CNI News

30 Mar 2023

A Rakhine youth who was suspected in the death of a Thai national for 10 months has been acquitted, Labour Activist Ko Thein Tun of the Migrant Workers Rights Network, who has been helping the accused, told the CNI.

The youth is from Sittwe and faced trial since June, 2022 because his fingerprints were found at the scene of a murder of a Thai national at the Thai-Malaysia border. He was acquitted by a court of seven judges on 28th March, 2023.

He said, "The presiding judge said he had been acquitted. However, the prosecution can lodge an appeal against the decision within 30 days and he will have to wait. Ko Aung Ko Win will not be sent back to jail and will be detained at the Songkhla Province Police Station, which arrested him previously, because authorities do not have power to detain him in prison. The prosecution will decide whether to lodge an appeal against the court decision. So, we don't know when he can return home precisely. However, witness statements and evidence firmly showed that the case has nothing to do with him. The prosecution lawyers are very smart but they cannot provide firm evidence and witnesses. It is their weakness."

Ko Aung Ko Win and his lawyer.

Moreover, another suspect in the case, who has been sentenced to two years and three months for a human trafficking case, has also been acquitted of the murder case.

She is glad to hear that her son has been acquitted and she wants her son to come back home as soon as possible, Daw Than Kyi May, the mother of Ko Aung Ko Win, told the CNI.

She said, "It is the happiest day in my life. When he comes back, our family will lead a happy life together. I want him to come back to us today. I haven't heard his voice. I am sure he will come back after one month has passed. I would like to thank Ko Thein Tun, who offered help for the release of my son. We don't have anything to offer except expressing gratitude.

As the two suspects has been detained for ten months, compensation will be sought for them, Ko Thein Tun told the CNI.

Ko Aung Ko Win's lawyer and officials from the MWRN in front of the court.

He said, "As they detained Ko Aung Ko Win and Ko San Aye for ten months, we will seek compensation for them. We have asked them to sign the compensation forms, which we will complete them today and submit to the court. However, whether the court will grant compensation for them or not.

As the body of a Thai worker was found at the Thai-Malaysia border on 31 May, authorities detained more than 300 Myanmar migrants who were trying to enter Malaysia illegally for questioning. As his fingerprints were found at the crime scene, Ko Aung Ko Win was detained and charged with murder.

CNI News

30 Mar 2023

A low turnout is expected in the upcoming elections because the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy will not run for election, Political Observer U Ye Tun told the CNI.

Moreover, the security for political parties and candidates to run for election held by the State Administration Council is worrisome and they will not be able to campaign for votes comprehensively, he added.

NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said, "The NLD and the SNLD were the major parties that won most seats in the previous elections. They garnered the most votes. The SNLD enjoyed the largest support in Shan State while the NLD won the most votes in the entire country. So, the turnout is likely to be low. Under the current circumstances, the security for political parties and candidates is worrisome and they will not be able to campaign for votes comprehensively. The new government that will emerge from the upcoming elections will not be recognized by the people and the international community, especially by the US and the West."

The Union Election Commission announced on 28th March that 40 political parties including the NLD and the SNLD had been dissolved.

The SAC enacted a new political parties registration law, which requires political parties to re-register within 60 days.

Forty political parties decided not to re-register and were dissolved by the commission on 28th March.

a Union Election Commission Office.

In a democracy, elections must be held without fail and whether elections can be held properly or not is an important question, Director U Thein Tun Oo of the Institute for Strategic Studies told the CNI.

He said, "If democracy is to be exercised, we will have to go through elections without fail. So, the success of elections depends mainly on the turnout and whether they are held properly or not. I think if the SAC is able to hold elections and transfer power to the winning party, it will be able to perform its duties successfully. So, what is important is how smooth the process is.

Dissolved political parties are likely to join the political process when elections are free, fair and inclusive, U Ye Tun said.

He said, "Looking back at their histories, they are worried about losing public support if they cooperate with the military under politically unfair circumstances. They think it will be beneficial for them to join the political process when elections are free, fair and inclusive."

The SAC chairman said a general election would be held in 2023 and promised to transfer power to the winning party.

CNI News

29 Mar 2023

Labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand told the CNI they hoped that a new government that would address the migrant workers' issues would emerge from the elections in Thailand scheduled in May.

Thailand has scheduled to hold a general election on 14th May and political parties have been launching campaigns.

Labour activist U Min Oo from the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI that he wanted politicians and parties that would address migrant workers' issue, problems in neighbouring countries, human trafficking and transnational crimes to win the elections.

He said, "Although elections in Thailand are not directly concerned with us, they affect us indirectly because changes in leadership lead to changes in policies. So, it will affect our migrant workers in one way or another. Leaders and parties will persuade the Thai public to support them. Some leaders and parties have their own policies on migrant workers and regional stability because migrant workers are very important for the economy. Such issues will be priorities even if they are not top priorities and they will talk about them in their campaigns."

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

Labour activists believe that Thai people will elect the best government because they can no longer accept the current government.

During the term of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, migrant workers face a lot of difficulties and it will be beneficial for migrant workers if a civilian government emerges from the elections, they added.

Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migant Workers' Rights Network told the CNI, "Migrant workers have faced a lot of difficulties to get documents because there are many requirements for them. Migrant workers have to bear the brunt of the system. If a new government that the Thai people want most emerges from the elections, we will be able to enjoy democratic rights. If a democratic civilian government is elected by the people, migrant workers will see a better future."

 Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand.

Labour activists also hope that the new government will cooperate with civil society organizations in labour issues.

Thai news agencies have reported that the United Thai Nation Party led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and the Phue Thai Party led by a daughter of former prime minister Thaksin will have to compete against each other fiercely in the elections.

CNI News

29 Mar 2023

As it is said that Myanmar will be built into a federal democratic union, political observers have been wondering which will be prioritized between federalism and democracy.

Both the State Administration Council and the National Unity Government have been mobilizing ethnic armed ogranizations by vowing to build a federal democratic union. However, they do not explain the details as to which type of union they intend to build.

As Myanmar is a multi-ethnic country with different religious faiths, priority should be given to federalism, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He said, "Everyone is talking about democracy. Myanmar people will have to decide their own political fate. The main problem of Myanmar is the constitutional issues, which should not be underestimated. It is concerned with the identity of ethnic groups. Myanmar is a multi-ethnic state with different religious faiths. Frankly speaking, Myanmar is a union forcefully formed. How shall we form a union? Shall we follow the model of India? We need to take the policy negotiated by the then leaders when agreed to form a union into consideration. If so, we need to prioritize federalism, which guarantees equality of ethnic groups and self-determination. Democracy is something everyone has accepted and it should follow later."

A demonstration calling for democracy.

He added that democracy without federalism in Myanmar will not help overcome the crisis faced by the country.

Priority should be given to democracy and it has been promised that federalism desired by ethnic groups will be implemented later, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

U Than Soe Naing said, "Both federalism and democracy are important and cannot be separated. Without democracy, federalism cannot be implemented. Without federalism, democracy will not be stable. We need to establish democracy first to topple the military. At the same time, democratic forces have promised to fully implement federalism."

Democracy and federalism is the head and tail of a coin and victory will be achieved only when both of them are implemented at the same time, U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, told the CNI.

He said, "It has been arguing which should be prioritized between democracy and federalism for a long time. The issue has been resolved in an article. It say democracy and federalism are the head and tail of a coin and must be implemented at the same time. Neither is more important. It is necessary to implement both of the at the same time to achieve victory. It is food for thought."

An ethnic conference of EAOs in progress in July, 2016.

The nationwide ceasefire agreement stated that a union based on democracy and federalism will be built in accordance with the outcomes of the political negotiations.

Currently, the SAC and some EAOs are holding peace negotiations to build a federal union in the future.

Meanwhile, some ethnic groups are calling for formation of a Bamar state while other ethnic groups like Shanni, Pa-O, Ta'ang and Wa are demanding to establish their own states.

Currently, Myanmar is made up of seven regions, seven states, five self-administered zones, one self-administered division and the Nay Pyi Taw union territory.

CNI News

29 Mar 2023

Although there is a large number of passengers who are returning from Yangon to Sittwe for the Thingyan festival, only a few people travel from Sittwe to Yangon during the period. So, fares will be raised slightly, according to bus services.

This is because buses have to return from Sittwe to Yangon with only a few passengers.

Plans are underway to raise fares between MMK 5,000 to 10,000 per ticket to cover fuel costs as of 1 April, Chairman U Chan Aye of Sittwe Bus Services Supervisory Committee told the CNI.

He said, "A large number of people from Yangon will go to Sittwe but when buses return from Sittwe to Yangon, there are no passengers. As tickets have been sold in advance, buses have to return to Yangon with a few passengers or without any passengers. They cannot get more than ten passengers. So, bus fares will be raised a little to cover fuel costs. Ticket fares for Sittwe-Yangon trips will not be increased and will remain at MMK 50,500 and 55,000 per ticket as usual. However, tickets for Yangon-Sittwe trips will be raised as of 1 April.

A road junction on Yangon-Sittwe-Kyauktaw Highway.

Before the Thingyan festival, bus services have to rely not on passengers but on goods because only a few people travel to Rakhine State. As they cannot rely on transportation of goods during the festival, bus services have to raise ticket fares, a bus driver told the CNI.

He said, "Transporting passengers alone will not be profitable for bus services, so they have to rely on transportation of goods. As fuel prices are rising, they have to raise ticket fares by MMK 5,000 or MMK 10,000 to cover fuel costs. It is not profitable for bus services to sell tickets at prices set before fuel prices have skyrocketed. Moreover, they cannot get goods to be transported during the Thingyan festival. They need to cover the costs."

Ticket fares for Sittwe-Yangon trips will not be raised and are sold at previous prices. However, fares for Yangon-Sittwe trip will be raised from MMK 55,500 to MMK 65,500 per ticket as of 1st April.

However, ticket fares will be lowered again after the Thingyan festival, according to bus services.

A bus service operating between Yangon and Sittwe.

Tickets for those who return to their native towns have been sold in advance since the third week of May. A large number of people travel during the festival but bus services cannot increase the number of buses because of rising fuel prices. Some bus services have sold out all their tickets.

CNI News

28 Mar 2023

As authorities have seized military equipment and medicines from a building where Myanmar nationals were residing in Mae Sot in Tak Povince in Thailand recently, authorities are likely to tighten security and conduct more inspections, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Acting on a tip-off that members of the People Defence Force entered Thailand illegally and were residing in Mae Pa in Mae Sot, authorities raided a building and seized military equipment and medicines on 22nd March, according to the Bangkok Post.

Under such circumstances, authorities are likely to conduct more search operations and it doesn't bode well for illegal migrant workers, Labour activists U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

Thai authorities raided the four-storey building resided by Myanmar nationals on 22nd March, 2023.

He said, "Authorities will conduct more raids. When they receive intelligence about such organizations and their locations, they will conduct raids. They were conducting search operations for illegal migrant workers before. Now, the situation has worsened. Undocumented migrants may also be arrested with them. Undocumented workers are required to be cautious as cats might be caught in the traps for rabbits. The impact will be suffered most severely in Mae Sot. It is estimated that there are about 50,000 of them in Mae Sot. They are not illegal or legal workers and refugees. Undocumented workers might be extorted while they are searching for wanted ones."

During the raids of buildings in Moe Sot, Thai authorities reportedly had photographs of wanted people.

Combined teams of Thai soldiers, immigration officers and regional authorities found about 200 Myanmar nationals living in the buildings and seized bullets, equipment, uniforms, drones, badges of some revolutionary forces and medical supplies, according to Thai news agencies.

A total of 83 Myanmar migrant workers were also detained for questioning and later released, according to labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand.

Seizures of military equipment by Thai authorities after raiding a four-storey building in Mae Sot.

Under current circumstances, security might be tightened.
Security in border area are likely to be tightened, labour activists for Myanmar migrant workers said.

Consultant U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI, "Although Thai prime minister is said to be elected democratically, he was a coup maker and former general. So, it is not safe for Myanmar nationals here to support movements in our country. Everyone must be cautious as much as possible, I just want to point out that. I think this will not have an impact on areas inside Thailand. Authorities have received tips-offs about movement of weapons and military equipment. The situation at inner provinces in Thailand will not be as bad as border areas.

As a result, illegal migrant workers in Thailand are required to be cautious and it is better for Myanmar nationals not to come to Thailand illegally, labour activists said.

CNI News

28 Mar 2023

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the State Administration Council has been discharging duties honestly for the betterment of the country.

He made the comment during a meeting with SAC members, union ministers, chief ministers of states and regions and chairman of self-administered divisions and areas on 24th March, 2023.

Political, economic, administrative, international relations and defence measures have to be taken for the development of a country. The SAC has adopted and been implementing five visions and 12 objectives during its assumption of duties. As the SAC is discharging its duties at the national levle, it is necessary to carry out tasks seriously, the SAC chairman said.

He said, "The government has assumed state power and performing duties honestly for the betterment of the country by declaring a state of emergency in accordance with the 2008 constitution due to voting irregularities in the 2020 general election. All the performances of the government will be documented in history. Therefore, all responsible officials are required to perform duties for the development of the country honestly during the term of the SAC."

After declaring a state of emergency and assuming duties by the SAC, some opposition organizations at home and abroad launched attacks on the SAC with the aim of disrupting the administrative mechanism and the banking system. As the SAC took measures to prevent the collapse of the banking system, money circulation has returned to normal since the middle of 2022, he added.

CNI News

28 Mar 2023

As checkpoints along highways cause transportation delays and fuel quotas for filling stations have been cut, filling stations in Rakhine and Mon states have faced fuel shortages, according to owners of filling stations.

Fuel is transported from Thilawa terminal in Yangon to Mon state and fuel bowsers have to wait for two days at Nyaung Karshe X-Ray Checkpoint.

A filling station in Mon state.

As a result, there are fuel shortages in Mon State, a filling station owner in Mawlamyine told the CNI.

She said, "We are from Mawlamyine and we have to pass the X-Ray gates. So, we face delays. The government has set quotas for us as well as sale quotas of fuels for each day at the terminal. When the quotas have been reached, they close the terminal. We have to wait until the next day. Moreover, we have to wait two days to pass through the X-Ray checkpoint. Recently, fuel quotas have been cut. So, we cannot supply enough fuel for our customers. In addition, fuel demands are rising during the tour season."

Filling stations have been allowed to get their quotas every three days. As fuel quotas last only three days, there are shortages when transportation is delayed.

Moreover, there are fuel shortages because the demand for fuel rises during tour seasons.

A DENKO filling station.

Filling stations in Rakhine State have called on authorities to distribute their fuel quotas once a week because it is difficult for them to come to Yangon in time, a filling station owner from Taungup told the CNI.

He said, "There are fuel shortages. We are required to take out our fuel quotas every three days. However, it takes three day to travel from Rakhine State to Yangon. In Yangon, we hire fuel bowsers to take out our fuel quotas. Then, we move fuel from bowsers into barrels to transport them to Rakhine State on trucks. It is very difficult for us. We don't have enough time to transport fuel to Rakhine state. If we cannot take out our quotas within a week, they cancel the remaining quotas. And then, they have cut our quotas. So, there are fuel shortages in Rakhine state.

As there are fuel shortages at filling stations, some of them are limiting their fuel sales to prevent further shortages before their new quotas are available.

CNI News

26 Mar 2023

The collapse of some banks in western countries like the US and Switzerland will not affect Myanmar banks, according to economic observers.

The Central Bank of Myanmar has guaranteed that it will address the crises of all banks if they are in danger of collapse and Myanmar banks are not likely to collapse because no banks collapsed even during the political crisis, Economic Observer  U Thet Zaw told the CNI.

He said,"Basically, one country is different from another. In Myanmar, the CBM has guaranteed that it will address the crises of banks if they are in danger of collapse. Deposits will not be lost. Normally, customers don't need to be worried about their deposits. No banks collapsed even during the political crisis. Under the current normal circumstances, banks are highly unlikely to fall. They are likely to collapse when loans are not repaid. However, the CBM has prevented such scenarios by requiring banks to submit daily reports to it. There will be problems when borrowers cannot repay loans from banks."

As banks in Myanmar have been able to address bad loans in successive eras and no banks have collapsed but it is important to tackle the issue, Banking Expert U Htay Aung Kyi told the CNI.

People waiting to withdraw money from KBZ Bank.

He said, "The impact of the fall of banks in other countries is another issue.  Myanmar banks have their own problems known as non-performing loans. As authorities have tackled the issue prudently, the situation has not exacerbated. The central bank has guaranteed that all deposits will not be lost. The collapse of banks in other countries is not likely to affect us because we have only a few transactions with them. I don't think it will affect us. It is more important to focus on our own problems.

He said that the CBM has been regulating banks to help prevent them from collapse, banks are required to maintain sufficient levels of cash and experts are required to develop policies to create favourable economic, political and legal environments.

Due to political changes, local banking operations have been delayed and limited amounts of deposits are allowed to be withdrawn.

Although banks have allowed their customers to withdraw larger amounts of deposit, it is still difficult to say that banking operations in Myanmar have returned to normal.