CNI News

10 October 2023

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) agreed not to make the battles break out between the two sides, whicn could reduce human rights violation on the people, said Lway Chee Sangar, spokesperson of the Ta'ang Women Organization (TWO), to CNI News. 

If a battle broke out, it was the people who would suffer first and the people would benefit from the agreement of the two allies, she said.

" If the coordination of the two sides goes well, it is good for the public because if a battle break out, the people will suffer first. If they go on staying like allies, the people can live peacefully, I hope. If the fighting is reduced, human rights violation on the public will decrease." she said to CNI News.

Some battles ensued between TNLA and SSPP in Mai Yulay region, Kutkai Township, northern Shan State on 23 September 2023. 

The TNLA Force

After that, leaders from the two sides met and discussed on 6th and 7th October and agreed to negotiate and solve if there were any problems and to mutually observe the political and military agreements that had been agreed as well as to collaborate so as to quickly succeed in national liberation and revolutionary activities reportedly.

If a battle broke out, several locals would be killed and locals would have to displace, and the agreement was good for the locals, said U Kham Nyunt, vice chairman of the Ta'ang Literature and Culture Organization, to CNI News.

" It's good for locals because a battle that breaks out whether between the two ethnic armed organizations or between the Tatmadaw and an EAO hurt the local people at last. As soon as a battle starts, locals have to displace. Some of them are killed. We don't want battles." he said.

The battles broke out between the two allies, SSPP and The TNLA in September 2023.

CNI News
8 October 2023

Increasing the production of agricultural and livestock products is the first priority, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

He said the above after seeing the implementation of Thilawa Multi-Purpose Farming Zone on 7 October 2023.

"After calculating daily consumption of meat and fish of the population in Yangon Region, livestock products have to be produced in order to meet the demand and in relation to breeding egg laying hen and duck, after calculating the number of eggs and laying period, a batch breeding system must be used to ensure that there is no shortage of eggs." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

It was necessary to calculate and perform to make other animal breeding sustainable. Moreover, it was also necessary to breed beef cattle successfully. And then research on farm cattle, crossbred cattle and local cattle should be done and it was necessary to obtain cattle breeds with good yield of beef.

Besides, continuous extraction of cattle fodder in growing cattle fodder, systematic harvesting and use of cow dung as fertilizer were needed, he said.

Agricultural and livestock industries must be carried out not only by traditional methods but also modern methods, and officials concerned must manage to obtain inputs required sufficiently, said chairman of the SAC.

It was necessary to solve the labor shortage problem by machines. And fertilizer required has bee allowed to import from abroad so as not to make the yield decline because of insufficient fertilizer.

Besides, if farmers could plant more than twice a year, their income could increase, he added.

" Increasing production of agricultural and livestock products is the first priority. Roads and transportation are fast and smooth in Yangon Region which is in a situation that agricultural and livestock industries can be performed successfully. The main requirement is to work really and the government must create situations that people can work." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Although Myanmar is an agricultural country, due to political crisis that arose after 1 February 2021, armed conflicts have broken out across the country and they are damaging agricultural and livestock industries.

Because many youths have gone abroad for work due to the armed conflicts, the workers for agricultural industry have been scarce. Moreover, because inputs have been expensive, agricultural industry has been weak.

CNI News
8 October 2023

Myanmar truck drivers and their helpers have been given temporary border pass (TBP), one time use cards, and  Myanmar trucks can directly enter Wanding Town in the Chinese side through Kyin San Kyawt border trade gate, according to the fruit commodity depot.

TBP cards will be issued to Myanmar drivers and helpers starting from 6th October, 2023 reportedly. If Myanmar truck drivers are allowed to drive directly into the Chinese side, the shunting system-replacing Myanmar truck drivers with Chinese counterparts will die out and the delivery of goods will also be faster and other expenses will also be reduced, said Ko Kyaw Kyaw Aung, a trader from Kyin San Kyawt gate, to CNI News.

"They have announced TBP cards will be issued. But it is not yet known to what extent it will be issued. If the TBPs are issued, expenses will be reduced and delays will be greatly reduced." he said.

Trucks which arrived at the Chinese-Myanmar border gates were being checked during the Covid-19 pandemic

Although Myanmar truck drivers were allowed to drive directly into the Chinese side before the Covid-19 pandemic, Myanmar drivers were replaced with Chinese drivers since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

" I haven't applied the TBP card. If necessary, I must apply. It is safer for the goods in the truck if you drive yourself. We can go till Ruili and stay for a week. And expenses could be reduced for traders." said Ko Thant Zin, a truck driver from Muse, to CNI News.

Fruit wholesalers need to send the personal data and information of drivers and helpers to the Muse fruit commodity depot one day in advance reportedly.

Kyin San Kyawt-Wanding border trade gate is mainly important for the Chinese-Myanmar border trade and Myanmar fruit including watermelon and mango are mainly exported to China through this gate.

CNI News
8 October  2023

Maritime interests must be protected by coast guards, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

He said the above at the 2nd anniversary ceremony of Myanmar Coast Guard formation.

Myanmar Coast Guard was formed on 6 October 2021 and it is two years old on 6 October 2023.

" Because the Coast Guard has been formed already, it must focus on maritime law enforcement and humanitarian aid sectors. Moreover, the guard will be responsible for marine search and rescue and marine environmental protection." he said.

In order to fully protect the nation's maritime territory and coast, in addition to the navy, it was considered that there should be a Coast Guard that could mainly carry out maritime law enforcement duties, and preparations were made and he had to spend time studying other countries' coast guard structures, he said.

The Coast Guard are to mainly serve the duties of maritime law enforcement along the coastline and within the nation's maritime territory as well as humanitarian assistance obligations, said chairman of the SAC.

CNI News
7 October 6 2023

AA (the Arakan Army) is carrying out expecting to build a nation beyond a confederation status, said Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, to CNI News.

Not only AA but also KIA (the Kachin Independent Army) has expected to build the Wang Pao Country. And according to the geopolitics, Rakhine is in a situation that can build an independent nation, he added.

" KIA has expected to build the Republic of Wang Pao and AA has aimed to build the Arakan State. AA wants to build an independent State because Rakhine people have a history that they lived in a country of their own. By looking at AA going to confederate by reason of federalism, its real ambition is obviously to build an independent nation. According to political geography, Rakhine is in a situation that can build an independent State as a small country. And it has population, geography and sea outlet necessary to build a nation. But Rakhine and Bamar come from the same race according to anthropology except for a little different accent between them. The relationship between Arakan and Burmese is too close. In fact, it can't be separated. Such a situation happened." said Dr.Aung Myo.

The AA Force

In the call for applications to serve in various courts and law offices under the Justice Department of the Arakan Government on 1 October 2023, a point that an applicant must be loyal to the Arakan State and the Arakn People's Government was included.

At present, AA is building administration, legislation and judiciary in Rakhine State reportedly. Moreover, other ethnic groups also are implementing different types of administration and they have arisen depending the current political and military situations, said U Kun Gawng Awng Kham, a Kachin politician.

"It also depends on their perception and how widely they can do. Not only Rakhine but also Karenni has formed councils. Besides, other ethnic groups might follow them. When the civil war breaks out, various situations have arisen." he said.

The AA Force

Myanmar democracy activists are waging the Spring Revolution to overthrow the Tatmadaw after the State power was taken by the Tatmadaw on 1 February 2021.

 At present, ethnic groups are testing and building different types of administration and when the Spring Revolution is successful, these issues must be resolved, said U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, to CNI News.

"Ethnic groups are testing and building different administration types that we see in many places. These are the cases that we have to discuss about when the military council's dictatorship is abolished. I have no comment about it." he said.

The Arakan Army (AA) was formed in April 2009 and took a foothold in Paletwa Township, Chin State when the revolution started and then it began to penetrate into Rakhine State reportedly.

The battles broke out again between the AA and the Tatmadaw in August 2022 after two years of ceasefire. And then, in consideration of the loss of the local community, the two sides agreed to cease fire on 26 November 2022.

CNI News
7 October 2023

Migrant workers including Myanmar who have registered in the name list in Thailand will be allowed to stay there until 2025, according to the decision of the meeting of Thai labor Ministry.

The nomination of the migrant workers in Thailand was allowed to register until the end of July and about one million migrant workers nominated reportedly.

" The name list alone is not enough. Work permit must be applied. The meaning of the name list is that for example, Ko Thar Gyi is working for Daw Phyu Phyu. And then Ko Thar Gyi must apply for work permit in October. So, if you have a work permit, you will be a legal worker. You don't need passport until 2025. With a work permit alone, if you are allowed to work without passport and CI, so much the better. I hope so. Because we are not sure how the plans will be changed, we have to watch a lot." said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping Myanmar migrant workers, to CNI News.

Myanmar citizens who are applying for residence permit

There are about one million migrant workers including Myanmar who have registered in the name list in Thailand at present and they will be allowed to stay until 13th February 2025 if they finish the processes that they have to go on performing.

Although migrant workers have been allowed to stay and work for over one year only, the allowance might be extended later, said the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers.

Thai relevant departments have not released any statements in relation to the process that is to be performed. Moreover, the role of brokers will be involved, said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from FED, to CNI News.

Myanmar citizens who are applying for residence permit

" When you are allowed to work, it won't cost you a lot because you don't have to have a medical checkup and do others. But most of the workers work with brokers. You have to pay fully brokerage. In fact, most of the workers are not in the name list. Brokers have taken the brokerage until CI book is got." he said.

Moreover, visa fee has been reduced from 2,000 to bahts and the workers with MoU expired are allowed to stay and work until April 2024 reportedly.

CNI News

6 October 2023

Myanmar agriculture needs to change all aspects including policy, technology, machines, ability to manufacture finished products and to find buyers so that it will be able to keep abreast of its neighboring countries, said agricultural experts to CNI News. 

Although Myanmar has land, water and seeds necessary for agriculture, its agricultural sector has not developed as much as its neighboring countries, pointed out agricultural experts.

When farmers do business of agriculture, they mainly need buyers and if there was no buyer, they could get into debt, said Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor to CNI News.

" Fortunately at present, Thailand is buying Myanmar corn. They are buying officially or from the black market according to the necessity of their country. Corn is grown on more acres. But if Thailand suddenly stop buying Myanmar corn, where shall we export the corn to? We need marketing. And then we need technology. After that, the production will obviously increase. It is not difficult for us to sell if we firmly have more than one market. Number one is market and No.2 is technology." he said.

Although Myanmar's neighboring countries are using technologies and machines in agriculture, Myanmar farmers have not been able to use them widely. 

While seeing onions

So, it is necessary to support the farmers technologically. After organizations are formed for farmers, if the government issued long-term loans at low interest rates, Myanmar agriculture can improve to an extent within three to five years, suggested agricultural experts.

There should be a minimum market guarantee for farmers, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association to CNI News. 

" There isn't any guarantee for farmers how much they will get at least for the the crops they produce. Although relevant organization has designated the basic reference price, in practice it's necessary to have buyers at that price. When the rice paddy appears, their rice paddy is bought at a lower price than it is worth. The price goes up in June, July, August, September, October when the farmers have no rice paddy and when the traders and rice mill owners have the rice paddy. Farmers don't enjoy the benefit." he said.

While Myanmar farmers are ploughing

Moreover, in stead of 65 percent of export earnings, only 50 percent are paid by kyat. This policy cause a barrier for the development of a sector and it should be reformed, pointed out experts.

Thailand buys Myanmar agricultural products as raw materials and manufactures finished products and export them to other countries from which it earns foreign currency. So, Myanmar can manufacture finished products from its raw materials, it can develop more, said Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor to CNI News.

" If you sell something as a raw material, you cannot earn as much as a finished product. Almost all the crops from Myanmar are going abroad as raw materials. So, there is no market guarantee. We cannot sell at a reasonable price. So, the lives of farmers cannot improve. So, we should manufacture finished products. For example, rubber is produced here up to RSS 1 size at the highest level. In fact, it hasn't been a finished product. If we can upgrade to the next stage, we can export it to the country that needs directly. That's why we need technology, infrastructure and capital investment. And then, our foreign income will increase." said Ko Zaw Min Naing.

Because the current political situation has not been stable, it is not easy to reform the agricultural sector from all sides. So, the policy that can be reformed should be reformed first, said agricultural experts.

CNI News

6 October 2023

Arming militia worsens conflict, said Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) to CNI News. 

Arming militia can accelerate the current conflict and the conflict could not be reduced sort of and it was necessary to help the IDPs that arose from the conflict, he said.  

"This is a nationwide policy of the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw armed the militia in northern Shan State to fight against the TNLA. In the same way,an it armed the Shanni militia to fight against the KIA/PDF joint forces. There are many militias in southern Shan State such as the Pa-O militia and the Homein militia. These, after all, can accelerate the conflict which cannot be reduced. When the conflict cannot be reduced, NCA signatories have to be providing the IDPs who arisen from the conflict with food, medicine and security. The NCA signatories want just peace and no conflict. So, they have a little chance to deal with the bad consequences of the conflict. They are looking for humanitarian assistance." said Khun Okka.

While the Tatmadaw is arming the Banmauk Myoma Militia

The Tatmadaw is training and arming the militias across the country and for the time being, it is arming the Namhkam Myoma militia in northern Shan State, the militias in Bago Region, the Banmauk Myoma militia in Sagaing Region. 

The Tatmadaw is training and arming the militias in Banmauk and the Banmauk militias are conducting security patrols, said a Banmauk resident to CNI News.

" The other day, I saw militias or Pyu Saw Hti who were conducting a patrol. They had held semi-auto rifles. Only corporals had held automatic rifles. They are about 20 forces. The uniform is not like the military green. it is a little yellowish color. Their boots were not muddy." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is meeting with leaders of the militias in northern Shan State

The Tatmadaw and locals needed to cooperate for the territorial security and the Tatmadaw needed to fully arm the militias who were trained, said Min Zay Thant, leader of the Shaduzut militia, to CNI News.

“A lot of help from the local people who know the local geography very well are needed for the territorial security. The region will be peaceful if the locals hold the weapons with maintaining discipline in collaboration with the Tatmadaw. It is mainly necessary to hold the weapons systematically. The militias need modern weapons. Currently, we are facing with the enemy who has a lot of arms and ammunitions in our region." he said.

At present, There are community-based militia, indigenous militia and the militia that transformed from EAOs and they are conducting joint operations with the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

6 October 2023

Although the basic reference price has been designated as 1,300,000 to 1,500,000 kyats for 100 baskets of rice paddy, because traders and rice mills buy rice paddy at the price under basic reference price, farmers are unavoidably selling at the price under basic reference rate reportedly.

Although Myanmar Rice Federation has designated 1,300,000 to 1,500,000 kyats for 100 baskets of Aemahta rice paddy, a kind of rough rice, traders and rice mills pay only at the price under basic reference rate by reason of transportation charges. Basic reference price is the one for the rice paddy that arrives at the mill.

So, farmers currently get only between  1,200,000 and 1,300,000 kyats for 100 baskets due to the transportation charges, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News.

"They buy rice paddy at that price when it arrives at the mill. Transportation charges depend on the distance or on easiness or difficulty. So, some farmers get only 1,200,000 kyats. Some get 1,300,000 kyats. The highest price some farmers get is 1,400,000 kyats." he said.

People reaping rice paddy

Although 100 baskets of rice paddy are designated as 46 pounds according to international standard, 100 baskets are designated as 50 to 55 pounds and being bought in practice. 

At present, it is the period when Aemahta, type of rough rice appear and Aemahta is being bought in 18 townships in Ayeyarwady Region including Kyangin, Myan aung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Kyaunggon, Hinthada, Zalun, Danubyu, Kyonpyaw, Einme and Pantanaw.

Because the Myanmar Rice Federation has designated the basic reference price, it is responsible to take action against the purchasing at the price under the basic reference price, said a farmer from Hinthada Township to CNI News. 

" It depends the yield of rice paddy. If the yield is less, we make a loss. Inputs such as fertilizer are expensive. Harvest fees are also about 1,300,000 kyats. If the practical price is under 1,300,000 kyats, who will be responsible for that. If a statement is released, those who release the statement need to take responsibility. If there's no action, who will comply?" he said.  

Although the current price is beneficial to farmers, the farmers whose rice paddy yield is less can make a loss, said farmers.

Moreover, most of the farmers are facing with lots of losses due to heavy rain this year.