CNI News

5 August 2023

Nwe Yi Palei Sugar factory in northern Shan State started opening price at 110,000 kyats per ton in this sugarcane season. The price of sugarcane a ton was only 95,000 kyats last year. 

Because the price of sugar a viss (3.6 lb) is 3,000 kyats at present, sugar factories have increased the purchase price, said sugarcane peasants.
Because the cost of agriculture, fee for cutting sugarcane, labor cost are rising, the peasants are expecting to sell their sugarcane at over 120,000 kyats a ton, said U Maung Swe, a sugarcane peasant to CNI News.

A person selling sugarcane juice

" Nwe Yi Palei has opened the price at 110,000 kyats a ton. Because the current price of sugar is over 3,000 kyats a viss, peasants think they should get 125,000 kyats a ton. Every price is going up now. Fee for cutting sugarcane, diesel price, labor cost and so on are rising. So, peasants have expected to get 125,000 kyats a ton at least." he said.  

The current price of sugar is 3,300 to 4,000 kyats a viss. 110,000 kyats a ton is the price paid by delivery, which is the highest price in all sugarcane seasons, said peasants. The current sugarcane price was just starting to open price and later, the price would be higher, said U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar & Cane Related Products Association to CNI News.

Sugarcane

" Sugarcane peasants probably will get 120,000 kyats a ton. Factories seem to raise the price. They largely raise the price later. I've heard that some factories will even pay 130,000 kyats a ton. But I don't think it's the final decision." he said. Locally-produced sugar is mainly exported to Vietnam and local consumption also has increased reportedly. There are more than 400,000 acres of sugarcane cultivation all over the country and sugarcane is grown in Shan State, upper Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Bago Region, Magway Region and Okkan Township, Yangon Region. 

CNI News

August 4, 2023

Although security measures of the State Administration Council had improved, the economy was still out of control, said Dr. Aung Myo, a Myanmar politic analyst to CNI News. 

Although security measures had improved, high commodity prices the public was facing and poor economy were still out of control, he said.

" The government's security measures have improved a lot in comparison with last year, but it hasn't been good at all. Those who are feeling heart disease like me have to spend a lot of money on medicine and I earn the money from the military pension, but I find it difficult to make ends meet. I'm not grunting. This is what everybody knows." he said.

selling medicines at low prices

Due to the violence between February and July in 2023, more than 800 people, including monks, nunscivil servants and innocent people, were killed, according to the statement of the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council on 31st July, 2023.

The SAC formed the union committee for stabilizing commodity prices on 27th July, aiming to make the people's livelihood okay. 

some foodstuffs

Most of the goods used in the country are imported from abroad and only when they can be produced in local, rising commodity prices can be controlled, said U Htay Aung Kyi, an economic analysts to CNI News.

"If we want to grow the economy, we must be able to export. To tell you roughly, there are two policies to grow the economy. One is to replace imports and the other is to promote exports. To promote exports is very important to a country. We have to buy most of the goods from abroad. So, demand is high and supply is low. So, as usual, the prices go up. We have to import by dollar. So, this problem will exist for long" he said.

Due to the political changes that have taken place since February 2021 in Myanmar, there have been territorial instabilities and weak securities and at the same time, economic decline, monetary inflation and high commodity prices are taking place.

CNI News

4 August 2023

With the purpose of making the people's livelihood convenient, the State Administration Council has formed the Union Steering Committee to stabilize commodity prices on 27 July, 2023 reportedly. 

There are still questions if the committee can really stabilize the commodity prices and the committee should make the public know its performances and actions, said U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics to CNI News.

"To complain is our responsibility. The action part is their business (authorities' business). They have formed the price stabilization committee. When will they take action? They have taken action against whom. If they clearly let the public know, the public will accept." he said.

The union committee for commodity price stabilization is led by U Aung Naing Oo, Union Minister for Commerce and it is made up of 19 members including one from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

The committee contains only departmental officials and economists are not included in the committee. So, the people would not know the factors making commodity prices higher. So, it is necessary to add the experts close to the public to the committee. Moreover, members of the committee should make a field study in the market, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

A shop row in a street market in Yangon (photo-CNI)

" We have to watch how much they can perform. Most of the members are from departmental officials and a person from UMFCCI is included in the committee. Academics are not included in the committee. Palm oil sold at 4,295 kyats a viss is paid 10,000 kyats in the retail market. We have to watch first how they will tackle the problem. They have to ask the lower class about the effects. They have to arrest the culprits. Can they do these things. If they try to stabilize the commodity price without going out of the office, the prices will never fall. We have to watch how much they can investigate the situation of the lower class. If they want to get the right information, they have to make a field study themselves. Only if they disguise themselves and study, they will know everything that is happening at the bottom." he said.

The committee would give priority to stabilize basic food prices and organizations would be assigned to make necessary coordination in order to stabilize regional commodity prices. 

Co-ordinations will be made to reduce high cost for transportation of the goods to consuming regions from producing ones and to reduce multiple steps in transit of the goods and to abstain from unnecessary controls on the way, said in the statement that has described 10 things to be performed.

However, it is important to free from corruption between the members of the committee and business people so that effective actions can be taken, said businessmen and economic analysts.

CNI News

4 August 2023

They wouldn't accept any political landscape that would derail the Spring Revolution that was being currently waged, said Khun Myint Tun, chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council to CNI News. 

They didn't have to be interested in changing the members of the State Administration Council (SAC) and they only needed to change the whole system, he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing seen at the meeting the National Defense and Security Council on 31st July 2023

" Adding more members into the government and how many people the government was expanded and organized with _ It will not be convenient for us to be interested in these things. The main point is that we are trying hard to change the system. We can't accept any political landscape that derail the policies we have laid down" he said.

The SAC would be performing in order that it could continue to rule and they would have to go on performing to make the Spring Revolution successful, said Khun Myint Tun. 

The SAC announced on 2nd August 2023 that it had been re-structured. Re-structuring the SAC was adding the people who could advice and discuss relating to territorial dominance, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) to CNI News.

People demanding human rights

" During this six month period, the SAC will perform to have territorial dominance and rule of law, I think, because the people who were well-experienced in these things and can advice and discuss have been added to the SAC. This time, the SAC will mainly perform to have territorial dominance, I think." he said.

There are currently strength competitions between the SAC and the National Unity Government (NUG) in territorial dominance, administration, Judiciary, legislation and diplomatic affairs.

 Armed conflicts which have started since 1st February 2021 have been widely spreading to so many parts of the country and the people are facing  crises in economy, security and livelihoods.

CNI News

4 August 202

Although the chairman of the State Administration Council said that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) would increase four percent in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, every time the country's GDP increases, the country might not necessarily progress, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst.

As the GDP increased 3.4 percent in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the GDP would increase four percent in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council held 31st July, 2023.

Because of the need to balance the wages and salaries of individuals with monetary inflation and high commodity prices, the country was not necessarily progressing, said U Thet Zaw to CNI News.

"There are many ways to calculate the GDP. Trade value might increase because trading gates at the Chinese border have re-opened and corns were exported to Thailand through Myawady. But there are monetary inflation and high commodity prices in local. We need to calculate how much GDP effect it is. We have to compare the income and expenditure of an individual consumer to commodity prices and monetary inflation. That's why every time the country's GDP increase, the country might not necessarily progress. We need to understand that thoroughly." he said.

Somewhere in the Bogyoke Market in Yangon

Myanna economy obviously decreased in previous years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, local instability and pressures from local and abroad and the country's GDP decreased until minus 5.9 percent in 2021, said in the ADB's report. Although the GDP of a country should be between 5 percent and 7 percent, that the GDP has increased without making the GDP decrease is a good situation because the country has not been stable, said U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman to CNI News.

A garment industry

" Normally, if a country's GDP increases about 7 percent, it is very convenient. But whenever the GDP increases or decreases, there is a question whether the country becomes rich. Individual income must be taken into account. Although a country seems to be good when its GDP increases, if that GDP increases is coming from import for local construction industry, not from export and foreign reserves have to be used, the GDP tends to increase. But if the country doesn't have enough foreign reserve, the price of dollar will go up. So, whenever a country's GDP increases, the country might not necessarily progress. As long as the gap between import and export can be controlled and the GDP increases 5 to 7 percent, it will be convenient, I Think." he said.    

When the GDP is calculated, apart from import and export, it is necessary to take into accounts of local productivity, individual income, basic food prices and monetary inflation, said economic analysts.

If the amount of import outnumbered that of export and local productivity decreased, foreign reserves could decrease. So, the government should help to promote the local productivity, said businessmen.

CNI News

3 August 2023

The meeting and discussion between Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi probably will arise through the mediation of U Thein Sein, former President, said Col. Khun Okka, a leader of an ethnic armed organization to CNI News. 

Reviews relating to whether there might be dialogues between the SAC and DASSK arose among the political circle. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

There would be no direct negotiation between the SAC and DASSK for the time being and negotiations between the two sides would probably arise through U Thein Sein. But it seemed to less likely to become a negotiation between the two sides, said Col.Khun Okka.    

" I don't think there will be direct negotiation between the two sides. But there may be cooperation between U Thein Sein and DASSK. There may be cooperation between U Thein Sein and U Win Myint. From the indirect way of negotiation, they will gradually reach on the negotiation track. It is not enough to negotiate between these two groups. There are also EAOs and other political parties to negotiate. So, a focal point where all can meet will be created, I think." he said.

The SAC cut the prison term of the jailed head of the NLD, DASSK by six years on Tuesday and it also cut four years from the sentences against the country’s ousted president Win Myint. Before that, Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Thai Deputy Prime Minister told at the meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia on 11th July that he had met with DASSK in Myanmar on 9th July.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar politics was so complex that it was too difficult to say what political landscape would arise, said Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein from the Federal Democratic Party to CNI News.
The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 after saying the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and announced the state of emergency. 

After that, some NLD leaders including DASSK and U Win Myint were arrested. Some local organizations and international organizations are demanding the SAC to release political prisoners including DASSK and U Win Myint.

CNI News

2 August 2023

Myanmar nationals in Malaysia who apply for passports and work permits have been increasingly cheated for the time being, said Myanmar people in Malaysia to CNI News.

Those who were cheated lost not only their money but also their Nationality Verification Registration Cards, said U Barbu Gyi helping Myanmar people in Malaysia to CNI News.

Malaysia

" There are many youths who lost their money and nationality registration cards after applying for work permits through brokers. If the department issuing the work permit books performed systematically, there is no reason that can't be solved, I think. Because Myanmar citizens here in Malaysia wanted to be legal, they relied on Myanmar brokers and applied for work permits, giving about five thousand ringgits to brokers. But several brokers cheated. Because the brokers cheated like this, the youths who were cheated don't have any place to report. If they go to a police station and report there, they will get into trouble. They will be arrested because they are overstayers. Myanmar brokers know that weak point. So, they are cheating. They are acting as gangsters or thugs or bosses in association with bad authorities" he said.

One who applies for work permit needs to have an employer and to present the employer's license, insurance, bank account and so on. But some employers do not tend to go out of the way to perform for their workers. So, Myanmar citizens tend to apply through brokers reportedly. Because the original documents including the nationality registration cards must be used as evidence, if someone will apply through a broker, he should carefully investigate, said Hmwar Michael helping Myanmar people to CNI News.

Myanmar people applying for passports

"If a Myanmar citizen can speak a little Malaysian and is a little cunning, he is very likely to be an agent. Our Myanmar people can't do anything without an agency. So, the agents take advantage. What I want to specially warn our Myanmar people, if you will hire an agency, you should inquire about the agency carefully. If the current employer goes to the immigration department to perform for you, you don't need to hire a broker. Because employers don't want to help, agents and brokers are hired." he said.

Because the workers without any evidence are not employed in Malaysia at present, job opportunities are scarce reportedly. Although one doesn't have a work permit, only if one has a passport, one will be employed. So, necessary documents are being applied without failure reportedly.

CNI News

1 August 2023

As there are already 25 percent of military members of the Hluttaw, if any more of 25 percent were added, the Hluttaw could reach a quorum and could be held, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 
He said as above at the meeting the National Defense and Security held on 31st July, 2023. The meeting decided to extend the state of emergency for another six months.

" According to the 2008 constitution, if more than half of the Hluttaw members attended the Hluttaw session on the first day, the meeting could be held successfully. And then if only one third of the Hluttaw members attended the next sections, the Hluttaw could be held successfully. As there are 25 percent of military Hluttaw members, if any more of 25 percent were added, the Hulttaw session could be successfully held," he said.

Military members of the Hluttaw (Teza Hlaing)

If the Hluttaw was held like that, there might be an image problem that the Tatmadaw forced the meeting to reach a quorum. 
In the same way, when the union president, vice president, members of the government and chief ministers of the regions and states were elected, it could be performed as he discussed as above, but it's not suitable in terms of dignity, he said.

The SAC was trying to get 75 percent of elected representatives from a general election and it would be difficult to hold a general election that achieved 100 percent, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

U T Khun Myat, speaker of the Pyithu Hluttaw

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021 after saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election and announced the state of emergency. The meetings of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw have been stopped up to now since that day.

Most of the members of Hluttaw have earned the pensions rewarded by the State and some members of the Hluttaw are waging armed revolution to oust the Tatmadaw.

CNI News
1 August 2023

If Myanmar people go on facing not only monetary inflation but also rising commodity prices until 2024, the number of Myanmar nationals who will go abroad may increase, those who are helping migrants said to CNI News.

The prices of foreign currencies are going up with current monetary inflation and because there is a situation that commodity prices will go on rising, the number of Myanmar people who will go abroad legally or illegally may increase, they said.

" You can enter Thailand illegally and work there without any educational qualification. But it's not easy to sneak into Japan, South Korea and Dubai. You can enter Malaysia illegally,but it's a little more difficult than to enter Thailand. Most Myanmar people are likely to sneak into Thailand" said Ko Thar Gyi, one who is helping migrant workers.

Because there are rising basic commodity prices, job scarcity and low basic salary, the number of people who go abroad has increased and at the same time, workers might be scarce locally, those who are carrying out migrant worker's affairs said.

Somewhere downtown Yangon

Although some countries including Thailand are calling the workers from Myanmar, Malaysia has not called Myanmar workers as yet reportedly.

Relevant departments do not tend to negotiate and discuss the problems relating to illegal workers reportedly. There are people who are sneaking into Malaysia at present and more people are likely to sneak into Malaysia in the future, said U Barbu Gyi helping Myanmar nationals to CNI News.  

" According to the current situation, it will be more difficult for Myanmar people.The current government cannot do anything. We need a change. Some people can't do it for a living or can't live anymore in some places of Myanmar.I'm sorry to say that but famine will happen" he said.

Because new 20,000 kyat notes will be issued, basic commodity prices have also gone up. So, if relevant authorities can't control rising basic commodity prices, thefts and robberies probably will be rampant, those who are helping migrant workers said.