CNI News

21 June 2023

The Tatmadaw is the most responsible (in the organizations concerned) to solve the armed conflicts taking place in Myanmar, said U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of People's Party (PP) to CNI. The Tatmadaw that has taken the power of State needs to obviously show the situation that political problem can be solved with political method, he said.

" The Tatmadaw that has taken the power of State is the most responsible. The root cause of this problem is the political problem. The Tatmadaw needs to transparently show that obvious developments will arise if political problem is solved with political method without holding arms.

 Although everything cannot be solved, it needs to make everyone believe that an answer that can be poitically expected will come out rather than armed movement among the people.

people demanding democracy

That's why the Tatmadaw's political desire is important. Although there are terrorist movements, I've already chosen political method. Politicl parties, NCA signatories currently discussing with SAC and NCA non-signatories should deminstrate tangible change through political dialogue. Gradually, we should try to become an all-inclusive political solution", he said to CNI.

he Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by DASSK after having said that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general electioin and has declared a state of emergency. Then democratic elements formed PDF and are waging spring revolution. Only when all the organizations taking part in the conflicts meet and discuss, Myanmar political crisis can be solved, said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) to CNI.

an armed group

" In comparison with previous political crises, this time the crisis is more difficult, deeper and more comprehensive.No matter how difficult it is, what we have understood is that it is due to politics. According to international landscape or our experience, solving a political problem with a political dialogue is a way that we can overcome with damaging our country least.    

According to the current situation, there are many difficulties to arise a situation for an all inclusive political dialogue. But looking ahead to the benefit of the Union, all the stakeholders need to carry out, he said.

Because of political conflicts that changed during February 2021, armed conflicts are taking place all over the country. Due to armed conflicts, political, peace,economic, educational, and health sectors are deteriorating in the country.

Some local organizations, political parties, EAOs and international organizations are trying to solve these problems.

CNI News

21 June 2023

The number of Myanmar migrant workers are illegally working for other employers rather than for the emploers described on their work permits, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers said to CNI.

According to Thai law, migrant workers must work for the employers on their work permits. But when the employers on their work permits don't issue legal resign letters, because they find it difficult to change to new employers, they are working for other employers, Ko Thar Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers, said to CNI.

" Former employers don't issue legal resign letters. So the migrant workers cannot replace former employers on their work permits with new employers. That's why they are illegally working like that. About 59 percent of migrant workers with MoU have this problem. When a migrant worker asks a legal job resign letter, Myanmar agencies ask a lot of money from the migrant worker. Only if the worker gives 4,000 to 5,000 Baht, a legal job resign letter is issued. Some workers have to pay the fee for applying jobs. But the work permits have not been changed. So lots of work permits were not renewed on 13th February this year. 

a fishing site in Thailand (Getty Images)

Agencies go on persuading the workers they will apply for the workers when new work permits are issued. Most of ignorant workers who come from rural areas feel the pinch" he said.

Myanmar migrant workers who are illegally working for other employers try to be legal. But because it takes them too long and complex to get evident documents, they are working like this, said those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers.

"Whether employers are the same as those on work permits or not, workers cannot work if employers don't accept. In fact, both sides are guilty. The employers who are not on work permits are more guilty. We have to see if the worker are fully paid" said Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of Arakan Workers Organization to CNI.  

According to Thai law, the workers working for the employers who are not on the work permits nay be arrested, said U Aung Kyaw, an official from Labour Right Foundation (LRF) to CNI News.

Because there are so many jobs in Thailand and migrant workers from neighbouring countries are being employed, the migrant workers make a decision easily like this, he said.The workers tend to change to the factories where their relatives or friends without taking the law into account. The migrant workers should try to know Thai rules and reegulations relating to migrant workers, he added.

Due to a complaint saying migrant workers were working at a construction site in Bangkok for the employer different from the name on the work permit, 8 myanmar workers, 9 Cambodian workers and 2 Thai contractors were arrested a few days ago.

CNI News

21 June 2023

Crab business is a lucrative one in Rakhine State and because crabs can be exported to China this year, crabs are being traded with higher prices than last year, said crab wholesale businesspeople to CNI.

Chinese border that had been closed due to Covid-19 disease and political problems, has been re-open now and because crabs cab be exported to Cbina again, Crab business people are earning much income, said U Khaing Kyaw Hla, a crab wholesaker from Pauk Taw township.

" Crab market is getting better than in the past. The border has been re-open for one year. We can export many tons of crabs since the Chinese border was re-open.

crabs that will be exported

We had to export limitedly before. We had to export crabs to Yangon limitedly. Now we can export as we like. Those who export to China have increased.

Transportation is key. As long as the road is open, More income can be earned for the country. If a cyclone enters Rakhine State one time, crabs increase two times. If  a cyclone enters once, fish and shrimps have increased twice. some people whose dams have been broken lost something due to cyclone. I'm not sure if fish and shrimp have increased, but crabs have obviously increased than before." said U Khaing Kyaw Hla.

Although crabs can be sold at higher prices, if the weather is bad, it is difficult for workers, said Daw Nu Nu Saw, one who does business of crab from Pyaing Taung village, Pauk Taw township.
Rakhine State and Ayeyarwady Region export crabs to China most. When the prices decrease, if a lot of crabs are exported, the exporters can make a loss, said crab businesspeople. Currently, a kilo of crab is being sold at the prices from 3,000 to 7,000 Kyats.

CNI News

20 June 2023

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has always maintained political method in the effort to reach the goals of democracy, human rights and peace that Myanmar people want, which central executive committee of National League for Democracy (NLD) released a statement on 19th June, 2023.

It was described in the statement saying 'thank you' to those who sent 'birthday wish'messages for chairperson of NLD, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 78th birthday on 19th June 2023.

NLD CEC's statement

" In the effort to reach the goals of democracy, human rights and peace which Myanmar people have always wanted, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has always maintained political method only.Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who is regarded as the public leader, and has won the affection and trust of the entire people up to now, and also is the leader of the winning party, is one of the most important persons who cannot be excluded in solving the problems of Myanmar. It is NLD's view.", the committe stated.

The statement of CEC is opposed to the path on which NUG, CRPH and PDF are walking and indirectly means that DASSK would accept armed path of NUG, PDF, Moreover while most of the people have a burning desire to topple down the Tatmadaw, the statement sort of is starting meeting and discussing  This statement seems to be starting the path of meeting and discussion, A political analyst said.

NLD's member of Hluttaw and NUG's defense minister U Yi Mon and PDF comrades

Having said that NLD government tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute from 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government and has declared a state of emergency. Then it arrested U Win Myint, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr.Zaw Myint Maung.

Some members of the CEC and Hluttaw formed the National Unity Government and People's Defense Force and are waging armed revolution to overthrow the Tatmadaw. DASSK and U Win Myint who have been arrested have been put in NUG.

CNI News
20 June 2023

In solving Myanmar political problems, a path that can be discussed with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will statrt arising, said in a statement released on 19th June by Central Executive Committee of National League for Democracy (NLD) which consist of exile former NLD members of Hluttaw.

It was described in the birthday wish messages for DASSK's 78th birthday on 19th June. "Up to now, DASSK who has been regarded as the public leader and won the affection and credibility of the entire people and also leader of the winning party, is one of the most important persons who cannot be excluded in the effort to solve Myanmar problems" said in the statement.of CEC.

people demanding democracy

"As we believe that in the effort to solve Myanmar political problems, it will not be a real possibility without talks with DASSK, we will collaborate with friend countries and partner elements from local and abroad to librate all political prisoners including DASSK who have been unjustly arrested" said in the statement.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by DASSK after having said that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general electioin and has declared a state of emergency. Then it arrested U Win Myint, DASSK and Dr.Zaw Myint Maung.

a revolutionary force fighting against the Tatmadaw

If DASSk and the Tatmadaw meet and discuss to solve the current political crisis, there will not be much possibility to make everything okay, and but only if a comprehensive discussion including those who represent the people and ethnic can be held, everything will be just fine. However,the Tatmadaw has no plan to take DASSK to political world again, said a political analyst.

CNI News
June 19, 2023

There are debates between ethnic elements and political circle relating to what kind of federalism should be chosen for Myanmar. Federalism is being applied in various forms in the world and it would be easy to apply the federalism which is being used by India, said U Ye, Myanmar politics analyst to CNI.  

" Our 2008 Constitution is pretty close to Indian constitution and its federalism. A federalism has three kinds and first kind is based on geography and the second is based on ethnic and third is integrated system. India uses integrated system.

Some states represent the name of an ethnic. Some states represent geographic or regional names. Myanmar's 2008 constitution is the same as that system. Some states represent the names of ethnics and some regions represent geographic regions. So, 2008 consitution of Myanmar is pretty close to that of India.

A workshop on Indian federalism that was held on 8th June 2023   

If the constitution is amended to be the same as the Indian style, it will be easy" he said. A workshop on federalism that is used in India was held from 6th to 8th June, where seven NCA signatories, SAC delegates and Indian delegates met.  

When the country is built as a federal union in the future, More rights than now should be given to ethnic people, said Li Paw Reh, Lisu National Development Party, to CNI.

" We will be more peaceful only when the central government will control a few important sectors and the rest authorities will be given to states and regions in the federal union that we will build in the future. Some want confederacy. But the federal union giving lots of authorities to states and regions will be more convenient, I think"  

A workshop on Indian federalism that was held on 8th June 2023   

Their ethnic armed group is studying federal systems and they have had preparations for the federal structure, sadi Daw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to CNI.

"Our ethnic armed organizations have studied federal systems of Switzerland, Germany and USA. We have made prepararions taking out suitable facts that can match up with our country. There is a federal structure that our twelve EAOs have prepared.But we are still discussing about 23 facts" she said.

88 countries including USA, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, India, Nipal and Sri lanka, are practising federalism in various forms.

CNI News

19 June 2023

SAC would assuredly hand over power to the winning party after holding a free and fair general election, said Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administreation council. He said that when he met junior officers serving in various offices and departments
under the office of commander in chief (army). 

But he did not tell .when the election will be held.

Of the Five-Point Road Map of the State Administration Council, the last point is that 
"Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution,and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards" which will be implemented without failure. So,SAC is carrying out for the State stability,peace and development." he said.

 The Tatmadaw helped shape the path to a multi-party democracy that is full of discipline which the people wanted, and a democracy government from the party that won
in the multi-party democracy election in 2010 came out and the Tatmadaw worked together with that government, he said.

In the second term of the democratic government that won in the 2015 general election, the Tatmadaw gave some advice to that government on what should be or what should be done according to its political experiences and but there was just a little effect, said chairman of SAC.

Although he told repeatedly the election needed to be free and fair in 2020 election, that party performed to win in the election in dishonest ways.  

The Tatmadaw demanded to solve the ballot discrepancies. But that party tried to take the State power by force without solving the ballot discrepancies.So, the Tatmadaw had to maintain the responsibilities of the State, said Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

What the Tatmadaw carried out like that is just to strengten multi-party democracy path and they would not deviated from that path, so they are exercising restraint according to the law and serving the State's duties in accord with the 2008 constitution, he added.

CNI News

19 June 2023

If a foreign army enter Myanmar, the entire people will take side with SAC, said U Sein Win, former member of Pyithu Hluttaw, to CNI.

During the current armed conflicts, revolutionary elemens are being supported by some foreign organizationss which is being watched by the public, he said.

" Which side do you think the people will take with if a foeign army enters the country? Now money and technology are being supported to revolutionary elements by some foreign countries which is being watched by the public. If an army especially such as US or UK enter the country, the entire people will take side with SAC. No matter how many better weapons you have, you can't beat their spirit. Among the ethnic, Bamars are very intelligent. They can courageously solve a problem that needs courage to solve” he said.

Demonstration against Myanmar Tatmadaw and the State Administration Council

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February, 2021, having said that NLD was trying to form a government without solving the vote list dispute and a state of emergency has been declared.

After that, revolutionary elements are waging spring revolution after forming People's Defense Force to topple down the Tatmadaw..Because international community does not support weapons and ammunitions to PDF, NUG is demanding international community to support PDF like providing Ukaraine by lots of countries with weapons and ammunitions
There is no reason why international forces will enter the country and in the Security Council the proposals will not be successful, U Than Soe Naing, Myanmar political analyst told CNI News.

the security forces patrolling in a city

" If the UN troops come in, the people will welcome it. But the proposals to send UN troops to Myanmar will not be successful because Russia and China are included in UN Security Council. Now about 30,000 to 50,000 Chinese troops are always near Myanmar border. These forces can reach Mandalay in a couple of days before internal forces come in" he said.

As Myanmar has two powerful neighbouring countries, China and India,there is no reason why international forces will come in, said some people. But some international organizations are providing PDF with non-military aids.

CNI News

19 June 2023

Because the number of agricultural workers has decreased in Myanmar, farmers and peasants are worried that their farming activities will be lost, said rice farmers to CNI.  

Because of low income and insufficient wages from agricultural work, the number of workers who deserted from agricultural business has increased and the labour force became low, which damaged farming activities, said U Maung Thein Hla, chairperson of Dhanyawati Agricultural Association, Marauk U Township, Rakhine State.

a peasant ploughing

" About 20 youths who own farms have gone abroad in the face of difficulties in summer. If the farmers are not supported with seed paddy or there are not any organizations that will lend money for inputs, we will not be able to farm well. Local youths can change work or go abroad as well. Due to insufficient labour, agricultural busness can be more damaged this year.When taking seeds out, human labor is more used. We can find it difficult to look for workers and wages may be high." he said.

To reduce the outflow of human resources, job opportunities need to created and the government needs to make foreign investments enter the country, said U Ye Htut, a political analyst to CNI.

"The youths had to go abroad to work due to the fact that they found it difficult to make a living. If they can make a profit in the agro-business, they will work in the agro=business again" said U Thein Aung, chairperson of Farmer Development Association, Ayeyarwady Region, to CNI.

a peasant splashing pesticide

"They will go on working if they make a profit. They don't have to go abroad to work. The other year, a farmer made a loss because rice prices went down. He was in debt. He had to sell an acre of his farmland" he said.

Income from agro-business waw not enough to buy food for a family, so youths had to go abroad to get jobs that more income can be earned, said farmers.