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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CNI News

4 Feb 2023

Some political parties are preparing to re-register within 60 days after enactment of the new political parties registration law.

The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party is re-registering within two months to take part in the general election, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the party told the CNI.

He said, "We will register our party within two months or 60 days and we have time to do so until the end of March."

As the new political party registration law enacted by the State Administration Council has created difficulty for their political party and they haven't decided whether to re-register their party or not, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

The flag of the SNDP (White Tiger) party.

He said, "We haven't discussed the matter yet. I will be able to confirm whether we will re-register our party or not only after we have discussed it in our party.

Section 25 of the law requires political parties to re-register with the commission within 60 days in accordance with the law and its rules and those failing to do so shall be deemed to cease to exist spontaneously, according to the SAC.

A recent meeting of the central executive committee of the Mon Unity Party was in favour of re-registration but it was still necessary to seek the approval of the central committee of the party, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe told the CNI.

He said, "Our party is in a position to register but we still need to seek the approval of the central committee. The central executive committee is in favour of registration. After holding negotiations with the central committee, we may decide to re-register our party if we think we should do so."

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing holds talks with political parties.

They would contest elections under any government in the interests of their nationalities and areas, Patron U Shwe Min of the Lisu National Development Party (Crossbow) party told the CNI.

He said, "Our LNDP will contest any election held under any government and any election commission because we have formed our party to contest elections. We will hold political dialogue in our national and regional interests through various ways and means. So, we will contest elections and take part in political dialogue."

The SAC chairman has promised to hold a general election in August this year and to transfer state power to the winning party.

CNI News

3 Feb 2023

As ancient antiques in Bagan Ancient Heritage Site like bells, Buddah images and mural paintings have been stolen frequently, security measures should be taken effectively in respective areas, according to local residents.

Currently, the security situation has worsened in Bagan and if the situation continues, more antiques will be stolen in Bagan, U Myo Set San, a local resident of Bagan, told the CNI.

He said, "There used to be thefts of head of stupas and mural paintings in the successive eras. As religious objects, which are highly valued by Myanmar people, are being stolen, it is inappropriate. Security should be tightened as religious objects are stolen frequently. They launch investigations only after the thieves have gotten away. They should assign patrols and security guards at pagodas and respective areas. More security measures should be taken for more important pagodas among more than 3,000 pagodas. Otherwise, more antiques will be stolen."

The Alodawpyae Pagoda.

In January, 2023, bells donated by present day donors at some pagodas were stolen.

The stolen bells included the biggest bell from the Min O Chantha Pagoda and those from the Shin Pin Pwint Lin pagoda, Shwe Chanthar Pagoda and Tharyar Wade Pagoda.

In April last year, stupas and mural paintings from Pagoda Nos. 716 and 418 were stolen but authorities managed to arrest the thief.

The thief was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch).

It was reported that there were only a few security staff for heritage in Bagan including about 30 staff from the Department of Archaeology and another 30 personnel from the local police force.

Plans were being drawn to prevent thefts of antiques in Bagan together with security forces and local residents were required to report to authorities at real time if something suspicious was found, Director U Kyaw Myo Win of the DANM (Bagan) told the CNI.

An ancient pagoda in Bagan.

He said, "We have only 30 staff while the local police force has about the same number of security personnel. We are forced to protect more than 3,000 pagodas with fewer than 100 staff. It is almost impossible to protect the pagodas. We need to cooperate with local residents to raise the awareness of conservation of antiques and to combat drug abuse and gambling. According to the latest statistics, there are 3,837 pagodas in Bagan scattering in Bagan. We are drawing plans to prevent thefts of antiques together with security forces. On the other hand, local residents are required to report suspicious activities to us in real time."

As security forces in Bagan were understaffed, it was necessary to install CCTV cameras to prevent the thefts of antiques, U Kyaw Myo Win added.

The number of thefts of antiques reportedly increased in 2022.

The increase in thefts of antiques was attributed by experts and local residents to lack of job opportunities, drug abuse and gambling and low awareness of heritage conservation.

Bagan was designated as world heritage on 6th July, 2019 at the 43rd World Heritage Committee Conference held in Baku in Azerbaijan in 2019.