CNI News

9 January 2024

ASEAN Special Representative will meet with EAOs that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in Naypyidaw, Col.Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), told CNI News. 

The meeting has been planned to hold on 10th January and their five NCA signatories were to attend and he did not know whether other organizations would attend or not.

" What I can confirm for the time being is that our five NCA signatories will meet with the ASEAN Special Envoy, a new official for our country from Laos. I don't know exactly what agenda will be discussed. After Laos takes the ASEAN chairmanship, it is also the political scene where we can see for the first time. It is also the introductory meeting based on the five point consensus of the ASEAN about how to overcome the current crisis of our country. And it might be a meeting where views and attitudes will be exchanged." said Col.Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

When Cambodia took the chairmanship of the ASEAN, as the ASEAN Special Envoy, Mr. PRAK Sokhonn met with NCA signatories in Naypyidaw on 1st July, 2022.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties on 6th January, 2024

The NCA was signed by the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the New Mon State Party ( NMSP) and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

According to political landscapes that changed after 1st February, 2021, KNU, CNF and ABSDF reduced their participation in the PPST and have not attended the peace process meetings.

The Special Envoy of the ASEAN will meet with the political parties on 12th January and discuss a general election that will be held by the State Administration Council, U Thet Zaw, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" We welcome the ASEAN Special Envoy who will come to Myanmar in relation to the election for the peace of Myanmar. In other words, the ASEAN becomes interested in the election. I want the election that will be held to be internationally recognized. If the election was internationally recognized, a dignified government could be formed. We can't say exactly about the peacemaking. Frankly speaking, China also has influence over some ASEAN members. We can't say how much influence China has on the current ASEAN Special Envoy." he said.

Due to the armed conflicts that arose after 1st February 2021, the country's politics, peace, economy, health, education sectors are facing crises. Some EAOs, political parties, the ASEAN and international organizations are trying to solve the conflicts.

CNI News

9 January 2024

Although the demand for Myanmar watermelons from China has increased after the New Year, Myanmar farmers are making a loss because the quality of their products were damaged due to hard transportations reportedly.

The Kyin San Kyawt Gate, a main place where Myanmar watermelons were exported to China cannot be used for the time being because there are no territorial stabilities'. 

So, Myanmar watermelons are being exported through Myla and Loije border trade camps which take 10 days to take the watermelons to China. When exporting the watermelons through Myla, not only it takes long, the cost is also high. 

While seeing a watermelon plantation

The transportation charge for a 16-ton truck is 250 lakh kyats and farmers are losing about 1000,000 kyats, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

" The price of watermelon has declined in the domestic market and so has in China. The main reason is because the quality has declined and the transportation is difficult. For a truck that can hold 16 tons of watermelons, its freight cost is about 7,500,000 kyats until it reaches Myla. A total investment is about 250 lakh kyats if the value of watermelons and other expenditures are added. Due to the delay on the way, the watermelons are damaged. So, farmers lose 10 to 15 lakh kyats for a truck of watermelons." he said.

If the watermelons are exported through Kyin San Kyawt, they can reach the place where the watermelons are sold in China within two days. But as exporting through Myla takes 10 days, the quality of watermelons is damaged and the price also has declined reportedly.

While seeing trucks loaded with watermelons

So, watermelon farmers are sending their products to the Yangon Market. However, because it is not convenient to sell watermelons in the local market alone, some watermelon traders and farmers are taking risk to export watermelons to China. If the transportation continues to be difficult like this, the watermelon market will not recover, Ko Kyaw Win, a watermelon trader, told CNI News.

" The farmers who grew watermelons on an acre of land last year grow them on ten acres. So, the watermelons are abundant. To send the watermelons to the market, transportation is important. If the transportation is bad like this, we can't expect the watermelon market to be better." he said.

Sugar cane and coal are on China's list of priority goods. Watermelon is not on China's list of priority commodities although China is buying Myanmar watermelons. So, watermelon trucks from Myanmar are entering China with the wait-in-line system. 
So, the farmers and traders have to wait long to sell watermelons. As having to wait long like that could damage the quality of the watermelons, farmers and traders should be careful when exporting the watermelons, pointed out market analysts.

As there is still no way to improve the current traffic situation, the watermelon farmers should grow, depending on the local market, suggested traders.

CNI News

9 January 2024

He wanted to protect the peace and stability of the Chinese-Myanmar border area with all his might, said Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, the Union Minister for Home Affairs and the chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).

He said the above during his online meeting with Wang Xiahong, Minister for Public Security of China. 

" I want deeper bilateral cooperation for the rule of law and security and want to protect the peace and stability of the Chinese-Myanmar border region with all his might." said Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.

Mr.Wang Xiaohong replied that China has always viewed and implemented the China-Myanmar relation with a strategic view, the Chinese Embassy stated. 

Wang said that China has always viewed and developed China-Myanmar relations from a strategic height, and was willing to work with Myanmar to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and to comprehensively deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security.

 Wang also expressed China wanted to collaborate with Myanmar to crack down telecom and online fraud, cooperate on key cases, maintain security and stability in border areas, protect Chinese personnel and projects, and continue to promote the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

At present, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) and its allies are waging Operation-1027 and trying to capture the Tatmadaw camps and townships in the northern part of Shan State. 

So, the battles are severely breaking out between the two sides. In order to be able to stop these battles, the SAC's NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed on 7th, 8th and 9th December for the first time and on 23rd and 24th December for the second time. 

But as no agreement was reached, a third meeting will be held on 7th, 8th and 9th January, 2024.

On the other hand, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and delegation arrived in Myanmar and met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 5th January, 2024.

CNI News

8 January 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) met with leaders of the political parties that have been registered with the Union Election Commission (UEC) in Naypyidaw on 6th January, 2024. 

The chairman of the SAC told the parties at the meeting that the ultimate goal of the SAC government was to hand over the responsibilities of the State to the winning party after a free and fair general election was held.

The Tatmadaw was working hard with the people's efforts in cooperation with the Myanmar Police Force for the reduction of internal armed conflicts and it was necessary to proceed with a public security system that contained everyone in order to achieve peace and stability throughout the country so that the country would be able to move towards a democratic system, he said.

" We will act from all sides in order to hold a dignified election and I believe all the parties that attend this meeting believe in the democratic system. All party members need to be the core of democracy just as they are the core of their parties. We need to be able to use the party's strength in a beneficial and correct way for the State. Moreover, party members also need to participate in order to maintain peace and stability in the country" he said.

The SAC was encouraging the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In doing so, he wanted the parties to cooperate as much as they could. 

He believed that the parties that would compete in the coming general election would be able to promote educational, economic and social development of their regions concerned, he added.

" As the pre-election process, we are conducting the census-taking and because the population census that is collected by the Ministry of Immigration and Manpower has had a basic list, it can be more accurate and correct. Census taking every ten years is an international standard that should be compulsorily conducted. Only if it is carried out, can the ballots be correctly registered. So, the parties need to participate." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

In the last elections, the winner-take-all system was exercised and regarding the application of proportional representation system, the discussions would be held with political parties and ethnic groups. Moreover, relating to the amendment of the constitution, they would carry out amendments to amend the laws that should be amended. In order to amend it, they would perform through the Hluttaw channel, said chairman of the SAC.

" While preparations are being made in order that the election can be successfully held, armed terrorist activities are barriers. We are making efforts to achieve stability and peace as soon as possible. The election must be a politically dignified one. The political parties need to participate with the spirit of doing good for the country." he said.

The meeting between Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the political parties on 6th January, 2024 was attended by chairmen and vice chairmen from 39 political parties.

CNI News
7 January 2024

Undocumented foreign migrant workers in Malaysia might be arrested until around March, philanthropic organizations in Malaysia told CNI News.

 Arrests have been conducted with a lot of force since mid December, 2023 and the arrests like this might exist until around March, Ko Thet, chairman of Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donation Organization, told CNI News.

" Some migrant workers arrived in Malaysia recently for many reasons. Some have applied for residence permit books. But they haven't got the books yet. Some have applied for the books. But they don't have enough money. Some can't apply for the residence permit books because they have no jobs and they can't afford. All of them must be careful. You have to ask those who were in Malaysia earlier than you. In my opinion, many arrests probably will be around March." he said.

Arrests like this were rampant for the first time and they looked like a war and were scary, Myanmar citizens in Malaysia told CNI News.

While the arrests are currently being conducted, many Myanmar citizens are entering Malaysia through Thailand illegally daily. So, he wished them to stop entering like that, Hmwar Michael staying in Malaysia told CNI News.

" The period during which registration can be made has expired. There are arrests daily. I don't want undocumented workers to come to Malaysia through illegal channels. I want legal workers and the UNHCR card holders to work and stay in harmony with their environment." he said.

Myanmar nationals are among the most arrested and they have been arrested by the hundred reportedly.

Moreover, among those arrested were permit card holders and  they could be released sooner or later depending on their employers.

If Myanmar refugee card holders were arrested, because the UNHCR's reply whether those arrested were real refugee card holders was delayed, the refugees were staying in the detention camps, according to the people who are helping in the affairs of refugees.

CNI News
7 January 2024

The questions why the fuel crisis that fuel stations in states and regions are experiencing fuel shortages have not been resolved are arising. Although the prices of fuel are high, fuel shortages are still taking place.

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar sold the US dollars last month, as the amount of money that was sold was insufficient, the US dollar was scarce and fuel stations have no ability to store reserve fuel, the fuel crisis is going on taking place, an economic analyst on condition of anonymity told CNI News.

" Mainly, the fuel stations are not able to store reserve oil. It's necessary to store reserve oil. Now, as soon as the fuel arrives, it is sold at once. If the oil tankers arrive a bit late, the fuel is no more in the market. Although the Central Bank sells dollars, it's not enough. The bank sells around 10 million dollars. But  the fuel is imported for 1.5 million dollars each day. So, fuel importers have to find export earnings and then import fuel. But as you know, Chinese border trade has been affected at all. Thai border trade also has been affected very much. Those who import fuel are gradually finding it difficult to get dollars. They are kind of importing fuel for each day only." he said.

There was a shortage of petrol and diesel at some petrol stations in Yangon a few days ago. But fuel has been available again at present. In Yangon, the current price of diesel is 2,300 kyats per liter and that of 92 gasoline, 2,405 kyats per liter.

Fuel shortages occurred in the past due to price restrictions in selling fuel and foreign currency price regulations, U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, told CNI News.

" When fuel is being extracted from ships, there may also be fuel shortages. During the time between the entry of ships, there may also be fuel shortages. Moreover, due to the traffic jam, there may also be fuel shortages. Only if you pay the money, will you get the fuel. The main problem is that the price is unstable. There is a price issued by the fuel supervisory committee. There is a price you have to pay really when you buy the fuel. We have to wait for the decision between the two prices. So, there is also a delay. There is a price-adjusting problem between the price of buying in advance and the current price. So, there is a delay. Mainly, the problem is related to the logistics and supply chain. The previous fuel shortage was because of the dollar price problem." said U Thiha Paing.

Due to the government's control of the dollar in the past, there was a shortage of dollars. And then the fuel crisis arose. Although the dollar control has been relaxed at present, because export earnings through border trade is affected with territorial instabilities, there is still a need for dollars.

Moreover, because the dollar control has not been unconditionally relaxed at present, the fuel crisis might continue, said economic analystes.

CNI News
7 January 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council met with Chinese deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on 5th January.

Collaborative activities that would be conducted were discussed at the meeting for the stability of the border area, the SAC reported.

The meeting was attended by joint secretary of the SAC Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Myanmar Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Chairman of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and Secretary of the NSPNC Lt-Gen Min Naing from the Myanmar side, and Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Mr.Sun Weiding, Chinese Ambassador for Myanmar and China's special envoy for Asian affairs Mr.Deng Xijun.

On the day of the meeting between the SAC chairman and the Chinese delegation that arrived in Myanmar, the regional military command center in Laukkai had to retreat and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) was able to control Laukkai.

Moreover, when the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA attacked the Tatmadaw in Hopang, the Tatmadaw's Hopang military strategist and its troops had to be moved to a safe place by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). After that, the UWSA controlled Hopang and Pan Lon townships and raised its flags in the towns.                     
The SAC's NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) will meet and discuss in Kumming, China for the third time from 7th to 9th January in order to stop the ongoing fighting in northern Shan State (border with China).

CNI News
6 January 2024

Myanmar people, holding refugee cards, who are arrested in Malaysia, are finding it difficult.

Because the UNHCR is delaying to reply whether evidence documents are correct or not, the refugees have to be staying in the detention camps unless the UNHCR reply, those who are helping in the affairs of refugees told CNI News.

 As the response from the UNHCR side is delayed for a certain period of time, as long as the UNHCR has not replied, UN refugee card holders who are arrested have to be staying in the detention camps, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director general of the Center for Arakan Refugees, told CNI News.

" It depends on how soon the UNHCR responds or how soon the Malaysian police and immigration department inform the UNHCR of the detainees. Some UN refugee card holders who were arrested had to stay in the detention camps for one to two weeks. UNHCR staff need to work outside the office. If they are waiting for the time when the police and immigration department or refugee organizations like us will inform, it may take long. We, refugee organizations, inform the UNHCR by phone or email if the UN refugee card holders are arrested. They usually don't reply. We have to solve 95 percent of the cases on our own after meeting the police and immigartion department." he said.

Police vans in which illegal foreigners are taken away

The UNHCR staff personally come inspect whether it is correct or not and if the detainees are real holders of the UN refugee cards, they will be released at once - the process like this would solve the problem quickly, pointed out Myanmar people in Malaysia.

At present, checks and arrests are being conducted in Malaysia almost everyday and many Myanmar citizens have been arrested, according to Myanmar people in Malaysia. Due to arrests and inspection in Malaysia in 2022-2023, detention camps and rooms were crowded with detainees. So, detention camps have been expanded reportedly.

Lots of policemen are currently arresting and so are immigration officers, Hmwar Michael living in Malaysia told CNI News.

Those detained in Malaysia

" If the policemen arrest the refugees, those arrested are taken to the police stations. And then, they are remanded in custody for two weeks. After that, evidence documents are inspected and they are handed over to the police. If the immigration officers arrest the refugees, those arrested are placed in the detention camps. And then, they are brought to court. They have to go to court from the detention camps. If they are found guilty, the court decides to send them to jail. If the police arrest, the problem might be solved at the police station. But it's not easy for you to solve the problem at the immigration department. If you don't have any evidence documents after the immigration officers arrested, you might have to stay at the detention camp for one to two months and you could be sentenced to at least three months. And then, you will be sent back to your native country. But if you can negotiate at the police station, it could be a bit convenient for you. Overstayers could have 30 percent of hope." he said.

Moreover, those detained were permit holders and depending on their employers, they could be released reportedly.

Because the deadline to apply for a Ricarlibraci permit has passed, more and more checks and arrests could increased, said Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.

CNI News
6 January 2024

EAOs have advised the State Administration Council to form a transitional government after the six month extention for the state of emergency expire on 31st January 2024, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

Their EAOs did not advise to form a coalition government but the EAOs advised to form a transitional government only, he said.

" It was wrong. It was just misinterpretted. We didn't mean a coalition government. We meaned the transitional authority. Its responsility is to supervise the transitional period. It is not even called a government. There were transitional authorities in the East Timor ans Nepal including other countries. Transitional Authority is included in our EAOs' roadmap." he said to CNI News.

While seeing representatives from EAOs

The Tatmadaw will have already taken the power for three years on 1st February, 2024 after declaring the state of emergency on 1st February 2021.

After January 31st, a transitional government or a coalition government may appear, which there are conversations among the political circles.

If the SAC formed a coalition governmant at present, that government would be of its choice, U Myo Kyaw, the spokesperson of the Uniuted Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News.

" Even If a coalition government arose, it would be the SAC's puppet government, I think because there was not a government that allowed the same power levels in the history of our country." he said.

While seeing representatives from political parties

While the EADs have advised the SAC to form a transitional government, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC would meet with political paties on 5th January to discuss the current Myanmar political situations. In the same way, a Chinese delegation will arrive in Myanmar and meet with the SAC officials including Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 5th and 6th January.

Because the six month extention for the state of emergency will expire on 31st January, the people from local and abroad are watching what the SAC will change next.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 after saying the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election. And then the Tatmadaw has taken the responsibility, declaring the state of emergency.