "As we believe that we still need a political party representing Rakhine ethnic groups, we have registered the ANP as a political party. Under the new political parties registration law, it is very difficult for us to stand as a political party campaigning in the entire country. I felt we have been restricted from forming a national political party. However, we have registered the ANP as a regional party representing Rakhine State and the Rakhine people."
ANP Chairman U Thar Tun Hla.
He said different people had different ideas about registering a political party and he did not want to make a comment on other people's opinions.
The Union Election Commission has been preparing to hold a general election in 2023 and issued the new political parties registration law and its rule on 31st January. It has invited political parties to re-register again since then.
A total of 32 political parties have re-registered so far and eight of them are parties that will campaign in the entire country, according to a press release of the UEC on 20th March.
U Thar Tun Hla told the CNI, "We have vowed to build a genuine federal union as much as we can."
The office of the UEC.
The chairman of the State Administration Council has promised to hold a general election in 2023 and to transfer power to the winning political party.
However, the acting president of the National Unity Government has vowed to disrupt the general election, which will be held as a political exit for the minilary.
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CNI News
22 Mar 2023
As some fishery products exported to Thailand through the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate leaked foul-smelling liquid, Thai authorities have warned that the exports of some fishery products will be prohibited at the gate, according to the Singkhon-Mawdaung Border Traders Association.
Thai authorities have instructed exporters to pack fishery products and jellyfish, major export items through the gate, properly or otherwise, exports of them will be prohibited from the gate, Ko Myo Ko, an exporter at the gate, told the CNI.
A truck at the Singkhon-Mawdaung border gate.
"Thai authorities have been holding negotiations with us because jellyfish containers leak a lot of water that makes the gate very dirty. So, If we use plastic bags in the containers, the water will not spill. And fish trucks are told to drain water before they arrive at the gate. Otherwise, they will have to ban fishery exports. There are many other export commodities traded through the gate. Fishery products are frozen but jellyfish need water. If we can follow their instructions, there is no problem. Otherwise, they will prohibit fishery products."
There is a buffer zone known as No Man's Land at the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate and exporters dump water and wastes at the zone. As a result, the areas has been filled with wastes and foul water and Thai border guard forces made complaints to their authorities.
As the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate has mainly been used for fishery exports from Tanintharyi Region, fishery exports are banned from the gate, it would take longer time and cost fishery exporters higher transportation charges, an official from the association told the CNI.
A fishery market at Thai-Myanmar border.
He said, "It has an impact on Myeik District because fishery products are mainly exported to Thailand from Myeik as the route is short. If they banned fishey exports from the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate, we will have to use the Ranong route and will suffer more delays and losses. We are using Singkhon-Mawdaung gate because it is easy to export fishery products in a short time.
Border trade at Singkhon-Mawdaung gate, exports make up 70 percent of trade and imports accounted for only 30 percent, according to the statistics of the ministry of commerce.
Before the outbreak of COVID-19, border trade from the gate hit as much as Baht 5 million daily.
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CNI News
22 Mar 2023
The government of Thailand has been planning to employ more migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, labour activists, who have been offering assistance to Myanmar workers, told the CNI.
The labour ministry of Thailand discussed the matter at a meeting on 20 March but has not announced the detailed recruitment program, Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand told the CNI.
A restaurant in Thailand.
He told the CNI, "It is likely that they would recruit MoU workers from countries that have signed MoU with it, including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. We haven't known the details or whether they will continue the former policies, which hurt the rights of workers. The process is too expensive. So, I think they will issue pink cards to illegal workers."
At present, labour demand is very high in many sectors including the manufacturing and construction sectors, according to labour activists in Thailand.
It is beneficial for Myanmar illegal migrants if Thai authorities choose to issue pink cards or temporary work permits.
If Thai authorities choose to issue pink cards to illegal migrants, it is beneficial for Myanmar migrants, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.
Myanmar MOU workers in Thailand.
He said, "Even if authorities issue stay permits, illegal migrants will be able to stay in Thailand. It is a blessing in disguise because it is impossible for undocumented migrants to stay in Thailand. It is even difficult for legal workers to renew their documents and it costs them a lot of money because they have rely on agents and agencies as documents are written in Thai language. Their rules and regulations are too complicated for Myanmar migrants.
Labour activists in Thailand have assumed that authorities will not recruit MoU workers.
Thai authorities will try to earn revenues by issuing pink cards to illegal migrant, Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.
He said, " In most cases, they issue pink cards to illegal migrants because the earn much more revenue in doing so, especially from agencies, companies and employers. The migrant have to apply for pink cards through them. They will give 15 days to apply for pink cards. It is the best way for them to earn revenues. I am almost sure they will do this."
Thai authorities issued pink cards for about 700,000 illegal migrants in 2022.