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CNI News
7 Feb 2023
What should be done and who or which organizations should participate in the process to resolve the current political crisis in Myanmar have been hotly debated in the political circle.
Such an environment calls for dialogue by all stakeholders, Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.
He said, "If all stakeholders are permitted to participate in dialogue, we will achieve an outcome. The dialogue might be held between individuals and individual entities and finally dialogue of all stakeholders will take place. It is the best way to overcome the crisis."
Houses torched down in Chin State.
However, he didn't elaborate on individuals and entities that should participate in the dialogue.
At present, armed conflicts have engulfed the country and political, peace, economic and health conditions are deteriorating.
If authorities could implement good governance like the Communist Party of China, they would not need to negotiate with any other organizations, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.
He said, "If any government whether it is the USDP or the Tatmadaw can give attention to the people like the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China and implement better governance, it does not need to hold dialogue with any other organization. If the government take reform measures like addressing the injustices like land acquisition and enact laws that really serve the interest of the people or implement good governance like China, it doesn't need to hold talks either with the NLD or EAOs. I have never supported dialogue with EAOs. Reform I refer to is not the same as the reform measures taken by former president U Thein Sein."
The troops of the Karenni Army.
The ASEAN and some local political forces are trying to address the political crisis in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, fighting has broken out between the Myanmar military and joint forces of the PDF and ethnic armed organization in Kayin State, Chin State, Kayah (Karenni) State, Magway Region and Sagaing Region.
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CNI News
6 Feb 2023
Although there were concerns that transportation of commodities would be affected after the State Administration Council imposed martial law in 37 townships in 8 states and regions, commodity flows to the townships has not been hindered by the announcement, according to the Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Services Association.
No new restrictions have been imposed after the announcement of martial law and as a result, there have been no hindrance in transportation of goods to the townships, an official from the MHFTSA told the CNI.
He said, "We haven't received any reports of inconvenience as it is just the beginning of martial law and it is difficult to predict how it will affect us. We are still transporting commodities to the townships as usual."
Transportation of goods
Martial law has been imposed in 11 townships in Sagaing Region including Indaw, Banmauk, Kawlin, Pinlebu, Myaung, Salingyi, Pale, Yinmarbin, Khin-U and Taze townships, seven townships in Chin State including Teddim, Tong Zhang, Falam, Kanpetlet, Matupi, Thantlang, and Hakha townships, five townships in Magway Region including Gangaw, Htilin, Saw, Pauk and Myaing townships, five townships in Bago Region including Htantabin, Oakpo, Nattalin, Paungde and Paukkhoung townships, Ye Township in Mon State, Kyarinseikkyi and Kawkareik townships in Kayin State, Tanintharyi and Palaw townships in Tanintharyi Region and four townships in Kayah State including Demoso, Hpruso, Shadaw and Bawlakhe townships.
Even before the announcement of martial law, there were restrictions on transportation of goods and drivers had to pay fees at checkpoints.
The amounts of checkpoint fees have risen significantly than previously, according to an anonymous driver who has been transporting goods to Myitkyina.
Hakha scenes in Chin State
He said, "Despite the martial law announcement, as usual, we have to pay checkpoint fees. There are checkpoints in every township along the Myitkyina road. However, security has tightened a little and checkpoint fees have increased. We have to pay as much checkpoint fees as they ask for."
Highway transportation services are looking forwards to smooth transportation of goods as disruptions will lead to higher commodity prices for consumers.
Highway freight transportation services have called for smooth transportation of goods in the interest of the people, according to the association.
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CNI News
6 Feb 2023
The new political parties registration law enacted by the State Administration Council seems to create privilege to the wealthy, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.
As the law requires political parties that aim to contest elections in the entire country to deposit MMK 100 million registration fees at Myanmar Economic Banks and to open party offices in half of all the constituencies in the country, political parties have encountered financial problems, he added.
Political parties and the UEC hold discussions.
He told the CNI, "The law implies that those who are wealthy are allowed to political parties that can contest election in the entire country because the law requires political parties to deposit MMK 100 million, recruit 100,000 members and open offices in half of all constituencies in the country or in 165 townships. Political parties need large sums of money to open and operate offices in 165 townships. So, I think the law offers privilege to the wealthy."
The law stipulates that parties mobilizing in the entire union shall undertake to set up offices in at least half of all the townships in the union within 180 days from registration.
Wealthy businessmen and individuals are legally permitted to donate funds to political parties, Chairman Sai Aik Paung of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party told the CNI.
He said, "Our party doesn't have any funds. If wealthy people in the country want to donate funds to our white tiger party, please tell them to donate funds to us. Any citizens can donate funds to us. Even foreign registration certificate holders can donate funds to us. Any naturalized citizens can donate funds to us. Media companies can donate funds to us. Only foreigners and foreign organizations are prohibited from donating funds to political parties."
Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets political parties.
A political party will be successful when wealthy individuals and intellectuals cooperate, Chairman U Sein Win of the National United Democratic Party told the CNI.
He said, "In the history of Myanmar, wealthy businessmen and educated individuals cooperated in political parties during the independence struggle of General Aung San. If we can mobilize honest and wealthy businessmen, intellectuals and those who can devote themselves to political parties, we will be successful."
Similarly, the law requires political parties that mobilize in a certain state or region shall set up offices in at least five townships in that state or regions within 180 days after registration.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
Martial law was imposed in 17 townships in Sagaing Region and Chin State, according to statements issued by the State Administration Council on 2nd February.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
The State Administration Council imposed martial law in 19 townships in six states and regions on 2nd February.
Martial law was imposed in Magway, Tanintharyi and Bago regions and Mon, Kayin and Kayah states.
Martial law has been imposed in Gangaw, Htilin, Saw, Pauk and Myaing townships in Magway Region, Htantabin, Oakpo, Nattalin, Paungde and Paukkhaung in Bago Region, Tanintharyi and Pulaw townships in Tanintharyi Region, Yay Township in Mon State, Kawkareik and Kyarinseikkyi townships in Kayin State and Demoso, Shadaw, Fruso and Bawlake in Kayah State.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
Martial law was imposed in 17 townships in Sagaing Region and Chin State, according to statements issued by the State Administration Council on 2nd February.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand whose four- or six-year work permits expired before the outbreak of COVID-19 are required to renew theirs in a timely manner, labour activists told the CNI.
Thai authorities have extended the period for work permits for them until 15th May and such workers are required to renew theirs in time without fail.
Labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI, "It is important for them to have their passports renewed. If their passports are valid, their visas will be fully extended according to the law whether they are holding four- or six-year work permits. Thai authorities have extended period for renewal of work permits so that they have enough time to renew their passports. When they have their passports renewed, their employers will help them renew their work permits in some ways or others."
Migrant workers sent to Thailand under the MOU between the two countries.
Thai authorities first allowed Myanmar migrant workers to renew their work permits by 13th February but later extended the renewal period until May so that the workers have enough time to renew their passports.
Moreover, Thai authorities permitted about 60,000 MOU workers whose four-year work permits expired between 1st November, 2020 and 31st December, 2022 and about 50,000 MOU workers whose four-year work permits are going to expire between 1st January, 2023 and 31st July, 2023 to work temporarily for a period no longer than six months in Thailand.
Labour activists said that such extension of renewal period was to enable migrant workers to renew their passports.
Authorities inspect a factory during the outbreak of COVID-19.
MOU workers whose six-year work permits expired but passports were still valid had been allowed to renew their work permits for two years, they said.
Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, "Six-year work permit holders can choose between the two year permit authorities have granted them or another six-year permit if they are still working for the same employers through their agencies in both countries. Most four-year work permit holders are still working for their original employers, especially in Mahachai.
Moreover, it costs tens of thousands of Baht for migrant workers to renew documents including work permits, passports, visas in time through agents, according to labour activists.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
Vandalizing Shan traditional instruments like drums and gongs at Namnan Village in Homalin Township in Sagaing Region by the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces amounted to insulting and oppressing all Shan peoples, said a statement issued by the Shanni National Unity Association on 1st February.
At 10.10 am on 19th November, 2022, the traditional instruments were vandalized by joint forces of the KIA and the PDF while they were fighting with the Shanni National Army.
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CNI News
4 Feb 2023
Rice prices in the domestic market have increased by significant amounts ranging from MMK 5,000 to MMK 10,000 per bag, according to the sources in the rice market.
The rise in rice prices is attributed to the export demand, low stocks for domestic consumption and increases in rough rice prices.
Price rises for rough rice prompted the prices of fine grain rice like Shwebo Pawhsan and Ayeyarwady Pawhsan to follow suit, Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange told the CNI.
He said, "Rice price rose by MMK 4,000 per bag in the middle of January. Exporters were buying rice to meet their targets while the prices of rice for domestic consumption rose in small towns. Rice stock is running low because monsoon paddy has been sold out and summer paddy has not been harvested. Those who stored rice have sold out their stocks as they got higher prices. As a result, exporters were forced to pay higher prices and rice prices have risen by significant amounts ranging from MMI 5,000 to MMK 10,000 per bag. The prices of rough rice have risen by MMK 5,000 per bag while that of Pawhsan rice have increased by MMK 10,000 per bag."
Rice being sold at a shop
As rice prices are rising, the public has not hoarded rice and retailers have kept their stock low.
As rice is the staple food in Myanmar, its prices cannot be raised like other commodities because it would place a burden on consumers, Secretary U Aung Myint of the Myanmar Rice Merchants Association told the CNI.
He said, "It is beneficial for farmers but consumers but higher rice prices will place a burden on consumers. Rice prices cannot rise in the same way as gold, foreign currencies and fuel because it is the staple food of the country."
Currently, rice supply to the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange has decreased from 80,000 bags per day previously to only 30,000 bags per day, according to the rice exchange.
Rice being sold at a shop
Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Exchange told the CNI, "Local rice merchants raised prices after Shwebo rice prices rose in the earlier days. However, consumers do not buy rice at high prices. Everyone has been struggling to meet both ends and are forced to buy just enough rice to eat for a few days. So, the demand is low and prices are not likely to rise further. However, rice prices are higher at present this year than they were during the same period previous year.
Due to low stocks of monsoon paddy while summer paddy cannot be harvested, rice prices are likely to remain high at the current prices, according to rice merchants.
Amid high domestic rice prices, exporters who have signed contracts with importers are suffering losses and have been advised to ship rice to importers only after summer paddy has been harvested.