CNI News
                                                                                                       
19 January 2024

Illegal hundi activities are being arrested to prevent illegal money exchange, said businessmen and money exchange entrepreneurs. 

99 suspects relating to illegal hundi activities were inspected after which 20 individuals had been taken action against by Myanmar Police Force, Central Bank of Myanmar stated.

Because Myanmar expatriates mainly used illegal hundi businesses to transfer money, Central Bank of Myanmar probably had made a decision to take action against hundi enterprises, U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst, told CNI News.

" They have been wanting to take action against hundi enterprises for long. But they were not able to tackle it pretty well. But now, there might have difference between the arrest and the ability to tackle. That hundi agents were not taken action against in the past might be because at that time, the number of Myanmar migrant workers was not so many, but now that there have been several million Myanmar migrant workers, the amount of money including tax that will flow into Myanmar is so much. So, the government probably has made a decision to take action like that, I think. But I don't think the hundi system will die out at all. Myanmar people want to do what they are asked not to do." he said.

While seeing dollars and kyats

The hundi business has existed for many years and as it can be defined as a business with a strong market, arrest like this did not seem to be effective, pointed out businessmen. 

Moreover, there might have bribery between hundi business operators and government officials concerned. So, illegal hundi business could not be taken action against effectively, said some people.

20 people who have been prosecuted have no license for money transfer business and foreign exchange, and of them, 9 people were illegally transferring salaries of Myanmar migrant workers in China, Malaysia and Thailand. And three people illegally exchanged money and paid for buying goods. And eight people exchanged from foreign currency to Myanmar currency with the country.

Most of Myanmar nationals abroad are using illegal hundi enterprise because they earned more money than using legal money transferring and could enjoy other better services, Hmwar Michael living in Malaysia told CNI News.

while seeing 5,000 kyat notes

" To tell you frankly, hundi system is more convenient for basic class and overstayers. Hundi agents deliver the money to your home. Money price also is a bit higher than legal rate. Transferring at Myanmar shops is cheaper for service charge. Transferring money through KPay or Wave Money in Myanmar arrives quickly. If you legally transfer money bank to bank, it will take you about one week. Service charge is more expensive. Overstayers can't transfer bank to bank." he said.

Gold and Currency Market Monitoring and Supervisory Committee was inspecting notorious hundi agents and scrutinizing their bank accounts and remittances, in collaboration with law enforcer organizations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to the statement released by the Central Bank of Myanmar.

14 foreign remittance business licenses had been issued until 19th December 2023 with a view to making illegal hundi enterprises die out, said in the statement.

CNI News

19 January 2024

The question has emerged if the temporary ceasefire agreed between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) because of the China's mediation is just for the interests of both China and Myanmar. 

The ceasefire was agreed after three day discussion from 9th to 11th January 2024, over two months after the Operation-1027 was launched.

He heard that the ceasefire did not contain Rakhine State where the Arakan Army (AA) has been active and battles were breaking out near a Chinese project, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

" To the best of my knowledge, the ceasefire doesn't contain Rakhine State. Northern Shan State, as you know, has the main road of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The battles are breaking out along the road. The BRI will contain expressway, railway and motorway and it will pass Kokang region, Mandalay and Tigyaing. Namkham where battles broke out is near the Chinese gas and petroleum pipeline of the China National Petroleum Company (CNPC). The peace and stability of that region is important to the BRI and CNPC's pipeline as well as China-Myanmar trade corridor. Because the current battles are damaging the interests of the two countries, Chinese mediation seems to contain a political give and take." he said.

While seeing a deep water port project in Rakhine State

China seemed to believe the current Myanmar political problem must be solved by authorities, EAOs and the public, added Dr.Aye Maung.

" China seems to want solving the problem militarily to be part of the ability to solve politically. Whether it is temporarily accepted or not depends on the results of political discussion. China will mainly take care of Zha Pian, BRI and pipeline, I think. China seems to define Myanmar's armed conflict must be solved by Myanmar government, EAOs and the public." he said.

During the Operation-1027, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has captured Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Kunlong, Pang Sai, Mong Ko, Phaung Sai, Hsenni, Chin Shwe Haw and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) also has captured Namkham, Kutkai, Mang Ton, Nangsang, Namtu, Mong Lon, Mong Ngor. 

Battles have decreased for the time being in northern Shan State. On the other hand, the battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township, Chin State.

While seeing Paletwa Town

The AA had already captured northern Rakhine State and Paletwa Town, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" The AA has already captured northern Rakhine State and Paletwa Town. And then, it will start attacking southern Rakhine State. The AA will make an effort to be able to capture the Danyawadi navy camp, I think. So, battles will be intense in Rakhine State." he said.

There are many Chinese investment projects in Myanmar namely Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, Myitsone Dam, Flyover Railway, Kanpaiktee Economic Cooperation Zone, Muse-Mandalay Electric Railway, Ruili-Mandalay-Kyaukphyu Expressway, China-Myanmar Trade Route and so on.

CNI News

18 January 2024

Among the regular tourist destinations, tourists entered stable places by hundreds of thousands, but there are hardly any tourists who enter unstable regions, according to tourism and hotel operators.

Of the regions where most of tourists tended to go to, northern part of Shan state and Rakhine State have become the places where tourist arrivals have been sharply reduced due to the battles that have been taking place since October, 2023, tourism and hotel operators told CNI News.

Over 1,400,000 tourists from local and abroad entered southern and eastern Shan State and tourists increased by 40 percent in 2023 than in 2022. 

However, there were few tourists who entered nortern Shan State in 2023 because of battles although a lot of tourists entered the region in 2022, U Zaw Zaw, Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News.

While seeing the Tazaungdaing Festival in Taunggyi, southern Shan State

" 2022 is the year when turists entered northern Shan State most. Rooms were full with tourists. You would get a room only if you booked two or three days in advance. It mainly depends on stability. There are few battles in southern and eastern Shan State. Because this is the tourist season as well, guests will go there. But on the other hand, in northern Shan State, battles are breaking out and bridges have been damaged. So, tourists don't come. It's a wide gap. It's been kind of reverse." he said.

Although there is a temporary ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA and AA) in northern Shan state, battles are still breaking out in some places. 

Because there have been no peace in northern Shan State at present, it would take time to an extent to develop tourism of the region, he said.

Nearly 500,000 tourists local and abroad entered the Bagan region in 2023.

A lot of tourists entered Rakhine State during Thingyan, Tazaungdaing and December holidays in the past. However, the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) resumed on 13th November 2023 after which tourist arrivals in Rakhine State were reduced, a person who is doing business of hotel and tourism, told CNI News.

While seeing tourists at the beach

" It's hard to say at a time like this. There are only people who go to Thandwe and Ngapali. Those who come to Nagpali just come by flight" he said.

The period from October to April has been designated as the tourist season of Myanmar. However, because the battles are breaking out in the season, not only tourists don't come, restaurant and hotel industries depending on tourists are also in trouble reportedly.

" According to the statistics from the immigration department, in 2023 the number of tourists who entered Myanmar was more than one million. 28 million tourists entered Thailand. More tourists entered Malaysia as well. Three or four million tourists entered Cambodia and Laos each and so did Vietnam. Although one million tourists entered, tourists had to enter mainly through the Yangon Airport. About 20,000 tourists only entered Myanmar each month. So, the number of tourists who entered Myanmar is 300,000 at most. Most border gates have been closed in 2023. It is unlikely that one million tourists entered Myanmar." said U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur, to CNI News.

The number of foreign tourists who entered Myanmar in 2023 was until over 1,200,000 reportedly. 280,000 foreign tourists entered Myanmar by flight and by ship with visa and nearly 1,000,000 entered with border passes.

More than 200,000 foreign tourists only entered Myanmar in 2022 and the arrival of foreign tourists in 2023 increased by five times than in 2022.

CNI News

18 January 2024

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) arrested 30 Shanni youths from Ton Bin Village near the border between Homalin Township, Sagaing Region and Mohnyin Township, Kachin State on the night of 16th January, said locals. 

Moreover, the KIA asked Shanni villages that are located along the bank of Indawgyi Lake to give 30 Shanni youths per village as recruits after summoning heads of the villages, said locals.

" Shanni youths from Ton Bin Village near the border of Homalin and Mohnyin Townships were arrested by the KIA. We still don't know where they are taken to. The KIA called the heads of the villages along the bank of Indawgyi Lake and told them to recruit 30 Shanni youths for the KIA. Why is the KIA recruiting Shanni youths? They have to recruit Kachin people. Will Shanni have to die for the KIA? Even if they die, the KIA will benefit. The Shanni people shouldn't remain calm like this. The Shanni nationalities need to support the Shanni organiations." said a local.

While seeing the SNA force

At present, Shanni people have built the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and the SNA is striving to help build the Shanni State and to make the Shanni region peaceful and stable, and to make the nationalities enjoy equal rights as well as to be able to build a federal democratic union.

While the SNA is trying like this, the KIA is striving to control territories, supporting the People's defense Force with arms and ammunitions and attacking the SNA military camps in Sagaing Region and Kachin State, said Shanni organiations.

While seeing the KNA force

On the other hand, the Kuki National Army (KNA) arrested and killed 37 Shanni people from Thanan Village, Aung Zeya Town, Tamu Township, Sagaing Region on 24th November 2023. Moreover, the KNA arrested and killed four Shanni men who returned from a funeral on 13th January 2024.

Shanni organizations are demanding international community to protect Shanni people from being arrested, killed and recruited.

CNI News

17 January  2024

Any organization that performed to destroy lives and properties of the people living in the Shanni region including other public interests would be fought against, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) stated on 15th January, 2024. 

The SNA stated like that in relation to that some Shanni people from Thanan Village, Tamu Township by the Kuki National Army.

" The SNA is in a friendly relationship with any ethnic group for peaceful coexistence. But it will try to defend any brutal acts such as oppressing Shanni nationalities unjustly and committing human violations on Shanni people. Any organization that performed to destroy lives and properties of the people living in the Shanni region including other public interests would be fought against." said the SNA.

While seeing the statement released by the SNA

The SNA reported that the Kuki National Army (KNA) cruelly killed innocent 37 Shanni people including family and its children from Thanan Village, Aung Zeya Town, Sagaing Region.

Moreover, while Shanni people were taking refuge in San Khat Law Village on the India-Myanmar border line, four Shanni people were cruelly killed on the way back from attending a funeral by the KNA/KNO on 13th January 2024, said in the statement released by the SNA.

" It is an intentional armed terrorist killing of innocent people. Not only the act is inhumane, one race also oppresses another race. It is the killing of Shanni people with the intention of destroying Shanni people with attempted genocide. So, the SNA strongly opposes and denounces the act." said the SNA.

 Because a kind of mass murder like that was nothing short of committing genocide, the KNA and the organizations that help the KNA must be responsible for that, the SNA has warned.

While seeing the KNA, the Kuki Force

The KNA/KNO was built on 24th February 1989 and has been active in the India-Myanmar border, Tonzang Township, Chin State, Khamti, Homalin, Leshi, Myothit and Tamu Townships, Sagaing Region.

The KNA/KNO's allies are the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the KIA mainly supports the arms and ammunitions.

The SNA was built in July, 1989 and it is striving to get the Shanni State, gathering Shanni regions in Kachin State and Sagaing Region. Moreover, it is trying to protect Shanni people from being bullied by regional armed groups as well as to make all ethnic people get equal rights, enjoy regional peace and stability and to build a federal democratic union.

CNI News

17 January 2024

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State Administration Council (SAC) stated as of 15th January, 2024 that Taiwan (China-Taipei) is an inseparable part of China.

Myanmar has always supported the one-China policy, said in the statement.

" Myanmar opposes secession measures for Taiwan independence and measures that interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and support the peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan." the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the SAC stated.

While seeing Lai Ching-te who has become the new Taiwan President 

Myanmar continues to maintain good neighborly and kinship relations with China and reaffirmed that Myanmar is consistently supporting the one-China policy, the ministry stated.

Lai Ching-te, a keen separatist, won the Taiwan presidential election and became the new president. After that, the relation between China and Taiwan has been strained, and China is pressuring Taiwan militarily and economically.

CNI News

17 January 2024

 Rekalibrasi Tenaga Kerja - RTK 2.0 permit stickers will be issued in the end of June at the latest, Malaysian immigration department stated. Undocumented foreign workers were allowed to register for permits in 2023. 

After that, the period designated expired in the end of December, 2023.

So, it was difficult to register at present, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donation Organization, told CNI News.

" You can't register for the time being. Registration period has expired in December 2023. It has not been difficult to enter on a visit visa or to apply for passport after entering through illegal channel. Real permits were made before the end of December 2023. Fake permits are made after the end of December 2023. When fingerprinting, you have to go to the immigration office to get a permit. If you get a permit without going to the immigration department, it is a fake permit." he said.

While Malaysian Immigration Minister come and inspect the RTK 2.0 process

Malaysian Immigration Department has stated that those who have submitted their names in the permit registration list must perform fingerprinting and getting employers' approve in the end of March at the latest. Approving activities will expire in the end of March and any more of extension will be made, the Minister for Immigration has said.

Although the Ministry of Immigration of Malaysia has not released the number of the people who have registered for permit, those who have not registered yet might be 30 percent left in the entire Malaysia, estimated Myanmar people in Malaysia.

" Fingerprinting has been allowed until the end of March. Permit stickers will be issued in the end of June at the latest. But the immigration department might change the laws because all the companies have been allowed to make their employees apply for work permit. The immigration department might not finish their work. Arrests are being conducted almost everywhere, almost every night and in some wards, even in broad daylight." said Ma Chit Thae who stays in Malaysia, told CNI News.

 While an official is issuing RTK 2.0

When applying for permits, those who have passports and employers only can apply. So, among those who have to pay the income tax that Myanmar Embassy has released might be included the people who have currently applied for permits, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

A Myanmar concert held on Saturday night, 13th January in Penang District, Malaysia was checked by the Malaysian immigration officials, and Myanmar nationals including singer Amy Zahn and Model Phoo Pwint Khine were detained by the hundred.

The arrest was conducted only because the people living in the neighborhood complained about the noise, said Myanmar people in Malaysia.

CNI News

17 January 2024

He requested to reopen the roads and waterways that have been closed due to the battles breaking out in Rakhine State, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP) told CNI News. 

Because the routes have been closed, the flow of goods has stopped. So, the locals are desperately in need of foodstuff and medicines and Civil organizations have not been able to help the locals yet, he said.

“In Rakhine State, the right to travel, the flow of goods and trade including foodstuff and medicine have been closed by the Tatmadaw. So, the Tatmadaw need to reopen the routes for the flow of goods. There is no situation that civil organizations also can help. The number of IDPs has increased day after day. So, it is necessary to reopen the routes that have been closed as soon as possible." U Thar Tun Hla, said.

While seeing members of the Arakan National Party

After the battles between the Tatmadaw and the AA resumed on 13th November 2023, routes have been closed. The AA stated that it was able to capture Paletwa Town on 14th January 2024.

It was possible that the Tatmadaw had closed the routes according to the security and depending on the battles, it might perform, said a politician. 

Employments have been suspended due to the battles and the people were finding it difficult for their livelihoods, U Nyi Pu, in charge of the Sinbaw Gaing IDP Camp in Mrauk U Township, told CNI News.

While seeing Rakhine IDPs

" There are a lot of difficulties. Now the people have no jobs. There are many IDPs. Moreover, more IDPs will increase. Because the people have no jobs, it's difficult for their livelihoods. A food crisis is taking place. The cultivation area is much less around here. Those who sell rice can't come here because the routes have been closed. The people here have no jobs. The prices of rice have gone up sharply. So, it's very difficult for the livelihoods." he said.

The battles are currently 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, Ponna Kyun townships, Rakhine State as well as in Paletwa Township.

CNI News

16 January 2024

Because of the battles breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa Township, Chin State, residents of Paletwa and locals from the nearby area are fleeing to the India-Myanmar border, said locals. 

The number of IDPs was about 20,000 and 50 percent of them need food, an official from the Chin State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told CNI News.

" Because the battles are breaking out, the locals from Paletwa have to flee to the India-Myanmar border after crossing Kaladan Stream. They are staying in three villages near the bank. no doubt they need food. But how can't we help them. We can't use the road. It would be convenient if the route from the Indian side was open.We want the political and military conflicts to be resolved. For the time being, locals have upland rice, so they can still eat it. There are about 100,000 people in Paletwa Township. There are about 20,000 people in and around Paletwa. About 10,000 people are getting into trouble now." he said.

while seeing Paletwa Town

The number of locals in and around Paletwa who fled to safety as IDPs have increased lately. Moreover, residents of Sami Town have fled to safety and there are old people and children left in the town, said locals. Palatwa was also almost destroyed due to heavy artillery fire, they said.

Because the battles resumed, the number of IDPs has increased more than 2015-2016 when the battles broke out, U Aung Din, a Paletwa resident, told CNI News.

" In 2015-2016, battles broke out in villages only. But now battles have arrives in towns, so it's getting worse. Especially, unmarried young men and women have fled to safety because they don't dare to live in the town anymore. And then their parents also have fled. About ten days ago, the price of rice didn't go up. But any goods coming from lower parts and Ngapi, dried fish, eggs, onion and edible oil coming from Rakhine State - their prices have gone up." he said.

While seeing residents of Shinletwa Village in Paletwa Township

It is reported that food supply and aid activities cannot be carried out due to tight security, traffic restriction and road closures when battles are breaking out.

Some Paletwa residents who can afford are fleeing to Yangon through the smuggling route, spending 1,000,000 kyats per person reportedly.