CNI News

11 October 2023

The armed conflict in Myanmar may become more widespread, said U Kun Gawn Awn Hkam, a Kachin politician, to CNI News. 

An explosion broke out at the at the Munglai Hkyet IDP camp near Laiza on the night of 9th October, 2023 and 29 people were killed and 56 people were wounded, said Col.Naw Bu, information officer of the Kachin Independence Army.

Due to this incident, the conflict could become more intense, said U Kun Gawn Awn Hkam.

" The consequences of this event will arise. First,it causes resentment among the Kachin people. And then, the armed conflict could become more intense. The public feels so bitter that there will be response that I think so." he said to CNI News.

The explosion at the IDP camp was an act of the Tatmadaw, said Col.Naw Bu, information officer of the KIA to news agencies.

Damages and debris caused by the explosion at the Munglai Hkyet IDP camp

However, the Tatmadaw did not attack like that and they were investigating about the explosion, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council in a statement released on 10 October 2023.

" We are still investigating about the IDP camp explosion in Laiza. We are always working to maintain peace and stability in the border region. I want you to consider if it's possible that we attacked a place near the border by dropping a bomb or by a large weapon? The Tatmadaw is able to attack any headquarters. But we didn't fire or attack. The organization (KIA) itself is talking about various news. Some said that the military government fired from its warplanes and others said that military government fired by large weapons. They are talking vaguely. What I can say exactly is that the place where an explosion occurred  is a place where drone bombs were stored. An explosion broke out at that place. We are still investigating why the explosion took place. In the past, a KIA ammunition depot exploded near Laiza. They blacked out the news. Now it may be due to an explosion at the drone bomb depot. We are still investigating about the news on the ground." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The armed conflict has been breaking out across the country since 1 February 2021 in Myanmar and it has not been reduced until today and is getting more severe. 

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun

The reason why the armed conflict has become widespread was because of weakness in political dialogue.

It would be convenient to be able to carry out the process that could find the political answer, said U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP), to CNI News.

" The reason why the armed conflict has been widespread because of weakness in political dialogue, I think. So, If the political problem will be solved by political means, stakeholders need to be honest. The processes that will find the answer in accordance with political means should be implemented so that we can reduce the armed conflict." he said.

Armed conflicts have been breaking out widely across the country and because of the battles, the country's peace, politics, economy, education and health are deteriorating from all sides.

CNI News

11 October 2023 

An explosion took place at the  Munglai Hkyet IDP camp near the Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA) headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State at about midnight on 9 October 2023. 

Due to the explosion, 29 people were killed and 56 were wounded and 44 people are receiving treatment, said Col.Naw Bu, spokesperson of the KIA.

" It is a situation where the military council dropped a bomb at about 11:25 p.m. yesterday . But I did not hear the sound of the plane flying. We are considering if they attacked by drone. We have found 29 dead bodies up to now. 56 people were wounded and 44 people are receiving treatment. Among the people who were killed, children and old people were included. But we can't identify exactly. We are still finding." said Col.Naw Bu in an interview with Myanmar Now.

Colonel Naw Bu, in charge of news and information department of the KIA

They were still investigating the Munglai Hkyet IDP camp explosion and they did not bomb the camp by airplane and did not conduct any attacks. 

It might be due to explosion of drone bombs stored, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the information team of the State Administration Council on 10 October 2023.

" We are still investigating about the IDP camp explosion in Laiza. We are always working to maintain peace and stability in the border region. I want you to consider if it's possible that we attacked a place near the border by dropping a bomb or by a large weapon? The Tatmadaw is able to attack any headquarters. But we didn't fire or attack. The organization (KIA) itself is talking about various news. Some said that the military government fired from its warplanes and others said that military government fired by large weapons. They are talking vaguely. What I can say exactly is that the place where an explosion occurred  is a place where drone bombs were stored. An explosion broke out at that place. We are still investigating why the explosion took place. In the past, a KIA ammunition depot exploded near Laiza. They blacked out the news. Now it may be due to an explosion at the drone bomb depot. We are still investigating about the news on the ground." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.  

Now, at the rate of death and injury, if the attack were conducted by bomb, the bomb must be 200 lb or 500 lb. 

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the information team of the State Administration Council 

However, if the photos were studied carefully, there was no sign of the situation was attacked by 200 or 500 lb bomb. Moreover, if attacked by drone, a drone can carry 10lb or 20lb bomb. Drone bombs cannot kill and injure so many people, an ammunition and military expert said.

" They said that it was bombed by a warplane when studied the photos uploaded. But a 200-pound or 500-pound bomb can cause the current number of deaths and injuries. if the bomb like that was dropped, there must be a large hole in the ground. But we don't find it. Moreover, A Chinese Special Envoy has arrived at the border now. He is discussing with the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The Tatmadaw surely would have known the news. In a situation like this, there is something to think about whether the Tatmadaw would attack Laiza at the Chinese border. Another thing is that the sound of a plane flying was not heard. Only the sound of an explosion was heard. Some said that it was attacked by drones. But the currently used drones can carry 10 or 20lb bombs. These bombs cannot cause the deaths and injuries like that. So, this incident should be carefully studied." he said.

Mr.Deng Xijun, Chinese Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, has arrived at the Chinese-Myanmar border and is discussing about peace processes with the AA and MNDAA.

Even though the relevant organizations are accusing each other about the Munglai Hkyet IDP camp explosion, there has been no correct answer.

CNI News

10 October 2023

It was necessary to identify and take action against those who broke the law, said deputy C in C of the Defence Services Vice Sr- Gen Soe Win at the work coordination meeting of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee on 9 October 2023.

The main development of production and trade was needed for the national economic development and the main blow to the country's production and trade was illegal trade. 

Although there was illegal trade in every country, as illegal trades had taken root through the ages and grown widely in Myanmar, it needed to be taken action against effectively, he said.

"The government is planning and carrying out to eradicate the illegal trade. Illegal trades in border trades are hurting the country's income and it is necessary to act in accordance with the law in conducting trade with foreign countries. And it is necessary to identify and take action against those who break the law." said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

Governments of Regions and States

Lt-Gen Moe Myint Tun, member of the State Administration Council, was recently taken action against by the SAC, saying he took bribes in the trade and fuel industries. 
In the same way, Maj-Gen Yan Naung Soe, joint secretary of the Central Committee on Ensuring the Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods was also arrested for corruption.

After that, Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win said that the SAC would go on taking action against those who broke the law. Moreover, if trade could not be carried out correctly, it would affect the country's economy as well as the development of the people's social economic life. So, it was necessary to take action against the illegal trade more effectively, he said.

In July and August, the illegal transportation of millet could be exposed in Bago region and Mon states and illegally taking millet out by 11 containers could be prevented in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone reportedly.

CNI News

10 October 2023

There is no difference in the minimum wage between Thai and foreign workers, confirmed the Thai Ministry of Labor. 

But in practice foreign migrant workers get only the minimum wage and Thai workers get more than the minimum wage, pointed out the people helping in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers.

" Our migrant workers cannot get skilled jobs. These kinds of jobs are paid more money. Thai government raised salaries that are included in 12 kinds of skilled jobs. Of them, some are related to Thai people only. Some skilled workers get 400 to 600 bahts a day. Jobs are divided according to the nature of work in the provinces. Every workers get basic salary." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs for the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), to CNI News.

Although wages are different on the skill in the workplace, most of the foreign migrant workers get the minimum wage designated. However, workers in border regions get under the minimum wage reportedly.

Foreign workers who have arrived in Thailand

Because rumour had that raising the minimum wage to 400 bahts a day applied only Thai workers has been spreading, Thai Ministry of Labor has released a statement like this.

Restriction on foreign workers in relation to jobs in Thailand should be relaxed, said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers, to CNI News.

" Many of our citizens can speak English well. There are many Myanmar people who can speak Chinese well. There are Myanmar citizens who are working in the well-known Thai companies as HR staff, but not many. They are employing the staff secretly. The jobs that don't allow foreign workers contain house maid as well. According to the MoU, Myanmar workers are not allowed to work as house maids. But among 5 million Myanmar people working in Thailand, 10 percent of them are working as house maids. Because there are foreign workers in the forbidden jobs, we want the forbidden jobs to be reduced." said Ko Thar Gyi.

There is a plan that will surely raise the minimum wage in Thailand and monetary inflation and living cost will be taken into consideration in designation of the minimum wage rate reportedly.

CNI News

10 October 2023

The current war between Israel and the Hamas militant group has affected the global gold and oil prices and could impact indirectly on the prices of gold and fuel in Myanmar, commented businessmen.  

The Hamas group attacked Israel by several thousands of rockets and hundreds of people were killed as well as hundreds of people were arrested on 7 October 2023. After that, Israel declared war on the Hamas group and Israel is carrying out intense airstrikes on Hamas targets  and then the war between Israel and Hamas has escalated.

As the war could lead to a large-scale war in the Middle East, it could indirectly affect Myanmar. So, organizations concerned should make preparations about how to cope with a possibility that the prices of gold and fuel could go up, suggested economic analysts.

A fuel station

"Israel-Palestine war has nothing to do with Myanmar. But many wars in Middle East are not easy to end because the United States is on Israel's side. On the side of Hamas are the Arab countries and Iran. Iran supports Hamas a lot including weapons and ammunition. In the past, the US imposed sanction on Iran relating to petroleum. But the sanction was lifted this year. If the war became larger, the US might impose on Iran again. If it hurt the Iran's production of petroleum, the oil price may go up possibly in December when the rain has stopped in Myanmar and gold digging will restart. If the fuel price go up when gold digging activities restarts, the gold price will also go up. So, the war may indirectly affect Myanmar. If the price of fuel goes up, the cost of production will increase. And then commodity prices will also go up. How to cope with it depends on the government." said Ko Nay Khant, a dollar and gold market analyst, to CNI News.

Currently, the world gold price has increased and Octane 92 is in short supply at many gas stations in Myanmar. If the war took long, many countries including Iran and Turkey probably would take side with Palestine while the US would take side with Israel.

Israel army is making military preparations to fight against Hamas

 After that, the US probably will impose sanction on Iran that produces crude oil, said experts. If such sanctions were imposed, world oil prices would rise and it could impact on the prices of fuel in Myanmar. 

By reason of Russia-Ukraine war, Myanmar businessmen and traders raised the commodity prices. At present, not to make the commodity prices higher by reason of Israel-Palestine war, Myanmar government needs to deal effectively with, pointed out some businessmen.

" The government needs to take action effectively to deal with that issue. The main thing is that traders are making speculations. Whenever there is a big political or economic conflict somewhere in the world, it will impact on Myanmar, that Myanmar entrepreneurs have firmly deemed. It is a bad sign for the Myanmar people. Those who are performing to make the prices higher by reason of a big conflict somewhere in the world should be taken action against effectively. If the government arrests about five people doing like that, any more of people won't dare to do that, I think." said U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman to CNI News.

The Commodity Price Stabilization Committee and the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee monitor the entrepreneurs and traders who might make speculations and if possible, actions should be taken. 

Moreover, policies in relation to imports and exports should be flexible depending on conditions, said economists.

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.