CNI News

October 27, 2023

The United States of America is continuously trying to enable the group it wants to gain power in Myanmar in order to control China, a neighboring country of Myanmar, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council. He said the above at the meeting (5/2023) of the SAC held on 26th October 2023.

The Western group led by the United States has continuously intervened in the affairs of Myanmar. Myanmar and the United States are not enemy countries; There has never been a war between the two countries; Myanmar was not involved in the Vietnam War due to US invasion in the southeast Asia. 
However, the reason why the US is treating Myanmar like an enemy is because of a great background, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese special diplomat Deng Xijun

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) led by the US was formed in 1954 to prevent communism from gaining ground in the region. However, SEATO was dissolved on 30 June 1977. 1947 Constitution of Myanmar contained the rights of states to secede and based on these rights, states demanded to secede in 1961-1962. If compared the demands of the states with the SEATO process, Myanmar political complexity could be understood, he said.

" In the political affairs of Myanmar, when things they want don't become to be, US is obviously fighting against the elements that can protect not to become what it wants. The current policy of the western group led by US is the China containment. So, the US is continuously carrying out to enable the government or the group to gain power. As long as the group doesn't gain power, the US is working to bring chaos to all sectors in Myanmar.” he said.

While seeing  a diplomat from US Department of State and NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung

Moreover, the US is helping terrorist groups on various topics and reasons. India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have been friendly countries for ages according to historical tradition. However, the countries that cannot overcome the influence of the United States have imposed trade and financial sanctions on Myanmar. Myanmar is not a country that survives and trades on the only one financial system. Myanmar had to collaborate with its neighboring friend countries and other friend countries, he added. At present the US and Singapore have imposed sanctions on Myanmar government-owned banks including the members of the SAC.

The US government is supporting finance and technologies to the National Unity Government (NUG), the People's Defense Force (PDF) and political activists. Moreover, 

The US has also reduced diplomatic ranks at the US embassy in Myanmar

CNI News

October 27, 2023

Although about one million Russian tourists entered Thailand from January 2023 to September 2023, nearly 2,000 Russian tourists arrived in Myanmar during the same period. According to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, 1,896 Russian tourists only entered Myanmar from January to September this year.

Myanmar-Russia tourism sector has been continuously promoted since 2022 and direct flight between the two country has started. So, it was necessary to know why the number of Russian tourists who come to Myanmar was few, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, northern Shan State, told CNI News.

" Thailand has relaxed a lot of restrictions on tourists. And Thai visa has allowed tourists to stay for 30 days. Thai officials know to target which tourists and that they want the market of which tourists and what the market is demanding. So, they make the necessary relaxations. Thai government also gives full powers to tourism officials. They cooperate very hard. So, They are better than us, I think. The reason why a lot of Russians come to Thailand is related to their travel arrangements,their facilities, price differences and Russia's interests. We need to change our policy. What should be relaxed must be relaxed. We have to do a lot to make tourists safe. We need to know what they want and what are things they are interested in, I think." he said.

Only Russian tourists entered Myanmar between January and September in 2022. But during the same period in 2023, the number of tourists has more than doubled compared to last year. However, the growth rate is still low, hotel and tourism entrepreneurs pointed out. For the influx of tourists from war-torn Russia, the strategies used by Thailand should be studied, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur, told CNI News.

While seeing Russian tourists at the Phuket Beach in Thailand

" Thailand gives return visas to Russians free of charge. And they are allowed to stay in Thailand for three months or one year. Moreover, they are allowed to stay in long stay apartments at the beaches, which is kind of similar to home stay. Hotels are, as you know, very expensive and suitable to stay for a few days. Besides, Thai authorities have created nightlife and entertainments to make tourists happy. Russians spend a lot on shopping and drinking. But Myanmar has not created nightlife to attract tourists. Although hotels here in Myanmar are not too expensive, security is important to tourists. Whatever tourists do in Thailand, they are safe. Tourist policemen are protecting them. But safety cannot be guaranteed here." he said.

Russian tourists came to Myanmar for their interest only rather that for spending their leisure. So, the tourists like that would not be welcome, some hotel and tourism entrepreneurs pointed out. At present, 80,221 Chinese tourists entered Myanmar between January and September 2023 and over 70,000 increased compared to same period last year, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.

Moreover, the number of Indian tourists like Russian, Chinese and Thai tourists will probably increase, hotel and tourism entrepreneurs have expected.

CNI News

26 October 2023

The National Unity Government (NUG) made a request to the European Union (EU) dated 16th October to recognize the NUG as an official government. 

The NUG requested the EU to recognize the NUG and the state governments that are developing step by step as Myanmar's official governments. 

It had not been possible to reach a situation Myanmar was going to be a country which was made up of provinces, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" It's necessary to become like that. But it's not been likely to be like that at the moment, I think. Because can we say how many state governments there are? Cbin people are still trying to become their Chin State government. In the same way, the Karenni National Democratic Force (KNDF) has kind of form the Karenni State government and so has the Karen National Union (KNU). The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) that has been able to have systematically organized its executive mechanism has not declared to have formed its State government. So, We haven't been able to reach the situation that we can organize Myanmar as country that has made up of state governments, I think."he Said.

While seeing the People's Defense Force

Moreover, the NUG has requested the EU to invite the NUG delegates to attend the bilateral meetings and multinational meetings of the EU in order to know the public voice and to enable them to officially represent.

Having said that the NLD government was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute, the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1 February 2021. 

After that, with protests that arose, democratic elements have been waging the Spring Revolution.

EU had no business to recognize the NUG as an official government of Myanmar, Dr. Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News. 

While seeing members of the NUG

" EU won't recognize the NUG as an official government. To tell you the truth, a government is decided depending on a real situation rather that whether it is legitimate or not. It is an international tradition. If the NUG is recognized as an official government, who will carry out for the licenses for the businesses in the EU and for passports and visas. It's not that easy. And then, EU has no business to recognize the NUG as an official government." he said.

At present, the KNDF kind of has formed a state government and the rest of the states also seem to be in the process of forming state governments, he added. 

Currently, the State Administration Council and the NUG are competing in  the affairs of administration, judiciary, legislation and diplomacy. 

However, in practice the SAC is handling administration, legislation and judiciary, and international ambassadors also are giving their letters of appointment to the SAC.

CNI News

26 October 2023

As Myanmar overseas employment agencies have to pay license insurance fee to the government, they might ask workers more service charge, those who are helping migrant workers told CNI News. 

The Ministry of Labor is negotiating with agencies to raise license insurance until three times higher than the current rate. If the license was raised like that, agencies probably would ask workers more service charge, they pointed out.  

" Some agencies break the law without complying with provisions and ethics. So, workers got into trouble. These agencies should be taken action against. Otherwise raising license fee doesn't make any difference. Relevant laws have been imposed. There are places where you can complain. But this mechanism doesn't work in practice. As there are many workers who want to go abroad for work, although service charge for a worker has been designated 500,000 kyats by the government, if agencies asked 1,000,000 kyats, there are many workers who will pay. If you asked the workers why they complained,  they wouldn't answer. It is important for them to go abroad ASAP in any way. If he didn't pay 20 lakh kyats, those who would pay 21 lakh kyats were so many behind him, one of workers told me." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED).

The government is carrying out to raise license insurance fee for overseas employment agencies from 250 lakh kyats to 1,000 lakh kyats and for overseas employment agencies (Thailand) from 50 lakh kyats to 200 lakh kyats. The government has officially designated service charge rates that agencies will ask.

Those who will go abroad through agencies

If a person goes to Japan as a technical apprentice trainee, it will cost him 2,800 US dollars and as a skilled worker, 1,500 US dollars.

After working in Japan for three years, if a person goes to Japan again to work for a new employer, it will cost him 1,600 US dollars and if he goes there again to work for the former employer, it will cost him 200 US dollars.

If you go to Singapore for high levy, it will cost you 1,800 SGD and for low levy, 2,300 SGD. If you go to Singapore with a S-Pass, it will cost you 4,400 SGD. And if you go to Malaysia, it will cost you 850 US dollars and 25,500 kyats. Moreover, if you go to Thailand for the job that applies Thai SSB, it will cost you 300,000 Myanmar kyats and 7,600 Thai bahts. 

Although service charge has been officially designated, in practice it will cost you more than the prices designated. The government is weak in tackling the problem and if the license insurance fees were not changed, it would be convenient, U Ba Yi, in charge of labor affairs from the Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN) told CNI News.

" If possible, former license insurance fee is convenient, I think. If the agencies have to pay the government any more, they will surely ask the workers any more. Although the government has designated that agencies must not ask more than 300,000 kyats for service charge, agencies are taking from 25 lakh kyats to 45 lakh kyats. Zero cost workers are convenient. Their employers take responsibility for the cost for them. If possible, unchanged rate of license insurance fee will be convenient for both agencies and MoU workers, I think." He said.

Currently, the Ministry of Labor and Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) are negotiating relating to raising license insurance fee reportedly.

CNI News

26 October 2023

Due to the lack of regional stability in most of the townships in Mon State where rubber industry is located than last year, it is difficult to conduct rubber resin extraction business in most rubber farms, said rubber businessmen.

Because battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces in Kyaikto, Bilin, Yay townships where most of rubber is produced, it is difficult to hire skilled workers in cutting and extracting rubber resin reported.

Moreover, because there are curfew and traffic restrictions in some areas, it is getting more difficult to work, said the people who do business of cutting and extracting rubber resin.

Because it has been raining up to now, rubber season is late to come. So, it might impact on the rubber industry, an official from the Mon State Rubber Producers Association, told CNI News.

While seeing a person cutting bark to extract rubber resin

" For the time being, rubber planters are making preparations. They have started doing business of cutting and extracting rubber resin. But the rubber season is about one month late to come because it's still raining. We start cutting rubber bark just now. Some rubber farms haven't got enough workers to cut rubber bark. And we are not allowed to go to the restricted areas. Restricted areas have increased. It can impact on rubber production a bit." he said.

Rubber entrepreneurs are finding it difficult to hire workers to cut rubber bark and extract rubber resin due to territorial instabilities and because it is difficult to go on working, some entrepreneurs are planning to sell their rubber farms.

While seeing a person cutting bark to extract rubber resin

Although territorial instabilities have increased in Kyaikto, Bilin and Yay townships, rubber farms in Kyaikmayaw, Thanphyu Zayat, Thaton and Paung townships are regularly operating reportedly.

Although rubber season is late to start due to weather condition, because the rubber price is higher than last year, it may be beneficial to the farmers, U Min Tun, a rubber entrepreneur from Kyaikmayaw Township, told CNI News.

" The difficulty is that it's late to cut rubber resin out this year because the rain hasn't let up. Income can decline. Normally at this time of the year, cutting out rubber resin had been about one month long. But this year, some are still preparing and so cutting period will be short. For the time being, rubber price is higher than last year. If the price is stable all the year round, it will be beneficial to the farmers." he said.

Mon State is the region that produces rubber most in Myanmar and there are more than 500,000 acres of rubber cultivation in the state, producing more than 100,000 tons of rubber each year.

CNI News

25 October 2023

The government should provide assistance to the farmers whose plantations in eastern Bago Region were destroyed due to flood a few days ago, said farmers and those working on farmers' issues.

In the law protecting farmers' rights, issuing long-term loans, providing service to enable farmers to get suitable profits for the crops they produce, Providing the necessary equipment on time, facilitating farmers to enter the workforce and the State must support farmers when their plantations are damaged by natural disasters are included.

According to the provisions imposed in the Farmers Rights Protection Act and the Interest Promotion Act, that rice fields were flooded and damaged in eastern Bago Region was because of natural disaster. 

So, the farmers should be given subsidies by the government, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

“The fact that the government must give subsidies to the farmers whose plantations are damaged by the natural disaster is included in the Farmers Rights Protection Act and the Interest Promotion Act. So, the government support the farmers to an extent. The government should support about the loan for planting costs. Farmers had to spend at least 450,000 kyats for an acre, not including costs for reaping." he said.

while seeing flood in Bago

Due to flood, unripe rice fields cannot be harvested, and ripe rice fields were also damaged and yields will decrease, farmers will make a loss. Therefore they would not be able to repay the loans taken for agriculture this year, farmers said.

He wanted the government to provide loans for winter crops ahead of schedule in order to repay the debt and to re-plant crops, U Nyunt, s farmer from Thanatpin Township, in eastern Bago Region, told CNI News.

" The government should issue loans earlier for cold season crops. In the past, 100,00 kyats per acre was lent. But 200,000 kyats per acre cost farmers for cold season crops. Because there were plantations destroyed as well, in any case, the government should support 200,000 kyats per acre, not as a loan." he said.

Although the number of plantation acres destroyed due to flood is being recorded, the government has not done anything relating to supporting the farmers reportedly.

Due to flood, over 77,000 acres of paddy fields in the four townships in eastern Bago were sunk and 6,800 acres were damaged, according to the Bago District Agricultural Department.

CNI News

25 October 2023

Those who wanted to renew their passport for job (PJ) and passport for seamen (PS) must pay income tax for six months in advance when they applied for proof to have paid tax already, the Internal Revenue Department told CNI News.

If a certificate of having paid tax already at the Internal Revenue Department can be shown, passport renewal can be performed, Myanmar Passport Issuance Board stated.

When applying for a certificate of having paid tax already, income tax for six months from 1st October 2023 to 31st March 2024 must be paid in advance as the income tax is two percent of minimum wage rate available in the destination country, an official from the Central Board of Taxation Service told CNI News.

While seeing the statement released by the Internal Revenue Department

" During the past few days, the office that provides service for passport renewal has asked those who come and renew their passports especially PJ and PS to show certificates of having paid tax already. If they show the certificates, their passports can be renewed. 
Three or four departments have to negotiate details. Some people change their PJs into passport for visit (PV). Some countries have not been able to designate basic salary. The ministries still are negotiating. Detailed facts will come out." he said.

When a person takes a certificate of having paid tax already, citizen registration card, household table, if he is a seaman, a contract for work and agreement evidence for salary must be shown together. 

If all the necessary information and documents were complete in obtaining such approval, it would take an applicant about two days, according to the Internal Revenue Department.

While seeing those who are waiting to apply for passports

It is impractical to tax someone who has not yet been paid and only if passports of seamen were valid, their application form would be accepted by their employers and the Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Service (SRPS), so salary rate could not be estimated in advance,  Myanmar Seafarers Federation has stated.

Because countries are different in types of paying salaries, it should be taken into account, the people helping migrant workers pointed out. When taking certificates of having paid tax, the roles of brokers would be important. Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Thai-based Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" We are worried that a lot of brokers will arise. When someone, for example, wants to go to Korea or Japan or Thailand, he wants to get a new passport. But the government will renew his passport only if he has necessary information and documents. But are the documents real? By reason of that, agencies could ask more money. OK, if you don't have the documents, no problem. Give me how much money. I'll apply for you. In this way, brokers will arise. In fact, it encourages brokers and agencies to enable them to ask more money." he said.  

Because those who want to renew their PJ and PS passports are asked to show certificates of having paid tax and income tax for six months must be paid in advance, the number of people who will go abroad illegally might increase, which some people review.

CNI News

24 October 2023

The Ministry of Labor has requested an opinion from the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) to increase the license insurance fee by three times from overseas employment agencies, the agencies told CNI News. 

The license insurance rates that will be increasingly collected are 1,000 lakh kyats from 250 lakh kyats for overseas employment agencies and 200 lakh kyats from 50 lakh kyats for overseas employment agencies (Thailand) reportedly.

Because the amount that will be collected was too much, there will be negotiation between the Ministry of Labor and the MOEAF, U Win Myint, managing director of Lucky Overseas Employment Agency told CNI News.

" The ministry has sent a letter to the MOEAF relating to the license insurance fee. MOEAF will hold a meeting and negotiate for the sake of its members. It depends on the decisions by the ministry and members. The members will pay as able as they can. The request that asks the members to pay within a period will be kind of. It will be a rate that both sides will accept. All is not doing very well in the economy for the time being and there is almost no demand at the moment. So many licenses have been granted, so there have been many competitors." said U Win Myint.

Those who are waiting in line in front of the Directorate of Labor

the rates of MOEAF that reported back to the ministry were 400 lakh kyats for overseas employment agencies and 100 lakh kyats for thai license, said an agency. 

To raise the license fee was decided at the Overseas Employment Supervisory Committee Meeting held in July and at the MOEAF meeting held in September reportedly.

Because not every agency was okay, some of agencies would not convenient to pay the amount that the ministry has raised, agencies pointed out. Moreover, because there are unscrupulous agencies, they could collect more service charge by reason of rising license fee, Ko Thar Gyi helping migrant workers told CNI News.

" By reason of raising to 1,000 lakh kyats from 250 lakh kyats for license fee, some agencies can exploit Myanmar migrant workers. There are many agencies that don't take responsibility and accountability. We have to watch whether some agencies will raise their service charges or not. Many unscrupulous agencies are collecting 14 to 20 lakh kyats for service charges even though three lakh has been designated. By reason of raising license insurance fee, some agencies probably will raise their service charges from ignorant villagers who will go abroad for work. At a time when you can't get a job easily, raising service charges is not suitable." he said, 

There were over 300 licensed overseas employment agencies in 2021 in Myanmar and but at present, nearly 470 licensed agencies.

CNI News

24 October 2023

Myeik islands tourism industries in Tanintharyi Region that have been suspended for over two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic have restarted, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. Currently, tourists have entered Myeik islands reportedly.

Mainly because Kawthaung-Ranong border gate has been opened, Myeik islands trips have restarted, an official from the directorate of hotel and tourism in Dawei District told CNI News.

Myeik Islands

" Kawthaung-Ranong border gate had been closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because the border gate has been opened since March, 2023, day trippers from the Thai side come here. And there are also guests who will come by motor-boat. Moreover, there are also guests who will come by yacht. They all mainly visit Myeik island. It has reopened during the tourist season, some local tourism companies are advertising. Because Myeik islands trips had been closed for about two and a half years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a bit difficult for us to reach the situation before the Covid-19 pandemic. We have expected we will be able to reach gradually the situation before the Covid-19 pandemic." he said.

Myeik island trips contain Themee Hla, Lay Kyon, Don Waterfall, Don Nyaung Hmaing, Smart Island, Padan Island, Kyelleik and so on reportedly. Although Myeik trips are being arranged, because of too much expenses for accommodation, travel and food, tourist arrival might be few, U Arka, a tourism entrepreneur from Myeik City, told CNI News.

Myeik Islands

" Transportation charges and commodity prices are costly. And charge for electricity use is also expensive. So, hotels can't reduce the price. You can go there if you have 6 to 7 lakh kyats before the Covid-19. Now you'll have to spend about 13 lakh for the fuel. It will cost you about 20 lakh kyats altogether including service charges. So, the number of the guests who can spend that much is just few. If you come by flight, flight fare will cost you 2 lakh kyats. Round trip will cost four hundred thousand. So, people are going to Shan State, Bagan, Inle and Chaungtha. But wealthy people might come to Myeik islands. It's not convenient to come by car because battles are taking place. So, guests who will come may be less." he said.

As Myeik islands trips, it will cost 2 lakh kyats each from Lay Kyun to Thamee Hla Island, 2.5 lakh kyats each from Don Waterfall to Smart Island, 3 lakh kyats each from Smart Island to Padan Island and 3.5 lakh kyats each from Kyelleik to Smart Island, according to tourism industries.

There are over 800 islands in Myeik region and Over and underwater scenes can be viewed and Salon ethnicity can be studied as well.