CNI News
16 December 2023

The Hnownbu and the Tron I Byuhar Hills are strategically important to the security and economy of Myanmar, said political and military analysts.

The Arakan Army (AA) stated that it captured the Tron I Byuhar Hill on 4th December, and Hnownbu Byuhar Hill on 10th december, military bases of the Tatmadaw.

The bases are located in Paletwa Township, Chin State and they are on a strategic path that can trade with India and Bangladesh. The Tatmadaw had strongly built those bases and the AA might have lost to an extent, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

" The AA might have paid a lot in order to capture the Tron I and Hnownbu bases. It looks like many lives have been paid. It was also reported that a military strategist from the Tatmadaw. The bases can also become big killing fields. It is very dangerous to the AA. It is necessary to negotiate at a time like this. Senior officials will have to think about it." he said.

Paletwa Town

The importance of the two bases is that they are the places to control the Kaladan Project of Myanmar and India. Because of its ability to capture these bases, the AA was able to control the project, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" These bases have controlled the Kaladan River Project. The AA has already captured these bases, so it has been able to control the project. In order to implement India's eastern leaning policy, the two bases are important. Now that the AA has captured the bases, the military council has nothing to carry out the projects with India." he said.

However, because the Tatmadaw will launch a counter offensive to recapture the bases, it will be difficult for the AA to control the bases for long, said military analysts.

While seein Tron I Village along the Kaladan River

" The military bases that the AA has captured are the places that can control the border areas with India and Bangladesh including Kaladan and Paletwa. In other words, the bases have controlled all the roads going to northern India. But later, negotiation might be needed for the AA. If the Three Brotherhood Alliance negotiation with the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State was convenient for the AA and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a bilateral agreement relating Paletwa region containing border areas with India and Bangladesh might arise." said Dr.Aye Maung.

The battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA resumed on 13th November. And then the battles spread to Paletwa Township, Chin State.

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

CNI News

16 December 2023

Revolutionary forces would go until they reach the goal, combining Spring Revolution with the Operation-1027 that was being waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA), U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council held talks with the Three Brotherhood Alliance in Kunming, China through the Chinese mediation to stop battles a few days ago.

Three Brotherhood Alliance stated on 12th December that it would carry out in cooperation with the entire people until they reach the common goal. According to the statement released by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, they had kept their promise that they would take part in the Spring Revolution to the end, U Than Soe Naing told CNI News.

While showing that Chin Shwe Hao town has been controlled by the MNDAA

" The Three Brotherhood Alliance will combine their operation-1027 with the Spring Revolution and because they have confirmed again that they will take part in attempts to eradicate the military dictatorship until they reach the goal. So, we have understood that the public has nothing to worry about the rumors and news that emerged. It's an effective step politically." he said.

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State since the Operation-1027 was launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance on 27th October.

The Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) also have participated in the Operation-1027.  

While seeing comrades from the BPLA

However, if the Tatmadaw used its reserve forces, the Three Brotherhood Alliance's troops would retreat, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" They must say that it is a common goal because the TNLA and the AA had to attack the Tatmadaw in Theinni, Naunghkio and Lashio to cut the path so that the MNDAA could capture Chin Shwe Haw and Kunlong. When the MNDAA achieves his goal, it cannot say that it will no longer participate. It must say so ethically. In fact, the Tatmadaw has not yet used strategic reserve forces. I don't know why. If the Tatmadaw use them, the Three Brotherhood Alliance will retreat." said Dr.Aung Myo.

Due to the Three Brotherhood Alliance's operation, the battles have been breaking out severely since 27th October and there are heavy weapons fire and airstrikes.

CNI News
16 December 2023

when the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) started raiding Tarlawgyi Village, Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, where Shanni nationalities live on 5:00 a.m on 15th December, it was fighting against the Lisu Militia.

While the KIA has raided the village, it was fighting, using Shanni people as human shield without letting them leave the village, the Shanni Nationalities Unity Association (SNUA) stated.

And then, the Tatmadaw from Myitkyina also was fighting against the KIA with heavy weapons and airstrikes, and heavy weapon rounds were falling and exploding near the village, said in the statement.

The KIA force

" The KIA, Lisu militia and the military council taking part in the armed conflict need to pay respect to the international humanitarian law (IHL) and the international human rights law (IHRL), and we demand the KIA, Lisu militia and the military council not to fight, using Shanni people as human shield, deploying in the buildings where Shanni people live, schools, hospitals and religious buildings, and not to attack these places as military targets and to let the Shanni people leave for safety " said in the statement.

Tarlawgyi is a historical village where the Shanni people have lived for generations and it is a village that has repeatedly been forcibly recruited by the KIA as well. There is much concern that there will be incidents of human rights violations during the current armed conflict and all the situations will be monitored and recorded, said the SNUA on 15th December.

According the 2014 census-taking, there were 3,410 men and 3,469 women in Tarlawgyi Village.

CNI News

15 December 2023

More and more financial frauds have increased among Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, those who are helping Myanmar people there told CNI News. 

Scammers are mainly lying in the matters relating to employment and evidence documents, U Barbu Gyi, a person helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" Many financial frauds are taking place in Malaysia. Mainly, It is Myanmar people who are causing trouble to other Myanmar people. Some Myanmar people call other Myanmar people, saying that they would get jobs. And then, they are put in one place together. And then, they are made to ask money from Myanmar. It's like kidnapping. They are doing like rogues." he said.

This is because Myanmar people are very gullible and act without considering the possibility or impossibility of a matter, pointed out the people helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

Because employments have been currently scarce in Malaysia and difficulties have arisen, financial frauds probably have increased.

Because the jobs are scarce at present, scammers take the victims to a place after asking 500 to 1,000 ringgits, saying where there are jobs. But when the victims arrived there, there is no job. They get into trouble. If you have a passport, you can apply for a work permit. 

“Scammers forge passports and lie, asking 1,500 to 3,000 ringgits. Soon after the Covid-19 pandemic, new labors were needed. Anyone was employed. But After a new government took power, new labors are recruited according to only G2G agreement. 

Especially, labors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines are recruited, but Myanmar workers are not included. There, those who with work permits get jobs. Most Myanmar workers without the permits have been jobless." said U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director of the Center for Arakan Refugees, to CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

Arrests have increased than before in Malaysia, according to the people helping Myanmar people. Moreover, because a lot of the Covid-19 infections has also significantly reoccurred in the last few days, Malaysian Ministry of Health has requested to resume Covid-19 protective measures.

So, Myanmar workers in Malaysia should follow the Covid-19 protective measures, suggested the people who are helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens in Malaysia.

CNI News

15 December 2023

Myanmar embassies in South Korea and Singapore have stated that when Myanmar expatriates renew their passports at the embassy concerned, they must pay the income tax at the same time. 

The Myanmar Embassy in South Korea has stated that Myanmar expatriates holding PJ (passport for job) holders and PB (passport for business) holders who will renew or have already renewed their passports could pay the income tax for the periods that they wanted to pay.

" A passport is essential to you when you are in a foreign country. People are not very satisfied when they have to pay the income tax suddenly. They are not satisfied with the one-sided statement that was released without study and inquiry in advance. But the passport is essential. They need to renew their passports. They must hold the passports. Only if they have the passports, will they get visas. They have to pay the income tax every six months. They have to pay 32,000 or 33,000 wons for a month as the income tax, I think but I'm not sure. Anyone doesn't come to the embassy separately to pay the income tax." said Ko Khant Nay Kyi, in charge of the center for supporting migrant workers in Busan, to CNI News.

Myanmar Embassy in South Korea

Myanmar embassy in Singapore has been collecting the income tax from Myanmar nationals there since 12th December and only if they have already paid the income tax, will they be able to renew their passports and to carry out other cases, said the statement. 

If Student Pass holders can submit a letter of proof that they are currently attending school, they will be exempted from income tax. Moreover, if taxpayers' spouses, parents and children can present a household list, birth certificate and marriage contracts, they can extend as dependents.

Those who will go back to Myanmar will need to bring letters of recommendation that they have already paid the income tax or that they are dependents or students, said in the statement released by Myanmar Embassy. 

So, Myanmar embassies in other countries will issue statements to ask income tax, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers.

However, some Myanmar migrant workers are working in Thailand with their passports while others are working without passports but with other documents. So, those with passports are asked to pay the income tax and those without passports probably will be collected in another form, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar migrant workers

" Baht pink cards which allow you to stay and work are attached to CI (certificate of identity). CI must be applied up to now. CI is issued by the Myanmar government. So, Myanmar citizens need to pay the income tax. If you can stay and work with the documents Thai authorities have issued, you might not pay the income tax. Migrant workers demanded to get a pink card or work permit not very long ago, saying that it would be convenient for them if they had those cards." he said.

U Myint Naung, Union Minister for Labor, explained to Myanmar migrant workers about remittance of 25 percent of the salary to their families in Myanmar and paying 2 percent of the income as the income tax when he met with Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand on 9th December Myanmar migrant workers have to pay the 2 percent of the basic salary to the government as the income tax. 

Moreover, if you renew your PJ (passport for job) and PS (Passport for seaman) or apply for a new passport, you will need to present a certificate of tax clearance in Myanmar, according to the department of internal revenue.

CNI News

15 December 2023

According to the budget information released by the Ministry of Planning and Finance of the State Administration Council in October, the budget deficit is about eight billion kyats for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 

Although there is an annual budget deficit every year, the budget deficit of this year may be more than those of previous years, said business people.

This year, military spending is already rising due to armed conflicts and the government's tax revenue would decrease, pointed out economic commentators.

The action of the central bank to fill the budget deficit must be monitored and the government might counter the budget deficit by collecting tax from expatriate workers and collecting increased taxes from local entrepreneurs, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" There are many ways to fill the shortage of money.  The government can raise taxes. Now it is collecting tax from Myanmar expatriate workers. It should be done as well. But instabilities affect production. The ability to pay taxes is reduced. That's something you should think about. Another thing is to watch how the Central Bank will supply." he said.

While people are waiting in line to buy fuel

The China-Myanmar border trade has almost been suspended for over a month due to the battles breaking out in northern Shan State. Therefore, businessmen point out that there may be a deficit in trade as well. 

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce, there has already been a trade deficit because the volume of imports is greater than exports in the China-Myanmar border trade this year in comparison with the same period last year. 

Despite being able to export goods worth more than 1,543 million US dollars from April to 1st December of the 2022-23 budget year, Myanmar was able to export goods worth 1,430 million US dollars only during the same period of the 2023-24 budget year. 

However,Although Myanmar imported goods worth 277 million US dollars during the same period in 2022, the goods worth 988 million US dollars were imported this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce. 

Trade deficit caused the demand for foreign currency. So, difficulties relating to the fuel which is imported from abroad have arisen in the country, pointed out businessmen.

So, the government was carrying out a plan to put the foreign currencies which have illegally arrived in Myanmar into legal accounts, an anonymous businessman told CNI News.

While seeing an armed force

" The main problem that has resulted from the trade deficit is the fuel crisis. When the foreign currency is in demand, as the Central Bank can't sell the US dollar, it's been difficult in the fuel business. We need foreign currencies on the list that can be legally accepted. But all the dollars that you have cannot be remitted to a Singaporean Bank because there are accounts that are banned or blacklisted. There is black money in every country. Mainly, it's a bit difficult for payment if trade has not been legally done. We need to send a lot of dollars to Singapore so that we can buy things with accounts." he said.

For example, if goods worth 100,000 dollars were exported, fuel worth 100,000 dollars could be bought, he explained.

" For example, Myanmar has exported goods worth 100,000 dollars, fuel worth 100,000 dollars can be imported from abroad. There are dollars earned illegally not through official trade. You cannot put these dollars in the market. They are the money the government has controlled. As it would be convenient if there are exports, it's necessary to buy exports a lot. Buying a lot of exports is not because of wanting money but to get legal money." he added.

Successive governments often counter the budget deficit by borrowing from the Central Bank, selling Treasury bonds as well as borrowing from abroad. Although there are trade deficits and budget deficits every year, they have not reached a serious situation. 
However, it might be difficult to import goods from abroad if the budget deficit comes to increase.

If it is difficult to import the fuel that the public essentially has to be using, the commodity prices surely will rise. So, the government needs to systematically settle the problem, said economic commentators.

CNI News

14 December 2023

The political community is reviewing if the meeting between the State Administration Council and the three northern groups aka the Three Brotherhood Alliance _ the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) change the revolution. 

The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met in Kunming, China to stop battles through the Chinese mediation.

He wanted all the stakeholders to think about the stability for the entire country and the public also wanted a peaceful country, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP) told CNI News.

While seeing people fleeing from Laukkai City due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance

" I accept the peace. I want all the stakeholders to think about the peace and stability for the whole Myanmar. I want China and India to help think about. If the SAC bravely offered a political compromise that would end all armed conflicts, a good result could come out for Myanmar. If the result was wonderful, all the armed groups could transform into a great union army. Most of the stakeholder want the country to be a new stable, peaceful and developed country, I think. This period needs to be the one when we all hate the war. If a public desire for a new, stable and developed country arose and if the SAC and revolutionary leaders believed that now is the time they could leave a good legacy for the next generations and negotiate and consult, a new peace process can emerge strongly. If this happens, the public will welcome it with joy." said Dr.Aye Maung.

The battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance have been taking place severely since the Operation-1027 was launched by the TBA on 27th October. 

Due to these battles, the China-Myanmar border trade has suspended and most of locals are also fleeing to safety. 

If the battles stopped because of the discussion between the two sides, it would be convenient for the IDPs. And then if the roads and bridges could be reconstructed, it would be better for the border trade, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

While the houses were on fire due to heavy weapons in Theinni Town

" If there is less conflict, there will be less harm and death to the public. If China reconstructs the roads and bridges, it would be better for the IDPs and the public. If the IDPs had to displace for long, they would get into trouble in the cold season." he said.

The battles between the two sides have been breaking out severely although the operation waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been over one month long. The operation has been spreading to Kachin State, Sagaing and Mandalay Regions. In addition, the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA is breaking out in Rakhine and Chin States.

The delegates from the SAC's NSPNC and the Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed in Kunming, China on 10th December 2023 and agreed to the temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December 2023, according to the individuals close to the two sides.

CNI News

14 December 2023

The State Administration Council possibly invited armed groups to resolve through political means because it didn't want the country not to be destroyed, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party told CNI News. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council said on 4th December that Loikaw in Kayah State was destroyed due to battles and it was difficult to be reconstructed, and in sympathy with the fact that the local people were innocent victims amidst the battles, it would be necessary to find a political solution.

Rulers of the country were finding ways to solve the problem of towns and villages being damaged due to the current battles, said Dr.Aye Maung.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" You might not have sympathy for the victims of war if you had no experience of the war during the domestic conflict that has been 75 years long. The soldiers of the Tatmadaw will see the troubles more. They must have seen that their colleagues lost their lives when they had to fight because of orders without hatred. Towns and villages are being damaged. Because the parents were in trouble, they couldn't send their children to school. The food has run out. The people had to leave their native villages. The people had to flee to other countries as refugees. Due to the battles, Loikaw has been damaged in Kayah State and so has Thantlan in Chin State and so has Pauktaw in Rakhine State. Moreover, Namkham and Theinni in northern Shan State have been damaged as well. Rulers of the country will think about how to negotiate and discuss as an alternative." he said.

Armed conflicts have been taking place in the border areas due to political changes after 1st February 2021. After that, the armed conflict is taking place in the mainland area where the conflict had not broken out before. Solving the political problems by political means was better for both the country and the people, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) told CNI News.

While seeing leaders from the three northern alliance groups

" Solving political problems by political means is better for both the country and its people. If the battles are breaking out, fighters from both sides are all our citizens. The war expenses spent by both sides are also national funds. It will be best to discuss it at the table and settle it." he said.

The Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire from 11th to 31st December because of the Chinese mediation. 

Neighbouring Countries, some EAOs and political parties as well as the UN and ASEAN are trying to solve the domestic armed conflict.

CNI News

13 December, 2023

Because the fuel cannot be bought in Rakhine State at present, it is difficult to reap the rainfed paddy, and if the current situation continues, about half of the state's paddy may be wasted, according to the Rakhine State Farmers' Union.

The Rakhine State Administration Council has closed all entrances and exits to Rakhine State as well as all the roads and waterways inside the state due to the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) since 13th November. So, medicine, foodstuff and fuel are expensive and running out.

As the fuel has run out, rainfed paddy is being reaped by manpower. However, as the number of labors is few, now is the time beyond the period of harvesting paddy. So,  about half of rainfed paddy might be damaged, U Kyaw Zan, chairman of the Rakhine State Farmers Union, told CNI News.

"Although the fuel is not available at a time like this, we have to work as able as we can. Farm workers have been quite scarce. When we are depending on machines, as there is no fuel, we are finding it difficult. If the current situation goes on, about half of paddy probably will be wasted. Or farmers will make a loss due to the quality degrade. The products might not reach the market." he said.

While the paddy is being harvested by manpower

Fuel cannot be bought in most of the townships in Rakhine State and the price of diesel is between 30,000 and 50,000 kyats per liter in the townships where fuel can be bought. The paddy that was reaped beyond the harvesting period cannot be changed into rice, but into broken rice only. So, most of Rakhine farmers. can make a loss reportedly.

Therefore, more and more farmers will desert their farms in the coming rainfed paddy season, U Khin Maung Than, a farmer from Kyauktaw Township, told CNI News.

" The people in Rakhine State suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclone Mocha and the civil war one year after another. We will find it more difficult next year. More and more farmers will desert their farms, I think." he said.

The rainfed paddy cultivation area is about 800,000 acres this year and it is grown most in Mrauk U and Kyauktaw Townships. 

Of the paddy currently grown, if half of the paddy was damaged, the townships in Rakhine State where the paddy is not grown a lot would need rice badly, according to the Rakhine State Farmers Union.